Chapter 110 - Rank 4, Rank 3, Ying Zheng's Scheme
Han Imperial Harem.
Consort Yu Chambers.
Jiang Yuyan once again placed the Earth Mansion mask onto her face.
In the next moment.
Her consciousness became dazed.
When she opened her eyes again, a strange yet familiar environment appeared before her.
"Congratulations. You have successfully completed the Earth Mansion's entry assessment mission. From this moment forward, you are officially a member of the Earth Mansion!"
"Since you have not yet reached the Land Immortal Realm, you will temporarily serve as an ordinary member."
"Your title is Soul Snatching Envoy!"
"In the future, when you reach the Heavenly Human Realm, the higher-ups will assess you again and bestow a new title."
At that moment, a figure clad in a blood-red robe and wearing a pale mask walked over.
A harsh, grating voice echoed in her ears.
Jiang Yuyan frowned slightly.
"Now that I've joined the Earth Mansion, what benefits do I get?"
"That stele over there contains the information you seek!"
"You can complete missions assigned by the Earth Mansion. Once completed, you will earn Earth Mansion Points."
"With enough points, you can obtain whatever treasures you desire."
"Techniques, resources, divine weapons, armor, even spiritual and mystical items, all available, so long as you have enough Earth Mansion Points."
"Other than Earth Mansion members, no one else is eligible for these rare treasures."
The figure's expression was unreadable, but the shrill voice was irritating to hear.
"This is a virtual world. If I complete tasks in the outside world, how would you even know?"
"And the treasures I exchange with my points, how will I actually receive them?"
"Am I supposed to go to the Earth Mansion's headquarters to pick them up?"
Jiang Yuyan was puzzled.
"Hahaha! You've only just arrived, you know nothing of the wonders of the Earth Mansion."
"Once you complete your first task and use your points to redeem a treasure, you'll understand everything."
"No matter how much I explain now, you won't comprehend it!"
"The Earth Mansion ranks second on the Martial Force Ranking by the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking, it's not without reason."
"What's more, even the number one Heaven Palace doesn't intimidate us in the least."
"Your current status is too low. If you want to know the Earth Mansion's inner secrets, grow stronger!"
"Without Land Immortal cultivation, no one will value you."
"In fact, even if there's a mission, no one would consider you."
The figure's voice turned mocking.
"I haven't asked yet, what's your title?"
"Last time I came in, I met someone called Yin Prince. What's his status in the Earth Mansion?"
Jiang Yuyan's curiosity grew stronger by the second.
"Yin Prince? He's one of the true heavyweights of the Earth Mansion. You were lucky to encounter him. Interesting!"
"You may call me White Impermanence."
"From now on, I'll be your superior. If you want to receive or complete missions, or exchange your points for treasures, you'll report through me."
"Likewise, if you have questions, you may ask me."
"Of course, as a newcomer, you only get three questions."
Jiang Yuyan pursed her lips, thinking briefly.
"How can I quickly break through to the Land Immortal Realm?"
"Earth Mansion Points!"
"Earn a large amount of Earth Mansion Points, and you'll find that advancing to Land Immortal is quite easy."
"The stele contains missions specifically for ordinary members."
"As long as you're capable, you can rise quickly."
"Take that Yin Prince you just mentioned, he was once a weakling not even at the Grandmaster Realm."
"But in just a few short years, he completed an enormous number of missions and earned unimaginable Earth Mansion Points."
"His strength surged, and now he's only one step away from breaking into the Mythical Realm."
"No one knows what his real identity in the Nine Provinces is, but he must be a prominent figure."
"If he continues to grow, not just the Mythical Realm, even the God Demon Realm is within reach."
"The fact that the Fengdu Emperor granted him the title Yin Prince proves how great his potential is."
"Now, only a few like Ksitigarbha and Meng Po can suppress him."
"If you've got what it takes, perhaps one day you'll reach his level."
After hearing this, Jiang Yuyan's eyes lit up.
Her heart filled with anticipation.
Regaining her senses, she removed the mask from her face, unable to hide her excitement.
After some time spent understanding the system.
She had finally found a way to grow stronger.
The Earth Mansion suited her perfectly.
The missions ranked on the stele, while difficult for others.
Were particularly suited to her talents.
She could rapidly complete missions in bulk.
Earn vast amounts of Earth Mansion Points.
Boost her cultivation and ascend to the Land Immortal Realm.
Only then could she carry out her plans in the Han Dynasty.
It was just unfortunate.
Such a powerful organization like the Earth Mansion still had a sworn enemy. The Heaven Palace.
Since their founding, the Earth Mansion and Heaven Palace had been locked in a never-ending death feud.
Whenever members of either organization met, it always ended in bloodshed.
There was no possibility of cooperation.
If only the two forces could unite.
The entire Nine Provinces might already be under their rule.
What a pity!
Right.
Where was the real location of the Earth Mansion's headquarters?
If an infiltrator managed to uncover it.
They could lead the Heaven Palace or other powers into launching a siege.
That would be disastrous.
Just as Jiang Yuyan was pondering this.
Up in the sky, the Forbidden Land Ranking had just refreshed.
[Forbidden Land Ranking – Rank 4]
[Earth Mansion]
[Danger Level: Five Stars]
[Description: God Demon Realm Land Immortal and below, those who trespass will have no chance of survival. This is one of the deadliest Forbidden Lands in the Nine Provinces. Do Not Enter!]
[Reward: One Heaven-Grade Top-Tier Formation Disk, capable of deploying a Heaven-Grade Illusion Concealment Formation]
[Forbidden Land Ranking – Rank 3]
[Heaven Palace]
[Danger Level: Five Stars]
[Description: God Demon Realm Land Immortal and below, those who trespass will have no chance of survival. This is one of the deadliest Forbidden Lands in the Nine Provinces. Do Not Enter!]
[Reward: One Heaven-Grade Top-Tier Formation Disk, capable of deploying a Heaven-rank Illusion Concealment Formation]
Unexpectedly, two major Forbidden Lands had been revealed at once!
Jiang Yuyan's eyes widened, full of disbelief.
Even God Demon Realm cultivators had zero chance of survival in either the Heaven Palace or Earth Mansion?
How could they be so powerful?
No wonder they ranked 1st and second on the Martial Force Ranking.
They were in a completely different league.
At least in other Forbidden Lands, God Demon Realm Realm beings still had a chance to survive or flee.
But here.
In the Heaven Palace and Earth Mansion?
No such luck.
Even with such overwhelming strength.
They were only Rank 3 and Rank 4 on the Forbidden Land Ranking?
Then... What kind of terrifying places ranked 1st and 2nd?
==========
Qin Imperial Palace.
At this moment, the Qin Emperor Ying Zheng and the mysterious middle-aged scholar stood watching the ranking in the sky, their expressions grim.
"Sir, four years ago, I tasked you with investigating the Heaven Palace and Earth Mansion across the Nine Provinces. Have you made any progress?"
"Whether it's the Heaven Palace or the Earth Mansion, this Emperor has a feeling they may become enemies in the future."
"They're too powerful... too mysterious. There must be hidden schemes behind them."
"I cannot afford to take them lightly."
The middle-aged scholar gave a bitter smile.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."
"Two years ago, I accidentally killed a mysterious man and unexpectedly obtained a strange mask."
"By chance, I joined the Heaven Palace."
"But over the years, no matter how much I investigated, I still know nothing of their core secrets."
"All I've learned is that the Heaven Palace is terrifyingly powerful."
"The Jade Emperor, Queen Mother of the West, Four Great Emperors, each one is overwhelmingly strong."
"They could kill me countless times with ease."
"From what I can tell, they're all likely God Demon Realm, if not, then at least unmatched in the Mythical Realm."
"I never imagined that so many terrifying beings lurk in the shadows of the Nine Provinces."
"If they ever interfere in the imperial power struggle, the Qin Dynasty may not stand a chance."
"Even Zhu Houzhao of the Ming Dynasty, who is currently extremely formidable, he's still weak before the Heaven Palace or Earth Mansion."
The scholar's fear of the two forces ran deep.
"So you think so too."
Ying Zheng gave a bitter laugh.
"I too joined the Earth Mansion by accident... and even infiltrated their higher ranks."
"Unfortunately, I'm still unqualified to know their hidden truths."
"Perhaps only the Fengdu Emperor, Ksitigarbha, and Meng Po are true core members."
"I once met the Fengdu Emperor."
"One glance."
"With just one glance, he seemed capable of utterly erasing me."
"Even you, Sir, wouldn't last a single move before him."
"Even among the God Demon Realm, he is invincible."
The middle-aged scholar looked at Ying Zheng with surprise.
"This Majesty... truly hides deeply."
"Perhaps only the Ming Emperor could match such power."
He paused for a moment, then warned.
"Your Majesty, unless you reach the God Demon Realm, do not act rashly."
"If you must oppose them, use strategy."
"Zhu Houzhao of the Ming Dynasty could be a useful pawn."
"Using him against the Heaven Palace and Earth Mansion may be even more effective."
"He might be the only one truly qualified to succeed."
Ying Zheng shook his head.
"Sir... you are mistaken. You still don't understand Zhu Houzhao."
"To me, he is no less dangerous than the Heaven Palace and Earth Mansion."
"In fact, in some ways, he surpasses even them."
"On the path of unifying the Nine Provinces, my true enemy is not Li Shimin..."
"But him, Zhu Houzhao!"
"We will not use Zhu Houzhao as a pawn against the Heaven Palace and Earth Mansion."
"We will use the Heaven Palace and Earth Mansion... as pawns to deal with Zhu Houzhao!"
A chilling light flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes.
"Your Majesty... isn't that a bit exaggerated?"
"Heh... this Emperor has always operated this way."
"In fact, I've already been making preparations in secret."