A Show of Force? This Emperor Is Not Made of Clay

"What should we do?"

"What should we do?" Zhu Ba narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing through his dark green gaze. "Send someone to follow the Princess and see just what kind of dragon's den and tiger's lair this Martial Soul Academy is.

"Also, have Zhu Wan keep watching. The moment anything happens, report it to me immediately."

"Yes."

Zhu Ba stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction of White Tiger City.

Martial Soul Academy... Shen Zhou...

No matter where you came from, if you wanted to establish yourself on Star Luo Empire territory, you had to get past Zhu Ba first.

Three days later.

On the official road from Star Luo City to White Tiger City, a convoy moved along at an unhurried pace.

The leading carriage was made entirely of thousand-year ironwood. A fist-sized gemstone was set into its roof, refracting rainbow-colored light beneath the sun.

The carriage curtains bore the imperial emblem of the Star Luo Empire—a brilliant star surrounded by nine smaller ones.

Inside the carriage, Princess Jiujiu, Xu Jiujiu, reclined against soft cushions. She held a book in her hands, yet did not turn a single page.

She was eighteen this year, with beautiful features and a dignified bearing. Her dark hair was gathered into a high bun, revealing her slender neck.

Her most striking feature was her eyes—deep within her pupils, starlight seemed to flow, profound and bright.

That was a trait of the Star Crown Martial Soul.

Forty-eighth level Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul Star Crown, support-control type.

Her cultivation ranked among the best of the imperial family's younger generation. Reaching Soul Ancestor level at eighteen made her talent clear enough.

However, the Emperor had sent her as an envoy because he valued her meticulous mind and eloquence even more.

"Princess, White Tiger City lies twenty miles ahead."

An aged voice sounded from outside the carriage.

Princess Jiujiu set down her book and lifted the curtain.

The speaker was an elderly man with a burly build and broad shoulders. His white hair was tied behind his head, and his face was lined as though carved by blades.

He rode a Soul Beast Horse. There was no weapon at his waist, but his hands were huge, his knuckles pronounced, clearly containing terrifying strength.

Protector Douluo—Cheng Gang.

A ninety-first-level Titled Douluo, with the Thousand Jun Ant Martial Soul.

A strength-type Titled Douluo known as "Citybreaker with One Hand."

Among the Star Luo Empire's three Protector Douluos, he was the oldest and most senior, though not the strongest—ninety-first level was merely entry-level among Titled Douluos.

Still, his experience was extensive and his conduct steady. The Emperor had sent him along precisely because of that composure.

"Elder Cheng, have you heard of this Martial Soul Academy?"

Princess Jiujiu asked.

Cheng Gang shook his head. "This old servant is ignorant and uninformed. I have never heard that name.

"But for His Majesty to take it so seriously, they cannot be ordinary."

"Indeed."

Princess Jiujiu lowered the curtain, a faint smile curling her lips. "An academy that appeared out of nowhere, several Titled Douluos, and a pagoda that rose from the ground out of thin air... This Dean Shen Zhou is certainly an interesting man."

"Princess, this old servant has one more word to say."

Cheng Gang lowered his voice. "During this probe, courtesy should come first.

"If they truly have several Titled Douluos, the people we brought are not enough to matter."

Princess Jiujiu gave a light laugh. "Rest assured, Elder Cheng. I know what I am doing.

"Imperial Brother sent me here to 'pay a visit,' not to 'launch a crusade.'

"Besides, I am only eighteen and at level forty-eight. Even if they want to give us a show of force, they would not target a young girl."

"It is good that the Princess understands."

The carriage continued onward, and the outline of White Tiger City gradually emerged on the horizon.

To the east of White Tiger City, the majestic academy of white jade and golden tiles was already visible in the distance, gleaming brilliantly beneath the sunlight.

Princess Jiujiu lifted the curtain and stared at the academy from afar, her pupils contracting slightly.

"As expected... extraordinary."

Cheng Gang narrowed his eyes as well, his rough right hand unconsciously tightening around the reins.

He could sense several auras within that academy that made even his heart palpitate.

More than one.

This would not be simple!

At the top floor of the Spirit Pagoda in Martial Soul Academy.

Shen Zhou sat cross-legged atop the pagoda, his Heavenly Eye slightly open as his gaze pierced through layers of clouds toward the northwest.

"They're here."

He spoke softly.

"Who's here?"

Er Ha lay beside him, yawning.

"People from the Star Luo Empire.

"A Princess, a Titled Douluo, and a squad of imperial guards."

Er Ha's ears perked up. "A Princess? Is she pretty? How old is she?"

"You're a dog. Why do you care about that?"

Shen Zhou shot it a glance.

"This Emperor is concerned on your behalf, Lao Da."

Er Ha spoke with complete confidence. "Besides, This Emperor needs to know whether they are friend or foe.

"If that Princess turns out to be some bad-tempered old woman here to cause trouble, This Emperor will bite off her carriage wheels."

"Eighteen years old, forty-eighth-level Soul Ancestor. She is not here to cause trouble."

Shen Zhou rose and straightened his robes. "Come. Let us welcome our guests."

Man and dog drifted down from the top of the Spirit Pagoda and landed before the academy's main gate.

Shen Zhou stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his lips.

The Star Luo Empire's probe had come sooner than he expected.

All the better.

This was the perfect chance to let the people of this era know—Spirit Hall had returned.

As long as God King Tang did not personally intervene, nothing could overturn the heavens.

Er Ha's ears stood upright like two antennae.

"Eighteen? Level forty-eight? And she's a Princess?"

It climbed up from the ground and shook out its fur. A glimmer Shen Zhou knew all too well flashed in its dog eyes—the look of someone about to stir up trouble.

"Lao Da, wait here. This Emperor will go welcome them first."

"You're a dog. What are you welcoming a Princess for?"

Shen Zhou frowned.

"This Emperor is the face of Martial Soul Academy! The academy's foremost image! Your most capable right-hand man, Lao Da!"

Er Ha held its head high, its tail wagging wildly. "Naturally, This Emperor must handle the welcoming of distinguished guests.

"You just stand here, Lao Da. Once This Emperor leads them inside, you can appear afterward. It will make you look impressive."

Shen Zhou glanced at it.

"You just want to show off, don't you?"

"The one who knows me best is indeed Lao Da."

After saying that, Er Ha kicked off with all four paws. Its silver-white body shot toward the official road like a bolt of lightning.

Shen Zhou shook his head but did not stop it.

Though that foolish dog was full of nonsense, it still knew its limits.

Besides, with its hundred-thousand-year-level strength, there were very few people in the entire Star Luo Empire capable of harming it.

That Cheng Gang... a ninety-first-level Thousand Jun Ant, a strength-type Titled Douluo.

Perfect. He could let that foolish dog test the man's true strength.

On the official road, the carriage moved slowly onward.

Cheng Gang rode his Soul Beast Horse, squinting as he examined the increasingly close majestic academy in the distance.

The White Jade Steps reflected dazzling sunlight. The golden-tiled roofs layered over one another like dragon scales, and the entire academy radiated an ancient, solemn air.

He had served the Star Luo Empire for decades and seen countless structures, yet never an academy so imposing.

"Elder Cheng, look—"

Princess Jiujiu lifted the carriage curtain and pointed ahead.

At the end of the official road, a silver-white figure was racing toward them at astonishing speed.

The figure was as swift as lightning, dragging an afterimage through the sunlight. In the blink of an eye, it crossed several hundred yards and arrived before the carriage.

"Stop!"

Cheng Gang raised a hand to signal the convoy to halt, his right hand already clenched into a fist.

The silver-white figure came to an abrupt stop, standing steadily three yards before the carriage.

It was a dog.