"Half-Step Land Immortal Realm?"
Lin Shiyin was stunned for quite a while. She had thought Murong Qiudi was also in the Great Perfection Great Grandmaster Realm.
But the most surprising thing was… Murong Qiudi was only ranked third?
Then what about first and second?
So that was the name of Qiudi's cultivation technique, Lotus Trace Immortal Art?
Just hearing the name gave off an extraordinary feeling.
"Shiyin, guard me. I will take the Immortal Spirit Pill now and see what effect the Immortal Spirit Physique brings."
Murong Qiudi looked at the pill in her hand, joy flashing in her eyes.
With this pill's help, achieving the Land Immortal Realm would become significantly easier.
"Mm, don't worry. I'll guard the door."
Fifteen minutes later.
Murong Qiudi slowly opened her eyes. A condensed aura radiated from her body.
Even her temperament underwent another transformation.
She had already been stunningly beautiful, but after her physique changed, Lin Shiyin, who stood nearby, couldn't help but be dazzled.
"Qiudi, how do you feel?"
"As expected of a reward from the Heavenly Dao. The effects are excellent!"
Murong Qiudi took a deep breath, barely suppressing her excitement.
She could sense a slight loosening of her bottleneck.
Her internal true essence became significantly more refined.
Its circulation speed increased nearly tenfold.
Crossing the Life-and-Death Threshold, she was now fully confident of advancing.
The closer she got to the Land Immortal Realm, the more she felt its terrifying yet alluring pull.
"Qiudi, now that your identity as the leader of the Heavenly Venerable Organization has been revealed, I'm afraid your peace will be disrupted."
Lin Shiyin sounded concerned.
"So what? Do you think I care?"
Murong Qiudi responded with disdain.
With her current strength, as long as her opponent wasn't a Land Immortal, she feared no one.
What's more, the forces under her command were not insignificant.
Her status could no longer be shaken.
==========
Murong Qiudi's entry on the ranking shocked not only the entire Ming Dynasty but also caused a stir across all of the Nine Provinces.
The most critical detail.
Her cultivation!
Half-Step Land Immortal Realm!
Also known as the Life-and-Death Threshold.
It turned out that before a Grandmaster could reach the Land Immortal Realm, there was a crucial checkpoint: the Life-and-Death Threshold.
Only those who passed through it safely could ascend further.
Some Great Grandmasters might never even touch this threshold in their lifetimes.
Naturally, they could never become Land Immortals.
Now that this threshold had been exposed, many Great Grandmasters finally saw a clear direction forward.
People from other countries might not know who Murong Qiudi was.
But within the Ming Dynasty, she was well-known.
In the eyes of martial artists, Murong Qiudi had always been seen as a martial beauty. Aa noble lady from a prestigious family.
Supposedly, she knew nothing about martial arts.
Who would have thought she was hiding such a deep secret?
Not only had she reached the Half-Step Land Immortal Realm.
She had also secretly founded the massive and terrifying Heavenly Venerable Organization.
For years, this group had made a name for itself in the martial world.
No one expected the person behind it to be a young girl, not even twenty years old.
A girl already half a step into the Land Immortal Realm.
Everyone was struck with fear at her wisdom, talent, and willpower.
Things others couldn't achieve in a lifetime. She had done it before turning twenty.
And she had kept everyone in the dark.
Even her own father, the head of the Murong family, had no idea.
Such concealment was terrifying.
Compared to her, the earlier names on the Hidden Dragon Ranking seemed far less remarkable.
==========
In a forest near Divine Sword Manor of the Ming Dynasty.
Third Young Master Xie Xiaofeng and Yan Shisan were sitting on the ground.
Each held a bottle of wine, drinking heavily.
"Hahaha, ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"
"In Qiudi's eyes, I must have been the biggest fool!"
Xie Xiaofeng had clearly been shaken.
Previously, when he lost to Murong Qiudi in one move, he thought she was only in the Early Great Grandmaster Realm.
He believed that one day he could catch up and even surpass her.
But now that the Golden Ranking has revealed the truth.
Half-Step Land Immortal Realm!
Even with all his confidence, he knew he had no chance of reaching that level before he turned forty.
The massive gap hit him hard. He was overwhelmed with complicated feelings.
It wasn't just Xie Xiaofeng. Yan Shisan was also deeply confused.
His family had served the Murong clan for generations.
Since childhood, he had followed Murong Qiudi, studying and training by her side.
He had never seen her practice martial arts.
So why was she now so powerful?
Powerful enough to make him despair.
He had thought he could soon break through to the Great Grandmaster Realm and continue to protect her.
But now?
Protect her?
Did a Half-Step Land Immortal need his protection?
Probably, she would soon become a true Land Immortal.
And the most shocking part, she was the one who had founded the fearsome Heavenly Venerable Organization.
What else had she been hiding from him?
He used to think he knew her well. But now it was clear, he didn't understand her at all.
Her mind was like the ocean. Completely unreadable.
What was happening in this world?
How could it be so terrifying?
Murong Qiudi had reached such heights and was only ranked third?
Then who were first and second?
Just thinking about it gave him chills.
==========
In the Ming Imperial Palace.
"Murong Qiudi… sigh."
Zhu Houzhao wore a complicated expression as he looked at the ranking, then glanced at the secret report in his hand.
He hadn't expected her to be even more terrifying than in the original timeline.
Half-Step Land Immortal Realm.
Talent, character, intelligence, opportunity, money could be lacking.
Now he has a serious headache.
Especially knowing that she had spent years searching across the capital, the Ming Dynasty, and even the Nine Provinces for a certain person.
Thinking of that made his headache worse.
When his identity was finally revealed by the Golden Ranking, things would get chaotic.
And Lin Shiyin had gone to her side?
How did those two even meet?
They weren't connected at all before.
Only two names left on the ranking.
He was sure to be number one.
But who was second?
==========
In the Empress's chambers.
"Qing'er, this is the intelligence you gathered on Murong Qiudi?"
"You didn't even find out she knew martial arts?"
"And there's no mention of the Heavenly Venerable Organization?"
The Empress looked displeased as she read the information in her hands.
The maid Qing'er wore a wronged expression.
"My lady, it's not my fault!"
"No one expected Murong Qiudi to be so good at hiding. She's on par with you."
"If not for the Golden Ranking, who would associate a gentle noble lady with a Land Immortal and a terrifying organization?"
The Empress waved her hand in annoyance.
"Enough talking. Go gather more detailed information."
"What a powerful young girl. Good thing she didn't enter the harem. Otherwise, she could have become my greatest threat."
Now, the Empress was deeply intrigued by Murong Qiudi.
If possible, she wanted to bring her under her command.
To become her most powerful ally.
==========
Not only was the martial world in chaos.
Even the government agencies of the Ming Dynasty held meetings to discuss Murong Qiudi.
Whoever could win her over would see their power skyrocket.
Their influence in court would be immeasurable.
At Dragon Guarding Manor.
"Tianya, Yidao, Haitang, and Cheng Shifei, go find Murong Qiudi and persuade her to join us. I am willing to offer her the position of deputy Lord."
Zhu Wushi ordered his four top agents directly.
"Godfather, isn't that too much power?" Tianya hesitated.
"Not at all. If she joins us, even the Eastern Factory's Cao Zhengchun wouldn't dare mess with us."
"Besides, with her around, if she occasionally trains you all, your strength will improve greatly."
"What's one deputy Lord position in comparison?"
Zhu Wushi spoke righteously.
"The Godfather is absolutely right!"
Not just Dragon Guarding Manor, but the Eastern and Western Factories, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Six Doors, and the Divine Marquis Mansion all sprang into action.
No one dared fall behind.
Even though the chances were slim, no one wanted to miss the opportunity.
In no time, all of Ming was focused on Murong Qiudi.
Especially the Murong Clan's Qixing Pond.
It was visited by countless forces.
Just by her name, Murong Clan's prestige soared to new heights.
==========
In the Sui Imperial Palace.
"What an impressive Murong Qiudi. I like her."
"She has ambition, she has skill, and most importantly, her talent and mindset are exceptional."
"To achieve so much in secret, without those around her even knowing! Truly terrifying!"
Yang Guang slapped the imperial desk and laughed heartily.
He was full of admiration.
"Your Majesty, shall we try to recruit her?" asked Yuwen Huaji quickly.
"Recruit her? The chances are slim. With that ambition, she would never submit to others."
"She'll definitely stir up even more trouble in the Ming Dynasty."
"Heh, how interesting. Zhu Houzhao must be getting a headache!"
Yang Guang couldn't help but gloat.
He had the Yingui Sect Sect and Ci Hang Jing Zhai in his hands. Now that Zhu Houzhao shared the same 'problem,' he felt great joy.
He only wished Li Shimin had the same kind of 'problem'. That would be perfect.
==========
In the Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.
"Master Yuan, I want this person. I like her. Once she's under my command, she'll be my greatest general!"
"Whatever the cost, I must get her."
Li Shimin shouted with excitement.
This kind of talent was leagues above the previous names.
Her value was only slightly below Yuan Tiangang.
If she reached her full potential, she might even rival him.
How could such talent be missed?
"Your Majesty, this may be difficult."
Even Yuan Tiangang looked troubled.
"If we use force, the failure rate is one hundred percent. Even I couldn't succeed."
"It would create a conflict between the Tang and Ming Dynasties."
"At present, the Tang is still recovering, and the Sui remains a deadly rival. We must not provoke the Ming."
Li Shimin looked displeased and even dismissive.
"What is the Ming to us? What is Zhu Houzhao to me?"
Yuan Tiangang's expression turned serious.
"Your Majesty, never underestimate the Ming, and never underestimate Zhu Houzhao."
"He is far more terrifying than we imagine."
"He is not comparable to the likes of Zhao Ji, Zhao Gou, or Liu Hong."
"I've studied Zhu Houzhao thoroughly. From his birth, to his time as crown prince, to becoming Emperor."
"He is unfathomable."
"Even Emperor Qin Shi Huang never gave me this feeling."
Li Shimin finally began to take it seriously.
"What Master Yuan says. Is it truly accurate?"
"Of course. The Imperial Consort Long Bixia is deeply devoted to him. Would a Great Perfection Great Grandmaster fall for someone useless? Even if he were Emperor?"
"Absolutely not."
Li Shimin nodded decisively.
"Still, even so, I can't give up."
"If we can't use force, then we'll use persuasion."
"Raise the stakes. Whatever terms Murong Qiudi demands, we will meet them if she joins the Tang."
"If she willingly follows us, Zhu Houzhao will have no reason to object!"
"Your Majesty, though the chances are low, I'm willing to give it a try."
"Good. I'll leave it to you, Master Yuan."
Li Shimin nodded, making the final decision.
Then, his attention shifted to the Emperor of the Ming, Zhu Houzhao.
He hadn't taken him seriously before.
But after hearing Yuan Tiangang's words, he gave the man new weight.
At the very least, he no longer considered Zhu Houzhao the same as Zhao Gou, Zhao Ji, or Liu Hong.
==========
In the Qin Imperial Palace.
"Zhao Gao, is there any way to recruit Murong Qiudi into our Qin?"
"Your Majesty, her strength is far too great. Our Net Trap cannot match her."
Zhao Gao smiled bitterly.
He wanted to make it happen, but lacked the power.
Not to mention he was currently injured, cursed, and had lost an arm.
Even in his prime, he wouldn't be her match.
To forcibly subdue her, they would need a Land Immortal.
But sending a Land Immortal would be a direct provocation to the Ming.
Though unafraid, it wasn't necessary to create a new enemy.
"Your Majesty, the safest way is to secretly negotiate with her and meet all her demands."
"That is the best strategy."
"Though it may cost the Qin dearly, she's worth it."
"Very well. Do as you suggest. A little cost is nothing to the Qin!"
Ying Zheng waved his hand boldly.
A person like Murong Qiudi, with such potential, could equal a million soldiers.
She could even raise Qin's national power.
No matter the cost. She was worth it.
"Hm? The ranking is updating again."
"Let's see who ranks second on the Hidden Dragon Ranking."
Soon.
High in the sky, the Golden Ranking refreshed.
[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 2]
[Wu Zhao]