Chapter 166 The Furious Duchess
The elderly man's expression turned awkward as he said, "The gap in performance is indeed significant… but I believe it won't affect your needs, Your Majesty.
You require Drill Ground Soul Tools to construct your tomb, correct?
The Star Luo version of the Drill Ground Soul Tool will suffice.
Based on my tests, our Star Luo model, which doesn't use Silver Cloud Gold, only reaches about 30% of the effectiveness of the Sun Moon version at the same level."
Xu Jiawei was in the prime of his life, but since he couldn't become a god, his lifespan was limited.
As an emperor, he had to prepare his mausoleum while he was still alive.
Of course, with the many soul masters and soul tools in Douluo Continent, constructing a royal tomb was not a wasteful endeavor for the Star Luo Empire.
Xu Jiawei paused, then nodded solemnly.
"Yes, I require Drill Ground Soul Tools for the construction of my tomb."
He did not reveal his true purpose that he needed them for his alliance with the Body Sect.
That was a top secret matter.
If it leaked, the consequences would be disastrous.
Very few people in Star Luo Empire even knew about his deal with Body Sect.
Xu Jiawei firmly believed his plan was genius.
By allowing the Sun Moon Empire to acquire the 100,000 year Soul Beast embryo, he could provoke the Body Sect into attacking Mingde Hall.
Once Body Sect and the Sun Moon Empire became enemies, the Sun Moon Empire would surely target Body Sect in future wars.
In the end, this would give Star Luo Empire an invisible ally.
Moreover, the scientists and researchers at Mingde Hall were among the Sun Moon Empire's greatest minds.
Body Sect would not care about their lives when attacking.
If Mingde Hall suffered heavy casualties, it would be a huge blow to the Sun Moon Empire.
The loss of soul tools during the attack was secondary.
After all, as long as Mingde Hall retained its top researchers and had no material shortages, it could reproduce any lost technology.
"I hope Body Sect can cripple Mingde Hall…
That would buy more time for Star Luo Empire.
The Sun Moon Empire's advancement in soul tools is getting out of hand."
Xu Jiawei's thoughts swirled in his mind.
"Hand over the best batch of Drill Ground Soul Tools.
Building my tomb is a grand undertaking.
I need to find the best architects for the job."
His tone was calm and commanding.
Shortly after, the Eighth Rank Soul Engineers delivered the best available Drill Ground Soul Tools.
Xu Jiawei casually made an excuse to leave and began contacting Body Sect to arrange the pickup.
White Tiger Duke's Mansion
Inside an ornate chamber, the Duchess sat elegantly in a lavish chair.
Beside her stood an elderly man dressed in black robes with graying hair.
His wrinkled face exuded an imposing presence one that commanded respect.
This elder was a Soul Douluo level powerhouse and her most trusted guardian.
As a member of the Star Luo royal family, the Duchess had noble blood, so having a personal protector was expected.
However, because Title Douluo in Star Luo Empire all held important positions, she could only receive the protection of a Soul Douluo.
To her, though, a Soul Douluo was already extremely powerful.
After all, she herself was only a Soul Emperor the gap between her and a Soul Douluo was insurmountable.
A heavily armored man knelt before her and spoke.
"Duchess, I have important intelligence regarding the Duke."
This man was Zhao Dashan, one of Duke Dai Hao's personal guards.
His primary duty was protecting Duke Dai Hao, but because the Duchess had offered him great benefits, he secretly swore allegiance to her.
Of course, serving the Duchess didn't mean betraying Dai Hao.
After all, the Duchess also valued the Duke's safety.
For Zhao Dashan, siding with the Duchess was a logical choice.
Although the Duchess's reputation had suffered in Star Luo Empire due to the Huo Yuhao incident, and many people gossiped about her, he knew she was still royalty her status was untouchable.
More importantly, her son, Dai Yueheng, was guaranteed to inherit the title of White Tiger Duke.
Now was the perfect time to swear loyalty to the future Duke.
Dai Yueheng was ambitious perhaps he even harbored thoughts of retaking the throne.
If Dai Yueheng one day reclaimed the imperial throne, then as his trusted subordinate, Zhao Dashan could secure great rewards.
These past few days, Duke Dai Hao had returned to Star Luo City with his personal guards, but he never stepped foot into the Duke's Mansion.
However, Zhao Dashan had gathered intelligence and rushed to report it to the Duchess.
The Duchess's expression darkened.
Normally, when Dai Hao returned to Star Luo City, he would always visit home.
Yet this time, he avoided the Duke's Mansion, as if it were plagued with monsters.
Her voice turned sharp.
"Speak! What news?"
Zhao Dashan glanced at the Duchess before reporting,
"The Duke has spent these past few days repairing a grave.
He even built wooden houses nearby for his guards to reside in.
During this time, he explicitly stated he had no intention of returning home."
The Duchess's expression soured further.
Zhao Dashan continued.
"The grave belongs to Huo Yun'er.
Every time the Duke looks at it, he murmurs words of regret.
For example:
'Yun'er, I've wronged you. I've wronged Yuhao.'
'If only I could bring you back, like Ancestor Tang San resurrected Xiao Wu.'"
CRACK
The Duchess's teacup shattered in her grip, the crisp sound echoing through the chamber.
Her face twisted in fury, her voice sharp as a blade.
"Huo Yun'er was just a lowly servant girl!
How could she still haunt Hao after all these years?!
She's been dead for so long, yet she refuses to disappear!
And her son Huo Yuhao betrayed Star Luo Empire and joined the Sun Moon Empire!
There's no doubt he's now our enemy!
Hao is the White Tiger Duke of Star Luo Empire!
How dare he speak such nonsense?!"
She could not understand.
To her, a servant girl was not even a person just a talking object.
Yet Dai Hao still obsessed over this "servant girl"…
And worse ignored his own wife.
She was a princess of the royal family!
When had she ever been treated with such disdain?!
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