Qin Dynasty, Xiangyang City.
Zhao Gao's face turned pale as he looked at the updated ranking.
Rank 10 on the Forbidden Land Ranking!
Anyone below the God Demon Realm had almost no chance of survival.
Even escaping was nearly impossible.
Which meant... all those Net Trap assassins he had secretly sent to Hundred Yue City, and who never returned, were likely all wiped out!
This could only mean one thing.
Hundred Yue City must have discovered they were sent by him, Zhao Gao!
And if a Land Immortal came knocking for revenge, he had zero ability to resist.
Yanyin had already died in Hundred Yue City.
The Six Sword Slaves were annihilated by a mysterious force.
Even Xuan Jian, who had been chasing Jing Ni, had vanished without a trace.
Now, the number of people Zhao Gao could use was dwindling fast.
Worse still, he was cursed, had lost an arm, and it all felt like someone was intentionally targeting him from the shadows.
==========
Aside from Zhao Gao's panic.
Ying Zheng, seated in his palace, also looked deeply troubled.
Not long ago, the Black Ice Platform Leader had been sent, on his orders, to Hundred Yue City to investigate its secrets.
Now, with the latest revelations.
Even Mythical Realm cultivators faced near-certain death there.
Wasn't it almost guaranteed that the Black Ice Platform Leader had been captured or killed?
This was an extremely serious matter.
The Black Ice Platform Leader wasn't just a Mythical Realm cultivator.
His mind held countless top-secret intelligence on the Qin Dynasty.
If even a fraction of that information leaked.
It would be a disaster of catastrophic proportions for the Qin Dynasty.
Ying Zheng had to act carefully.
"Come!"
"Your Majesty!"
A figure appeared instantly, one of the Vice-Leaders of the Black Ice Platform.
Second only to the Black Ice Platform Leader, and one of Ying Zheng's most trusted loyalists.
Though the Black Ice Platform was powerful and secretive, Ying Zheng had never concentrated all power in the hands of a single person.
Every deputy was someone he had personally vetted.
"You are to proceed to Hundred Yue's border and observe everything closely."
"Any unusual activity, report it to me immediately."
Ying Zheng's voice was calm, but heavy with command.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Hmm... this time, I miscalculated."
"It seems years of victory have made me too complacent, too dismissive of the world."
"Hundred Yue City, you've won this round."
"But next time, I'll make sure you pay me back in full!"
Despite the loss, Ying Zheng didn't panic.
Instead, a battle-hardened flame was reignited within him.
He upgraded Hundred Yue City's threat level again, it must not be underestimated.
Now was not yet the time to declare open war.
He would first wipe out the remnants of the Six Kingdoms and deal with the Hundred Schools of Thought.
Then he would unleash all of the Qin Dynasty's might to crush Hundred Yue City.
Their only future was annihilation.
Anyone who stood in the way of the Qin Dynasty's imperial ambition... would be reduced to ashes.
==========
Ming Dynasty, Capital.
Taibai Inn Backyard.
Zi Nu glanced up at the Golden Ranking in the sky, then turned her bright eyes to Zhu Houzhao.
"You did this, didn't you?"
"All the defensive formations in Hundred Yue City... You set them up, right?"
"For years now, invaders and hostile forces have all been defeated inside."
"I always knew it was dangerous, but I never imagined it could even defend against Mythical Realm threats..."
"And even injure a God Demon Realm cultivator?!"
Zi Nu and Yan Lingji had long known that Hundred Yue City's defenses were terrifying.
But they assumed it was only effective against Grandmasters at most.
They never imagined it could pose a threat to Land Immortals.
Let alone God Demon Realm!
Zhu Houzhao smiled mysteriously.
"The methods I placed in Hundred Yue City aren't that simple."
"You'll come to understand eventually..."
"When the time comes, you'll both be shocked."
Zi Nu looked curious, wanting to press further.
But Zhu Houzhao had no intention of explaining.
Building Hundred Yue City had drained immense effort from him.
He had placed many experiments and hidden designs within it.
In a true crisis, they would all activate.
The ranking had said it could wound God Demon Realm cultivators.
That wasn't exaggerated in the slightest.
If he rebuilt Hundred Yue City now?
Even God Demon Realm cultivators might not escape alive.
And Hundred Yue wouldn't be in Rank 10 anymore, it'd be much, much higher.
==========
Ming Imperial Palace.
Empress Chambers.
Wu Zhao's gaze sharpened.
"Can it injure a Mythical Realm cultivator? No wonder it's called a Forbidden Land."
"But even so, it's only Rank 10?"
"Then what about the top three?"
"Can they threaten God Demon Realm cultivators?!"
"Incredible..."
Even someone as knowledgeable as Wu Zhao found it hard to believe.
"Miss, Wan'er was right." Qing'er said with wide eyes.
"Our Netherworld City doesn't qualify at all."
"Forget God Demon Realm, even Heavenly Human Realm cultivators can move about freely if they're cautious."
"Being able to injure God Demon Realm... that's insane!"
"If Netherworld City had been that powerful, would it have been destroyed by that old dog Di Shitian?!"
Wan'er's expression was grave.
"The next nine Forbidden Land... all must be capable of harming Land Immortals and above."
"This Nine Provinces world... is far scarier than we imagined."
"Look, the Forbidden Land Ranking is updating again!"
Qing'er cried out in surprise.
Wu Zhao and Shangguan Wan'er quickly looked up.
[Forbidden Land Ranking – Rank 9]
[Phoenix Nest]
[Danger Level: Four Stars]
[Description: Those below the Land Immortal Realm will die without exception if they intrude. Heavenly Human Realm and Mythical Realm cultivators may escape only if constantly alert, success rate 50%. God Demon Realm cultivators may be injured, though death is unlikely, but risk being sealed]
[Note: This Forbidden Land has recently emerged in the Nine Provinces. Currently has no master. Danger Level rated as 4 stars. If a master appears, it will instantly rise to 5 stars]
[Reward: One Heaven-Grade Low-Tier Formation Disk, can deploy a formation with offense, defense, illusion, and binding properties. (Reward placed within the Forbidden Land)]
The moment she saw the name Phoenix Nest, Wu Zhao's heart shuddered violently.
An overwhelming desire surged within her.
As if the Phoenix Nest... was meant to be hers.
A deadly attraction pulled at her from afar, urging her to go now.
She was certain, beyond doubt, that she knew where it was.
And if it was currently unclaimed?
Then all she had to do... was go.
And it would belong to her.
But what if someone else felt the same pull?
Wouldn't she lose this golden opportunity?
Wu Zhao felt a panic stir.
This was clearly a heaven-sent chance.
Something that could shape her destiny.
It might even be tied to her future cultivation path.
She had to set out immediately.
But... should she tell the Emperor?
Just so he wouldn't worry?
In the end, she shook her head.
No.
No one knew what dangers the Phoenix Nest might hold.
Even the ranking warned that God Demon Realm cultivators could be injured, or sealed.
The Emperor carried the fate of all of the Ming Dynasty. He must not be placed in danger.
He couldn't afford to take such a risk.
She looked at Wan'er and Qing'er beside her.
"Wan'er, Qing'er. Continue handling affairs in the palace."
"I'm going out for a while."
"Leave the palace? Should we inform His Majesty?"
"The Empress Dowager is already trying to make trouble. If she finds out you're gone..."
Wu Zhao paused.
"We can't worry about that now."
"If His Majesty asks, just tell him I left because of the Forbidden Land Ranking."
"With his intelligence, he'll understand."
After leaving a few final instructions.
Empress Wu Zhao changed clothes.
Her figure flickered.
And vanished from the palace.
Her cultivation had already reached the Great Perfection Mythical Realm.
Just one step away from God Demon Realm.
Thanks to the Phoenix Feather she had acquired earlier.
She had a deep intuition, that feather was closely tied to this Phoenix Nest.
Following the pull in her mind, she soared swiftly toward its location.
==========
Not long after her departure, the Dark Guard in the palace detected her absence.
They immediately alerted Dark One, the Dark Guard Leader.
Soon, in the back courtyard of the Taibai Inn.
Zhu Houzhao received the report, just as he was relaxing in Zi Nu's embrace.
After one last affectionate moment, he explained briefly to Zi Nu and departed.
Following the Empress's trail, he moved quickly.
He should've anticipated this.
Phoenix Nest!
The Heaven Dao had granted her the Indestructible Divine Phoenix Physique, Phoenix Blood Essence, and later the Phoenix Feather.
Now came the Phoenix Nest itself.
There was no way this was a coincidence.
Zhu Houzhao was more convinced than ever.
Wu Zhao was the Favored Daughter of Heaven in this world.
If not for his own system, he'd never be able to keep up with her.
From Half-Step Land Immortal Realm to Great Perfection Mythical Realm.
Her growth had been explosive.
Even he hadn't advanced that quickly.
If she conquered the Phoenix Nest, she might truly ascend to God Demon Realm!
Would Heaven Dao continue helping her, until she surpassed him?
Would she become the strongest in the Nine Provinces?
If so.
Then he would no longer be the invincible one.
And even if the one who surpassed him was his own woman, that "lying-flat" lifestyle he enjoyed would be over.
That, he could not allow.
He needed to increase his strength immediately.
The realm beyond God Demon Realm.
He had some clues.
He had his system to cheat with.
But Wu Zhao? She had Heaven Dao itself backing her.
Sigh.
Sometimes, having an overachieving wife really did bring unimaginable pressure.
==========
Following the update of the Ninth Forbidden Land.
Across the Nine Provinces, several women felt a powerful resonance.
They, too, sensed a mysterious pull toward the Phoenix Nest.
And if they followed it, there was a high chance they could become its master.
==========
Han Imperial Palace, Consort Yu Jiang Yuyan Chambers.
Jiang Yuyan's expression shifted drastically.
A surging desire stirred within her, both thrilling and painful.
She wanted nothing more than to rush to the Phoenix Nest.
But reason held her back.
Leaving the palace now... would mean certain doom.
Only the presence of the Emperor shielded her from the wrath of the noble clans.
She wasn't yet strong enough, not even at the Land Immortal Realm.
If she could claim the Phoenix Nest, though.
She could break through.
"Damn it! All because of those aristocrats..."
"They're the reason I'm missing this chance!"
Jiang Yuyan's heart howled.
Her hatred for the Han Dynasty noble families grew deeper than ever.
==========
Sui Imperial Palace.
Empress Xiao Meiniang was instructing Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling in Longevity Art and powerful Martial Techniques.
Suddenly, she too felt a strange tremor in her heart.
Phoenix Nest.
Unclaimed.
She might have a chance to make it hers.
But the place... was far from Sui Dynasty Territory.
Likely within the Ming Dynasty.
She thought of him, and hesitated.
She gritted her teeth and suppressed her urge.
She couldn't act rashly.
While her strength was formidable, she still wasn't strong enough, not yet.
Other women across the Nine Provinces also felt this pull.
Unlike Jiang Yuyan and Xiao Meiniang, many did set out, following instinct toward the Phoenix Nest.
==========
Ming Dynasty, Shu Region.
Mountain ranges and dense forests stretched endlessly.
Peaks over a thousand meters were everywhere.
The lower mountains were countless.
After traveling nonstop, Empress Wu Zhao finally arrived.
Before her was a seemingly ordinary hill, not even 500 meters tall.
"This is it!"
A sense of solemnity filled her.
Power surged through her body as she prepared for anything.
"Enter!"
Without hesitation, she stepped forward.
The moment she crossed the hill.
The world changed.
The low mountain disappeared.
Before her rose a mighty volcano, spewing heat and fire.
Wu Zhao froze in shock.
She couldn't tell.
Was this an illusion?
Or was the low mountain from earlier an illusion?
"But the pull in my heart is still here!"
"That volcano's crater...?"
Wu Zhao hesitated.
It was extremely dangerous.
If she fell in, even with her cultivation.
She might die.
"Is this the test?"
"If so, then I'll face it head-on!"
With unwavering resolve, Wu Zhao bit her lip, steeled her heart.
And stepped forward.