The Empress of Great Jin  

Fan Li's mind was filled with business schemes, calculating the best time to extort his allies. But Wang Ban's words pulled him back to reality.

"Your Majesty, although I have the blueprint for the Investiture Platform, I'm unable to construct it."

"Why?" Fan Li was stunned.

Based on his experience from his previous life, the technical crux of any construction project lay in the blueprints. They had the Investiture Platform blueprints. How could building it be difficult?

"Do you lack funds or manpower, Grand Secretary? Just tell me, and I'll provide whatever you need," Fan Li said confidently.

The first Investiture Platform had to be built in Jin City!

Ever since the Vermilion Bird of the Great Ming had produced the Investiture of the Gods, a question had been nagging at him. Tuan Tuan, after all, was the divine beast destined for the Great Chu.

What if he was merely its caretaker, and Xiang Ning was its true master?

What if Tuan Tuan produced another Investiture of the Gods, but it could only be used by the Great Chu Dynasty? Wouldn't all his efforts be for nothing?

After careful consideration, he decided not to put all his eggs in one basket.

Since Wang Ban had the Investiture Platform blueprints, this was the Great Jin's true trump card!

Of course, if such a day ever came.

"Manpower," Wang Ban replied. He was a straightforward tech enthusiast, never one to beat around the bush.

The Southern Ridge Mountains were vast. With five thousand "Maid" puppets at his disposal, Wang Ban could acquire any materials he needed. The building materials for the Investiture Platform were of no concern to him.

"Manpower? You have five thousand mechanical puppets, Grand Secretary. Is that not enough?"

Fan Li was surprised and a bit disappointed. He had wanted to show Wang Ban the vast resources of the Fan Clan Trading Company.

It seemed they were unnecessary.

"It's not a matter of manpower, but talent. My ancestor, the first Guiguzi, discovered that the Investiture Platform must be aligned with the Heavenly Dao. Constructing it requires arranging several grand formations – the Three Talents Formation of Heaven, Earth, and Man; the Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Heavenly Stars Formation; the Yin-Yang, Two Forms, Four Symbols, and Eight Trigrams Formation; and the Five Elements Cycle of Creation and Destruction Formation. Through these formations, the Investiture Platform is harmonized with the Heavenly Dao, drawing upon the essence of Heaven and Earth. Thus, it cultivates divinity and enters the realm of the Gods. Finally, by inscribing one's name upon the platform, they share in the nation's fortune and longevity."

Fan Li listened intently, finally understanding Wang Ban's meaning. He was the third-generation Guiguzi, a master of mechanical arts.

But his knowledge of formations was… lacking.

"Are you saying you need me to find a formations master for you, Grand Secretary?"

"Yes." Wang Ban nodded.

"A Great Vehicle realm expert, no, at least a Unity realm expert. The Three Talents of Heaven, Earth, and Man, the Heavenly Stars, the Yin-Yang and Five Elements, the Taiji, Two Forms, Four Symbols, and Eight Trigrams – these formations are not secret. Any formations cultivator can learn them. However, universality requires profound knowledge. Ordinary signifies vastness. To truly understand these formations, one needs great wisdom and unwavering dedication. Even after decades, even a century, of diligent study, they might still fall short."

Fan Li fell silent. The talent Wang Ban required was incredibly rare.

These individuals didn't rely on luck, resources, or cleverness. They relied solely on hard work and perseverance.

They lived ordinary lives, burdened by mundane concerns.

But their achievements, once realized, were often groundbreaking.

From the ordinary, the extraordinary was born. Simplicity meant resilience.

"Sigh…"

Fan Li thought of Sang Yang, the former Grand Minister of the Great Chu, who had resigned in anger after being humiliated by Xiang Chong.

Sang Yang was such an individual. Born from ordinary circumstances, his profound knowledge and unwavering dedication had elevated him to a position of extraordinary influence within Confucian circles.

Unfortunately, Fan Li didn't know any formations masters of Sang Yang's caliber.

"The construction of the Investiture Platform… will have to be postponed," he said with a sigh of regret.

His earlier excitement had been premature.

Forget extorting his allies for patent rights; even obtaining one for himself seemed like a fantasy.

"If you're not in a hurry, I can try," a soft voice said.

Fan Li looked down, remembering that he was still holding Lu Fubao in his arms.

"What did you just say?" he asked, thinking he had misheard.

Lu Fubao blushed. "I'm only a Nascent Soul realm formations master. I'm far from reaching the Unity realm. But if you need someone to arrange formations, I can try to learn. Lu City has a vast library. It contains all the ancient texts and scriptures related to the formations you need."

Her words, though simple, conveyed a profound meaning. She was willing to dedicate her life to reaching a level where she could participate in the construction of the Investiture Platform.

This was her confession to the man she loved.

Fan Li hesitated. He couldn't agree easily. The price was too high!

Would Lu Fubao's entire life be devoted to him?

The woman in his arms, her face now pale, looked at him with apprehension. She interpreted his silence as disapproval, assuming he was angry with her for offering an impossible suggestion.

The gap between the Nascent Soul realm and the Unity realm was vast. Most cultivators would never bridge that gap in their lifetime.

And she had suggested that he believe she could reach the Unity realm and shoulder the responsibility of arranging formations for the Investiture Platform?

"I apol…"

She was about to apologize when she met Fan Li's gentle gaze.

He looked at her intently.

"Wang Ban."

"Your subject is here."

"Begin preparations for the Investiture Platform, but there's no rush. Also, Empress Lu Fubao will oversee the formation arrangements for the platform. Any requests she has, Grand Secretary, you must fulfill."

"Yes."

Wang Ban agreed without hesitation. He didn't notice Lu Fubao's astonished expression.

Fan Yuehua, the true "observer" of this scene, stared with wide eyes.

"Empress… Lu Fubao?"

Lu Fubao's thoughts were scattering like wild horses.

'Fan Li wants me to be his Empress? I'm the Empress of the Great Jin? We went from a sham marriage to a genuine imperial couple? How should I address him now? Husband? My Lord? Or Your Majesty? I'm married, and my father doesn't even know.

What should we name our children? How many children should we have? I love children. Would Fan Li mind if we had many children?'

Fan Li looked at the woman in his arms, clearly lost in her thoughts. He couldn't help but laugh wryly. He, too, had other thoughts on his mind.

'How should I tell Princess Chang Le about me and Lu Fubao? Princess Chang Le was the Empress of the Great Chu, and Lu Fubao was the Imperial Noble Consort. Oh no! What if Xiang Ning finds out…'

As Fan Li's thoughts spiraled, he noticed Wang Ban staring at him expectantly.

"Ahem! Grand Secretary, how is the construction of the imperial palace progressing? I mean… The Empress and I don't have a place to live yet."

Wang Ban, rarely flustered, said, "Your Majesty, I've failed you. Since you weren't residing in Jin City, I prioritized efficiency in the construction process. I haven't started building the imperial palace yet. Only the outer walls and gates are complete. The various halls and chambers haven't even been started…"

Fan Li waved his hand dismissively. "I have the Epang Palace. Would that suffice?"