The Thousand Families Are Also Without Strategy

After the Star Luo ambassador finished speaking, he beckoned behind him, and two children who looked about Lin Mo's age stepped out from behind him.

Everyone's gazes fell upon the two children. Those who had good relations or dealings with the Star Luo Empire recognized them as well.

The eldest prince, Dai Weisi, and the eldest daughter of the Netherworld Civet Clan, Zhu Zhuyun.

As Lin Mo looked at the two of them, a hint of curiosity rose in his heart. Dai Weisi's facial features were clean-cut. Though his childish face still retained some softness, it was clear that he would grow into a tough and imposing man.

Combined with that head of golden hair and his origins in the Star Luo Empire, Lin Mo did not need to think to know that he was definitely a member of the Star Luo royal family.

He just did not know which one. His martial soul was most likely the White Tiger martial soul as well.

As for the one beside him—fair little face, adorable features, and... a figure utterly mismatched with her age.

Mm, she should be from the Netherworld Civet Clan.

That family really did produce talents in abundance and embrace all rivers.

"Please allow me to introduce them. This is the Star Luo Empire's eldest prince, Dai Weisi, and the eldest daughter of the Netherworld Civet Clan, Zhu Zhuyun."

"Both of them are already eight years old, and their soul power has reached Rank 14."

Hearing this, Lin Mo's eyes immediately narrowed as he studied the two with interest.

Based on their ages, Lin Mo roughly deduced some information.

In the original work, these two had been eight or nine years older than Tang San. Now, however, they were only two years older than him.

That meant he was roughly seven years older than Tang San.

Calculating the timeline, A Yin should indeed be about to become pregnant now.

Now that the stage had been set, all that remained was to see whether Spirit Hall, the lead actor, would take the role.

Everyone's eyes turned toward the main seat, while even more people continued sizing up Qian Renxue beside Lin Mo.

Clearly, they had yet to recover from the shock of the information they had just received.

Qian Xunji glanced at Qian Daoliu, seemingly seeking his opinion, but Qian Daoliu gave no response. He merely sat there with his eyes closed, resting.

This gave Qian Xunji a headache, but he still accepted the challenge.

"Very well. The younger generation needs to exchange pointers properly. Please make your way to the Soul Fighting Arena."

At that moment, Qian Daoliu suddenly opened his eyes and shot Qian Xunji an extremely subtle look of displeasure, leaving Qian Xunji somewhat at a loss.

Yet the look seemed not quite as subtle as intended. Everyone present saw it—that meaningful glance.

Then Qian Daoliu spoke.

"My Xue'er is already Rank 25."

"Wouldn't it be bullying for her to fight those two children of yours?"

"Let Lin Mo fight instead. He'll face the two of you alone."

"And the battle will be held at the largest Soul Fighting Arena in Spirit Hall Holy City. What do you say?"

"As for the time, let it be tomorrow."

Lin Mo froze for a moment, then turned to look at Qian Daoliu. Meeting his gaze, he instantly understood.

So that was what the old man had been planning. After all, innate Rank 20 soul power was unprecedented on the Douluo Continent and had never been recorded anywhere.

Even now, these people could not possibly easily believe in the existence of innate Rank 20 soul power. It was simply too fantastical.

But what if she were merely a genius with full innate soul power—or perhaps not even that, but someone whose rank had been piled up through soul bones?

Then her combat strength would certainly be weak, and even her cultivation level would be unstable, unable to withstand actual battle.

And in the entire world, who could be so extravagantly generous as to build such a setup for a child at such an early stage?

It had to be Spirit Hall, and Qian Renxue just happened to be the Qian family's only daughter.

Coupled with Qian Daoliu's deliberate misdirection—his unwillingness to let Qian Renxue fight, even intentionally avoiding the battle—

Wouldn't other factions think that perhaps she was merely a genius the Qian family had forcibly built up in order to intimidate the other powers?

That was precisely the effect Qian Daoliu wanted. Once a reasonable suspicion took root, people often refused to believe the most unreasonable truth.

Innate Rank 20 soul power was impossible in the eyes of everyone except the Qian family.

Of course, one might ask: what if they simply did not think that way?

Please. No one present was an idiot. Every last one of them was shrewd to the extreme.

Did he think they would believe in a genius built up by resources, or believe that innate Rank 20 soul power existed in this world?

Ning Fengzhi was the first to react. The smile that had vanished from his gloomy face reappeared as he looked toward Qian Daoliu in the main seat and hurriedly echoed him.

"Indeed. The Qian family's young lady is already over Rank 20. Letting her fight would simply be bullying children. She truly should not take the field."

Qian Daoliu showed no reaction, merely nodding faintly. But then came the most brilliant—and most unexpected—stroke of the entire performance.

A trace of regret appeared on Qian Xunji's face. Everyone caught that trace of regret, and recalling what had just happened, they came to understand. Approving gazes turned toward Ning Fengzhi one after another.

This group of clever people had clearly connected on the same wavelength at that very moment.

Of course, if one asked where that trace of regret on Qian Xunji's face had come from—after all, Qian Xunji knew nothing about this plan.

Naturally, Qian Xunji thought that his earlier agreement had somehow angered his father, leaving him full of regret.

This was perhaps a case of fools having fool's luck, accidentally stumbling onto the right answer.

"Father, it seems... the Qian family is quite lacking in strategy as well."

Tang Zhen glanced at Tang Xiao, who immediately shut his mouth and sat obediently.

A faint smile appeared on Tang Zhen's face as well. After all, viewed this way, everything made a little more sense.

"Then today's banquet shall end here. Esteemed guests, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo will lead you to your accommodations."

"Rest well, everyone. Tomorrow, designated personnel will take you directly to the Soul Fighting Arena."

"As for the competition schedule and rules for the major sects, we shall discuss them tomorrow."

"My lords, please follow me."

Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo had already been waiting at the entrance for quite some time.

The guests exchanged glances, then rose one after another. After bowing to Qian Daoliu on the main seat, they followed Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo out.

"Sect Master Ning, Sect Master Yu, and the Sword and Bone Douluo, please stay."

Upon reaching their lodgings, Tang Zhen spoke up, stopping Ning Fengzhi and Yu Yuanzhen as they were about to return to their own rooms.

The two did not hesitate for long. They stopped and looked at Tang Zhen, showing no surprise at being called back.

Gu Rong had wanted to say something, but Chen Xin interrupted him. The two of them were more like bodyguards now; the true decisions still depended on Ning Fengzhi.

Tang Zhen smiled at them and said, "Our three sects are collectively known as the Upper Three Sects. Spirit Hall gained two more geniuses today. Though this is cause for celebration, we must make preparations early as well."

Sure enough, Tang Zhen had come because of those two geniuses from today. Ning Fengzhi and Yu Yuanzhen exchanged a glance and nodded slightly in agreement.

"Indeed. Our three sects have not gathered for a proper talk in quite some time. With the birth of these geniuses today, it is indeed time for us to have a discussion."

Tang Zhen chuckled and gestured invitingly toward the room.

"Then, please."