Chapter 247 - Li Shimin's Ambition, Breakthrough and Creation, Sudden Change! The Nine Provinces in Uproar and Shock

Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.

Li Shimin was momentarily stunned.

Wei Zheng?

"Good, good, good. You truly did not disappoint me!"

Very quickly, Li Shimin came back to his senses.

His satisfaction with Wei Zheng grew even stronger.

In the Imperial Court, Wei Zheng constantly challenged him, making him displeased and losing face.

But now, all the frustration in his heart instantly vanished.

With Wei Zheng making the ranking, the National Fortune of Tang Dynasty increased by 5%. This would play an unimaginable role in the flourishing development of the Tang Dynasty.

Since even Wei Zheng made it.

In his mind, people even more capable than Wei Zheng, such as Changsun Wuji and Li Xiaogong, might also make the ranking.

If they could enter the top five, or even the top three, that would be even better.

For a moment, Li Shimin was overwhelmed with excitement.

His favorability toward Wei Zheng skyrocketed.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! With the Heaven Dao Reward, the National Fortune will surely help the Tang Dynasty progress even further!"

"I suppose it won't be long before we hear of Marshal Li Ji's triumphant return."

"Moreover, the chances of the Tang Dynasty conquering and destroying the Sui Dynasty will increase significantly."

"If more renowned ministers of Tang Dynasty make the ranking, it would be ideal!"

"Hahaha, Master Yuan is right. Once Wuji and the others make the ranking, I will reward them heavily!"

Previously, when Li Ji made the Renowned Marshal Ranking, the Heaven Dao also rewarded National Fortune.

As the Tang Emperor, he could clearly feel many changes.

A kind of indescribable sensation.

But it was undoubtedly beneficial to the Tang Dynasty.

Presumably, this was the so-called National Fortune!

The more National Fortune one possesses, the more beneficial it would be for the nation.

Thinking back to the previous ranking, the Ming Dynasty, Vast Sea Dynasty, and Qin Dynasty were all far above the Tang Dynasty.

Their National Fortune must also surpass Tang Dynasty's.

This made Li Shimin feel deeply jealous and envious.

However, he did not become discouraged.

The Tang Dynasty was rich in talent. It still had a chance.

==========

Ming Dynasty, Sword Tomb.

[Ding, congratulations to the host for lying flat for a day and receiving a random reward: Yellow Emperor Internal Exercise (Advanced Version, Immortal-Grade Cultivation Technique)]

Zhu Houzhao, who was currently seated cross-legged at the mountain peak, trembled slightly.

The rewards from the "Lying Flat System" had returned once again.

They had once again become precious.

Previously, during the war to exterminate the Qing Dynasty, he had been toiling day and night without a trace of lying flat. Although he ultimately succeeded in destroying the Qing Dynasty, the system's rewards declined day by day.

There were no divine techniques or magical weapons at all.

Only a bunch of worthless junk with little value.

If this had continued, it would have been highly detrimental to his future.

So, after much reflection and pain, Zhu Houzhao decided to go back to being a salted fish and lie flat.

After three full months, the system's rewards had finally improved again.

Today's reward was an Immortal-grade Cultivation Technique.

This shocked and delighted him immensely.

It seems that from now on, any laborious affairs must be approached with caution!

If he didn't have to act personally, he absolutely wouldn't.

He had countless talents under his command anyway.

If even those capable subordinates couldn't handle it, then he had nothing more to say.

Quickly clearing his mind, Zhu Houzhao was currently at a critical point in his breakthrough.

With Heaven Dao's Ultimate-Tier Enlightenment Card, even at the Sage Realm, the boost was still massive.

While lying flat in the Sword Tomb, if he got bored, he would use the Enlightenment Cards to cultivate.

His cultivation improved at lightning speed.

In a short time, he broke through a minor bottleneck.

He had now reached the Late Sage Realm.

He was getting closer and closer to reaching the Great Perfection Stage.

Now, he planned to take advantage of the remaining Ultimate-Tier Enlightenment Cards to once again create a Cultivation Technique beyond the Sage Realm.

With his unparalleled comprehension, terrifying talent, the amplification of the Enlightenment Cards, and the aid of the system, Zhu Houzhao was confident that he could successfully create a new technique.

Buzz!

A mysterious aura began to radiate outward.

Immediately after.

Terrifying waves of energy spread rapidly.

The first to be affected were Murong Xisheng and Mei Yinxue within the Sword Tomb.

They looked toward Zhu Houzhao's location in shock.

"Was that aura just now released by Husband?!"

(T/N: Murong Xisheng should have known that Zhu Houzhao was already in the Sage Realm, since he had broken through to that level in the Sword Tomb.)

"So powerful. Under this aura, I feel like I couldn't even take a single blow!"

"Exactly. Just what Realm has Husband reached?"

"We are in the God Demon Realm, yet the gap is still this vast?"

"Could it be that Husband has already advanced to the legendary Sage Realm?"

"Impossible. If he had reached the Sage Realm, the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking would have ranked it."

"Unless his concealment is so deep that not even the Golden Ranking can detect it?"

"If that's true, then Husband is truly incredible."

The two women speculated, though their expressions were filled with delight.

The stronger their Husband was, the happier and more at ease they felt.

In today's world, only strength could provide protection.

If their Husband had surpassed the God Demon Realm, then at least he would not face any life-threatening danger in the future.

Even if his Ming Dynasty failed in the Nine Provinces' struggle for supremacy, he would still be able to retreat safely.

This was what made them happiest.

"Buzz!"

"What's happening...?"

At that moment.

The aura surrounding Zhu Houzhao became even more terrifying and began spreading faster and faster.

Even the grand formation concealing the Sword Tomb could not stop it.

The terrifying aura spread faster than the speed of light in all directions.

In the blink of an eye.

It enveloped the entire Ming Dynasty.

Within the next breath, it reached the former Qing Dynasty Territory and the Yuan Dynasty lands.

Then it swept across the Southern Song Dynasty, Vast Sea Dynasty, Northern Song Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, Sui Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Qin Dynasty, the northern grasslands, and the southern seas!

The entire Nine Provinces were shrouded under this terrifying aura.

In an instant.

All of the Nine Provinces erupted in shock.

Everyone's faces were filled with disbelief.

Especially those at the God Demon Realm. They felt an overwhelming fear from this aura.

As if this aura were to strike, they couldn't withstand even a single blow and would be instantly obliterated.

==========

"Oh my god, what was that aura just now? It was terrifying!"

"I felt a heavenly might. Under that might, even as a Land Immortal, I felt utterly insignificant, no different from an ant!"

"I don't think it was heavenly might. It seemed more like the aura released after someone broke through."

"Who was it? Who could spread their aura across the entire Nine Provinces? That's insane!"

"Have you forgotten someone?"

"You mean the one who caused a celestial phenomenon when they broke into the Sage Realm?"

"It felt like this aura was even more terrifying than back then!"

"Has his cultivation advanced again? Impossible! It hasn't even been a year. There's no way his cultivation improved so fast!"

"Even reaching Heavenly Human Realm, Mythical Realm, or God Demon Realm would be impossible, let alone anything beyond that."

"There must be some kind of mistake."

"Could it be that a mysterious treasure has emerged in the Nine Provinces, releasing such a terrifying aura?"

"That might really be the case. Come on, let's go investigate!"

"Right, where did this aura originate from?"

"Not sure. It spread too fast. In just a breath's time, it had spread across the entire Nine Provinces. Even the spiritual senses of God Demon Realm cultivators couldn't keep up instantly."

"Regardless, we have to search everywhere!"

"If we obtain this treasure, we could surely rise to power!"

At that moment, many cultivators from across the Nine Provinces revealed expressions of shock.

At the same time, they were filled with anticipation.

Whether it was a person or a treasure that released this aura, they were determined to find out.

If it was a person, they wouldn't mind seeking apprenticeship.

If by chance they could become a disciple, wouldn't their future be set?

If it was a treasure, even better.

Obtaining it would allow them to break through any bottleneck in cultivation.

At once, alongside the struggle for supremacy in the Nine Provinces, the Martial World began moving again.

Whether it was the cultivators of the Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, or Song Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, not a single one wanted to miss the opportunity.

They all began searching within their own territories.

One or two people searching alone might not find anything.

But with the entire Nine Provinces searching for the same goal, some secrets were bound to be discovered.

Unfortunately.

Zhu Houzhao's Sword Tomb was covered in terrifying grand formations.

Its concealment was peerless.

Even those at the God Demon Realm couldn't detect anything, let alone ordinary cultivators.

As for the chaos outside, Murong Xisheng and Mei Yinxue paid no attention.

Right now, the two women were nervously watching Zhu Houzhao in the distance.

Especially the mysterious aura radiating from him.

Even just witnessing it brought them great insight.

Their comprehension increased significantly.

Cultivation became much more effective.

After a long time, the mysterious aura finally dissipated.

Zhu Houzhao slowly opened his eyes.

A look of uncontrollable excitement filled his gaze.

Using the Ultimate-Tier Enlightenment Card, he had finally succeeded in creating a Cultivation Technique beyond the Sage Realm.

At last, he had found a path forward.

As long as he followed it step by step, it was only a matter of time before he successfully broke through.

Feeling the changes in the true essence within his body, he felt better than ever.

Especially seeing the two peerless beauties Murong Xisheng and Mei Yinxue not far away, a wave of desire surged in his heart.

Perfect timing. He could test the effects of the Immortal-grade Cultivation Technique rewarded by the Lying Flat System earlier.

With a sly chuckle in his heart.

He moved in a flash, arriving before the two women.

Amid their surprised cries, he grabbed one with each hand, and in the next moment, all three vanished without a trace.

A mysterious atmosphere quickly filled the air.

"Hahaha..."

Two hours later.

Zhu Houzhao emerged with a joyful laugh, walking with the swagger of someone who recognized no one.

His face was full of pride and accomplishment.

Behind him, Murong Xisheng and Mei Yinxue glared at him, both annoyed and embarrassed.

Their expressions, however, exuded a unique charm.

"Yinxue, Xisheng, check yourselves. See if your cultivation has advanced."

"Hmph, if you torment us sisters like that again, we'll fight you to the death."

"Hehe, it was just an accident. Who told you to be so irresistible?"

"Anyway, check the effects quickly."

"Eh? My true essence increased by nearly 30%. I'm not far from breaking through to the next minor Realm!"

"Mine too. Husband, what's going on?"

"Hehe, I just managed to create a pretty good technique earlier. Seems like it works!"

"If we keep testing it, maybe you'll both advance even faster!"

Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but sigh in amazement. Sometimes, the rewards from the Lying Flat System really did bring unexpected surprises.

In the future, the beauties by his side were truly in for a blessing.

Sigh.

These women were lucky beyond measure to meet such a perfect Husband in this lifetime.

Zhu Houzhao shamelessly thought to himself.

Sure enough.

No matter the occasion, a scoundrel would always remain a scoundrel.