Imperial Advisor

Inside Sky Dome Hall.

Rows of maids fluttered through the hall like butterflies among flowers, carrying exquisite dishes to the people gathered there.

Once most of the dishes had been served, Xue Ye, seated at the head of the table, clapped his hands. The melodious sounds of strings and pipes began to ring out from either side of the hall.

A procession of stunningly beautiful dancers, dressed in sheer gauze, passed between the seats of Shrek's teachers and students and made their way to the center of the hall, where they began to display their graceful dance moves.

Their snow-white skin, graceful figures, and supple, serpent-like waists made the atmosphere in the hall grow considerably more lively.

Xue Ye rose from his seat, lifted his wine cup, and called out to everyone in the hall, "Everyone, enjoy the food and wine before you. There's no need to stand on ceremony."

At his words, the people below began eating. Dugu Bo, seated to Xue Ye's left, had already been wolfing down the food as soon as the maids had finished serving it.

Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Liu Erlong, seated at the same table, were slightly taken aback. They gained a deeper understanding of Dugu Bo's relationship with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

After returning to his seat, Xue Ye took a sip of wine, then set down his cup and looked toward the Golden Iron Triangle on his left. "Dean Flender, I've heard that Shrek Academy has yet to accept funding from any faction. I wonder if you're short on funds?"

Flender glanced at Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang beside him. Seeing them both nod in agreement, he knew what to do. He immediately put on a pitiful expression and began acting poor in front of Xue Ye.

"Ah, Your Majesty, to be honest, life at Shrek Academy really is difficult."

"Most of the students at the academy come from commoner families, so they can only afford limited tuition. But they're all gifted, and to train talent for the empire, the academy has given everything it can. At this point, we're barely keeping the place running."

Flender spoke with heartfelt anguish. But Xue Ye was an old fox and naturally understood the meaning behind his words. He replied solemnly, "Commoner Soul Masters are pillars of the empire too. In that case, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family will officially fund Shrek Academy. We'll also grant the academy special privileges and transfer all the surrounding land to it."

"I hope Dean Flender will continue to improve the academy and train more pillars of talent for the Heaven Dou Empire."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Flender will not let you down."

They each drank a cup of wine, then began chatting about this and that. Flender's stories from his travels across the continent in his youth managed to pique Xue Ye's interest.

After all, as a member of the royal family, Xue Ye had grown up in the palace and later inherited the throne. Apart from obtaining Soul Rings, he had rarely left Heaven Dou City in his life, so he naturally knew little about the world beyond it.

The banquet continued until late into the night. The people from Shrek Academy rose from their seats, preparing to leave.

Yu Xiaogang was also heading toward the hall's entrance when Xue Ye suddenly stepped forward and came to stand before him with a smile. "There are some matters I'd like to discuss with Grandmaster. Would you mind accompanying me to the study so we can talk in private?"

The real conversation had finally begun!

Yu Xiaogang glanced at Flender and Liu Erlong, signaling for them to leave first. Then he followed Xue Ye to the study.

Compared with the opulence of Sky Dome Hall, Xue Ye's study was rather understated.

The study covered a little over a hundred square meters. Its furnishings were simple and refined. At first glance, nothing stood out, but everything had been arranged with great care.

Two walls of books stretched from floor to ceiling along either side of the room. A short distance in front of them stood two rows of sofas, with two seats in each row and a wooden table between them.

At the very back of the study stood a desk made of jade, piled high with all kinds of official documents.

Xue Ye led Yu Xiaogang to the sofa in front of the left-hand bookcase. They sat on opposite sides of the wooden table. With a grave expression, Xue Ye asked, "What is your view of the current situation on the continent, Grandmaster?"

"On the surface, it's peaceful. In reality, undercurrents are surging."

"Where are these undercurrents coming from?" Xue Ye asked.

"Spirit Hall, naturally."

"Then, Grandmaster, which do you think is stronger: Spirit Hall or the Heaven Dou Empire?"

Yu Xiaogang fell silent. Seeing this, Xue Ye immediately said, "Speak freely, Grandmaster. There's no need to hold back."

"Spirit Hall is stronger, and the Heaven Dou Empire is weaker."

Xue Ye fell silent for a moment, then reluctantly nodded. With a sigh, he asked, "Does Grandmaster have any way to help the Heaven Dou Empire?"

Yu Xiaogang pondered for a moment before replying, "Spirit Hall is powerful now. It's unrealistic to think the Heaven Dou Empire can stand against it on its own. Our only option is to seek an alliance."

A thoughtful look appeared in Xue Ye's eyes. "You mean we should ally with the Star Luo Empire and face Spirit Hall together?"

"Exactly."

"That's easier said than done. Heaven Dou and Star Luo both have their own ambitions, so joining forces won't be easy." Xue Ye sighed.

"Your Majesty is right. Before Spirit Hall makes a move, forming an alliance with the Star Luo Empire will indeed be difficult."

Yu Xiaogang nodded, then smiled. "But Your Majesty can reach out to Star Luo first and explain the threat posed by Spirit Hall. That would naturally lay the groundwork for an alliance."

"Moreover, two of my students are direct descendants of the Star Luo Imperial Family. Having defeated the Star Luo Royal Team in the tournament, they'll naturally become future heirs of the Star Luo Empire. I can write a letter for Your Majesty to send, which should help move things forward."

Xue Ye's face brightened with delight. "Excellent. In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Grandmaster."

He then asked, "Can the Martial Soul Heterogeneous Fusion you used in the tournament be used on other Soul Masters?"

"Certainly, though the results won't be as good. The reason my student could use Weapon Spirit True Body with the strength of a level-forty Soul Ancestor in the tournament is that he has something special about him."

"I see." Disappointment showed on Xue Ye's face.

Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang quickly added, "But Your Majesty needn't be too disappointed. If a Soul Saint leads a group of lower-level Soul Masters and they use Martial Soul Heterogeneous Fusion, they should be able to achieve the strength of an ordinary Soul Douluo. I think that should be enough."

Xue Ye's eyes immediately shifted as he considered this. A pleased expression soon returned to his face. "In that case, I'll ask you to train the Royal Soul Master Guard as you've just described."

"Certainly. However, I'll be returning to my clan before long. Would it be possible to hold the training there?"

"That's easily arranged. I hereby appoint you Imperial Advisor of the Heaven Dou Empire, and I'll assign fifty Soul Masters from the Royal Soul Master Guard to protect you. They can accompany you back to the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Clan. Once they've completed their training, send them back, and I'll dispatch more."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not let you down."