The Heaven Dou Xue Family
"Brother Yi, where are you going?"
In a small courtyard in the eastern part of Heaven Dou City, Dugu Xin looked at Ling Yi, who was about to leave, and asked.
"Oh, I'm going to visit someone—" Ling Yi turned around and said to Dugu Xin with a smile.
Ling Yi arrived yesterday. He learned from Dugu Xin and others that Dugu Bo had spent most of the past month in the Sunset Forest, rarely returning to the city, and often staying for more than seven or eight days at a time.
Dugu Bo's last outing was exactly two days ago.
Therefore, Ling Yi did not plan to wait for Dugu Bo to return in the courtyard, but instead decided to walk around in ' Heaven Dou City ' first.
Half an hour later.
In the inner city, about three or four miles from the imperial city, in front of a very large mansion, Ling Yi and Dugu Xin stood side by side.
Looking up at the plaque above the gate, Ling Yi, with an extremely friendly smile, walked to the gate and spoke to one of the guards:
"Please inform your master that Ling Yi, a friend of Earl Ai'er Timosi, has come to pay a visit..."
Upon hearing this, the guard first looked Ling Yi up and down a few times, lingering briefly on his face that gave people a good first impression, and then replied calmly, "Please wait a moment."
After saying that, he nodded to another guard, then turned and ran back into the mansion.
Ling Yi watched the guard leave, then turned and smiled and nodded at the guards who remained.
I already checked with the Blacksmith Association of Heaven Dou City yesterday, Heaven Dou the owner of the mansion should be at home today and has not gone out.
Given the relationship between the other party and Ai'er Timosi, the possibility of them being willing to meet with him is over 80%!
Soon, Ling Yi, who was mentally planning his next actions in ' Heaven Dou City ', saw the guard who had just run into the mansion run out again.
Upon approaching Ling Yi and Dugu Xin, the guard became more polite, saying, "Your Highness, please come in for a chat."
Seeing this, Ling Yi cupped his hands in greeting and said politely with a smile, "Thank you for passing on the message, young man."
The guard was taken aback by Ling Yi's politeness and almost didn't react. He immediately waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Not at all... Please follow me into the mansion."
As he spoke, he stretched out his arm, making an inviting gesture towards Ling Yi and Dugu Xin.
Led by the guard, Ling Yi and his companion entered the mansion of this wealthy and powerful family.
About five minutes later, the three of them arrived at a magnificent hall, where Ling Yi met the person he was there to visit.
The royal family of the Heaven Dou Empire: the ninth prince, Xue Xing, son of the Heaven Dou Emperor Xue Rong, Xue Xing!
He appeared to be in his thirties, dressed in a simple yet elegant red and yellow casual outfit, with his bright golden hair neatly combed back. Although of average build, he stood upright with perfect posture, and his dignified appearance gave him an air of vibrant energy and vitality.
"Ling Yi of the Water Wood Duchy greets His Highness the Ninth Prince—"
Ling Yi performed a noble gesture, speaking with dignified composure and impeccable manners.
Behind him, Dugu Xin's eyes widened instinctively. Fortunately, his mental state had improved considerably over the years, and he reacted immediately, making a gesture commonly used by Soul Master to greet them, saying, "Dugu Xin greets His Highness the Ninth Prince—"
No need for formalities.
Ninth Prince Xue Xing waved his hand, showing no airs whatsoever, and instead spoke in a very familiar manner:
"Ling Yi, right? I've heard Ai'er Timosi mention you before. He raved about you, calling you a once-in-a-lifetime genius. Today I finally get to meet you in person—"
"Thank you, Ninth Prince~" Ling Yi smiled warmly, like the spring sun, and said modestly, "Earl Ai'er Timosi is too kind. Ling Yi am unworthy of such praise, I dare not accept it..."
As the ninth son of Emperor Xue Rong, although Xue Xing was not as accomplished in both literature and martial arts as the third prince Xue Ye, nor as favored as the fifth prince Xue Lie, he was the one with the closest relationship with the imperial military.
In terms of age, Ai'er Timosi is four or five years older than Xue Xing, but the two briefly formed a team when they were studying at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
At that time, Xue Xing's talent and strength were naturally not enough to enter the first and second teams, the two main teams. However, as a prince, he could easily build a team that could perform well on stage.
At that time, Ai'er Timosi was about to graduate and whose strength was above average among his peers, was invited to join the team because of the special nature of his Martial Soul. He was responsible for treating his teammates' injuries, which not only relieved their worries but also increased the team's combat endurance.
For academies like the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, teaching noble children to become successful is secondary. After all, for Martial Soul cultivation, the elders in their respective families are the best teachers. The most important thing is that it provides a platform for the children of the imperial nobles to communicate and build connections.
The family of Ai'er Timosi is a long-established military family in the Heaven Dou Empire. Although they have never held a high position, they have always had considerable influence in logistics due to the healing ability of their Martial Soul, the "Light Sacred Scarab".
As for Xue Xing, his status as the Ninth Prince is a perfect selling point. With him actively extending goodwill, few forces or individuals within the empire can refuse.
In other words, on the Douluo Continent, the power of the army and the individual power of high-level Soul Master each have their own strengths, with the latter perhaps being even more important. Otherwise, the Ninth Prince Xue Xing, might very well have been able to challenge for the throne.
In recent years, as Emperor Xue Rong has grown old, there has been an undercurrent of intrigue among the princes, and no one knows who will ultimately sit on the throne.
Although Xue Xing had also fantasized about it, he was relatively clear-headed and had a fairly clear understanding of his chances of success.
Although the military has a friendly relationship with him, it will most likely choose to remain neutral and stand by when it comes to the struggle for the throne.
After all, no matter which prince ascends to the throne, he will ultimately have to rely on the influence of various factions within the military to integrate the power of all parties in the empire.
Therefore, if the princes of the Heaven Dou Empire want to ascend the throne, they either need to rely on their own strength, possessing exceptional Martial Soul soul talent and strength far surpassing their brothers; or they need to gain the favor of the old emperor, who is willing to pave the way for them, allowing them to make early contact with the ministers in charge of imperial affairs and obtain support from all sides.
The latter condition has another prerequisite: it must not conflict with the former. That is, among the princes of the same generation, there must be no one with outstanding strength and talent.
Douluo Continent, after all, is a world where great power originates from within oneself.
Fortunately, compared to the brutal competition in the Star Luo Empire, which was like raising poisonous insects, the competition for the throne in the Heaven Dou Empire was less intense because the royal family did not have that kind of near-dictatorial power.
Many princes who lack ambition for the throne, but are indeed exceptionally talented, will, upon the new emperor's ascension, be granted certain powers and authority by being granted to their brothers who have become princes. In some cases, it's even possible that a territory will be divided, allowing them to establish their own kingdoms, as exemplified by the Barak Kingdom.
To some extent, the actions of the royal family, the Xue Family, can be seen as an attempt to consolidate their rule.
After all, when the Xue Family established the Heaven Dou Empire, it wasn't like the Dai Family of the Star Luo Empire who used force to subdue all sides. Instead, they gained control of the northern territory of the Douluo Continent through alliances and counter-alliances.
Only one chapter tonight. My left hand fingers have been sticking out the whole time, making typing inconvenient. Like Yang Guo, I'm operating with one hand, which is really affecting my concentration.
Goodnight everyone~