Given the importance of the Soul Master Tournament to every empire, rationally speaking, the Star Luo Empire's royal family would never agree to let the event be held in Haiyuan City. But Lu Jingming believed one thing: so-called bottom lines and principles were often just a matter of the benefits being insufficient.
As long as he could offer enough enticing benefits to tempt the Star Luo royal family, there was nothing that couldn't be accomplished.
Combined with a suitable show of strength, Lu Jingming was confident in achieving his goal this time.
"Jingming, you really never visit without trouble—every time you look for me, it's to give me a headache!" As Lu Jingming and Changli made their way through the bustling Star Luo Plaza and reached the palace gates, Xu Jiujiu was already there waiting.
Standing quietly at her side was the white-haired Star Cloud Douluo, Yi Man.
"Long time no see, Sister Jiujiu, you're more beautiful than ever," Lu Jingming said with a warm smile, pretending not to notice the slightly reproachful look in Xu Jiujiu's eyes and sincerely complimenting her.
Now eighteen, Xu Jiujiu had shed her youthful awkwardness, her figure tall and graceful, her curves perfect in every way.
Her exquisite beauty was like a masterpiece carefully sculpted by the heavens—every expression and smile exuded breathtaking charm, worthy of her status as the Star Luo Empire's most dazzling princess.
"Jingming, you're the same—you've even grown taller than me!" Xu Jiujiu was used to compliments, but hearing them from Lu Jingming, who held a special place in her heart, she still felt a wave of emotion.
Time had flown by, and both of them had changed vastly; Lu Jingming, though still young, was now taller than her, with a noble, upright bearing.
Among all the young elites she knew in the empire, Lu Jingming's looks alone set him apart—and he also possessed astonishing strength and unparalleled talent. All this combined meant that, in Xu Jiujiu's heart, he far outshone any so-called noble scion.
"This time, you've really given me a tough problem." Xu Jiujiu frowned, looking troubled.
Thinking of the message Lu Jingming had sent her in advance, she felt a headache coming on.
As a princess, she knew very well how important the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament was. The event took place every five years, rotating among the four empires, so each only hosted once every twenty years.
Such a major event involved countless tangled interests and factions. It wasn't something she or even her royal brother could decide alone.
"Don't worry, I won't make things hard for you. All I need is for you to help me meet His Majesty. I have my own way to persuade him," Lu Jingming said quickly—he hadn't intended to trouble Xu Jiujiu.
Though she was a princess, she didn't wield real power, and many things were beyond her control.
"You really do surprise me more and more." Xu Jiujiu smiled.
Lu Jingming had given her many pleasant surprises over the years, especially the rapid rise of Haiyuan City, which she had watched with admiration.
At this moment, Xu Jiujiu suddenly remembered her manners and turned respectfully to Changli. "Your Excellency Phoenix Douluo, please forgive my rudeness!"
She had heard of Changli's fame; as the real manager of Haiyuan City and a formidable Title Douluo, she was widely respected.
"Don't worry, Princess. You're Xiao Ming's sister—just call me Sister Changli." Chang Li smiled gently.
Xu Jiujing had helped Haibian City's development in the capital, and Changli had a good impression of her.
"Alright, Sister Changli, my royal brother already knows you and Jingming are coming and has prepared a banquet." Xu Jiujiu, ever clever, sweetly changed her address without hesitation, showing her skill at building connections.
Changli looked extremely young and beautiful, only a few years older than Xu Jiujiu, which made it easy for Xu Jiujiu to forget she was a Title Douluo and instead hook her arm affectionately, leading them into the palace.
"Grandma Yi Man, long time no see." Lu Jingming glanced at the two walking ahead like close sisters and sighed to himself, then turned to the ever-silent Star Cloud Douluo Yi Man.
"You've grown ever more outstanding. The princess talks about you all the time. You should visit her more often," Yi Man said kindly.
She was very satisfied with Lu Jingming, feeling he and Xu Jiujiu were a perfect match—her only regret was he rarely visited Star Luo City.
Xu Jiujiu, as a princess, had little freedom and rarely left the city. Though she and Lu Jingming could meet in the simulated universe, virtual interactions could never compare to reality.
Of course, Herta's simulated universe was already astonishingly realistic, with near-true tactile sensations, but most people still felt it lacked a certain soul-stirring sense of reality.
Lu Jingming smiled and agreed without hesitation, though whether he'd actually visit more often was another question. In his view, meeting in the simulated universe was almost the same as in reality, and even more convenient.
Led by Xu Jiujiu, Lu Jingming and Changli soon entered a palace deep within the imperial residence.
The Star Luo palace was grand and magnificently decorated, every detail exuding luxury and royal dignity. Lu Jingming even noticed some soul tool creations subtly integrated into the architecture, adding a sense of technological sophistication.
Clearly, the Star Luo Empire had realized the huge potential of soul tools and begun investing resources—a forward-thinking move, though in Lu Jingming's mind, it was already too late.
The development of soul tool technology was a long, hard road. Star Luo was already centuries behind the Sun Moon Empire, and no amount of effort could easily close that gap.
Unless a genius like Herta appeared, catching up was nearly impossible.
But the more the empire valued soul tools, the more confident Lu Jingming felt—after all, when it came to soul tool technology, if Herta claimed to be second, no one would dare claim first.
With that in mind, he realized he could use this need as leverage in their negotiations.
Changli noticed this too, her smile growing even brighter.
Entering a side hall, they saw a middle-aged man with a dignified yet gentle air, sitting by the window with a thin, sharp-eyed old man.
As soon as Lu Jingming and the others entered, both men turned their eyes on them.
"Royal Brother, Elder Ying, I've brought Jingming and Sister Changli," Xu Jiujiu announced.
From her address, Lu Jingming immediately identified them: the man in golden robes was her brother, the current emperor of Star Luo, Xu Jiawei, and the eagle-eyed elder was Song Ying, the Skyhawk Douluo—a level 97 super Douluo and the royal family's chief worshipper, one of the empire's pillars.
At this moment, this legendary figure was staring at Changli, his eyes wide with shock.