Douluo: Jianmu Martial Soul, Am I an Abomination of Abundance?

Mu Ci watched Xue Ye swallow the pill specially refined for him, then asked him once again how he felt.

"It's like I've been given a new life. If I'd had this pill last night, it would've been even better, haha."

Hearing Xue Ye's words and seeing his expression, Xue Qinghe and Mu Ci immediately understood how his condition had worsened.

Mu Ci had not expected that Xue Ye, sick as he was, would still have the mood for that sort of thing. He truly did not know what to say.

"I must sincerely thank you, Young Master Mu Ci. I've been ill for several days, and even the Imperial Family's enshrined masters were helpless. Yet the moment you acted, the problem was solved."

"I don't know what I can offer as a reward. If Young Master Mu Ci has any requests, please state them quickly."

As the descendant of a titled family, Mu Ci had been showered with countless favors since childhood. Xue Ye truly did not know what he should grant him.

A noble title? Gold Soul Coins? Xue Ye could not bring himself to say it. That would be far too beneath him, and compared to his health, they were not worth mentioning.

A Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone? Those were so rare that even the Royal Treasury did not have one. The few thousand-year Soul Bones they had might not even catch Mu Ci's eye.

It would be better to let Mu Ci name his own request.

"I came this time at the Crown Prince's invitation and did not intend to seek any reward. But since Your Majesty has offered, I would presumptuously ask for a piece of land."

Land?

Xue Ye froze. He had thought Mu Ci would ask for a Soul Bone or something else.

However, land concerned the empire, so he had to ask further. After all, if Mu Ci wanted an entire province or city, that would be impossible to grant.

"Of course. But since this concerns imperial law, I must ask about the size and location of this land."

Mu Ci naturally replied to Xue Ye, "Your Majesty knows some of my deeds already, so I will not repeat them."

Xue Ye nodded, indicating that he knew.

"As I have traveled to more and more places, I have discovered that one person's strength is simply too insignificant.

"So I wish to ask Your Majesty for a piece of land, where I can establish a small sect that specializes in training physicians and also sells pills to the public."

"As for the location, somewhere beside Sunset Forest, like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, will do."

Hearing this, Xue Ye burst into laughter.

He had thought Mu Ci would make an outrageous demand. He had not expected it to be merely this.

To be honest, even if Mu Ci established a sect on some land without the empire's approval, Xue Ye would have had no choice but to accept it.

"No problem. For such a small matter, you only need to tell Qinghe. You're being far too polite. Do you have any other requests?"

Xue Ye waved his hand, telling Mu Ci to continue.

Mu Ci frowned. Just as he was about to say that he had no further requests, he thought of something else.

An artifact related to a Deity.

"I do have one more rather presumptuous request."

"Speak freely!"

"I would like to borrow Heaven Dou's national treasure, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, for a look."

The moment Mu Ci spoke, Xue Ye fell silent.

It was not because the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was especially precious, but because it was a national treasure passed down through generations. Its symbolic significance outweighed its practical value.

Seeing Xue Ye's silence, Xue Qinghe, who was seated nearby, spoke up.

"Father Emperor, Little Brother Mu Ci merely wants to borrow it for a look, not take it away. It's nothing serious. I'll personally escort it there and back."

Hearing Xue Qinghe say this, Xue Ye finally nodded.

Indeed, Mu Ci only wanted to look at it. He was not asking for it.

Besides, that thing could sit in the treasury for years without being taken out even once. Letting Mu Ci see it would not cause any trouble.

This would also repay the favor he owed him.

"Very well. In that case, I'll have Qinghe deliver it to you later."

Once everything had been settled, Xue Qinghe left with Mu Ci.

In the carriage leaving the palace, Mu Ci found it strange that Xue Qinghe seemed somewhat silent.

"Brother Xue, why do you look so down?"

Xue Qinghe glanced at Mu Ci and sighed.

"I was thinking about Xue Ke."

When Mu Ci heard Xue Qinghe mention Xue Ke, he naturally did not assume she shared Xue Ye's thoughts. It had to be something concerning the two of them.

After thinking for a moment, Mu Ci asked, "Don't tell me you really have feelings for Xue Ke? Are you thinking about what will happen if she learns the truth?"

Xue Qinghe helplessly nodded at Mu Ci, indicating that he was right.

"Xue Ye only gave birth to her but never raised her. All these years, while playing Xue Qinghe and managing the palace inside and out, I practically raised Little Ke myself as her older brother. I truly came to see her as my real little sister."

"If she learns the truth in the future, how do you think she'll see me?"

Mu Ci also fell silent and nodded in agreement.

The older brother she had been close to since childhood would turn out to be the enemy who killed her father and occupied her country. As long as Xue Ke was a normal person, she would find it difficult to accept all of that.

"But there is a way to solve it."

Xue Qinghe's eyes lit up at once. She hurriedly asked, "What method? How do we solve it?"

"The Xue Family's Swan Martial Soul is not of a high grade, and Xue Ke's talent is not particularly good either. In a few years, her cultivation probably won't be very high."

"At that time, I can give you a potion that erases the drinker's memories."

"Then you can send her back to Spirit City and have a branch of the Qian Clan raise her. Since you can play the role of someone with a Swan Martial Soul, it would not be a problem for her to stay with a Qian Clan branch either."

"Just forge an identity for her as an amnesiac member of the Qian Clan."

Mu Ci's method instantly cleared Xue Qinghe's mind. That was right. Whether in Heaven Dou City or Spirit City, Xue Ke could live happily as her younger sister.

She could live freely as a little princess. It would count as compensation for her.

Xue Qinghe's carriage brought Mu Ci to the entrance of Dugu Manor. The two then agreed on a time to meet again, when the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud would be delivered as well.

The moment he returned home, Dugu Yan hurried over to ask about it, while Dugu Bo listened from the side.

Mu Ci told them everything that had happened in the palace, including his plan to establish a sect in response to Martial Soul Evolution.

After hearing him out, Dugu Bo looked at Mu Ci approvingly.

"Not bad. When the time comes, bring your grandfather over too. With two Douluos in one sect, we definitely won't be inferior to any other force. A new Upper Three Sects will emerge."

Mu Ci smiled but did not object.

"When the time comes, Grandpa Dugu, you can announce from the stage that you traveled the world in search of Immortal Herbs. If anyone obtains something of a similar grade, I can refine pills for them in exchange for payment."

"That way, no one will make a major issue out of it."

The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud

Early the next morning, a light knock on the door woke Mu Ci from his cultivation.

When he opened the door, he found the butler standing outside.

"Young Master, the Crown Prince has sent someone to deliver something."

Mu Ci frowned, somewhat puzzled.

As a national treasure, how could the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud be sent over by someone without anyone accompanying it?

However, he did not think too deeply about it. He simply told the butler to reply that he would be there shortly.

After tidying himself up, Mu Ci arrived at the reception hall and immediately spotted a blonde woman sitting on the sofa, chatting with Dugu Yan.

"Sister Xue?!"

Mu Ci's soft exclamation made the two stunning women, who had been chatting happily, turn to look his way.

Seeing that Mu Ci had arrived, Dugu Yan immediately walked over, took his arm, and brought him to the sofa to sit down.

"A'Ci, you know Sister Xue?"

Dugu Yan looked at Mu Ci curiously, feeling a little jealous.

Why did this guy know every beautiful woman he met? Would she end up becoming one of her sisters too?

"Sister Xue has always been by the Crown Prince's side. I met her when I was invited to Crown Prince Manor."

Hearing that, Dugu Yan quietly let out a breath, feeling much more at ease.

For such a stunning woman to remain by the Crown Prince's side and even escort something as precious as a national treasure, they had to share an extremely close relationship.

Qian Renxue unconsciously glanced at Dugu Yan, who was holding Mu Ci's arm. How could she fail to see through Dugu Yan's little thoughts?

The corners of her rosy lips curved slightly as her bright golden eyes looked toward Mu Ci.

"Little Brother, I brought what you wanted. Do you want to see it now?"

Hearing Qian Renxue's words, Mu Ci shook his head and looked at Dugu Yan.

"Yanyan, go call Huo Wu, Bing'er, and the others to the secret chamber. I want to show you something."

Dugu Yan was somewhat confused. It was not as if she had never heard of Heaven Dou Empire's inherited national treasure, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. It was merely a special Soul Tool. Was there really a need to inspect it in the secret chamber?

Still, although she did not fully understand Mu Ci's intentions, Dugu Yan obediently released his arm and headed toward the bedrooms where the women lived.

Mu Ci then turned to Qian Renxue, who was drinking tea at the side, and asked in confusion.

"Sister Xue, why did you come today without disguising yourself?"

Qian Renxue raised her brows slightly, displeased by Mu Ci's question.

"What, am I not allowed to walk outside with my own appearance?"

"Or are you afraid your girlfriends will get jealous?"

Mu Ci helplessly glanced at her and did not continue that subject.

When Qian Renxue traveled outside under the identity of Crown Prince Manor, even with beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, others would only assume she was one of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's favored consorts. No one foolish enough would dare offend Qian Renxue within Heaven Dou City.

Moreover, there were very few people in the world who had seen Qian Renxue and knew her identity. Since she wanted to move about using her own appearance, he would let her.