Yao Guang’s challenge, broadcast across the land, reached Fan Li’s ears, leaving him stunned.
Was this some elaborate jest?
Yao Guang challenging Emperor Jiajing, within the Great Ming’s territory?
Fan Li almost thought he’d misheard.
“Did she obtain Xirang from Nüwa’s secret realm? But even with Xirang, why would she challenge Jiajing within his own territory? Wouldn't that negate its advantage? And where are the Emperors of Wei, Han, and Wu?”
A flurry of questions plagued him. He even suspected Yao Guang had secretly eliminated them. Countless conspiracy theories swirled in his mind, but they were just that – theories. He could only wait and observe.
The world was in an uproar. The Five Kingdoms Alliance, after a long period of inactivity, was finally making a move.
Everyone knew Empress Yao Guang was the alliance’s founder, and comparisons between her and Emperor Jiajing were common. But she was still a woman. Few believed she could challenge Jiajing alone. Was this a foolhardy act of self-destruction, or had her power grown so significantly that they should now regard her with fresh eyes?
“Though you rush towards your doom like a moth to a flame, I find this… amusing. I accept your challenge.” Emperor Jiajing’s voice, filled with an almost casual arrogance, echoed across the land. It was as if, in his eyes, Yao Guang was no different from any other insignificant mortal.
Yet, no one took offense. The strongest man in the world had earned the right to look down upon all others, even an Emperor. People only regretted their inability to witness this clash of titans firsthand.
“I possess a spirit treasure known as the Sky Mirror. I shall use it to broadcast my battle with Emperor Jiajing!” Just as people were lamenting their inability to witness the battle, Yao Guang revealed the Pure Land’s secret treasure, the Sky Mirror.
The sky shimmered, transforming into countless mirror-like surfaces, reflecting a single image: Empress Yao Guang, travelling at incredible speed towards the Great Ming.
“A live duel?” Fan Li frowned. Yao Guang’s actions were baffling. What level of confidence did she possess to broadcast this battle for all to see? Did she truly believe she would emerge victorious?
“Emperor Jiajing, I have arrived!”
Yao Guang stood before a heavily fortified border city of the Great Ming, its garrison of fifty thousand soldiers a silent, watchful presence.
Through the Sky Mirror, the world watched as she gazed towards the distant capital, seemingly oblivious to the Ming army before her.
What an imposing figure!
A single woman, holding fifty thousand men at bay. Those who had previously dismissed Yao Guang now understood why she had earned the title of Empress.
A streak of crimson fire, accompanied by the screech of a divine bird, suddenly cut through the sky. “Soldiers of the Great Ming, you are forbidden from interfering in my battle with Empress Yao Guang. Remain within the city walls.” Emperor Jiajing descended from the heavens, his first act to issue a decree to the garrison.
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They stood facing each other, a mere few feet apart.
Jiajing, dressed in his imperial yellow dragon robe, his features handsome, his gaze profound. Yao Guang, also in her dragon robes, her beauty perhaps not as striking, yet her bearing regal and dignified.
A single glance was enough to confirm their status as exceptional individuals. Reflected in the countless Sky Mirrors, they seemed to have reached a silent agreement.
Instead of fighting, they engaged in a lively discussion, their topics ranging from the current political climate to the profound mysteries of the Heavenly Dao. They laughed, they pondered, their rapport undeniable.
“What are they doing? Why aren’t they fighting? Did I misunderstand? Was this a meeting, not a duel? Are they friends or enemies?” The world watched through the Sky Mirrors, confused by the scene unfolding before them. Of course, not everyone was so bewildered.
“I have cultivated for nearly a century, finally reaching the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul Realm. Today, listening to the two Emperors’ discourse, I feel the breakthrough to Divine Transformation is within reach! I thank you, Your Majesties, for your immeasurable kindness!” An elder from a wandering sect bowed deeply towards the distant city.
Jiajing and Yao Guang, as Great Vehicle cultivators, their understanding of the Dao was profound enough to enlighten the world. Even a glimpse of their insights was a priceless gift.
Fan Li, watching the scene unfold, felt a sense of clarity. Emperors, their minds were truly complex. Even amidst a duel, they found an opportunity to win the hearts and minds of the people, a subtle display of benevolence. “After this battle, either Jiajing or Yao Guang will gain immense support,” he thought to himself.
After an hour of discussion, the two Emperors finally fell silent.
“A pity,” Jiajing declared, “that there can only be one Emperor, one Dragon Throne. Otherwise, I would be loath to see you perish, Yao Guang. Your death will leave me… lonely.”
Yao Guang, unfazed by his arrogance, smiled. “Jiajing, upon your death, I shall grant you a proper burial, befitting an Emperor. Your honor will remain intact.”
Their pleasantries concluded, the battle began.
With a screech, a crimson flame erupted behind Jiajing, revealing the Vermilion Bird, the Great Ming’s guardian deity.
The divine bird, however, had grown significantly, its size now comparable to a calf, its wingspan reaching ten feet, its body wreathed in flames, its divine aura palpable.
Jiajing gestured, and the Vermilion Bird unleashed a torrent of fire towards Yao Guang.
“The Vermilion Bird’s divine flame?” Yao Guang, still standing with her hands clasped behind her back, smiled. “A fledgling Vermilion Bird. Its flames are impressive, but they cannot harm me. You refuse to fight personally? Do you consider me unworthy?” She mimicked Jiajing’s gesture, pointing towards the empty plains before her. “Sea of Bitterness.”
Yao Guang cultivated the Holy Yin Scripture, its three chapters known as “Sea of Bitterness,” “Other Shore,” and “Supreme Bliss.”
The world heard her pronounce the words “Sea of Bitterness,” but they didn’t understand their significance. Until the next moment, when they witnessed the boundless expanse of the Sea of Bitterness.
Spiritual energy surged around Yao Guang, coalescing into a vast ocean, seemingly appearing out of thin air, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Water extinguished fire.
The Vermilion Bird’s flames, consumed by the Sea of Bitterness, could not burn.
With a mournful cry, the divine flame flickered and died, the Vermilion Bird recoiling as if the pain were its own. The flames that had engulfed Yao Guang vanished, even the Vermilion Bird’s own protective aura dimmed.
Jiajing clapped slowly. “The Holy Yin Scripture? The Pure Land’s supreme cultivation method is truly impressive. Though a Western technique, its origins lie within the Taiyi Daoist tradition. It understands the principles of the Five Elements.” His words, though seemingly complimentary, were a subtle assertion of dominance. Jiajing, a renowned Daoist cultivator, represented the orthodox tradition. To imply that Yao Guang’s methods were unorthodox, who could argue?
“Indeed, Emperor Jiajing. But there are three thousand paths to enlightenment. Yours is not the only one.” Yao Guang’s gentle laughter carried an undeniable truth. If there were only one true path, how could the countless mortals of the world ever hope to achieve enlightenment?
The world, agreeing with Yao Guang, also affirmed its own potential.
“Very well.” Jiajing nodded, seemingly conceding the point. Then, his eyes narrowed, a chilling killing intent emanated from his gaze.
“Even a lion uses its full strength against a rabbit. Yao Guang, you wish for me to fight personally? Then I shall oblige.”
A torrent of white energy, the accumulated destiny of the Great Ming Dynasty, surged towards him. Jiajing, no longer holding back, unleashed his Pangu’s Giant Body.