Golden Ranking Appears, My Empress Turns Out to Be Wu Zhao

Within a secret base in the Ming Dynasty Territory.

"Cult Master, Dongfang Bubai has actually become a Land Immortal. With our current strength, I'm afraid we're not strong enough."

"If we go head-to-head, we'll be the ones who lose."

"Damn it! That dog Dongfang, how could he become so powerful?"

"Left Envoy Xiang, what should we do next?"

"The previous plan may no longer work."

"Cult Master, we should lie low for now and look for an opportunity. The more critical the moment, the more we need to remain calm."

"Perhaps we can secretly incite conflict between the Five Mountain Sword Sects and Dongfang Bubai's force. Let them destroy each other and amplify their conflict."

"Among the Five Mountain Sword Sects, there might be someone capable of rivaling Dongfang Bubai."

Ren Woxing looked unwilling. He wanted to personally take Dongfang Bubai's life.

But now, it doesn't seem possible.

Still, he would stop at nothing to see Dongfang Bubai dead.

Just because he couldn't now didn't mean he couldn't later.

There was no shortage of Land Immortals in the Ming Martial World.

Perhaps forming an alliance was very much a viable option.

"Cult Master, should we contact the Young Miss?"

"No need. We may be in constant danger from now on. I don't want Yingying to be at risk."

"No matter what, that dog Dongfang still treats Yingying with respect on the surface."

"Her life won't be in danger."

==========

Northern Mountain, Mount Heng.

Mount Heng Sect.

Yi Lin sat alone atop a mountain peak, immersed in an extremely profound state.

Boom!

A soft explosion sounded from within her body.

Immediately after, a terrifying aura burst forth.

The surging energy pressure knocked over nearby trees one after another.

"Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal!"

"I've finally broken through!"

Yi Lin opened her eyes with excitement.

Ever since she had made the Hidden Dragon Ranking and received the Heaven Dao Reward, her cultivation speed had soared like a rocket.

Even she herself found it hard to believe.

In just a few days, she broke through to the Great Grandmaster Realm.

And her pace hadn't slowed down at all.

Early Great Grandmaster, Intermediate Great Grandmaster, Late Great Grandmaster, then Great Perfection Great Grandmaster.

Then Half-Step Land Immortal.

Yi Lin had mentally prepared herself for a long grind before reaching the fabled Heavenly Human Realm.

Unexpectedly, everything felt as smooth and peaceful as before.

And it was precisely this inner tranquility that accelerated her progress.

The bottleneck of the Heavenly Human Realm didn't even feel like a hindrance.

With just a light push, she broke through instantly.

It was so easy, she almost doubted herself.

"Sect Master?"

Sensing the terrifying aura at the mountain peak, the surrounding sisters came forward one after another.

Their faces were filled with surprise.

"Senior Sister Yi Qing, Senior Sister Yi He, and everyone!"

"Sect Master, just now–?"

"Senior Sisters, I've had a small breakthrough. I've officially stepped into the Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal!"

"What? Heavenly Human Realm?"

The nuns were all stunned, looking at Yi Lin in disbelief.

Their hearts surged with emotion like crashing waves.

In the past, they might not have understood this realm very well.

But ever since the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking appeared, everyone in the world knew of the Land Immortal Realm.

Especially how it was further divided into the Heavenly Human Realm, Mythical Realm, and God Demon Realm.

Each of these realms carried power that could move mountains and overturn seas.

They were far beyond the likes of Grandmasters or Great Grandmasters.

And now the Junior Sister they had always protected had reached such heights?

"Congratulations, Sect Master. From now on, our Mount Heng Sect will no longer need to fear those evil spirits."

Their Sect Master's achievements brought them true joy from the heart.

At the very least, in this terrifying Martial World, they now had the ability to barely protect themselves.

Unless someone of the Mythical Realm intervened, their Mount Heng Sect would not be so easily destroyed like other sects.

"Huh? The Demon God Ranking? Dongfang Bubai?"

Yi Lin now looked up and saw the ranking in the sky.

She didn't recognize the name Li Shengnan.

But Dongfang Bubai, even someone like Yi Lin who wasn't too familiar with the Martial World, knew the name all too well.

He had reached the Late Heavenly Human Realm.

Clearly, there was still a big gap between them.

If that demon ever targeted Mount Heng Sect and her sisters, she might not be able to protect them.

It seemed she still had to be cautious and could not afford arrogance.

If she wished to follow in that person's footsteps, she would have to work even harder.

"Sect Master, now that you've reached the Land Immortal Realm, should we hold a big celebration?"

"Invite some Martial World allies to offer their congratulations?"

"Senior Sisters, that won't be necessary. Even if I've advanced, it doesn't mean we're out of danger."

"For now, we should keep a low profile."

"The waters of the Ming Martial World run deep. If we draw the attention of power-hungry men, it will only bring disaster."

Though Yi Lin was kind and pure, she wasn't naive.

Moreover, after being Sect Master for about a year, she had grown a lot.

"Sect Master is right. I just heard that chaos is erupting across all nations in the Nine Provinces."

"Even Heavenly Human Realm and Mythical Realm cultivators are dying left and right."

"It's not just conflicts between nations."

"Even within the Martial World, sects, clans, and organizations, everything is being reshuffled in brutal ways."

"If we are too high-profile, our Mount Heng Sect may be in danger."

"Everyone must stay alert and not lower their guard."

"Dongfang Bubai is already a late Heavenly Human Realm. His ambition is surely growing."

"The Demon Cult is about to descend into total chaos again."

==========

Qing Dynasty Territory.

Mount Mang Sect.

A man and woman stood in front of the great hall, gazing up at the ranking in the sky.

"Brother Jin, Miss Li has made it onto the ranking?"

"And she's already in the Great Perfection Heavenly Human Realm."

"Even you are far from her match now!"

"Indeed. I once met her. She even saved me once. I owe her a great debt."

"Sadly, with her strength now, I really don't know how I could ever repay it."

"Brother Jin, don't underestimate yourself. With your talent, one day you'll become a Land Immortal too."

"At the very least, the Heavenly Human Realm should be within your grasp."

"Thank you for the encouragement, Miss Gu. I'll keep striving."

The ones speaking were Jin Shiyi and Gu Zhihua.

Strangely enough, despite the once complicated entanglement among the three of them, they were now just ordinary friends.

Even Gu Zhihua now treated Jin Shiyi with formal politeness.

There was not a trace of affection in her eyes anymore.

"By the way, Miss Gu, Senior Lu summoned me. May I ask what for?"

"Oh right, I nearly forgot. Let's go see the Master!"

Gu Zhihua exclaimed, then led Jin Shiyi toward a great hall.

Inside the hall.

A sharp-featured, commanding woman sat high on a dais.

It was Lu Siniang, Mount Mang Sect Master.

She was once infamous for attempting to assassinate the Previous Emperor of Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng.

And after that assassination attempt, the Emperor soon died.

Whether Lu Siniang was the actual killer, only she knew.

"Master!"

"Greetings, Senior Lu!"

"May we know why you summoned us?"

"Shiyi, Zhihua, I have a mission for you. But it is somewhat dangerous."

"Please instruct us, Senior."

"Master, whatever it is, your disciple will obey."

"Good. I intend to send the two of you to serve under Marshal Hua Mulan of Ming Dynasty."

"You will represent the Mount Mang Sect while under her command."

Hearing this, Jin Shiyi and Gu Zhihua were both stunned.

"What? Master, why should we do that?"

"The Qing Dynasty is our enemy, but the Ming Dynasty is not necessarily our ally either."

"Why must we get involved in a war between nations?"

"Sigh. Very well. Since you two are my own disciples, I'll tell you some secrets you deserve to know."

"Truthfully, both I and Shiyi's master, the Venerable Du Long, originated from the Ming Dynasty."

"The Former Ming Emperor dispatched us, including Du Long, myself, and other operatives, to infiltrate the Qing Dynasty."

"Both Imperial Court and Martial World were penetrated without exception."

"We've always maintained ties with the Ming Dynasty."

"In essence, Mount Mang Sect has always been a force under the Ming Dynasty."

"And Shiyi, Zhihua, as successors to Du Long and myself, you are naturally Ming Dynasty's people as well."

"To serve under Marshal Hua is your rightful duty."

Lu Siniang looked deeply at the two of them and slowly explained.

"What? Why?"

"If the Master belonged to the Ming Dynasty, why didn't the Ming Dynasty rescue my master when he was in trouble?"

"Why did they let him die tragically overseas?"

"Sigh. Back then, when the Venerable Du Long was persecuted, it was all a conspiracy by the Qing Dynasty's secret service, the Flying Guillotine Division."

"Unfortunately, the Ming Emperor had just passed away, and the new Emperor suspended all foreign operations to stabilize internal affairs."

"The Flying Guillotine Division seized that brief opportunity."

"Du Long's high profile made him the prime target."

"Many comrades died. I had no choice but to gamble everything on an assassination attempt on Yongzheng."

"With help from our people inside the Qing Imperial Court, I finally succeeded."

"It was only after Yongzheng's death that things began to improve."

"A few years ago, Emperor Zhu Houzhao ascended the throne and reestablished contact with us."

"By then, your master was already missing."

"That's why he wasn't rescued."

"But no matter what, Du Long's roots lie in the Ming Dynasty."

"You inherited his legacy, so naturally, you are part of the Ming Dynasty as well."

"So there were so many secrets!"

"Very well. I will obey your instructions, Senior!"

"Good. Also, Shiyi, serving under the marshal, you must rack up military merit. It will benefit your future immensely."

"The Ming Emperor is generous with rewards to his subjects and officers."

"If your accomplishments are great enough, you may gain a path to the Heavenly Human Realm, even the Mythical Realm or God Demon Realm."

"If you can prove your worth, your future could surpass mine."

When Lu Siniang mentioned the Ming Emperor, Gu Zhihua's eyes lit up.

Her face filled with joy.

But that joy was quickly replaced by worry.

"Master, the newly ranked Li Shengnan turns out to be the long-vanished member of the Heaven Demon Cult."

"She once helped us. What should we do if we meet her again?"

Gu Zhihua seemed to remember something. She glanced up at the ranking in the sky and asked softly.

"Anyone else might not know her background, but I'm one of the few who does."

"If you encounter her, don't make her your enemy."

"She won't harm you either."

"However, until you reach the Heavenly Human Realm, don't get involved with her too deeply. It might cause trouble."

"Master, is she also one of the Ming Dynasty's hidden agents?"

"She is not someone to be taken lightly. Even I would need to treat her with caution."

"Her potential will definitely surpass mine in the future."

"Alright, your immediate priority is to serve under Marshal Hua and make your mark."

"Everything else, once you're qualified, you will naturally come to know."

"Yes, Master (Senior)!"