Father Emperor, Doesn't Heaven Dou Empire's Territory Look Like a Chunk of Fat Meat?

"Father Emperor, don't be anxious. Before I tell you what to do, how about answering a few questions first?"

Dai Mobai reached out and straightened the desk that the Star Luo Emperor had knocked crooked earlier, a faint smile on his face.

"Are they related to the method you mentioned?"

The Star Luo Emperor stared at him, needing a clear answer.

"Yes."

Dai Mobai nodded with a smile.

The Star Luo Emperor took a deep breath, sat back down, and forcibly suppressed his surging emotions.

"Ask."

His voice had returned to its usual deep tone, but beneath the desk, his tightly clenched fists had already turned his knuckles slightly white.

"Father Emperor, what do you think of Spirit Hall's reputation?"

Dai Mobai's question made the Star Luo Emperor pause.

Half a breath later, he gave his answer.

"They call themselves righteous enforcers of the law, but in truth, they are ambitious schemers harboring evil intentions."

A cold glint flashed through the Star Luo Emperor's eyes, and his tone was utterly merciless.

"Father Emperor is right. Spirit Hall is exactly like that. But—"

Dai Mobai deliberately drew out his words.

The Star Luo Emperor fixed his gaze on Dai Mobai's smiling face and did not urge him on.

"That is only how we see them."

Dai Mobai paused before continuing.

"In the hearts of commoners, Spirit Hall is the embodiment of justice, and even a benefactor that provides them with opportunities. This first impression leads to a certain phenomenon."

At that point, Dai Mobai licked his lips, feeling a little thirsty.

He had just been about to ask for a cup of tea when the Star Luo Emperor, ruler of an entire nation, unexpectedly poured one himself and handed it to him.

"Continue."

His voice was low, but his movements had not been slow in the slightest.

Dai Mobai accepted the teacup with both hands, took a sip to moisten his throat, then set it down.

The cup struck the tabletop with a crisp sound, like a judge's gavel.

"That phenomenon is—when talented Soul Masters emerge among the commoners, their first choice is often to join Spirit Hall."

The Star Luo Emperor's expression darkened. Dai Mobai had clearly struck a nerve.

"Does Father Emperor know why this happens?"

"Spirit Hall merely helps commoners awaken their martial souls for free to earn their goodwill. It is nothing more than a petty trick to win people over."

The Star Luo Emperor snorted coldly. He had long seen through it.

"Father Emperor is right. It truly is a petty trick to win people over."

Dai Mobai smiled and nodded, but his tone suddenly shifted.

"As far as I know, both our Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire allocate funds every year to distribute Soul Master subsidies. Yet we pay the money while Spirit Hall earns the reputation. Doesn't Father Emperor think that is a loss?"

After speaking, he lifted the teacup again and took another sip, watching the Star Luo Emperor's reaction over its rim.

"You mean..."

The Star Luo Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, as though he had caught onto something.

"Our Star Luo Empire can handle such a trivial matter ourselves. Why must we trouble Spirit Hall?"

Dai Mobai's answer confirmed the Star Luo Emperor's suspicions.

However, those words did not stir much emotion in the Star Luo Emperor's heart.

How could he, as the ruler of a nation, fail to understand something that Dai Mobai could see?

Still, the fact that Dai Mobai had thought of it made the Star Luo Emperor quite pleased.

"This money was already an extra expense. If not for the rules established by our ancestors, I would have put it into the military long ago."

The Star Luo Emperor sighed, helplessness in his voice.

"Moreover, Spirit Hall controls the awakening devices. If we do not let them distribute the subsidies, they will surely withdraw the devices. Buying new ones and distributing them throughout the empire's territory would be another major expense. That would be no small burden for the empire."

The words no money were practically written across his face.

The dignified Star Luo Emperor had actually been driven to such a state by money. No one would believe it if they heard it.

Yet to his surprise, after hearing this, Dai Mobai showed no frustration at his rejection. Instead, the smile on his face grew even broader.

"If money is the only issue, then it is the smallest issue."

Dai Mobai's voice was calm, as if he were discussing something utterly insignificant.

"What do you have in mind?"

The Star Luo Emperor's heart gave a slight jump, and a trace of hope appeared in his eyes.

"Father Emperor, have you heard of Whale Rubber?"

With a faint smile, Dai Mobai spoke those two words.

"Whale Rubber?"

The Star Luo Emperor frowned.

"Could this aphrodisiac be the key to solving the problem?"

Of course he knew what Whale Rubber was, but he could not imagine why it would be the key.

"That's right."

Dai Mobai confirmed the Star Luo Emperor's question before continuing.

"The world only knows that Whale Rubber acts as an aphrodisiac and boosts virility, but they do not know that it can also strengthen a Soul Master's physique. The number of years of Soul Rings a Soul Master can absorb is closely related to physical strength and spiritual power."

He paused, seemingly giving the Star Luo Emperor time to digest the information.

"In other words—Whale Rubber can help Soul Masters increase the number of years of Soul Rings they can absorb."

"Then tell me, Father Emperor: how high do you think the price of Whale Rubber will soar?"

After hearing Dai Mobai's words, the Star Luo Emperor felt his heartbeat quicken despite himself.

The number of years of a Soul Ring was directly tied to a Soul Master's strength. The greater the number of years, the stronger the Soul Master.

But Soul Rings had limits. If one forcibly absorbed a Soul Ring beyond that limit, the mildest outcome would be a shattered dantian; the worst would be exploding to death.

This was an ironclad rule known to everyone in the Soul Master world.

But now, something capable of increasing the number of years of Soul Rings one could absorb had appeared.

For the entire Soul Master world, this was undoubtedly a bombshell.

The Star Luo Emperor remained silent for around ten breaths before finally calming his roiling emotions.

"So the method you mentioned earlier was also Whale Rubber?"

"That's right."

Dai Mobai nodded.

"I see. No wonder you said there was a way to replicate it."

Realization appeared on the Star Luo Emperor's face, but he quickly furrowed his brows again.

"However, how do we make them believe Whale Rubber has such an effect?"

"Has Father Emperor forgotten my fourth Soul Ring?"

The moment Dai Mobai finished speaking, the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring beneath his feet lit up once again.

The pitch-black ring floated rhythmically beneath him, reflected in the Star Luo Emperor's eyes.

"With this Soul Ring, there is no need to worry that they will not believe it."

"Good!"

The Star Luo Emperor sprang to his feet, and the emotions he had suppressed for so long finally found an outlet in his voice.

"Then we will do as you say."

He strode toward the map hanging nearby, clasped his hands behind his back, and stared at the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire.

If Spirit Hall had not interfered back then, the Star Luo Empire would have long since crushed Heaven Dou and become the only empire on this continent.

The Star Luo Emperor had believed that this would remain impossible for the rest of his life.

Yet on Dai Mobai, he had once again seen hope.

Dai Mobai had somehow come to stand beside the Star Luo Emperor, and the two looked at the map shoulder to shoulder.

After a moment, he suddenly spoke.

"Father Emperor, doesn't the Heaven Dou Empire's territory look like a chunk of fat meat?"