"Xu Jiawei invited us to an Imperial Banquet? What does he mean by that?"
Xu Tianxi woke up to the news of Xu Jiawei's invitation, feeling a little surprised.
"He's probably trying to curry favor with us. Star Shattering Douluo specifically said that Xu Jiawei wanted to meet you and thank you for being willing to share your research to help with disaster relief."
Ye Yulin spoke calmly, a look of emotion on his face.
"Putting aside allegiances, the Star Luo Emperor's magnanimity and sense of responsibility are quite good. He dared to lead the charge against the Evil Soul Masters and didn't falsely claim your research as their own."
Xu Tianxi's lips curved slightly. "It's alright. Among the four emperors currently, besides the Dou Ling Emperor, the other three are quite well-regarded in their respective nations. The Xu Family being able to replace the Dai Family suggests they have some capabilities."
What he didn't say was that if it were purely about public perception, the Sun Moon Emperor's reputation was actually worse than Xu Jiawei's and the Tian Hun Emperor's. The Palace Coup history from back then wasn't glorious, and he hadn't achieved any significant accomplishments after taking power.
However, objectively speaking, during his reign, he vigorously developed military industries and power. Without his accumulation over those years, there wouldn't have been the Sun Moon army that later swept through the Three Kingdoms. From that perspective, he couldn't be considered mediocre.
Collaborating with Evil Soul Masters was a major black mark, but during his reign, Evil Soul Masters didn't possess such immense power. In the original story, after Xu Tianran ascended the throne, he acknowledged Ye Xishui as his god-grandmother to solidify his position, granting the Holy Spirit Church the status of a national religion. This allowed the Holy Spirit Church to truly gain power, moving from behind the scenes to the forefront.
Just as Xu Tianxi was pondering the Old Emperor's merits and demerits, Jing Hongchen, standing beside Ye Yulin, handed over another gilded invitation. He said,
"Oh, by the way, besides Xu Jiawei's invitation, the Crown Prince also sent you a private invitation yesterday, inviting you to visit the Eastern Palace after you return to the country. I didn't give it to you because I saw you were too busy."
"Xu Tianran?"
Xu Tianxi took the invitation and glanced at it. It was full of polite platitudes, essentially saying that there had been some minor misunderstandings between the two parties, and he now deeply regretted them after careful consideration, inviting Xu Tianxi to visit and clear things up.
"Junior Brother, that is the Crown Prince after all. Calling him by his name directly isn't very proper," Ye Yulin reminded him.
Xu Tianxi shook his head, chuckling softly. "I am a simple mountain man, accustomed to being unconventional. I also don't care for his demeanor, Senior Brother, please don't take offense."
Ye Yulin knew that the "demeanor" his junior brother referred to was the Crown Prince's act of saving Evil Soul Masters. A wry smile immediately appeared on his face:
"Junior Brother, you aren't aware of many secrets within the Sun Moon Empire. We also don't want to be involved with those Evil Soul Masters, but the matters behind this cannot be explained in a few words."
The root of all this mess lay with the current occupant of the imperial throne. One still had to observe the principle of avoiding disrespectful speech about those in high positions. Surely, they couldn't have another Palace Coup to change emperors, could they? It would cause immense internal turmoil.
Xu Tianxi's expression gradually grew serious, and he stated solemnly, "I don't know about those old affairs; but the Evil Soul Masters are already greatly weakened after this battle. Once they appear, they'll be like rats scurrying across the street—all the experts of the Three Great Empires won't tolerate them. I believe cooperating with them is truly not a good thing."
"As for the Crown Prince's invitation, I have no interest in it either. He can't give me what I want, and I don't want to get involved in the complicated Imperial Succession Struggle. Soul Engineers should dedicate all their energy to research and study, don't you agree, Senior Brother?"
To put it bluntly, Xu Tianran couldn't offer any benefits that would entice him. With Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen around, he could get anything he wanted in the Sun Moon Empire himself. Why would he bother interacting too much with that calculating and ungrateful schemer for no reason? He wasn't crazy.
If he gave him face, he'd call him Crown Prince. If he didn't... what Yuhao could do, he could do too.
Ye Yulin opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but couldn't bring himself to.
He had always believed that Soul Engineers should diligently focus on Soul Guided Device creation and not waste time. But then again, was dealing with the Crown Prince a waste of time?
For most people, no, but for Xu Tianxi, it truly was!
At thirteen years old, he possessed the combat power to threaten a Soul Douluo, having single-handedly eliminated three important figures from Shrek in one battle. He was a rising star of the Sun Moon Empire, shining brightly in all directions, the second Kong Deming soaring to prominence, and the pillar of the Sun Moon Empire for the next three hundred years.
To put it harshly, with Xu Tianxi's strength, he could outlast Xu Tianran, and even outlast Xu Tianran's descendants as emperors. By then, it would likely be a succession of emperors, while the Hall of Worship Master would remain constant.
Furthermore, from Old Man Kong's attitude, Xu Tianran clearly couldn't command Xu Tianxi. Xu Tianxi himself didn't take Xu Tianran, the Crown Prince, seriously, having openly bombarded Level 96 Feng Ling. This was a person who appeared gentle on the surface but was lawless deep down.
Oh, no, that's not right. He had already led people to bombard Star Shattering Douluo on the competition field, even sending Star Shattering Douluo flying with one shot. Star Shattering Douluo hadn't even fully recovered from his injuries when he arrived earlier.
At that time, a hint of apprehension even flickered in his eyes as he looked at Xu Tianxi, his face showing a resentful expression as if to say, "Did you recommend me as a referee because you think I'm more resilient to bombardment than Heavenly Fiend Douluo?"
For a Super Douluo to be wary of a child sounded unrealistic, but it actually happened. Ye Yulin, having lived so many years, was seeing it for the first time.
"Tianxi, your mindset is very good. What do the internal struggles of their Imperial Family have to do with us? We just need to focus on our research and cultivation."
Jing Hongchen laughed heartily, expressing complete agreement with Xu Tianxi's thoughts. Xu Tianran clearly had a rather cunning nature; it was best to interact with him as little as possible.
Jing Hongchen had stayed out of court affairs for years. His biggest goal was to make the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy surpass Shrek Academy, and now, that goal was mostly achieved.
As long as they were strong enough themselves, there was no need to take sides, because they could form their own!
"Only the Dean truly understands me," Xu Tianxi said with a carefree smile, then looked at the imperial invitation from Xu Jiawei in his hand and asked,
"By the way, when is their banquet? There should be some good stuff, right?"
Ye Yulin immediately looked exasperated. "Oh, you! You don't want to go to our own Crown Prince's invitation, but you're interested in the Star Luo Emperor's invitation?"
Xu Tianxi blinked, smiling. "Although I volunteered to help, I did fight for them for seven days and seven nights. Shouldn't Xu Jiawei show some appreciation?"
"Putting everything else aside, they should give us the Soul Bone reward for winning the competition, right? While I may not necessarily need it, more is always better."
"Haha, of course! Even though the competition was canceled, we can't let that Xu Jiawei guy just gloss over it. All the honors and benefits that are due must be given."
A sharp glint flashed in Jing Hongchen's eyes. Three Soul Bones weren't that important, but the championship absolutely had to be secured. It was the first time in ten thousand years, enough to ensure that everyone in the Sun Moon Battle Team would be recorded in history, and Jing Hongchen himself would leave a significant mark in the annals.
"I'll go wake Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. We'll set off shortly. I want to see just how grand Xu Jiawei's affair is."
...
As Xu Tianxi and his group entered the Imperial City, they discovered that they weren't the only ones invited. There were also some familiar faces from the various academies that had participated in the competition.
The entire Dio Academy team followed their teacher into the palace, exchanged greetings with the Sun Moon Battle Team, and then quickly moved away. Ye Wuqing, Yu Mengdi, and others from Zheng Tian Academy, and Guzhu Sword and others from Douling Royal Academy, upon seeing the Sun Moon Battle Team, many smiled and nodded towards Xu Tianxi.
When someone took the initiative to greet him, Xu Tianxi naturally wouldn't respond coldly, returning each smile in kind.
Xiao Hongchen clicked his tongue beside him, "I say, Old Xu, you're quite popular here in the Star Luo Empire too. Many people owe you a favor this time."
Xu Tianxi smiled faintly. "Returning favors in kind is only natural. These geniuses from the various academies are all young, generally less complicated, and they have their own pride."
He wasn't acting like a naive benefactor by saving these people; those who could afford tickets to watch the competition in Star Luo Square weren't the lowest class of commoners. They were almost all middle-class and above, forming the backbone of the Star Luo Empire.
As for those academy prodigies... judging by the general intelligence level on the Douluo Continent, there wasn't much difference between them and those who were naive. The brainless would remember kindness, while the intelligent would weigh their options.
Meng Hongchen mused, "The Star Luo Emperor invited all the academies still in Star Luo City. Is he planning to make up the finals for us?"
"If that's true, that would be great! I'll definitely let Dio Academy and Star Luo Academy know what I'm capable of."
As long as the opponent wasn't Xu Tianxi or Ji Juechen, Xiao Hongchen would get excited at the mere mention of battle.
Xu Tianxi shook his head with a wry smile and strode into the palace.
As they moved, magnificent and grand carved beams and painted pillars came into view. Buildings every five steps, pavilions every ten, flying eaves and upturned corners, a truly grand sight, befitting the imperial palace of a nation.
A moment later, everyone followed the attendants to a half-open golden gate. To their surprise, the Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiawei, dressed in formal attire, stood personally at the entrance as if waiting for someone.
To his left was Xu Jiujiu, elegantly dressed, with a warm and generous smile on her flawless face, wearing a gown with twelve golden fishtail pleats. To his right was a valiant-looking young man, somewhat resembling Dai Huabin, with a pale complexion and his right arm concealed.
He was Dai Yueheng, the eldest son of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
Xu Tianxi noticed him because on the fifth day after the incident in Star Luo City, his father, the White Tiger Duke, was ordered back to the Imperial City to lead troops in maintaining internal and external order, and also to redeem Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu.
Seeing Ye Yulin and Jing Hongchen leading people, the Star Luo Emperor actually went forward to greet them with Xu Jiujiu and Dai Yueheng, speaking very warmly and inviting the two to their seats.
"Mingde Hall Master, Starry Sky Your Majesty, I've finally waited for you two. I've wanted to discuss matters with you for days, but my injuries haven't healed, so I haven't had the chance..."
Xu Jiawei's enthusiasm left Jing Hongchen and Ye Yulin somewhat flustered for a moment. They responded with dry laughs, thinking, Your actions make us seem like people from the Star Luo Empire.
Xu Jiujiu and Dai Yueheng also naturally greeted the Sun Moon Battle Team, as if they were old friends, leading everyone inside. They chatted separately with Xu Tianxi and Ma Rulong.
"For this disaster relief, all of us from Star Luo are grateful to Young Master Kong and everyone from the Sun Moon Empire for setting aside national boundaries to help. My Imperial Brother was deeply moved. This banquet is set to thank you all. Jiujiu, on behalf of my Imperial Brother and our nation's citizens, would like to thank Young Master Kong first; Young Master Kong will always be a friend of our Star Luo Empire."
Xu Jiujiu spoke with a serious expression, performing a complex court curtsy while walking. Under the warm light, the close-fitting, luxurious fishtail gown outlined her excellent curves.
Xu Tianxi casually echoed a few words, a faint smile on his face.
"Brother Ma, I heard your esteemed name when I was still at Shrek. I originally wanted to compete against you on the arena, but an accident happened. What a pity, what a pity. I'll toast you first."
Dai Yueheng casually took a glass of fine wine from an attendant, slightly bowed to Ma Rulong, and drained it, his expression genuinely forlorn.
Ma Rulong also knew a bit about Dai Yueheng. He returned the toast and tentatively asked, "Brother Dai, what are your plans next?"
"My path forward is mostly cut off. From now on, I'll just be a personal guard for my father. What other plans could I have?" Dai Yueheng gave a self-deprecating smile and said,
"To be frank with you, Brother Ma, in my current state, I can't graduate from Shrek. I've already dropped out..."
"That's truly regrettable," Ma Rulong said, his face showing sympathy, saddened by Dai Yueheng's plight.
Xu Tianxi noticed the conversation between Ma Rulong and Dai Yueheng, his eyes flickering. He thought, You're doing pretty well now, much better than Ma Xiaotao, whom I sent away.
"Young Master Kong, we know you have some grievances with Shrek, but please rest assured, we in Star Luo are reasonable people. We believe everything should be based on principle."
At this moment, Xu Jiujiu's soft and pleasant voice sounded from the side, her words carrying a very unusual undertone.
Even the usually oblivious Xiao Hongchen noticed something was off and interjected, "Princess, I remember Star Luo and Shrek are allies, aren't they?"
Xu Jiujiu smiled generously, calmly retorting, "Shrek claims neutrality. When have they ever had an alliance with us?"
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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