Ming Imperial Harem.
"Cai Yong? That old guy actually made it onto the ranking?"
"What a surprise, though he's still far inferior to the Cai Yan I have my eyes on."
"This unexpected addition has brought quite the pleasant surprise."
Zhu Houzhao looked at the ranking, a flicker of joy flashing across his eyes.
Back when he was still Crown Prince, he had toured the Han Dynasty. At first glance, he noticed Cai Yan's talent and wanted to recruit her into the Ming Dynasty.
But Cai Yong had firmly opposed it. That old guy was extremely stubborn.
He even saw Zhu Houzhao as someone with ulterior motives and was very hostile toward him.
Unfortunately, back then, Cai Yong was just a powerless weakling, unable to do anything against him.
Had it not been for Zhu Houzhao's own principles, he might've already killed the man and taken the girl.
Since he failed to recruit her, Zhu Houzhao wasn't too concerned. There would be plenty more opportunities, so he left and continued his tour of the Nine Provinces.
Two years later, Zhu Houzhao ascended the throne and began another journey.
Returning to the Han Dynasty again, he unexpectedly discovered that Cai Yong's family had been framed by corrupt officials and was exiled by Emperor Liu Hong.
Zhu Houzhao was not alarmed but delighted.
He began scheming in secret.
He launched a series of plans targeting the Cai Family.
In the end, he rescued the desperate Cai Family from the hands of the "mastermind behind the scenes".
Thus, he gained Cai Yong's trust and submission.
From that moment on, Zhu Houzhao and Cai Yan developed a close relationship.
Later, he used some subtle tricks.
He managed to bring the entire Cai Family to the Ming Dynasty.
Over the years, with Zhu Houzhao's strong support, Cai Yong had already submitted one hundred percent.
Even if Zhu Houzhao tried to kick him out now, he probably wouldn't want to leave.
Especially since he was now a senior manager at the top academic institution, Endless Sea of Learning Academy, a position far superior to anything he had in the Han Dynasty.
His loyalty to the Han Dynasty had long since been exhausted.
Because of this, the Ming Dynasty gained two more Land Immortal Realm cultivators.
Of course, this was also the fate of Cai Yong and Cai Yan.
Without Zhu Houzhao, they would never have reached their current realm.
Not to mention becoming Land Immortal Realm cultivators.
In the chaotic times of the Han Dynasty, it would have been difficult just to stay alive.
However, when thinking about Cai Yan, and then the other women in the academies, Zhu Houzhao started to get a headache again.
With several people from Endless Sea of Learning Academy entering the ranking, the women from other academies were likely to start accusing him of favoritism again.
He had better go comfort them quickly.
And give a little heads-up.
Zhu Houzhao sighed and shook his head, then disappeared from the palace in a flash.
==========
A remote path from the Han Dynasty leading to the Sui Dynasty.
Xun Kuang and Zhang Liang were fleeing in a panic.
They had been extremely cautious while traveling through the Han Dynasty, but still fell into an enemy trap.
Xun Kuang, a Confucian Dao Heavenly Human Realm cultivator, had been poisoned.
Even now, he had no idea how the poison had entered his body.
Moreover, the righteous energy within him was completely ineffective against the terrifying poison.
In their minds, the attackers could only have been men sent by Qin Dynasty Shi Huang, Ying Zheng.
They had used poison to attack, shameless and despicable.
This deepened Zhang Liang's hatred toward Ying Zheng and the Qin Dynasty.
His face was full of unwillingness.
"Something's wrong, Uncle. The atmosphere has changed. We've been surrounded by the enemy."
Zhang Liang's expression became serious as he urgently pulled the poisoned Xun Kuang.
"Zifang, leave me behind. Get away while you still can."
"I've lived long enough. At least before death, I made it onto the Confucian Immortal Ranking. Even though it was short-lived, my life has not been in vain."
"Zifang, your talent exceeds even mine."
"Your future achievements will surpass mine as well. You must not die here!"
Xun Kuang coughed up a mouthful of black blood, his eyes filled with determination.
He planned to use his last bit of strength to create a path for Zhang Liang's escape.
"Huh? You sensed my trap again?"
"You're different."
Before Xun Kuang could react, a surprised voice echoed in their ears.
A young woman in luxurious Imperial Consort attire stepped forward, radiating a powerful and domineering aura.
Behind her followed a Heavenly Human Realm cultivator.
His aura was even stronger than Xun Kuang's.
"You're not with Ying Zheng?" Zhang Liang was also surprised that someone other than Ying Zheng had targeted them.
What a chaotic time.
"You still haven't answered my question."
Jiang Yuyan originally had her eyes on Xun Kuang.
But during the long pursuit, she noticed something extraordinary about Zhang Liang.
Her attention shifted from Xun Kuang to Zhang Liang.
Though Xun Kuang was a Heavenly Human Realm cultivator, he was old and declining.
Zhang Liang, however, had far more potential and value in the future.
His strength was unimpressive, but his strategies and scheming were exceptional.
Their entire escape journey proved that.
If not for having Xun Kuang as a burden, Zhang Liang might've actually escaped her grasp.
Coincidentally, she lacked someone to help her devise strategies.
Faced with Jiang Yuyan's questioning, Zhang Liang's face turned grim, eyes flickering with deep thought.
He remained silent.
Until Jiang Yuyan began to lose patience.
He suddenly looked up.
"You're the Han Imperial Consort Jiang Yuyan?!"
Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain.
A trace of killing intent flashed in Jiang Yuyan's eyes. She turned to her trusted subordinate behind her and calmly said:
"Hei Yi, this Xun Kuang, ranked 9th on the Confucian Immortal Ranking, is deeply poisoned. Looks like he's beyond saving. Kill him."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Xun Kuang and Zhang Liang's faces changed dramatically. They quickly went on guard.
This Imperial Consort was truly ruthless.
They had no grudge with her, yet she wanted to kill them upon first meeting.
Sure enough, the rumors were true.
This so-called Han Dynasty's Demon Consort was no benevolent figure.
Worse than any evil cultist.
"Wait! What exactly did we do to offend you? Are you working for Ying Zheng?"
"To think, the Han Imperial Consort is actually a dog of Ying Zheng!"
"Looks like Ying Zheng's influence really reaches far. He's even secretly controlling the Han Imperial Court!"
Zhang Liang sneered.
"I have no relation with Ying Zheng. You can stop trying to probe me."
"Since you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Die."
Jiang Yuyan fully understood Zhang Liang's attempt at psychological probing.
The moment she finished speaking, she gave them no time to react.
She turned into a shadow and instantly appeared before them.
With two palms, she struck their chests.
Puff! Puff!
Blood sprayed wildly.
Under Jiang Yuyan's sneak attack.
Zhang Liang, as a weak cultivator, was instantly blown away and fell unconscious.
As for Xun Kuang, who was already heavily poisoned, the injuries only added to his condition.
He cursed bitterly and passed out as well.
"Your Highness, should we kill them?"
"Idiot. I spent so much time playing cat and mouse with them, and you think it was for two corpses?"
"Take them back. Whether they live or die will depend on what we find."
"Also, immediately send people into the Qin Dynasty to investigate everything about these two."
"Especially Zhang Liang."
"I find him very interesting. He might be worthy of being a chess piece in my hand."
Jiang Yuyan revealed a trace of interest.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Even her trusted subordinate Hei Yi dared not disobey this ruthless Imperial Consort.
Otherwise, he would suffer a fate worse than death.
==========
Qin Imperial Palace.
"Zhao Gao, have you found Xun Kuang and Zhang Liang?"
The repeated failures of the Black Ice Platform had greatly disappointed Ying Zheng. He had begun relying once again on the Net and the Black Shadow Guard.
Zhao Gao, who had fallen out of favor, returned to Ying Zheng's view once more.
This left Zhao Gao both thrilled and anxious.
"Your Majesty, it seems that Xun Kuang and Zhang Liang have fallen into the hands of the Han Dynasty's Demon Consort Jiang Yuyan."
"They almost died at her hands."
"Fearing to alert the enemy, I did not act rashly."
"Please instruct me, Your Majesty. Should I ask for them directly or attempt to negotiate?"
Ying Zheng frowned slightly.
The Han Dynasty's Demon Consort?
Why would she be involved?
At first, Ying Zheng hadn't paid much attention to Jiang Yuyan.
But as investigations continued, he saw her steadily rising in power.
Her strength became more and more frightening.
Ying Zheng's attitude shifted from disdain to caution, even wariness.
This woman was dangerous.
Her cruelty surpassed his imagination.
Her methods were so brutal that even he, known as a tyrant, found himself shocked.
If she were a man, he would have considered her a deadly rival.
Though a woman, she possessed the heart of a warlord.
Before fully understanding her cards, it was best not to act rashly.
"Put the matter of Xun Kuang and Zhang Liang aside for now. I'll assign someone else to handle it."
"As for the Net Trap, from now on, cooperate with General Wang Jian's army to attack the Little Sage Manor."
"I want everyone in the Little Sage Manor wiped out."
"Divide the Qin Dynasty? They're not even worthy anymore."
"Now, I've changed my mind."
"I will divide the entire Confucian School!"
"Those Confucian scholars who submit to the Qin Dynasty may live."
"As for those who oppose the Qin Dynasty and me, all of them will be executed and displayed as warnings!"
Zhao Gao was shocked.
A chill ran down his spine.
How many people would die from this?
It seemed the Confucian scholars of the Qin Dynasty were in for a tragic fate.
Especially those who opposed the Qin Dynasty, utterly miserable.
If the forces of the former Six Kingdoms or Xiong Qi were still around, they might still have support.
But now.
"Useless as scholars", that saying was more true than ever.
Their threat didn't even compare to the Agricultural School.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I shall carry out your will immediately!"
==========
Buzz!
The skies trembled as the ranking shook once more.
Radiant light burst forth, spreading across the Nine Provinces.
The Confucian Immortal Ranking surged upward.
In the next moment, the new ranking appeared.
One line after another emerged in shining text.