Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 738 Xiang Lan, do not disappoint this Emperor! [2 more - s]

Chapter 738: 738 Xiang Lan, do not disappoint this Emperor! [2 more Chapters]

The laughter grew even clearer in the darkness of the night, striking fear into the hearts of the ghosts.

To dare call her by name, and in such a familiar tone, there could be no other possibility than the legendary Empress of the Northern Lands, Valentina Vasilyev.

Ye Wanlan remained extremely calm, as if unsurprised.

At the Phoenix Origin Pagoda, she had already seen the lingering spirit left by the Great Ancestor Ning.

Thus, as the ruler of a nation, Valentina surely also had the means to leave her lingering spirit behind.

However, such lingering spirits survive on a mere breath and cannot last long. Why did Valentina choose to meet her and not show herself before her descendants?

"Buzz—"

Before the blank stele, a white light gathered, gradually forming a humanoid silhouette.

Then, those familiar emerald green eyes and platinum blonde hair of Ye Wanlan’s acquaintance started to take shape.

Yet the woman’s face was not as youthful and vibrant as she remembered; it was aged and lined with wrinkles.

Even so, the overwhelming aura of dominion and pride in her presence had not diminished in the least.

Her title of Great Emperor was well-deserved in the Northern Lands.

Valentina died a natural death, having unified the Northern Lands during her lifetime, expelled foreign enemies, and established diplomatic relations with Shenzhou, securing a hundred years of peace.

Her merits far outweighed her faults, earning her the reverence of posterity.

When this Great Emperor passed, it was in restful slumber, arriving swiftly and leaving gracefully.

Three hundred years later, Princess Yongning and the Empress of the Northern Lands met once again.

The night was moonless and starless, and the ghosts had retreated into the distance, not daring to approach by a single step.

The fortunes surrounding these two empresses had the power to shake the world.

"I have waited for you for a long time." Valentina’s eyes curved into a smile, her voice light, "You remain so young, and yet I have grown old."

Ye Wanlan smiled softly, "No, Valentina, you remain young; the lion within your eyes grows more powerful and agile still."

In days past, she had most envied Valentina’s robust and healthy physique.

If she had it, she could do more for Shenzhou and its people.

Reuniting with an old friend, Ye Wanlan felt as if she might shed tears, her eyes stung fiercely.

"Since you left, there have been few who understand me." Valentina gently shook her head, "I am fond of your Shenzhou’s ancient saying, ’The cold at high places is unbearable’. The longer one sits on the emperor’s throne, the further one’s heart distances from others."

Ye Wanlan stared into her gaze and said, "We need only do the right things; the human heart is inscrutable, more unpredictable than ghosts and gods. Even if we are branded with infamy, what does it matter?"

"So, it’s still you, Xiang Lan, who understands me." Valentina laughed again, "Have you fetched the sword I forged for you?"

"I have not taken it," Ye Wanlan replied, "but I have used it, and your descendants surely confirmed that I am still living."

Valentina clasped her hands behind her back and looked up at the sky, "When you died, it was mysterious. I also knew that King of Yan and Zhaozong shed their heart’s blood to Penglai to call back your soul, but they did not succeed. Then I knew clearly, you wouldn’t die so simply."

Ye Wanlan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"You and I are bearers of great fortune. The first ten years of my life were also extremely difficult," Valentina turned her head, "People like us walk on the edge of a blade; a single misstep and we’re doomed beyond recovery."

"Indeed." Ye Wanlan closed her eyes, "So I can retreat, and I can endure, but I must not err."

If she faltered, it would bring disaster to Shenzhou.

"Greater power brings greater responsibility," Valentina continued. "I enlisted several elders of the Romanov Family to help divine insights, concluding that your life wasn’t supposed to be so short; your fate was constrained."

"You mean, the imperial coup of the old Ning Dynasty, that widespread epidemic... even some smaller incidents—someone was pushing things in the shadows," Ye Wanlan opened her eyes abruptly, "The aim was for me to die."

"I cannot be certain, but it’s likely," Valentina said softly, "Your fate is intertwined with the Daning Kingdom’s fortunes. If you die, the Ning Dynasty is fated to fall, but if you live, it could prosper for centuries. In such a case, the Battle of Ten Thousand Armies would never occur."

Ye Wanlan lowered her head slightly, her fingers slowly tightening at her sides.

After a moment, she heard herself ask, "Then, their aim is Shenzhou."

"After your passing, the Ning Dynasty, at its peak, was invaded by outsiders and fell within seven days," Valentina nodded, "For when you lived, they could not breach our lands."

The world is vast, filled with wonders.

Not to mention the vast universe—even Earth itself holds places unexplored by humanity.

The unknown is scarier than anything.

Many matters, Valentina had spent her life trying to comprehend, to no avail.

"I understand now." Ye Wanlan exhaled slowly, "Thank you."

"Besides that, there’s also Atlantis," Valentina’s voice suddenly grew heavy, "In the myth, Atlantis is a lost ancient nation; in truth, it’s a floating ancient continent without a fixed place."

She paused, then added, "The time it appeared in our world is unknown, but it has a history of at least a thousand years."

Ye Wanlan took note, expressing her thanks once more.

"Their kind has greater innate gifts than us, but their weaknesses are just as significant," Valentina spoke slowly and clearly, "Without water, they’re like fish and lose a significant part of their power."

Ye Wanlan nodded, "I’ve fought them, and it’s indeed so."

"Oh?" Valentina was somewhat surprised, "As expected of Princess Yongning, so quick to find their weakness."

"The ones I encountered were only of Beta level Divine Bloodline," Ye Wanlan massaged her temples, "Should it be an Omega Level Divine Bloodline... its power would be unimaginable."

"Do not worry, I will assist you," Valentina raised her eyebrows, "Not just I, but the Northern Lands as well."

Hearing these words, Ye Wanlan’s pupils contracted sharply.

"Xiang Lan, I am here to give you something, something that originally belongs to Shenzhou. I’ve merely kept it for some time, to prevent it being taken by the Heaven-reaching Tower," Valentina smiled faintly. "I am dead, and the future of this world rests on your shoulders. Our world must not be destroyed by foreign hands."

As soon as the words fell, Valentina’s body once again transformed into white light, like stars scattering across the sky.

The light faded, revealing something that had been sealed away for hundreds of years, springing into view!

"Xiang Lan!" Valentina’s final words echoed in Ye Wanlan’s ears, "Do not disappoint me, your Emperor!"