Father and Son

"Those are... His Majesty the Emperor's Golden Armored Guards!"

Everyone stood frozen, immediately recognizing the famed Golden Armored Guards, a Soul Master force specially tasked with protecting Xue Ye's safety.

"His Highness the Prince? That guy is actually a noble prince?!"

The two guards went pale, staring at Fang Xuan in disbelief. Their hearts were filled with regret.

Who could have imagined that this ordinary youth, denied admission because of his commoner status, was actually a prince? How was that possible?!

Even Qin Ming looked astonished, unable to understand what was happening.

"What do you want with me?!"

Fang Xuan frowned, a trace of confusion appearing in his eyes as he lowered his head slightly to stare at a Golden Armor Guard.

"Your Highness, His Majesty the Emperor has been waiting for you for a long time. Please return to the palace with us immediately," the Golden Armor Guard said.

The Emperor...

Fang Xuan's expression hardened. According to the memories of his former self, that lofty emperor father in the Imperial Palace had seemingly never cared whether he lived or died. Why had he suddenly summoned him?

And it was the day after he had just been assassinated. Was that a coincidence...

Fang Xuan felt that things were far from simple.

In the Douluo story, there was little description of Xue Ye, but anyone capable of becoming emperor could never have done so without deep cunning and formidable methods.

He was still far too weak. If possible, he truly did not want to get involved in Royal Family conflicts, but it seemed there was no avoiding them now.

Although he was deeply unwilling to enter that Imperial Palace, a place as perilous as a dragon's lair and tiger's den, he still nodded. "Alright. I'll go with you."

Faced with an invitation from Xue Ye, Fang Xuan clearly had no right to refuse.

In this world, only those with sufficient strength had the right to speak.

As they watched Fang Xuan leave with the Golden Armored Guards, the two guards regretted it bitterly and cried out in terror, "That youth isn't a noble... he's Royal Family!"

Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Within the resplendent golden hall, a middle-aged man in his fifties sat high upon the throne. He wore a golden robe and a crown studded with dazzling diamonds. His face was pale as the moon, his beard and hair entirely white, making him look very old.

Yet his back remained perfectly straight. His dark eyes were as deep as the starry sky, and his entire body radiated the majesty of a king.

This was one of the most powerful men on Douluo Continent, Xue Ye!

Below him, Fang Xuan stood silently in the center of the hall, his manner exceptionally respectful. He did not dare show any dissatisfaction, because he knew that the man seated on the throne possessed the power to determine his life and death.

He was still too weak. Only by enduring could he survive.

Xue Ye stared at Fang Xuan's face for a long time. His gaze gradually softened, and he sighed. "You look very much like your mother..."

Fang Xuan froze for a moment, becoming even more respectful and not daring to speak carelessly.

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to see your mother one last time," Xue Ye said apologetically.

"This wasn't your fault," Fang Xuan said.

"You wandered the streets alone all these years and suffered greatly. I have wronged you," Xue Ye sighed.

"You are the ruler of a nation, occupied with countless affairs every day. You have no spare time to concern yourself with unnecessary matters. I understand," Fang Xuan said seriously.

Xue Ye was somewhat surprised. He had thought that this son he had never paid attention to would cry, make a scene, or even become furious before him. Yet Fang Xuan had not uttered a single word of complaint.

Moreover, every word he said seemed to defend him as a father.

No matter how one looked at it, Xue Ye had failed in his duties as a father. Yet his youngest son bore no resentment, which made him feel considerable appreciation for Fang Xuan.

But unfortunately, Fang Xuan could not awaken a Martial Soul!

On Douluo Continent, everyone possessed a Martial Soul. Whether it was a Waste Spirit, an ordinary Martial Soul, or a top-grade Martial Soul, every person was born with one.

Xue Ye had even heard of Twin Martial Souls, where someone possessed one more Martial Soul than ordinary people. Such people were peerless geniuses seen only once in a century.

However, he had never seen Twin Martial Souls. As for his odd son, for some unknown reason, he simply could not awaken a Martial Soul at all. Looking across all of Douluo Continent, there was likely no second case like this.

At that thought, Xue Ye's gaze dimmed, and he sighed helplessly. His son might be some freak seen only once in a century!

"Fang Xuan, although you have not inherited my surname, you are still my son. I have neglected you for so many years, and I have now decided to offer you some compensation."

Xue Ye stared into Fang Xuan's eyes and said seriously, "I have decided to grant you a territory in Fasnuo Province, in the southwestern part of the empire. I have already selected a fine place for you, surrounded by mountains and water, called—Xue Nuo City. The scenery there is beautiful, spring lasts all year round, and you can peacefully become the lord of Xue Nuo City. I guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and glory, free from all worries."

For an ordinary commoner, shedding their commoner status and becoming the honored lord of a territory was undoubtedly something they could only dream of. He felt that the terms he offered Fang Xuan were already generous enough.

A useless person who could not awaken a Martial Soul and could not cultivate—what could he possibly be dissatisfied with if he could become a noble lord and live a wealthy life without lacking food or drink?

Yet, to Xue Ye's surprise, this son, who had not contradicted him even once since entering the hall, rejected his generous offer for the first time.

"Your Majesty, I do not wish to go to Xue Nuo City."

Fang Xuan remained respectful as he said seriously, "I wish to study at Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"You want to go to Heaven Dou Academy?!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Ye could not help frowning, seeming somewhat displeased.

Rather than becoming a fine lord, he wanted to go to Heaven Dou Academy?!

He could not understand what Fang Xuan was trying to do.

Xue Ye looked expressionlessly at Fang Xuan. "You failed to awaken a Martial Soul. What would you accomplish by going there? You should obediently go to Xue Nuo City and be a proper lord. You are nearly an adult as well, so I will arrange a marriage for you as soon as possible.

"By the way, I heard that the youngest princess of the Balak Kingdom is your age and exceptionally beautiful. I'll give her to you as your wife. What do you think?"

Was this exile?!

Fang Xuan sneered. He could clearly sense that Xue Ye did not sincerely wish to compensate him; he merely wanted Fang Xuan to disappear from before his eyes as quickly as possible.

As for those generous terms, a mere petty lordship was nothing to an emperor.

He did not care about a lord's noble title, nor did he care about having a princess for a wife. All he wanted now was to live—to live safely and peacefully!

As long as he could safely survive for three years on Douluo Continent, he was confident that he could raise his strength beyond Level Fifty. By then, no one would be able to manipulate him at will.

At present, he was still on Qian Renxue's assassination list. If he truly followed Xue Ye's arrangements and traveled far away to become the lord of Xue Nuo City, he would likely be killed by Spirit Hall's people before he even arrived.

Therefore, remaining in Heaven Dou City and joining a powerful Soul Master Academy would be safer.

After careful thought, determination surged in Fang Xuan's eyes. Meeting Xue Ye's sharp gaze, he said, "Your Majesty, I only wish to attend Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"

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