Ten miles from the borders of the Ming Dynasty.
Two figures sped through the air toward the distant horizon.
"Ice Emperor, once we enter the Ming Dynasty, you must obey my orders. Do not act on your own!"
"If you mess up the mission, your punishment from Di Shitian will be even more miserable than last time!"
The Divine Mother Luo Xian glanced sharply at the Ice Emperor, her tone harsh.
The Ice Emperor, considered a disciple of Di Shitian, possessed incredible strength.
Unfortunately, in the past, he fell for worldly love, greatly displeasing Di Shitian, who then sealed him in ice as punishment.
After awakening, his temperament changed drastically.
He became bloodthirsty and ruthless, even personally killing the woman he once loved the most.
This satisfied Di Shitian, and he quickly became one of his most trusted aides.
Luo Xian, on the other hand, had been raised by Di Shitian since childhood. With outstanding talent, she was taken in as a personal disciple and trained in martial arts, growing into a formidable force.
Within the Heaven Gate, which is divided into the Mortal Realm, Earth Realm, and Heaven Realm, Luo Xian managed the Mortal Realm and oversaw all affairs.
She was one of Di Shitian's most valued chess pieces.
Both she and the Ice Emperor had the cultivation of a Land Immortal.
Because of this, they did not take their current mission lightly, even though they knew the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Houzhao, was also a Land Immortal.
They were confident they could eliminate him.
"Hmph, I know what to do!"
As soon as the words fell, two powerful figures suddenly appeared in their line of sight.
==========
"Who are you? Why are you blocking our path?"
Seeing Zhu Houzhao and the Dark Guard Commander, Luo Xian immediately grew wary.
Zhu Houzhao gave a faint smile.
In terms of appearance, Luo Xian was in no way inferior to Empress Wu Zhao or Consort Little Dragon Girl.
However, their auras were entirely different.
In combat strength, she was far superior. After all, the Empress was still only a half-step Land Immortal.
Luo Xian, by contrast, had fully stepped into that realm.
With such talent, no wonder she was so favored by Di Shitian.
Someone who had lived for over two thousand years, how high must his standards be? Ordinary women wouldn't even catch his eye.
"Weren't you two coming here for me?"
"Now I'm standing right in front of you, and you don't even recognize me?"
Zhu Houzhao scoffed.
"You are... Emperor Zhu Houzhao of the Ming Dynasty?" Luo Xian's expression froze for a moment.
Then, realization hit, and her heart skipped a beat.
"You're the target? How do you know we're here for you?"
"The Heaven Gate? Di Shitian? Just some minor annoyances."
"Don't you agree?"
Zhu Houzhao's words were inexplicable.
Luo Xian and the Ice Emperor immediately sensed something was off.
The names "Heaven Gate" and "Di Shitian" were unknown to most of the Nine Provinces. Even those who knew usually didn't live long.
How could a secular Emperor possibly know all this?
With this thought, killing intent surged from their eyes like a tangible force.
They could not let him live.
If Di Shitian found out, both of them would be implicated.
"It doesn't matter how you know."
"You're going to die here anyway."
"Not just you. Everyone connected to you will be eliminated."
The Ice Emperor declared coldly and cruelly.
"You need to have the strength to do that first. For now, you'd better worry about whether you'll survive!"
Zhu Houzhao's smile faded.
He had already decided to kill the Ice Emperor.
Then he instructed the Dark Guard Commander beside him.
"You handle Luo Xian. Don't let her escape."
"I still have a use for her."
As soon as he spoke, Zhu Houzhao disappeared.
In the next instant, he reappeared in front of the Ice Emperor.
With a gentle push of his palm, a terrifying force struck the Ice Emperor squarely in the chest.
Spurt!
Crash!
The Ice Emperor coughed up blood and was sent flying.
Luo Xian gasped and rushed forward to help.
But the Dark Guard Commander immediately stepped in and blocked her path.
Countless dark shadows surrounded her, indistinguishable from the real body.
"You will pay for this!"
"You dared to injure me!"
The Ice Emperor roared with unprecedented rage.
"A Land Immortal, huh?"
"Unfortunately, you're only at the First Stage of Heavenly Human Realm."
"Among Land Immortals, you must be one of the weakest."
There were vast differences even within the Land Immortal Realm.
The stronger ones could easily crush the weaker ones.
Just becoming a Land Immortal did not mean you were invincible in the Nine Provinces.
Far from it.
This was merely the beginning of the true martial path.
"Frozen World!"
The Ice Emperor released his most powerful attack.
Fierce energy burst out in a freezing storm that engulfed the surrounding area.
Everything turned into a frozen world, targeting Zhu Houzhao directly.
"Such flashy nonsense!"
"Utterly useless!"
"For someone like you, death would be the best option."
"Let me show you the final move!"
"Take this lotus. If you survive, I might spare your life."
Zhu Houzhao sneered.
A five-colored lotus bloomed from his right palm.
Beautiful.
And deadly.
With a gentle wave, the lotus instantly expanded.
In the next moment, it turned into a beam of light and shot toward the Ice Emperor.
It struck him directly.
The Ice Emperor trembled violently.
Then, he froze in place.
His eyes filled with horror and despair.
"What... what are you?"
"Heavenly Human Realm? Mythical Realm? Or... God Demon Realm?"
"Impossible!"
"You can't be this powerful!"
After a final shriek of disbelief, the lotus's energy rampaged through his body.
His organs were shredded.
Within three breaths.
The Ice Emperor was completely destroyed, leaving no remains.
"If you dare come to kill, be prepared to die."
Zhu Houzhao said coldly.
That lotus attack was one of the most basic techniques from the Azure Lotus Immortal Scripture he had created.
Yet the Ice Emperor couldn't even withstand that.
And he had the nerve to act arrogant?
==========
Watching her partner be so easily obliterated, Luo Xian was stunned.
The Ice Emperor might not be her equal, but he was still a Land Immortal.
Yet he looked like an ant.
Just how strong was this Ming Emperor?
He had hidden it so deeply?
Run!
Without hesitation, Luo Xian tried to flee.
She had to return to Heaven Gate and report everything to Di Shitian.
Only he could deal with this mysterious and terrifying Emperor.
Unfortunately.
Every movement of hers was already under Zhu Houzhao's surveillance.
How could he possibly let her escape?
Just as she prepared to flee, Zhu Houzhao appeared beside her.
So fast, it surpassed her reaction speed.
Before she could move, Zhu Houzhao tapped several key acupoints on her body.
Luo Xian froze in place, completely immobilized.
"Your Majesty, what should I do next?"
"Clean up the battlefield. Erase all traces here."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
With that command, Zhu Houzhao grabbed Luo Xian and vanished.
==========
On a nameless mountain peak.
Zhu Houzhao casually tossed Luo Xian to the ground and circled her, observing carefully.
His gaze made her scalp tingle.
Something felt very wrong.
"Don't even think about it!"
"If you defile me, my master will make you regret living!"
Luo Xian shouted furiously, masking her fear.
"Di Shitian? Xu Fu? God? Or just a lunatic?"
With each word Zhu Houzhao spoke, her heart trembled.
Fear filled her eyes.
Compared to Di Shitian, this man seemed more like a god, or a demon.
"You... you..."
She was so rattled she could barely speak.
"Submit to me, and I might spare your life."
Zhu Houzhao said suddenly.
Luo Xian flinched.
Then, gathering herself, she glared at him.
"Don't even think about it! I am the Divine Mother under Di Shitian. I will never betray my master."
"Kill me! One day, he will avenge me!"
Zhu Houzhao was unmoved.
Whether she submitted or not, he wouldn't trust her anyway.
He had his own methods to control her.
This was just a test.
To be trained by Di Shitian, she was certainly capable.
Then he produced a milky-white pill from his hand.
A reward from his Lying Flat System, earned over the past twenty years.
Before she could react, he forced the pill into her mouth.
It dissolved instantly.
"What... What did you make me eat?"
Luo Xian panicked.
"Poison," Zhu Houzhao replied blandly.
Luo Xian's face turned pale.
"What's your name?"
"Luo Xian."
"When did you start following Di Shitian?"
"At five years old."
"What is your cultivation level?"
"Land Immortal, Great Perfection Heavenly Human Realm."
Zhu Houzhao asked. She answered.
Strangely, she didn't hide anything.
She spilled every secret.
Her eyes filled with fear.
She didn't want to answer, but she couldn't stop herself.
"What is this?"
"The pill?"
Zhu Houzhao smirked, then explained.
"Servant Pill."
"It contains a master-servant contract. From now on, you are my most loyal servant."
"You won't even be able to betray me if you want to."
He then released her acupuncture points.
Such was the power of the system's rewards.
Beyond reason.
Something only possible in fantasy or xianxia worlds.
Sadly, there was only one such pill.
Whether using it on her was worth it remained to be seen.
But thinking of his plans, he decided to take the gamble.
The potential return could far exceed the cost.
As soon as she regained movement, Luo Xian tried to strike him.
Zhu Houzhao didn't even flinch.
As her palm neared his chest, the strength disappeared completely.
Her delicate hand gently pressed against him like a caress.
"Your massage is too light. Use more strength."
As he finished speaking, Luo Xian's body moved of its own accord and began massaging him.
"How's that? Satisfied now?"
==========
Half a day later.
On the same mountain peak.
Luo Xian now looked respectful and obedient.
Gone was the proud and defiant woman.
"Do you remember everything I told you?"
"Yes."
"Good. You may return to Heaven Gate. Stay hidden. Until I give orders, behave as you always have."
Naturally, Luo Xian dared not resist.
After bowing respectfully, she vanished.
"Another chess piece."
"Let's see if you prove useful."
Zhu Houzhao laughed.
He was quite satisfied with this mission.
"Back to the palace!"
"Shame, though. Because of this, today's Lying Flat reward is a few levels lower."
With that, he disappeared.
==========
Time passed.
Ever since the Hidden Dragon Ranking were fully updated, the Nine Provinces fell into a strange tension.
Friction between all sides intensified.
Not only between factions, but also among nations.
A full-scale war could break out at any time.
The martial world was also in chaos.
Especially with the Martial Force Ranking set to be released in a month.
This gave many warlords hope.
If they could grow strong enough, might they earn a spot?
Would they receive a heavenly reward?
Those who ranked on the Hidden Dragon Ranking last time received incredible rewards.
Not only boosting their strength but also transforming their bodies.
Especially the top ten, whose constitutions underwent massive evolution.
As long as they survived, becoming Land Immortals was almost guaranteed.
Something every martial warlord longed for.
Sadly.
Not everyone could make the Hidden Dragon Ranking.
So they turned their sights to the Martial Force Ranking.
Because of this, battles erupted all across the provinces.
Countless factions were wiped out.
But just as many rose swiftly.
It was a grand and turbulent era.
And a dangerously uncertain one.
A month passed quickly.
That day, Zhu Houzhao continued his laid-back life in the palace.
The sound of Little Dragon Girl's zither filled his ears, peaceful and serene.
He had tossed all administrative duties to the Empress.
He only involved himself in truly major events.
If not for ranking first on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, the entire imperial court would likely be calling him a foolish ruler.
But now?
Who dared speak out?
At that moment.
The skies suddenly shifted.
Clouds churned and winds roared.
Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up.
The Golden Ranking of the Nine Provinces was about to open again.
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T/N: Last update will be at 10 PM today!