No matter what, the title of "Heaven Gate Forbidden Land" was well deserved.
Even someone as powerful and fearless as Wu Wudi retreated cautiously upon hearing its name.
This was a peerless cultivator who feared nothing, not heaven, not earth.
Although they ultimately failed to trap or seal him, it was only because Wu Wudi hadn't ventured in deeply.
Otherwise, Di Shitian's scheme might really have succeeded.
==========
Han Imperial Harem.
Jiang Yuyan's eyes were cold as she stared at her confidant.
"Have you found the locations of Divine Search Palace and Heaven Gate?"
"They must be somewhere in Han Dynasty Territory!"
"Your Highness, those two Forbidden Lands are far too mysterious. With my strength and abilities, even if I did find them, I'd likely die instantly!"
"Before I reach the Land Immortal Realm, it's best not to probe either of them."
"Otherwise, even our Han Imperial Court might be implicated."
"Very well. Just keep watch from the shadows. The moment you uncover anything, report to me immediately!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
As her confidant departed, Jiang Yuyan once again fell into quiet musing.
"Divine Search Palace, Heaven Gate, Earth Mansion..."
She picked up the Earth Mansion mask, a mysterious glint flashing in her eyes.
She was secretly laying the groundwork for countless plans.
But to carry them out, she needed overwhelming strength.
And that was precisely what she lacked most right now.
Time waited for no one.
Whether in the court or the Martial World, she didn't have the luxury to grow slowly.
She needed power, and she needed it urgently.
By any means necessary.
"One day, all these so-called Forbidden Lands and martial forces... will be mine!"
==========
Empress Chambers.
"Miss, Heaven Gate has been ranked among the Forbidden Lands. It won't be easy for us to destroy them and avenge our grudge now."
"It doesn't matter. Heaven Gate and Di Shitian no longer concern me."
"What I truly worry about are the hidden forces within Nine Provinces."
"And the countless unknown cultivators that lie in wait."
"Those are the true threats."
"Di Shitian, for all his danger, is no longer deadly."
Empress Wu Zhao was now of God Demon Realm. She had every right to speak with such confidence.
Even if Di Shitian's force was currently stronger, she no longer feared him.
Given time, surpassing him was only a matter of when, not if.
"I ordered you to investigate Heaven Palace and the Earth Mansion. Any progress?"
Wu Zhao's eyes flickered as she asked.
On the Martial Force Ranking, the top three.
The Azure Dragon Association belonged to His Majesty.
But the other two forces, Heaven Palace and the Earth Mansion, were far more terrifying.
She couldn't afford to ignore them.
If either of them ever threatened the Ming Dynasty, she had to be fully prepared.
"Miss, this time... we're truly stumped."
"Be it Heaven Palace or the Earth Mansion, there seems to be no trace of them in Nine Provinces Martial World."
"We've investigated for a long time in secret, yet haven't found a single clue."
"Not even a sliver of information."
"Miss, these two forces may be far more powerful than expected."
"This servant suspects... their influence might cover the entire Nine Provinces, far beyond any single nation or region."
Wan'er, after thorough analysis, had reached an almost unbelievable conclusion.
"Keep investigating, but don't make a scene. Continue in the shadows only."
"Yes, Miss!"
==========
Imperial Palace.
"Heaven Gate..."
Zhu Houzhao sat on the dragon throne, his fingers lightly tapping the table before him.
He was lost in thought.
It seemed Heaven Gate needed to be dealt with.
With a lingering menace like Di Shitian constantly watching from the shadows, sooner or later, he would ruin something important.
In Zhu Houzhao's eyes, this guy was a supreme troublemaker.
He might not achieve much on his own.
But when it came to sabotaging others... he was a cultivator.
It was time to set things in motion.
Heaven Gate had to be brought under his control.
As for Di Shitian, there was no need to keep him around.
Of course, if he could find a way to control him and use him like a biting dog, he might prove unexpectedly useful.
"Someone, come in!"
"Minister Dark One pays respects to Your Majesty!"
"We may now begin our operation against Heaven Gate."
"Understood, Your Majesty. I will see it done immediately!"
==========
Qin Imperial Palace.
Emperor Ying Zheng glared coldly at the deputy Black Ice Platform Leader below.
"Are you certain this information is true?"
"Your Majesty, the Black Ice Platform Leader is indeed still alive, but has been captured by the Hundred Yue Queen!"
"Very well. This time, it was our fault. Since the Hundred Yue Queen agreed to release him, I won't be petty. Her terms, I accept."
"But Your Majesty, Hundred Yue City has brought such humiliation to the Qin Dynasty! Are we just going to let them off?"
"Do you have the power to destroy Hundred Yue City? If not, shut your mouth and obey my orders. Disobey again, and you're unfit to remain vice Black Ice Platform Leader!"
"Of course, if you really can destroy Hundred Yue, the Forbidden Land, then I'll gladly make you Black Ice Platform Leader."
"But do you have that kind of strength?"
"Useless fool!" Ying Zheng barked.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant admits fault and is willing to accept punishment!"
"Hmph. Withdraw all personnel stationed to monitor Hundred Yue."
"Right now, the Qin Dynasty cannot afford to make Hundred Yue a mortal enemy."
"My true thorns... are the remnants of the Six Kingdoms, and the Hundred Schools of Thought."
"They pose a far greater threat to the Qin Dynasty's future!"
"Compared to them, Hundred Yue is insignificant."
==========
Ming Dynasty, Southern Seas.
At this moment, several large merchant ships sailed swiftly through the sea.
"Five Poison Boy, are you sure you found an island in this sea filled with immortal herbs and divine grasses?"
"You didn't see wrong?"
"If you dare deceive me, I'll twist your head off with my own hands!"
A monstrously large and fat woman bellowed in a deep, gruff voice.
Her enormous body was completely filled with rolls of fat.
She didn't look human, more like a moving mountain of flesh.
In her hand, she held a weapon forged of fine steel.
But it wasn't for fighting.
Instead, she stuffed it into her massive mouth.
Moments later, she chewed it to pieces.
This woman's ferocity was like a primordial beast from ancient times.
Terrifying and savage.
If any cultivators of the Ming Dynasty saw her, they would be horrified.
The Joyous Female Bodhisattva.
A notorious figure in the Martial World.
No one expected her to be out at sea, searching, apparently, for an Immortal Island.
The one she yelled at was her godson, Five Poison Boy.
A poison cultivator, short and childlike in stature.
His infamy in the Martial World was just as great.
Countless cultivators had perished at his hands.
"Adoptive Mother, how could I lie to you?"
"Look, there! The Immortal Island has appeared!"
"It's exactly like what I saw before!"
Suddenly, Five Poison Boy cried out in delight.
His eyes burned with greed.
If he could claim the island, he could use its resources to rise up.
And finally rid himself of this disgusting, obese woman.
"My dear son, you haven't let me down! Good job!"
"Increase our speed, we're heading straight to that island!"
The Joyous Female Bodhisattva was so excited, her fat quivering.
If not for being at sea, she would have flown over already.
One hour later.
The faint outline of the "Immortal Island" became clear.
They continued sailing, arriving at the shore.
Everyone disembarked.
"Who are you people? How dare you trespass on my Medicine Island without permission?"
Before they even fully stepped onto the island, a cold voice echoed in everyone's ears.
Even the Joyous Female Bodhisattva felt a shiver.
Then, before their eyes.
A white-robed young woman in her early twenties approached.
Everyone was instantly captivated.
Hair like clouds, skin like snow, bright eyes full of depth and charm.
Lips curved in a faint, cold smile.
A slender, graceful figure with an aura that transcended the mundane.
Regal and unparalleled.
Her beauty was the most breathtaking they had ever seen.
Even the Joyous Female Bodhisattva was briefly stunned.
"This Immortal Island is yours? Hahaha! From now on, it belongs to me!"
"You're a pretty girl. From now on, you're coming with me!"
Seeing only a lone woman, the Bodhisattva showed no concern.
"How amusing. After years away from the Martial World... I didn't expect to be underestimated?"
The woman gently tucked her hair behind her ear, her face blooming into a radiant smile.
But to those watching, that smile felt ominous.
"Hmm? Who are you?" The Bodhisattva asked warily.
At that moment, a distinguished-looking servant in his forties stepped forward and whispered a few words in her ear.
In the next second.
The Joyous Female Bodhisattva's face changed.
Her eyes locked tightly on the young woman.
"You're... that bloodthirsty, shameless vixen from the Ming Martial World, Cold Blooded Mei?!"
"Cold Blooded Mei? Heh... how interesting." The woman smiled mysteriously.
"Adoptive Mother! She's the Peacock Princess, Mei Yinxue!"
At the mention of her name, even the Bodhisattva felt a jolt of fear.
Back in the day, this woman had caused a storm of blood in the Martial World.
Countless had died by her hand.
Her strength was terrifying.
Far from the harmless beauty she appeared to be.
Still, perhaps due to her confidence in her own power, the Bodhisattva showed no intention of backing down.
An island this rich in resources couldn't be given up.
Anyone who stood in her way... would die.
"Peacock Princess, we're entering the island. If you try to stop us, I'll kill you!"
"You had a reputation back then, sure... but I don't care!"
To everyone's surprise, Mei Yinxue didn't stop them.
She simply turned and left, calm and composed.
As if whether they entered or not meant nothing to her.
"A word of advice: There is great terror on this island."
"While you still can... leave."
"Step foot on this island, and there's only one outcome: death."
Her cold warning echoed in their ears.
The Joyous Female Bodhisattva sneered and ignored it completely.
"Everyone, follow me in. I want to see what"great terror" this island holds!"
"Scare us off? Keep dreaming!"
With that, she led her party forward in high spirits.
They quickly entered the island.
Moments later.
The Nine Provinces Forbidden Land Ranking stirred once more.
A new name appeared on the ranking.
[Forbidden Land Ranking – Rank 6]