Three Years of Planning, the Continental Landscape... It's Time for a Shake-Up!

Star Luo Imperial Palace, East Palace.

Inside the bedchamber, soul power surged like a tide.

Dai Mobai sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes tightly shut, his figure motionless.

Visible ripples of energy rolled out from within him, golden light spreading in layers like water waves, bathing the entire chamber in a brilliant yellow glow.

As his soul power billowed, his tailored fine robes were puffed up by the force, the fabric snapping loudly under the impact of the energy.

Even his handsome face began to emit a faint golden luster.

As the soul power of heaven and earth continuously poured into his body, the gold on Dai Mobai's face grew increasingly intense.

At first, it was merely a faint golden halo, but it gradually deepened until it completely covered his face, making him look as if he were cast from solid gold, exuding an indescribable majesty.

Meanwhile, the soul power radiating from his body climbed higher and higher as time passed.

Just then, the fluctuating soul power in the chamber suddenly froze.

The robes billowing on Dai Mobai's body stiffened in mid-air, the spreading golden ripples halted, and even the dust motes floating in the air seemed to be held in place by an invisible hand.

The entire bedchamber fell into a state of eerie stillness.

This stillness lasted for about ten seconds.

In the next instant, Dai Mobai's tightly shut eyes snapped open.

Two beams of light, one gold and one red, shot out from his eyes with a hissing sound, sharp as physical blades, extending a full ten meters.

The trajectory of the light left faint afterimages in the air that lingered for a long time.

Maintaining his cross-legged posture, he parted his lips slightly and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

The breath was grayish-white; it dissipated rapidly after leaving his lips, carrying away the impurities from within his body.

As the turbid air was expelled, the sharp glint in Dai Mobai's eyes quietly faded.

His stiffened robes softened, gently settling back against his skin.

The oppressive aura that had permeated the chamber was pulled back into his body like a receding tide.

The bedchamber returned to silence.

Dai Mobai sat on the bed, slowly clenching his fist.

The sensation of soul power filling his body radiated through his limbs and bones; every inch of muscle and every meridian felt as if it had been soaked in a warm spring, clear and comfortable.

That feeling of power, so full it was nearly overflowing, caused a flash of involuntary intoxication to cross his eyes.

Level fifty.

After three years of bitter cultivation, he had successfully broken through to level fifty.

Fifteen years old, a quasi-Soul King—barely acceptable.

A few breaths later, he calmed his surging emotions.

He pressed his palms lightly against the bed, his body springing up with agility. He performed a mid-air flip and landed silently on the floor of the chamber.

He brushed his hands together and looked toward the empty room.

"Li Yue, prepare yourself. We are leaving for the Star Dou Great Forest."

"Understood."

Li Yue's cold, clear voice echoed through the chamber, though she remained unseen.

Stepping out of the bedchamber, Chen Hu was already waiting outside.

Now the commander of the East Palace guards, he wore polished armor and a long blade at his waist, his presence far more composed than before.

Seeing Dai Mobai push the door open, he immediately stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Highness."

"Perfect."

Dai Mobai glanced at him, his voice indifferent.

"Go inform the Emperor that I am heading to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for a soul ring."

Chen Hu's expression froze for a moment.

He then focused his attention on Dai Mobai, immediately sensing the soul power fluctuations that had not yet fully dissipated.

The intensity of those fluctuations was a significant step above what they had been before.

"Your Highness has broken through?!"

Chen Hu blurted out, his tone filled with astonishment.

"Just a stroke of luck."

Dai Mobai waved his hand, his tone devoid of any fluctuation.

"Go and report it."

"Your Highness, shall I take men to accompany you?"

Chen Hu asked one more question.

As the commander of the East Palace guards, protecting the Crown Prince's safety was his duty.

Dai Mobai shook his head.

"No need. With Li Yue following, it is enough."

Hearing this, Chen Hu said no more.

He was well aware of Li Yue's strength; with her by the Prince's side, he truly had no need to worry.

"As you command."

He acknowledged the order and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Dai Mobai suddenly called out to him.

Chen Hu stopped immediately, turned, and bowed his head, waiting for further instructions.

Dai Mobai looked at him, his tone calm, but the weight of his words was heavier than a thousand jun.

"Tell the Emperor as well—the plan can begin now."

Chen Hu's pupils constricted slightly.

Three years.

He could not know everything the Prince had done over these three years, but even just the part he was aware of was enough for him to understand what this sentence signified.

He did not ask any questions, only lowered his head further and replied in a deep voice.

"As you command."

He then turned and strode away, disappearing at the end of the palace path.

Dai Mobai and Li Yue exited the Star Luo Imperial Palace.

The two did not take a carriage, choosing instead to travel discreetly.

Dai Mobai wore only a cloud-colored casual outfit, concealing all traces of his soul power, looking at first glance like an ordinary young nobleman.

Li Yue remained by his side in her fitted attire, her expression cold and her gaze fixed straight ahead.

Though comfortable, a carriage was far too conspicuous.

Furthermore, both of their martial souls possessed flight capabilities; if it came to speed, a carriage would only be a burden.

Once outside the city, the two no longer concealed their figures. With a surge of soul power, wings unfurled from their backs, and they both soared into the air, darting toward the direction of the Star Dou Great Forest.

In the Imperial Study.

Chen Hu relayed Dai Mobai's message to the Star Luo Emperor word for word.

The Star Luo Emperor sat behind his desk, his expression remaining unchanged after hearing the report.

He merely nodded slightly and waved his hand to dismiss Chen Hu.

The door to the Imperial Study was pulled shut, leaving the Star Luo Emperor alone in the room.

He rose slowly and walked toward the massive map hanging on one side of the study.

The map covered nearly the entire wall, marking every city, mountain range, and river on the continent.

Over the past three years, he had looked at this map countless times; he could draw every line on it with his eyes closed.

But today, his gaze as he looked at the map was different from before.

He stared at the map for about a minute.

Then, he pulled a vermilion brush from the pen holder hanging to the side.

With a slight turn of his wrist, the bright red tip of the brush touched the parchment map, making a faint rustling sound.

He moved the brush slowly and steadily, the fresh red ink leaving a striking mark on the paper.

He drew a circle.

In the vermilion circle, he pressed down slightly at the end of the stroke, causing a small, dark red blotch to bleed out, looking like a drop of congealed blood.

Encircled in the very center was the border city where the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire met—

Nuoding City.

The Star Luo Emperor stared at the red circle, placed the brush back into the holder, and stood with his hands behind his back.

After a moment of silence, his voice echoed in the empty Imperial Study, low and resolute.

"Three years of planning. The landscape of the continent... is about to shift."