A lone mountain stood at the source of a long river. The mountain, barren and desolate, devoid of trees, flowers, or grass, was a towering monolith of rock and sand, its peak seemingly piercing the heavens.
The wind whistled through its crags and crevices, a mournful, eerie sound, like the cries of ghosts. Upon closer inspection, a jagged fissure scarred the mountainside, a gaping chasm of impenetrable darkness.
In this desolate land, far removed from the fertile plains of the Central Plains, for hundreds of miles, only this river and this mountain existed. Life could not flourish here. Yin and Yang were out of balance, the Five Elements in disarray.
No wonder the Central Plains was the cradle of civilization, teeming with life. It was not mere coincidence, but rather, the harsh realities of the outer territories, where survival was a constant struggle.
Suddenly, four figures emerged from the depths of the chasm. Their steps were steady, their gait confident, as if traversing solid ground, their bodies wreathed in an aura of imperial dragon qi, warding off malevolent spirits. As they stepped into the light, their attire revealed their status – four Emperors, dressed in their dragon robes, their bearing majestic and imposing. They stood at the foot of the lone mountain.
Yao Guang. Cao Cao. Liu Bei. Sun Quan.
“Hahahahahaha!” Their laughter was a chorus of unrestrained mirth that echoed through the desolate landscape as a release of long-suppressed tension.
“Nüwa’s secret realm is truly extraordinary! The Xirang is a wondrous treasure!” one Emperor declared, his posture regal, his features noble, a true dragon among men.
“Indeed. We have each obtained a portion of Xirang. A fair division. With this treasure, we shall be even more formidable allies,” another added, his gaze sharp, his beard long and flowing, his voice carrying the weight of command.
Sun Quan, however, his blue eyes narrowed, his purple beard twitching, felt a flicker of unease. He whispered, “Emperors Wei and Han, we have each received a single portion of Xirang. But Empress Yao Guang possesses two. A single portion allows us to utilize Pangu’s Giant Body for twelve hours. But with two… she can maintain the transformation for twenty-four…” He left the implication unspoken.
The three Emperors exchanged glances, their expressions shifting, their gazes fixed upon Yao Guang.
Since time immemorial, suspicion had been the constant companion of emperors, a chilling blend of cynicism and caution. Imagine Yao Guang, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan besieging Jiajing, each wielding the Emperor’s divine ability, Pangu’s Giant Body, channeling the power of their respective kingdoms, transformed into colossal giants.
Jiajing, outside the Great Ming’s borders, his divine ability nullified, facing four Pangu giants… Even he, the strongest man in the world, wouldn't stand a chance.
But once Jiajing was dead, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan’s Xirang would be depleted. Yao Guang, however, would still possess a portion, enough to maintain her transformation. How could they not be wary?
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Yao Guang, an eighth-rank Great Vehicle cultivator, her power already surpassing theirs, wielding Pangu’s Giant Body… Even if they fought with their full strength, their defeat would be inevitable. And if they fled, she could easily hunt them down, one by one. Which of them would willingly sacrifice themselves for the others?
An icy tension settled over the group.
The joy of their discovery, the promise of Xirang’s power, was now overshadowed by a chilling realization: their once-powerful ally had become their greatest threat.
Their previous alliances with Fan Li had been based on mutual benefit. The Great Chu was wealthy, its resources vital to their economies. And Fan Li himself, with his relatively low cultivation, posed no real threat, even if their alliance dissolved.
This was Fan Li's advantage. His weakness was their reassurance. But Yao Guang possessed no such vulnerability. She was too powerful, second only to Jiajing. Her strength was their nightmare. That’s why, within the Five Kingdoms Alliance, an unspoken pact existed between Great Chu, Wei, Han, and Wu – an alliance against Great Ci.
“Is Emperor Wu doubting me?” Yao Guang’s voice, though gentle, broke the silence.
Sun Quan, however, remained wary. It was this woman, with her gentle voice and warm smile, who had orchestrated the deaths of their most trusted advisors – Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu, and Guo Jia.
“Your Majesty, I recall a saying from my scholarly days: ‘One should not harbor harmful intentions, but one should always be wary of others.’ I find it… quite insightful.” Sun Quan’s reply, though polite, was a clear expression of his distrust.
Cao Cao and Liu Bei moved closer to Sun Quan, their positions now clearly defined – two factions, facing each other, wary and suspicious. A stalemate.
Yao Guang understood.
The three Emperors’ suspicion had reached a critical point, a matter of life and death, the potential downfall of their kingdoms. If she couldn't alleviate their fears, their plan to assassinate Jiajing would never succeed. She had to act, to reassure them that she wouldn’t turn on them once Jiajing was dead.
How? Promises? Oaths?
Offering a valuable treasure, or even a hostage, as collateral? Useless.
Trust between rulers was a relic of a bygone era. The tradition of exchanging hostages, common during the Warring States period, hadn’t prevented Qin Shi Huang, once a hostage himself, from conquering the six kingdoms.
There was only one solution. And Yao Guang, along with the three Emperors, knew it. Unless they all possessed an equal share of Xirang, the Five Kingdoms Alliance would crumble. Yao Guang had to relinquish her extra portion to regain their trust.
“Your Majesties, what do you propose?” She smiled, placing the burden of finding a solution upon them.
After a brief hesitation, Liu Bei stepped forward. “I have a suggestion, Empress Yao Guang.”
“Oh? So quickly?” Yao Guang’s smile widened, but a flicker of disdain crossed her eyes. She was mocking them. They had clearly been plotting against her, yet they had waited until now to voice their concerns, likely prioritizing obtaining Xirang above all else. Self-interest, it seemed, reigned supreme in the hearts of emperors.
“Ahem,” Liu Bei cleared his throat. He was the most patient of the three, capable of enduring even the greatest humiliation. A few subtle jabs from Yao Guang wouldn't faze him. “Empress Yao Guang, as members of the Five Kingdoms Alliance, we should act with transparency and unity. We have obtained five portions of Xirang, yet Great Chu has been excluded. This is detrimental to our alliance. I propose we offer a portion to Duke…”
Before he could finish, Yao Guang shook her head, a cold smile on her lips. “I will not part with my hard-earned Xirang so easily.”
The three Emperors frowned. What did she mean? Moments ago, she had seemed willing to negotiate. Was she now planning to renege on their agreement? It didn’t make sense. Even with two portions of Xirang, Great Ci alone couldn't assassinate Jiajing. Even if he were no match for Yao Guang’s Pangu’s Giant Body, he could still escape.
“I have a solution that will not only earn your trust, but will also force Jiajing to leave the Great Ming’s borders!” Yao Guang declared, her voice ringing with confidence. Without waiting for a response, she unleashed a sound transmission, her voice echoing across the land. “I, Yao Guang, Empress of Great Ci, challenge Jiajing, Emperor of the Great Ming! I shall enter your territory. Do you dare face me?!”