Chapter 230 - The Fall of The Agricultural School, Jiang Yuyan's Scheme, The Ranking Updates

Qin Imperial Palace.

"Have you thoroughly investigated the details of this battle?"

"Your Majesty, the three armies led by Qi Jiguang, Hua Mulan, and Wu Qi from the Ming Dynasty have annihilated the Qing Dynasty. As for the battles along the way, your servant has investigated them thoroughly."

"However, at another battlefield, the Qing Imperial Mausoleum in the northeast, a far more brutal battle took place."

"All participants in that battle were Land Immortals."

"This battle was so secretive that neither our Qin Dynasty nor any other dynasty received any intelligence about it."

"Everyone who got involved was silenced, none survived."

"Even our Black Ice Platform suffered heavy losses."

"We even lost a Heavenly Human Realm in the process."

"Clearly, it was another overwhelming victory for the Ming Dynasty."

The Black Ice Platform Leader laid out all the intelligence he had gathered.

Immediately, Ying Zheng and the others present were greatly shocked.

"The Qing Dragon Vein!"

Ying Zheng's expression changed, and he spoke in a deep voice.

Since the Qing Dynasty has been destroyed, it means its Dragon Vein and National Fortune have also been wiped out.

Obviously, that other battlefield was targeted by the Ming Dynasty to destroy the last remnants of Qing Dynasty's National Fortune and Dragon Vein.

No wonder it was so carefully guarded and off-limits to any foreign interference.

The destruction of the Qing Dynasty or the death of its Emperor wouldn't matter much if its Dragon Vein and National Fortune still existed, revival would be possible.

On the other hand, once the Dragon Vein is destroyed and National Fortune gone, then even if the Emperor lives, it's useless.

The Qing Dynasty would never rise again.

As the Qin Emperor, Ying Zheng naturally understood this.

The Dragon Vein and National Fortune of every dynasty are known only to the reigning Emperor.

Not even the most trusted officials would be privy to such information.

This is the Emperor's most supreme authority.

"Continue investigating the details of the Ming-Qing War, no matter the cost."

"However, it must be done covertly. Do not provoke the Ming Dynasty."

"Right now, the Qin Dynasty's enemy is not the Ming Dynasty. At most, we can make some covert moves, that is our limit."

"In the future, during the Nine Provinces' war for supremacy, we might even have a chance to cooperate."

"Let's settle internal matters first. The next target is the Han Dynasty."

Ying Zheng spoke calmly.

He was not the least bit fearful of the Ming Dynasty's destruction of the Qing Dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty may be strong, but the Qin Dynasty is no weaker.

In the future, there's no guarantee they'll lose.

"Alright, let's put the matter of the Ming Dynasty aside for now. They're still far from us."

"Just be on guard."

"What matters most right now is the remnants of the Six Kingdoms and the Hundred Schools of Thought."

"Your Majesty, not long ago, Monarch Wu'an successfully broke through the Agricultural School's base at Mount Daze."

"Over ten years ago, the six sages of the Agricultural School nearly killed Monarch Wu'an using the Earth Marsh Twenty-Four Formation, along with many other masters. This time, Monarch Wu'an has slain them all."

"Over half of the Agricultural School's 100,000 members were either killed or injured."

"After this battle, the Agricultural School, which was once the strongest supporter of Xiong Qi, is now practically destroyed."

"In fact, they're in an even worse state than the Mohist School."

A faint smile appeared on Shang Yang's face.

The Agricultural School had long posed a serious threat to the rule of the Qin Dynasty.

There was no way to win them over, only extermination remained.

"Well done. Monarch Wu'an's reputation is truly undiminished!"

"In this battle, did the Hero Chief of Agricultural School Tian Guang participate?"

"What about Xiong Qi?"

"Did he attempt to aid the Agricultural School?"

"Your Majesty, neither of them appeared. Until the Agricultural School was completely destroyed, there was no sign of either Tian Guang or Xiong Qi."

"These two are utterly hypocritical."

"Utterly disgusting!"

"How amusing."

"Send an order to Monarch Wu'an. Burn Mount Daze to the ground. There's no need to keep that mountain anymore!"

Ying Zheng gave the order ruthlessly.

That mountain was home to tens of thousands of lives.

There were still remnants of the Agricultural School hiding within.

With one fire, the Agricultural School would be crippled to its roots, perhaps even wiped out completely.

Shang Yang opened his mouth, as if to advise otherwise, but in the end, he remained silent.

Right now, the most important thing for the Qin Dynasty was to eliminate the remnants of the Six Kingdoms and consolidate its strength.

Sacrifices were inevitable.

It wasn't worth sparking conflict between the Emperor and ministers over this matter.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"After this, have Monarch Wu'an continue eliminating all forces connected to Xiong Qi or the Hundred Schools of Thought."

"Show no leniency!"

"Handle them with severity!"

"In the past, I was too merciful. I spared them again and again."

"Hmph. This time, I want to see who dares act out again."

"If they dare rebel, I dare to kill!"

Ying Zheng's aura of kingship and dominance surged forth, making everyone shudder involuntarily.

It was clear he was dead serious this time.

That was for the best.

==========

Han Imperial Palace, Imperial Harem.

Consort Yu Palace.

"Reporting to Your Highness, these are all the pieces of information we've gathered about the Ming-Qing War!"

"Qing Dynasty's Dragon Vein and National Fortune have both been destroyed by the cultivators of the Ming Dynasty."

Jiang Yuyan's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.

She seemed to have realized something incredible.

The Qing Dynasty had a Dragon Vein and National Fortune.

Then why doesn't the Han Dynasty?

If she could obtain the Han Dynasty's Dragon Vein, or even its National Fortune, wouldn't she be able to advance even further?

As for what would happen to the Han Dynasty in the future after using them, that was none of her concern.

All she wanted now was to become stronger.

To be invincible in the world.

To never be bullied again.

Anyone who dared to bully her would be eliminated one by one.

That included Di Shitian of the Heaven Gate.

And the schemers within the Stitched Cloth Guard.

"Well done. You've done a great job this time."

"Continue investigating the Ming-Qing War. I might uncover even more secrets!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

After dismissing her subordinates, Jiang Yuyan did not linger. She went straight into a secret chamber specially prepared for cultivation.

Inside were numerous energy sources for boosting cultivation.

Jiang Yuyan had never stopped cultivating the Spirit Devouring Demon Exercise.

Now, that technique has become increasingly refined, far surpassing its original form.

It was terrifyingly powerful and profoundly mysterious.

Even among Mythical-Grade Cultivation Techniques, it stood at the top tier.

And as she devoured more and more powerful beings, Jiang Yuyan's weaknesses were gradually eliminated.

Even her natural talent had grown stronger.

Of course, her temperament had also become more vicious, cruel, and bloodthirsty.

Most importantly, her scheming had become second nature.

Her plots were endless.

Within just one hour, she devoured all the energy sources.

Her internal power once again increased.

Yet she still felt unsatisfied.

"These energy sources are getting weaker."

"Perhaps I need to capture more Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal cultivators."

"Stitched Cloth Guard. Heaven Gate!"

"You'll be my next target. I can weaken your power and turn you against each other!"

"At the same time, I'll look for the Han Dynasty's Dragon Vein and National Fortune."

"If I, Jiang Yuyan, obtain those things, then wouldn't the Han Dynasty be mine?"

"That's it!"

A bloodthirsty excitement flashed in Jiang Yuyan's eyes.

Even her body trembled from excitement.

==========

Ming Dynasty Territory.

Azure Dragon Association Headquarters, the Heaven Mocking Palace.

At this moment, all the top cultivators who participated in the Ming-Qing War had gathered here.

Each person wore an expression of excitement.

Their rewards were generous and satisfying.

Especially those who received techniques and cultivation resources, they were filled with hope for a breakthrough.

They hoped for more opportunities like this in the future.

A few more missions like this, and their cultivation would advance far beyond what ordinary hard work could achieve.

"Nichang, how were your rewards this time?"

"Excellent. With these resources, I'm confident I can break through another minor realm within a few years."

"Reaching the God Demon Realm in the future may not be impossible."

"What about you?"

"I exchanged mine for several cultivation manuals related to zither arts and merged them into my Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds."

"With that, I might even create a God Demon-Grade Cultivation Technique of my own."

"That would make my breakthrough much easier."

"Looks like I'll need to work harder!"

"This battle made me realize just how insignificant I still am."

"What is the Mythical Realm, really? In the eyes of those in the God Demon Realm, we're like ants, easily wiped out."

"No matter what, I must break through and reach the God Demon Realm."

After witnessing the true power of the God Demon Realm in the battle at the Imperial Mausoleum, those in the Mythical Realm were deeply affected.

Anyone with ambition was filled with desire.

They would now serve the Azure Dragon Association with even more dedication.

Only then could they gain the benefits they sought, and achieve their goals.

"Among the ten Mythical Realm devil cultivators, you and I rank at the bottom. I wonder who ranks first?"

"Anyone who can surpass the two of us must be someone extraordinary!"

"Indeed. I'm very curious to see who the demonic cultivator recognized by the Demon God Ranking truly is."

"I can't wait!"

As they spoke...

High in the sky, the golden ranking board once again radiated brilliant light.

Lines of text began to appear.

[Demon God Ranking – Rank 4]