Preparing to Leave

Xu Tianran did not leave, choosing instead to stay there with Xu Yanli, basking in the sun and feeling the gentle breeze.

For a fleeting moment, Xu Yanli felt that this guy Xu Tianran was actually quite normal; he was nothing like the madman described in the original work.

However, those who wish to achieve great things must be a little mad—if not in this way, then in that.

It was around evening when Xu Tianran finally took his leave.

Xu Yanli let out a sigh of relief once Xu Tianran was gone; staying with him was quite a stressful experience.

Early the next morning, Jing Hongchen brought his grandchildren, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, to Prince Xiaoyao Mansion.

"Your Highness, these are my grandson and granddaughter. One possesses Innate Full Soul Power, and the other has Innate Level Nine Soul Power. Both are true geniuses," Jing Hongchen said respectfully.

Xu Yanli set down the soul tool array he had just been engraving and said, "Since their talent is good, they can study with me. It just so happens I am heading to my teacher's place this afternoon."

"Your teacher..." A flash of excitement crossed Jing Hongchen's eyes as he said, "Many thanks, Your Highness."

Xu Yanli waved his hand, signaling that Jing Hongchen could take his leave.

When Meng Hongchen saw Xu Yanli's face, she was instantly stunned.

Xu Yanli's skin tone was somewhere between fair and bronze, leaning more towards the complexion common in the Star Luo Empire.

Xu Yanli knew his appearance was identical to that of his mother, who had died young; he looked nothing like his imperial father.

And how could the beauty of a woman who caught the Emperor's eye be anything less than extraordinary? Not to mention, his mother had possessed the Angel Martial Soul, rumored to be a descendant of that Angel God.

"Prince Xiaoyao, could I ask for your autograph?" Meng Hongchen asked, blinking her large eyes.

"Huh?" A flash of confusion crossed Xu Yanli's eyes.

Xiao Hongchen pulled his sister back, a look of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

"Your Highness, is there any work you would like us to do?" Xiao Hongchen asked after a moment of silence.

Xu Yanli glanced at the two of them, thought for a moment, and said, "How are your studies in soul tools coming along?"

"Grandfather says we are doing quite well," Meng Hongchen replied immediately.

Xu Yanli paused, then pointed to a pile of drafts nearby: "Help me organize these, please. Thank you."

Xiao Hongchen stepped forward to start tidying up, only to be surprised to find that every draft seemed to contain all sorts of ingenious ideas he had never even considered.

Xiao Hongchen became engrossed in them; initially, Meng Hongchen kept casting glances at Xu Yanli, but as she looked through more of the drafts, her attention was completely captured by the designs Xu Yanli had drawn.

"Your, Your Highness, why is this part able to fit together like this?" Xiao Hongchen asked with a confused expression, clearly having encountered something he didn't understand after looking for a long time.

Xu Yanli rubbed his temples and began to explain it to him.

In truth, he didn't fully understand some of these parts himself, but having memorized plenty of material back in the day, he had naturally transcribed them from memory.

Who would have thought that drawing blueprints today would rely on the mechanical drafting he had hated so much in the past?

And so, time passed bit by bit.

Over these six years, Xu Yanli, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen were practically inseparable. They didn't attend primary academy, choosing instead to study under Kong Deming the entire time.

During these six years, Xu Yanli reached level 57, though his greatest improvement was in his physical constitution, which was now equivalent to that of a Soul Saint.

Meanwhile, the Xiaoyao Pavilion that Xu Tianran had gifted him had slowly developed, though not within the Sun Moon Empire, but rather in the three nations of Dou Ling, Heavenly Soul, and Star Luo.

He primarily sold low-level soul tools, many of which were inventions of his own.

However, these soul tools were mostly for civilian use, such as refrigerators and air conditioners.

These were priced very expensively because the production costs were currently too high, so he had to bleed the nobility dry first.

Besides, ordinary commoners had no use for such things; after all, it was enough of a struggle for the average person on the Douluo Continent just to stay alive.

Although Xu Tianran's legs had not fully recovered, the necrotic nerves had regained sensation, and walking a few steps was no longer a major issue.

"Your Highness Prince Xiaoyao, please come with me." It was the same eunuch who had summoned him for his soul awakening, though his expression was now far more respectful than before.

Xu Yanli followed him once again into the magnificent imperial palace of the Sun Moon Empire.

He rarely came here; to him, this was not a pleasant place, and every time he thought of it, it brought back unpleasant memories.

Before he was taken away by Xu Tianran, his life in the palace had been miserable.

To be precise, if he hadn't been a transmigrator, he would likely be dead.

With a heart full of mixed emotions, Xu Yanli looked at the palace and slowly stepped into his cheap father's study.

"You're here. Sit," the Emperor said calmly, gesturing to the seat beside him.

"Father." Xu Yanli bowed respectfully before sitting in the chair.

The Emperor was silent for a moment before saying, "Do you know why I summoned you?"

"This son knows," Xu Yanli said calmly. "To head to the three nations of the Douluo Continent."

"Correct. Go to Shrek Academy. I don't need you to stay long; I only need you to understand the systems of Shrek Academy and try to poach as many geniuses as possible," the Emperor said after a brief silence.

"Also, the former Crown Prince, Xu He—he is your cousin, I suppose. Find him and kill him." The Emperor held a string of beads in his hand, seemingly clicking them one by one.

Xu Yanli nodded and said, "This son will certainly complete the mission, but I will need some manpower."

"Rest assured on that front. You may take whoever you need from the Offering Hall. That business of yours, Xiaoyao Pavilion, is doing quite well." The Emperor seemed at a loss for words, forced to make small talk.

"Hmm, Father, how about I gift you a few civilian-grade Soul Tools? That refrigerator is quite useful for chilling wine or beverages," Xu Yanli replied with a nod.

"Very well. By the way, there is an elder in the Offering Hall named Xue Chen whose martial soul is a shadow; have him follow you at all times," the Emperor said, flipping through the memorial in his hands.

Xu Yanli nodded. "Understood."

"Sigh, go on, go on. Remember, no mission is more important than your own life. Do you understand?" the Emperor suddenly said just as Xu Yanli was about to leave.

Xu Yanli turned to bow and offer his thanks before walking away; faintly, he seemed to hear the words, "I'm sorry."