[Nine Provinces – Martial Force Ranking]
[Across Nine Provinces, martial forces are countless. With the Heaven Dao, this Martial Force Ranking is hereby established]
[Any force whose leader has reached the Great Grandmaster Realm and whose number of members exceeds ten may enter the ranking based on strength, fortune, potential, and achievements]
[Only the top ten forces will be ranked. All ranked forces will receive rewards from Heaven]
[The ranking is updated once a year]
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Zhu Houzhao looked up at the information displayed in the sky and began pondering.
Under his command, there seemed to be quite a few martial forces.
How many of them could make it onto the ranking?
His Empress's Netherworld City probably wasn't as simple as it looked on the surface. It had a high chance of being ranked.
However, he still had some suspicions about the Empress's identity.
It wasn't that he doubted her feelings for him.
Whether her feelings were genuine or not, Zhu Houzhao could clearly sense them.
Otherwise, after her identity had been revealed, he wouldn't have allowed her to remain as his Empress.
He simply suspected that the Empress had an even more secretive background.
Being a descendant of Netherworld City might not be the whole truth.
But he wasn't in a rush.
Now that the Heaven's Ranking had manifested, all mysteries would eventually be revealed.
Just like his own various identities would one day be exposed.
He was already mentally prepared for that.
==========
Elsewhere.
Empress Chambers.
"Qing'er, how is Netherworld City's progress in subduing martial forces coming along lately?"
"According to your instructions, the first and second Grand Elders personally took action. Any force we targeted was successfully subdued. Entering the top ten of the Martial Force Ranking shouldn't be difficult."
"It's a pity. Trying to reach the top three is currently impossible."
"At least for now, Netherworld City is still far behind the Heaven Gate."
"Don't worry, Miss. Sooner or later, we will completely annihilate that old bastard Di Shitian, destroy Heaven Gate, and kill all those traitors to avenge the former City Lord!"
"Alright, continue waiting for the updated ranking!"
==========
Ming Dynasty, Heavenly Venerable Organization Headquarters.
"Shiyin, you've worked hard these past few days!"
"Sister Qiudi, I'm fine. Just consider it a form of training. But I keep feeling that the forces ranking this time will be terrifying."
"We haven't yet achieved the Land Immortal Realm. I'm afraid we won't make it into the top ten!"
Lin Shiyin said with some concern.
"Let fate decide. Oh right, I've already reached an agreement with Song Yuhua and You Ruo. They've temporarily agreed to join the Heavenly Venerable Organization."
"Who would've thought they were also victims of that big scumbag."
"Who knows how many women he's harmed out there?"
"The most outrageous thing is that every single one of them is an outstanding woman."
"Did he really save all of Nine Provinces in his past life?"
"In this life, he's both an Emperor and a martial prodigy? All the best things in the world are being monopolized by him."
As Murong Qiudi spoke, her tone turned a little sour.
But ever since learning his true identity, her mindset had become much more relaxed.
Though she complained often, there wasn't much resentment in her tone.
On the contrary, there was a kind of anticipation. A desire to meet him again.
Lin Shiyin didn't say much.
She simply felt that he was worthy of her affection.
She always had good taste in men.
Murong Qiudi glanced at Lin Shiyin, seeing her smiling foolishly.
She couldn't help but shake her head. Hopeless.
Just like those two naive women she had recently met, all completely bewitched by that scumbag.
Of course.
Subconsciously, Murong Qiudi didn't seem to be hostile toward Song Yuhua and You Ruo.
Instead, she had always seen the Empress Wu Zhao as her biggest rival.
She felt an inexplicable sense of hostility.
Even Murong Qiudi herself didn't quite understand why.
==========
Wudang Mountain.
At that moment, Zhang Sanfeng and all his disciples were looking up at the ranking in the sky with great anticipation.
The Martial Force Ranking.
Would the Wudang Sect be on the ranking?
"Master, you've now reached the Land Immortal Realm. On top of that, our Wudang is one of the top martial sects in the world."
"We're not just looking at the top ten. Even the top three are within reach!"
"Maybe, we could even fight for the top spot."
Yu Daiyan said proudly.
His eyes were full of confidence.
But Zhang Sanfeng shook his head and didn't look optimistic.
"Daiyan, never underestimate the powers in this world."
"Nine Provinces is vast and deeper than you can imagine. Never grow arrogant."
"As your master, I know of several hidden forces that are not inferior to Wudang and may even surpass us!"
Yu Daiyan was stunned and found it hard to believe.
"Could it be Shaolin? They are strong, but I don't think they surpass us!"
"Just keep watching. The ranking is about to be revealed. You'll see soon enough!"
==========
Tang Imperial Palace.
"Master Yuan, how did the task go?"
Li Shimin asked Yuan Tiangang eagerly.
"Your Majesty, over the past month, I have reorganized our forces slightly."
"From now on, the intelligence forces under the Tang Dynasty can be divided into two parts."
"One is Compete Gate, which targets internal court and imperial affairs."
"The other is the Bad People, which focuses on matters outside the Imperial Court, including foreign nations and martial forces across Nine Provinces."
"This time, the Bad People has a great chance of making the ranking!"
"As for which rank, it depends on how strong the other forces are."
Yuan Tiangang then gave a detailed explanation of the structure and roles of the two organizations.
Their goals were clearly divided.
Very soon, Li Shimin understood everything completely.
This time, the Bad People had a real chance of making the Martial Force Ranking.
Next time, if a ranking of Imperial Court forces is released, Compete Gate could also qualify.
"Hahaha, well done! Master Yuan, you've done excellent work this time!"
Now that the matter was resolved, Li Shimin's mood greatly improved.
He hoped the Heaven Dao Reward from entering the ranking would grant him some treasures he desired.
Preferably something to strengthen national power.
Even better if it could enhance his martial talent.
He had a feeling that soon, the cultivation strength of Emperors would become extremely important.
Not just Tang Dynasty's Li Shimin. Leaders of other dynasties were also enhancing their forces, aiming for a spot in the top ten.
==========
Buzz!
Just then, the ranking in the sky finally refreshed.
Line by line, the text clearly appeared before everyone's eyes.
[Martial Force Ranking – Rank 10]
[Heaven Secret Pavilion]
[Leader: Bai Xiaosheng]
[Cultivation: Mythical Realm Land Immortal]
[Expert: One Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal, more than ten Great Grandmasters, more than one hundred Grandmasters, Innates not included]
[Total Member: Over a thousand people]
[Reward: Heaven-Grade Low-Tier Treasure – Heaven Secret Mirror, when infused with sufficient true energy, it can reveal the information one seeks]
Heaven Secret Pavilion?
It was actually Heaven Secret Pavilion?!
Everyone was stunned.
Heaven Secret Pavilion was famous across Nine Provinces, especially among cultivators.
Before the Nine Provinces Heaven Dao Ranking appeared, many martial ranking had already been released.
And those rankings all came from Bai Xiaosheng of Heaven Secret Pavilion.
Everyone had always thought Bai Xiaosheng was just a Great Grandmaster skilled in gathering intelligence.
No one expected him to be a Land Immortal!
And at the Mythical Realm, no less!
That shocked everyone.
As for the difference between Mythical Realm and Heavenly Human Realm, most people didn't really understand.
But they never imagined Heaven Secret Pavilion would have more than one Land Immortal.
Such overwhelming strength, yet they only ranked 10th?!
More than ten Great Grandmasters.
More than a hundred Grandmasters.
Heaven Secret Pavilion was far more terrifying than imagined!
Even some Emperors felt a bit of apprehension toward Heaven Secret Pavilion.
Of course, none would be foolish enough to provoke Bai Xiaosheng or his force.
Mythical Realm Land Immortal was not someone to be trifled with.
Even Eastern Sovereign Tai Yi of the Yin Yang School was only in the Heavenly Human Realm right now.
No one could have guessed that the "ordinary" Bai Xiaosheng was a hidden cultivator all along.
These terrifying figures really knew how to conceal themselves.
Previously it was Zhu Houzhao of the Ming Dynasty.
Now it was Bai Xiaosheng of Heaven Secret Pavilion.
==========
Sui Imperial Palace.
"Supreme Master Yuwen, do you know Bai Xiaosheng?"
"Is he really Mythical Realm Land Immortal?"
Yang Guang could hardly believe it.
Mythical Realm!
Even among Land Immortals, there are levels.
In front of Mythical Realm, even thirty-five Heavenly Human Realm cultivators would be no match.
The gap was beyond comparison.
Even greater than the gap between ordinary Innate and Land Immortal cultivators.
Who would have thought that such a terrifying existence liked to publish ranking for the "ants" of Nine Provinces?
Before the Heaven Dao Ranking appeared, no one could've imagined it.
Yuwen Tuo nodded.
"I met him once. I once approached Bai Xiaosheng to make a deal."
"Our cooperation was quite smooth."
"At that time, I already sensed he was no weaker than me. Turns out I was right. He's Mythical Realm."
At that, Yuwen Tuo's tone turned heavy.
He was definitely a difficult opponent.
His strength wasn't the most concerning part. What people feared most were his mysterious and unpredictable methods.
Unless it was a fight to the death, it was best not to make him an enemy.
Yang Guang's eyes narrowed.
Yuwen Tuo was the ultimate safeguard of the Sui Dynasty, yet Bai Xiaosheng was this strong?
If only they could persuade him to join the Sui Dynasty, they would become one of the top dynasties in Nine Provinces.
Unfortunately.
Even Yang Guang himself thought that was impossible.
Just a pipe dream.