At the crystal dining table closest to Xu Zihuang, a blonde girl of around sixteen or seventeen years of age elegantly held a crystal goblet in her delicate hands.
Her face was stunningly beautiful, her loose golden hair shimmering with a dark gold hue under the dim soul-powered lights, as though draped in a veil of fine tassels that give her an air of enchantment. She wore a pure white, ruffled gown that revealed her fair shoulders and collarbones, while her gloved hands of precious ice silk concealed her slender fingers.
A necklace adorned with a sapphire the size of a pigeon egg rested against her chest, its blue brilliance perfectly complementing her porcelain-like skin.
Her deep blue eyes sparkled with intelligence, and she was surrounded by other noblewomen vying for her attention.
When Xu Zihuang's gaze shifted to her, his eyes narrowed slightly.
His memory had always been exceptional, almost photographic—a likely precursor to the awakening of his spiritual-type martial soul, Golden Eyes.
From his memory, this young lady seemed to be the daughter of a powerful marquis of the Sun Moon Empire. They had met briefly when he was a child.
As for her name, the former Xu Zihuang hadn't cared enough to remember, so it wasn't etched in his mind.
The girl, who had been covertly observing Xu Zihuang, feigned surprise. Her red lips parted slightly as she raised her goblet and performed an elegant Sun Moon Empire noblewoman's greeting in his direction.
Xu Zihuang returned her gesture with a slight nod before withdrawing his gaze.
A woman with deep schemes.
This was Xu Zihuang's assessment of her.
No matter how naturally she acted or how flawless her expression appeared, the emotions hidden deep in her eyes were hard to conceal.
The eyes were windows to the soul and the easiest part of the human body to betray one's true feelings. Only extremely powerful soul masters could fully mask them.
As a prince raised amidst imperial power struggles, Xu Zihuang had been trained from a young age how to read people—an essential skill for those vying for power.
And with his spiritual-type martial soul, he could discern the subtlest changes in someone's gaze.
"Your Highness, that young lady is Yin Ziyue, the second daughter of the Marquis of Yin City in the capital," said Yu Yun, Legion Commander of the Blue Ocean Soul Engineer Legion, respectfully reminding Xu Zihuang.
Yu Yun was a short, frail-looking man, standing less than 1.65 meters tall, with dark skin typical of the Sun Moon Empire's coastal regions.
Initially, Yu Yun hadn't felt much reverence for this exiled prince. After all, few dared to associate with someone like Xu Zihuang, who was unlikely to make a comeback.
However, seeing Hai Xiao—an influential confidant of the Crown Prince—treat Xu Zihuang with such deference, Yu Yun wisely decided to act cautiously and avoid standing out.
Xu Zihuang set down the ornate gold goblet in his hand, carved with intricate floral patterns, and looked again toward the direction of Yin Ziyue's group.
"I'll take those ten," he said indifferently. "Legion Commander Yu Yun, please convey my gratitude to my royal brother for his kindness."
The "royal brother" he mentioned, of course, referred to the Crown Prince, Xu Tianran, the most likely heir to the Sun Moon Empire's throne.
"Yes, Your Highness. I will relay your message to His Highness the Crown Prince," Yu Yun said, bowing quickly.
Xu Zihuang said no more. Rising from his seat, he left the hall under the escort of several soldiers.
The moment Xu Zihuang stood and departed, the atmosphere in the hall shifted. The noblewomen, understanding that he had made his choice, turned their hopeful gazes toward him, though none dared speak aloud.
It wasn't until Xu Zihuang had left the hall that murmurs began to spread.
"Ziyue, I noticed the prince kept glancing in our direction earlier. Do you think we might be among those chosen?" asked a blue-haired girl with a curvaceous figure, her excitement causing her ample chest to heave.
"If we truly bear a royal child inheriting the Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon martial soul, it could revive our family's fortunes."
Among the hundred noblewomen brought to the island, most were from families facing difficult circumstances.
After all, no family of significant influence would willingly send its daughters for something like this. Not only would it draw gossip, but the sensitivity of the imperial bloodline issue could also bring disaster upon their household.
Yin Ziyue, however, was an exception. She had volunteered for this, even at the cost of straining her family ties.
As the second daughter of her family, she was not the direct heir. While women could inherit titles in the Sun Moon Empire and the former Douluo Continent empires, she was excluded due to her birth order.
Destined to remain outside the line of succession and likely to be used as a pawn in a political marriage, Yin Ziyue was unwilling to accept such a fate. Rather than live as a puppet, she preferred to take control of her own destiny.
Leveraging her family's resources, she had uncovered some insider information about Xu Zihuang.
Innate full soul power and a bloodline purity unparalleled in the royal family's thousand-year history.
If things went according to plan, there would be limitless possibilities for her future.
As her emotions surged, Yin Ziyue's hand, clutching the crystal goblet, trembled slightly. Her lips curled into a subtle, confident smile.
The noblewomen around her, basking in her glow, seemed equally elated. Meanwhile, Yu Yun, seated in the hall's main seat, let out a sigh of relief.
"Legion Commander Hai Xiao, since His Highness has made his decision, I will now make preparations for tomorrow morning's return journey. I apologize for imposing tonight," Yu Yun said, rising respectfully.
Of the ten noblewomen chosen by Xu Zihuang, led by Yin Ziyue, most hailed from the most powerful noble families. Now that they were staying on the island, the return trip would involve much less pressure.
"Please, proceed, Legion Commander Yu Yun," Hai Xiao replied, remaining seated as he watched Yu Yun leave the castle. He then instructed his men to escort the ten selected noblewomen to their accommodations in the castle.
As for the unselected ones, they were sent back to the ship. The castle couldn't accommodate so many people, and fewer individuals meant fewer chances for trouble.
...
Stepping into the flower garden before the castle, Hai Xiao gazed at the silver crescent moon high in the night sky and gave a low command.
"Bring me a messenger."
A soldier clad in blue armor, the standard uniform of the Western Sea Soul Engineer Legion, knelt behind him on one knee.
The difference between this elite force and Yu Yun's ragtag Blue Ocean Soul Engineer Legion was apparent at a glance.
"Spread the word. No one should rest tonight. Strengthen the security on the walls, especially near the eastern port."
"Yes, Legion Commander!"