Tiandou Hunting Festival!

Thump, thump, thump!

Early the next morning, Xu Nian'an's bedroom door was knocked on gently.

In his groggy state, Xu Nian'an was lifted by a pair of cool hands, his pajamas tenderly removed, and he was dressed in a custom-tailored python robe.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty... it is time to wash up."

Listening to the soft call beside his ear, Xu Nian'an helplessly opened his mouth. The next instant, a soft object began to brush his teeth slowly.

Gurgle, gurgle~

When it came to the final rinsing stage, Xu Nian'an's personal palace maid had already prepared the washbasin, waiting quietly for him to spit out the water.

Unexpectedly, Xu Nian'an turned his head, dodged the basin, and spat it onto his own bed.

Splash!!!

In an instant, the palace maids before him fell to their knees in a mass.

"What has happened?"

Just then, a feminine voice rang out, and Xu Fu strode forward.

Seeing the damp patch on the bed and the foam remaining at the corners of Xu Nian'an's mouth, how could he not know what had just transpired?

To be honest, Xu Nian'an was not that noble.

Since he had transmigrated to another world and become the ruler of a nation, could he not enjoy himself?

He wanted to enjoy life, but both Long Xiaoyao and Xu Fu disliked Xu Nian'an's lax personality. Dislike was one thing, but they dared not voice it.

Therefore, they tried their best to help Xu Nian'an correct his ways.

At Long Xiaoyao's suggestion, he was to meditate for the duration of one incense stick every day before the sun rose.

They claimed it was to refresh the mind and benefit his physical and mental development.

But this body of Xu Nian'an's was, strictly speaking, only six years old and extremely sleepy, and Xu Nian'an had a bad habit.

That was his morning grumpiness.

Thus, Xu Nian'an would protest, occasionally smashing things or damaging items in his palace to provide the commoners outside with some extra income.

And this mouthwash spat on the bed was his masterpiece.

"A bunch of useless trash, you cannot even serve His Majesty properly! Get out of the way, you old slave!"

Xu Fu kicked aside the maids in front of him, took the boots from the tray held by a maid, and walked forward slowly.

"Your Majesty, let me put on your boots."

Xu Nian'an did not speak, silently lifting his feet.

Once the boots were on, he slowly opened his eyes and kicked Xu Fu away.

He skillfully took a towel from his side and wiped the corners of his mouth.

"Get up."

The maids breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Xu Nian'an's words.

One had to know that although he was young, the number of people who had died by his hand was not small.

Upon ascending the throne, he had furiously executed a hundred officials and their nine generations, flooded a two-hundred-thousand-strong Gu Lei army, reclaimed lost territory, and conquered the Galloping Wolf Kingdom... It could be said that at least five hundred thousand people had died because of Xu Nian'an or his indirect orders.

"What are you standing there for?"

"Why haven't you changed the bedsheets for His Majesty? Do you want His Majesty to sleep in filth tonight?"

Hearing this, Xu Nian'an waved his hand slowly.

"No need. Call the hotel manager and have them replace the bed for me as well."

"This King does not like to sleep in an uncomfortable bed a second time."

After saying this, Xu Nian'an walked ahead.

On the top floor of the hotel.

"Your Majesty is later than yesterday."

Xu Nian'an did not answer Long Xiaoyao, sitting cross-legged on the floor, facing east.

Before long, a cluster of crimson flames slowly appeared between his brows.

The flames flickered and condensed until a hint of white appeared on the eastern horizon.

Behind Xu Nian'an, a massive Sun slowly emerged.

Hum, hum, hum~

As the intense sunlight shone down, the temperature rose, threatening to melt everything in the vicinity.

Long Xiaoyao slowly opened his hands.

Hum~

In an instant, a black barrier of soul power isolated the area around Xu Nian'an.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The Sun behind Xu Nian'an slowly retracted, entering his body.

Bang!

The moment the Sun entered his body, a muffled explosion erupted from within Xu Nian'an.

The next instant, Xu Nian'an opened his eyes in excitement.

His soul power, which had been stagnant for a long time, had finally broken through.

[Level 19!]

It had taken Xu Nian'an only one month to break through to level 19 soul power.

Of course.

This was only possible because Xu Nian'an had discovered that releasing his second martial soul, the Sun, to cultivate under the sunlight could accelerate his progress.

He had worked himself to the bone this past month, but he had finally broken through.

Still, this speed was a bit slow.

However, Xu Nian'an was not in a hurry, because it wouldn't be long before he could resolve his current predicament.

Hoo~

"After observing for this past month, the speed at which Your Majesty cultivates under the sun is three to five times faster than normal cultivation."

"Is this due to the martial soul or... I wonder if Your Majesty's speed would increase under the moon at night..."

Upon hearing Long Xiaoyao's words, Xu Nian'an felt his nerves tighten.

Good grief, it was one thing to have his morning time exploited and squeezed, but now he was being targeted at night too?

Cultivating at night was fine for now, mainly because that part of him couldn't be used for the time being anyway.

But what about when he came of age?

No, this precedent absolutely could not be set.

Just as Xu Nian'an was thinking of a way to refuse, a flurry of hurried footsteps approached from behind.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, someone has come from the imperial palace. It is said that the Tiandou Hunting Festival is to be held today."

"The morning banquet is being held there."

Hearing this, Xu Nian'an took the opportunity to stand up.

"Elder Long, it is getting late, as you can see."

Hearing this, Long Xiaoyao slowly rose to his feet.

In truth, Long Xiaoyao spent most of his time hidden by Xu Nian'an's side, making it impossible for any petty assassins to get close.

"Your Majesty, please attend to your business."

Outside the hotel, the Great Ming Kingdom's luxurious carriage slowly started moving, following the knights of the Heaven Dou royal family.

Halfway through the journey, a person dressed in a black robe broke into the Great Ming carriage procession.

Swish~

"Reporting to Your Majesty."

"The Sunset Forest you were looking for has been found."

"It is located not far from the Heaven Dou Royal Hunting Ground to the east of Heaven Dou City."

Hearing this, Xu Nian'an slightly raised his head inside the carriage.

"And what about the things inside the Sunset Forest that I ordered you to find?"

Upon hearing Xu Nian'an's words, the messenger hesitated slightly.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, we have found the general area you described, but there is a poisonous mist formation there. We cannot break through it for the time being and have not been able to find the true path into the valley. We need more time."

Xu Nian'an waved his hand.

"As soon as possible."

Xu Nian'an could not stay in the Heaven Dou Empire for long, but he was determined to plunder the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and its immortal herbs.

The time reached eight-thirty.

They had finally arrived at the Heaven Dou Royal Hunting Ground.

The moment Xu Nian'an's grand and imposing procession arrived at the hunting ground, it attracted the gazes of many.

Because this hunting festival was somewhat special, not only were the princes of the Heaven Dou Empire present, but the heirs and princes of other kingdoms had also arrived.

What was somewhat absurd was that among the flags of these kingdoms, Xu Nian'an actually saw the flag of the Star Luo Empire.

He was not surprised that the Star Luo Empire would come; after all, the main purpose behind this hunting festival was peace talks between the Star Luo Empire, the Heaven Dou Empire, and the Great Ming Kingdom.

What surprised Xu Nian'an, however, was that a prince of the Star Luo Empire had also come.

He wondered if the one who had come this time was the first prince of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Weisi, or Dai Mubai...