And the headquarters of the Holy Spirit Sect is established within the Evil Demon Forest, naturally, Xu Tianran received this news.
Such a powerful ancestor, certainly cannot be offended.
"Your Majesty, please don't worry about this matter, it's merely some Martial Soul cultivation issues that have already been resolved," Mirror Hongchen said indifferently.
"Oh?" Xu Tianran, sitting in his wheelchair, did not conceal his imposing demeanor; after a year as the Emperor, he has developed a commanding presence.
However, none of the people present were affected in the slightest.
Under the materialization of Spiritual Power, Xu Tianran's majestic demeanor held no effect.
Not to mention, none of the four had any adequate reverence for the Emperor.
"Since that's the case, then congratulations to the Hall Master on the advancement of his disciple."
Xu Tianran meticulously observed Huo Yuhao for a while, feeling the powerful fluctuation of Soul Power, and sighed.
"There are successors to my Sun and Moon Empire."
"Your name is Huo Yuhao, right?"
"Yes!" Huo Yuhao responded, suppressing the rage in his heart.
Seeing Huo Yuhao's posture, Orange felt even more guilt.
However, for the sake of revenge, she had to do this.
"I'm sorry, Yuhao..."
The awakened Huo Yuhao indeed vaguely realized the problem, thought there must be a reason behind Orange's actions, and felt that her greatest reason was something he somewhat understood.
Hatred!
"Good, worthy of being a high disciple of Red Dust Hall Master."
Xu Tianran praised Huo Yuhao heartily.
"By the way, Yuhao, your strength is already sufficient to graduate from the Academy, right? You should participate in this Soul Fighting Competition. After the tournament ends, I will personally sanction your early graduation. With your talent and strength, I'll delegate the Royal Soul Guide Team for you to lead, how about it?"
The Soul Guides at the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy are also reserves for the Sun and Moon Empire's Soul Guide Team.
In case of Emperor's summons, they are required to fight on the front lines.
Of course, more often they are tasked with mass-producing soul-guiding devices from the rear.
But because Huo Yuhao also excelled in combat strength, Xu Tianran wanted to send him directly to the front lines.
Of course, the promised position was not low either, enticing Huo Yuhao with the leadership of an entire regiment of the Royal Soul Guide Team.
It's certainly not that he'll be promoted directly to regimental commander, merely a pie in the sky.
Yet even so, Huo Yuhao could only temporarily oblige by accepting Xu Tianran's proposition.
Mirror Hongchen was trying to help on the side, but Xu Tianran gave no chance to intervene, not allowing him the chance to speak.
Simultaneously, Su Yu indicating the angle Xu Tianran couldn't notice, also signaled Mirror Hongchen and Huo Yuhao to accept.
Orange is to control the military in the future, letting Yuhao gain experience there is not a bad option.
...
Su Yu, feeling unsatisfied, thought today's drama was not intense enough, regretfully returned to the back mountain to continue studying.
"You were quite engaged just now," Kong Deming teased with a smile.
The scene at the time, how could he, who had even manifested a Spirit Domain, not perceive the unusual atmosphere?
It was just Xu Tianran, focused completely on getting Huo Yuhao into the army, was also using this opportunity to chide Mirror Hongchen, totally oblivious to the unusual atmosphere.
...
Outside the Imperial Palace, Huo Yuhao recollects the entire process upon departure.
Su Yu's hints, Orange's guilt...
"What does Brother Yu mean? Does he truly want me to join the army?"
The Soul Guide Team is entirely under the Emperor's control, upon entering it, Xu Tianran could openly attempt to recruit and oppress him in various ways.
And later on, Mirror Hongchen also wouldn't be able to hinder Xu Tianran using the neutrality of Mingde Hall.
"Alas, I originally thought to wait a few years, to let you stay at Mingde Hall as a researcher, just a step late."
Huo Yuhao's absence of two years left Mirror Hongchen unprepared in this regard, he hadn't anticipated Xu Tianran to act so unexpectedly.
"But since Su Yu indicated for you to join the military, it must be for the better. When he returns to Mingde Hall, you should ask him frequently, see what he truly meant."
"Yes."
...
Su Yu did not stay long at the Royal Palace Back Mountain.
With teachers, he consulted on Ninth-Level Soul-guiding Theory, drastically shortening the process during discussions with Mirror Hongchen and Kong Deming.
Two days later, he returned to Mingde Hall.
And as soon as Su Yu returned to Mingde Hall, Huo Yuhao rushed to find him.
"Brother Yu, what did you mean earlier?"
Huo Yuhao couldn't help but ask.
"Yuhao, you must understand Xu Tianran is a cripple, his ambition is immense, desires to annex Douluo Three Kingdoms, his control over the military is definitely not small, who do you think is most suitable to replace him in commanding the army?" Su Yu retorted.
Huo Yuhao froze, then suddenly understood.
"Are you saying, Orange will lead the army?"
Huo Yuhao is well aware of Orange's military abilities, absolutely competent, but is it really alright for the Empress to personally go on the battlefield?
"Yuhao, this is undoubtedly true. With Xu Tianran's character, this is entirely possible. I can see your relationship with Orange is quite unusual, she becoming Empress might have some reason, I think you should talk, and perhaps meeting within the military is more convenient for you two."
Su Yu gave Huo Yuhao a simple analysis, temporarily easing Huo Yuhao's worries.
"Alright, go back and practice with the soul-guiding devices. For Intermediate Battle Armor, use Spiritual Metal as much as possible, begin fostering early for convenient upgrades in the future."
Su Yu sent Huo Yuhao off and similarly prepared to start producing soul-guiding devices.
Aiming for Ninth-level Soul Guide!
The stock of rare metals still has some, might not be enough for reaching Ninth-level Soul Guide, but it's sufficient for attempts.
What's insufficient can be sought from Kong Deming and Mirror Hongchen, these two definitely have ways.
The focus is firmly on not wanting to earn money for rare metals himself.
Work? It's impossible to work.
Just prepared to challenge Ninth-Level Soul Guide, within Mingde Hall Su Yu again encountered the Xiao Brothers.
Xiao Ping and Xiao Fan, very intriguing brothers.
One Soul Guide, focusing on close-range Soul Guide development, also passionately into Soul-guiding Armor, quite compatible with the Battle Armor system.
While the other is simply a Soul Master in Soul Guide's guise, more interested in Soul Master cultivation, coincidentally researching Soul Guide standards equivalent to Soul Master cultivation levels for better Soul Master practice.
"Senior Su Yu," said Xiao Ping and Xiao Fan.
Su Yu inquired the brothers' purpose.
"Senior, the Hall Master wants you over."
"Oh?"
"The participating team for this Soul Fighting Competition has been selected, about to enter the final training phase, you are also among them."
...
Mirror Hongchen's office.
Su Yu, Huo Yuhao, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, the Xiao Brothers, along with eight other Soul Guides gathered.
Fourteen in total, seven in main team and seven in reserve.
"Xiaoyu, you're here. Get to know each other, after all, in the upcoming competition you're the captain," said Mirror Hongchen.
"Xiao Ping, Fifth-Level Soul Guide, specializes in close quarters, nearly completed Basic Battle Armor. Shi Xing, Fifth-Level Soul Guide, specializes in using the high-explosive bomb series of soul-guiding devices in combat, Battle Armor production has also started. Zhou Xinghao, Fifth-Level Soul Guide, specializes in heavy artillery, Battle Armor is also under construction."
Huo Yuhao, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and Su Yu all knew each other, no introduction needed, Mirror Hongchen introduced the remaining three main team members to Su Yu.
Xiao Ping was coincidentally familiar with Su Yu before, the other two, Shi Xing's Soul Power reached at least High-tier Soul King, slim and tall, handsome; while Zhou Xinghao was short in stature, Su Yu felt through Qi and Blood Power feedback that his strength wouldn't be small.
Mirror Hongchen briefly introduced the seven reserves, then said, "Today, it's for you to know each other, then we'll start intensive training."
Intensive training?
Su Yu was a bit puzzled.
Three Soul Saints, one Soul Emperor, three Soul Kings, Battle Armor equipped.
At this configuration, what's the point of intensive training?