World's First Traitor System (378)

Chapter 378 - The Rules of Resurrection

Only one day remained until the Double Ninth Festival.

When the day arrived, the yang energy in the mortal realm would reach its peak, and the Four Exceptional Individuals Formation would be activated.

“If the yang energy is at its peak, wouldn’t that be when evil spirits and demons retreat? Why choose this day to resurrect Wu Zhao?”

Fan Li voiced his confusion.

In matters of cultivation, he couldn’t compare to Qing Qiu and Princess Chang Le, perhaps he wasn’t even as skilled as Yan Shifan.

“Hehehehe!”

Princess Chang Le laughed like a gentle flower.

"The spirits of Emperors are not among the filth and impurities of the world. An Emperor is the Son of Heaven, a child of the Dao, a child of destiny. In a way, Emperors are blessed by the heavens. Heaven permits the existence of the Four Exceptional Individuals Formation, granting Wu Zhao a chance to be resurrected using secret arts.”

Upon hearing her explanation, Fan Li was puzzled.

“But throughout history, I haven’t heard of any Emperor who was successfully resurrected after death?”

"Hehehe? Throughout history?"

Princess Chang Le laughed again.

"Fan Lang, have you forgotten the Qin Emperor's burning of books? Pre-Qin records were severely damaged, and most of the ancient traditions were lost. Therefore, just because you don’t know, doesn't mean it didn't happen."

Since learning of Fan Li’s relationships with Qing Qiu and several other women, the princess’s way of addressing him had changed.

"Fan Lang" had become a title exclusive to her.

Not Duke Jin, not husband, nor even his name.

She alone had the right to call him "Fan Lang."

Fan Li rolled his eyes inwardly!

So, using a formation to resurrect Wu Zetian was, in fact, possible.

“Why does it have to be the Double Ninth Festival?” Fan Li asked.

Qing Qiu shook her head first, indicating she didn't know.

Princess Chang Le, however, only smiled, immediately confirming Fan Li's suspicions.

Did the Princess know about it?

No!

That was impossible!

The Four Exceptional Individuals Formation was unheard of. It was likely a unique creation of the Wu Zhou Dynasty, or at least a formation from the Spring and Autumn Period, lost to history.

How could Princess Chang Le know?

Unless...it was from the Qin Emperor's Notes?

Fan Li finally understood. The Qin Emperor’s Notes contained the only accurate historical record after the Qin’s burning of books!

"Can't you tell me?" Fan Li asked, determined to find out.

The princess continued to smile, but a thoughtful expression crossed her face. After a moment, she nodded.

“There’s no harm in telling you. The core of the resurrection method used by Shangguan Wan’er can be described in few words."

“Filling the void.”

Fan Li was taken aback.

Filling the void?

Could it be that Wu Zetian, being a woman, and also dead, possessed a heavy yin energy, requiring the yang energy of the Double Ninth Festival to compensate for this?

But how would that explain the need for "Wine, Sex, Wealth, and Power"?

Those four elements were essential to any Emperor, of any dynasty.

Especially Wu Zetian. She had ascended to immortality. Perhaps she had once been a Celestial Emperor, why would she be lacking in any of these things?

Princess Chang Le seemed to have seen his intent to ask more questions. She shook her head firmly, indicating she would not say another word.

“Thank you.”

Fan Li had no choice but to express his gratitude.

Though she was withholding some details, he could accept it.

As a transmigrator, Fan Li's way of thinking differed greatly from the people of this world.

Even though he had shared a night with Princess Chang Le, he had never assumed her belongings were his.

Moreover, she held ambitions of becoming an Emperor.

"Will we, perhaps, one day face each other on the battlefield?"

The thought suddenly entered his mind, startling him.

Surely not?

"Fan Lang."

Princess Chang Le's soft voice interrupted Fan Li's thoughts.

"What is it?"

The princess’s eyes flickered, her expression complex and inscrutable.

"I've heard you found the Great Chu's divine beast, and offered it to the Chu Emperor?"

"Yes," Fan Li confirmed.

It wasn’t a secret. He had presented Tuan Tuan to Xiang Chong in court.

"Then…" Princess Chang Le’s voice lowered. "Does Great Chu also possess the Investiture of the Gods?"

"No," Fan Li answered, surprised.

Why was she suddenly talking about the Investiture of the Gods?

When the Vermillion Bird of Great Ming had created the Investiture of the Gods, it had caused a stir in the world. But the world hadn’t witnessed the power of the list, even Fan Li often forgot its existence.

"Really?" Princess Chang Le’s face revealed her suspicion.

He thought for a moment, then he realized why she doubted him.

"If I were the Chu Emperor, I would nurture the divine beast like Jiajing. Perhaps even more so. But alas, I am not. Though I cared for Tuan Tuan for some time, its growth was too slow, likely because I wasn’t the Chu Emperor.”

Divine beasts belonged to the Heavens and should only serve an Emperor.

Fan Li sensed that, and he had presented Tuan Tuan, allowing it to grow freely.

Of course, anything that Xiang Chong possessed would one day belong to Xiang Ning. It was his promise to himself!

“Alright, I believe you.”

Princess Chang Le smiled.

Women were fickle creatures.

Fan Li felt uneasy.

Princess Chang Le had been acting oddly, withholding information, and keeping secrets.

Finally, Fan Li decided to keep a secret as well: though he had no divine beasts, he would, eventually, create the Investiture Platform.

"Are you two talking about the Investiture of the Gods?"

Yan Shifan suddenly approached them.

He had given Fan Li plenty of space these past few days, meditating outside at night to avoid any awkwardness with the women in the room.

"Are you also interested in the Investiture of the Gods, Donglou?” Fan Li asked with a smile.

“That thing? I’m not interested!”

Yan Shifan shook his head with disdain.

“Since the Ming’s Vermillion Bird created the Investiture of the Gods, it hasn’t improved the Emperor’s cultivation one bit, and not a single soldier of the Ming has benefitted. The Investiture of the Gods? Just a load of hot air, I don’t know what it’s actually used for.”

Hearing his assessment, Fan Li grew curious. “What? Emperor Jiajing hasn’t made any use of the Investiture of the Gods?”

“He did use it once,” Yan Shifan said, raising five fingers proudly, his face beaming with self-importance.

“In all of Great Ming, I doubt more than five people know this. My father, the Grand Secretary, the Junior Grand Secretary, Xu Jie, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's commander, Lu Bing, and Imperial Noble Consort Rou. And lastly, there’s me, of course.”

"There isn't a single secret within the Ming that you don’t know!" Fan Li responded, clapping his hands in admiration.

Yan Shifan was delighted by his idol’s praise.

He chuckled, “Today, I am revealing this secret to Duke Jin, just so you know, if you can ever obtain the Investiture of the Gods, you will surely crush the Chu Emperor!”

Huh?

What was this corrupt official saying?

Fan Li thought, Am I really so petty?

But on his face, he showed nothing but respect for his confidant.

"Thank you for sharing, I will not disappoint you!”

Fellow corrupt officials, like-minded in their depravity, and with no conflicting interests, Yan Shifan felt like he could completely trust Fan Li.

“Actually… Jiajing used the names of a few death row inmates on the list and found that their cultivation speed had increased by about 10%.”