Half a Year Later, the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament.

The next morning, at the White Tiger Duke Mansion.

Eunuch Liu delivered the decree from Xu Jiawei to the White Tiger Duke Mansion.

When the White Tiger Duchess received the decree, her expression was incredibly unsightly. Although the Emperor's personal order to discipline the younger members of the household did not count as a severe punishment, the news spreading would be enough to make her unable to hold her head high among the circle of noblewomen.

Before leaving, Eunuch Liu told her to forward the news to Dai Hao at the border, adding that if she failed to do so, the Imperial family would deliver it for her.

"Yes, Eunuch Liu, thank you for your hard work. I will send it to the Duke," the White Tiger Duchess said with a smile as she saw him off.

Once Eunuch Liu was out of sight, the White Tiger Duchess's face turned grim, yet she still ordered a servant to carry out the task.

"That damned Huo Yun'er and her son, to think they were lucky enough to have Viscount Liu witness that incident," the White Tiger Duchess muttered to herself in anger.

She then thought of her own good-for-nothing second son and sighed, deciding to go and speak with him.

White Tiger Duke Mansion, Dai Huabin's room.

Upon hearing what his mother had to say, Dai Huabin's expression turned ferocious and enraged. His eyes were bloodshot, and he wished he could find Liu Lin and fight him.

"What right does that Liu Lin have? He just started cultivating a few years earlier than me. If it were me, I could also become the Imperial son-in-law."

Seeing her second son's furious expression, the White Tiger Duchess assumed he was still resentful about what happened last night, and she couldn't help but sigh.

"Huabin, Mother isn't saying you were wrong, just that it's better not to let people see when you do such things."

"But it's truly impossible to do anything now; the matter has already reached His Majesty."

"Mm, I understand, Mother." Hearing his mother's words, Dai Huabin pulled himself out of his rage and nodded at her.

"Good, as long as you understand. I shall leave now."

With that, the White Tiger Duchess left Dai Huabin's room.

At the border of the Star Luo Empire that night, Dai Hao sat in his military tent, finished reading the letter, and remained silent for a long time.

The letter mentioned that His Majesty was dissatisfied with his second son, Dai Huabin, for making things difficult for his younger half-brother within the mansion.

However, what shocked him even more was that he hadn't even known he had a son with Huo Yun'er. This left him wondering if he had been too negligent, or if his wife had deliberately kept it from him.

Dai Hao then thought of his second son, Dai Huabin, and couldn't help but frown.

He then took up his brush and wrote a reply to his wife, using stern language and stating bluntly that if anything similar happened again, he would send Dai Huabin to the border for training and would not allow him to remain in the mansion.

At the same time, he had someone send clothes and food to Huo Yun'er and her son, instructing the mansion that no bias should be shown toward the children of concubines.

Back in Star Luo City, the White Tiger Duchess did not dare to delay after receiving Dai Hao's reply.

She immediately ordered the kitchen to restore the original rations due to Huo Yun'er and her son, and added several daily necessities.

Several stewards were also summoned and reprimanded; upon returning, they no longer dared to speak coldly to those in the side courtyard. As for Dai Huabin, he was sentenced to three months of confinement and was not allowed to take a single step out of the mansion.

The moment the main gate was locked from the outside, Dai Huabin sat in the darkness, his fingernails digging deep into his palms. Liu Lin. He gritted his teeth as he spoke the name, as if he could kill him right then and there.

Star Luo Imperial Palace, inside the bedchamber.

Xu Jiawei sat at his desk, listening to Eunuch Liu's report on the outcome at the White Tiger Duke Mansion, and nodded slightly without further questioning.

He looked at Liu Lin, whom he had summoned just after he finished his cultivation, and the corners of his mouth curled upward.

"Have you consumed the Whale Glue?"

"Yes, the effect is quite good; my physical fitness has improved significantly," Liu Lin nodded.

"That is good." Xu Jiawei leaned back in his chair and spoke slowly:

"I called you here today for a reason. In half a year, the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament will be held in Tiantou City of the Heaven Soul Empire."

"I want you and Jiujiu to go together. Of course, not to compete, but to see the geniuses of the outside world and prepare for your future participation."

"Your Majesty means for me to observe the tournament and see the competition of the younger generation."

"Indeed. After all, one cannot succeed by closing the door and building a carriage; you need to see the geniuses outside." Xu Jiawei nodded upon hearing Liu Lin's words.

"Then why tell me so early, Your Majesty?" Liu Lin asked, somewhat puzzled.

"It was your attendance at the Dai family banquet two days ago that gave me this idea. I'm telling you in advance so you can prepare," Xu Jiawei explained after hearing Liu Lin.

A moment later, Liu Lin nodded: "Understood."

"Mm, there is no need to rush this matter, as there is still half a year left. I still have state affairs to attend to; you should go back and cultivate." After saying this, Xu Jiawei waved his hand to signal for Liu Lin to leave, as he needed to begin handling state affairs.

"Then, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave." Liu Lin bowed respectfully, left the Emperor's bedchamber, and headed toward his own residence.

Time flew like an arrow, and half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

Star Luo Imperial Palace, in a courtyard.

Liu Lin sat in a pavilion, reading with great interest a book on soul tools he had borrowed from the Star Luo Imperial Library.

Suddenly, a pair of hands covered Liu Lin's eyes, and then Xu Jiujiu's playful and cute voice rang out.

"Guess who I am?"

"Jiujiu, stop messing around, be good." Liu Lin placed the book in his hand onto the stone table, turned around, and pulled Xu Jiujiu into his arms.

"You big pervert, let me go right now!" Xu Jiujiu struggled vigorously within Liu Lin's embrace.

Watching Xu Jiujiu's flushed face, Liu Lin chuckled and couldn't help but stroke her hair.

"Alright then, my Princess. And next time you enter my courtyard, don't climb over the wall; there is a gate."

Feeling Liu Lin's touch, Xu Jiujiu narrowed her eyes in comfort, but upon hearing his words, she replied with a hint of haughtiness: "I like climbing over the wall to find you, is that not allowed?"

"It is, but you came to find me because of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament, didn't you?"

"Mm." Xu Jiujiu nodded and said, "We are setting off in a few days, so this Princess came specifically to let you know."

"Alright, I understand."

"Hmph, I am the captain of the Star Luo Royal Academy reserve team this time, so hurry up and admire me, Little Lin." Xu Jiujiu lifted her head from Liu Lin's arms and said with a proud expression.

"Mm, our Jiujiu is truly amazing; at twelve and a half, you are already a level 33 Control-type Spirit Elder."

Hearing Liu Lin's praise, Xu Jiujiu's little face instantly fell.

"What twelve and a half? This Princess is only twelve. And Liu Lin, stop praising me; it sounds so awkward."

Hearing Xu Jiujiu's words, Liu Lin couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Why is it awkward?"

"You aren't even ten yet and you're already level 32; it feels so awkward when you praise me like that."

That was correct. In half a year, by absorbing Whale Glue and the spirit ring of a spirit beast around 5,000 years old, Liu Lin had successfully become a Spirit Elder before the age of ten.