In Mu En's voice transmission, he mentioned that not long ago, he encountered several powerful Evil Soul Masters. The leader's martial soul was the Death God Puppet, and he asked whether these Evil Soul Masters had anything to do with Long Xiaoyao.
As soon as Jiang Jue heard this, he immediately knew who Mu En was referring to. Those Evil Soul Masters were from their Holy Spirit Sect, and the Death God Puppet was his master's unique martial soul.
That was because Zhongli Wu's Death God Puppet had mutated from Ye Xishui's Blood Soul Puppet. It was almost impossible for there to be a second one in the world.
"At this timing… Mu En must have just returned from the Extreme North. But why did my master go to the Extreme North? And why would he run into Mu En there?"
Jiang Jue pondered for a moment, and suddenly, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He spoke in disbelief:
"Could it be that Master went to the Extreme North to catch a hundred-thousand-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion… for me?!"
The more Jiang Jue thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Before he left for the tournament, Zhongli Wu had told him that when he returned, there would be a great surprise waiting for him.
Earlier, he had also mentioned that Jiang Jue's first martial soul ring should be from an Ice Jade Scorpion. Zhongli Wu had readily agreed and even said he would capture a hundred-thousand-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion for him.
On the day Jiang Jue left the Holy Spirit Sect, he couldn't find his master within the sect. During the tournament, Zhang Peng had been relaying news through the sect's Star Luo City branch, but headquarters kept saying that Zhongli Wu was not in the sect.
And Zhongli Wu was always a man of action.
"…But Master should be fine."
From Mu En's message, Jiang Jue could tell that Mu En must have suffered a significant loss. Moreover, his master had the Bone Dragon King and other elders with him. Mu En was now only a crippled Ultimate Douluo. Even if Master couldn't fight him head-on, escaping shouldn't be a problem. He might even be able to counterattack Mu En.
"Master…"
"The day I return victorious… will be the day you step into the realm of the Ultimate."
Jiang Jue's heart stirred with determination.
Ever since he joined the Holy Spirit Sect, Zhongli Wu had treated him well, guiding him in countless ways and showering him with precious resources without hesitation.
This, Jiang Jue could never forget. And he had already thought of a way to help Zhongli Wu achieve Ultimate Douluo.
The Heavenly Soul Empire had not only the Body Sect but also the Sunset Forest. And within the Sunset Forest was the legendary Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. When Elder Yi advanced a step further, he could make a trip to investigate it.
Perhaps the immortal herbs there could also aid his martial soul's second awakening.
"These soul bones also need to be carefully planned…"
A flash of white light, and Jiang Jue took out the three hundred-thousand-year soul bones he had extorted from Mu En.
Three soul bones: one of death attribute, one of metal attribute, and the last — a dark-red right arm bone of fire attribute.
Circulating his soul power, Jiang Jue suspended the three soul bones before him. After a moment of consideration, his decision was made.
Among them, only the death attribute left leg bone suited him the most. But for now, he did not intend to absorb it. What if something better came along in the future?
With a wave of his hand, Jiang Jue put the three soul bones away. He kept the death attribute one for his own use, while the other two could be kept as part of his foundation.
"This haul is fat. Many thanks to Elder Xuan Zi for his 'gift.'"
"Shrek Academy really is overflowing with wealth… In the future, I'll need to make some proper plans. I wonder, at this time, is Ah Yin already at the Golden Tree?"
"If she is, then things will be much simpler…"
Jiang Jue's eyes grew deep. Then he crossed his legs on the bed and began cultivating.
Tomorrow was the semi-final match. He needed to fully recover his state.
But tonight, some people were destined not to sleep.
Bang, bang, bang!
In a luxurious, gold-adorned chamber, a knocking sound echoed.
"Enter!"
Xu Jiawei's commanding voice came, laced with weariness. As the ruler of a nation, he still hadn't gone to rest, busy handling state affairs.
Lately, with the rapid increase in Star Luo City's population, his workload had multiplied. He often stayed up late reviewing memorials.
"Your Majesty, I'm coming in."
A rough voice accompanied the sound of the door opening. The Giant Hammer Douluo walked in.
"My loyal subject, why are you not asleep so late? Do you have something to report?"
Xu Jiawei looked up at him, sipping tea from his desk. His eyes softened slightly as he spoke.
Among his Guardian Douluo, Xu Jiawei favored the Giant Hammer Douluo the most. He worked the hardest, obeyed the most, and harbored no hidden schemes.
"Your Majesty, just outside Star Luo City…"
Without wasting words, Giant Hammer Douluo relayed what had just occurred.
Hearing this, Xu Jiawei furrowed his brows. The tea in his hand suddenly tasted bitter, and he set it down, asking gravely:
"Did you see the appearances of those two mighty experts?"
The Giant Hammer Douluo scratched his head awkwardly and replied:
"When we saw how fierce the battle was, we didn't dare approach. So… we didn't see them clearly."
"You did the right thing. Your own safety comes first. You mustn't recklessly charge forward. The future of the Star Luo Empire still depends on you all to guard it."
Xu Jiawei's gaze shifted, his voice gentle.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand."
The Giant Hammer Douluo straightened his chest proudly.
"It's late. Go and rest. I will ponder this matter further."
"Then Your Majesty should also rest soon."
Xu Jiawei nodded kindly. The Giant Hammer Douluo excused himself and left.
"…Why does my Star Luo Empire lack such top-tier experts?"
"If only all the heroes of the world would come under Star Luo… then what great cause of mine would remain unfulfilled?!"
Xu Jiawei clenched his fists, growling softly.
When he was young, he thought that ascending the throne meant being a ruler.
But only after sitting on the throne did he realize the crushing weight of a nation's burden. For years, he had labored diligently, scheming and sacrificing for the empire's prosperity.
Gradually, he came to understand — in this world, sometimes strength itself could surpass royal authority. From then on, he strove even harder to recruit the strong. Even someone like the Tiansha Douluo, born with a cursed fate-constitution, he dared to bring under his banner.
"Your Majesty…"
A gentle voice drifted in. A graceful, dignified beauty in golden palace robes entered, moving naturally to Xu Jiawei's side. With slender hands, she massaged his temples.
"Empress? Why have you come?"
"Your Majesty, day and night you toil for the empire. I only worry for your health."
Her tone was soft, her gaze gentle as water.
Xu Jiawei clasped her jade-like hand and sighed.
"All these years… it's thanks to you standing by me."
"This concubine will continue to walk beside Your Majesty."
She let him hold her hand, speaking softly.
Xu Jiawei's expression eased as he quietly enjoyed this brief peace.
After a moment, he came back to his senses and said:
"All right, you go rest first. Once I finish reviewing these memorials, I'll return."
By then, his words had shifted once more from "I" to the imperial "We."
The empress seemed long accustomed to it. After a final reminder, she gently departed.
The vast chamber fell silent again, leaving Xu Jiawei alone.
"Sigh… My whole life, I've walked on thin ice. Will I live to see the Star Luo Empire rise in strength…?"
(End of this chapter)