All-In

At that time, she could not have imagined that the name that had only appeared once in her sister's dream would become a nightmare she could not shake off.

Looking back now, she doesn't know whether that decision was right or wrong.

She understood the operating rules of the Star Luo Empire, this intricate machine, better than anyone else.

The Dai Imperial Family and the Zhu Family, the Hell Spirit Cat, have been linked by marriage for generations.

The two families have been intertwined for generations, with the legitimate sons and daughters betrothed from childhood, while the illegitimate children serve as their counterparts.

This contest, which was destined from birth, has never been a simple power struggle.

The ironclad rule of the two families: in the struggle for succession, only the victor determines life or death.

The clan will select the most outstanding member to be the successor, and they will be trained as mortal enemies, with absolutely no sibling affection between them.

Once both chosen parties have reached adulthood, this brutal game will come to an end.

The victor, possessing the power of both families, becomes the supreme ruler of the Star Luo Empire.

The losers have no way out but to be wiped out by their families and turned into dust in the power struggle.

If it weren't for Dai Tianyu's appearance, she and Dai Weisi would have been the first in line to inherit the family's mantle, the core of the family's cultivation with all its resources.

Originally, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were merely backups to put pressure on them and temper their character.

From background, resources, age, and strength, they were completely suppressed and unable to cause any trouble.

But everything changed from that day on.

Because she told her father about her sister's dream.

Her decision directly or indirectly led to Dai Tianyu's return to the Star Luo Empire.

Because of this, after Zhu Zhuqing awakened her Martial Soul, Dai Mubai did not, as was customary, enter into a marriage agreement with her—his father forcefully rejected the marriage proposal.

In the end, he entered into a marriage agreement with Zhu Zhumeng, a concubine's daughter of the Zhu Family family who was two years older than Zhu Zhuqing and two years younger than Dai Mubai.

As the Tianxing King, Dai Tianyu is a member of the direct lineage of the Star Luo Empire family. With his talent, he was undoubtedly chosen as an outstanding member of the family to compete for the title.

Zhu Zhuyun lowered her eyes, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

If Dai Tianyu didn't exist...

She had thought about it more than once.

If it weren't for this suddenly appearing Tianxing King, Dai Weisi, who was six years older than Dai Mubai, would have had a solid foundation and immense power.

Even if Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing tried their best to cultivate, in their eyes it was nothing more than a struggle of trapped beasts, unable to stir up any trouble.

But now--

Dai Tianyu's Dark Demon Evil God Tiger Martial Soul.

He possessed a terrifying Soul Power of level 47 at the age of ten.

That unbelievable second ring after a thousand years, and fourth ring after ten thousand years...

Everything plunged the chosen ones, including her and Dai Weisi, into deep despair.

That's not a match in the same league.

It was a monster that made them so afraid they didn't even have the courage to give chase.

Zhu Zhuyun raised her head and looked at Dai Weisi was still staring up at the ceiling.

His profile appeared somewhat pale in the dim light, and the nervous smile at the corner of his mouth had faded, leaving only an almost numb weariness.

She suddenly remembered the first time she met him, that spirited young man who looked down on all the heroes of the world.

Now, that boy has long been crushed by the cruelty of reality, leaving only an empty shell still struggling.

And what about her?

How much strength did she have left to face that ten-year-old monster?

A long silence fell over the hall.

Only the deepening twilight outside the window silently enveloped the couple, who had been cornered by fate.

Just as Zhu Zhuyun was lost in thought and had not yet pulled herself out of her memories, she heard Dai Weisi's voice in her ear.

"Zhu Yun."

She looked up at Dai Weisi.

Dai Weisi had composed himself; the madness on his face had faded, replaced by an almost icy calm. He looked at Zhu Zhuyun and asked in a deep voice:

"You should understand what the consequences will be if we fail?"

Zhu Zhuyun remained silent for a moment, then nodded bitterly:

"I know."

Of course she knew.

The losers have no way out, no chance to survive; they are simply wiped out by their families and reduced to dust in the power struggles.

This is an ironclad rule etched in the hearts of every successor of the Star Luo Empire.

Dai Weisi walked slowly toward her and eventually stopped beside her.

The two stood on the same parallel line— Dai Weisi faced forward, gazing at the deepening twilight outside the hall.

Zhu Zhuyun faced backward, looking at the mess and brokenness all over the ground.

His voice remained calm, yet carried a hint of ruthlessness:

"I have never considered the second and third brothers as rivals."

"Our only opponent is Dai Tianyu."

"Given his talent, we have absolutely no chance."

Zhu Zhuyun listened to his words, an ominous premonition welled up in her heart.

Dai Weisi continued:

Therefore, there is only one solution for now.

Zhu Zhuyun turned her head sharply, her pupils trembling violently, and looked at Dai Weisi in disbelief, her voice trembling:

"You... you mean to..."

Dai Weisi turned his head and met her gaze.

A slow, manic smile crept across his lips as he finished speaking:

"That's right."

"As long as he disappears, that's all that matters."

The smile looked particularly eerie in the dim light, carrying a sense of desperate resolve.

Zhu Zhuyun was startled by this decision and subconsciously said:

"But... but..."

She took a deep breath and tried to calm her voice:

"The rules prohibit the use of external force to kill each other before the age of 18."

This is an ironclad rule passed down through generations of the Star Luo Empire: competition among successors must be based on their own strength, and any external intervention will be regarded as a violation of the rules.

Upon hearing this, Dai Weisi's lips curled into a mocking smile.

"Rule?"

He chuckled softly, his tone full of mockery:

"Don't forget who's in control of the rules right now."

Do you think Father would be happy to see him emerge as the ultimate victor?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuyun's pupils contracted slightly.

But before she could say anything, Dai Weisi continued:

"The cause of my second uncle's death may be unknown to outsiders, but don't I know it?"

"Do you think that if Dai Tianyu really takes that position, he will let Father Emperor and us go?"

His voice grew increasingly cold as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuyun fell silent.

She recalled the early-deceased Tianxing King Dai Yuanfeng —who died in an accident, the cause of which was shrouded in mystery, even the clan records were vague on the matter.

Now his son has returned, his talent is astonishing, and at the age of ten he already stands out among his peers...

If I ever actually sit in that position...

She dared not think any further.

Dai Weisi stopped looking at her and slowly walked towards the door.

His silhouette appeared particularly cold in the dim light, and his voice came from ahead, carrying a chilling undertone:

"And don't be fooled by the fact that multiple powerful families in the Star Luo Empire are betting on him now."

"However, there are quite a few people who secretly want him to disappear!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared outside the door.

Only Zhu Zhuyun remained in the hall.

She stood there, motionless for Jiujiu.