Chapter 169 - Rank 3, Inheritance? Another Power Struggle Brewing?

[Cultivation Technique Ranking – Rank 3]

[Nine Cycle Nirvana Scripture]

[Creator: Wu Zhao]

[Cultivation: Early Heavenly Human Realm (Realm is currently declining...)]

[Description: The Nine Cycle Nirvana Scripture was created by Wu Zhao based on her original Nirvana Art, incorporating the inheritance techniques of the Ancient Phoenix Empress of the Nine Provinces and many Cultivation Techniques. With her exceptional talent and the help of the Ming Emperor, she created a Cultivation Technique uniquely her own. It is a Top-Tier God Demon-Grade Cultivation Technique]

[Note: This technique is the culmination of Wu Zhao's understanding of martial arts. It is incredibly profound, has vast potential, and contains no flaws. Cultivating it enhances physical aptitude and perception. Its full power and effects are known only to its creator]

[This technique is exclusive to Wu Zhao. Anyone else who attempts to cultivate it will suffer a complete bodily explosion and die without exception]

[Reward: Indestructible Divine Phoenix Immortal Physique, evolved from the Indestructible Divine Phoenix Physique (perfectly compatible with the Nine Cycle Nirvana Scripture)]

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Ming Imperial Palace.

Zhu Houzhao stared at the description on the Cultivation Technique Ranking, his expression turning extremely grim.

Early Heavenly Human Realm?

Realm currently declining?

What did that mean?

Wasn't Empress Wu Zhao supposed to be at the God Demon Realm?

Even if she had made no progress recently, her cultivation shouldn't regress this quickly.

Could something have happened?

She was currently cultivating in the Phoenix Nest.

Could she have encountered a formidable enemy?

Her original Nirvana Art had now become the Nine Cycle Nirvana Scripture.

So the Empress's secret was that she had obtained the inheritance of the Ancient Phoenix Empress of the Nine Provinces?

Interesting.

No wonder she had been acting mysteriously lately.

This couldn't be ignored.

He had to go to the Phoenix Nest immediately. If anything had gone wrong, he needed to be there.

He quietly gave a command to the Dark Guard Leader.

Then he quickly flew toward the Phoenix Nest.

==========

Southern Song Dynasty, Outside of Xiangyang City.

Temujin, who was currently leading an all-out assault on the city, looked up at the ranking in the sky and was instantly shocked.

Wu Zhao?

The Ming Empress?

Her technique had reached the level of a Top-Tier God Demon-Grade Cultivation Technique?

How was that possible?

How could she have created such a terrifying technique?

Inherited from the Ancient Phoenix Empress?

Could she, like Monarch Changping of Qin Dynasty, have obtained a tremendous opportunity?

If so, then the Ming Dynasty would become even more powerful.

The Yuan Dynasty was on the verge of conquering the Southern Song Dynasty, and Temujin's next opponent would be the Ming Dynasty.

The stronger the Ming Dynasty became, the more uneasy he felt.

Zhu Houzhao alone was already a major threat.

Now with Empress Wu Zhao as well, did the Yuan Dynasty still stand a chance of winning?

"National Master, what should we do now?"

"If the Ming Empress Wu Zhao ascends to the God Demon Realm, it will be a catastrophe for our Kingdom!"

"She must be eliminated before she fully rises, no matter the cost."

Temujin's eyes were filled with killing intent.

"Khan, the situation may not be as bad as we think."

"In fact, this could be an opportunity instead."

National Master Phagpa smiled confidently.

"An opportunity? How could this possibly be a good thing?"

Temujin was visibly displeased.

"Khan, the ranking made it very clear. Wu Zhao received an Ancient Inheritance."

"Yes, that of the Phoenix Empress."

"But think carefully about this... an Empress's inheritance, Khan."

"An Empress?"

Temujin murmured to himself. Then his eyes lit up.

"National Master, are you suggesting that Empress Wu Zhao will follow in Monarch Changping's footsteps?"

"That receiving this inheritance has awakened her ambition?"

"That she might, like Monarch Changping once did, begin scheming in secret to seize power?"

"In the future, she might attempt a rebellion."

"Whether she succeeds or not, it would only benefit our Yuan Dynasty."

"You make a good point. But should we really just wait and do nothing?"

"Khan, we can send agents into Ming Dynasty Territory to spread rumors and sow discord between the Ming Emperor and his Empress."

"Even if the Emperor does not fall for it, the court officials surely won't sit idly by."

"Most importantly, chaos will surely erupt in the Imperial Harem."

"Eventually, there will be an unexpected surprise."

Temujin's mind quickly pieced everything together.

They might reap a huge reward without lifting a finger.

It was all thanks to Wu Zhao receiving an ancient Empress's inheritance.

No Emperor could feel entirely at ease knowing that.

Even if they were husband and wife, such a threat could not be tolerated.

Better to act preemptively than be caught off guard.

"Hahaha, excellent. National Master, I leave this matter to you!"

"I want to see how Zhu Houzhao will react."

"Will he kill her immediately, or allow her to grow stronger?"

"If I were Zhu Houzhao, I would eliminate Wu Zhao without hesitation!"

Temujin laughed heartily, imagining Zhu Houzhao's difficult dilemma.

The thought of creating trouble for Zhu Houzhao filled him with glee.

Especially since, if Wu Zhao were removed, the agents he had planted in the Ming Imperial Harem might finally become useful.

If used properly, a beauty trap could even bring down a powerful Kingdom.

==========

Sui Imperial Palace.

"Hahaha, how amusing. The Ming Empress sure knows how to stir things up!"

"She actually created a God Demon-Grade Cultivation Technique. I imagine Zhu Houzhao must be getting quite a headache."

Yang Guang laughed loudly.

Upon seeing the ranking's explanation, he didn't immediately worry about Wu Zhao being a threat to the Sui Dynasty. Instead, he took pleasure in the trouble it might bring to the Ming Dynasty.

It was as if Wu Zhao's strength had no impact on the Sui Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, this might not be such a good thing."

Yuwen Tuo looked slightly troubled.

"Supreme Master, that's where you're wrong. A highly ambitious Ming Empress and one without ambition are two entirely different outcomes."

"Then how can Your Majesty be sure that Wu Zhao is ambitious?"

"I've studied the Ming Empress in detail. Her ambition is immense."

"If Zhu Houzhao hadn't risen so suddenly, I suspect the Ming Dynasty would already be under her control."

"She was originally the master of the Netherworld City. Marrying the Ming Emperor without reason surely meant she had ulterior motives."

"If not for the revelation from the Heaven Dao Ranking exposing Zhu Houzhao's strength, she might have already made her move."

"At least in my view, she has always been concealing her ambition."

"As long as Zhu Houzhao remains, she dares not act recklessly."

"But if Wu Zhao truly reaches the God Demon Realm and even Zhu Houzhao can no longer suppress her, then they definitely cannot coexist."

Yang Guang spoke with excitement.

As if he could already see the future, where the Emperor and Ming Empress turned on each other.

Plunging the Kingdom into civil war.

Perhaps even splitting it apart.

Just like what had happened to the Qin Dynasty.

To Yang Guang, that outcome seemed all but certain.

"What if Wu Zhao isn't as ambitious as Your Majesty imagines?"

Yuwen Tuo shook his head. It was all speculation.

"Impossible. My judgment is never wrong. They will definitely end up fighting."

"And even if they wouldn't, I'll make sure they do."

"Supreme Master, send people to the Ming Dynasty immediately. Start spreading rumors to drive a wedge between them."

"Keep at it. Never stop."

"No Emperor can tolerate a threat this great."

"Even the slightest possibility must be dealt with."

Yang Guang said coldly.

If he were in Zhu Houzhao's place, even if he loved his Empress dearly, he would still kill her in this situation.

Zhu Houzhao would be no exception.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

List of Characters:

Number One Under Heaven ( 天下第一 )

・Zhu Houzhao ( 朱厚照 ) — Emperor of Ming Dynasty

Legend of the Condor Heroes ( 射雕英雄传 )

・Temujin ( 铁木真 ) — Emperor of Yuan Dynasty

Broken Void ( 破碎虚空 )

・Phagpa ( 八思巴 ) — National Master of Yuan Dynasty

Great Tang Twin Dragons Legend ( 大唐双龙传 )

・Yang Guang ( 杨广 ) — Emperor of Sui Dynasty

Xuanyuan Sword ( 轩辕剑 )

・Yuwen Tuo ( 宇文拓 ) — Supreme Master of Sui Dynasty