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

Han Imperial Harem.

Jiang Yuyan Chambers.

"Is the information you gathered accurate?"

"Did Xun Kuang from the Little Sage Manor of the Qin Dynasty really enter the Han Dynasty Territory?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, it's absolutely true. Moreover, he seems to be looking for someone."

"He's currently preparing to leave for the Sui Dynasty Territory."

"Your Highness, this might be an opportunity for us!"

"You're right. Since Xun Kuang was able to make it onto the Confucian Immortal Ranking, although he's a bit old, his potential remains. He is worthy of being recruited."

"The most crucial point is that he has not yet reached the Mythical Realm and is only in the Heavenly Human Realm."

"Even if we forcibly subdue him, there's no need to worry about backlash!"

A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Yuyan's eyes.

She had recruited many Grandmasters and even Great Grandmasters over the years.

But Land Immortal Realm individuals remained extremely scarce.

What she urgently needed now was more Land Immortals to prepare for the upcoming changes in the world.

"This time, I will personally take action. Not long ago, I just created a new Demonic Exercise based on the magic seed."

"I can test its power on this Xun Kuang."

Through the Spirit Devouring Demon Exercise, she had been constantly absorbing the talents and powers of various prodigies and cultivators, causing her martial aptitude to become terrifyingly strong.

She had also developed many mysterious and unpredictable skills and Cultivation Techniques.

Some were bestowed upon trusted subordinates, while others were kept as her trump cards.

It could be said that Jiang Yuyan had now truly matured.

If not for the overly complex undercurrents of the Nine Provinces World, with countless Mythical Realm and God Demon Realm beings hiding in the shadows.

She might have already stretched her demonic hand toward the Han Dynasty and replaced its regime.

However, ever since she became aware of the mysterious Stitched Cloth Guard and their unclear intentions.

Her every move had become increasingly secretive.

She hid deeper and deeper.

And continued to accumulate more power, in preparation for dealing with those true masterminds and hidden giants of the future.

"Mm? The ranking has been updated!"

Jiang Yuyan had always taken special interest in the Confucian Immortal Ranking.

The Han Dynasty was a regime that greatly valued Confucianism.

Whether in the Imperial Court or among the people, countless extraordinary Confucian scholars resided within.

Perhaps among them were individuals truly worth cultivating.

Of course, if someone managed to get on the ranking, even better. She could forcibly recruit them.

As for resistance?

With her current abilities and strange methods, forcibly subduing someone was hardly a problem.

She could even ensure that betrayal was impossible.

==========

High above, the Confucian Immortal Ranking of the Nine Provinces radiated bright light.

A new ranking slowly appeared.

[Confucian Immortal Ranking – Rank 8]

[Cai Yong]

[Force: Endless Sea of Learning Academy of Ming Dynasty]

[Cultivation: Intermediate Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal]

[Technique: Cai Yong Literature Classic (Created by fusing multiple Confucian Dao Cultivation Techniques)]

[Reward: Five wisps of Low-Tier Grand Righteous Qi (enhances Confucian Cultivation Techniques), 1 Low-Tier Confucian Skill, 1 Low-Tier Confucian Divine Weapon]

"It's actually him?"

Jiang Yuyan's eyes flickered with surprise.

Cai Yong had originally been an Imperial Court official of the Han Dynasty, but years ago, for unknown reasons, he resigned and retired.

She never expected that he would end up joining the Ming Dynasty.

No wonder her efforts to investigate him had yielded nothing.

She hadn't been in the Han Dynasty for long and had never interacted with Cai Yong.

But she still remembered that the Cai Yong who once served the Han Imperial Court was nothing more than an ordinary old man who only studied Confucianism and possessed no martial strength.

And now, after just a few years in the Ming Dynasty?

He had transformed into an Intermediate Heavenly Human Realm cultivator?

That kind of growth speed was terrifying!

Unfortunately, he had already been claimed by the Ming Dynasty. Otherwise, she truly would have wanted to capture and completely subdue him.

But with her current power, she still could not afford to confront the Ming Dynasty.

Knowing how terrifying the Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao was, Jiang Yuyan had not yet dared to provoke him.

However, in the future, when she gained enough strength.

She would have no choice but to face the Ming Dynasty and its Emperor Zhu Houzhao.

==========

"Cai Yong?"

"I've heard of him. Wasn't he once a highly renowned Confucian scholar of the Han Dynasty?"

"Years ago, I think he was falsely accused by Emperor Liu Hong and nearly had his entire family executed. Thankfully, his good reputation saved his life."

"But I never expected him to join the Ming Dynasty."

"Even more unbelievable is that he went from being a mere Confucian scholar to a Heavenly Human Realm cultivator?"

"This is too outrageous, even more dramatic than stories in fiction books!"

"And this Ming Dynasty is incredible. The previous Rank 10, Li Qingzhao, is also from the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, right?"

"And now there's Cai Yong."

"Two individuals in a row on the Confucian Immortal Ranking. It's only a matter of time before this Endless Sea of Learning Academy becomes the most famous Confucian academy in the Nine Provinces!"

"I must go study at Endless Sea of Learning Academy!"

"Me too! I heard that the Endless Sea of Learning Academy emphasizes all Six Arts equally."

"Every graduate is both literate and skilled in martial arts."

"Many of their alumni have already joined the Ming Dynasty's civil service, with boundless potential."

In the Nine Provinces, Cai Yong's name was far more well-known than Li Qingzhao's.

Any learned Confucian scholar in any dynasty would have heard of him.

With Cai Yong's entry into the ranking, his fame surged even higher.

Even the academy he belonged to, the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, was now being recognized by countless Confucian scholars and students across the Nine Provinces.

Many were now considering traveling there to study.

At the same time, the strength of the Endless Sea of Learning Academy left everyone stunned.

In the future, it might very well become one of the most revered sacred lands for Confucian scholars.

==========

Ming Dynasty.

Capital City.

Endless Sea of Learning Academy.

"Master Cai, congratulations on ranking 8th on the Confucian Immortal Ranking!"

Li Qingzhao bowed respectfully, smiling as she offered her congratulations.

"Hahaha! I should also congratulate you, Young Friend Qingzhao!"

"You're ranked 10th on the Confucian Immortal Ranking, and you're still so young. Your future potential is limitless."

"You'll surely surpass this old man by far!"

"Reaching the Mythical Realm or even the God Demon Realm may not be impossible for you!"

"The future of Confucianism will depend on true prodigies like you and my daughter!"

Cai Yong laughed heartily, stroking his beard as he and Li Qingzhao exchanged compliments.

"Master Cai, you're too kind. Compared to Big Sister Cai Yan, I'm still far behind."

"With her abilities, Big Sister Cai Yan definitely belongs on the Confucian Immortal Ranking."

"And she would certainly rank among the top!"

Hearing Li Qingzhao mention his daughter, Cai Yong's smile almost reached his ears.

He couldn't be more satisfied with her.

Then he turned to look at Cai Yan, who was pouring tea beside him, nodding proudly.

"Little Sister Qingzhao, we're like sisters. Why be so formal?"

Cai Yan took Li Qingzhao's hand and rolled her eyes playfully.

Judging by their tone and expressions, the two women clearly shared a close bond.

Absolutely bosom friends.

"By the way, Father, did you receive the Heaven Dao Reward?"

"Yes, I did. Especially those five wisps of Grand Righteous Qi, they were of great benefit to me."

"They helped me deepen my understanding of Confucianism. Perhaps in the future, I might even reach the Mythical Realm."

"Then let me congratulate you in advance!"

"As for the Confucian Skill and Divine Weapon gifted by the Heaven Dao, I don't really care much about those."

"Matters involving violence should be left to you young people."

"I just want to stay here in the academy and quietly study Confucianism."

Even now as an Intermediate Heavenly Human Realm cultivator, he had never truly fought anyone.

Even he himself did not know how powerful he really was.

At heart, he still considered himself a scholar.

A gentleman debates with words, not fists.

He disliked violence.

What pleased him most about becoming a Heavenly Human Realm cultivator was the extension of his life span, allowing him to live a few more years.

"Father, someone's come to visit again. I won't disturb you further."

"Qingzhao and I will be in the backyard. Just send someone if anything comes up."

==========

Backyard.

"Big Sister Cai Yan, why did you drag me out here?"

"If you have something to ask, just ask. I won't hide anything!"

Li Qingzhao looked at Cai Yan curiously, not understanding her intentions.

"Little Sister Qingzhao, did he come to see you not long ago?"

Cai Yan looked at her with hopeful eyes, asking softly.

"He?"

Li Qingzhao murmured in confusion, then realized.

"Big Sister Cai Yan, you're talking about His Majesty? I made it onto the Confucian Immortal Ranking by luck. His Majesty just came to take a look at me."

Hearing this, Cai Yan's eyes revealed a trace of grievance, and she pouted.

"So biased. He hasn't visited me in so long."

"He finally came to the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, yet he didn't even come to see me!"

Seeing Cai Yan's girlish expression, Li Qingzhao couldn't help but laugh mischievously.

"So Big Sister Cai Yan gets jealous too!"

"If you miss His Majesty, why not go see him yourself?"

"With His Majesty's personality, he'd be thrilled!"

"When Big Sister Cai Yan gets on the Confucian Immortal Ranking, His Majesty will surely come see you right away!"

She was well aware of the relationship between Zhu Houzhao and Cai Yan.

In fact, the two had known each other longer than she had known the Emperor.

"Big Sister Cai Yan, since you like His Majesty so much, why didn't you enter the palace when he chose Consorts?"

"With your beauty and character, and how much he likes you, you'd at least be an Imperial Consort!"

"Then why didn't you enter the palace, Little Sister Qingzhao, since you like His Majesty too?"

Cai Yan returned the question.

Li Qingzhao was momentarily speechless.

The Ming Imperial Harem was too complicated, and she couldn't handle it.

It was better to stay in the Endless Sea of Learning Academy and do what she loved.

Besides, that big pig-headed man didn't object, in fact, he encouraged her and pushed her forward.

As long as she liked him in her heart, that was enough.

It wasn't like they couldn't see each other.

Living outside the palace gave her more freedom.

Cai Yan naturally understood Li Qingzhao's thoughts.

She thought the same.

Staying at Endless Sea of Learning Academy, she could contribute to his cause.

That was much better than staying idle in the Imperial Harem all day.