The Star Luo Imperial Palace, the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.
Inside the bedchamber, Soul Power surged like a tide.
Dai Mobai sat cross-legged on the bed, eyes tightly shut, his body perfectly still.
Waves of visible energy surged out of him in rings. Golden light rippled outward like water, layer upon layer, bathing the entire bedchamber in gold.
As his Soul Power surged, the fine clothes on his body billowed outward, the fabric snapping in the force of the impact.
Even his handsome face seemed to glow faintly with golden light.
As Soul Power from the world around him continually flowed into his body, the gold on Dai Mobai's face grew more intense.
At first, it was only a faint golden glow. Then it gradually deepened, until at last it completely covered his face, making it look as if it had been cast in gold and lending him an indescribable air of authority.
The Soul Power within him also continued to climb, little by little, as time passed.
Just then, the surging Soul Power in the bedchamber abruptly froze.
The clothes billowing around Dai Mobai hung motionless in midair. The golden ripples stopped spreading, and even the dust motes floating through the air seemed pinned in place by an invisible hand.
The entire bedchamber fell into an eerie stillness.
The stillness lasted for about ten seconds.
The next moment, Dai Mobai's tightly shut eyes snapped open.
One golden beam and one red beam shot from his eyes with a sizzling hiss, sharp as solid blades, stretching a full three zhang into the distance.
The paths of the beams left faint traces in the air that lingered for a long time.
Still sitting cross-legged, he parted his lips and slowly exhaled a breath of foul air.
The breath was grayish white. As it escaped between his lips and teeth, it quickly dissipated, carrying the impurities in his body away with it.
Once he had expelled the foul air, the sharp gleam in Dai Mobai's eyes quietly faded.
The clothes frozen in midair softened again and settled gently against his skin.
The oppressive aura that had filled the bedchamber receded into his body like the tide.
Silence returned to the bedchamber.
Sitting on the bed, Dai Mobai slowly clenched his fist.
A sense of brimming Soul Power surged through his limbs and bones. Every inch of muscle, every meridian, felt as if it had been steeped in warm spring water, refreshed and clear.
The feeling of power so full it nearly overflowed brought a trace of involuntary rapture to his eyes.
Level fifty.
After three years of arduous cultivation, he had successfully raised his Soul Power to level fifty.
Fifteen years old, a Quasi-Soul King—not bad.
A few breaths later, he calmed his roiling emotions.
He pressed both palms lightly against the bed and sprang out with nimble grace, turning once in midair before landing lightly on the bedchamber floor without making a sound.
He brushed his hands together and looked up at the empty bedchamber.
"Li Yue, get ready. We're leaving for the Star Dou Great Forest."
"All right."
Li Yue's cool voice echoed through the bedchamber, though she herself remained unseen.
Outside the bedchamber, Chen Hu was already waiting.
He was now the commander of the East Palace's guards. His armor gleamed, freshly polished, and a long saber hung at his waist. His presence was far steadier than before.
As soon as Dai Mobai stepped through the door, Chen Hu moved forward and bowed.
"Your Highness."
"Just in time."
Dai Mobai glanced at him, his voice calm.
"Go inform Father that I'm going to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for a Soul Ring."
Chen Hu's expression froze for a moment.
Then he focused on Dai Mobai and indeed sensed that the Soul Power around him had not yet fully settled.
Its strength had clearly risen another level since before.
"Your Highness, you broke through?!"
Chen Hu blurted out, his voice full of astonishment.
"Just luck."
Dai Mobai waved a hand, his tone completely unchanged.
"Go give the report."
"Your Highness, should I bring some men along?"
Chen Hu asked one more question.
As commander of the East Palace's guards, protecting the Crown Prince was his duty.
Dai Mobai shook his head.
"No. Li Yue will be with me. That's enough."
Hearing this, Chen Hu said no more.
He knew Li Yue's strength well. With her by His Highness's side, there was no need for him to worry.
"Understood."
He answered and was about to turn and leave.
"Wait."
Dai Mobai suddenly called after him.
Chen Hu stopped at once, turned back, and bowed his head as he waited for his orders.
Dai Mobai looked at him, his voice calm, but the weight of his words was heavier than a thousand jun.
"Also tell Father—the plan can begin."
Chen Hu's pupils contracted slightly.
Three years.
He didn't know everything His Highness had done over the past three years, but what he did know was more than enough to make him understand the meaning of those words.
He asked nothing. He only bowed his head lower and answered in a solemn voice.
"Understood."
Then he turned and strode away, disappearing at the end of the palace corridor.
Dai Mobai and Li Yue left the Star Luo Imperial Palace.
They did not take a carriage, choosing instead to travel discreetly.
Dai Mobai wore only a simple outfit in a pale cloud-gray, concealing all traces of his Soul Power. At first glance, he looked like an ordinary noble youth.
Li Yue, as always, wore fitted clothes and walked at his side, her expression cool and her gaze fixed straight ahead.
A carriage was comfortable, but too conspicuous.
Besides, both their Martial Souls gave them the ability to fly. If speed was what they wanted, a carriage would only hold them back.
Once they were out of the city, the two stopped hiding their presence. Soul Power surged, wings spread from their backs, and they soared into the air together, darting toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
In the Imperial Study.
Chen Hu repeated Dai Mobai's instructions to the Star Luo Emperor, without leaving out a single word.
The Star Luo Emperor sat behind his desk and showed no change in expression as he listened.
He merely nodded, then waved Chen Hu away.
The door to the Imperial Study closed softly, leaving the Star Luo Emperor alone in the room.
He slowly rose and walked toward the enormous map hanging on one side of the Imperial Study.
The map nearly covered the entire wall. Every city, mountain range, and river on the continent was marked upon it.
Over the past three years, he had studied the map countless times. He could draw every line on it with his eyes closed.
But today, he looked at it differently.
He stared at the map for about a minute.
Then he drew a vermilion brush from the brush holder hanging nearby.
With a slight turn of his wrist, the red tip touched the parchment map, making a soft scratching sound.
His hand moved slowly and steadily, leaving a bright red mark across the map.
He drew a circle.
At the point where the vermilion line closed, he pressed a little harder, leaving a dark red blotch like a drop of congealed blood.
At its very center lay a border city where the Heaven Dou Empire met the Star Luo Empire—
Nuoding City.
The Star Luo Emperor stared at the red circle, returned the brush to its holder, and stood with his hands behind his back.
After a moment of silence, his voice rang out through the empty Imperial Study, low and resolute.
"Three years of planning. The balance of power on the continent... it's time for a change."