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

Stitched Cloth Guard Headquarters.

Watching Xiong Qi and numerous high-level officials leave, the Stitched Cloth Guard Leader narrowed his eyes.

"Lord, since you believe that both our Stitched Cloth Guard and the Heaven Gate have been manipulated this time, why are we still pretending to be unaware?"

"Why insist on attacking Heaven Gate?"

"Are we really going to let the mastermind's plan succeed?"

"They've plotted against the Stitched Cloth Guard multiple times. Their heart harbors malicious intent. Such a person must not be spared!"

Yet the Stitched Cloth Guard Leader spoke with utmost respect to a mysterious figure behind him.

"Hehe, I naturally know that the mastermind behind all of this is Jiang Yuyan."

"In fact, her every move is within my sight."

"But so what?"

"She thinks she has successfully manipulated us, but she doesn't know that she has never escaped from the palm of our hand."

"Every step she has taken was something we allowed her to do."

"In fact, I feel that she hasn't done enough."

"Her cultivation progress is a bit too slow."

"If that's the case, why shouldn't I give her a little push?"

"Lord, you mean..."

"Jiang Yuyan's fate is extremely extraordinary. In the future, she will be of immeasurable value to our Black Cloth Guard."

"The Spirit Devouring Demon Exercise will continue to transform her fate."

"Jiang Yuyan is a seed that is blooming right now, but has not yet borne fruit."

"When she finally bears fruit, that is when we will harvest it."

"For her growth, for that final fruit, we must keep irrigating."

"The entire Stitched Cloth Guard, even the entire Heaven Gate, will become the nourishment for her to grow that fruit."

"You must prepare yourself for this."

"Those so-called Heavenly Human Realm cultivators and Mythical Realm cultivators within the Stitched Cloth Guard, their fates are already sealed."

"They will all become Jiang Yuyan's nourishment."

"Our foundation lies in the Black Cloth Guard, not in the Stitched Cloth Guard."

"As for Jiang Yuyan, hehe, did you really think that a lowly courtesan from the Ming Dynasty's brothel could rise to this level in such a short time?"

"No matter how great the opportunity or how high the talent, it would have been impossible."

"If the Black Cloth Guard hadn't been secretly supporting her."

"If the Black Cloth Guard hadn't taken her away from the Ming Dynasty to the Han Dynasty."

"If the Spirit Devouring Demon Exercise hadn't been handed to her personally."

"How could she have reached her current Realm?!"

The mysterious figure spoke calmly.

The Stitched Cloth Guard Leader fell silent.

These years, Jiang Yuyan's growth and actions, how could he, a God Demon Realm cultivator, not know?

But he had done nothing all along.

Instead, he feigned ignorance.

Because behind it all was a far greater scheme.

Over the years, Jiang Yuyan had devoured countless cultivators and geniuses.

Her talent, physical foundation, potential, and even fate had constantly evolved.

Everything from others had become her nourishment.

Yet she remained completely unaware.

Every step she took was calculated by others.

Someone was deliberately cultivating her.

The purpose was to use her in the future, once fully matured.

To become the ultimate nourishment for the real mastermind.

The Spirit Devouring Demon Exercise in Jiang Yuyan's hands was created by that very mastermind.

Once Jiang Yuyan reached the Great Perfection God Demon Realm, that mastermind would devour her entirely, shatter their own bottleneck, and ascend to the legendary Sage Realm.

Yet Jiang Yuyan remained completely in the dark.

She devoured others, only to become prey to someone even more terrifying.

Whether she was innocent or not was no longer clear.

==========

"Oh right, Lord, there is one more matter I must report."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Spies from other forces have infiltrated the Stitched Cloth Guard."

"However, they act extremely covertly. Until now, I've been unable to find out who they are."

"Hehe, interesting."

"It's nothing more than a few of those dynasties."

"Ignore them. Pretend we know nothing."

"In the entire Stitched Cloth Guard, you are the only one from the Black Cloth Guard. The others only know a little about us. They're not worth mentioning. As long as you're not exposed, they'll never uncover anything useful."

"In fact, we can even use these spies to muddy the waters completely!"

Upon hearing this, the Stitched Cloth Guard Leader couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.

This was his life's work, now being cast aside.

It would be a lie to say it didn't hurt.

However, compared to the Black Cloth Guard, the Stitched Cloth Guard was truly insignificant.

What a pity that the Black Cloth Guard had not yet emerged publicly.

Otherwise, how could dynasties like the Qin Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, or Vast Sea Dynasty dare to run rampant?

"Lord, I understand what must be done."

==========

Northern Song Dynasty Territory.

On the border of Great Li Kingdom.

A brutal war was underway.

Famous Northern Song Dynasty general Wu Jie was leading roughly 300,000 troops in a frenzied assault against the Great Li Kingdom.

Originally.

He was leading forces to counterattack Western Xia Kingdom, planning to wipe them out completely.

But unexpectedly.

He suddenly received an imperial edict from Emperor Zhao Ji.

He was ordered to switch from offense to defense against Western Xia Kingdom.

The same went for the Tibet Kingdom.

But toward the Great Li Kingdom, the stance completely shifted.

They began launching a frenzied attack.

Determined to annihilate the Great Li Kingdom completely.

Fortunately, the Northern Song Dynasty was extremely wealthy, with deep resources.

The cost of a war of annihilation posed no real threat to the foundation of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Like now, hundreds of thousands of troops launched repeated offensives.

At first, the Great Li Kingdom still had the strength to resist.

But by now, the Great Li Kingdom was exhausted.

Its armies were retreating with every battle.

General Wu Jie had already captured multiple cities of the Great Li Kingdom.

The capital of Great Li Kingdom was now within reach.

It was estimated that in less than a month, the Great Li Kingdom would be completely destroyed.

==========

Outside Great Li Capital, Northern Song Dynasty Military Camp.

At this moment, Wu Jie was gathering all his subordinate generals to discuss the final battle.

One by one, the generals wore expressions of excitement.

The Great Li Kingdom had become a trapped beast. Escape was impossible.

Annihilation was certain.

As long as they didn't make any fatal mistakes, the credit for destroying a kingdom would be entirely theirs.

"Marshal, after tomorrow's battle, the Great Li Kingdom will fall."

"From then on, your name will spread across the Nine Provinces."

"On the next update of the Renowned Marshal Ranking, you will surely be ranked."

Wu Jie appeared modest on the surface, but he was inwardly thrilled.

If he could make the Renowned Marshal Ranking in his lifetime, he could die without regret.

But no matter what, the Great Li Kingdom had to be completely destroyed tomorrow.

Only then would he have a shot at the ranking.

"Hmph, you think you lot can destroy my Great Li Kingdom?!"

"Very well, since all the Northern Song Dynasty's generals are gathered here, I shall wipe you out in one stroke!"

"Without you, the Northern Song Army will collapse like scattered sand."

"My Great Li Kingdom shall win a great victory."

At that moment.

A cold snort echoed throughout the camp.

An overwhelming pressure fell upon everyone, including Wu Jie.

Their hearts trembled.

"This is... a Land Immortal?!"

Wu Jie exclaimed in shock.

His expression darkened to the extreme.

He was about to rally the army to slay this sudden mysterious cultivator.

But unfortunately.

The next moment.

An old monk with a kind expression appeared inside Wu Jie's command tent.

His aura was immensely powerful.

He was none other than the Founding Emperor of Great Li Kingdom.

Now a monk, Duan Siping.

His purpose was clear.

As long as Wu Jie and his generals died here, the Northern Song Dynasty's invasion would crumble on its own.

==========

On a high point far from the camp.

Several figures were silently observing.

"Lord, if Duan Siping truly kills all these Northern Song Dynasty's generals, then the Great Li Kingdom might not fall."

"Should I secretly assist the Northern Song Dynasty's generals?"

"To prevent them from being completely wiped out?"

"No need. The Northern Song Dynasty side is not without power."

"Besides, Zhao Ji has sent that person specifically for this war against the Great Li Kingdom."

"Duan Siping might not even survive, let alone kill the Northern Song Dynasty's generals."

Jia Xu spoke with disdain.

Every part of this war had been laid out in his mind.

Even the appearance of Huang Shang was part of the plan.

Using Huang Shang to kill Duan Siping was a critical step.

Naturally, it was his handiwork.

Everyone involved in the war had no idea what was really going on.

Even Land Immortals like Huang Shang and Duan Siping were completely unaware.

That alone showed just how terrifying Jia Xu's scheme was.

"The ranking has been updated!"

Just as Duan Siping was about to unleash his killing move.

The ranking in the sky changed once again.

Rank 4 on the Advisor Ranking was about to be revealed.