Song Dynasty.
Shaolin Temple.
In the courtyard before the Scripture Pavilion.
Two monks dressed differently sat at a stone table.
Each was sipping a cup of tea.
"Fellow Buddhist, what do you think of my proposal?"
"Amitabha. Not long ago, my Shaolin Temple suffered an unprecedented catastrophe. It is not wise to make new enemies."
"Please return, Fellow Buddhist."
"Whether the Shaolin Temple can rise again is not your concern."
"Right now, Shaolin Temple could be destroyed at any time. As long as we can preserve our foundation, I don't want any unexpected incidents."
The nameless old monk wore a bitter expression.
He directly rejected the proposal of the chubby monk before him.
His eyes were filled with deep vigilance.
He was guarding intensely against the old monk before him, afraid that he would threaten the safety of Shaolin Temple.
"Hahaha, Fellow Buddhist, you will definitely agree. I guarantee it."
"It seems I came too hastily this time and didn't prepare well enough."
"Next time I come, I'll be ready."
The chubby monk laughed calmly.
However, from the fury deep in his eyes, it was clear he wasn't as composed as he appeared.
Perhaps he was wary of the nameless old monk. Or perhaps he did not want to lose a powerful ally.
At the very least, for now, he was unwilling to make an enemy of him.
Watching the chubby monk leave, the nameless monk remained silent for a long time before sighing.
He was genuinely worried.
With someone like that stirring up trouble in the Buddhist World, it might not be long before the entire Buddhist World is implicated.
Especially with his constant attention to the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking.
He knew well that there were far too many powerful beings in the Nine Provinces, and the waters were incredibly deep.
If he wasn't cautious, the Shaolin Temple could be destroyed in an instant.
So he decided to stay out of matters he didn't fully understand.
Otherwise, if something went wrong, no one would be able to save him.
Staring heavily at the ranking, hope flickered in his eyes.
"Hopefully, the Buddhist World of the Nine Provinces will produce more reliable cultivators."
"I wonder if any of the top three Buddhist predecessors have ulterior motives. Otherwise, things could get troublesome."
==========
Ming Imperial Harem.
Wan Wan, Shi Feixuan, Xue Yuan, and Huang Rong gathered once again.
After a short time apart, the four women's auras had grown even stronger.
With Zhu Houzhao constantly supplying resources.
Their lives couldn't be more comfortable.
To be honest, aside from Zhu Houzhao being a complete scoundrel, overly flirtatious, and having far too many women.
Everything else about him was a plus in their eyes.
Especially when they were by his side.
They felt like the happiest women in the world.
And truth be told, that was exactly the case.
They could feel that, despite being a womanizer, Zhu Houzhao truly liked and cared for them.
He had never done anything to harm them.
On the contrary.
Zhu Houzhao had spent an incredible amount of effort to help them improve their cultivation.
Not only were cultivation resources abundant.
But he frequently explained martial arts questions and resolved their doubts.
It could be said that their rapid improvement in cultivation was thanks not only to their talent and diligence.
But primarily due to Zhu Houzhao's immense support.
Maybe at first, they had doubts and worries in their hearts.
But after spending this time together.
They had already fallen deeply in love with this scoundrel, Zhu Houzhao.
And they would never betray him in the future.
Of course.
Zhu Houzhao didn't always stay in the company of women.
In his spare time.
The women of the Imperial Harem were divided into small groups.
They supported one another, so no one felt too lonely.
As long as no one crossed Zhu Houzhao's bottom line, he turned a blind eye to some friendly competition.
In fact, he even encouraged it.
Most importantly, with Empress Wu Zhao managing the Imperial Harem.
Zhu Houzhao had complete trust in her.
==========
"Nun Shi, now that the Buddhist Immortal Ranking has been released, you can finally relax, right?"
Wan Wan looked at Shi Feixuan with a face full of annoyance.
So much time had passed.
Though Wan Wan and Shi Feixuan no longer had any conflicting interests, their long-standing habit led to constant bickering.
But Wan Wan never managed to win.
"The Buddhist Immortal Ranking?"
Shi Feixuan had also been closely following it, feeling a bit excited inside.
She wondered if her current strength would earn her a spot on the ranking.
His Majesty had helped her tremendously these days.
Her progress was so shocking that even she found it unbelievable.
"Wan Wan, stop teasing Feixuan!"
"Look, the ranking is updating!"
"I wonder who is Rank 9 on the Buddhist Immortal Ranking!"
As Xue Yuan finished speaking.
The massive Golden Ranking in the sky glowed brightly.
Line after line of new text began to appear stroke by stroke.
==========
[Buddhist Immortal Ranking – Rank 9]
[Shi Feixuan]
[Force: Cihang Tranquil School of Sui Dynasty, Imperial Palace of Ming Dynasty]
[Cultivation: Late Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal]
[Technique: Zen Sword Immortal Classic (A self-created technique combining various Buddhist Dao Cultivation Techniques and sword arts!)]
[Reward: 3x Low-Tier Bodhi Seed (Enhances Buddhist cultivation techniques and comprehension), 1x Low-Tier Buddhist Skill, 1x Low-Tier Buddhist Divine Weapon]
==========
"Oh my god, Nun Shi, it's really you!"
At that moment, Wan Wan cried out in disbelief.
"When did you reach the Late Heavenly Human Realm?"
"Not long ago, you had just entered the Intermediate Stage!"
"Nun Shi, you've been hiding your strength too well. You're as sly as ever!"
"I get the feeling that if we ever got into a real palace scheme, I'd definitely lose to you!"
"Thank goodness His Majesty forbids palace fighting among consorts, otherwise, I'd be dead in your hands!"
Hearing Wan Wan's words, Xue Yuan also looked at Shi Feixuan in surprise.
She raised her brows, feeling a bit puzzled.
In her eyes, Shi Feixuan was clearly only in the Intermediate Heavenly Human Realm.
So why did the ranking say Late Stage?
"Feixuan, your realm?"
"During my last breakthrough, His Majesty was by my side protecting me. He then taught me a secret technique to conceal my realm."
"My higher realm is because of that secret technique."
"Hmph, His Majesty is so biased, giving you private lessons again!"
Wan Wan said with a sour tone.
"Eh? Big Sister Wan Wan, didn't His Majesty also teach you a powerful technique recently?"
"I think it was called the Northern Dipper Seven Stars Moonlight Dance?"
"Wow, when you danced under the moonlight, you were absolutely stunning!"
"Even though I'm a woman, I was almost captivated by you!"
Huang Rong said with some envy.
"Rong'er, don't envy me. Didn't you also gain great benefits?"
"Every time you act coy in front of His Majesty, he seems to really enjoy it. I bet the benefits you've received are no less than ours!"
"You're all so sneaky, keeping things hidden."
"I'm the only one who's truly honest!"
Wan Wan pretended to look pitiful, and the three other women were speechless.
Honest?
Among the four, she was the most cunning.
Even the clever and mischievous Huang Rong was nothing compared to her.
With Zhu Houzhao's personality, how could he possibly resist Wan Wan's little tricks?
There had to be more benefits she hadn't revealed.
Absolutely not just one footwork technique.
There were surely more surprises she was keeping to herself.
"Alright, everyone calm down."
"Right, Feixuan, congratulations on making it onto the Buddhist Immortal Ranking!"
"Nun Shi, quickly take out your reward. The Buddhist Skill might not be as good as His Majesty's teachings, but the Divine Weapon is worth looking at!"
Shi Feixuan came back to her senses and waved her hand. A long sword emitting milky-white Buddhist light appeared.
"This is a Buddhist Weapon, highly compatible with my Cultivation Technique!"
"The sword is called Prajna, symbolizing wisdom!"
"It is a weapon that can grow stronger over time."
"As long as I nourish it with my true energy, it may become an immortal sword in the future!"
"With this sword, my combat power has increased by 30%."
Shi Feixuan gently stroked her Prajna Sword, her face filled with fondness.
Wan Wan and Huang Rong looked on with envy.
The rewards from the heavens were as generous as ever.
==========
Sui Dynasty.
Cihang Tranquil School.
"Oh my god, Senior Sister Feixuan has made it onto the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking again!"
"This time, it's the Buddhist Immortal Ranking!"
"Fantastic! Cihang Tranquil School will be famous across the Nine Provinces again!"
"Yes, I can't believe her cultivation improved so much in such a short time!"
"Now she's Late Heavenly Human Realm. The Great Perfection Stage can't be far."
"In a few years, she may reach the Mythical Realm!"
"She might even have a shot at the God Demon Realm!"
Seeing Shi Feixuan's name on the ranking, many from Cihang Tranquil School were stunned.
Their eyes filled with admiration.
Back then, many couldn't understand why Senior Sister Feixuan would lower herself to become a mere consort of the Ming Emperor.
She even gave up the chance to become the Sect Master of Cihang Tranquil School.
Looking at it now.
Her choice was absolutely right.
She broke through to Heavenly Human Realm in such a short time, and now she was already Late Stage.
In the future, she could become a Mythical Realm cultivator.
Maybe even reach the God Demon Realm.
Compared to being Sect Master, such strength was worth far more.
Not to mention, they all knew that their Senior Sister had long liked the Ming Emperor.
Now, she could be with the one she loved every day.
That alone was something anyone would envy.
Thinking like this, it became clear that the Senior Sister's decision was incredibly wise.
She truly lived up to her title. No one else could compare.
She had amazing talent, great judgment, and incredible wisdom.
==========
Meanwhile, in the deepest part of Cihang Tranquil School.
Inside a very simple and natural bamboo building.
Two women in Buddhist robes sat cross-legged.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Seeing Shi Feixuan's name on the ranking in the sky.
Fan Qinghui had a complex expression.
"Ah, Feixuan, I don't know if your decision was right or wrong!"
"To think you've grown this much in such a short time."
"Maybe before long, even I, as your master, will have to look up to you!"
"Sect Master, are we truly going to throw our lot in with the Tang Dynasty?"
"With Li Shimin's nature, even if we help him conquer the Sui Dynasty, he might not keep his promises!"
"He might even betray us once we're no longer useful."
"Ah, do we have any other path left?"
"Unless we completely abandon this foundation, we have no choice."
"But your concern isn't without merit. We must prepare a backup plan!"
"Alright, Junior Sister, select a few promising disciples and have them hide in secret."
"If disaster does strike, take them to the Ming Dynasty."
"With Feixuan's protection, the Ming Dynasty will surely accept you."
"However, once you reach the Ming Dynasty, Cihang Tranquil School cannot remain as it is now."
"You must change your principles and way of operation."
"Otherwise, even with Feixuan there, the Ming Emperor will never tolerate your presence!"
"Sect Master, if that's your worry, why not pledge allegiance to the Ming Dynasty now, instead of testing Li Shimin?"
"I want to take the gamble. If it succeeds, Cihang Tranquil School will rise even higher."
"If not, it's just my life on the line!"
"Besides, if Li Shimin wants to destroy me, it will cost him dearly!"
"Enough, Junior Sister. No need to persuade me. I will prepare thoroughly!"
"Just follow my instructions!"