[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 4]
[You Ruo]
[Identity: Daughter of Xiong Ba, Leader of the World Association]
[Cultivation: Great Perfection Great Grandmaster]
[Technique: Quick Snow Clear Moment Art]
[Reward: Heaven-Grade Top-Tier Pill - Ice Snow Physique Pill. After consumption, the body will undergo transformation and attain the Ice Snow Physique]
What?
You Ruo made it onto the ranking?
Great Perfection Great Grandmaster?!
Xiong Ba was stunned.
He had always known that You Ruo was strong, stronger than Feng and Yun, at least at the Grandmaster level.
But he had never imagined her strength would surpass him, the leader of the World Association.
He himself had only reached the Late Great Grandmaster Realm.
Did that mean he could no longer defeat his own daughter?
"Congratulations, Leader! The young lady ranked fourth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. Becoming a Land Immortal in the future is within reach!"
Wen Chouchou, who had been trembling in fear, finally found a chance to flatter him.
"Get lost!"
Xiong Ba shouted, irritated and confused.
He didn't know whether to feel happy or angry.
By all rights, he should be proud that his daughter achieved such greatness.
Yet he felt a strange jealousy.
A desire arose in him to control her completely and use her as a tool.
Just like how he treated Feng and Yun.
He needed to think carefully about how to treat this daughter going forward.
If used properly, she might bring about a new era of dominance for him.
Even more useful than Feng and Yun.
Great Perfection Great Grandmaster.
Who in the martial world of the Han Dynasty could rival them?
Even the Sword Saint of Peerless City might not be able to do anything to them.
A flood of thoughts surged in his mind. Ambition burned even more brightly in Xiong Ba's eyes.
==========
Southern Ming, Jiangnan.
A small, nameless inn.
"You Ruo, how do you feel after taking the Ice Snow Physique Pill?"
Song Yuhua asked quickly.
"As expected of a reward from the Heavenly Dao. My body has indeed transformed. My comprehension of martial arts has increased by several times."
"I've gained new insight into the Life and Death threshold."
You Ruo smiled brightly, clearly in a good mood.
Having escaped her cage, met a good friend like Song Yuhua, and greatly improved her strength, You Ruo now felt full of hope.
Unlike her past life, which was bleak and without a future.
"Congratulations. You'll definitely become a Land Immortal one day!"
"You too. I believe in you. With your talent, you'll catch up in no time."
You Ruo never doubted that Song Yuhua would discover her own martial path.
It was only a matter of time.
She had only taken a small step ahead.
If she stopped working hard, she might even be surpassed by Yuhua.
This sister of hers was not to be underestimated.
"Let's continue our travels. There are still three names left on the ranking. He must be one of them."
"He might even be number one!"
"I'm so curious. What's his true identity?"
Both You Ruo and Song Yuhua were eagerly awaiting the reveal of the first place.
They had a faint feeling in their hearts.
His true identity would shock everyone.
His name would echo across the entire Nine Provinces.
Whether it would bring good or bad fortune, no one could tell.
But it would certainly shake the world.
==========
Han Dynasty.
Inner Palace, Jiang Yuyan's Residence.
Jiang Yuyan stared warily at the person before her.
"Who exactly are you? Why are you doing this?"
"I've done everything you asked. When will you give me the antidote?"
She tried her best to hide the hatred in her voice.
"Hahaha, excellent. You truly are the best candidate I chose."
"Your cunning and cruelty are even better than I expected."
"I thought you'd need half a year or more to adjust. Who knew you'd completely win over Liu Hong in just half a month?"
The hunched old man didn't care about her attitude. He laughed freely and arrogantly.
"This is only thanks to your help behind the scenes. Otherwise, with my mere innate-level cultivation, I'd have died long ago in this palace."
Jiang Yuyan ignored his mock praise. She only cared about the antidote.
As long as the poison remained in her body, she would remain under their control.
And it was clear that these people were far more terrifying than she had imagined.
At first, she suspected they were a faction from the Ming Dynasty.
But after a month of probing, she was certain this organization was not from the Ming.
They were rooted in the Han Dynasty itself.
Perhaps a powerful noble family or a secret martial force.
Or even a ruling prince of the Han Dynasty.
They had people planted in both the martial world and the imperial court.
Truly terrifying.
"There's no antidote for now. But here, take this."
The old man pulled out a book and tossed it over.
"Spirit Devouring Art?"
Jiang Yuyan was stunned. "What's this? I already have a cultivation method. I don't need this!"
Who knew if learning this would trap her again?
"Flower Shifting Transplanting Wood? That's nothing compared to the Spirit Devouring Art."
"That old method might get you to the Great Grandmaster level. Maybe. But you'll never reach the top ten of the Hidden Dragon Ranking."
"In the end, you'd still be trash."
"This organization has no use for trash."
"If you cultivate the Spirit Devouring Art, you might one day rank in the top ten, maybe even surpass them all."
He pointed at the ranking list in the sky, voice cold and emotionless.
Jiang Yuyan's eyes filled with hatred as she flipped open the book.
After reading for a while, she was stunned.
"This Spirit Devouring Art... are you trying to turn me into a monster everyone wants to kill?"
She glared fiercely.
"A monster? Aren't you already one?"
"Devouring martial artists' flesh. Absorbing the innate energy of infants. Enhancing your talent and body. You... you..."
Jiang Yuyan never considered herself a good person.
But even she had lines she wouldn't cross.
If she truly practiced this, she wouldn't just be evil.
She wouldn't even be human anymore.
These people were pushing her over the edge.
"Without this, how will you catch up to those in the top ten of the Hidden Dragon Ranking?"
"They've received rewards from the Heavenly Dao. Their bodies are transforming. Can you do the same?"
"Your gap with them will only grow wider. Eventually, you'll be nothing but an ant to them."
"They could destroy you with a wave of their hand."
The old man continued to press her.
"Besides, this technique can suppress and even eliminate the poison in your body."
"I will no longer provide you with antidotes."
"If you want to survive, this is the only way."
His voice was cold and full of malice.
"Fine. I'll do it!"
Jiang Yuyan stared at him with icy eyes.
She would bide her time. One day, she would make this man suffer a fate worse than death.
She had never hated anyone this much before.
Even if he helped her become a royal consort and gave her immense power.
"Enough of that. Let's talk business."
"The Han martial world. The World Association."
"The organization wants you to take full control. Xiong Ba is an excellent chess piece."
Jiang Yuyan had little interest. She didn't even understand court politics yet.
Why jump all the way to the martial world?
"Your organization is so powerful. Why not act yourselves?"
"Besides, I'm just at the innate stage. How can I control a Great Grandmaster like Xiong Ba?"
"I will stay and assist you. My subordinates will act in your name. The organization must remain hidden for now."
"As for your safety, don't worry. If you diligently cultivate the Spirit Devouring Art, you'll be more than capable of protecting yourself."
Jiang Yuyan's eyes lit up.
Countless schemes surged through her mind.
She needed a plan.
Not only to deal with Xiong Ba and fulfill the mission.
But also to eliminate the loathsome old man before her.
At the same time, she glared fiercely at the Hidden Dragon Ranking.
The top ten dragons on the list had become objects of her deep resentment.
Because of them, she was forced to cultivate such a terrifying technique.
She would become neither human, nor ghost, nor demon.
One day, if given the chance, she would not spare a single one of them.
Jiang Yuyan's heart burned with hatred.
After being tormented by the old man for so long, her already twisted nature had now become fully warped.
"You Ruo, daughter of Xiong Ba. You'll be the first."
Jiang Yuyan sneered coldly.
She would have the old man and You Ruo fight each other.
If they both suffered, she could reap the rewards.
==========
Tang Dynasty Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.
"Master Yuan, how's the recruitment of Qin Shuang, Nie Feng, Bu Jingyun, and Duan Lang going?"
"Although they fall short of the top ten, they are still exceptional talents."
Li Shimin spoke calmly, though he was more interested in You Ruo.
"Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng refused. But Duan Lang agreed to join the Tang Dynasty."
"He is power-hungry. If Your Majesty grants him titles and authority, he'll be a useful piece."
"But if his ambitions are not satisfied, he may betray you."
"Shall we use him? If not, I'll kill him myself."
Yuan Tiangang saw through Duan Lang instantly.
"Use him. Why not?"
"If he wants power, I'll give him power."
"As long as he completes his tasks, I'm fine raising him for now."
"When my dynasty is stronger, I'll decide whether to keep him."
With limited manpower, Li Shimin chose to be open-minded in recruiting talent.
"As for Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng, continue trying. But don't make enemies of them."
"Agreed. Unlike Duan Lang, those three are upright and talented."
"What I want most is You Ruo. Her value surpasses all others. She could even enhance our national strength. Master Yuan, do you have a plan?"
Li Shimin was clearly excited.
But recruiting her would be no easy task.
"I will handle it personally. I will not let Your Majesty down."
"Excellent. I look forward to your success."
Though You Ruo was strong, she was still only a Grandmaster.
Compared to Yuan Tiangang, who was a Land Immortal, there was still a gap.
If he acted, capturing her would be easy.
Even if he couldn't win her heart, he could still control her body.
With time and patience, she would eventually submit.
==========
Ming Dynasty, Heavenly Venerable's Headquarters.
"Sister Qiudi, with your strength, how many moves would it take to defeat You Ruo?"
After spending time together, Lin Shiyin had come to understand Murong Qiudi's nature and her terrifying power.
At least, Lin Shiyin herself was no match.
"Without fighting for real, who can say?"
Murong Qiudi shook her head with a sigh.
A few moves?
It wasn't that simple.
She could win.
But it wouldn't be easy.
Anyone who ranked in the top ten of the Hidden Dragon Ranking was formidable.
Even Lin Shiyin beside her was not to be underestimated.
Letting her guard down would only bring loss.
There was always an elusive sense of threat about Lin Shiyin.
She was clearly not as harmless as she appeared.
If Lin Shiyin was that dangerous, what about You Ruo, who ranked fourth?
"Look, the ranking is updating. Third place is about to be revealed!"
Lin Shiyin shouted excitedly.
The two quickly turned their attention to the sky.
[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 3]
[Murong Qiudi]
[Identity: Eldest daughter of the Murong Family of Qixing Pond in the Ming Dynasty, Leader of the Heavenly Venerable Organization]
[Cultivation: Half-Step Land Immortal (Life and Death Threshold)]
[Technique: Lotus Trace Immortal Art]
[Reward: Heaven-Grade Ultimate-Tier Pill – Immortal Spirit Pill. After consumption, the body will transform and attain the Immortal Spirit Physique]