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

Qin Imperial Palace.

"This aura... Can you tell who released it?"

Ying Zheng asked the Black Ice Platform Leader.

His face was gloomy.

From this aura, he felt his own insignificance.

Like an ant.

If the other party truly intended to kill him, he would be utterly defenseless.

For someone as proud as him, how could he possibly accept such a thing?

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this is most likely the aura from that mysterious Sage Realm cultivator breaking through once more!"

"In just a year, his progress has been unbelievably fast."

"Already to the point that I cannot comprehend it."

The Black Ice Platform Leader was only at the Mythical Realm.

He couldn't even grasp the God Demon Realm, let alone the Sage Realm.

"Sage Realm? Sage Realm!"

"I don't even know whether this person is a friend or a foe. Could he become a threat to the Qin Dynasty in the future?"

"I must uncover the truth behind this. Also, I must obtain the strength to resist such a person."

"I have to prepare for the worst before it happens."

"Immediately dispatch the Black Ice Platform to investigate covertly across all of the Nine Provinces!"

"With such a massive disturbance, it's impossible the other dynasties remain quiet."

If it were just a lone cultivator, perhaps Ying Zheng wouldn't care.

But someone who reached the God Demon Realm, or even the Sage Realm, was no longer a force that conventional armies could match.

Such a person represented the greatest strategic asset of a dynasty.

With such a cultivator, a dynasty was born into an invincible position.

"And also, tell Bai Qi and Wang Jian to speed up. I'm running out of patience."

"Why hasn't the head of Xiong Qi been delivered to Xianyang yet?"

Because of the interference from Xiong Qi and the remnants of the Six Kingdoms, his next plans were still being delayed.

Even the Tang Dynasty was gradually catching up.

If this continues, the situation will become extremely severe.

==========

Han Dynasty.

Heaven Gate.

Di Shitian was still troubled over the issue of Dragon Essence when suddenly, he sensed the overwhelming and terrifying aura, and his expression changed instantly.

And it changed for the worse.

From this aura, he actually felt a fatal threat.

As if the person truly wanted to kill him, and he had no escape.

In other words, he, a self-proclaimed god, could become nothing but an ant in the other person's eyes.

How could that be acceptable?

"Someone, come!"

"God, your subordinate is here!"

The Divine Mother, Luo Xian, quickly arrived and greeted him "respectfully".

In just a short time, Luo Xian's cultivation had already reached the Late Mythical Realm.

Clearly, Zhu Houzhao had invested significant resources into this chess piece.

Right under Di Shitian's nose, her strength had grown rapidly.

And Di Shitian had not noticed at all.

Luo Xian was not disappointed either. Secretly using the Cultivation Techniques and skills given to her by Zhu Houzhao, she gradually took control of nearly half of the Heaven Gate's power.

The moment all of Heaven Gate fell under her control would be the moment of Di Shitian's death.

Of course.

When the time came to deal with Di Shitian, Zhu Houzhao's people would personally take action.

As for Di Shitian, Zhu Houzhao had long since made arrangements for him.

The only reason he hadn't been killed yet was because he still had some use.

At this moment, although Luo Xian appeared respectful on the surface, deep in her heart, there was no longer any reverence or loyalty toward Di Shitian.

Every single decision she made was based on Zhu Houzhao's interests as the highest priority.

Di Shitian probably didn't even realize that the chess piece he had trained would one day betray him.

Otherwise, he wouldn't still be looking so relaxed and carefree.

"Luo Xian, immediately send someone to the Nine Provinces to investigate the source of this aura!"

"Report all information about that person to me!"

"Yes, God!"

"By the way, how's that little girl from the Han Dynasty doing?"

"Does she have any intentions of betraying Heaven Gate?"

Di Shitian furrowed his brow and suddenly recalled Jiang Yuyan from the Han Imperial Harem.

For some reason, he had a strange feeling about her.

"Reporting to God, Jiang Yuyan's cultivation of the Spirit Devouring Demon Exercise is terrifyingly powerful."

"She's currently devouring powerful cultivators at a rapid pace and advancing quickly."

"Several Heavenly Human Realm cultivators from both Heaven Gate and the Han Dynasty's Stitched Cloth Guard have been completely devoured by her and turned into nourishment."

"This woman has truly grown formidable, and I can no longer restrain her."

Luo Xian's mind turned quickly.

She was planning to use Di Shitian to probe Jiang Yuyan.

This woman was odd. Though her cultivation wasn't yet strong, she was especially dangerous.

Even some Mythical Realm cultivators couldn't compare to her threat level.

Di Shitian snorted coldly upon hearing this.

Immediately, he began to move his hands and chant a mysterious incantation.

A strange and mystical energy wave spread out.

It lasted for quite a while.

Only then did Di Shitian open his eyes, his expression extremely ugly.

"What a vile woman. Jiang Yuyan!"

"She actually erased the curse imprint I placed on her."

"I underestimated her."

Luo Xian pouted slightly.

Underestimated? You underestimate everyone.

With your arrogant nature, there are far too many people you look down on.

"God, what should we do with her now?"

"Leave her be for now. I'll deal with her myself."

"I want to see just how far she can go."

"When she reaches the peak of her triumph, that's when I'll crush her and let her fall into despair. Wouldn't that be more delightful?"

Di Shitian laughed arrogantly and wildly.

Luo Xian opened her mouth as if to offer advice.

But in the end, she didn't say anything.

With his personality, there was no point in speaking up anyway.

But maybe this was for the best. If Di Shitian eventually suffered at the hands of Jiang Yuyan, it would only work in her favor.

Whether Di Shitian or Jiang Yuyan won or lost, lived or died, she would not lose either way.

==========

Ming Dynasty, Snow Moon City.

In the training grounds of the Snow Moon Sword Immortal's residence.

Snow Moon Sword Immortal Li Hanyi and A Qing were locked in combat, their silhouettes weaving together as sharp sword energy filled the air.

They clashed repeatedly.

Terrifying sword aura shockwaves erupted from their battle.

Not far away, Shang Xiuxun stared in disbelief at the fight.

So this is what a duel between Mythical Realm Sword Immortals looks like?

It was incredible.

Compared to them, although she was decent herself, it was like the difference between a bug and a dragon.

Looking at the two women, Shang Xiuxun pouted once again in dissatisfaction.

Why are all the women around that man so powerful?

Compared to them, she was painfully lacking.

It even made her feel a bit inferior.

She never expected that she, the dignified master of the Flying Horse Ranch, would feel a sense of inferiority.

How could that be possible?

But soon, Shang Xiuxun pushed away that negative emotion.

She regained her confidence.

So what if she wasn't as good as them?

She was still the one and only Shang Xiuxun, unparalleled.

Even if her strength lagged behind now, so what?

Sooner or later, she would catch up.

Before, she had merely been held back by worldly matters.

Once she focused her heart, she would rapidly improve, even surpass them!

"Yiya! I give up, I give up!"

A Qing quickly withdrew from the fight, shaking her little head repeatedly.

In terms of swordsmanship alone, she still had much to learn.

If it were a real life-and-death duel, she might have died already.

Sure enough, this trip to Snow Moon City was the right decision.

Li Hanyi looked at the innocent-looking A Qing with some helplessness.

That brute actually managed to deceive such a pure girl.

Truly despicable.

Just how many romantic entanglements had he left behind outside?

Why were all these women not going to the Imperial Palace to confront that scoundrel, and instead showing up in Snow Moon City?

But despite her aloof nature, Li Hanyi actually liked both A Qing and Shang Xiuxun.

After spending some time together, they were worth befriending.

Although Li Hanyi's heart was cold by nature, seeing more and more women around that scoundrel still gave her a sense of crisis.

It seemed she needed to find a few allies of her own.

"Sister Hanyi, can I spar with you often in the future?"

"Your swordsmanship is amazing. I could study it for a long, long time!"

Fortunately, Li Hanyi understood A Qing's personality. Otherwise, she might have thought this was a provocation or carried ill intent.

"Of course. You can both stay here from now on."

"If you want to see that guy, I'll find a way to bring him here."

"Oh, by the way, many sword cultivators frequently come to challenge Snow Moon City. You can test yourselves and hone your skills."

"It'll help you in the long run."

"Some of them are quite strong."

As she spoke, Li Hanyi gently flipped her right hand.

A tiny lotus flower appeared.

She tossed it out.

The lotus instantly turned into a streak of light and disappeared.

This was her special method of contacting Zhu Houzhao.

It wouldn't be long before he received it and came to her immediately.

For him, traveling to Snow Moon City took no longer than the time of a single incense stick burning.

It was easy.

"Hmm? What a powerful aura!"

Just then, the three women simultaneously sensed a terrifying surge of energy.

Their expressions changed drastically.

Although all three were strong, under this aura, they felt utterly insignificant.

"Sister Hanyi, who is this? That aura is terrifying!"

"If that person released just a single strand of energy, I wouldn't be able to resist at all."

A Qing's face turned slightly pale, then she patted her chest and spoke with unease.

"This person's strength is at the very peak of the God Demon Realm."

"In fact, they might be that one and only Sage Realm cultivator."

"For them to suddenly release such a terrifying aura... what could their motive be?"

"Could it be that they're about to emerge?"

"We don't know if they're good or evil, nor whether they'll be a blessing or a curse to the Nine Provinces."

"Sister Hanyi, I don't think that person is evil. I can feel it."

"His aura is vast and righteous, carrying a solemn and awe-inspiring presence."

"I can't be certain he's a good person, but he's definitely not evil."

Looking at A Qing's confident expression, Li Hanyi fell into deep thought.

Over the past few days, she had noticed how extraordinary A Qing was.

Especially her keen instincts.

She could easily sense whether someone had goodwill or malice.

Her sword heart was incomparably pure, even purer than Li Hanyi's own.

She was a natural sword genius.

If A Qing stayed by Zhu Houzhao's side long enough, her swordsmanship would definitely surpass its current limits.

Breaking into the God Demon Realm would be effortless.

"Huh? Look quickly, the ranking has updated again!"

"This ranking is so boring. These renowned ministers aren't even that strong. Compared to people from other rankings, they're completely outmatched!"

Li Hanyi looked up.

On the Golden Ranking board, new text appeared line by line.

[Renowned Minister Ranking – Rank 7]