World's First Traitor System (383)

Chapter 383 - The Unforeseen

Princess Chang Le had consumed Wu Zhao?

Fan Li was dumbfounded. He had anticipated many scenarios, but not this.

“Your Majesty!” Shangguan Wan’er’s cry of anguish echoed through the air.

Battered and broken, the twelve golden figures still formed a wall between her and the princess. They were fearless, unwavering in their defense.

The princess hovered in the air, just as Wu Zhao's soul had moments before. Now, her appearance began to shift. Golden dragon robes, adorned with five-clawed dragons, materialized. A twelve-beaded crown appeared upon her head. In an instant, Princess Chang Le was clad in Wu Zhao's imperial attire. Only her face remained unchanged.

“From this day forward, I am the Holy Emperor of the Great Zhou Celestial Empire!” Her voice resounded across the land.

Fan Li was stunned. Such a feat of sound transmission was usually only possible for Great Vehicle cultivators. Had the princess just ascended to the Great Vehicle realm? It was a reckless gamble, wagering on Wu Zetian's weakened state, trusting that she could strike before her own essence was fully drained by the formation. And she had won?

“Preposterous! You delusional fool!” Shangguan Wan’er’s eyes were bloodshot, her gaze filled with hatred. “You dare to replace Her Majesty? If not for Her Majesty’s death in the immortal realm, if not for her returning as a mere fragmented soul, you would never have had this opportunity! Heaven? Heaven deceived Her Majesty! Great Zhou toiled to open the Heavenly Gate, to return to the mortal realm, all for the glimmer of hope Heaven promised. And this is the outcome? Hah… hahahaha… Deceivers! Heaven is a liar!”

Shangguan Wan’er descended into madness, her official cap fell to the ground, her long hair whipped in the wind like a demented banshee.

Fan Li, however, frowned. Shangguan Wan’er’s ravings had revealed a great deal. The immortal realm… what was it truly like? Wu Zhao, having ascended with her entire kingdom, after countless years, had perished in battle?

Princess Chang Le, hovering in the air, looked down, her gaze swept across the assembled soldiers. In that moment, Fan Li and Qing Qiu seemed forgotten, only the subjects of Great Zhou remained in her eyes. Her expression, usually impassive, was filled with a strange… warmth.

“Soldiers of Great Zhou! We shall avenge Her Majesty!”

“Avenge!”

The one hundred thousand soldiers drew their swords and looked at the woman in dragon robes, the woman who claimed to be their Holy Emperor with hatred.

“I will personally tear you limb from limb!” Shangguan Wan’er shrieked. She glared at Fan Li and Qing Qiu. “And you two! Torn to shreds! Reduced to ashes!”

Fan Li smiled wryly. Were they truly trapped? Even if Princess Chang Le’s surprise attack had succeeded, what good was it? Could killing a ruler truly guarantee succession? It wasn't that simple. One hundred thousand Great Zhou soldiers, plus Shangguan Wan’er, who had defeated Qing Qiu… This wasn't a near-death experience, this was certain death.

As despair settled upon him, Fan Li suddenly felt a radiant light wash over him, as if a spirit treasure had manifested. He looked up and saw the princess holding a tortoise. Xuanwu?! Fan Li recognized the Great Han’s divine guardian beast. Upon Xuanwu’s back rested a scroll.

“The Investiture of the Gods?” Shangguan Wan’er shrieked. “You possess the Investiture of the Gods?!”

The Great Zhou soldiers stirred, their advance faltering, none daring to approach the altar.

Fan Li was puzzled. Why such a strong reaction? The Great Ming also possessed the Investiture of the Gods, yet it seemed ineffective. Even Li Yu, having occupied Hongzhou, hadn’t seemed concerned by it. Was he simply unaware of its power?

“I possess this treasure! Submit!” Princess Chang Le declared, gently tapping Xuanwu’s shell.

The Investiture of the Gods unfurled, its surface blank. Yet, Shangguan Wan’er’s expression remained tense. Suddenly, ink appeared, forming a name: “Shangguan Wan’er.”

The Chancellor’s face paled. Princess Chang Le, however, smiled, her confidence unwavering. Was this the power of the Investiture list? Fan Li wondered if its wielder could inscribe any name upon it, without restriction. Surely not. Such power would be too… convenient.

“You…you truly merged with Her Majesty’s soul?” Shangguan Wan’er’s question confirmed Fan Li’s suspicions.

Princess Chang Le nodded. More names appeared on the Investiture of the Gods. Fan Li didn’t recognize them, but judging by the growing unrest amongst the Great Zhou soldiers, their names were appearing as well.

“Submit. Or die.” The princess’s voice was cold and merciless, devoid of its usual seductive warmth. Fan Li finally understood. The Investiture of the Gods not only increased cultivation speed but also bound one’s life to the Emperor. Chang Le wasn't simply after Wu Zhao’s cultivation, she was after the Great Zhou Empire itself! And that empire consisted of one hundred thousand soldiers!

“You…” Shangguan Wan’er stared at the Investiture of the Gods, as if searching for something. When she confirmed that all one hundred thousand names were inscribed, a flicker of surprise, then delight, crossed her face.

“Is something amiss?” Princess Chang Le frowned, noticing the change in the Chancellor’s demeanor.

“Indeed, there is a small problem.” Shangguan Wan’er smiled, her expression relaxing. “You hold the Investiture of the Gods, but you haven't used the seal. Her Majesty perished in the immortal realm, her dragon body was never recovered, and the Imperial Seal of Wu Zhou was lost with it. You may have consumed Her Majesty’s fragmented soul, inheriting much of her power, but you cannot inherit the Imperial Seal. Without it, the Investiture of the Gods is useless!”

She deliberately raised her voice, ensuring the Great Zhou soldiers heard. The fear that had gripped them vanished, replaced by renewed hatred. They glared at the four figures on the altar, their desire for vengeance burning bright.

Princess Chang Le’s face paled. The Imperial Seal of Wu Zhou? She didn't have it! Her entire plan, based on the Records of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, had hinged on this opportunity. Celestial Emperors, battling for Heaven in the immortal realm… If they perished, Heaven granted them a glimmer of hope, opening the Heavenly Gate, allowing them to return to the mortal realm to seek rebirth. Chang Le’s plan was to usurp that opportunity, to steal the Celestial Emperor’s position! With the fall of the Former Han, this was her only chance to become Emperor. Now, it seemed, her preparations were incomplete.

“If I kill you now, perhaps I can extract a fragment of Her Majesty’s soul from your corpse. Next year, on the Double Ninth Festival, I will recreate the Four Exceptional Individuals Formation and resurrect Her Majesty!” Shangguan Wan’er’s hope was rekindled. With a wave of her hand, she shattered the remaining golden figures, reducing them to a shower of golden dust.

Princess Chang Le’s face was filled with despair. She was defeated. She could only smile wryly. “At least, I will die as a true Emperor.” The thought, both absurd and resolute, flashed through her mind. Her gaze shifted to Fan Li. Moments ago, on the verge of victory, she had forgotten him completely. Now, regret washed over her. “At least… I should say goodbye…”

As sadness filled her, she saw Fan Li retrieve something from his robes and toss it towards her.