First, Eliminate the Least Likely Option

Outside the palace, several fully armed Soul Sage-level Soul Masters equipped with high-grade Soul Tools stood guard alongside more than ten equally well-equipped Soul Emperor-level Soul Masters.

Although Soul Masters of the Sun Moon Empire were generally weaker in combat than those of the Douluo Continent, the Soul Masters chosen to protect the Emperor were clearly not the usual weaker sort.

Every one of them was an elite who cultivated both Martial Souls and Soul Tools. Even without relying on Soul Tools, each was a formidable expert. With suitable Soul Tools, they could even crush the vast majority of Soul Masters at the same level.

Through mutual coordination and the linkage between their Soul Tools, these dozen or so people could hold off most Titled Douluo below the level of Super Douluo for a short time.

There was naturally a reason such a powerful force could remain at the Emperor's side.

These Soul Masters came from various families, and every one of them had countless ties to the Imperial Family and the Emperor. Some were related by blood, while others had different connections.

It was precisely because each of them had a reason not to betray him that they were allowed to guard the Emperor fully armed within the Imperial Palace. They were much like the sword-bearing imperial guards commonly seen during the Qing Dynasty on Earth.

But not betraying the Emperor did not mean they had no thoughts of their own.

Born into noble families, they had possessed their own ambitions since childhood. Their strength and status as imperial guards also ensured that they held considerable influence within their respective families. While carrying out their duties, they naturally had their own private schemes.

When the Emperor had still been at the height of his power, even if they had such thoughts, they had not dared act on them.

But now that the Emperor was gradually losing control over the court and the Princes had begun forming factions to compete for the throne, they no longer had so many reservations.

Everyone in their position was connected to one or even several Princes. Though they appeared neutral and loyal to the Emperor, they might well be an important piece in a certain Prince's struggle for succession. Much of the Emperor's intelligence was leaked by these guards.

When the fully armed guards saw the palace doors open from within and the Third Prince, Xu Tianran, emerge with three "suspects," people clearly belonging to different factions revealed a variety of expressions.

Surprise, delight, anger, confusion...

Watching Xu Tianran take the lead, a middle-aged Soul Sage stepped out from the guards and bowed to him.

"Your Highness the Third Prince, what are His Majesty's orders?"

This guard, who clearly had some connection with Xu Tianran, asked loudly.

"Nothing much. Father merely said that certain internal matters were unsuitable for Hall Master Hongchen's grandson and granddaughter, as well as the next Dragon Elephant Duke, to hear. So he told me to take the three of them out for the time being and wait somewhere secluded."

Xu Tianran's voice carried a hint of cheerfulness. The information revealed in his words caused the guards, each harboring their own agenda, to sink into serious thought.

Still, regardless of the Emperor's state of mind when issuing the order, they did not dare openly oppose either the Emperor or the Prince.

The guards took out specialized equipment and briefly checked the fluctuations of Soul Power around them, as well as whether they carried the scent of blood. They then allowed the four to leave.

For some unknown reason, Xu Tianran refused to let the guards waiting outside accompany them. Instead, he led the three elsewhere by himself.

This palace was a side hall located within the Imperial Palace. Its location was not particularly good, but it had been a place the current Emperor often liked to play in as a child, giving it special meaning to him.

Thus, after he usurped the throne, the palace here was renovated. Gardens and other scenery were added, while large quantities of exotic flowers and rare plants were transplanted without damaging the original structure. Even the ambient Origin Energy had been made gentler and more abundant through adjustments by special Soul Tools.

Although its location remained remote, its scenery and various detection devices were among the best in the Imperial Palace. It could be considered the Emperor's second residence.

Xu Tianran brought the three to a pavilion and invited Chen Ming, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen to sit.

Seeing Xu Tianran smiling pleasantly, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were clearly somewhat uneasy due to their family's and grandfather's teachings, uncertain whether they should sit. Chen Ming, however, responded politely before pulling the two down to sit with him.

Seeing how he had clearly taken the initiative among the three, Xu Tianran's gaze flickered slightly, though he gave it little thought.

Unlike the Fourth Prince, who had no brains and relied entirely on favoritism to maintain his standing among the Princes, Xu Tianran had long carefully investigated most of the powers and families within the empire capable of influencing the position of Crown Prince. He had also long since recruited the families he believed could be won over.

The current head of the Hongchen Family was Jing Hongchen, who was also the Hall Master of Mingde Hall.

His status ensured that, even if he did not involve himself in this mess, so long as nothing drastic happened—such as all of Mingde Hall being blown away or its secrets being stolen—then no matter who ascended the throne as the new Emperor, they would have to show Jing Hongchen respect and grant him appropriate treatment.

As for the Dragon Elephant Sect, it was an even more straightforward and pure family sect power.

No matter how Xu Tianran investigated and tested them, he found that aside from their unusual hatred for Shrek and their extra reverence for Spirit Hall, this sect displayed almost no political inclination or ambition.

Over the sect's four-thousand-year history, aside from a few reasons at its founding, it had always been an exceptionally pure anti-Shrek faction, with almost no other colors mixed in.

Even without actively attempting to recruit such a family, so long as no one specifically targeted them, when the time came to confront Shrek Academy, they would leap out to serve as the vanguard as long as they still had a breath left in them.

Xu Tianran simply could not understand why these two families, with their distinct camps and little previous connection to each other, had come together.

Why had Jing Hongchen, that old fox who was normally extremely cautious about taking disciples, chosen to accept a disciple with such a special identity?

First, Xu Tianran ruled out the vulgar possibility that Jing Hongchen had accepted him as a disciple because he had been paid...

Then the only possible reason was a favor—or perhaps talent?