Golden Ranking Appears, My Empress Turns Out to Be Wu Zhao

[Advisor Ranking – Rank 8]

[Sima Yi]

[Nation: Han Dynasty]

[Potential: Top Advisor of Nine Provinces]

[Strategy Rating: Five Stars]

[Strength: Second-Rate]

[Reward: 1x Low-Tier Advisor Skill Card, 1x Spiritual Power Enhancement Card, +5% National Fortune]

"Sima Yi?"

"Who is that? Another hidden advisor!"

"And he's from the Han Dynasty."

"They're quite far from us. Probably not much overlap."

"Let's keep our focus on the battle below!"

Lu Xiaofeng shook his head, paying it no mind.

He kept his gaze fixed on the battle below.

However, the fight that followed didn't unfold as they had expected.

The skirmish below ended quickly.

In the end, only one person emerged victorious.

He took the mission item directly.

Leaving behind a battlefield strewn with corpses.

What puzzled Lu Xiaofeng and the others was.

The three hidden forces in the shadows didn't make a move at all.

They just watched the victor leave with their own eyes.

"Marshal Xiang, did you really detect three groups hiding in the dark? Could you have made a mistake?"

"Yeah, why didn't they make a move?"

"I'm certain they're there. As for why they didn't act, it seems their concerns are similar to ours!"

"Another possibility, maybe the mission item wasn't real. It was just a decoy. A psychological battle and probing game between the elites of various dynasties."

"And we... are merely pawns."

"The mission item is irrelevant. What matters are the intelligence and reactions of other dynasties."

"Perhaps, in places we can't see, even more powerful figures are watching in secret."

Upon hearing Yuan Suiyun's words, everyone felt a chill down their backs.

"Remain in the shadows. Don't act rashly."

"Wait for orders from the Director."

"Understood!"

Lu Xiaofeng and the others nodded together, not daring to be careless.

==========

Han Imperial Palace.

Emperor Liu Hong was also watching the ranking in the sky.

At first, he thought this ranking had nothing to do with him.

But with Sima Yi's name appearing, he froze.

Immediately after, the Heaven Dao Reward for National Fortune was something Liu Hong could clearly feel.

He became visibly excited.

"Hahaha! Finally, the Han Dynasty makes a return!"

"Right, who exactly is this Sima Yi?"

"Sima... could he be the son of Sima Fang?"

Liu Hong asked in surprise.

The eunuch Zhang Rang quickly responded.

"Your Majesty, this Sima Yi is indeed the second son of Sima Fang."

"Good. This Sima Yi is certainly a talent. His appearance on the ranking has brought our dynasty fortune. A great merit to the Han Dynasty. He must be rewarded!"

"Your Majesty, not only is Sima Yi outstanding, but the entire Sima Clan is quite exceptional."

"Why not have the whole family relocated to the capital? That way, they can serve Your Majesty more closely."

"Very well. I'll leave this matter to you!"

"Yes, Your Majesty. This old servant will not disappoint!"

Watching Zhang Rang's departing figure, Liu Hong's expression darkened slightly, a trace of coldness flashing through his eyes.

However, as if recalling something, a look of fear also emerged.

His face changed again.

Then he returned to his usual muddle-headed demeanor.

Continuing to enjoy the performances.

As if the Heaven Dao Reward just now hadn't affected him in the slightest.

==========

Han Imperial Harem, Consort Yu Palace.

"Zifang, what do you think of this Sima Yi?"

"Replying to Your Highness, I honestly... do not know him well."

"However, since he made the Advisor Ranking, he must have extraordinary talent."

"If Your Highness is interested, why not try recruiting him to your side?"

"Oh? And if he ends up becoming a hidden threat to me?"

"With Your Highness's abilities, how could a mere Sima Yi be any trouble?"

"Hehe, interesting. Then we shall see if this Sima Yi is worth me making a move personally."

Jiang Yuyan was indeed intrigued by Sima Yi.

A figure like this, whether useful or not, must not fall into her enemies' hands.

If she couldn't have him, she wouldn't mind destroying him.

Better to eliminate a future threat early.

"Come!"

"Your Highness, your subordinate is here!"

"You will personally lead a squad and go to the Sima Clan. Bring Sima Yi to me."

"If he refuses to come, you know what to do."

"Understood."

Beside her, Zhang Liang stood silently.

Perhaps Sima Yi's arrival would relieve some of the immense pressure and danger he faced while serving Jiang Yuyan.

To be ranked even higher than Fan Zeng, Sima Yi was no ordinary man.

He was both hopeful and wary of this person.

==========

Han Dynasty, Sima Clan Mansion.

Sima Yi stared at the ranking in the sky, his heart sinking.

So he had really been exposed.

Although Heaven Dao had rewarded him, giving him great benefits, he would rather have remained anonymous.

The Han Dynasty was at its most chaotic.

Now that he was exposed, he would certainly draw the attention of ambitious forces.

There was no way to stay uninvolved anymore.

If he wasn't careful, not only would he die, but the entire Sima Clan could be implicated.

It was not yet time for him to step onto the stage.

"Second Brother, you're amazing! You actually made the Advisor Ranking!"

"Wow! Now you'll be famous across the Nine Provinces!"

"Yeah! From now on, every dynasty will try to recruit you!"

"Your future is secure!"

"Second Brother, now that you're on the Advisor Ranking, surely all the lords will be sending people to win you over."

"Which force are you thinking of joining?"

The Big Brother, Sima Lang, asked seriously.

All eight brothers of the Sima Clan were outstanding.

Sima Yi was the most exceptional, but his brothers were also great talents.

At least Sima Fang and Sima Lang took the current situation very seriously.

"Father, Big Brother, do you really think I still have a choice?"

"Right now, though the Han Imperial Court appears weak on the surface, anyone who truly believes that is a fool."

"Those warlords may indeed rise in the future, but only after the Han Dynasty's foundation is fully exhausted."

"If I recklessly join a warlord's force now, I won't live long."

"As for rebels like the Yellow Turbans, they're completely out of the question."

Sima Yi was visibly frustrated.

==========

"Imperial Edict has arrived!"

"Where is Sima Yi? Where is Sima Yi?"

"Sima Yi, receive the edict!"

Just as Sima Yi hesitated, a sharp and shrill voice echoed outside the estate.

A eunuch?!

So the Emperor had sent someone.

That was fast.

Could Liu Hong really be that eager for him?

What a pity.

If Liu Hong were a wise Emperor, Sima Yi might have genuinely considered serving him, out of respect for such sincerity.

Soon after.

A soft-featured, effeminate young eunuch walked in with arrogance.

"Sima Yi, come with me!"

"His Majesty wishes to see you. You must not keep him waiting."

Sima Yi frowned.

"Where is the imperial edict you mentioned?"

"The Emperor gave only verbal instructions."

"Hmph. Who are you? You're not one of the palace eunuchs!"

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere went silent.

The effeminate eunuch's lips curled into a sinister smile.

"Interesting. No wonder you made the Advisor Ranking. No wonder the Great Virtuous Teacher values you so highly."

"You're one of Zhang Jiao's men?"

Not only was Sima Yi shocked, but the rest of the Sima family was horrified.

"How did you figure it out?"

"I killed the eunuch sent by the Han Dynasty, disguised myself perfectly. No one should've noticed."

"Hmph. No matter how well a man mimics, he can never become a real eunuch."

"Hahaha! Excellent! With your help, our Yellow Turban Army will surely overthrow the Han Dynasty and take its place!"

"Sima Yi, you may become the most trusted Prime Minister of the Great Virtuous Teacher in the future."

The effeminate man laughed wildly.

His demeanor shifted drastically, no longer soft or delicate.

A terrifying aura surged from his body.

Sima Fang and the others turned pale, terror written all over their faces.

"Half-Step Heavenly Human Realm!"

"To think Zhang Jiao has someone like you by his side?!"

"But if you want me to serve Zhang Jiao, dream on!"

"Just the right time to test out the advisor skill I received from Heaven Dao!"

Sima Yi snorted coldly.

"Soul Slaughter, Wailing Wolf Howl!"

Sima Yi shouted fiercely.

A strange black mist instantly spread around him.

It transformed into a fierce and ravenous wolf.

Letting out a spine-chilling howl, it charged straight at the effeminate man and merged into his body.

"Aaahhh!"

"What is this cursed technique?!"

A miserable scream echoed through the air.

The effeminate man's body was flung backward.

He crashed heavily onto the ground.

"Curse you, Sima Yi! I'll kill you!"

As the black mist dissipated, the effeminate man climbed up, battered and bloodied.

His eyes were filled with vicious hatred as he glared at Sima Yi.

He had been gravely wounded.

By someone who wasn't even a Grandmaster.

An utter humiliation.

Anyone who had seen him so wretched must die.

He no longer cared if Sima Yi was someone the Great Virtuous Teacher wanted.

He would kill him and be done with it.

Sima Yi smiled bitterly. The advisor skill granted by the Heaven Dao was indeed powerful, but his strength was too low.

If he too were at Half-Step Heavenly Human Realm, he could've slain the opponent outright.

Was he really going to die so helplessly here?

He was unwilling.

He had dreams yet to fulfill!

In such a magnificent era of strife, how could he be absent?

Whoosh!

Just as the effeminate man was about to strike with a killing blow.

A black blur flashed by.

A cold gleam flickered and vanished.