Fan Li could sense the three Emperors beside him holding their breath in astonishment.
It was an understandable reaction.
Xirang’s power defied their understanding of the world.
The Emperor’s divine ability, Pangu’s Giant Body, had never been used outside a ruler’s own territory.
But Xirang… it broke the rules!
If one possessed Xirang, the limitations of their divine ability vanished.
An Emperor could personally lead his army into battle, anywhere in the world, without any risk!
Yao Guang, having allowed the three Emperors a moment to absorb this startling revelation, continued.
“With Xirang’s power, our campaign against the Great Ming will no longer be an empty threat.
I am confident that we can kill Jiajing.”
Her words, though arrogant, brought them back to reality.
“Yao Guang, your willingness to share Xirang’s secret is a testament to your sincerity. However, Jiajing’s cultivation is unmatched. Even if we unite our forces, even if we can all utilize Pangu’s Giant Body, can we truly defeat him?
Within the Great Ming, his divine ability is at its peak.
To face him with our own Pangu’s Giant Body… it would be a stalemate at best.”
Cao Cao and Sun Quan nodded in agreement.
“Emperor Han is right.”
Yao Guang acknowledged their concerns.
“Therefore, to kill Jiajing, to obtain Xirang, is only part of the plan.
The other part… is to lure him outside the Great Ming.”
The three Emperors’ eyes lit up with excitement!
If they could face Jiajing while he was unable to utilize his divine ability…
Victory would be certain!
“But to leave one’s territory, it is a taboo for any ruler. Jiajing, though he is the strongest man in the world, surely he wouldn’t risk such a thing?”
Sun Quan voiced his doubts. But he, along with the others, had a feeling that Yao Guang had a solution.
The confident smile never left Yao Guang’s face.
“If Crown Prince Wanli and Jiajing’s most beloved consort conspired together, wouldn’t that be enough to lure him outside the Great Ming?”
“Crown Prince Wanli?!”
They had forgotten to ask – why had Yao Guang chosen to support Wanli in Yunzhou?
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“Crown Prince Wanli is the reincarnation of Emperor Jie.”
“His memories of his past life have awakened. Jiajing fears that Wanli will attempt to restore the Xia Dynasty. He is already suspicious of his own son.”
An Emperor’s paranoia was a terrifying thing.
It could drive even the most loyal officials to suicide, or force the most steadfast generals into rebellion.
Even a Crown Prince wasn’t safe.
As for who Jiajing’s most beloved consort was…
Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan would investigate later.
They wouldn’t dare press Yao Guang for details.
They felt a strange mix of admiration and fear towards Yao Guang.
She had managed to place a spy within the Great Ming’s imperial harem?
The thought of it made them question the security of their own palaces.
“Your Majesties, are you willing to accompany me to Nüwa’s secret realm?”
Yao Guang’s invitation was undeniable.
The reward was too great to resist.
The three Emperors, after a moment’s hesitation, accepted the reality of their advisors’ deaths.
To dwell on the past was pointless.
It was time to move forward.
“We will divide Xirang equally. I accept your invitation, Yao Guang,” Cao Cao said.
“I also accept,” Sun Quan added quickly.
Only Liu Bei sighed, his face a mask of sorrow.
Sun Quan glared at him with disdain.
Finally, Liu Bei regained his composure. “I will also accompany you.”
Sun Quan laughed coldly, mocking his hypocrisy.
Fan Li’s voice rang out, his expression a mixture of shock and amusement.
“You seem to have forgotten about me. Nüwa’s secret realm… what does it have to do with Great Chu? What does it have to do with me?”
The three Emperors exchanged sheepish glances.
Xirang’s allure was too powerful. Yao Guang had expertly manipulated their greed, guiding their every thought.
They had simply forgotten about Fan Li.
They offered him apologetic glances, but he shrugged, unfazed by their oversight.
Empress Yao Guang, however, couldn't hide the disdain in her eyes.
Fan Li’s low cultivation level… she didn’t even consider him worthy of participating in the Five Emperors’ Summit.
“Duke Jin, there’s no need to be upset,” she said, her voice both gentle and condescending.
It was as if she were a patient elder sister, reprimanding a childish younger brother.
“Because of the Yunzhou incident, I owe the three Emperors a debt. That’s why I offered Xirang as compensation.
But what about you, Duke Jin? What losses have you suffered? Why should I compensate you?
Moreover, there are two requirements for utilizing Xirang to activate Pangu’s Giant Body.
First, one must be an Emperor. Second, one must possess Great Vehicle Realm cultivation.
Duke Jin… although you might soon fulfill the first condition, the second… It is not something that can be achieved overnight.”
Yao Guang’s words, spoken with an air of regret, implied that she wasn't deliberately excluding him.
It was simply his own lack of strength that made him ineligible.
He had sensed that this was simply a prelude, a way for Yao Guang to set the stage for her true intentions.
He was confident that she had a plan.
“Although I owe you nothing, Duke Jin, I am willing to offer something as a gesture of goodwill.”
What scheme was Yao Guang planning?
Surely she had anticipated his presence at the summit. She wouldn’t be unprepared.
A treacherous scheme? A cunning plan? A deadly trap?
Fan Li couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. To clash with someone of Yao Guang’s caliber, although dangerous, was undeniably exhilarating.
“I propose a marriage alliance between our two nations. The Great Ci Dynasty is willing to offer you a bride. What do you say, Duke Jin?”
Yao Guang’s words stunned the four men.
Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan worried about Fan Li’s ability to resist temptation.
The Pure Land was a haven for the world’s most talented and beautiful women.
Would he succumb to Yao Guang’s allure?
If he did, their friendship would be irrevocably damaged.
Fan Li’s face stiffened.
He hadn't expected this.
Not a treacherous scheme, not a cunning plan, not a deadly trap.
“Thank you for your kind offer, Your Majesty. But I am not lacking in women. They are all exceptional, both in talent and beauty.”
They were intelligent men.
Fan Li assumed they were aware of his relationship with Princess Chang Le.
His elopement with Lu Fubao was also public knowledge.
He finished his rebuttal with a haughty declaration.
“It’s not that I look down on the women of the world, Your Majesty. But if they cannot compare to the women by my side… then please, save your breath.”
Yao Guang laughed softly.
“Duke Jin, a man of your stature, surely an ordinary woman wouldn’t suffice. But within Great Ci, there are a few… exceptional individuals. I am confident that they would not disgrace you.”
Exceptional individuals?
He immediately thought of Jin De, Miaoyin, and Bai Rong.
They were Sage Rulers, or soon-to-be Sage Rulers. Although insignificant in Fan Li’s eyes, surely the rest of the world would disagree.
“Duke Jin, I offer you my sister, Han Yue. Would you accept her as your bride?”