[Sword Immortal Ranking – Rank 7]
[Empress]
[Identity: Sister of King Qi, Master of the Illusion Sound Pavilion]
[Cultivation: Half-Step Mythical Realm Land Immortal]
[Sword Dao Comprehension: Second Cycle, 30% Mastery]
[Reward: Heaven-Grade Top-Tier Divine Sword – Purple Firmament Divine Sword, containing the Nine Forms of the Purple Firmament Sword Technique, with boundless power]
The final name on the ranking for Heavenly Human Realm Sword Immortals had been revealed.
Everyone stared blankly at the ranking.
Empress?
Could she be an Empress of some nation?
No, she was the leader of a martial force called the Illusion Sound Pavilion!
What?
She dared to take such an arrogant name?
Just "Empress"?
And shockingly, the ranking directly acknowledged it!
She was the sister of Li Maozhen, King Qi of the Tang Dynasty!
Even more shocking was that she was in the Half-Step Mythical Realm.
And her Sword Dao Comprehension had already reached the Mythical Realm.
Strong.
Incredibly strong!
It could be said that among all Heavenly Human Realm Sword Immortals, she was completely unmatched!
Even among Mythical Realm cultivators, she would not be considered weak.
Could she fight across realms?
Was that even possible at the Land Immortal Realm?
Every stage was separated by vast differences in power.
Then just how deep was this Empress's foundation?
==========
Tang Dynasty, Bad People Headquarters.
The Bad Marshal Yuan Tiangang looked at the ranking and froze for a moment.
Then a cold sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"The Empress of the Illusion Sound Pavilion... I underestimated you!"
"You've hidden yourself so well!"
"Even that old fox Li Keyong is no match for you!"
"Too bad you are merely a woman, not the true King Qi, Li Maozhen. Otherwise, you might have truly disrupted His Majesty's plans!"
"Even if you reach the Mythical Realm or even the God Demon Realm, so what?"
"You will never become a real Empress!"
"Ha ha ha... How interesting!"
"It seems my plans will need some revising!"
Yuan Tiangang showed no anger. On the contrary, he burst out laughing.
==========
Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.
"Master Yuan, what is this?"
"How is Li Maozhen's sister so powerful? She's nearly in the Mythical Realm?"
"Will she pose a threat to the Tang Dynasty in the future?"
Li Shimin almost thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.
He naturally knew about Li Maozhen's sister.
And he was familiar with the Illusion Sound Pavilion too.
He had always assumed it was just a group of girls messing around outside.
Who would have thought she would become a major threat right under his nose?
"Your Majesty, this may not be a bad thing."
"After all, the Empress is not the true King Qi, Li Maozhen."
"She can never threaten the Tang Dynasty. On the contrary, if used properly, she may become a valuable asset to Your Majesty."
Yuan Tiangang responded calmly, without the slightest worry.
"Master Yuan, are you suggesting I take her as a Consort?"
"Like how the Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao does, not only claiming a woman's body but also her heart?"
"That way, I could truly make her mine?"
Li Shimin's expression shifted slightly as he hesitantly asked.
Yuan Tiangang was startled by Li Shimin's train of thought.
Take the Empress into the Imperial Harem?
What a joke.
If he truly tried such a thing, it would not be long before the Empress led Qi and the Illusion Sound Pavilion in open rebellion.
Did he really think he was Zhu Houzhao of the Ming Dynasty?
Even the Ming Empress Wu Zhao, who had immense power and influence, still obeyed Zhu Houzhao.
That was only because the Ming Emperor was invincible and could suppress everything.
Did Li Shimin have the power to suppress the Empress?
Not even close.
Even if she were willing, Yuan Tiangang would never allow it.
The moment she entered the Imperial Harem, she would disrupt everything inside.
She could even threaten the Empress's position.
Or even the position of the future Crown Prince.
If she harbored ill intentions, like Jiang Yuyan from the Han Dynasty, then forget unifying the world.
It would be fortunate if the Tang Dynasty was not destroyed entirely.
"Your Majesty, this must never happen!"
"The Empress has a complicated identity and an unpredictable mind. If she developed ill intent within the Imperial Harem, the entire Tang Dynasty would be at risk."
"If she ever attempts to assassinate the Emperor, I may not make it in time to save you!"
Li Shimin eventually came to his senses.
Even without Yuan Tiangang's persuasion, he would have abandoned the idea after some thought.
He had the heart to eliminate the kings like King Jin Li Keyong, King Liang Zhu Wen, and King Qi Li Maozhen.
Naturally, the Empress and he were enemies, not allies.
Placing an enemy beside his pillow?
He was not Zhu Houzhao. He was not that reckless.
"Master Yuan speaks with reason. I was short-sighted."
"Then can you suppress her?"
"Her presence will make it much harder for me to strip the vassal kings of their military power."
"Do not worry, Your Majesty. As long as I control Li Maozhen, the Empress need not concern you."
"In fact, we can even make her a piece on our Tang Dynasty's chessboard."
"The stronger the Empress becomes, the more beneficial it is for us."
"We can even provoke the vassal kings into internal conflict. That would be ideal for the Tang Dynasty."
"Very good. I leave this matter to you, Master Yuan."
The two scheming men immediately began plotting how to manipulate the Empress.
==========
Tang Dynasty Territory.
Illusion Sound Pavilion Headquarters.
"Your Majesty, unfamiliar spies have been spotted outside the Illusion Sound Pavilion. They do not appear to have good intentions!"
"No matter. As long as they do not step into our domain, let them do as they please."
"But if they cross the line, don't report to me. Kill them on the spot."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"What if they are from the Xuanming Cult or the Combined Learning Institute?"
"Did you not hear what I just said? Kill them on the spot."
The Empress's voice echoed sternly through the grand hall.
While gently stroking the white kitten in her lap, she fell into deep thought.
So her identity had been exposed after all.
She had originally intended to continue hiding until she could find her brother Li Maozhen.
But now, Yuan Tiangang would surely heighten his vigilance.
He might even start targeting her and the Illusion Sound Pavilion.
No, she thought to herself.
Right now, she still could not match the Bad Marshal. She was not yet a true rival.
Only by reaching the Mythical Realm would she have even a sliver of hope.
But her brother Li Maozhen was likely in even greater danger.
Should she just wait and be toyed with by Li Shimin and Yuan Tiangang?
Or... should she seek help?
No. She could not drag that man into this just because of her personal matters.
If she did, and conflicts arose, it could cost countless innocent lives in the Central Plains.
Even though she was tempted by the idea, she ultimately decided to give it up.
If her relationship with him became entangled with political interests, it would no longer remain pure.
Even if it meant great risk or sacrifice, she did not want that man to look down on her.
She had to find another way.
Since Yuan Tiangang was planning to scheme against her.
Then why not turn the tables and use his plan against him?
Even if it failed, she would lose nothing.
"Sigh... Li Shimin, my brother has always been loyal to you and the Tang Dynasty, yet you treat him like this and leave him no path to survive."
"Are we really so insignificant in your eyes?"
==========
Sui Imperial Palace.
Empress Chambers.
Xiao Meiniang looked at the name on the ranking, deep in thought.
The Empress?
She could be a valuable ally in the future.
Right now, her situation must be quite awkward and dangerous.
"In that case, I shall help you in secret this once. Perhaps in the future, you might repay the favor."
After thinking briefly, Xiao Meiniang summoned a trusted subordinate and gave him detailed instructions before sending him off.
The greatest threat to the Sui Dynasty now was the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin, and Yuan Tiangang.
So she had no qualms about setting a fire in their backyard.
It might not burn down the whole house, but taking out a room or two would suffice.
Every moment gained to strengthen herself was precious.
Every little improvement counted.
She would never sit around waiting for death like Yang Guang.