Han Dynasty, Imperial Harem.
Jiang Yuyan stared at the ranking in the sky, overwhelmed with emotions.
She had unintentionally joined the organization known as the Earth Mansion?
And not just any organization, but the second most powerful martial force in the world?
Her mind buzzed with the introduction of the Earth Mansion.
Just a glance at names like the Fengdu Emperor, Ksitigarbha, Yin Prince, Yama of Ten Halls, each name signaled a formidable cultivator.
The weakest among them were still in the Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal.
Right, the person who had spoken to her earlier claimed to be the Yin Prince.
Did that mean he too was at the Land Immortal Realm?
If she could gain a firm foothold within such an organization, it would bring immeasurable benefits to her future.
But there was still an entry trial.
Only after passing the trial would she be officially accepted.
As for whether she would leak information about the Earth Mansion.
Jiang Yuyan didn't even consider it.
In fact, it could be said more accurately.
She didn't dare.
Every member who joined the Earth Mansion would automatically form a binding agreement.
Anyone who attempted to leak the organization's information would be killed by an invisible soul curse.
It was clear that such a soul curse was, at minimum, a God Demon Realm method of the Land Immortal Realm.
Ordinary members, even those at the Mythical Realm, couldn't resist it at all.
No wonder there had never been rumors of the Earth Mansion circulating in the Martial World.
Thinking of this, a flash of ambition gleamed in Jiang Yuyan's eyes.
She was now at the threshold of the Land Immortal Realm. She had to quickly advance further.
Only then would she qualify to claim a "title" within the organization.
She could then be counted as one of the higher-ups.
At that point, with the help of the Earth Mansion, her control over the Han Dynasty would become far more likely to succeed.
However, the identities of the members of the Earth Mansion remained completely unknown.
Who knew who they really were?
What if one of them was her enemy?
What then?
Jiang Yuyan gradually fell into deep thought.
She had to carefully plan how best to utilize the Earth Mansion.
To maximize her own benefit.
==========
Divine Search Palace Headquarters.
The Demon Lord Bai Suzhen looked at the name "Earth Mansion" on the ranking and was slightly stunned.
Then, with a thoughtful expression, she took out a mask.
Although the patterns on the mask were completely different from Jiang Yuyan's, the aura they gave off was identical.
If both masks were placed side by side.
It would be hard not to draw a connection between them.
"Hahaha, Demon Lord, so you're also a member of that Earth Mansion?"
"You sure know how to hide."
"What is the Earth Mansion trying to do?"
"And what is the real aim of that so-called Fengdu Emperor?"
The Longevity Immortal God, still sealed, laughed out loud after noticing the mask in her hand.
"What a terrifying organization, no wonder it ranked 2nd."
"If even the Earth Mansion ranks 2nd, then what kind of monstrous group is in Rank 1?"
The Demon Lord paid him no attention.
Instead, she fell into contemplation.
That mask had come into her possession years ago by chance.
Only afterward did she discover the existence of the Earth Mansion.
After careful thought, she decided to join them.
Over the years, she had studied how the organization operated.
Their true intentions still remained a mystery.
With her God Demon Realm strength, she naturally ranked among the higher-ups.
Yet even she was unaware of the organization's core secrets.
Now that the Earth Mansion had been exposed, they would surely begin to act.
She was confident she could uncover their ultimate secret.
Perhaps too focused on the mask, she failed to notice the sharp glint in the Longevity Immortal God's sealed eyes.
==========
Qin Imperial Palace.
Ying Zheng rose from the dragon throne and put away the mysterious mask.
He had never imagined he would also be a member of the Earth Mansion.
If the world found out, the resulting uproar would be immense.
But the real reason Ying Zheng had joined the organization.
Perhaps only he himself knew.
With his deep scheming, there was no doubt he had gained significantly from his membership over the years.
"Come!"
Moments later, the Black Ice Platform Leader arrived once more.
"Closely monitor all activity across the Nine Provinces. Report anything strange to me immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Ying Zheng nodded.
Now that the Earth Mansion had been exposed, new movements were inevitable.
If he could access the latest information first.
He might be able to uncover the identities of other members.
If he could exploit them, it would only benefit the Qin Dynasty.
He might even use them against the Hundred Schools of Thought, the remnants of the Six Kingdoms, or other nations.
As long as the plan was perfect.
==========
Qin Dynasty, Yin Yang School.
At this moment, Eastern Sovereign Tai Yi also took out a mask with a similar aura.
His once calm heart stirred.
"The Earth Mansion?"
"After all these years, it's finally revealing itself."
"Fengdu Emperor, why did you create this organization?"
"And who are you really?"
Tai Yi had many questions, but unfortunately, with his current Heavenly Human Realm strength.
He had no access to the organization's core secrets.
All he could do was speculate.
If he knew that Qin Emperor Ying Zheng was also a member of the Earth Mansion.
He would be shocked beyond words.
Likewise.
If Ying Zheng found out who Eastern Sovereign Tai Yi truly was, he would become even more cautious and wary.
The Earth Mansion's protection of member identities was almost flawless.
As long as members didn't reveal themselves, no one could find out.
Even high-level members would have no idea who others were.
Except for one.
The founder of the organization, the Fengdu Emperor.
The moment anyone joined the Earth Mansion.
The Fengdu Emperor would know.
He would know their identity.
He would even know their exact location in the Nine Provinces.
This was his deepest secret.
And no one else in the organization knew it.
Otherwise, they wouldn't remain so at ease, plotting their various agendas.
Although called a martial sect.
The Earth Mansion was more like an alliance of martial forces.
But this alliance was more terrifying than any individual sect.
Even surpassing any dynasty.
==========
Tang Dynasty, Bad People Headquarters.
Yuan Tiangang sat high above, his eyes deep and distant.
"The Earth Mansion."
"What are you hiding?"
"I have searched the Nine Provinces for so long, and yet not a single trace."
He, too, took out a mask and began to play with it.
Ha!
Unbelievable.
Even the Bad People of Tang Dynasty were members of the Earth Mansion.
With his current level, he was certainly a high-ranking member.
This made things all the more interesting.
If the Tang Emperor Li Shimin ever discovered this.
Would he still place such trust in him?
"If the Earth Mansion ranks 2nd, then the top force must be obvious."
"Only one power could possibly outmatch the Earth Mansion."
==========
Sui Dynasty, Supreme Master Mansion.
Yuwen Tuo looked at the Earth Mansion's name on the ranking.
A mocking smile curled at his lips.
The Earth Mansion.
It was nothing but a gathering place for madmen.
One day, he would uncover its secrets and destroy it entirely.
It seemed that Yuwen Tuo was quite familiar with the Earth Mansion.
Unlike others, he was not a member.
In fact, he was deeply hostile toward it.
Wishing nothing more than to wipe it out.
But why did he harbor such hatred?
With his strength, he should qualify to join.
==========
Northern Song Dynasty, Imperial City Division.
Huang Shang looked at the name on the ranking with a calm expression.
But inside, he was seething with rage.
Had he not held himself back.
He might have gone on a killing spree.
Like Yuwen Tuo, Huang Shang bore an intense hatred for the Earth Mansion.
Clearly, he was not one of them.
But rather a victim of the organization.
He never imagined.
That such a powerful and mysterious group had members scattered all across the Nine Provinces.
And enemies just as numerous.
==========
As the Earth Mansion was exposed.
All across the Nine Provinces, whether martial sects, imperial officials, generals, or rogue heroes.
Countless individuals quietly took out mysterious masks.
Their expressions solemn as they stared at them.
Shocked beyond words, they could not calm down.
They never imagined.
That so many people had joined the Earth Mansion.
In the open, they all held different roles and identities.
In the shadows, they all shared one title, member of the Earth Mansion.
If they were all exposed.
The Nine Provinces would descend into utter chaos.
==========
Ming Imperial Palace.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report."
At this moment, the Dark Guard Leader stepped forward.
"Speak."
"Your Majesty, I've discovered that Her Majesty the Empress has begun a major operation in secret."
"She has summoned many loyalists from the Netherworld City."
"Even two Mythical Realm Grand Elders have been dispatched."
The Dark Guard Leader delivered his intelligence in detail.
"Oh?"
Zhu Houzhao's eyes flashed with surprise and curiosity.
He had never suspected Empress Wu Zhao at first.
He had assumed she was simply a gifted young woman of humble origins.
He had even gone to great lengths to nurture her.
But ever since the ranking appeared and identities were revealed.
Though he found no sign of betrayal, he couldn't help but feel more curious.
Master of the Netherworld City.
This identity had been uncovered almost immediately afterward.
But he soon discovered.
That was not her only identity.
There were others, still hidden.
Still, he wasn't foolish enough to expose her directly.
If she hadn't told him, she surely had her reasons.
As long as she bore no ill will toward him.
He was willing to grant her trust and understanding.
At least for now.
But just because he refrained from acting openly.
Did not mean he would stop his investigations in secret.
Now, finally, there were some results.
"Continue investigating. Report to me immediately if there is any news."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"