The Charming Ju Zi, Kong Deming's Seclusion and Worries!

No one knew what exactly Xu Tianyao and Mu En had discussed that day.

The only thing the higher-ups at Shrek knew was that Elder Mu had summoned this Prince Ming from the Sun Moon Empire for a private audience.

Since then, everything at the academy had remained as usual, just as it had always been.

The exchange students, led by Xu Tianyao, moved between the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Guidance Department, adapting to Shrek's teaching pace and getting to know the academy's various geniuses, living a carefree life.

However, far away in the Sun Moon Empire.

Inside the Yangxin Hall of the imperial palace.

Dragon saliva incense curled upward within the hall, and the flickering candlelight cast shifting patterns of light and shadow across the vast space.

Xu Tianran leaned against the dragon throne, his brow furrowed with gloom and exhaustion.

Ju Zi stood behind him in luxurious court attire, her slender, delicate hands skillfully massaging the acupoints on his neck and shoulders.

Below them, a man draped in black robes and wearing a metal mask knelt with his head bowed, acting as if he had committed a grave error, trembling so cautiously that he dared not even breathe loudly.

Xu Tianran slowly opened his eyes and said coldly:

"Get out."

The mere three words were like a pardon to the black-robed man, who hurriedly kowtowed, shouted "Long live," and then retreated in a panic.

Once the hall doors closed, a flash of irrepressible anger finally surfaced in Xu Tianran's eyes.

"A bunch of useless trash."

"To think a Soul Emperor couldn't even defeat a Soul Elder—it's laughable. Are those Evil Soul Masters only capable of bullying commoners?"

Xu Tianran sneered incessantly in his heart, his eyes filled with icy glints.

"It seems this imperial younger brother of mine is even harder to deal with than I imagined. And that grandfather of mine... heh, he truly dotes on this grandson; I wonder how many precious things he's bestowed upon him."

As Xu Tianran spoke, he suddenly reached out and grasped Ju Zi's delicate hand, pulling her into his arms with a slight tug.

Ju Zi let out a soft cry as she fell onto his lap. Her soft, supple body trembled slightly, and a flicker of panic crossed her beautiful eyes, though it quickly transformed into docility and charm.

Ju Zi allowed Xu Tianran to rest his chin against her shoulder, greedily inhaling the faint, elegant fragrance lingering about her.

Xu Tianran gently stroked her slender waist and full curves, whispering, "Ju Zi, tell me, how should I handle this matter now?"

"If word of this truly reaches Tianyao's ears, I fear I will not only gain an enemy but also lose this last brother of mine entirely."

Ju Zi leaned gently against his chest, feeling that powerful hand, a faint blush rising on her pretty face as her breathing quickened slightly.

In her mind, she couldn't help but recall Xu Tianyao's eyes, which were always cold and guarded.

That little junior brother of hers had remained unmoved no matter how she tried to curry favor with him back then, as if he were born with an inherent hostility toward her.

She blinked her beautiful eyes and said softly, "Your Majesty, in truth, this matter is not without room for maneuver."

"The people of the world all know that the Sun Moon imperial brothers are models of fraternal harmony in this golden age. Now that Prince Ming has been assassinated by Evil Soul Masters, it is a matter that should shake the entire nation."

"Your Majesty might as well issue an imperial decree immediately, announcing to the world that all regions must strictly investigate Evil Soul Masters. On one hand, this will soothe the hearts of the court and the people, demonstrating Your Majesty's concern for Prince Ming; on the other, it can be used to pressure the Three Great Empires, forcing them to also commit manpower to root out the traces of the Evil Soul Masters."

"In this way, the courtiers will praise Your Majesty's benevolence, the people will revere the imperial grace, the three empires will be exhausted by the effort, and the Holy Spirit Cult will find it difficult to hide within their borders, hindering their expansion. It is a strategy that achieves three goals at once."

Though she remained confined within the palace, her analysis was clear and logical, with every point striking at the heart of the problem.

Upon hearing these words, the gloom in Xu Tianran's eyes gradually dissipated. He pinched her soft hip, signaling for her to continue.

Ju Zi let out a soft, coquettish hum, her beautiful eyes hazy as she continued in a low voice: "As for Prince Ming..."

"With this imperial decree in place, at least on the surface, Your Majesty will always be the one upholding justice for him, the one looking out for your younger brother."

"If you are still truly uneasy, Your Majesty could also dispatch a team of imperial guards to follow him in secret. In name, they are there to protect the Prince's safety, but in reality, you would be able to keep track of his movements at all times."

"Thus, no matter how the situation changes, the initiative will always remain in Your Majesty's hands. You will remain the master of the Empire, and everything will be under your control."

"Including you?" Xu Tianran asked inexplicably.

Ju Zi was stunned for a moment, then, whether thinking of something or feeling something, she gave a charming, blushing smile: "Naturally. This concubine has always belonged to Your Majesty, and only Your Majesty can possess me, can you not?"

As her voice trailed off, Xu Tianran closed his eyes in satisfaction and then burst into hearty laughter.

In that bright, resonant laughter, there was no longer any trace of the previous gloom or displeasure.

"Good!"

"What a brilliant plan to achieve three goals at once, and what a wonderful sentiment—that you belong only to me!"

He looked down at the woman in his arms, his appreciation and affection undisguised.

"I had thought those useless sacks of meat in the court were beyond saving, leaving me disheartened and forced to search everywhere for talented people to assist me."

"Yet I never expected that the one who truly understands my heart was right by my side all along."

As he spoke, he tightened his arms slightly and lifted her into his arms.

The woman wrapped her arms around his neck, her pretty face flushed with an intoxicating glow, her eyes shimmering with a mix of shyness and satisfaction.

Xu Tianran looked at the beauty in his arms and laughed aloud: "Ju Zi, haven't you always wanted to go to the front lines to achieve glory?"

"I grant it!"

"On the day you return in triumph, I shall make you my Empress."

"With our hearts united as husband and wife, we shall surely sweep across the world, unify the continent, and establish a legacy that lasts for ten thousand generations!"

"However, tonight, you must serve Me well. As long as you satisfy Me, I will grant you everything you desire!"

Ju Zi's beautiful eyes trembled slightly, a scorching light flashing in their depths as desire and ambition intertwined intensely in that moment.

"Your Majesty~, please be gentle..."

The position of Empress, command of the three armies, expanding the borders, and avenging her father!

These had been her dreams all along, and for the sake of all this, she was willing to sacrifice everything!

That night, the candlelight flickered, and the scent of dragon incense lingered long in the air.

On the other side.

Ming Capital, a certain underground laboratory!

Two distinguished-looking elders with flowing white hair were engaged in conversation.

"Jing Hongchen, for the coming year, I must enter a closed-door cultivation. I leave Yao'er in your hands."

After years of research and the insights gained from Xu Tianyao, Kong Deming seemed to have found a way to resolve the issues with his own martial soul.

Therefore, he was determined to seclude himself for a year to attempt a breakthrough.

During this period of seclusion, his greatest concern was Xu Tianyao; after all, it had not been long since Xu Tianyao had been targeted by an assassination attempt from an Evil Soul Master.

Both Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen were well aware that it was the work of Xu Tianran. The sheer viciousness and madness of that man were beyond comprehension.

A pathological emperor, a man who had murdered his own father and brothers, an emperor who consorted with the public enemy of all soul masters—the Evil Soul Masters—he had completely abandoned all moral boundaries.

Thus, before entering seclusion, Kong Deming needed to warn Jing Hongchen, making certain things clear to prevent trouble before it could arise!