Court Audience, a Princess Visits

He looked at the shimmering lake outside the window, a thought rising in his heart.

Zhengtian Academy might truly need to cooperate properly with Martial Soul Academy.

Not to gain an advantage, but to broaden the students' horizons.

To let them know that in this world, there was another academy so powerful it could inspire despair.

To let them know that there were always greater people beyond people, and greater heavens beyond the heavens.

To let them know... the road ahead was still long.

The only question was whether they would be willing.

White Tiger Duke Mansion, main courtyard.

Zhu Wan sat before her dressing table, a letter covered in tiny neat characters spread across the table.

The ink had already dried. She read it over twice, confirming that her wording was sharp enough and provocative enough to stir her father's nerves before folding the letter, slipping it into an envelope, and sealing it with wax.

"Someone."

A trusted maid entered at once.

"Deliver this letter into my father's hands personally. Do not entrust it to anyone else."

"Yes."

The maid withdrew from the room. Zhu Wan leaned back in her chair, candlelight reflected in her dark green eyes as a cold smile curved her lips.

Shen Zhou? Martial Soul Academy?

You killed someone before my husband, forced me to apologize while injured, and even took that wretched maid and bastard child away—this debt will not be settled so easily by me, Zhu Wan.

So what if you are powerful? On Star Luo Empire territory, no matter how strong you are, you are still merely a commoner.

My father is the Nether Grand Duke, a pillar holding up the empire.

As long as you are branded a rebel "seeking to overthrow imperial authority," even if you are a Titled Douluo, you will not escape beneath the empire's iron hooves.

Zhu Wan picked up her brush and added another passage to the letter: "This villain's strength is unfathomable. He is suspected to be a Titled Douluo, and he commands numerous powerful experts.

His academy is called 'Martial Soul Academy,' bearing the same name as the Spirit Hall that was destroyed ten thousand years ago. He may harbor ambitions of restoration.

If allowed to grow unchecked, he will surely become a grave threat to the empire.

Your daughter humbly begs Father to report this to His Majesty in court and make an early decision."

She set down the brush, sealed the envelope, and handed it to the guard waiting outside.

"Go quickly."

The night was deep as the messenger rode away, vanishing at the end of the long street.

Star Luo Empire, imperial capital, Star Luo City.

Morning court.

Within the magnificent golden hall, civil officials stood to the east and military officials to the west, the ministers arranged in ranks along both sides.

Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire sat upon the dragon throne. Around forty years old, he had a stern face and tiger-like eyes that carried the sharpness of one long accustomed to power.

"If there is business, present it. If not, court is dismissed."

No sooner had the emperor spoken than someone stepped out from the ranks.

He was an elderly man past sixty, thin in build yet straight-backed, dressed in a dark cloak embroidered with the image of a Hell Spirit Cat.

He was the Nether Grand Duke—current head of the Zhu Family, Zhu Wan's father, Zhu Ba.

A ninety-second-level Titled Douluo with the Hell Spirit Cat as his Martial Soul, a veteran of the Star Luo Empire military who had controlled the empire's secret guards for decades, with countless protégés throughout the court.

"Your Majesty, this minister has a matter to report."

Xu Jiawei nodded slightly. "Grand Duke, speak."

Zhu Ba took a letter from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

"My daughter, Zhu Wan, is married to Dai Hao, the White Tiger Duke.

A mysterious academy named 'Martial Soul Academy' recently appeared in the eastern outskirts of White Tiger City.

Its dean, Shen Zhou, has an unknown background and unfathomable strength. He is suspected to be a Titled Douluo."

"Martial Soul Academy?" Xu Jiawei frowned slightly. "That name... I seem to have heard it somewhere before."

"Your Majesty, ten thousand years ago, there was once a massive organization called Spirit Hall. It ruled the continent for thousands of years before being overthrown and destroyed."

Zhu Ba's voice was low and forceful. "This man has established an academy under the name 'Martial Soul.' His intentions are deserving of execution."

A wave of murmuring immediately swept through the court.

"Even more worrying is this—" Zhu Ba continued, "according to my daughter's report, the academy covers several hundred acres. Its steps are white jade, its roofs golden tiles, and it contains ancient formations and a mysterious tower. Its extravagance far surpasses any academy in the empire.

"And that Shen Zhou possesses terrifying strength. His Soul Ring configuration is even more shocking: one yellow, two purple, four black, and two red."

Two red.

Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings.

And two of them.

The court instantly fell silent.

Xu Jiawei's expression also turned grave.

More than anyone, he understood what Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings represented.

They were a force powerful enough to shake the foundations of the empire.

"This minister suggests gathering the army to annihilate them before their foundation is secure, eliminating future trouble."

Zhu Ba clasped his hands.

"This minister supports the proposal!" Several officials close to the Zhu Family stepped forward in succession.

Yet some ministers held differing opinions.

"Your Majesty, absolutely not."

A civil official stepped forward. "If this man truly possesses the strength of a Titled Douluo and has two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings, rashly besieging him will surely result in mutual destruction.

"If the Sun Moon Empire takes advantage of our weakness then, Star Luo will be in grave danger."

"Then are we simply to let him establish roots in the heart of our empire?"

"Better to first send an envoy to test him, determine his background and intentions, and then make a decision."

The court descended into endless argument.

Xu Jiawei sat upon the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping back and forth across the ministers as he remained silent for a long while.

He had been emperor for twenty years and understood one principle well—war must not be started lightly, especially against an enemy of unknown strength.

After a moment, he raised a hand to signal for silence.

"Deliver my decree."

The hall instantly became solemn.

"Princess Jiujiu is to depart immediately for Martial Soul Academy in White Tiger City and pay a visit to its dean, Shen Zhou, in the name of the imperial family."

The ministers were stunned.

Princess Jiujiu, Xu Jiujiu, was the emperor's younger sister. Eighteen years old, she was a forty-eighth-level Soul Ancestor, and her Martial Soul was the Star Crown.

Though young, she was meticulous and proper in her conduct, renowned within the imperial family for her virtue.

Sending her would demonstrate the imperial family's sincerity without making the other side feel that the empire was threatening them.

"Additionally, Protector Douluo Cheng Gang will accompany her."

Cheng Gang!

The ministers stirred once more.

Cheng Gang was one of the empire's three Protector Douluo, a ninety-first-level Titled Douluo with the Thousand Jun Ant as his Martial Soul. Though he had only recently entered the ranks of Titled Douluo, he was experienced and steady in his actions.

With him accompanying her, it would be enough to handle any unforeseen situation.

"Your Majesty."

Zhu Ba frowned. "Would sending the Princess not be granting Shen Zhou too much honor?

"Moreover, Princess Jiujiu is only eighteen, with a cultivation level of forty-eight. What if..."

"What if what?" Xu Jiawei said flatly. "I am sending my sister to pay a visit, not to compete in battle.

"If forty-eight is insufficient, should I send someone at level ninety-two instead?

"If the Grand Duke remains worried, you may have someone from the Zhu Family accompany her."

Zhu Ba's lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing further.

The emperor had already made his decision. If he continued to object, he would be defying the imperial decree.

After court ended, Zhu Ba left the hall with a gloomy expression.

He had thought the emperor would accept his proposal and gather an army to destroy Martial Soul Academy, but he had not expected the emperor merely to send a Princess to "pay a visit."

Test them?

What use was testing them?

Zhu Wan's letter had made it perfectly clear—Shen Zhou killed people in the Duke Mansion as easily as slaughtering chickens, showing Dai Hao no respect whatsoever.

A person like that would sooner or later become a calamity for the empire.

"Father."

A young voice came from behind him.

Zhu Ba turned around and saw his son, Zhu Rui, striding quickly toward him.

"How did court go?"

Zhu Ba briefly recounted what had happened.

Zhu Rui frowned. "His Majesty... does not intend to move against Martial Soul Academy?"

"It is not that he does not want to move. He does not dare."

Zhu Ba snorted. "A Titled Douluo with two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings—anyone would have to weigh the matter carefully.

"The emperor sent the Princess for no reason other than to see Shen Zhou's attitude."