No one knew what Xu Tianyao and Mu En had talked about that day.
The only thing the senior faculty at Shrek knew was that Elder Mu had summoned the Prince Ming from the Sun Moon Empire for a private meeting.
After that, everything at the academy carried on as usual, just as it always had.
The exchange students led by Xu Tianyao moved between the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Guidance Department, adapting to Shrek's teaching schedule and getting to know one genius after another. They lived carefree lives.
Meanwhile, far away in the Sun Moon Empire.
The imperial palace, Yangxin Hall.
Dragon's-breath incense curled through the hall, while the candlelight flickered, casting alternating bands of light and shadow across the vast chamber.
Xu Tianran leaned back against the dragon throne, a gloomy weariness showing between his brows.
Behind him stood Ju Zi, dressed in luxurious court robes. Her slender, delicate hands expertly pressed the acupoints around his shoulders and neck.
Below them, a man in a black robe and metal mask knelt with his head bowed. He looked like he had done something wrong, cautious and not daring to utter a sound.
Xu Tianran slowly opened his eyes and said coldly:
"Get out."
Those three short words were like a pardon to the black-robed man. He hurriedly kowtowed, cried, "Long live His Majesty!" and then fled in disarray.
Once the hall doors had closed, a trace of barely concealed anger finally appeared in Xu Tianran's eyes.
"They're all useless."
"Even Soul Emperors who can't beat Soul Elders are showing up. How laughable. Can those Evil Soul Masters only bully the common people?"
Xu Tianran sneered inwardly, a chill gleaming in his eyes.
"Seems my imperial younger brother is even harder to deal with than I imagined. And my grandfather... Heh. He truly dotes on that grandson of his. Who knows how many treasures he's given him."
As he spoke, Xu Tianran suddenly took Ju Zi's delicate hand and gave it a gentle tug, drawing her into his arms.
Ju Zi let out a soft cry as she fell onto his lap. Her supple body trembled slightly, and a flicker of alarm crossed her beautiful eyes before quickly giving way to meekness and seduction.
Ju Zi let Xu Tianran rest his chin against her shoulder, greedily breathing in the faint, elegant fragrance that clung to her.
Xu Tianran gently caressed her slender waist and full, rounded curves, murmuring, "Ju Zi, tell me, what should I do about this?"
"If this really reaches Tianyao's ears, I'm afraid I'll not only gain another enemy, but lose my last brother for good."
Ju Zi nestled against him, feeling the strength of his hand. A faint blush rose on her pretty face, and her breathing quickened slightly.
Yet she couldn't help picturing Xu Tianyao's ever-watchful, cold eyes.
No matter how warmly she had treated that junior fellow disciple, he had remained unmoved, as if he had been born with a grudge against her.
She blinked her beautiful eyes and said softly, "Your Majesty, there's still room to turn this situation around."
"Everyone in the world knows that the brothers of the Sun Moon Imperial Family are devoted to one another, a shining example of a golden age. Now that Prince Ming has been attacked by Evil Soul Masters, it's already a matter that has shaken the entire nation."
"Your Majesty could immediately issue a decree to announce the matter to the world and order every region to investigate Evil Soul Masters thoroughly. This would reassure the court and the people, and show how deeply Your Majesty cares for Prince Ming. At the same time, it would put pressure on the Three Great Empires and make them devote manpower to tracking down the Evil Soul Masters as well."
"That way, your ministers will praise Your Majesty's benevolence, the people will be grateful for Your Majesty's grace, the three empires will be run ragged, and the Holy Spirit Cult will find it harder to hide in their territories. Its expansion will be hindered, too. It's a threefold victory."
Though she rarely left her home, her analysis was clear and well-ordered. Every sentence struck at the heart of the matter.
After hearing her words, some of the gloom in Xu Tianran's eyes gradually lifted. He squeezed her soft, delicate backside, signaling for her to continue.
Ju Zi gave a coy little hum, her eyes hazy as she continued softly, "As for Prince Ming..."
"With this decree in place, at least on the surface, Your Majesty will have been seeking justice for him all along, standing up for your younger brother."
"If you still don't feel at ease, Your Majesty could also secretly send a contingent of imperial guards to accompany him. Officially, they would be there to protect his safety, but in reality, they could keep track of his movements at all times."
"Then, no matter how the situation changes, Your Majesty will always hold the initiative. You will remain the master of the Empire, with everything under your control."
"Am I included in that?" Xu Tianran asked for no apparent reason.
Ju Zi froze. Then, whether she had thought of something or felt something, her pretty face flushed crimson, and she smiled seductively. "Naturally. I have always belonged to Your Majesty, and only Your Majesty may have me. Isn't that right?"
At her words, Xu Tianran contentedly closed his eyes, then burst into hearty laughter.
All the gloom and displeasure from before had vanished from his laugh.
"Good!"
"What a threefold victory—and what a woman who belongs to me alone!"
He looked down at the woman in his arms, making no effort to conceal his admiration and affection.
"I used to think those wine-bellied fools at court were worthless, and they made me lose heart. I thought I'd have to search everywhere for talented people to assist me."
"But I never imagined that the person who understands me best would be right here by my side."
As he spoke, he tightened his arms slightly and lifted the woman into a bridal carry.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, her pretty face tinged with an intoxicating blush. Her eyes shimmered with both shyness and contentment.
Xu Tianran gazed at the beauty in his arms and laughed aloud. "Ju Zi, haven't you always wanted to go to the front lines and distinguish yourself?"
"I grant your wish!"
"When you return victorious, I'll make you Empress."
"With our hearts united, we'll sweep across the world, unify the continent, and establish a legacy that will last for generations!"
"But tonight, you'll have to serve me well. As long as you satisfy me, I'll grant you everything you desire!"
Ju Zi's beautiful eyes trembled, a burning gleam flashing in their depths. Desire and ambition intertwined fiercely within her.
"Your Majesty, please be gentle with me..."
The throne of Empress, command over three armies, conquest of new lands, revenge for her father!
These had always been her dreams. For all of them, she was willing to give everything.
That night, the candlelight flickered, and the scent of dragon's-breath incense lingered long after.
Elsewhere,
in an underground laboratory somewhere in Ming Capital!
Two distinguished old men with flowing white hair were talking.
"Hongchen, I'll need to enter seclusion for a full year. I'm counting on you to look after Yao'er."
After years of research, Kong Deming seemed to have found a way to resolve the problem with his Martial Soul, thanks to what he had learned from Xu Tianyao.
So he had decided to go into seclusion for a year and give it a try.
What worried him most during his seclusion was Xu Tianyao. After all, Xu Tianyao had only recently survived an assassination attempt by Evil Soul Masters.
Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen both knew it had been Xu Tianran's doing. His methods were so vicious and deranged that they were difficult to comprehend.
A sick emperor, a man who had murdered his father and brother, an emperor who consorted with the enemies of Soul Masters—the Evil Soul Masters. He had no limits left.
So before entering seclusion, Kong Deming needed to give Jing Hongchen a heads-up, explain a few things clearly, and take precautions!
Before you continue