Great Li Temporary Palace, Giant Shield and Twin Blades

"Investigate. Investigate it for me."

After returning to the palace, Qian Renxue immediately gave orders to Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo.

The sudden emergence of two Titled Douluo had greatly shaken her.

Although Qian Renxue had seen countless Titled Douluo since childhood, the abrupt appearance of these two, who were almost unknown to outsiders, felt deeply abnormal no matter how she thought about it.

"Young Master, you previously ordered us to investigate Lin Yi's background, but he was like someone who had appeared out of thin air. There was no information about him whatsoever before this."

"Then focus all attention on Lin Qi. This child's origins are definitely extraordinary."

Suddenly, Qian Renxue recalled something.

"This Lin Qi might be the imperial descendant of some ancient kingdom that has already perished. Perhaps Xue Ye knows something."

The history of Douluo Continent was exceedingly long.

Yet little of that history had been passed down. Hardly anyone knew much about the time before the Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire.

Spirit Hall had only recorded the histories of certain powerful Soul Masters and sects. It had never specifically studied history or compiled historical records.

After all, Soul Masters were busy cultivating. Studying history was far too wasteful of energy.

"Young Master, should we send word to Spirit City and request assistance with the investigation?"

Qian Renxue frowned.

Sending word to Spirit City was tantamount to asking that woman for help.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, Qian Renxue did not want to contact that woman.

"Not for now. We still know nothing about Lin Qi. At the very least, we need to learn more about him and the Soul Fighting Arena before making any further plans."

After giving her orders, Qian Renxue composed herself, ensuring that she was still the refined and gracious Xue Qinghe.

"I'll go see Father. Perhaps I can learn something useful from him."

"Yes."

Xue Qinghe walked at an unhurried pace toward Xuexing Palace.

"Your son pays his respects to Father."

After playing Xue Qinghe for so many years, every gesture and mannerism had long since been etched into her bones.

"You came to see Us at this hour. Is there something you need?"

For some reason, Xue Ye had always harbored an indescribable dissatisfaction toward this son.

"Your son has recently taken an interest in history. Does Father know what powerful nations existed on Douluo Continent before the founding of our Heaven Dou Empire?"

"Why have you suddenly become interested in history?"

Xue Ye asked casually. Compared to being obsessed with power, he would rather Xue Qinghe take an interest in such mundane matters as history.

"Your son recently met someone who claimed to be an imperial descendant of an ancient dynasty."

"Your son has never heard of what nations existed in ancient times, so I came to seek Father's guidance."

Developments on Douluo Continent were slow.

A nation or sect could be passed down for thousands, even tens of thousands, of years.

They might not even remember much of their own history, much less history from an even more distant age.

Xue Ye thought for a moment and said:

"The Royal Archives contain some strange tales and anecdotes from ancient times, though it is difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood. If you are interested, you may look through them."

The books in the so-called Royal Archives had nothing to do with Soul Master cultivation, so Xue Qinghe had never visited even once.

"Your son will certainly take a look when I have the time."

Just as Xue Qinghe thought she could learn nothing more and was preparing to leave, Xue Ye spoke again:

"However, speaking of dynasties from ancient times, We do know of one."

"Please enlighten me, Father."

This was the first time the nominal father and son, Xue Ye and "Xue Qinghe," had discussed such trivial matters. Xue Ye's attitude softened somewhat.

"It is said that long, long ago, there was only one empire on the entire Douluo Continent. It was called Great Li."

"Great Li was powerful beyond measure, but for reasons unknown, it suddenly collapsed, and Douluo Continent split into hundreds of nations of varying sizes."

"Only after a long passage of time did our Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire divide the land between them, ending that prolonged age of chaos."

"As for the person you mentioned, he is most likely speaking nonsense. Great Li vanished an unknown number of years ago. How could there still be an imperial descendant?"

"Great Li." Xue Qinghe silently repeated the name.

Could Lin Qi be an imperial descendant of the Great Li Empire?

But how could an empire that had vanished an unknown number of years ago reappear, and with such formidable power?

"Father is truly learned and well-informed. Your son admires you."

Xue Qinghe rarely expressed such reverence toward Xue Ye, which made Xue Ye rather pleased.

"It is good that you wish to learn more about history. Governing a nation and handling state affairs require more than strength alone."

"Your son understands."

East City.

Ge Ming led Lin Qi to a residence that appeared rather inconspicuous from the outside.

But once the gates opened, the scene within was utterly different from what it looked like outside.

White jade served as paving stones, while carved beams and painted rafters adorned the buildings.

Its grounds were nothing like those of an ordinary estate.

The front courtyard alone, beyond the gates, was a plaza larger than dozens of Soul Fighting Arena combat zones combined.

The interior layout possessed endless grandeur, with nobility and majesty hidden in every detail.

To construct such a Temporary Palace in land-scarce Heaven Dou City must have cost an incalculable amount of money and resources.

Upon entering the residence, Lin Qi even suspected that Ge Ming had moved the entire Heaven Dou Imperial Palace here.

"Your subject's abilities are limited. This Temporary Palace has been prepared somewhat humbly. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Lin Qi's surprise lasted only an instant, while Xiao Wu looked completely like a country rabbit, her eyes wide with amazement.

After her Humanoid Transformation, the finest place she had ever lived in was Master Meng's Bamboo House. She had never seen a place so extravagant.

"This is humble?"

Ge Ming said, "Compared to the former Great Li Imperial Palace, this does not measure up to even one percent."

"Your Majesty, this way."

After passing through the front courtyard, the true splendor of the Temporary Palace finally unfolded.

"Welcome Your Majesty to the Temporary Palace."

The vermilion gates opened, and over a thousand palace maids and inner guards stood in rows on both sides, welcoming the Emperor of Great Li.

Lin Qi waved a hand. Understanding his meaning, Ge Ming immediately declared:

"Rise."

Ge Ming's preparations had been thorough, but Lin Qi's reaction was quite ordinary.

Whether it was a bamboo hut or a Temporary Palace, it was merely a place to stay.

After assigning everyone their duties, Lin Qi had Ge Ming lead the way. Only after quite some time did they finally reach the true sleeping palace.

A house that was too large was troublesome as well. It wasted time.

"You two are the commanders of the Blood Guard and Iron Guard?"

"Yes. This subordinate is Tie Hu, commander of the Iron Guard," said the more burly man.

The leaner man followed closely after him.

"This subordinate is Xue Ren, commander of the Blood Guard."

Ge Ming was also a member of the Blood Guard, though he was not a commander but Xue Ren's subordinate.

Next, Lin Qi learned about the two men's strength and Martial Souls.

Tie Hu possessed rank ninety-five Soul Power, and his Martial Soul was a Giant Shield.

Xue Ren's Soul Power was slightly lower than Tie Hu's, at rank ninety-four. His Martial Soul was the Dark Twin Blades.

The Dark Twin Blades were two daggers, but they were not Twin Martial Souls and could not absorb Soul Rings separately.

Their Martial Souls also revealed their differing roles, each with their own strengths.

"Other than you two, where are the commanders of the other five guards?"

Great Li had Seven Guards, but only two commanders had arrived.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, they are scattered across various places and are not currently in Heaven Dou City. Once they receive word, they will certainly come to pay their respects to Your Majesty as quickly as possible."

Lin Qi had merely asked in passing.

Xue Ren and Tie Hu had only appeared after rewards were triggered.

If the others were to appear, further rewards would surely need to be triggered as well.