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

[Confucian Immortal Ranking – Rank 3]

[Wang Yangming]

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

[Cultivation: Land Immortal Realm – God Demon Realm – Early Stage]

[Technique: Yangming Heart Canon (A fusion of Confucian Dao and martial cultivation, self-created)]

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

==========

The mysterious figure glanced indifferently at the ranking, his expression showing no sign of surprise.

A satisfied curve formed on his lips.

"Not bad. It seems I didn't waste all these years of nurturing."

As expected.

The mysterious person who had just slain the God Demon Realm monk from the Tantric Sect was none other than Zhu Houzhao.

From the very beginning.

Zhu Houzhao had received a secret report from Dark One.

There would be powerful figures attempting to assassinate the Confucian Immortals ranked in the Endless Sea of Learning Academy.

Zhu Houzhao immediately thought of Cai Yan and Li Qingzhao, who had gone out for a trip.

Worried, he secretly followed them.

At the same time, he wanted to hunt down those audacious enemies.

Deliver a heavy blow to the opponent.

Originally, he had thought it would be a success just to kill a few Mythical Realm foes.

But unexpectedly, he caught a big fish.

A God Demon Realm cultivator.

He had not anticipated that the Yuan Dynasty's Temujin still had hidden cards yet to be revealed.

Although these Tantric Sect monks were merely in a cooperative relationship with Temujin.

They were nonetheless a formidable force.

If used wisely, they could indeed inflict considerable casualties on the Ming Dynasty.

Now that one of them had been eliminated, Temujin would undoubtedly feel the pain.

Zhu Houzhao was curious to see just how many trump cards the Yuan Dynasty had yet to reveal.

First came the Shaman Cult, and now the Tantric Sect had appeared.

Zhu Houzhao had never underestimated the Yuan Dynasty.

No one could know for certain what the Yuan Dynasty's true foundation was until the very end.

Just like the Ming Dynasty.

The forces visible on the surface seemed formidable.

But they were well known to the other dynasties across the Nine Provinces.

They had long prepared countermeasures and defenses.

Yet only Zhu Houzhao himself knew the true foundation and ultimate trump cards of the Ming Dynasty.

This was knowledge passed down to him by the Former Emperor before his death.

Even the Empress Dowager knew nothing of it.

So it was with the Ming Dynasty.

And so it was with other dynasties and kingdoms.

Each harbored its own hidden depths.

Even on the brink of destruction, a dynasty might erupt with earth-shattering residual power at the final moment.

Zhu Houzhao had always been cautious, acting only after meticulous planning.

Until he fully uncovered the true strength and hidden cards of the Yuan Dynasty, he had no intention of engaging them in a life-or-death struggle.

If the losses were too great, it would only allow the other dynasties to profit from the chaos and laugh at their misfortune.

Zhu Houzhao's goal was to achieve complete victory in one decisive battle.

Minimize his side's losses.

As for how to plan it all, it would depend on his own ability.

All these years, he had cultivated so many geniuses.

They weren't nurtured for nothing.

==========

Shortly after the God Demon Realm monk was slain.

A refined-looking young man walked over.

He respectfully saluted Zhu Houzhao.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, if you hadn't acted personally just now, that bald monk might really have escaped."

"Yangming, your cultivation time has still been short. Although you're also in the God Demon Realm, compared to this old monster who's lived for hundreds of years, you're still lacking experience."

"You'll learn with time."

"Moreover, if you can reach the Intermediate, Late, or even Great Perfection God Demon Realm–"

"Then even without experience, you can annihilate them with ease."

"Your future holds far more than this. You need not belittle yourself."

Zhu Houzhao was extremely satisfied with the youth before him.

Not only did he possess outstanding cultivation talent, but more importantly, his aptitude in the Confucian Dao was monstrous.

Especially under Zhu Houzhao's intentional guidance and cultivation.

In just a few short years.

This fellow had seemed to be on cheat mode.

His Realm advanced rapidly.

Realms below Land Immortal were broken through as easily as eating or drinking.

Even after reaching the Heavenly Human Realm, his cultivation continued to rise.

Mythical Realm, God Demon Realm.

As if there were no bottlenecks at all.

So long as his Confucian comprehension increased, his cultivation Realm would naturally break through on its own.

Fortunately, after reaching the God Demon Realm, his progress finally began to slow.

To Zhu Houzhao, Wang Yangming was already being nurtured as a first-tier talent.

He would also become one of the Emperor's most important subordinates in the future.

Perhaps, he even had the potential to reach the Sage Realm.

"Your Majesty, shall I summon Miss Cai and the others to meet you?"

"No need to disturb them for now."

"Now, I have a task for you."

"The Tantric Sect, investigate the origins of these monks. Which branch are they from?"

"Besides Temujin, are there other forces supporting them?"

"Even a God Demon Realm cultivator took part in this assassination attempt. Things are far from simple."

"There may be other dynasties involved behind the scenes."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Since they dared to target the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, I shall repay the favor!"

"I will immediately dispatch agents to investigate in secret."

Zhu Houzhao nodded.

"If necessary, you may seek help from the Dark One. He will provide support at any time."

"Once you uncover everything, report back to me immediately."

"For now, don't alert the enemy. Just identify the involved forces."

"I may have other plans to set in motion!"

Zhu Houzhao's vision extended far beyond the Yuan Dynasty alone.

The entire Nine Provinces World was a grand chessboard.

All dynasties, all major forces, were pieces on this board.

Every move he made was based on the bigger picture.

He would never be confined to gains and losses before him.

==========

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

Two streaks of light shot swiftly into the distance.

Zhu Houzhao and Wang Yangming immediately noticed.

It turned out there were others hiding nearby.

But for some reason, Zhu Houzhao didn't kill them.

Instead, he allowed them to escape.

Given his strength, eliminating them would be effortless.

"Your Majesty, shall we pursue?"

"These individuals may be accomplices of the Tantric Sect!"

"No need. Just two Mythical Realm cultivators. They're from another force."

"I'll arrange for someone else to investigate them. You just focus on the Tantric Sect."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Alright, I shall remain here a while longer. Go handle your task."

Wang Yangming understood and didn't disturb further.

With a flicker of his form, he vanished without a trace.

"Dark One!"

"Your Majesty, I am here!"

"Track the two who fled just now. Find out which force they belong to."

"Besides the Qin Dynasty, who is the other party?"

"Surely, this is the real hidden power of another dynasty."

"Your Majesty, they are from the Han Dynasty!"

"I've encountered them before!"

"However, they're not under Emperor Liu Hong's command. Instead, they're part of a deeper hidden force."

"Things are getting more and more interesting."

"Seems that with the chaos spreading through the Nine Provinces, some forces can no longer hold back."

"Too bad they've set their sights on me."

"They'll soon learn the terrifying cost of that mistake."

==========

Ming Dynasty.

Capital City.

The most prosperous district.

Inside a restaurant bustling with crowds and endless foot traffic.

Cai Yan and Li Qingzhao sat at a window-side table, enjoying a meal.

Their faces were full of enjoyment.

Since Zhu Houzhao ascended the throne, Ming Dynasty's culinary culture had improved day by day.

Far surpassing the other dynasties.

The people of the Ming Dynasty were blessed with such delicacies, all thanks to the Emperor.

Even the rise of countless gourmet masters in the Ming Dynasty could be attributed to him.

Among them were members of the Imperial Family, nobles, and even refined hedonists skilled in the culinary arts.

"Big Sister Cai Yan, I wonder how His Majesty comes up with so many delicious dishes."

"Compared to Ming Dynasty cuisine, the food from other dynasties isn't worth mentioning."

"To be Emperor and enjoy life to this extent really is a luxury!"

"No wonder people all over the Nine Provinces envy him so much."

Li Qingzhao couldn't help but sigh.

Cai Yan secretly shook her head.

His Majesty could indulge like this not only because he was the Emperor, but also because he possessed unmatched strength and power.

Otherwise.

If he were like the Qing Emperor Hongli or the Southern Song Emperor Zhao Gou.

It would be a different story altogether.

With invincible power, the Emperor had the right to be willful.

Others could not hope to imitate that.

Just then.

A discussion from a nearby table of scholarly-dressed men caught their attention.

==========

"Hey, have you heard?"

"The Endless Sea of Learning Academy is about to open its doors for enrollment?"

"As long as we pass the entrance exam, we'll have the chance to study there."

"Maybe we'll even meet the Confucian Immortals ranked on the ranking. If we become their disciples, that would be an incredible opportunity!"

"That's right. We came all the way from the Han Dynasty just to join the Endless Sea of Learning Academy."

"To study Confucian culture."

"Exactly! Since the Confucian Immortal Ranking was announced, most of the Confucian Immortals have been from the Ming Dynasty."

"Especially the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, where Heavenly Human Realm, Mythical Realm, and even God Demon Realm figures have appeared."

"Who would've thought this seemingly ordinary academy harbored such hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

"If I had known earlier, I would've come to study here long ago."

"But it's not too late. With our talent, getting into the Endless Sea of Learning Academy shouldn't be difficult."

"I heard that becoming a student there grants access to Confucian Cultivation Techniques. I wonder if that's true?"

"Does this mean we too might one day be ranked among the Confucian Immortals of the Nine Provinces?"

"If that's the case, then I'll do whatever it takes to pass."

"If not in one year, then two, or three, or five, even ten..."

"I will never give up easily."

"Many graduates from the Endless Sea of Learning Academy have already become pillars of the Ming Imperial Court."

"Yes, and several of them even came from other dynasties."

"That means we have a real chance too!"

"Oh my god, the academic atmosphere in the Ming Dynasty is so much better than in the Han Dynasty."

"Truly, the Ming Emperor deserves to be called the most accomplished and virtuous Emperor in all the Nine Provinces!"

The discussion came from several scholars.

Judging by their clothing, they weren't from the Ming Dynasty.

From their words, they had come from the Han Dynasty.

Each one spoke with excitement.

They almost burst into dance from joy.

But was the Endless Sea of Learning Academy's fame already spreading this fast?

Even scholars from other dynasties were rushing to apply?

Cai Yan and Li Qingzhao were both puzzled.

They had no idea.

Right now, the Endless Sea of Learning Academy's reputation has already surpassed that of any other academy in the Nine Provinces.

It had even become the new sacred land of the Confucian School in the hearts of many Confucian scholars.

Many saw entering the Endless Sea of Learning Academy as a great honor.

At present, the academy had already produced two Heavenly Human Realm cultivators, one Mythical Realm cultivator, and one God Demon Realm cultivator.

Such a force was terrifying beyond imagination.

It would be difficult not to attract attention.

"Big Sister Cai Yan, our Endless Sea of Learning Academy is going to become famous throughout the Nine Provinces!"

Li Qingzhao spoke with excitement.

"I wonder if these are isolated cases or if there are many like them?"

As one of the top figures in the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, she also hoped to expand its influence.

To turn it into the true sacred land of Confucian culture in the Nine Provinces.

That way, she could support him from a different angle in the future.

Perhaps laying a solid foundation for the Emperor's eventual unification of the Nine Provinces.

With that thought, Cai Yan made up her mind.

She would keep a close eye on the matter.

Handle it thoroughly.

And make that man see her in a new light.