Chapter 53

[No. 8 on the Nine Provinces Azure Cloud Ranking — Wu Zhao!]

[Identity: Empress Zetian of the Wu Dynasty.]

[She originated from the Yin Gui Sect of the Demonic Faction, yet she single-handedly annihilated the Yin Gui Sect.]

[She collected all ten volumes of the Demonic Faction’s supreme secret manual, the "Heavenly Demon Strategy," and cultivated this art to the realm of Great Completion, becoming the first person in the history of the Demonic Faction to successfully master the "Heavenly Demon Strategy," and by virtue of this art, she attained the realm of a Terrestrial Immortal.]

[Using her swift and decisive Wu Gong and methods, along with her profound understanding of the Demonic Faction, she successfully eradicated the Demonic Faction within the borders of the Wu Dynasty.]

[The strength of the Empress is rare in the world; she is the first Empress in history!]

[She resisted the Turks in the north, beating the Turks until they dared not move south; her iron-fisted methods made those who opposed her tremble with fear.]

[Even for such an iron-blooded Empress, there is a touch of tenderness in her heart; it was a man she met thirty years ago, when the Empress was in the prime of her youth, by the banks of the Luo River.]

[That man pointed out the path forward for the Empress and also laid a solid foundation for the Empress to later master the Wu Gong in the "Heavenly Demon Strategy."]

[Although the Empress does not know his name, for thirty years, the Empress has been searching for his whereabouts.]

[Wu Gong Realm: First Grade Terrestrial Immortal!]

[Potential Index: Fifteen stars!]

[Combat Power Index: Twenty-five stars!]

[Danger Index: Ten stars!]

[Current Age: Fifty-two years old!]

[Lifespan: Eighty-two years old!]

[Reward: Taiyi Divine Water, a divine water that allows one to maintain eternal youth and increases twenty years of internal energy!]

[Profound Heaven Creation Book, a book of creation that can inquire into the realm of Celestial Immortals!]

Whoosh!

The Empress sat up from her imperial couch with a start.

She herself had not expected that she would be ranked eighth on the Azure Cloud Ranking!

First Grade Terrestrial Immortal!

She had only just broken through not long ago.

Could this Azure Cloud Ranking even record that?

What was even more critical was the record on the Azure Cloud Ranking regarding that extraordinary man she met by the Luo River thirty years ago.

This matter was secret.

Apart from Di Di Renjie, almost no one knew the details of this matter.

Who could have thought that the Azure Cloud Ranking would expose it to all the living beings of the world just like that.

This made Wu Zhao feel somewhat unnatural, to say the least.

However, she quickly dispelled this unnatural feeling.

After all, she is the Empress!

She is the supreme sovereign of the Wu Dynasty!

Since the matter had already happened, fretting over it too much would be of no use.

At this moment.

Di Di Renjie, who was to the side, began to offer his congratulations to the Empress.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"For being honored on this Nine Provinces Azure Cloud Ranking!"

"Your Majesty’s demeanor is unparalleled, and your cultivation is heaven-reaching; you are already a Terrestrial Immortal!"

"This should be celebrated by the whole world!"

The reason Di Di Renjie could maintain the Empress's favor without fail was not only because of his outstanding personal ability, but also because he understood the Empress's little thoughts very well.

Therefore, at this time, praising the Empress was absolutely very important.

Upon hearing this, a faint smile flashed across Wu Zhao’s face, and she said, "That’s enough, stop flattering me."

"Minister Di, I ask you, is this matter being exposed to all living beings in the world a good thing or a bad thing?"

Di Di Renjie was quick-witted and understood immediately.

He naturally understood that what the Empress was referring to was the matter of the man by the Luo River.

Therefore, he said immediately, "Your Majesty, in this minister's view, this is actually a joyous occasion!"

Wu Zhao said, "Oh? Where does the joy come from?"

Di Di Renjie said, "Your Majesty, think about it, how vast are the Nine Provinces."

"The Unofficial Agents have been searching for that person for nearly thirty years, yet there is still no news!"

"However, this Azure Cloud Ranking can be seen by all living beings in the world."

"This minister believes that if your benefactor sees it, he will certainly notice!"

"When that time comes, he might even reveal himself voluntarily!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhao nodded slightly and said, "Minister Di, you are right."

"However, the people under your command handling this matter must not stop!"

"Do you understand?"

Di Di Renjie nodded immediately and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this minister will certainly do his utmost!"

At this time.

On the Azure Cloud Ranking in the firmament, golden light streaked across and descended along the horizon.

In an instant, it arrived within the imperial palace of the Wu Dynasty.

It arrived before Wu Zhao.

Wu Zhao raised her hand and took out the Taiyi Divine Water and the Profound Heaven Creation Book wrapped in the golden light.

To maintain eternal youth—what woman wouldn't want that!

Although the "Heavenly Demon Strategy" she cultivated also had the effect of delaying aging, it could not make her eternally youthful.

With this Taiyi Divine Water, she could be forever young and beautiful.

And this Profound Heaven Creation Book, since it was a reward from the Heavenly Dao.

It must be extraordinary.

When she had time, she would certainly have to study it carefully.

Great Qin.

Imperial Province.

Xianyanggong.

Ying Zheng looked at the Empress Wu Zhao who had just made the list.

A look of astonishment flashed across his face.

"What!"

"Empress Wu Zhao is already at the First Grade Terrestrial Immortal realm!"

"This is truly shocking!"

"I thought that, with the toil of state affairs, my realm as a Grandmaster was already very high."

"I did not expect that this Empress Wu Zhao would actually have this level of cultivation!"

"Good!"

"It truly makes me look at her with new eyes!"

"She is worthy of being the first Empress in the world!"

"Li Si!"

"Immediately send an envoy to the Wu Dynasty to congratulate Empress Wu Zhao on making the Azure Cloud Ranking!"

Li Si, who was behind Ying Zheng, replied immediately, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

"This minister will go and draft the decree and send someone right away!"

After saying this, Li Si bowed and left, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

After Li Si left.

Ying Zheng said to Zhao Gao, who was behind him, "Zhao Gao, immediately increase the number of spies in the Wu Dynasty imperial palace!"