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

[Confucian Immortal Ranking – Rank 2]

[Yu Qian]

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

[Cultivation: Intermediate God Demon Realm Land Immortal]

[Technique: Grand Righteous Heart Art (Self-created after achieving mastery in Confucian Dao)]

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

==========

Zhang Liang looked up at the ranking in the sky and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Just as he had guessed.

It was the Ming Dynasty again!

And again, the Endless Sea of Learning Academy.

How many Confucian Immortals does this academy even have?

And this is only those who made it on the ranking!

Surely, there are many more who didn't make it.

And they must not be underestimated either.

What was even more shocking was that this Yu Qian had clearly been executed by the Ming Emperor back then.

It had even sparked a major miscarriage of justice.

Yet now?

He was alive and well.

If not for the exposure from the Golden Ranking, perhaps no one would have known the truth.

Was this the Ming Dynasty deliberately hiding it, or was there some other reason?

Intermediate God Demon Realm.

Another terrifying cultivator.

It's likely that once this person appears, scholars across the Nine Provinces will become even more frenzied!

The Endless Sea of Learning Academy becoming the Holy Land of Confucian studies in the Nine Provinces is now a foregone conclusion, completely unstoppable.

Beside Zhang Liang, Jiang Yuyan was also deeply shaken.

A shadow crept into her heart.

The strength of the Ming Dynasty was growing more and more terrifying.

It seemed she would need to be even more cautious going forward.

When dealing with Heaven Gate and the Stitched Cloth Guard, she might still have a chance to resist.

But once she stood against the Ming Dynasty, she could truly die.

Until she had the power to protect herself, she needed to be on high alert.

She could not afford the slightest carelessness.

However, she didn't belittle herself or lose confidence.

On the contrary, her fighting spirit burned even brighter.

Perhaps the Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao would become one of her true rivals in the future!

==========

Ming Dynasty.

A secluded place.

Zhang Danfeng, ranked on the Confucian Immortal Ranking, was playing chess with a plainly dressed man.

When he saw the ranking in the sky, he trembled all over.

The chess piece in his hand fell onto the board without him noticing.

"Master Yu, you've deceived me so thoroughly!"

Zhang Danfeng couldn't help but give a bitter smile.

"So you were discovered by the Ming Emperor long ago, and you even became a member of the Endless Sea of Learning Academy."

It turned out that the plainly dressed man Zhang Danfeng had befriended all these years was none other than Yu Qian, Young Guardian Yu, whom he had once saved.

Back then, it was Zhang Danfeng who had used a substitution trick to save Yu Qian.

One could say that Zhang Danfeng was not only Yu Qian's lifelong friend but also his lifesaver.

Their bond could truly be called one forged through life and death.

Yu Qian seemed to sense the complexity in Zhang Danfeng's heart.

He sighed slightly.

"Danfeng, do you think that with the ability of today's Ming Emperor, he wouldn't have noticed our existence?"

"This Emperor is far more terrifying than we imagined."

"For a hundred years, none of the previous Emperors noticed us, but the Current Emperor found me while he was still the Crown Prince."

"And invited me to join his ranks."

As he spoke, Yu Qian's eyes still showed signs of lingering shock.

He was so young back then as the Crown Prince.

Yet he already had such boldness and vision!

Truly a monster!

"Did Master Yu agree at the time?"

Zhang Danfeng's expression changed.

"No, I gently refused."

"Hmph, knowing this Emperor's personality, he probably wouldn't have let Master Yu off easily, right?"

"Naturally. At the time, I was only at the Mythical Realm, yet under his aura, I couldn't even struggle."

"Moreover, as a Confucian Mythical Realm cultivator so closely entangled with the Ming Imperial Family, if I didn't join, I would never be trusted."

"The Current Emperor believed that perhaps I had been loyal a hundred years ago, but after all these years, I might harbor resentment."

"This had to be guarded against."

Hearing Yu Qian's explanation, Zhang Danfeng sneered coldly.

"This Emperor is truly domineering!"

Yu Qian, however, was completely unfazed.

He believed this was precisely the proper course for an Emperor.

"Any qualified Emperor would do the same. It's nothing unusual."

"Did Master Yu just yield like that?"

Yu Qian smiled bitterly.

"If I didn't, what could I do? His Majesty didn't give me any room to refuse."

"That so-called invitation was merely out of courtesy."

"Once I declined, of course he wouldn't show any more leniency."

"Courtesy first, force later."

"However, due to my identity, he didn't place me directly into the Imperial Court."

"Instead, he had me help establish an academy."

"That is the current Endless Sea of Learning Academy."

"Master Yu, from what I've learned, there doesn't seem to be any record of you at the Endless Sea of Learning Academy?"

"Could it be that the Ming Emperor abandoned you after using you?"

Though the words were harsh, Yu Qian didn't mind.

"Not at all. The name Yu Qian is too well-known. I've been using an alias."

"After the academy was on track, I appeared less and less frequently."

"Even now, those few in charge at the academy don't know my real name."

"They only call me "Scholar Master"."

"What? You're that famed "Scholar Master"?"

Upon hearing the name "Scholar Master", Zhang Danfeng was shocked.

Then, with a look of deep respect, he gazed at Yu Qian.

At the same time, in his heart, he was filled with curiosity and awe for the Ming Emperor whom he had never met.

"Sigh, now that my identity has been revealed, I suppose peaceful days are numbered."

"Danfeng, come back with me to the Endless Sea of Learning Academy?"

"Master Yu, I'm sorry. I'm used to a carefree life. The officialdom of the Ming Dynasty is not for me."

"Besides, I'm already over a hundred years old. Though I appear young, I'm no longer suited for worldly affairs."

"My only pursuit now is the martial path."

"Perhaps one day, I too can reach the God Demon Realm."

"If that's your goal, you all the more should return with me."

"With your current cultivation, going alone, unless you encounter great fortune, it might take you a hundred years to have a slim chance at breakthrough."

"But by then, the God Demon Realm cultivators trained by His Majesty might number over a hundred."

"Can you accept that?"

Now that his identity was exposed, Yu Qian began trying to persuade Zhang Danfeng.

In his heart, Zhang Danfeng was someone he greatly admired.

Joining His Majesty would add a layer of constraint, yes, but what he would gain was far more.

Reaching the God Demon Realm would be a certainty.

Even the legendary Sage Realm might not be impossible.

"Let me think it over."

Zhang Danfeng was moved. He knew Yu Qian wouldn't harm him, but still wished to consider it more.

With his wisdom, he could sense the changes sweeping through the Nine Provinces.

Alone, he might not be able to protect himself in the future.

Joining the Endless Sea of Learning Academy would bring immense benefits to his path of seeking the Dao.

The only difficulty was having to obey the orders of the Ming Emperor from now on.

That was what gave him pause.

==========

Northern Song Imperial Palace.

Emperor Zhao Ji was deeply shocked.

"Minister Huang, am I seeing this wrong?"

"Yu Qian? Wasn't he unjustly executed by the Ming Emperor a hundred years ago?"

"How is he still alive?"

"Could it be someone else with the same name?"

Zhao Ji was very familiar with Yu Qian of the Ming Dynasty.

A famously loyal minister of the Nine Provinces, his death had once caused much sorrow among the ministers of various dynasties.

And now?

He had come back to life.

And was doing better than anyone.

God Demon Realm!

What a terrifying cultivation.

"Your Majesty, it should be the same Yu Qian from back then."

"Even I couldn't uncover this."

"If not for the Golden Ranking, I too would have been kept in the dark."

"The Ming Emperor's devious schemes are impossible to guard against."

Huang Shang was also dazed.

His regard for the Endless Sea of Learning Academy rose to an even higher level.

But the thought that the academy had not one, but two God Demon Realm cultivators left him utterly horrified.

The Mythical Realm was already cause for great concern.

Now it was God Demon Realm?

"Minister, do you know what position Yu Qian holds at the Endless Sea of Learning Academy?"

"Don't tell me you couldn't find that either?"

"If I'm not mistaken, the "Scholar Master" of the Endless Sea of Learning Academy is likely Yu Qian."

"Scholar Master!!"

"I've often heard ministers speak of this "Scholar Master" with great reverence."

"To think it was him all along."

"Sigh, if only this man were from our Northern Song Dynasty, how great that would be!"

"That brat Zhu Houzhao truly is blessed!"

"Far too enviable."

Even Zhao Ji could not help but feel envy and resentment.

Huang Shang quietly curled his lip.

If Yu Qian had truly been born in the Northern Song Dynasty, his fate likely wouldn't have been any better.

At least in the Ming Dynasty, he could rise again.

Had he been in the Northern Song Dynasty, he might have been buried in the dust of history.

The Northern Song Dynasty had no shortage of loyal ministers like Yu Qian, yet to this day, none had been properly employed.

The entire Imperial Court was under the control of treacherous ministers, and the Emperor was none the wiser.

No matter how many loyal officials there were, it made no difference.

Now Huang Shang was filled with despair. He no longer held any hope for Zhao Ji.

The situation of the Northern Song Dynasty had grown dire, especially with the hidden agents of various other dynasties flooding in.

He already felt completely isolated.

Without a single ally.

The entire Northern Song Dynasty had become a fat piece of meat in the eyes of other dynasties.

And even knowing all this, Emperor Zhao Ji remained indifferent.

Still living a life of luxury and pleasure.

How laughable!

==========

Sui Dynasty Territory.

Li Bai and Xun Kuang traveled together, discussing the Dao along the way.

Though Xun Kuang's cultivation was slightly weaker.

His knowledge of Confucian studies far surpassed Li Bai.

Both gained much from their exchange.

At this moment, when they saw the newly updated ranking, both were astonished.

"Who would have thought the Endless Sea of Learning Academy would be hiding such dragons and tigers?"

"Compared to them, the Little Sage Manor isn't worth mentioning."

"If the Little Sage Manor had possessed the strength of the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, it wouldn't have been so easily destroyed by that tyrant Ying Zheng."

"Master Xun, perhaps the Endless Sea of Learning Academy is your chance?"

"If you can present benefits that satisfy the Ming Emperor and the academy, they might be willing to help you rebuild the Little Sage Manor."

"Given the atmosphere in the Ming Dynasty, rebuilding it within their borders may not be a bad thing."

Li Bai's heart stirred and he offered his suggestion.

Xun Kuang was moved.

Yes, the Little Sage Manor of the Qin Dynasty was already gone.

Even if he sought revenge, he could not rebuild it in the Qin Dynasty.

In that case, why not establish it within the Ming Dynasty?

Though it couldn't compare with the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, it wouldn't be too weak either.

"Li Bai, you are a Prince of Tang Dynasty, yet you don't try to persuade me to join the Tang Dynasty. Why?"

"I merely respect Master Xun."

"I don't want to taint this friendship with personal gain. That would be an insult to us both."

"Haha, now I understand why you've achieved so much at such a young age."

"Talent is secondary. Your heart and insight are what truly set you apart."

"Come, Li Bai, let us head to the Ming Dynasty together. I want to witness this Endless Sea of Learning Academy myself."

"As for rebuilding the Little Sage Manor, there's no rush. There will be opportunities in the future!"

Xun Kuang was now in high spirits.

Leaving the Qin Dynasty this time, his greatest reward had been befriending Li Bai.

He was even more promising than the Zhang Liang he had once placed such high hopes on.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

T/N: I was quite surprised to see this novel appear when I used the anime & comics filter on Webnovel. Thank you all for the support! Although I'm not the author, it brings me joy to see one of my favorite novels being enjoyed by others as well. Hehe.