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

However, with the destruction of the Great Li Kingdom, for some reason, Duan Yu actually felt a sense of relief in his heart.

There was no logical explanation.

Even he didn't know why.

Logically speaking, he had grown up in Great Li Kingdom. Even if he had lost his position as heir, he should have felt concerned.

But in the end, he didn't truly love the Great Li Kingdom that much.

Still, upon hearing that the Great Li Kingdom was destroyed and Duan Zhengchun wasn't in the kingdom at the time, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Though he guessed Duan Zhengchun was likely with one of his lovers somewhere.

At least, his life was spared.

But regardless, Duan Yu no longer held the same admiration and affection for the Song Dynasty as before.

In fact, upon realizing that Zhuge Liang's Vast Sea Dynasty might attack the Song Dynasty in the future, he actually felt a surge of anticipation.

In his heart, he now shared the same thoughts as Xiao Feng.

He also wanted to join the Vast Sea Dynasty.

Part of the reason was because of Xiao Feng, but he also had his own thoughts.

The Vast Sea Dynasty was so powerful. Joining them meant having a strong backer.

After some time wandering the land and with his identity exposed, he had long since lost the naivety he once possessed.

As his strength grew, so did his own ambitions.

With Xiao Feng and Duan Yu already there, as for Xu Zhu, there was no need to even mention.

He couldn't return to the Shaolin Temple.

And he had no desire to join the Carefree Sect, which didn't truly belong to him. That left him no choice but to follow Xiao Feng and Duan Yu.

At least with the three of them together, they could watch each other's backs.

Looking at the battle in the distance, Xiao Feng wanted to assist the Song Dynasty, but upon recalling the current actions of the Song Dynasty and the feelings of his Third Brother Duan Yu, he hesitated.

"Let's observe the situation for now."

"With our current strength, going up against these God Demon Realm enemies would mean instant death."

"Lord Kongming, the Lord Mu Yi who used to travel with you, will he be coming?"

"He ranks Rank 1 on both the Renowned Minister Ranking and the Advisor Ranking. His strength is also unfathomable."

"If he's present, the Vast Sea Dynasty will definitely gain a great advantage."

The three brothers of Xiao Feng had encountered Mu Yi before.

During their first meeting, they were unaware of his terrifying power.

But after following Zhuge Liang for a time and gaining a better understanding of the world, they fully understood just how terrifying Mu Yi truly was.

However, knowing he was one of their own filled them with an inexplicable sense of security.

Zhuge Liang shook his head without answering.

His expression grew serious as he looked at the battlefield in the distance.

He naturally knew Guo Jia.

He too had been recruited by the Emperor, though unlike himself.

Guo Jia had been taken to the Ming Dynasty. Although they belonged to different dynasties.

they still served under the same person.

At a critical moment, he still wanted to help.

Facing the prying eyes of several powerful dynasties, Zhuge Liang had already made preparations.

If danger truly appeared, he would use the life-saving method bestowed upon him by the Emperor to provide support.

==========

Deep within the mountains.

In front of an Imperial Mausoleum protected by a grand formation.

The Dark Guard Vice-Leader respectfully approached Zhu Houzhao.

"Your Majesty, Lord Guo Jia is currently under siege by forces from other dynasties."

"Shall we send reinforcements?"

"No need. With Guo Jia's capabilities, those people can't defeat him."

"Besides, he's deliberately drawing everyone's attention so they won't find this place."

"Just monitor the situation from the shadows."

"As long as Guo Jia's life isn't in danger, do not interfere."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand."

"Stay outside the Imperial Mausoleum and monitor it closely. Report to me on everyone who approaches or enters once I come out."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Zhu Houzhao nodded.

Without saying much else, he turned into a flash of light and disappeared into the Imperial Mausoleum.

He was already familiar with such matters.

After the Qing Dragon Vein and the Southern Song Dragon Vein, he knew the pattern all too well.

However, he soon felt a trace of suspicion.

Every other dynasty had its own Dragon Vein Land.

Naturally, he knew the Ming Dragon Vein location as well.

He only found out shortly before the former emperor passed away.

But what secrets or powers were hidden within, even he, the emperor, still didn't know.

==========

"Audacious scoundrel, how dare you trespass into the Dragon Vein Imperial Mausoleum of the Song Dynasty!"

"Prepare to die!"

As soon as he entered the main hall of the Dragon Vein Land.

a furious voice echoed.

Immediately after, a surge of powerful energy shot toward him.

Clang!

Zhu Houzhao raised his right hand and used two fingers to gently catch it.

He instantly stopped the incoming attack.

With a burst of energy.

The attacker was sent flying and crashed heavily to the ground.

Between Zhu Houzhao's fingers was a long battle spear

that emitted a bloodthirsty glow.

Clearly, this spear had taken countless lives.

Swish swish swish swish!

Zhu Houzhao frowned.

To his surprise, he found a nearly thousand-man army surrounding him.

Each wielded a long spear.

Each radiated terrifying pressure.

This must have been Zhao Kuangyin's handiwork back then?

If it were anyone else, even a typical Land Immortal might be cautious.

But in front of Zhu Houzhao, they were nothing more than slightly larger ants.

He unleashed a burst of terrifying aura.

It completely suppressed them.

Everyone immediately collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Zhu Houzhao stepped forward and examined them.

They were alive?

"Interesting."

"These people could be useful chess pieces. It would be a shame to kill them."

"Perfect. Let's use them to deal with those outside forces."

"Let's give them an unexpected surprise."

With this thought, Zhu Houzhao revealed a playful smile.

He raised his right hand and tapped the center of his forehead.

"Disharmonic Spiritual Technique!"

A wave of invisible energy spread outward.

It instantly enveloped the entire army.

In the next moment.

they all suddenly woke up, their eyes showing a strange glow.

They ignored Zhu Houzhao's presence.

Then, moving in perfect unison, they marched out of the Imperial Mausoleum.

More precisely.

under Zhu Houzhao's mental command.

They moved toward the locations where the spies from other dynasties were hiding.

This army might not truly stop those enemies.

but they could cause significant trouble.

Of course.

The power of the Dragon Vein Land was definitely not limited to this.

There were certainly even stronger guarding forces hidden deeper within.

Land Immortals would not be few.

==========

Nearly a thousand meters underground, in a secret chamber roughly the size of ten football fields.

Zhu Houzhao's figure appeared instantly.

His gaze immediately focused on the central wall.

A giant golden dragon statue stood there.

His heart was instantly stirred.

Dragon Vein Land.

A place where National Fortune and destiny gathered.

Compared to the Qing Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty, this golden dragon statue seemed even more majestic.

Its divine aura was even more powerful.

From that alone, it was clear that the Northern Song Dynasty was significantly stronger than the Southern Song Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty.

"Hmm?"

"I assumed there would be a hidden God Demon Realm cultivator here?"

"Why hasn't anyone appeared?"

"Did I guess wrong?"

"Or did Zhao Kuangyin overlook something back then?"

Ever since taking out that mysterious army, Zhu Houzhao had found no further signs of guarding forces.

Not even a Mythical Realm cultivator.

let alone a God Demon cultivator or even a Heavenly Human cultivator.

Zhu Houzhao was full of confusion.

Rather than relaxing, he became even more cautious.

He examined every corner of the massive secret chamber with a sharp gaze.

Even using his spiritual power.

But still, he found nothing.

"Forget it. Let's focus on the real reason I came here."

The mysterious force in the Imperial Mausoleum was hiding too well, beyond imagination.

But since it didn't try to stop him, he didn't care.

After he obtained what he came for, he would search later.

==========

Swish!

Zhu Houzhao's figure appeared before the Dragon Vein.

He thrust his right hand onto the massive head of the golden dragon statue.

A terrifying devouring force erupted.

In the next moment.

the golden dragon statue emitted a blinding light.

It completely enveloped Zhu Houzhao.

Fortunately, Zhu Houzhao possessed an Imperial Fate, so he feared neither National Fortune nor karmic power.

If it had been an ordinary person, even a God Demon Realm cultivator, they would not dare to touch such a thing.

To an emperor, this was priceless treasure.

But to ordinary people or cultivators, it was deadly poison.

Absorb even a trace, and they would suffer heavy injuries or even die.

It was that exaggerated.

In the next moment.

Zhu Houzhao sat cross-legged beneath the golden dragon statue.

As the devouring intensified, a constant stream of golden light hovered over his head.

Then it entered his body.

Time passed quietly.

The once brilliant golden dragon statue gradually dimmed.

Its former divine radiance faded away.

In fact, faint traces of decay began to appear.

==========

As Zhu Houzhao crazily devoured the National Fortune energy of the Northern Song Dynasty.

far away in the Song Imperial Palace, Emperor Zhao Ji felt inexplicably agitated.

Even the calligraphy, paintings, and ornamental stones he loved most became unbearable to him.

He was mentally unsettled.

His temper grew increasingly irritable.

Even many eunuchs and palace maids around him were beaten to death.

"Quick, summon National Master Lin Lingsu to the court!"

Zhao Ji shouted urgently.

Before long, National Master Lin Lingsu arrived.

However, the moment he saw Emperor Zhao Ji's appearance, he was instantly shocked.

He had often seen Zhao Ji before.

Though Zhao Ji was a foolish ruler, that was true.

His emperor's presence had always been strong.

His facial features were noble and extraordinary. The aura between his brows clearly marked him as someone not of common birth.

But now?

Lin Lingsu actually saw signs of decay in Zhao Ji's face.

He was stunned.

And deeply confused.

His once remarkable aura had become ordinary.

If he were placed on the street among commoners, no one would recognize him.

"National Master, quickly examine me. For some reason, I've been feeling anxious lately. Whether it's eating or sleeping, I can't relax!"

"Even the things I once loved, calligraphy, art, and collectibles, don't interest me!"

"Could someone have poisoned me?"

"I've interrogated many eunuchs and palace maids nearby, but found no evidence."

"Quickly help me check!"

Seeing Lin Lingsu, Zhao Ji rushed forward, tightly grabbing his hand and asking urgently.

Lin Lingsu had suspicions but dared not delay. He immediately checked Zhao Ji's pulse.

It was extremely weak.

Yet he couldn't find any sign of a serious illness. That made it all the more baffling.

Though still young, it was as if his vitality had been drained, like someone just recovering from a major illness.

With that, Lin Lingsu was seventy to 80% sure of his earlier suspicion.

Still.

After hesitating for a moment.

He chose not to reveal it.

Saying it would only bring harm.

Besides, the current Zhao Ji was a complete fool. He couldn't compare to the mastermind behind this at all.

Even if he told him, it would be useless.

Worse, it might enrage Zhao Ji.

Looks like Fellow Fellow Daoist Huang Shang's plan had failed.

The mastermind's plan had succeeded.

But who was it?

It could be Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao.

Or the mysterious Vast Sea Emperor.

Of course, it might be an even deeper hidden force.

All were possibilities.

But the biggest suspect right now was definitely the Ming Emperor.

After all, it was Guo Jia from the Ming Dynasty who sparked the actions of all the nations.

It was hard to believe that Zhu Houzhao had no part in it.

Yet even knowing this, what could he do?

With his current strength, he dared not oppose the terrifying Ming Emperor.

Best to pretend ignorance.

"Your Majesty, you must rest more these days. Avoid overindulgence in the Imperial Harem."

"Take some nourishing medicine and keep a cheerful mood."

"With some recuperation, you'll recover in time."

With vague reassurances, though Zhao Ji still harbored doubts, he chose to believe Lin Lingsu due to his trust in him.