Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Three months ago, after Zhu Houzhao seized the National Fortune of the Song Dynasty and destroyed its Dragon Vein, he immediately returned to the Ming Dynasty with the few individuals he had "recruited".
Ancestor Chen Tuan, Zhao Pu, and Shi Shouxin were directly sent into the Imperial Worship Hall by him.
As for what happens next, it would depend on their own choices.
If they wanted cultivation resources or higher status, they would have to complete the missions Zhu Houzhao issued.
As long as they had the capability, the God Demon Realm or even the legendary Sage Realm might not be impossible in the future.
As for Huang Shang, although he still strongly resisted and refused to surrender to the Ming Dynasty.
he was no longer filled with hatred like before.
By now, how could Huang Shang not know that the secret Emperor Zhao Ji had tried so hard to protect had already been taken by Zhu Houzhao?
Everything that had happened three months ago was nothing more than Zhu Houzhao's calculated scheme.
Including him, Wei Liao, Yuan Tiangang, and Yuwen Tuo, they were all just pieces on a chessboard.
His wariness toward Zhu Houzhao rose several levels sharply.
With Zhu Houzhao around, he didn't even have the slightest thought of escaping.
During this time, he had also been closely observing the major events across the Nine Provinces.
The chaos within the Yuan Dynasty could be ignored. It had nothing to do with him.
On the other hand, the Song Dynasty was changing by the day.
Logically, after Zhu Houzhao had seized the National Fortune and drained the Song Dragon Vein, it should have long since perished.
However, with continuous overt and covert planning by Guo Jia, Jia Xu, Zhuge Liang, and others.
Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan were still alive.
Even though the Song Capital had already fallen, they had fled southward.
At least, they escaped the fate of being captured by foreign tribes as originally destined.
Moreover, when the Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom armies approached the capital.
Zhao Ji unexpectedly passed the throne of the Song Dynasty to Zhao Huan.
And then he once again drowned himself in debauchery.
Regardless of the final outcome, he would definitely not go down in history as the last emperor of a fallen dynasty.
==========
Ming Imperial Harem.
Empress Wu Zhao Chambers.
Zhu Houzhao looked at his empress with growing curiosity in his eyes.
In recent days.
Each time they met, her strength had risen again.
She was getting closer and closer to the Great Perfection God Demon Realm.
It was simply unbelievable.
The empress's "cheat" was in no way inferior to his own.
If he claimed she had no secrets, he absolutely wouldn't believe it.
However, he didn't ask.
As long as he knew the empress wouldn't betray him, that was enough.
Why was she so strong, did it really matter?
No matter how powerful she became, it was all beneficial and harmless to him and the Ming Dynasty.
Most importantly.
Even if she grew stronger, compared to him, she was still several levels beneath.
With the continuous absorption of multiple dynasties' National Fortunes.
His cultivation was skyrocketing like a rocket.
He is already near the Great Perfection Sage Realm.
With just one more dynasty's National Fortune and Dragon Vein energy, the realm above the Sage Realm could definitely be broken through.
By then, it would truly be time for him to run rampant.
Even if the Nine Provinces harbored many powerful and mysterious figures in secret, they were still no match for Zhu Houzhao.
Whether gods or demons, they would all bow under his feet.
By then, even if the entire world turned against him, so what?
He would have the power to sweep through the world.
==========
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject has an urgent matter to report!"
"What is it? Speak!"
"Just now, Lord Guo Jia from the Song Dynasty sent word."
"One day ago, the Western Xia Kingdom was destroyed!"
"Western Xia Kingdom destroyed? By whom?"
Zhu Houzhao looked surprised.
"By the Song Dynasty? Impossible. The Song Dynasty can barely protect itself. The Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Sui Dynasty, and Tang Dynasty forces?"
"Also unlikely. Their reach isn't that long."
"The Vast Sea Dynasty? Even less likely."
"The Vast Sea Dynasty hasn't yet reached the optimal time for a full-scale invasion!"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it was someone I never would have expected."
"Murong Fu!"
"Southern Murong, Northern Qiao Feng, Murong refers to that Murong Fu."
"Murong Fu? With his abilities, how could he possibly do that?"
"Back then, he was just a defeated dog."
"And now, he's become so powerful?"
"Your Majesty, this Murong Fu seems to have been recruited by some terrifying hidden force."
"We just haven't found out who it is yet!"
"Or rather, which dynasty's piece he is!"
Zhu Houzhao didn't pay much attention to Murong Fu's sudden "rise".
But he did develop some interest in the force behind him.
It seemed that quite a few hands behind the scenes were eyeing the Song Dynasty's interests.
==========
Boom.
At that moment.
Suddenly.
The sky exploded.
Golden light burst out.
Purple energy rose to the heavens.
Zhu Houzhao's attention immediately shifted.
"A new ranking has appeared!"
With another divine phenomenon appearing.
He knew exactly what it meant.
What would the next ranking be?
The ranking for Dao, Demonic, and Confucian had already appeared.
Next would most likely be the so-called Buddhist one.
==========
[Nine Provinces – Buddhist Immortal Ranking]
[Across the Nine Provinces, Buddhist disciples are countless. Among those who practice Buddhist Dao Cultivation Techniques, there are innumerable cultivators. The Heaven Dao, now ranked the Buddhist Immortal Ranking]
[All cultivators in the Nine Provinces who practice Buddhist Dao Cultivation Techniques and have reached the Land Immortal Realm are eligible for inclusion, based on their realm, talent, potential, and foundation]
[This ranking ranked only ten spots. Rank 10 to Rank 7 are in the Heavenly Human Realm. Rank 6 to Rank 4 are in the Mythical Realm. Rank 3 to Rank 1 are in the God Demon Realm and above.]
[Anyone who enters the ranking will receive a Heaven Dao Reward]
[This ranking is updated once every year]
==========
As expected, this time it was the Buddhist Immortal Ranking.
It didn't come as a surprise.
In fact, many across the Nine Provinces had vaguely sensed it coming.
Zhu Houzhao's eyes flashed with a sharp gleam.
There were indeed many Buddhist cultivators within the Nine Provinces.
Even more so than Dao School or Demon Gate.
He was curious to see which Buddhist Land Immortals would make it onto the ranking.
If any caught his eye, he wouldn't mind recruiting one or two.
He already had Dao School, Demon Gate, and Confucian School cultivators.
Naturally, he wouldn't overlook the Buddhist ones either.
Of course.
it didn't have to be Buddhist monks per se.
As long as someone cultivated Buddhist Dao Cultivation Techniques, they qualified.
Every Buddhist Land Immortal had extraordinary value.
It seemed that aside from the Qin Dynasty, the Buddhist forces in other dynasties couldn't be underestimated.
Some even had enough influence to affect an entire dynasty's rule.
For example, in the Sui Dynasty.
The Cihang Tranquil School and the Calm Thought Zen Temple posed significant threats to the dynasty's rule.
Naturally.
Within the Nine Provinces, many people were quite devoted to Buddhist studies.
Even more than to Dao School or Confucian School.
Sometimes, the power of the Buddhist sects could exceed expectations.
==========
At the same time.
With the emergence of the Buddhist Immortal Ranking, Buddhist disciples across the Nine Provinces, as well as those interested in Buddhist Gate, showed expressions of excitement and joy.
One by one, they were elated.
If it weren't for their lack of strength, they would have wished to be included themselves.
To be selected in the Buddhist Immortal Ranking within one's lifetime, what an honor that would be!
From this moment on, appearing on the Buddhist Immortal Ranking would become the ultimate goal of every Buddhist disciple and every cultivator of Buddhist Dao Cultivation Techniques.
Anyone who made it onto the Buddhist Immortal Ranking would surely earn the respect and admiration of all Buddhist disciples in the Nine Provinces.
As for those in Dao Gate, Confucian Gate, and Demon Gate across the Nine Provinces, their expressions turned gloomy.
After this Buddhist Immortal Ranking.
Buddhist Gate's influence would undoubtedly expand significantly.
==========
"Amitabha, this is wonderful! It's finally time for our Buddhist Buddhist Immortal Ranking!"
"We monks have waited a long time. I nearly thought the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking was deliberately ignoring us Buddhists!"
"Heh, this time our Buddhist Immortal Ranking will definitely make the others take notice!"
"Let's see if they still dare to look down on our Buddhist path!"
"Stupid monk, you didn't even make it on the Buddhist Immortal Ranking, what are you showing off for?"
"Luckily, you're not strong enough to be on it. Otherwise, with your personality, you'd become a disaster for the world!"
"Hmph, if all Buddhist disciples in the Nine Provinces were like you, we'd be worse than the Demon Dao!"
"Nonsense! What I hate most are you weak little scholars who spend all day gossiping."
"You do nothing useful, yet you're cultivators at bringing ruin to the country. That's something you Confucians excel at!"
Across the Nine Provinces, because of the emergence of the Buddhist Immortal Ranking.
Buddhist disciples and members of other forces entered into fierce disputes.
==========
Qin Imperial Palace.
Ying Zheng also saw the Golden Ranking in the sky and frowned slightly.
To be honest.
If Confucian disciples had trouble gaining official posts in the Qin Dynasty, then Buddhist disciples would have no foothold at all.
Regardless of Dao School, Confucian School, or the Demon Gate, whether strong or weak, they at least have their place.
But for the Buddhist Gate, the entire Qin Dynasty is a forbidden ground.
Especially Ying Zheng, who strongly disliked everything about Buddhist Gate.
Their principles and conduct completely contradicted the style and standards of Qin Dynasty disciples, even fundamentally clashing.
Some of the Buddhist philosophies could pose a serious threat to the ideological foundations of the Qin Dynasty.
Under Ying Zheng's harsh actions, Buddhist Gate had no place to survive.
This was also the reason why the Buddhist sects held no fondness toward the Qin Dynasty.
Were it not for the Qin Dynasty's overwhelming strength, Buddhist Gate would have retaliated long ago.
Just like the recent rebellion of the remnants of the Six Kingdoms, besides the instigation and support of other dynasties, it was likely that Buddhist Gate had a hand in it too.
"'Buddhist Immortal Ranking'? Hmph, this ranking has nothing to do with my Qin Dynasty!"
"Moreover, I do not wish for anyone from the Qin Dynasty to appear on the Buddhist Immortal Ranking!"
"Your Majesty, should we recruit a few Land Immortals from the Buddhist sect?"
"In the future, when fighting Buddhist cultivators from other dynasties, we won't be at a disadvantage!"
"No. This matter need not be mentioned again."
"Just keep a close watch on those ranked on the Buddhist Immortal Ranking."
"If they become enemies of the Qin Dynasty in the future, eliminate them directly!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"By the way, Mister, how is Wei Liao doing now in the Song Dynasty?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, aside from suffering a small loss three months ago at the hands of Guo Jia..."
"Lord Wei Liao has become much more cautious."
"Over the past three months, under his schemes, our Qin Dynasty has benefited greatly."
"Moreover, within the Song Dynasty, he has managed to turn a not-insignificant army to our side. Using that as a foothold, in the current chaos within the Song Dynasty, he has seized control of at least twenty percent of the territory!"
"In no more than three days, a batch of resources from the Song Dynasty will be delivered to the Qin Dynasty."
"With those resources, our preparations to attack the Han Dynasty will become even more complete."
"Good. Wei Liao truly did not disappoint me!"
"However, given the current situation of the Song Dynasty, why is the Emperor Zhao Ji, no, now Zhao Huan, still alive?"
"Do the other dynasties really intend to let the remnants of the Song Dynasty survive?"
"This... Your Majesty, Wei Liao and Yuan Tiangang have tried repeatedly to annihilate the Song Dynasty. In fact, they are even more eager than the Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom."
"However, Sui Dynasty's Yuwen Tuo, Guo Jia, and Vast Sea Dynasty's Jia Xu also seem to have plans."
"Several times, they have secretly saved the remaining forces of the Song Dynasty."
"Their intention seems to be to use the remaining Song Dynasty troops to continue fighting the Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom."
"They don't intend to eliminate the Song Dynasty completely."
"They seem to be harboring even greater schemes."
"Furthermore, behind it all, there is a suspicious and mysterious Han Dynasty force with unclear motives."
"Now, because of the interference of all dynasties and forces, the situation is extremely complex and chaotic."
"Even Lord Wei Liao must be cautious at every step. A single mistake could cost everything!"
"So be it. Let Wei Liao bear full responsibility for matters related to the Song Dynasty."
"I do not care about the process. I only care about the result!"
"I hope Wei Liao will give me a satisfactory answer!"
==========
Han Imperial Harem, Consort Yu Palace.
Jiang Yuyan's aura had once again grown stronger.
As time passed.
She became increasingly powerful. Though she hadn't broken through to the Mythical Realm, for some reason, her aura was even more terrifying than that of a true Mythical Realm cultivator.
Zhang Liang and Sima Yi, who had been by her side for some time.
Often felt their scalps tingling.
Even with all their confidence in their intellect.
They couldn't help but feel a sense of dread toward Jiang Yuyan.
It was the helpless feeling of one's life being completely out of their control.
Every move and strategy they made was scrutinized multiple times.
For fear that Jiang Yuyan would see a flaw.
If she became angered, losing their lives would be a grave loss indeed.
They had no doubt that if they did anything to offend this woman.
She would show absolutely no mercy.
They had already witnessed her ruthlessness many times over the past few months.
Though they were well-traveled and had seen many cruel individuals.
Compared to this demoness of the Han Dynasty.
Those people were like mere children.
Working under Jiang Yuyan felt like bargaining with a tiger.
Even men as wise as them felt trapped.
One could only imagine the immense pressure she exerted.
Not only did they have to come up with strategies.
They also had to constantly watch their backs around this terrifying superior.
It was truly exhausting.
"Gentlemen, what are your thoughts on the Buddhist Immortal Ranking, and how might it affect us?"
"Should we also try to recruit some of those ranked?"
"The top few may be beyond our reach, but the ones lower down, there's still room to maneuver!"
Before, she lacked the strength, and even if she had the desire, she couldn't act on it.
But now it was different.
She finally had the strength to join the game.
She could even place a few moves of her own from time to time.
"Your Highness, I fear not. After we destroyed several Stitched Cloth Guard bases, they've already started suspecting us."
"In fact, they're watching us closely, monitoring our every move."
"We must be cautious and not act recklessly!"
Sima Yi's expression changed as he urgently advised her.
"Oh?"
Jiang Yuyan's lips curled into a smile, her eyes flashing with amusement.
A glint of contemplation flickered in her gaze.
However, she did not contradict him.
She looked at Sima Yi with a subtly changed expression.
"Your Highness, recently, we've uncovered that the Stitched Cloth Guard has dispatched a secret team to stir up trouble in the Song Dynasty."
"They seem to have profited quite a bit."
"They even recruited a rebel army, plundering cities wherever they went."
"The leader of this rebel army is well-known in the martial world of the Song Dynasty and is a descendant of the royal family, with strong ambitions to restore the dynasty."
"Their plot is not a small one."
"We should pay greater attention to this Stitched Cloth Guard force. The Buddhist Immortal Ranking can wait for now."
"When Your Highness reaches the Mythical Realm or even the God Demon Realm, then you can directly subdue the top-ranked individuals."
"Those are the true cultivators who can influence the fate of the world."
"Those ranked lower, while not weak, have far less impact!"
"Your Highness still needs to continue to grow, and when you become invincible, crushing your enemies will be far more satisfying!"
Zhang Liang began painting a grand vision.
And surprisingly, despite her vicious nature, Jiang Yuyan liked this sort of talk.
She grew more and more eager for the Mythical and God Demon Realms.
She never doubted her ability to break through to those Realms in the future.
In fact, she was full of confidence.
All she needed was time.
Yes, what Zifang said was right.
She still needed to develop.
She had to wait for a better opportunity.
If she acted rashly now, she would pay a heavy price.
Her goal was all of the Nine Provinces.
The patience required, she must possess.
==========
Sui Imperial Palace.
Empress Xiao Meiniang was rarely seen together with Emperor Yang Guang.
Especially when they both saw the ranking in the sky.
Neither of their expressions looked good.
"Empress, do you think the people of Cihang Tranquil School and Calm Thought Zen Temple can make it onto the ranking?"
"Your Majesty, there are countless Buddhist cultivators across the Nine Provinces. These two sects, while not weak in our Sui Dynasty, are merely average."
"Who among them qualifies to enter the Buddhist Immortal Ranking?"
"At the very least, they'd need to be at the Land Immortal Realm!"
Xiao Meiniang clearly looked down upon those two Buddhist forces.
"Has the Empress forgotten about Di Ni of Cihang Tranquil School and Tian Seng of Calm Thought Zen Temple?"
"With their strength, they may not be unqualified."
"Yet I recall that both Tian Seng and Di Ni passed away many years ago."
"Otherwise, if they were still alive, they'd be even more arrogant."
"And would never have allowed the Devil Sect to act so rampantly."
"Ah, Empress, you're unaware. My spies discovered that Tian Seng and Di Ni faked their deaths back then."
"After all these years, their strength may now be unfathomable."
"They will be major threats to our Sui Dynasty."
"Your Majesty worries too much. Even if Tian Seng and Di Ni are powerful, they are still far inferior to Supreme Master Yuwen!"
"Yuwen Tuo is a genuine God Demon Realm cultivator!"
"With him here, our Sui Dynasty will not be threatened by a few monks and nuns!"
"At your command, Supreme Master Yuwen could annihilate those two sects single-handedly."
Though she said this, Xiao Meiniang's heart grew heavy.
She had learned that both Cihang Tranquil School and Calm Thought Zen Temple had secretly allied with the Tang Dynasty.
No, more accurately, they were forcibly subjugated by Yuan Tiangang.
If Yuwen Tuo acted against them, it would certainly provoke the Bad Marshal.
As for who would win, she wasn't so sure.
After all, they were both God Demon Realm cultivators.
With her current level, it was hard to judge which of them was superior.
At the same time, she began to grow wary of Yang Guang.
He was not as simple as he appeared.
Though she didn't know what he had been doing recently.
His clear understanding of his opponents' movements was telling.
From now on, she needed to watch him more closely.
"By the way, Your Majesty, how is Supreme Master Yuwen's plan in the Song Dynasty progressing?"
"Hahaha, Empress, you may not know this, but Supreme Master Yuwen's strategy has brought great gains to our Sui Dynasty."
"Moreover, your two prized disciples have formed a formidable army within the Song Dynasty."
"Marching across the land, conquering city after city, and reaping huge rewards."
"Nearly twenty percent of the Song Dynasty now belongs to our Sui Dynasty!"
"Unfortunately, the Bad Marshal was not slow either, and their spoils were no less than ours!"
"That brat Li Shimin really made a profit!"
Upon hearing about Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, Empress Xiao Meiniang nodded in satisforce.
It seemed their growth under Yuwen Tuo's command was truly impressive.
Perhaps soon, they could be of real help to her.
==========
Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.
Li Shimin summoned his trusted ministers to discuss state affairs.
Especially since the Bad Marshal Yuan Tiangang had recently delivered a large cache of resources, greatly easing their burden.
No one expected that the attack by the Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom on the Song Dynasty, which nearly wiped them out.
Would instead bring great benefits to several dynasties.
If it weren't for the need to be cautious in destroying the Sui Dynasty.
Li Shimin would've sent more troops to invade the Song Dynasty immediately.
Unfortunately.
If he did, the Tang Dynasty would surely face the united wrath of the other dynasties.
In the end, they would gain nothing.
Rather, the current situation was better.
Though they couldn't seize the most, at least they could still enjoy a good share of the spoils.
It also helped ease pressure on the Tang Dynasty.
"Gentlemen, what attitude should our Tang Dynasty adopt toward those on the Buddhist Immortal Ranking?"
"Your Majesty, we should proceed as usual."
"Neither overly friendly nor deliberately distant."
"Some Buddhist forces can be used, while others must be suppressed."
"If used well, Buddhist cultivators are sharp blades. If used poorly, they'll turn and harm us."
"The relationship between Cihang Tranquil School, Calm Thought Zen Temple, and the Sui Dynasty is proof enough."
"We must take this as a lesson for the Tang Dynasty!"
"So be it. Those on the Buddhist Immortal Ranking will be under Wuji's management!"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will not fail you!"
"Hmm?"
"The ranking has been updated!"
"I'd like to see what surprises this new ranking brings!"
At that moment.
A thunderous boom echoed across the sky.
The Nine Provinces Golden Ranking appeared once more, slowly unfolding.
Lines of golden text revealed themselves, attracting the attention of all across the Nine Provinces.