Soul Master Competition, Schemes from All Sides

Soul Master Competition, Schemes from All Sides

From the perspective of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects, the Heaven Dou Royal Family using territory as the reward for a Soul Master Competition was a terrible move.

If Spirit Hall won the championship, it would possess a piece of land within the Heaven Dou Empire that was entirely beyond the empire's control. In the future, it would be even easier for Spirit Hall to interfere in the Heaven Dou Empire's internal affairs.

As the continent's strongest power, if Spirit Hall occupied an entire city, Ning Fengzhi, as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sect Master, would not be able to sleep peacefully.

If the Star Luo Empire won the championship, it would be equivalent to directly opening a gateway within the Heaven Dou Empire. The Star Luo Empire could completely use that city as a place to station troops and cause trouble.

Ning Fengzhi knew that the Heaven Dou Royal Family had absolute confidence in doing this, but was this not too risky?

Of course Xue Qinghe understood what Ning Fengzhi meant, but as the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, he had his own considerations as well.

The All-Continent Advanced Elite Soul Master Competition was an opportunity to display the empire's strength. Most of the empire's future powerhouses and newly rising nobles came from its contestants. It was practically a training ground for future officials.

The Star Luo Empire was currently powerful, and its unique method of imperial succession had given it an abundant thirst for battle. If Spirit Hall had not been holding it back, the Heaven Dou Empire would have been nearly destroyed, if not outright conquered.

If the Heaven Dou Empire did not use this opportunity to show its strength and let the Star Luo Empire see the prowess of Heaven Dou's elite Soul Masters, the scales of victory would completely tip toward the Star Luo Empire.

What? Why not guard against Spirit Hall? In the empire's eyes, Spirit Hall was merely a religious power. Even in the Heaven Dou Royal Family's eyes, Spirit Hall was no different from the Upper Three Sects.

"Teacher, this was Father's decision. I also tried to persuade Father to consider it carefully during the court assembly, but as you know, Father did not heed our advice."

Xue Qinghe leaned wearily against the back of his chair and rubbed his brow helplessly.

"Teacher, you also know that the All-Continent Advanced Elite Soul Master Competition has been held twice. The first was hosted by Spirit Hall, and Spirit Hall ultimately claimed victory. Their team consisted of four Soul Ancestors and three high-level Soul Elders."

"The second was held in Star Luo City, and the Star Luo Empire took the championship. Their team had three Soul Ancestors and four high-level Soul Elders."

"This time, it is being held in our Heaven Dou City. The Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team consists of three Soul Ancestors and four Soul Elders, with one of the Soul Ancestors being a high-level Soul Ancestor. The Heaven Dou Empire has a high chance of winning the championship."

"The reason Father offered a city's territory as the reward was to recruit Soul Masters. The Star Luo Empire is eyeing the Heaven Dou Empire like a tiger, and Father is worried—"

Ning Fengzhi interrupted Xue Qinghe before he could continue. "Qinghe, do you truly believe that our opponent is the Star Luo Empire?"

"You must understand that the reason we have not entered into all-out war with the Star Luo Empire is because Spirit Hall has been mediating between us. Spirit Hall's strength is unfathomable. If Spirit Hall obtains the championship reward, what will that mean for the Heaven Dou Empire? Do you really not understand?"

Did Xue Qinghe not understand? He did—very clearly. In fact, it had been Xue Qinghe who had guided the Heaven Dou Royal Family into offering territory as the champion's reward this time.

Did the Heaven Dou Royal Family hate Spirit Hall? They did. But compared to hostility and confrontation, the Heaven Dou Royal Family would rather win Spirit Hall over.

Besides, there was no reason for the lineups in the previous two Soul Master Competitions to win while the Heaven Dou Team, with an even stronger lineup, would lose.

The only force truly worried about Spirit Hall was another sect-type faction: the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Moreover, the Heaven Dou Crown Prince seated before Ning Fengzhi had another secret identity. He was Qian Renxue, the only daughter of Qian Xunji, Spirit Hall's former Pope, in disguise.

"Teacher, I understand. That is why we must ensure that the final victor of this Advanced Soul Master Competition is the Heaven Dou Empire."

"If our Heaven Dou Team can gather seven Soul Ancestors for this Soul Master Competition, then I believe we will certainly claim victory."

"Teacher, do you have any good ideas?"

Hearing Xue Qinghe's words, Ning Fengzhi finally came to a realization. He had previously been focused on the consequences of Spirit Hall winning and obtaining land within the Heaven Dou Empire, without considering matters more deeply. Now, after Xue Qinghe's reminder, he understood at once.

"Qinghe, your father truly has his ways. Very well. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has two more contestants who meet the requirements for the All-Continent Advanced Elite Soul Master Competition. In two days, I will have them enter the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"As for the remaining three Soul Ancestors, there is nothing I can do. Qinghe, as your teacher, I still have to remind you: using the nation's territory as the stake in a competition is not something an emperor should do."

"I will return to the sect first. There is less than a month left before the All-Continent Advanced Elite Soul Master Competition. Even though the Heaven Dou Team does not need to participate in the preliminaries, the team still needs to build coordination. No need to see me off. I'll be leaving."

Stopping Xue Qinghe from rising to see him off, Ning Fengzhi walked out of the Prince's Mansion. Looking at the old man standing before the gates like an unsheathed sword, he smiled.

"Uncle Jian, let's return to the sect."

Glancing back at the Prince's Mansion behind him, Ning Fengzhi thought, I hope the Heaven Dou Royal Family will not end up lifting a stone only to drop it on their own feet.

The same scene was unfolding in Star Luo City. Dai Weisi, the Star Luo Empire's eldest prince, looked calmly at the three people standing before the long table.

"Is there still no trace of Dai Mubai?"

"No. The Third Prince's trail went cold in Suotuo City. No matter how we search, we cannot find him. Your Highness, should we—"

"No need. Your next task is to prepare for the All-Continent Advanced Elite Soul Master Competition with all your strength. You need not concern yourselves with anything else. The championship reward for this tournament is the territory of a city in the Heaven Dou Empire. Taking it will be of great help to our future plans."

After sitting in silence for a moment, Dai Weisi continued, "Send word to the Zhu Family that Dai Mubai disappeared in Suotuo City. I believe Zhu Yun knows what to do. You may leave now. I hope the three of you will achieve good results in this All Continent Elite Soul Master Competition."

"Yes, Your Highness."

As he watched the three leave, a flash of killing intent passed through Dai Weisi's eyes.

Dai Weisi was not afraid that Dai Mubai was alive. A six-year gap was not something talent could bridge. He was not afraid that Dai Mubai would run, nor was he afraid that Dai Mubai would resist. What irritated him was that Dai Mubai had disappeared without leaving a single clue.

Was he dead? Dai Weisi did not believe it. No matter what, Dai Mubai was still a prince. Though the internal struggles of the Star Luo Royal Family were cruel, there were still limits. Dai Weisi would not deliver a fatal blow at this time.

Had he escaped completely? That was unlikely as well. They had searched for more than half a year. Given Dai Mubai's personality and appearance, he should have been easy to trace. The only possibility was that someone had secretly taken him under their protection.

"Father, no matter how you protect Dai Mubai, I will be the one who wins in the end. Dai Mubai? A useless coward who ran away is not worthy of being my opponent."

Crushing the teacup in his hand, Dai Weisi stared fixedly at the small blank patch on the map where the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire met.

Having already defeated Spirit Hall's younger generation once, the Star Luo Team was just as confident this time.