"I came to Star Luo City to propose marriage, but I never said I was proposing to the Imperial Family, did I?"

Tang Wei smiled faintly, though a mocking glint showed in his eyes. "The Seven Kill Sect has kept its doors shut for so long. Has it lost touch with the Soul Master World?"

Nearby, Dai Li saw that the two sides seemed to be at odds. He said nothing, silently sipped his tea, and glanced at Chen Fan.

Eighteen years old, Soul Ancestor, forty-ninth level.

With talent like that, he was a stunning prodigy, even across the entire Soul Master World.

But.

The Star Luo Empire revered martial prowess.

Both the Imperial Family and the common people valued practical combat ability above all.

A Soul Master's level could be raised with enough resources, but true fighting strength had to be tempered through life-and-death battles.

The Seven Kill Sect had been in seclusion for years, and Chen Fan had grown up in the sect. How much real combat experience could he have?

Dai Li shook his head inwardly.

Over the years, he had seen far too many so-called "geniuses."

Some sects, just to keep up appearances, would pile pills and rare treasures onto their disciples until they forcibly reached high levels.

Such geniuses might have impressive Soul Power Levels, but they had already exhausted all their potential. Their practical combat ability was questionable, to say the least, and they would never advance any further.

To put it bluntly, they were all show and no substance.

On the battlefield, they would be nothing more than slightly higher-grade cannon fodder.

In his eyes, Chen Fan was most likely the same kind.

"You can try."

Chen Fan said nothing. Beside him, Chen Xin spoke in a low voice, a glint like a sword's edge in his gaze as he stared at Tang Wei, seeming eager to give it a try.

Since breaking through to Titled Douluo, Chen Xin had yet to fight another Titled Douluo—much less one wielding the Clear Sky Hammer, reputed to be the greatest Tool Martial Soul under heaven.

"Hmm?"

At his words, Tang Wei's expression shifted slightly.

Compared with the unknown Chen Fan, Chen Xin's reputation was considerable. Tang Wei had even heard rumors about Chen Xin's travels when he was young.

Now that the Seven Kill Sect had emerged from seclusion, Chen Xin's identity could hardly remain hidden. He was the son of Chen Jianjun, a ninety-seventh-level Titled Douluo, so he had surely received his father's guidance.

His strength absolutely could not be judged by Soul Power Level alone.

Although Tang Wei had reached the ninety-fourth level, as the saying went, a person's name cast a shadow.

He had heard of Chen Xin's reputation when he was young, and it had dealt him a harsh blow. Though four or five decades had passed since then, he... truly had no confidence he could win.

What was more.

If the two of them really fought here, not only would the outcome be uncertain, they would also tear their relationship apart completely.

That would not only truly push the Seven Kill Sect into Spirit Hall's camp, but also make the Star Luo Imperial Family laugh at them.

A loss on all counts.

But... backing down just like that would be a little humiliating, wouldn't it?

After turning it over in his mind, Tang Wei said, "This is a banquet hosted by the Star Luo Imperial Family."

"Another day, you can send a challenge letter to the Clear Sky Sect. I'll accept it without fail."

As he spoke, Tang Wei picked up his teacup and took a sip. But when he heard Chen Xin's next words, his expression froze. "Good. Another day, I'll bring my father with me to the Clear Sky Sect."

Tang Wei: "..."

No, I was just talking big. Why are you taking me seriously?

Nearby, Star Luo Emperor Dai Li looked disappointed.

He had been hoping the two sides would compete, so he could choose the better candidate.

Who would have thought...

They were both so restrained!

When he saw that both sides had sent only young people, he had thought they would be easy to handle. But he had never imagined this... As he considered it, Dai Li glanced at Chen Fan, whose expression remained unchanged, and lowered his opinion of him further.

In his eyes, a true powerhouse should have an edge and a fierce spirit.

If someone provoked you to your face and you didn't react, then either you were extremely deep and calculating, or you simply lacked the strength to respond.

From Chen Fan's behavior, the latter seemed more likely.

"Everyone, since we're all here, let's begin the banquet."

Dai Li set down his teacup, clapped his hands, and called out, "Servants, bring in the dishes!"

As soon as he spoke, palace maids streamed into the hall, carrying all kinds of delicacies and fine wine. In no time, they had filled the main table and the others.

Compared with the banquets in Spirit City, those of the Star Luo Empire were less refined and more hearty.

Huge cuts of roasted meat, great bowls of wine, and the rich scents of meat and liquor filled the air.

"Honored guests, please!"

Dai Li raised his cup and drained it first.

Everyone followed suit, raising their cups and drinking them dry.

After several rounds of wine and a few courses of food.

The atmosphere in the hall gradually warmed. The ministers gathered in small groups, whispering to one another and discussing state affairs and all kinds of rumors from across the continent.

Just then, a graceful figure entered the hall.

She was a young woman of eighteen or nineteen, dressed in a pale gold gown. She was beautiful and dignified, and her brows held an air of authority not unlike Dai Li's.

She was Dai Yue, the eldest princess of the Star Luo Imperial Family.

"Your son pays his respects to Father and Mother."

Dai Yue walked up to Dai Li and Empress Zhu and curtsied. Her voice was clear and sweet.

"Yue'er, you're here. Get up."

Empress Zhu smiled and reached out to pull Dai Yue to her side, her eyes full of affection. "Come, greet the honored guests from the Seven Kill Sect and the Clear Sky Sect."

Dai Yue turned around, glanced at Chen Fan and Tang Xiao, and bowed slightly. "Dai Yue greets the two honored guests."

Chen Fan gave a slight nod in reply.

Tang Xiao rose to his feet and cupped his hands with a smile. "Princess, you're too kind. I'm Tang Xiao. I've long admired your reputation, and now that I've finally met you, I see it's well deserved."

Seeing Tang Xiao's youthful, boyish appearance, Dai Yue smiled. "It's my honor to have the young master speak so highly of me."

Tang Xiao hadn't expected Dai Yue to answer him. And with her smiling so warmly, he was momentarily entranced...

So this is the young master of the Seven Kill Sect? He doesn't look like much...

He doesn't even look as good as Tang Xiao...

Seeing Tang Xiao like that, Dai Yue felt a blush cross her face. She quickly turned away and looked at Chen Fan, the flush gradually fading.

Eighteen years old, Soul Ancestor, forty-ninth level... His talent is quite good, but Father said the last time the Seven Kill Sect appeared was over forty years ago, didn't he?

That means this new sect master has been cultivating inside the Seven Kill Sect all this time, without any real combat experience?

So... Chen Fan is probably just an empty showpiece, propped up by the sect's resources.

Thinking this, Dai Yue's opinion of Chen Fan fell a little.

She admitted that looks played some part in her judgment, but practical combat ability mattered more.

The Star Luo Empire's devotion to martial prowess wasn't just talk. It was the prevailing spirit throughout the entire empire.

By that measure, Chen Fan doesn't look as good as Tang Xiao, and his muscles don't look all that solid either...

Just as Dai Yue was taking her seat.

Suddenly, a minister who seemed a little tipsy let out a belch and slurred, "Hey, speaking of which, there's a rumor going around Star Luo City..."

As he blurted it out, everyone's eyes turned toward him. The colleague beside him kicked him under the table, signaling him not to make a scene.

However.

The minister seemed drunk. Seeing everyone looking at him only made him more eager to talk. "They're saying the new sect master of the Seven Kill Sect came to Star Luo City to marry into our Imperial Family and wed the eldest princess. I heard the elders of their sect mentioned it some time ago..."

As soon as he said this.

The murmuring in the hall quieted.

Quite a few ministers looked toward Chen Fan, their eyes full of gossip.

Dai Li's expression remained unchanged, but he didn't respond.

Empress Zhu seized the opportunity to speak with a smile. "I've heard that rumor too, Minister Zhao."

She paused and looked toward Chen Fan, her tone gentle. "But rumors are usually just hearsay, and can't be taken seriously..."

"I did come to Star Luo City to propose marriage."

Chen Fan smiled freely and looked at Empress Zhu with deep meaning. She was clearly taken aback.

For a moment, the scene seemed to short-circuit, plunging into an eerie silence. Everyone stared at Chen Fan in astonishment.

This...

Whether it was true or not, this wasn't the right time to say something like that, was it?

Dai Yue narrowed her eyes and gave a cold snort, her face practically spelling out her disdain.

She didn't want to marry some empty showpiece!

As for Star Luo Emperor Dai Li, he said nothing. He simply maintained a faint smile and calmly sipped his tea.

The scene grew somewhat awkward.

The tipsy minister from earlier gulped down a mouthful and muttered, "Is this water...? Why do I feel dizzier the more I drink?"

He shook his head and waved a hand. "Hey, a rumor's just a rumor..."

"But still, if it really came to pass, it'd make a fine story."

"A marriage between the Seven Kill Sect and the Imperial Family would be a powerful alliance!"

Whether or not he was truly drunk, the minister had completely missed what Chen Fan had just said.

Earlier.

Chen Fan's words had left Empress Zhu rather awkward, unsure how to respond.

After all, it wasn't as if she could simply refuse him on the spot and insult the Seven Kill Sect.

Now that the tipsy minister had spoken, she quickly seized the opening. "That's true."

Then she turned to Dai Li. "Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Dai Li set down his teacup and said calmly, "I have no particular thoughts, Empress. I'll leave it to you."

"When a daughter marries, her mother's opinion matters."

Empress Zhu understood his hint and nodded. "I think the children have grown up and should have the freedom to choose their own partners."

"However, your father and I are still her parents, so we have conditions."

"First, there must be a proper betrothal gift. At least three Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones!"

"Second, once Yue'er marries, her husband will be the consort of the Star Luo Empire. According to the empire's rules, the empire will establish a Princess Mansion for her in Star Luo City, and the consort must live there with the princess."

"Third..."

She paused. "If a man wishes to marry the eldest princess of the Star Luo Imperial Family, he must naturally prove that he has the strength to match her."

"He must win the championship in the Youth Soul Master Tournament three months from now!"

The Youth Soul Master Tournament was organized by the Star Luo Imperial Family. It was open to Soul Masters under sixteen who had graduated from intermediate Soul Master Academies.

In the martial-arts-loving Star Luo Empire, the easiest way to make a name for yourself was to enter the Youth Soul Master Tournament.

"Of course, if he's the kind who's all show and no substance, she'll only suffer if she marries him. Even if he meets all these conditions, I still won't give my daughter away."

"His Majesty and I will have to consider everything together!"

Though Empress Zhu hadn't named anyone in particular.

But.

Everyone could hear what she meant. She was setting a high bar for the Seven Kill Sect.

Heh, that empty showpiece is finally getting a taste of his own medicine, isn't he?

Nearby, the sneer at the corner of Tang Xiao's mouth deepened. He picked up his wine and leisurely took a sip, no longer bothering to look at Chen Fan.

To him, winning the Youth Soul Master Tournament would be child's play. He could take the title with ease.

As for Chen Fan?

A forty-ninth-level Soul Ancestor propped up by resources—did he really think he could compete with him?

Hadn't he seen that the Star Luo Imperial Family was already displeased with Chen Fan and raising the bar for him?

"Her Highness's standards really are quite high."

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Chen Fan actually nodded, agreeing with Empress Zhu.

This left Dai Li and Empress Zhu completely at a loss. The couple exchanged bewildered looks.

No!

This new sect master... could he really accept that?

What?

"But..."

Chen Fan paused, then gave Tang Xiao a teasing glance. "What I said was that I came to Star Luo City to propose marriage."

"But I never said I was proposing to the Imperial Family, did I?"

At those words, the entire Taihe Hall shook with shock!