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

Ming Dynasty.

Endless Sea of Learning Academy.

Cai Yan and Li Qingzhao had long since returned.

At this moment, the two women were sitting in their courtyard, looking at the ranking in the sky, both stunned.

"Big Sister Cai Yan, is that person the only one from our Endless Sea of Learning Academy? I've never even heard of him."

"If someone at the God Demon Realm appeared, there's no way I wouldn't know."

"And the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking never makes mistakes. That means there's only one possibility."

"Yu Qian, Lord Yu of the Justice Minister, must have been using an alias within the Endless Sea of Learning Academy. He must be one of the high-ranking members we've encountered before, just a disguised version of him."

"Who could it be?"

As members of Endless Sea of Learning Academy, Cai Yan and Li Qingzhao were naturally full of doubts.

Clearly, the Emperor was well aware of Yu Qian's true identity.

Otherwise, with how much importance he placed on the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, he would never have allowed someone of uncertain background at the God Demon Realm to take charge of the academy.

Within the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, those at the God Demon Realm were already incredibly rare.

By a simple process of elimination...

The most likely candidate became obvious.

"Could it be him..."

Cai Yan and Li Qingzhao simultaneously thought of someone highly respected within the academy.

The Scholar Master!

"The Scholar Master's true identity... turns out to be this Lord Yu?"

"So that's the truth!"

"No wonder every time I asked about his real identity, he would always hesitate, as if he wanted to speak but stopped himself."

"So this is what it was!"

==========

Elsewhere, Wang Yangming, slowly walking across the grasslands, suddenly stopped.

A look of realization flashed across his eyes.

"So the Scholar Master's real identity is Lord Yu Qian!"

"But how did the Scholar Master survive back then?"

"And for His Majesty to assign him to the Endless Sea of Learning Academy... clearly, he knew who he truly was from the very beginning."

Within the Endless Sea of Learning Academy, as someone at the God Demon Realm, Wang Yangming knew the identity of nearly every member.

The only exception was this Master.

Even after Wang Yangming himself, with the Emperor's help, reached the God Demon Realm and created the Confucian Dao's Heart Learning, he never dared underestimate the Scholar Master.

In fact, the more time he spent with him, the more respect he developed.

This was a truly selfless man, wholly devoted to the public good.

Far beyond anything Wang Yangming could achieve himself.

"Enough of that. I'd better finish the Emperor's mission first, then go visit the Scholar Master afterward."

Shaking his head, Wang Yangming resumed his journey.

He was tasked with investigating the connection between the Tantric Sect monks and Temujin.

Especially whether an even more shadowy hand was pulling the strings from the dark.

All of this had to be made clear.

Otherwise, if the Ming Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty went to war again in the future and they were caught off guard, the consequences would be dire.

==========

Ming Imperial Court, Cabinet.

At the moment, several ministers were gathered around Zhang Juzheng.

"Grand Secretary, do you know who this Yu Qian actually is?"

"Yes, is he really that Yu Qian from a hundred years ago?"

"How did he survive until now? Wasn't he executed by the Emperor back then?"

"Could it be that the Emperor never truly intended to kill him? Was it all an act?"

"That's impossible. With the temperament of the Emperor at the time, there's no way he would have spared Lord Yu."

"There must be some hidden truth behind this."

"Grand Secretary, the Emperor trusts you deeply. Surely you must know something?"

The Cabinet ministers were full of curiosity.

Some even looked visibly excited.

Especially a few of them who idolized Yu Qian.

Now learning that he was still alive, how could they not be thrilled?

"Gentlemen, I truly don't know anything about this."

"If you're curious, you could enter the palace and ask His Majesty directly."

"Grand Secretary, don't keep it from us."

"Right, who exactly is Lord Yu within the Endless Sea of Learning Academy?"

"We always thought the academy was just full of weak scholars teaching students. Who would've guessed they were hiding such power?"

"Good thing I never offended any of them."

"Otherwise, sigh..."

"Compared to these Confucian Immortals, we're truly nothing."

"Perhaps in the future, the Grand Secretary may also attain the Confucian Immortal level."

Zhang Juzheng swept his gaze across the group. In truth, he himself was completely stunned.

Who exactly was Lord Yu Qian?

His Majesty had never once told him.

Back when the Emperor was still Crown Prince, he suddenly declared he wanted to build an academy.

Zhang Juzheng thought he was just fooling around.

Little did he know, even then, the Emperor had brought Yu Qian, believed dead, into his force.

And made him part of his personal force.

It was fortunate that over the years, Zhang Juzheng had never attempted to bully His Majesty.

Otherwise, he'd probably have died a hundred deaths already.

The entire Imperial Court, or rather, the entire world, had been deceived by His Majesty.

He had hidden too deeply. Far too deeply.

One trump card after another, constantly revealed.

If not for the repeated exposures from the Golden Ranking, Zhang Juzheng never would have imagined the Emperor's forces were so terrifying.

The Endless Sea of Learning Academy he once never took seriously...

Was hiding so many Confucian Immortals.

Heavenly Human Realm, Mythical Realm, even God Demon Realm.

And not just a few.

From now on, he wouldn't dare underestimate anyone under the Emperor's command.

Who knew when some harmless-looking character might suddenly appear on the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking...

And be revealed as a Land Immortal Realm cultivator?!!

At that thought...

Zhang Juzheng became all the more respectful and fearful toward His Majesty.

That last sliver of arrogance in his heart was extinguished completely.

He dared not harbor even the slightest disrespect.

Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn't even need to act.

Any one of those "terrifying beings" under his command could crush him with a flick of a finger.

==========

Ming Imperial Harem.

The Empress Chambers.

"Your Highness, here is the information on everyone from the Endless Sea of Learning Academy."

"It includes people like Cai Yan and Li Qingzhao, His Majesty's favored companions."

"Put them aside for now. Were you able to identify who Lord Yu Qian really is?"

"Lord Yu is in the God Demon Realm. Aside from Lord Wang Yangming, the only candidate in the Endless Sea of Learning Academy would be the Scholar Master."

"Could it be? Lord Yu is actually the Scholar Master?"

"Impossible, Your Highness. We've seen the Scholar Master in person, he gives off no aura at all. He seems no different from an ordinary Confucian scholar. How could he be at the God Demon Realm?"

"In terms of learning, yes, he's unmatched. But when it comes to actual strength..."

Shangguan Wan'er trailed off mid-sentence.

At the same time, a flicker of doubt appeared in her eyes.

"With our cultivation back then, how could we possibly detect the power of a God Demon Realm?"

"Looks like it's true. The Scholar Master is Lord Yu Qian."

"No wonder His Majesty holds him in such high regard."

"He even summons him to the palace often alongside Lord Wang!"

"Lord Wang is in the Early God Demon Realm. If he is paired with the Scholar Master, then the Scholar Master can only be stronger."

"Just how many secrets does His Majesty still hold?"

"I thought I'd hidden myself well enough, but compared to His Majesty, I'm nothing."

The palace maid Qing Dynasty'er pursed her lips.

"Wan'er, go to Netherworld City and select a few young talents with high potential and perception."

"Have them apply for the Endless Sea of Learning Academy."

"After this exposure through the Golden Ranking, the academy will become famous throughout the Nine Provinces."

"Given my understanding of His Majesty, he will undoubtedly make deeper plans for the academy."

"From now on, the disciples of Endless Sea of Learning Academy will be given top priority."

"Their future will be limitless."

"If any of them can be the next Di Renjie, that would be ideal."

The Empress was very satisfied with Di Renjie, who hailed from Netherworld City.

The higher Di Renjie climbed, the more help he would be to her future ambitions.

Talents like him, she welcomed as many as possible.

"Right now, I imagine the other Consorts in the Imperial Harem are already making their moves."

"Indeed, Your Highness. Murong Qiudi has already dispatched top talents from her Heavenly Venerable Organization to apply."

"Even Song Yuhua's Song Clan members are being sent."

"Even Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan have arranged for their trusted aides to apply."

"And what about the Emperor's companions outside the palace?"

"Almost all have sent talented disciples, some more than others."

"Keep a record of those involved, but don't make things difficult for them."

"No need to stir up gossip."

"As long as we don't make mistakes, that alone is great progress."

"These side maneuvers are nothing. Only true strength is the real path."

"By the way, I will be leaving the palace in a few days to visit the Phoenix Nest. I sense fluctuations in my Realm."

"It seems I'm about to advance again."

"That's wonderful, Your Highness. Does that mean you're even closer to the Great Perfection God Demon Realm?"

"If His Majesty hears about this, he will surely be delighted."

Empress Wu Zhao smiled without saying a word.

Compared to real power, those so-called tricks were worth nothing.

==========

Ming Dynasty, Capital City.

Zhuge Divine Marquis Mansion.

"Congratulations, Uncle Zhuge, for reaching the Heavenly Human Realm!"

"I must thank His Majesty for bestowing the spiritual treasure. Otherwise, I could never have advanced so quickly."

"You earned it, your contributions in the Ming-Qing War were immense."

"Uncle, I've heard that Qing Long of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Yu Huatian of the Western Factory, and Cao Zhengchun of the Eastern Factory are all likely to advance soon."

"This time, the achievements of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and both Factories are truly massive."

"If all the credit went to a single person, they would definitely reach the Heavenly Human Realm."

The Four Great Detectives looked a bit gloomy.

They knew that future competition would be intense.

"Uncle, you used to be close with the Scholar Master from Endless Sea of Learning Academy. Is he really Yu Qian from a hundred years ago?"

"That... I'm not entirely sure either."

"I always thought the Scholar Master was just a learned man. I never sensed he had such strength."

"Looks like I was wrong."

"By the way, Ruthless, didn't you once 'rescue' the esteemed Cai Yan?"

"You even became good friends. Did you never sense she had such terrifying strength?"

"Uncle, all I know is, I could never read her thoughts."

"That's why I could be friends with her without any pressure or burden."

"I never cared whether she had power or not."

==========

Yuan Dynasty, Capital City.

At this moment, the Iron Courage Divine Marquis Zhu Wushi, who was overseeing the plan to split the Yuan Dynasty, looked up at the Golden Ranking in the sky.

His expression turned quite colorful.

Especially after seeing the sheer number of Heavenly Human, Mythical, and God Demon Realm figures within the Endless Sea of Learning Academy.

His face turned pale.

And among them, the Scholar Master turned out to be Yu Qian from a century ago.

Even more shocking, Yu Qian was already at the Intermediate God Demon Realm.

No doubt, all of Zhu Wushi's actions had been observed by these people all along.

To them, this supposedly "loyal" Uncle must have seemed like nothing more than a ridiculous clown.

The Emperor hid everything so well.

This Endless Sea of Learning Academy, established when he was still Crown Prince.

Zhu Wushi had once naively thought that Zhu Houzhao created the academy just to gain favor among the scholarly class.

And he sneered at the idea.

He thought recruiting those weak, scholarly types was a complete waste.

Now it was clear.

He had been the biggest fool of all.

Even back then, Zhu Houzhao had already gathered such powerful figures under his banner.

And Zhu Wushi, who dreamed of seizing the dynasty, didn't even know the true strength of his enemies.

No wonder his imperial nephew never saw him as a threat.

The difference between them was simply too vast.

He had recently broken through to the Heavenly Human Realm and was feeling quite pleased with himself.

He had even started entertaining certain thoughts again.

But now...

Even a random woman from the Endless Sea of Learning Academy could defeat him.

Let alone the many Mythical and God Demon Realm cultivators.

Sigh. He'd best focus on completing his tasks.

And work harder to improve himself.

Mythical Realm... God Demon Realm...

Only by reaching the legendary Sage Realm above God Demon would he have any chance again.

It might be a slim chance, but it was still a chance.

Until then, he would have to keep striving.