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

Song Dynasty.

Dragon Vein Land.

Inside an underground secret chamber.

Zhu Houzhao hovered alone in mid-air.

The National Fortune and merit stored in the golden dragon statue were fully extracted and channeled into his body.

The once radiant and majestic golden dragon statue had completely lost its luster.

There was not a trace of its former grandeur.

No divine aura remained.

The statue visibly began to deteriorate.

Turning into mere clay.

Next, visible cracks started to spread across it.

Crack, crack, crack.

With a loud bang.

It shattered into dust and vanished like ashes in the wind.

"Hahaha, good, I've finally succeeded!"

"Another National Fortune is mine!"

"Unexpectedly, it was faster and easier than I imagined!"

"Seems like the foundation of the Northern Song Dynasty isn't as deep as I thought."

"The major dynasties have been exhausting themselves. The fall of the Song Dynasty is near."

Originally, he estimated that to completely devour the National Fortune, he would at least have to wait until the Song Dynasty was on the brink of destruction.

But how long had it been?

Shaking his head, the prince stood up straight and glanced around.

He no longer paid any attention.

Aside from the Dragon Vein, there was nothing else of value.

He exhaled a surge of true essence.

In the next moment.

A violent force swept out uncontrollably.

The entire chamber trembled violently.

Boom, boom, boom!

It lasted only a few seconds before collapsing completely.

The location of the Dragon Vein could no longer be found.

Even if its creator returned, it would be impossible to pinpoint its exact spot.

From this moment on, the secrets hidden here would remain unknown to the world.

==========

Song Imperial Harem.

After a period of "tonic" restoration, Emperor Zhao Ji quickly recovered.

He appeared "full of vigor".

He had boundless energy every day.

He paid little attention to the war on the front lines.

Instead, he indulged in the embrace of beauties in the Imperial Harem.

Enjoying rare pleasures.

On this day, Zhao Ji was frolicking with several consorts.

Suddenly, an unbearable stabbing pain surged through his heart.

"Ah!"

"It hurts so much!"

A shrill cry of agony instantly startled all the consorts.

The entire Imperial Harem was thrown into alarm.

They nearly thought an assassin had struck!

At this moment, Zhao Ji felt as if he had lost something extremely precious.

An unbearable pain pierced his soul.

Not even his beloved calligraphy and paintings could compare.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't figure out the cause.

Fortunately, the pain came as quickly as it went.

In just the blink of an eye, it vanished as if it had never been.

It even made Zhao Ji wonder if it had been an illusion.

But no matter how slow Zhao Ji's reactions were, he knew something major had happened.

In his mind, the image of Huang Shang and his Imperial City Division appeared.

As well as a certain army.

"Someone, check for me how Huang Shang's mission is progressing."

"I want to know his every move."

"And what are the other dynasties' spy networks doing?!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"What is going on? Why do I feel more and more uneasy?"

"Could it be that the war front is in jeopardy?"

"Is this Heaven warning me?"

"Looks like my body can no longer keep up. Perhaps it is time to pass the throne to the Crown Prince!"

==========

Song Dynasty.

Deep within a mysterious mountain range.

Innermost section of the Imperial Mausoleum.

Inside a very concealed great hall.

At this moment, several figures were seated cross-legged in various positions.

At the highest seat.

An old man wearing a Daoist robe.

Though his beard and hair were white, his skin was as tender as a baby's.

A powerful aura emanated from his entire body.

Below him, sat others with equally extraordinary auras.

Some dressed as generals.

Some dressed as civil ministers.

Each with an expression of numb indifference.

At that moment.

Suddenly.

Everyone's body erupted with powerful energy.

Their faces lit up with expressions of joy.

"Hahaha, the bindings have disappeared!"

"Wonderful, we are finally free!"

"Zhao Kuangyin, you damn traitor, I will annihilate all your descendants to avenge the suffering I've endured over the years!"

"Yes, I will have my revenge too. I will never forgive him!"

For a time, emotions ran high among the crowd.

Some even wore ferocious expressions, eyes full of hatred.

The hatred was so thick, it was almost tangible.

However, a few people remained calm.

Among them was the old Daoist at the top.

"Everyone, calm yourselves!"

The old Daoist let out a cold shout.

A surging aura spread out instantly.

Everyone immediately held their breath.

Their expressions changed, and they obediently sat back down.

No one dared to be negligent.

They were well aware of the old Daoist's terrifying might over the past century.

If they crossed his line, death would be their best outcome.

"Ancestor, please don't be angry. We couldn't help ourselves after suddenly regaining our freedom!"

"Yes, we finally don't have to remain in this cursed Imperial Mausoleum."

"The techniques Zhao Kuangyin used to bind us have completely lost their effect."

"In this lifetime, the thing I regret most is knowing that despicable man, Zhao Kuangyin."

"We helped him establish a vast dynasty, yet not only did he show no gratitude, he betrayed us in the end."

"If he had simply killed us back then, we would've hated him, yes, but only just hated him."

"But instead, he restricted our freedom, treating us as living corpses."

"Turning us completely into tools without thought or will."

"This is something I can never forgive!"

Just then, the old Daoist at the top spoke.

"Has none of you considered why the bindings on our bodies suddenly disappeared?"

"Zhao Kuangyin may have been despicable and shameless, but his methods were strong."

"Otherwise, we wouldn't have been helpless all these years!"

"Ancestor, are you suggesting that the Song Dragon Vein has been completely destroyed?"

"Only if the Dragon Vein was destroyed could we regain our freedom."

"But we searched for so many years and never found it. How did this mysterious person manage to do it?"

"If the Dragon Vein was destroyed, then why hasn't Zhao Kuangyin shown up?"

"He would never ignore it. The only explanation is..."

"He's already dead!"

"Hahaha, how amusing, so amusing!"

"That villain's scheme didn't even begin, and he's already dead?"

"Then why did he spend all those years imprisoning us, depriving us of freedom? What was the point?"

For a while, everyone was filled with mixed emotions.

They hadn't yet avenged themselves.

And their greatest enemy was already dead?

They were happy, but also furious.

Furious at the one who killed Zhao Kuangyin.

That person had robbed them of their chance for vengeance.

So many years of captivity had already twisted the minds of some.

Some even developed a deep killing intent toward the one who had slain Zhao Kuangyin.

At the same time, a trace of greed began to stir.

Zhao Kuangyin's unfinished scheme, why couldn't they carry it out themselves?

If successful, then all the suffering they endured would not have been in vain.

In an instant, everyone fell into a strange silence again.

"Hmm?"

"You all were hiding here? Quite the hidden place, I must say!"

At that moment.

A surprised voice echoed around the great hall.

Everyone's face changed at once.

Even the old Daoist at the top revealed a sharp gleam in his eyes.