Outside Luming Academy.
"Many thanks for your hospitality today, Sage Ruler," Fan Li said with a smile.
Hospitality? Sage Ruler Han Yue blushed slightly at his words. They had originally planned to attend a lecture by a renowned scholar, but who would have thought it would turn into such a spectacle?
Especially Master Yichuan and his disciple Zhu Ziyang, their character was truly distasteful. If not for Fan Li's genuine talent and learning, he would have been subjected to their difficulty today.
"If you have nothing else, Sage Ruler, I shall return to my residence," Fan Li added.
He truly wished he could just grease his feet and run as far away as possible. Sage Ruler Han Yue was already an extremely dangerous existence, and now that she had broken through to the Great Vehicle Fourth Realm after observing his painting, her danger factor had increased even more.
"Do you have matters to attend to at home?" Han Yue asked curiously.
"Then why are you in such a hurry to leave? Do I truly disgust you so?" Han Yue frowned, and Fan Li's heart skipped a beat!
He quickly straightened his expression and said, "While I have no family matters to attend to, I am responsible for overseeing all military and political affairs of the Chu Kingdom. Every day, I have endless official business to handle!"
"Oh." This reason was quite sufficient, and Han Yue couldn't find fault with it. However, she fidgeted for a long time, seemingly wanting to say something to Fan Li but too reserved to speak her mind.
Finally, Han Yue gritted her teeth and said with a serious expression, "My breakthrough today was truly thanks to you. I never like to be indebted to anyone, and I must repay you. Do you have any difficulties that require my assistance?"
Fan Li pondered for a moment.
The Jiajing Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, all the Sage Rulers of the Pure Land except Qing Qiu, including Han Yue herself, weren't they all his difficulties? But none of these matters seemed like something she could solve.
Seeing him remain silent, Han Yue continued, "How about this, I promise to do three things for you as repayment."
"Anything?" Fan Li's eyes lit up with anticipation.
But Han Yue misunderstood. Her face flushed red, and she said indignantly, "Do you think I am a casual woman? What I promise to do for you must not violate the principles of heaven and earth, or my own moral code. Otherwise, I would rather die than agree!"
After saying this, Han Yue regretted it.
Fan Li hadn't even made his requests, and here she was being so aggressive, it lacked the sincerity of repaying a debt of gratitude.
"I understand, I understand," Fan Li chuckled. He didn't really expect Han Yue to do anything for him. But with this promise, at least she wouldn't attack him in the short term. Moreover, a promise from a Great Vehicle Fourth Realm expert was truly too good to pass up!
"That..." Han Yue calmed down, looking like she wanted to say something but hesitated. "This breakthrough has benefited me greatly, and I must return to the Pure Land to cultivate in seclusion for a while. If you want me... if you want to find me to do something, either wait for me to come out of seclusion or come to the Pure Land to find me."
Fan Li rolled his eyes. This woman was truly unreliable. She just promised to do things for him, and now she was immediately going into seclusion.
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"Alright, then thank you," Fan Li said perfunctorily, feeling dejected. Unless he was tired of living, would he, a Foundation Building cultivator, go to the Pure Land to seek his own death?
"If you encounter any trouble, just come to the Pure Land and find me. I will ensure your safety!" Four spirit swords floated around Han Yue. She gave one last reminder. With the four swords protecting her, Han Yue slowly floated into the air.
She took another deep look at Fan Li. "I'm leaving." In an instant, she transformed into a white light, drawing a long arc across the sky and disappearing into the distance.
"Being able to fly... that's truly amazing..." Fan Li muttered to himself.
Just as he was feeling envious, a voice suddenly came from the distant horizon. It was a powerful expert using their cultivation to transmit their voice over a vast area.
"I am Liu Bei, Emperor of Han. From this day forward, the Han Dynasty and the Brahma Sound Pure Land shall establish diplomatic relations. I recognize Sage Ruler Yao Guang as an equal to the Son of Heaven!"
"I am Cao Cao, Emperor of Wei. From this day forward, the Wei Dynasty and the Brahma Sound Pure Land shall establish diplomatic relations. I recognize Sage Ruler Yao Guang as an equal to the Son of Heaven!"
"I am Sun Quan, Emperor of Wu. From this day forward, the Wu Dynasty and the Brahma Sound Pure Land shall establish diplomatic relations. I recognize Sage Ruler Yao Guang as an equal to the Son of Heaven!"
Fan Li was shocked! He had been completely unaware of this beforehand!
Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan hadn't sent him any prior notice.
The voice transmission of a Great Vehicle Realm expert could probably be heard by the entire human world.
Just as Fan Li was rapidly considering the future relationship between Chu, the Three Kingdoms, and the Pure Land, another familiar voice resounded throughout the world!
Just two words, yet they exuded an air of supreme dominance over the world!
Looking at the entire human world, there was only one emperor who dared to respond with such a lofty attitude - the Jiajing Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
"What should we do? My esteemed officials, what should I do? Speak up! Are you all mute?!"
The next day, at the Chu court assembly. Xiang Chong was utterly flustered, shouting repeatedly, but the officials standing below the imperial steps remained silent. Among the Chu officials, only Fan Li was absent.
"I was completely unaware of this? Why didn't Sage Ruler Yao Guang inform me beforehand? Could it be that the Sage Ruler has found new allies and intends to abandon me? I can do it too! The Chu Kingdom can also recognize Sage Ruler Yao Guang as an empress. I am willing!"
Hearing this, the Chu officials felt a sense of sorrow in their hearts.
The dignified Emperor of Chu, his words and actions lacked any imperial bearing. He was so timid and cowardly, only wanting to cling to the powerful but not understanding the simple principle of 'a gentleman strives to improve himself'?
This was truly not a blessing for the country. The ministers couldn't help but miss Xiang Ning.
Also a young emperor, Xiang Ning's performance at the Three Emperors Summit had impressed the people of Chu and filled them with confidence in her future.
"Duke Jin, when will you go to the Pure Land to bring back Your Majesty?" the officials thought in their hearts.
"Duke Jin has arrived~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!"
Suddenly, an announcement rang out. Everyone turned their heads and indeed saw that familiar figure!
The officials finally broke their silence and said in unison, "Greetings, Duke Jin."
Fan Li, with a solemn expression, walked with firm steps. He went straight to the front row of the court, then ascended the imperial steps, stopping only beside the dragon throne.
Xiang Chong was already a Nascent Soul expert, but facing Fan Li, who was only at the Foundation Building stage, he inexplicably felt a chill and a desire to rely on him.
"Your Majesty, you must have heard what the emperors of Han, Wei, and Wu said, right?"
"May I ask, Your Majesty, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
Xiang Chong opened his mouth wide, too surprised to speak for a long time. This question and answer felt like a teacher testing a student in a private school.
"I don't know." Xiang Chong lowered his head, his voice becoming quieter. "Please, Duke Jin, instruct me."
Fan Li had asked this question only to test Xiang Chong, to see if the Brahma Sound Pure Land had contacted him. Now it seemed that Xiang Chong was too useless, even the Pure Land didn't take him seriously?
Fan Li turned around and faced the Chu officials directly. "Last night, I received special envoys sent by the Three Kingdoms at my residence. All three envoys expressed that their interactions with the Pure Land will absolutely not affect the alliance between the Three Kingdoms and our Great Chu! My lords, can you rest assured now?"
Hearing this, the officials finally let go of the heavy stones in their hearts. They all bowed and said, "With Duke Jin here, the Chu Kingdom will surely be peaceful and prosperous!"
Xiang Chong also breathed a sigh of relief. But he suddenly realized something. With such a major event, the emperors of Wei, Han, and Wu had actually informed Fan Li first instead of notifying him, the dignified Emperor of Chu?
‘Am I... am I so insignificant?’ Xiang Chong thought dejectedly. Being the Emperor of Chu felt really awful!