"I understand. Jiujiu, please stay. The rest of you may return to your cultivation. Don't overthink things. You are all the empire's most outstanding talents, and I look forward to you bringing honor to our nation."
Inside the Star Luo Imperial Palace, Xu Jiawei turned his back, gently waved his hand at Huang Xingyun and the other four, his voice deep and calm.
However, Xu Jiujiu, who was just a step away from Xu Jiawei, clearly saw a flicker of anger on Xu Jiawei's handsome face, which instantly vanished. His lips twitched uncomfortably.
Knowing Xu Jiawei's habits well, Xu Jiujiu immediately understood that her imperial brother was forcefully suppressing his rage.
"Yes, we thank Your Majesty."
Huang Xingyun and the four others bowed respectfully to Xu Jiawei before exiting the palace.
In the vast palace, only Xu Jiawei and Xu Jiujiu remained. All the palace attendants had been dismissed in advance, and the atmosphere settled into a strange calm.
"Sigh..."
Xu Jiawei sighed deeply and spoke first:
"Jiujiu... tell me, what are your thoughts on this matter? It's just you and me, brother and sister, here. You can speak freely about anything."
Xu Jiujiu was silent for a long time, then looked up at Xu Jiawei and asked a seemingly unrelated question: "Imperial Brother, how is the Hall of Worship Master, that elder?"
"Not good at all."
Xu Jiawei had no intention of hiding anything from his imperial sister. He closed his eyes, shook his head, and answered truthfully:
"Medical Immortal Crown privately told me that the Master's life will be exhausted in three more years at most. He is already over 280 years old; it truly is the end of his lifespan."
The lifespan of a Titled Douluo far exceeds that of ordinary people; living over a hundred years is nothing. Super Douluo and even Limit Douluo live even longer.
But even for a Limit Douluo, being close to 300 years old is considered old age, let alone a Level 98 Super Douluo. Furthermore, most Soul Masters accumulate hidden injuries from battles in their youth, which invisibly reduce their lifespan.
After receiving the answer, Xu Jiujiu said nothing. Xu Jiawei gazed at his sister and sighed:
"Although intelligence indicates that Shrek's Dragon God Douluo's lifespan is also nearing its end, they still have the Level 98 Gluttony Douluo, who has guarded Shrek for decades.
Even if Gluttony Douluo is old, Shrek still has the Level 97 Azure Shadow Douluo, Old Song. The younger Bright Phoenix Douluo, Yan Shaozhe, is already a Super Douluo and should have matured by then..."
"After I ascended the throne, I also considered weakening Shrek's influence in our country. But I looked throughout the imperial court, and everyone was connected to Shrek. I couldn't even begin to act..."
"Moreover, Jiujiu, to resist the Sun Moon Empire's invasion, we cannot be without Shrek. Although I don't want to admit it, in the Sun Moon Empire's eyes, Shrek is their biggest obstacle to unifying the continent..."
Xu Jiawei spoke softly about Shrek's tiered powerhouses, his voice revealing a deep sense of helplessness.
As an emperor, having to rely on an academy for hope against foreign invaders was undoubtedly immense pressure for the ambitious Xu Jiawei.
However, the Xu Family's secure hold on the throne was the result of a unanimous compromise among various forces. With the Hall of Worship Master on his deathbed, if the balance were to be rashly upset, the consequences could easily spiral out of control, jeopardizing his and the Xu Family's position and safety.
For Shrek, the Xu Family's divine artifact, now without a Level 98 powerhouse to guard it, might not be unchangeable. Wouldn't it be better to replace them with a more obedient Dai Family?
"Jiujiu understands, and so Jiujiu dare not ask Imperial Brother to do anything for Jiujiu regarding Shrek. However, Jiujiu has two requests and one suggestion, which Jiujiu hopes Imperial Brother will consider deeply."
Xu Jiujiu clasped her hands together, performing a deep court bow.
"Speak. I will consider it very carefully."
"For the next two years, Jiujiu wishes to put aside all matters and focus on cultivating in seclusion to break through to the Soul Emperor realm. Jiujiu asks Imperial Brother to gather sufficient resources for me."
Xu Jiawei chuckled lightly upon hearing this, saying calmly: "Why be so formal about such a thing? You are a princess of our Star Luo Empire."
"I'll make the decision. All Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the national treasury are yours to use. You may choose three top-tier Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones. You can enter the Worship Hall at any time to consult Star Shattering Douluo, Heavenly Fiend... well, forget Heavenly Fiend Douluo for now. You can consult the other Enshrined Ones about your cultivation difficulties. If the Master is also willing to guide you, that would be even better."
Xu Jiawei, speaking smoothly, suddenly realized that Heavenly Fiend was not to be approached intimately, so he quickly stopped and corrected himself, adding:
"Of course, my own cultivation is not bad either. If you ask me, I will tell you everything I know."
"Imperial Brother, what if I also want a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone?" Xu Jiujiu suddenly asked.
Xu Jiawei's smile stiffened, and he frowned: "A Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone is of great importance, Jiujiu. You're putting me in a difficult position."
The Star Luo Empire and the Star Crown Sect had certainly accumulated some Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones throughout their long history, but Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones had always been the highest-grade scarce resource, making it impossible for Xu Jiawei to be careless.
By custom, only successive emperors, the most top-tier cultivation geniuses of the Star Crown lineage, or the top powerhouses of the Worship Hall were allowed to fuse with and inherit Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones.
"In the grand competition two years from now, I will lead the Star Luo team into the finals!"
Xu Jiujiu stated emphatically, then added:
"I know it's difficult for Imperial Brother. Jiujiu vows to reach the Titled Douluo level within twenty years! If I fail, I will willingly break my limbs and return my bones!"
Xu Jiawei raised an eyebrow: "You want to inherit the Master's position in the future?"
"Jiujiu is willing to try! I will have no regrets, even if it means death!"
Xu Jiawei gazed at his sister for a moment, then sighed softly:
"Since you have this ambition, I, your brother, will fulfill it. If you can achieve second place in the grand competition two years from now, I will help you persuade those people. That honor will be weighty enough."
"What about your other request? And your suggestion?"
"My other request is for my classmates. They suffered a great humiliation this time. Their talent might not be as good as the most top-tier geniuses, but they are absolutely loyal to our imperial family.
Therefore, Jiujiu wishes to request a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone each for Huang Xingyun and Dugu Shangshan, who have outstanding cultivation, as an incentive."
Xu Jiujiu said, her eyes calm.
Xu Jiawei nodded without hesitation: "That's easy to handle. You can choose for them. The same goes for any other resources they need. If any of them can break through to Soul Emperor in two years, that would be even better."
As for Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones, Xu Jiawei was completely unconcerned. They were just sitting there anyway; he might as well use them to bestow favor upon two future Enshrined Ones.
Xu Jiujiu thanked him, then added, "And my suggestion is to broaden exchanges with the Sun Moon Empire at the academy level, and accelerate our catch-up in the field of Soul Guided Technology."
"Jiujiu, what do you mean by that? Did I mishear you, sister?"
Xu Jiawei, who hadn't even flinched at the mention of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, now looked utterly shocked. His bright, piercing eyes fixed on Xu Jiujiu, exuding the natural pressure of someone in a high position.
"I don't mean anything else, just to strengthen our power. Brother Emperor, you know that our empire's Soul Guided Technology is conservatively estimated to be hundreds of years behind the Sun Moon Empire. It's impossible to catch up by just burying our heads and working hard. The best method is to send people there for advanced studies."
"If we want to contend with Shrek, perhaps this is the only path possible, because we have more resources to equip a Soul Guided Legion."
Xu Jiujiu met Xu Jiawei's scrutiny with a calm expression. Then, her gaze sharpened as she said in a deep voice:
"Brother Emperor, we can't compare to Shrek in terms of Soul Masters, and we can't compare to Sun Moon in terms of Soul Engineers. We've fallen too far behind. Fortunately, we are stronger than the Sun Moon Empire in terms of Soul Masters. Jiujiu believes this approach is feasible."
"According to the information we've received, the Sun Moon Empire has been researching Light Gathering Soul Tools. If we can learn how to make these Soul Guided Devices, we might be able to overcome the problem of our Star Crown lineage only being able to cultivate at night! It would greatly improve our cultivation efficiency!"
"I have personally witnessed the power of Fixed Soul Cannon Shells. Aunt Zhu's cultivation wasn't much weaker than those two Soul Sages, but they were taken down in less than a minute when they teamed up."
"Besides, as far as we know, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy extended an invitation for exchange and study to Shrek long ago, but Shrek's Martial Soul Department has consistently refused."
Hearing this, Xu Jiawei massaged his temples, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back in the hall for a while. Finally, he spread his hands to Xu Jiujiu and said with a wry smile:
"Even if you're right, they might not be interested in us, the Sun Moon Empire."
"So, I will prove our strength to the Sun Moon Empire in the competition two years from now, forcing them to take us seriously."
Xu Jiujiu clenched her fist and nodded. Her eyes, as she spoke, shimmered like a deep, secluded spring.
"That person told me that others' respect is earned through power; even if the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is unwilling to exchange, we can settle for the next best thing, like Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy. That would be an equal exchange."
"...I have to admit, Jiujiu, what you've said is quite appealing. In that case, prepare well."
Half a month later, at night, somewhere in the outer reaches of the Ming Dou Great Forest.
Xu Tianxi, who had been meditating by the campfire, opened his eyes, stood up, and a joyful gleam flickered in his eyes. His Soul Power was contained, and no killing intent was apparent.
"Young Master, have you broken through?" Yue Lao, who was on night watch, was surprised by Xu Tianxi's change and asked tentatively.
"Just luck, that's all." Xu Tianxi rubbed his forehead, a reminiscent look in his eyes.
The battle with the Abomination Envoy was his first life-or-death struggle since coming to this world, and the latter's strength had exceeded his expectations somewhat.
That guy's Abomination Martial Soul was disgusting, but its defense was flawless. Its greasy, fatty body could greatly slow down even his Spiritual Power attacks. He had to use both explosions and strikes to finally eliminate him, almost resulting in a mutual defeat.
The "evil" of an Evil Soul Master was evident; future battles must be approached with extreme caution...
Having organized his thoughts, Xu Tianxi smiled and asked Yue Lao, "Yue Lao, how is that captive Senior Zhi Sen brought back earlier? How is the White Tiger Duke's Mansion doing?"
"That captive has already surrendered. As for the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, the third young master you're concerned about, Dai Yuhao, is in a very bad situation. His mother is dying."
Yue Lao answered Xu Tianxi's questions one by one. Given that Xu Xiaoyun had done this twice, he wasn't at all surprised by Xu Tianxi's interest in Dai Yuhao, but he reminded him in a low voice:
"Young Master, Dai Yuhao's Innate Soul Power is very low. I'm afraid he won't be able to follow the path Ice Phoenix Crown and the young lady took back then."
"No matter, I didn't intend to bring him into the Xuanming Sect anyway. We can't afford that person."
Xu Tianxi smiled indifferently and said, "Tomorrow morning, let's disguise ourselves again and head to the Star Luo Imperial Capital. I'll also teach that captive what to say."