World's First Traitor System (430)

Chapter 430 - Traitor

The Sky Mirror displayed everything that had just transpired, cruelly and truthfully, for all the world to witness.

Cao Cao of Great Wei retreated.

Liu Bei of Great Han retreated.

Sun Quan of Great Wu retreated.

The three Emperors, who could have tipped the scales of victory, were preparing to rush to the island battlefield, only to be persuaded to turn back, one by one, by the high-ranking officials of Great Ming, without a single drop of blood being shed.

The Empress's grand scheme, like a thousand-mile dike, was collapsing due to unexpectedly emerging "ant holes."

In Chao Ge Palace, Great Ci.

Bai Rong's body trembled!

She was terrified, panicked, and utterly lost!

Why was this happening?

Empress Yao Guang had personally promised her that this battle would surely slay Jiajing of Great Ming.

Then, the Empress would establish a world ruled by women.

A world where women were superior and men inferior!

What a beautiful world that would be?

Bai Rong had fantasized about it countless times in her dreams!

But now, it seemed that dream would be difficult to realize?

"No!"

"The high-ranking officials of Great Ming also cannot reach the island."

"Elder Sister has Jin De, Miaoyin, Xue Susu, and Ah Chang to assist her. Five against one, Jiajing is still in a desperate situation, doomed to defeat!"

Bai Rong muttered to herself, her voice trembling.

She repeated these words several times, and her mood finally calmed slightly.

However, deep in Bai Rong's heart, an ominous premonition continued to spread and grow.

…

The Southern Ridge Mountains.

The Great Jin Imperial Palace.

Fan Li stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression more solemn than ever before.

"This is the best outcome. And also the worst outcome."

"If Yao Guang succeeds, I truly fear she has further schemes, and will plot against Cao, Liu, and Sun, preventing them from leaving the island alive. Her scheme has failed, and the three Emperors are safe, but..."

But Jiajing would become unstoppable.

This sentence only flashed through Fan Li's mind; he was unwilling to speak it aloud.

The young and inexperienced Great Jin Dynasty was, at this moment, still full of vitality and prosperity.

But Fan Li felt a sense of impending crisis, like a storm brewing on the horizon.

"Your Majesty?"

A gentle voice pulled Fan Li back from his thoughts.

He turned and saw Lu Fubao and Jing Wudi standing not far away.

"Hmm?"

Their eyes met, and Fan Li saw a complex mix of longing and apprehension in Lu Fubao's gaze.

As for Jing Wudi, his expression was calm, but his eyes revealed a monstrous killing intent and hatred, like a volcano on the verge of eruption!

Fan Li understood.

He nodded and spoke to the two.

"I understand your intentions."

"Go."

"I, and the entire Great Jin, are your strongest support."

A blood feud, delayed for many years.

Neither Fan Li nor any of the powerful figures of Great Jin could take their place; it had to be settled by Lu Fubao and Jing Wudi personally.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Jing Wudi finished speaking, and his figure vanished from the spot.

Silently.

As if he had never existed, leaving not the slightest trace.

Great sound is unheard!

The shadow moves without a trace!

This was Jing Wudi, who, after nine years of patient cultivation, had honed the art of assassination to a level unimaginable to ordinary people!

Although Jing Wudi had not yet entered the Great Vehicle realm at this moment.

But rank was never the sole measure of strength.

"Husband, wait for my return."

Lu Fubao took gentle steps, arriving before Fan Li.

She looked up at her beloved man with deep affection and, suddenly, rose on her tiptoes, leaving a warm trace on his lips.

The daughter of a great Confucian scholar, even after being married for many years, rarely displayed such bold and unrestrained behavior.

Fan Li was still savoring the sweetness on his lips when he saw formations light up beneath Lu Fubao's feet.

The runes were intricate!

All-encompassing!

Evolving endlessly!

The next instant, Lu Fubao also disappeared from the spot.

Her figure appeared on the distant horizon, a thousand meter away.

This kind of movement, similar to covering a thousand meter in a single step, was something only Great Vehicle realm experts could achieve.

Lu Fubao certainly did not possess Great Vehicle realm cultivation.

But in these nine years, the formations and runes she had personally arranged covered almost the entire landscape of Great Jin.

Even Fan Li did not know how many formations his wife had completed.

This was an incredibly terrifying amount of training!

During this process, not only did Lu Fubao's realm increase dramatically, but her mastery of formations reached an unimaginable, terrifying level!

Fan Li suspected she was now the foremost formation master in the world!

Pride!

He felt pride in his woman's achievements!

Fan Li also firmly believed that Lu Fubao could achieve her goal: to avenge Yan Yuan!

…

"Yoyo~~~~~~~!"

Several deer calls echoed, accompanied by brilliant, multicolored light.

A divine deer, with a holy aura, nine colored patterns on its body, and horns resembling both gold and jade, appeared out of thin air, becoming Empress Yao Guang's mount.

The world knew that the Empress had subdued the descended divine beast, the Nine-Colored Deer, but this was the first time they had witnessed the divine beast's splendor.

The world was amazed!

"A divine deer!"

"The Nine-Colored Deer is truly extraordinary!"

"With the blessing of a descended divine beast, the Empress's combat power will likely reach even greater heights!"

A smile returned to Yao Guang's lips.

Riding the divine beast, did it truly boost her morale?

"Yoyo~!"

More deer calls.

The Nine-Colored Deer looked down at Jiajing from its elevated position.

It clearly knew that this battle was inevitable, but the opponent was only a single Great Vehicle realm cultivator, and the remaining three thousand six hundred soldiers were not even worth its attention.

Thus, the Nine-Colored Deer's gaze towards Jiajing also carried a hint of disdain and contempt.

"Huh?"

Jiajing was, after all, who he was. He sensed the Nine-Colored Deer's gaze and instantly understood its meaning.

"A mere spirit beast, ultimately an inferior creature. Do you deserve the title of 'descended divine beast'?"

As Jiajing's words fell, a wave of scorching heat suddenly swept across the sky!

A phoenix cry!

Resounding through heaven and earth!

Even the sea surface was forced back by the deafening cry of the phoenix, the shoreline visibly retreating several meters, revealing more of the beach.

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

A gigantic divine bird descended from the sky. The mere act of it flapping its wings caused the trees on the entire island to sway and tremble.

Even a single feather from the divine bird's tail was longer than the Nine-Colored Deer's entire body!

"The Vermilion Bird, a divine creature on par with the true dragon!"

Jiajing spoke as if stating a trivial matter.

"A true descended, nation-protecting divine beast should possess this kind of presence. The Great Ming Vermilion Bird."

The divine bird spread its wings, spanning over 30 meters!

It was bathed in flames, like the sun descending upon the mortal realm, radiating an incomparably dazzling and brilliant light on the island beach.

Now, the Nine-Colored Deer, which Empress Yao Guang had praised, appeared ordinary and unremarkable, like a white deer with nine comical patterns painted on its body.

One was a divine bird.

The other was a mundane creature.

The people of the world, watching through the Sky Mirror, immediately perceived the disparity.

Even the Nine-Colored Deer itself lowered its proud head, lacking the courage to even meet the gaze of the Great Ming Vermilion Bird.

"Useless!"

"You disgrace me!"

Empress Yao Guang was furious, but she couldn't utter a curse.

The battle hadn't even begun, and she had already lost twice in terms of presence.

The Empress was already growing impatient!

What did it matter if she had no reinforcements?

What did it matter if her divine beast was inferior?

They were both at the ninth rank of the Great Vehicle realm, the outcome was uncertain, who dared to claim they would be the last one standing?

"There's no need to waste time."

Empress Yao Guang's icy voice, surprisingly, suppressed the protective flames of the Great Ming Vermilion Bird, weakening them slightly.

"Jiajing, let us fight! After today, the mortal realm should have a new ruler."

The Empress's battle intent instantly reached its peak!

But, a single sentence from Jiajing deflated her.

"Actually, you still have time to escape," Jiajing said leisurely.

Empress Yao Guang was furious!

The Sky Mirror was displaying everything to the world. If she retreated today, she would never be able to win the hearts of the people, and what talk would there be of unifying the mortal realm?

"I will fight with all my might, and I will never retreat!"

Yao Guang roared, charging towards Jiajing, riding the deer!

With a wave of her hand, the beach where Jiajing stood was instantly submerged by the Sea of Bitterness.

Emperor Jiajing was at the center of the Sea of Bitterness, in danger of being completely swallowed at any moment.

The strongest Emperor in the mortal realm, however, only sighed. "Using old tricks again? Can't they work on me anymore?"

Jiajing didn't even move. Instead, the Great Ming Vermilion Bird spread its wings, its protective flames growing even more intense.

In an instant!

The [Sea of Bitterness] technique, personally cast by the Empress, was boiled dry by the Vermilion Bird's divine fire.

Emperor Jiajing hadn't even needed to lift a finger?

"Hmph!"

The Empress, her face cold, pointed at Jiajing twice from afar.

Two Bodhi trees sprouted from the sand, rapidly growing to maturity, and demonstrating the cycle of withering and flourishing.

Jiajing was caught between the two withering and flourishing trees.

As the trees flourished, Jiajing also instantly became younger, transforming into a tender youth.

As the trees withered, Jiajing also instantly aged, like a dying old man.

The twin trees demonstrated the cycle of withering and flourishing, and Jiajing seemed to be trapped within it, unable to escape.

Suddenly!

The Great Ming Vermilion Bird cried out!

Two streams of divine fire landed on the withering and flourishing trees, instantly reducing them to ashes.

Looking at Jiajing again.

He had long since returned to his normal state, his expression calm and composed, seemingly uninterested in even taking action himself.

However, Jiajing suddenly spoke.

"I heard that the [Holy Yin Scripture] has three divine abilities: [Sea of Bitterness], [Other Shore], and [Supreme Bliss]."

"I have only witnessed you use the first two."

"The Dao of [Supreme Bliss], should you not also let me experience it?"

Seeing that their master's two attacks had failed, the Nine-Colored Deer also pawed the ground anxiously.

It was very regretful!

When it first arrived in the mortal realm, it seemed to have lost a portion of its memory.

Before encountering Empress Yao Guang, it seemed to have met another Emperor.

Why?

Did it ultimately willingly become the nation-protecting divine beast of the Great Ci Dynasty?

It had thought the Empress was very strong, but she seemed to be nothing special?

The Nine-Colored Deer wanted to withdraw from the battlefield, to get far away from this place of trouble.

"Master, I am not yet strong enough to assist you in this level of battle. Please allow me to retreat for now. When I have cultivated and become stronger, I will become master's fighting force?"

Empress Yao Guang was furious!

She and Jiajing had only exchanged two blows, the victor was undecided, and the nation-protecting divine beast actually wanted to be the first to flee?

This was simply unheard of!

A great humiliation!

"Beast! If you dare to retreat a single step, I will personally slay you first, and then fight Jiajing!"

Sensing the Empress's killing intent, the Nine-Colored Deer's body trembled slightly.

It shook its head, indicating that it dared not mention fleeing again.

The Empress, sensing that the divine beast beneath her had calmed down slightly, could finally focus on dealing with Emperor Jiajing.

"You want to experience the [Supreme Bliss] Dao?"

"Very well."

"I will grant your request!"

Empress Yao Guang clasped her hands together, her expression devout and focused.

At this moment, she had shed some of her imperial aura of dominance, instead displaying a compassionate and solemn demeanor.

Another transformation occurred!

Empress Yao Guang's figure seemed both real and illusory, as if hidden behind a mirage.

Then, a thousand rays of auspicious light burst forth, and ten thousand beams of precious light shimmered!

The people of the world, watching the Empress's current appearance through the Sky Mirror, felt she was truly extraordinary!

She had twenty-four heads and eighteen hands, holding a necklace, canopy, flower garland, fish intestines, golden bow, silver halberd, blessed pestle, precious file, and a golden vase.

"Damn!"

Fan Li, seeing Empress Yao Guang's transformation, was reminded of the dharma image of a certain powerful being from legend.

But in this world, there were no records of that powerful being!

The Empress's twenty-four heads all had their eyes closed.

At this moment, all forty-eight eyes slowly opened, staring at Jiajing.

"You are fated with my Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss."

"Come, Jiajing, I will guide you to Ultimate Bliss."

As her voice fell.

Behind Empress Yao Guang, the myriad rays of auspicious and precious light actually manifested a vast and magnificent world of light.

Even the most foolish and ignorant mortal, with a single glance, would feel that this world of light was free of worry, sorrow, strife, and hatred.

What a blissful world it was?

The three thousand six hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards behind Jiajing, including Lu Lun, all felt a longing for the world of Ultimate Bliss before them.

Jiajing, too, seemed unable to resist?

He took a step forward, walking towards Empress Yao Guang, his gaze passing over the Empress, fixed on the world of Ultimate Bliss.

The Empress smiled.

Her smile was compassionate and serene. Even without speaking a word, she was encouraging Jiajing to quickly embrace the world of Ultimate Bliss.

Ultimate Bliss?

What was Ultimate Bliss?

To seek Ultimate Bliss, one must first let go.

Let go of everything, including wealth, attachments, delusions, love, and even life.

The world of Ultimate Bliss was the eternal world, how could mortals be eternal?

Death was the only eternity.

"Is there truly Ultimate Bliss?" Jiajing took another step, speaking, his tone dull and wooden.

He seemed to have been bewitched, dazed and foolish, his eyes fixed only on the world of Ultimate Bliss.

"I vow, there certainly is."

Yao Guang spoke softly.

Her voice was incredibly gentle, like a loving mother, a devoted wife, an elder sister, a filial daughter.

Yao Guang simultaneously played the roles of all women in the world. As long as Jiajing felt an affinity for one of these roles, he would absolutely trust her.

The distance between them grew shorter and shorter.

So close that Jiajing couldn't see Sage Ruler Jin De, hiding behind Yao Guang's dharma image, quietly opening her Confucian treasure, the Nü De (Virtues of Women).

Nor could Jiajing see that Sage Ruler Miaoyin's hands were already gently placed on the strings of her zither.

He was even less likely to see!

In the distance, a cold gleam shot forth like lightning. An unbreakable, sharp arrow, aimed at his heart!

Suddenly!

The pages of the book scattered like withered flowers.

The strings of the zither snapped, and several of Sage Ruler Miaoyin's slender fingers were twisted and broken!

The arrow, which was about to pierce Jiajing's heart, was firmly grasped in his hand.

Jiajing didn't even turn his head; he simply tossed the arrow he held in the direction it had come from.

The speed of the arrow was so great that it warped and trembled space!

The force of the arrow was so strong that it tore the surface of the sea in two!

The Great Ming Vermilion Bird also cried out, shooting towards the distant location of the Archery Sage Ruler, Ah Chang, like a fiery meteor!

In the distance, on the calm sea surface.

Suddenly, a pillar of fire shot straight into the sky!

The Great Ming Vermilion Bird returned in an instant, carrying a bow in its beak.

The bow was stained with blood, and the bowstring was broken.

Empress Yao Guang stared blankly at the changes before her; everything was beyond her expectations.

Why?

Was Jiajing not bewitched by the illusion of [Supreme Bliss]?

Why?

Could he predict where Ah Chang's arrow would come from?

Behind her, the unexpected screams of Jin De and Miaoyin echoed.

Jiajing was blocked in front of her, who had injured the two from behind?

"Traitors!"

Empress Yao Guang turned abruptly and slapped Xue Susu with a palm!