Xu Tianran's Open Scheme

Although the transparent light-membrane shield had blocked all of Qian Daoliu's attacks, the pain from his body slamming into the wall still caused the Hall Master of the Sun Moon Empire's Mingde Hall to lose face.

Jing Hongchen struggled to climb out from the wall, and countless cold metal components suddenly sprang from his body: eight-barreled Class 9 soul cannon arrays unfolded from his shoulder guards, energy blades popped from his wrists, and the Sword of Judgment hummed as it unsheathed from his back. Covered in shimmering soul-guided weaponry, every muzzle and blade locked onto Qian Daoliu, his eyes burning with near-eruptive rage.

Qian Daoliu watched all of this quietly, feeling quite curious about the defensive barrier Jing Hongchen had been able to activate so instantly.

At the same time, he developed a keen interest in the dense array of weapons covering Jing Hongchen's body.

Just as Jing Hongchen was about to strike at Qian Daoliu, Xu Tianran spoke up once more: "Enough, Hall Master Jing Hongchen. You are becoming increasingly unruly!"

"His Excellency the Angel is My guest. You dare point your cannons at My guest? Do you know your crime!"

To the side, Elder Kong had already retracted his own defensive barrier and stood silently beside Xu Tianran.

Hearing Xu Tianran's voice, Jing Hongchen shuddered, hurriedly retracting his soul-guided devices. He bowed to Xu Tianran and said, "This subject knows his crime. I was overeager to protect My Lord and lost my composure for a moment. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness!"

Xu Tianran said, "Jing Hongchen, considering your intent to protect your sovereign, I shall only punish you by having you apologize to His Excellency the Angel in person!"

"Your Excellency the Angel, how does this sit with you?"

Nearby, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi watched the performance of this monarch and his subject in silence. Qian Daoliu was also curious about the ultimate goal of this Sun Moon Empire emperor, so he nodded at Xu Tianran, granting him a favor.

Seeing this, Xu Tianran was overjoyed and said to Jing Hongchen, "Jing Hongchen, why haven't you apologized to His Excellency the Angel yet!"

Jing Hongchen quickly calmed his emotions, showing no trace of the hostility he had displayed just moments before. "I apologize, Your Excellency the Angel. I offended you just now!"

Qian Daoliu nodded, accepting Jing Hongchen's apology.

Xu Tianran continued, "Your Excellency the Angel, thank you for helping my Sun Moon Empire eradicate the Holy Spirit Cult, that malignant tumor!"

As he spoke, Xu Tianran placed his hand over his chest and performed a standard aristocratic gesture of gratitude toward Qian Daoliu.

"As I am inconvenienced in my legs, I cannot rise to salute you, Your Excellency. I hope you will forgive me!"

"Your Majesty is too kind. Let us get to the point."

"I wonder, Your Majesty, what is the reason you sought out This Seat?"

Qian Daoliu was direct and swift, not bothering to expose Xu Tianran's hypocritical charade, and instead pointed straight to the emperor's intentions.

Xu Tianran chuckled. "His Excellency the Angel is truly straightforward, so I shall not beat around the bush!"

"Your Excellency the Angel, His Excellency the Sea God, and your friends possess extraordinary strength. I wish to invite the three of you to serve as Honored Guests of my Sun Moon Empire. Your positions would be equal to Elder Kong's—you would not need to bow at court and would enjoy the rank of Prince!"

"Hummm!"

Silence. The entire hall fell into a dead silence. Ju Zi, standing behind Xu Tianran, swayed slightly, and Jing Hongchen, who had just apologized to Qian Daoliu, was so unsteady he nearly fell. Elder Kong, however, seemed to have known Xu Tianran's thoughts all along, remaining as steady as a mountain.

"What say you, two Excellencies?"

"My apologies, but This Seat has other matters to attend to. I have no intention of joining any faction for the time being."

To be honest, Qian Daoliu was moved by Xu Tianran's boldness. One had to realize that even ten thousand years ago, the highest position he could grant his second brother, Golden Crocodile Douluo, was merely the Second Honored Guest of the Hall of Elders.

Yet, Xu Tianran had offered an equivalent position of Honored Guest to him, Bo Saixi, and Tang Chen right from the start.

"I see!"

Xu Tianran's face showed only a flash of regret, but he said nothing more.

Instead, he looked disappointed and said, "Then, might the three of you stay in the Sun Moon Empire for a few more days? It would allow me to fulfill the duties of a host."

"Furthermore, if the three of you have any needs, do not hesitate to ask. I will certainly do my utmost to fulfill them!"

Seeing that Xu Tianran's expression was earnest and not feigned, and knowing he truly needed to find records to examine what had happened on the Douluo Continent over these ten thousand years, Qian Daoliu exchanged a glance with Bo Saixi and said to Xu Tianran, "Then we shall trouble Your Majesty!"

"I would like to borrow your country's Royal Library to consult some materials, after which we may depart."

"Of course, Your Excellency the Angel!"

Hearing that Qian Daoliu only wanted to use the library before leaving the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran was overjoyed.

"Elder Kong, I must trouble you to personally arrange accommodations for the three Excellencies!"

"At the same time, open the Imperial Royal Library to the three Excellencies without restriction!"

Elder Kong also breathed a sigh of relief; the performance today had not been in vain.

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

Elder Kong bowed slightly.

Xu Tianran said to Qian Daoliu again, "Two Excellencies, please rest well tonight. Tomorrow, I shall host a banquet to welcome you. I hope you will be sure to grace us with your presence!"

Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi exchanged a look and nodded in agreement.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps echoed from outside the viewing platform. A soul master dressed in light scout armor, carrying a small soul-guided communicator, stumbled in. His expression was panicked, and he roared from across the hall door, "Urgent report! Your Majesty, an urgent report!"

The smile on Xu Tianran's face vanished instantly. He furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice, "Enter! What is the meaning of this frantic behavior?"

The scout soul master stumbled into Xu Tianran's presence and fell to his knees with a thud. His voice was stuttering and clearly trembling: "Yo-Your Majesty, it is terrible! Evil soul masters have launched massacres across multiple cities in the empire. In just one hour, three cities have been completely slaughtered, with only a handful of survivors!"

"Trash!" Xu Tianran slammed his hand against the armrest of his throne, his soul power erupting as he burned with rage. "The remnants of the Holy Spirit Cult truly deserve death! Elder Kong!"

Elder Kong immediately stepped forward and bowed: "This subject is here!"

"Mobilize the Imperial Soul Master Legion immediately. Split the forces to surround and annihilate the remaining evil soul masters. You must cut the weeds and dig up the roots; leave no future trouble!" Xu Tianran ordered sternly.

Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu furrowed his brows slightly. A sacred aura erupted from his body, his heart filled with extreme loathing for the Holy Spirit Cult.

Qian Daoliu watched as Kong Deming disappeared for a while, only for Kong Deming to return with a smile and lead him and Bo Saixi into a quiet treatment room. The room was suffused with the faint scent of healing herbs. Tang Chen was half-reclined on a specially crafted jade bed, his face pale, faint fluctuations of soul power swirling around him as he received nourishment from a soul-guided healing device.

As soon as Qian Daoliu entered the room, Tang Chen lifted his eyes to look at him, his tone carrying a hint of surprise and mockery: "Qian Daoliu, you fellow who values romance over friendship, you're actually not dead yet!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze shifted to Bo Saixi, his tone instantly softening, filled with concern: "Xixi, are you alright? Have you been wronged?"

Qian Daoliu retorted to Tang Chen in annoyance: "Tang Chen, even if you died, I wouldn't. I still intend to spend my whole life with Xixi!"

As he spoke, Qian Daoliu placed his hand on Bo Saixi's shoulder. Qian Daoliu felt a twinge of guilt, but Bo Saixi did not push him away; instead, she looked at Qian Daoliu's profile with a face full of genuine affection.

Seeing this, Tang Chen's blood surged, his entire body trembling uncontrollably, and blood spilled from the corners of his mouth that he could not suppress: "You, you..."

Before Tang Chen could finish his sentence, he fainted once again.

The scene became somewhat awkward for a moment, until Kong Deming stepped forward:

"Your Excellencies, your friend's injuries are too severe. I should take you both to your quarters to rest properly. As for your friend, leave him to the healing soul masters here!"

"Very well!"

Seeing that Tang Chen had been angered into a faint, Qian Daoliu instinctively wanted to lower the arm he had draped over Bo Saixi's shoulder.

But just as his arm dropped, he felt the softness against his palm.

"Xixi!" Qian Daoliu exclaimed, his face full of joy.

"Hush, Qian Daoliu, you don't need to say anything! I once swore that the man I love must have upright character, cultivation surpassing my own, the potential to become a god, and above all, a heart that seeks to aid the people and protect the common folk of the world. Only such a man is worthy of my devotion."

"And now, I have found him!"

As she spoke, Bo Saixi lifted the large hand of Qian Daoliu that she was holding.

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu trembled all over. He said nothing more, simply gripping Bo Saixi's soft hand tightly as he followed silently behind Kong Deming.