Ming Imperial Palace.
"I underestimated Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang Sect!"
"Even in this Nine Provinces world, someone like me with such outrageous advantages still couldn't suppress him!"
"If Zhang Sanfeng is already like this, then Shaolin Temple's Founder Dharma must be in a similar realm!"
"Unfortunately, Dharma is most likely at the God Demon Realm, which probably makes him ineligible for the ranking this time!"
Even though Zhu Houzhao had already reached the Sage Realm, he never once looked down on figures like Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang Sect or Dharma of Shaolin Temple.
As for Zhang Sanfeng making the ranking, Zhu Houzhao didn't have any extra thoughts about it.
At the very least, for the Ming Dynasty, Wudang Sect was not an enemy.
In fact, to some extent, they were even allies.
The Wudang Sect acted as a barrier between the Ming Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty.
If Temujin wanted to invade the Ming Dynasty, he would have to get past Wudang Sect first.
The Yuan Dynasty had always seen Wudang Sect as a serious threat.
In the past, the Yuan Dynasty's National Master, Phagpa, had tried to plot against the Wudang Sect countless times, only to be thwarted each time by Zhu Houzhao behind the scenes.
Looking at things now, he realized he might have been too cautious.
With Zhang Sanfeng's own abilities, he could resolve many problems by himself.
What's more, many disciples in the Wudang Sect were actually Zhu Houzhao's people.
Some had even become branch leaders of the Azure Dragon Association.
There were even members of the Ming Imperial Family who had studied under the Wudang Sect.
Some of the more powerful ones had even become elders within the sect.
In short, Zhang Sanfeng being ranked was overall more beneficial than harmful to the Ming Dynasty.
Of course, no matter how powerful Zhang Sanfeng was, Zhu Houzhao still had the means to completely suppress him if needed.
==========
[Technique Ranking – Rank 5]
[Purple Radiance Profound Exercise]
[Creator: Monarch Changping Xiong Qi]
[Cultivation: Great Perfection Heavenly Human Realm]
[The Purple Radiance Profound Exercise was created by Monarch Changping Xiong Qi after unexpectedly obtaining the legacy of the ancient Nine Provinces Emperor, the Purple Radiance Great Emperor. Based on the "Purple Radiance Emperor Scripture", he developed a unique and original Top-Tier Mythical-Grade Cultivation Technique]
[Description: This is a true Imperial Cultivation Technique, containing the path of the Emperor, filled with profound mysteries and immense potential. It is flawless and enhances imperial majesty, strengthens inner dragon energy, and boosts kingly dominance. The full extent of its power is known only to its creator]
[Reward: Special Physique – Purple Radiance Spiritual Physique (100% compatibility with the Purple Radiance Profound Exercise)]
Hmm?
Zhu Houzhao suddenly stood up from his dragon throne.
A divine light flashed in his eyes.
A legacy from the Ancient Purple Radiance Great Emperor?
Ancient?
So this Nine Provinces world really does hide great secrets!
For Monarch Changping Xiong Qi to receive such a tremendous opportunity, Zhu Houzhao realized he had severely underestimated him.
At first, he thought Xiong Qi was just a scheming backstabber operating from the shadows.
But now, it was clear that was not the case at all.
He had been deliberately feigning weakness.
Even if Ying Zheng knew about him, he would only feel a desire to eliminate him, not take him seriously.
He would not see Monarch Changping as a true threat.
What Ying Zheng did not realize was that this was exactly what Monarch Changping wanted him to believe.
His goal was to buy time.
Time to break through to the Mythical Realm as soon as possible.
From now on, Ying Zheng would be in serious trouble.
If it were before, Zhu Houzhao would have dismissed Monarch Changping as a mere clown unworthy of attention.
But now, he saw him as a major threat to Ying Zheng's reign.
Especially with the Heaven Dao Reward, the Purple Radiance Spiritual Physique, along with a powerful Mythical-Grade Cultivation Technique.
For Monarch Changping, reaching the Mythical Realm was no longer difficult.
Zhu Houzhao could only imagine what kind of expression Ying Zheng must have at this moment.
The Qin Dynasty was about to see quite the dramatic performance.
A sly smile crept across Zhu Houzhao's face.
At the same time, from observing Monarch Changping Xiong Qi, Zhu Houzhao also gleaned something even more important.
There was no way that Monarch Changping was the only one in the Nine Provinces who had received an Ancient Inheritance.
There had to be many people who had found great fortunes.
Who knew when another terrifying cultivator might suddenly emerge from the Nine Provinces?
It seemed the future world would no longer be peaceful.
He needed to remain vigilant and on guard.
Otherwise, even with a Hand of cards, he could end up losing it all.
That would be truly humiliating.
Now that he thought about it.
Empress Wu Zhao, could she also have obtained one of those so-called Ancient Inheritances?
Once she returned, he would need to have a proper conversation with her.
==========
Bang!
Qin Imperial Palace.
Ying Zheng flipped the desk in front of him with a loud crash, unable to conceal the rage on his face.
"Scoundrel! That Monarch Changping! How dare he deceive me like this! I will tear him limb from limb!"
"Purple Radiance Profound Exercise? A Mythical-Grade Cultivation Technique?"
"The inheritance of the Ancient Purple Radiance Great Emperor?!"
"That traitor's goal from the very beginning was to overthrow the Qin Dynasty and make himself Emperor!"
"And I only realized it now?!"
"If not for the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking exposing the truth, I would have remained in the dark!"
"Despicable traitor!"
Ying Zheng drew the Heaven Questioning Sword from his waist and slashed it down onto the desk, splitting it clean in two.
Standing below him, the middle-aged scholar also revealed a look of deep shock.
Even though he had already overestimated Monarch Changping, he never imagined that the man was hiding even more than he had guessed.
An ancient technique, the Purple Radiance Emperor Scripture!
When did he obtain it?
If he had acquired it from the very beginning, then his schemes must run incredibly deep.
To endure in silence for so many years, even faking his own death to escape suspicion, was far beyond what ordinary people could achieve.
He likely had cultivated a power base in secret far stronger than anyone could have imagined.
The rebel forces that had appeared on the surface were probably not his true strength at all.
There must be even more hidden forces behind the scenes.
"Your Majesty, we must immediately send people to intercept and eliminate Monarch Changping!"
"We absolutely cannot allow him to reach the Mythical Realm!"
"Otherwise, his threat will grow exponentially!"
"Killing him then will no longer be easy!"
"He will become a grave danger to Your Majesty!"
"Your dream of unifying the Nine Provinces will become nearly impossible!"
"Monarch Changping must die, and the sooner the better!"
The middle-aged scholar clenched his teeth, his expression filled with seriousness.
Previously, he had regarded Monarch Changping as nothing more than a whetstone on Ying Zheng's path to conquest.
But now, Monarch Changping has become a real threat to Ying Zheng.
And this was while he was still only at the Great Perfection Heavenly Human Realm.
If he broke through to the Mythical Realm, that would be a true disaster.
At that point, Monarch Changping might even found his own nation and proclaim himself Emperor.
He could openly carve away territory from the Qin Dynasty.
The nation would fall into endless internal strife.
Let alone unifying the Nine Provinces, it would be a blessing if the Qin Dynasty managed to avoid destruction.
At this moment, the scholar could not help but feel a sense of guilt.
Why hadn't he seen through Monarch Changping's plot earlier?
He had only noticed the surface-level actions.
In fact, those might have been planted by Monarch Changping on purpose.
Damn it. He had unknowingly become one of the traitor's pawns.
A tool used to lull Ying Zheng into a false sense of security.
He had been too arrogant.
He had believed that after the Qin Dynasty had destroyed the Six Kingdoms, everything was settled, and he had paid no mind to their remnants.
But in truth, all of it had been part of Monarch Changping's grand plan.
In fact, the scholar now suspected that Monarch Changping might have deliberately used the Qin Dynasty to eliminate the other kingdoms.
Then, he could gather the remaining forces of the Six Kingdoms under his own control.
A deep mind. Ruthless methods.
It seemed that over the years, he had concealed everything flawlessly.
Most of the surviving forces from the Six Kingdoms were likely now under his command.
"Who can we send?"
"That traitor is already at the Great Perfection Heavenly Human Realm and could break through to Mythical Realm at any moment!"
"Worse yet, I suspect that the villain has more powerful cultivators hidden under his command."
Ying Zheng's eyes flashed with killing intent.
"The Black Ice Platform Leader, Black Shadow, is a Mythical Realm cultivator. Several deputy leaders are at the Heavenly Human Realm. Send them all to eliminate Monarch Changping!"
"At the same time, have General Bai Qi provide support from behind the scenes!"
"No matter the cost, Monarch Changping must be killed."
"If he is allowed to divide the Qin Dynasty's territory, we will regret it forever!"
The middle-aged scholar stomped his foot in frustration.
"Very well. We'll do as you say."
Ying Zheng was silent for a long while before nodding.
Even after the scholar left, Ying Zheng remained deep in thought.
After a long time.
"Come out!"
"Your Majesty."
"You are one of the trump cards left to me by the Former King. In all of the Qin Dynasty, no one but me knows your identity."
"Now, I have a task for you."
"Kill Monarch Changping, Xiong Qi!"
Ying Zheng glared at the mysterious figure in front of him and growled viciously.
"Let the Black Ice Platform and Bai Qi attack him openly."
"You, strike from the shadows and wait for the right moment. Take him out with one decisive blow!"
"Can you do it?"
"Your Majesty, I will not let you down!"
"Good. I await your good news."
==========
Land of Hundred Yue.
Hundred Yue City.
Yan Lingji, Zi Nu, Eastern Monarch Yan Fei, and Xue Nu all looked solemnly at the Cultivation Technique Ranking in the sky.
When they saw Monarch Changping's name appear, a heavy atmosphere settled over them.
That man had hidden so deeply?
Especially Xue Nu. After learning the full truth, she felt deep hatred toward the Mohist School Giant.
And even more disgust toward the mastermind behind it all, Monarch Changping.
Those people truly stopped at nothing.
"Elder Sister Zi Nu, that Monarch Changping is not someone to be trusted. Our Hundred Yue City must not get too entangled with him in the future."
"If he dares to push us, we won't hesitate to fight him to the death."
"These past years, Hundred Yue City has built up enough power to not fear anyone."
"We're not even afraid of the Qin Dynasty's Ying Zheng. Why would we care about one deceitful and cunning schemer?"
"I have a feeling that once Monarch Changping reaches the Mythical Realm, he will definitely proclaim himself Emperor and build a new nation!"
"Purple Radiance Emperor Scripture, Purple Radiance Profound Exercise."
"An Imperial Cultivation Technique!"
"His goal is already very clear, isn't it?"
"However, before that happens, he still needs to face Ying Zheng's fierce counterattack!"
"Whether he can survive or not depends on his skill!"
In the eyes of Yan Lingji and the others, it was inevitable that Hundred Yue City and the Qin Dynasty would eventually become enemies.
And Monarch Changping's Six Kingdoms force was certainly no ally either.
The best outcome would be for the two sides to destroy each other.
Of course.
Neither Ying Zheng nor Monarch Changping were fools.
If either tried to wipe out Hundred Yue City before their final battle, they would be sorely disappointed.
Hundred Yue City was not something that could be easily erased.
Even if a God Demon Realm cultivator came, they might not be able to do anything to them.
==========
"Damn it. My technique got exposed!"
Monarch Changping looked up at the ranking in the sky, his expression unwilling.
He never imagined that his Purple Radiance Profound Exercise would rank fifth on the Cultivation Technique Ranking.
Should he be happy, or frustrated?
Years of concealment were now completely exposed.
Ying Zheng was surely already sending assassins to kill him.
Just one more step!
No matter.
He still had one last gamble to make.
If he succeeded, the path ahead would be wide open, and his grand plan would finally begin.
From then on, no one would be able to stop him.
He would no longer have to hide in the shadows, scheming from the dark.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
List of Characters:
Number One Under Heaven ( 天下第一 )
・Zhu Houzhao ( 朱厚照 ) — Emperor of Ming Dynasty
Qin's Moon ( 秦时明月 )
・Ying Zheng ( 嬴政 ) — Emperor of Qin Dynasty
・Xiong Qi ( 熊启 ) — Last King of Chu Kingdom
・Fei Yan ( 绯烟 ) — Eastern Monarch of Yin Yang School
・Xue Nu ( 雪女 ) — Commander of Mohist School
A Step Into The Past ( 寻秦记 )
・Shang Yang ( 商鞅 ) – Prime Minister of Qin Dynasty
Nine Songs of Moving Heaven ( 天行九歌 )
・Yan Lingji ( 焰灵姬 ) — Queen of Hundred Yue City