The Imperial Palace of the Ming Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, are you planning to make a move now? Isn't it a bit too early?"
The empress asked with some hesitation.
"Make a move? What move? I'm simply disposing of a few traitorous lackeys."
Zhu Houzhao feigned ignorance.
Now that the Golden Ranking had appeared, all sorts of monsters and demons across the Nine Provinces would soon emerge as well.
Before he could fully grasp the situation, Zhu Houzhao decided to remain unchanged in the face of changing tides.
He would slowly accumulate strength and cultivate himself.
If he acted too hastily and drew attention, even as a Land Immortal, he might not be able to withstand the pressure.
Better to keep lying low, steadily earn system rewards, and strengthen his power.
As long as he remained invincible, he would never lose.
———
Imperial Garden.
"Princess Yun Luo, I finally found you. Where have you been these past few days?"
A roguish young man blocked Yun Luo's path with a mischievous grin.
He was none other than Cheng Shifei, the top-ranked Yellow-level agent from Dragon Guarding Manor.
He had been sent by the Iron Courage Divine Marquis, Zhu Wushi, to "protect" Princess Yun Luo.
"Cheng Shifei, it's you again. You're really like a ghost that won't go away!"
"Move aside!"
"My sister-in-law is calling me. If you dare stop me, I'll make sure she teaches you a good lesson!"
Princess Yun Luo looked displeased.
Her gaze toward Cheng Shifei was filled with disdain.
Upon hearing the words "sister-in-law," Cheng Shifei visibly flinched.
His face turned awkward.
Clearly, he was very familiar with and even feared the empress.
Truth be told,
Within the entire Ming imperial court, he feared no one. Not Zhu Wushi, not even the emperor.
But the empress was the one person he truly feared.
In her presence, he wouldn't dare be the least bit disrespectful or improper.
Like a mouse seeing a cat.
"Hehe, Princess Yun Luo, I was just joking. No need to take it so seriously!"
"By the way, a new upscale casino just opened in the capital."
"How about we test our luck there?"
Cheng Shifei chuckled and quickly changed the topic.
"Cheng Shifei, I'll give you a chance. If you can beat me, I'll go with you to the casino. How about it?"
Princess Yun Luo's eyes sparkled with a sly idea.
"Beat you? Hahaha, that should be easy!"
"I'm the top-ranked Yellow-level agent, a peak Grandmaster, and you're just at the Innate Great Perfection. The outcome is obvious."
Cheng Shifei replied carelessly.
Before Yun Luo could respond…
Suddenly, the Hidden Dragon Ranking updated in the sky above.
[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 24]
[Name: Yun Luo]
[Identity: Princess of the Ming Dynasty]
[Cultivation: Great Perfection Innate Realm]
[Technique: Single-Edged Sword Technique]
[Reward: Earth-Grade Mid-Tier Spiritual Herb – Five-Leaf Sword Grass, greatly enhances sword intent]
Buzz!
When Cheng Shifei saw the name on the list, he froze.
He was filled with disbelief.
Yun Luo actually made it onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking?
Single-Edged Sword Technique?
What sword technique was that? He had never even heard of it.
"Huh? I made it onto the ranking? The sword technique my royal brother taught me really is amazing!"
Upon seeing her name on the list, Yun Luo beamed with delight.
She gently caressed the sword given to her by her royal brother, her face full of joy.
"Cheng Shifei, how about now? Still want to spar?"
"Against a true dragon like me, you as a mere Grandmaster are nothing."
Yun Luo looked at Cheng Shifei with disdain.
"Hehehe, Yun Luo, come on, let's have a duel!"
"So what if you're at the Innate Realm and made it onto the list? You're still no match for a Grandmaster like me!"
Cheng Shifei quickly recovered.
His face wore its usual cheeky grin.
Whoosh!
But in the next second…
A sharp sword Qi suddenly shot toward him.
The terrifying force of the strike seemed to pierce through the air itself.
Such power from just a casual slash was beyond imagination.
"Damn it!"
Cheng Shifei's expression changed drastically. He cursed in his heart.
Without hesitation, he circulated his true qi.
He activated the Indestructible Vajra Body technique.
His entire body glowed with golden light.
"Yun Luo, it's useless. My defense isn't something a mere Innate can break, even a Great Grandmaster would struggle!"
"I've been invincible since the Innate Realm…"
Boom!
Before he could finish speaking, the sword qi struck his body.
A thunderous explosion erupted.
In an instant…
Cheng Shifei's face froze.
His eyes widened in shock.
Pfft!!
A mouthful of blood sprayed out.
His supposedly invincible Indestructible Vajra Body was shattered instantly.
The sword qi pierced straight through his chest.
His internal organs were severely damaged.
"What sword technique is this…"
With deep confusion, Cheng Shifei's vision darkened and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
If Yun Luo hadn't held back,
That one strike would have ended his life.
"Heh, Indestructible Vajra Body?"
"It's only good for dealing with regular folks."
Yun Luo cast a disdainful glance at Cheng Shifei.
"Though I'm only at the Innate Realm, in terms of Single-Edge Sword Intent, even peak Grandmaster swordsmen are nothing to me."
"Dealing with a little scoundrel like you is child's play."
"Love guru? You want to court me? Maybe in your next life!"
With that, Yun Luo casually turned and left.
Her sister-in-law was still waiting.
She couldn't afford to be late.
———
The Empress's Palace.
"Yun Luo actually made it onto the ranking?"
The empress was slightly surprised.
Zhu Houzhao nodded calmly, not the least bit surprised.
If she hadn't been focused on building her foundation, she would've already become a sword Grandmaster and easily ranked in the top twenty.
"Royal brother, royal sister-in-law, I'm here!"
Without waiting for the eunuch to announce her arrival, Yun Luo entered directly.
"Sister-in-law, the method you taught me worked wonders! It saved me years of effort!"
"Is that so? As long as you're happy."
"Hmm? You used your true qi. Who did you fight?"
"Hmph, it was that annoying Cheng Shifei again. He kept bothering me, so I knocked him out with one strike. That'll teach him not to mess with me again."
"Cheng Shifei? That's likely part of the Marquis's scheme. Yun Luo, be careful from now on."
"Don't worry, sister-in-law. From now on, the gap between us will only grow wider. So wide he'll be left chasing my shadow in vain."
Hearing that, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but laugh.
The stronger this girl got, the thicker her skin became.