The Conflict Between the Royal Family and Duke's Mansion

"So?"

Dai Huabin's eyes lit up. This was wonderful news.

"In other words, you'll be the only White Tiger Martial Soul Soul Master in a hundred years capable of merging with a Spirit Cat Family member's Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul." Duchess said solemnly. "The reason I've always refused to let you report to Shrek Academy ahead of schedule was because I was waiting for this news."

"Now it seems I've gotten what I wanted. Over the next year, you'll devote yourself wholeheartedly to developing a relationship with Zhu Lu. Try to cultivate the Martial Soul Fusion Skill as soon as possible. Do you understand?"

"I understand." Dai Huabin nodded heavily, unable to hide the smile on his face.

Seeing this, Duchess shook her head.

He was, after all, only a little over ten years old. He was incapable of hiding any of his emotions.

Dai Huabin was naturally overjoyed. In terms of cultivation, it would be difficult for him to catch up with his elder brother now, which would cause him plenty of trouble when competing for the Duke's position in the future. But once he cultivated the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, everything would change in an instant.

After all, ever since their ancestor Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing spread their fame throughout Douluo Continent ten thousand years ago, the Hell White Tiger fusion skill had represented the core connection between the White Tiger Family and the Spirit Cat Family.

Whoever could cultivate the fusion skill would see his status rise sharply.

His elder brother Dai Yueheng had not achieved any Martial Soul fusion with any of the younger generation members of the Zhu Family. In other words, he was the only one.

"You're still tormenting that little bastard?" Duchess changed the subject.

Dai Huabin's smile faded, and he nodded.

Duchess said indifferently, "Put that aside for now. Over the next year, I'll send people to personally guide you and Zhu Lu in your cultivation. With so many resources at your disposal, it'll be enough for your cultivation to break through to the Soul Elder level when you're around twelve. Then you can enter Shrek Academy, win the New Student Assessment championship in one stroke, and attract the attention of its upper echelons more quickly."

"Besides, that little bastard has that old man Chen Hongsheng secretly helping him. Normally, you can bully him at most with odd jobs. If you truly intend to kill him, that old man will definitely intervene. Who knows what kind of bewitching potion that slut Huo Yun'er fed him back then?"

"I understand." Dai Huabin did not dare disobey his mother, and immediately agreed.

"sigh." Suddenly, Duchess sighed.

Dai Huabin did not understand, and immediately asked, "Mother, did something happen?"

Duchess had not wanted to say anything more, but seeing the seriousness in Dai Huabin's eyes, she fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Do you know why your father has stayed at the border for so many years instead of returning home?"

"Because of the threat from the Sun Moon Empire, Father has to guard the frontier." Dai Huabin did not even need to think before giving his opinion.

"You're only half right." Duchess's gaze grew deep. This also made Dai Huabin unconsciously fall silent.

Duchess said quietly, "The Sun Moon Empire does indeed harbor ambitions of invading the original Three Empires of Douluo Continent again. But at present, their people have yet to truly unite. The War Faction, Stability Faction, and Neutral Faction are all powerful. In addition, their emperor is growing old, while the princes are fighting among themselves. They have no energy to concern themselves with this. Thus, in the short term, the Sun Moon Empire absolutely cannot pose too great a threat to us."

"In reality, the true threat currently comes from our own side."

"The threat comes from our own side?" Dai Huabin stared wide-eyed, as though he had heard something unbelievable.

Duchess gave a cold laugh. "Let me ask you this: If you were the emperor, and two Soul Master families with ten-thousand-year inheritances had been intermarrying and uniting for years, while possessing tremendous influence in various aspects of the empire—not to mention the military—what would you think?"

"I would be wary of them and scheme against them. Even if those two families had no intention of rebelling, they possess the ability to rebel. That alone would be enough." Though Dai Huabin was only a little over ten years old, he understood some things.

Most importantly, he was not stupid. It was obvious that the two families his mother referred to were his own White Tiger Family and his mother's Spirit Cat Family.

"You're right." Duchess nodded approvingly. "Over the years, successive Star Luo Emperors have constantly tried to insert trusted subordinates into the Northwest Army Group controlled by Duke White Tiger's Mansion, attempting to seize its power."

"But the Northwest Army Group has been in the hands of the White Tiger Family since Four Thousand Years Ago. Internal appointments and dismissals have never been under the emperor's control. Thus, your father could never allow his authority to be stripped away. Although he has no intention of rebelling, he must also prevent the power left behind by the Old Ancestor from being taken. That's why he has always used the threat of the Sun Moon Empire as an excuse to guard the border."

"Otherwise, do you think things are really so busy at the border that he can't even return home once?"

"Come to think of it, the Sun Moon Empire has been quite cooperative as well. They launch a small-scale conflict every now and then, giving your father sufficient reason to stay there and even constantly raising his prestige. The empire now calls your father the God of War. It's precisely this prestige that makes the Royal Family hesitate, even if it wants to take action."

Dai Huabin's eyes widened. He never would have imagined that one of the reasons his father had refused to return home for so many years was this.

Duchess's tone eased. "There's nothing strange about it. If I were the emperor, I would do the same. After all, the collapse of the Heaven Dou Empire back then was precisely caused by the intricate web of forces within the nation. Those kingdoms became too powerful to control, resulting in Tianhun and Dou Ling."

"Back then, the Star Crown Sect saved the empire from ruin and subsequently took control of the Imperial Throne. From that day onward, no enfeoffed noble could obtain a fief. At most, they were allowed to establish their own mansion in one place. This cut off the possibility of nobles establishing deep roots locally and completely turning their territories into nations within the nation."

"But even after the Star Crown Family did this, the nobles within the empire still possess tremendous power today. How could the Royal Family not be wary?"

"Of course, you and your elder brother don't need to get involved in these matters for now. The only task you brothers have is to cultivate diligently and raise your cultivation as soon as possible. It would be best if you could make friends with the geniuses of various major forces within Shrek Academy. That way, even if the Royal Family wants to act in the future, it will have to hesitate. On Douluo Continent, the powerful Soul Masters will always have the final say."

As she spoke, Duchess's gaze grew solemn, and she looked at Dai Huabin earnestly.

The latter's expression also turned serious. He said with understanding, "I understand, Mother."

"It's good that you understand. Remember, don't reveal anything I told you today." Duchess reminded him.

Dai Huabin smiled. "Don't worry, Mother. I know what I'm doing."

"Also, withdraw the Dark Guard you planted in Shrek City to monitor your elder brother. Don't let there be a next time. I gave you part of the Dark Guard to protect you in your daily life, not to let you use them to spy on your own family." Duchess's tone grew stern.

Dai Huabin's heart trembled slightly. He knew his mother was still angry about this matter.

"Rest assured. I'll arrange it later and withdraw the Dark Guard immediately." Dai Huabin said respectfully.

Duchess did not reply. She merely cast several stern glances at Dai Huabin.

"Jingle!"

Suddenly, a crisp ringing sound came from one side of the hall, breaking the nearly frozen atmosphere.