Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei, Strong-Arming a Partnership

Xu Jiujiu had just reached rank twenty and needed to add her second soul ring to her martial soul.

A century-old second ring was not difficult to find. Especially with Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui assisting her, hunting a soul beast and absorbing its soul ring would not take much time.

Xu Jiujiu's Star Crown Martial Soul was the inherited martial soul of House Xu, the Star Luo Empire's imperial family. It took the form of a brilliant dark-gold crown that floated above a Soul Master's head when activated.

It was said that the Star Crown Martial Soul had existed since ancient times, with a history traceable to the era of Spirit Hall ten thousand years ago.

The Star Crown's greatest trait was its combination of support, control, defense, and offense, making it an exceptionally versatile martial soul.

Unlike the Seven-Treasure Glazed Pagoda, the purely support-oriented martial soul of the Nine-Treasure Glazed Sect, the Star Crown Martial Soul shattered the conventional belief that support martial souls could only provide support. It could display tremendous tactical value in battle.

In the original story, Xu Jiujiu had not entered Shrek Academy. Instead, she had represented Star Luo Imperial Academy in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament.

If they wanted to dismantle and reorganize the original Shrek Seven Monsters lineup, Xu Jiujiu's talent and strength made her one of the best choices.

On the way to Star Luo City, after realizing she could not stop the three of them from going to the Star Luo Imperial Palace, Xu Jiujiu changed her approach and began probing Yan Jingchuan and the others for their purpose so she could prepare in advance.

However, all five of them were shrewd. Despite trying for quite some time, Xu Jiujiu failed to get anything out of them.

Star Luo City, capital of the Star Luo Empire.

Man Yi and Xu Jiujiu landed before the palace gates with the three cloaked figures.

The guards immediately stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Highness!"

"Where is my brother?"

"His Majesty is in the imperial study."

As the guard answered, he secretly studied Yan Jingchuan and the other two.

"Inform my brother at once. Tell him I have brought distinguished guests to meet him."

She deliberately stressed the words "distinguished guests." The guard seemed to understand and hurriedly acknowledged before turning to leave.

Yan Jingchuan and the other two, hidden beneath black robes, naturally saw through Xu Jiujiu's little move. Yet they did not care in the slightest.

So what if Xu Jiujiu sent word ahead? With Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao present, either of them alone could sweep through every Titled Douluo in the Star Luo Empire without difficulty.

As for Yan Jingchuan, he was certainly no match for a Titled Douluo. But even without anyone protecting him, a Titled Douluo would not be able to injure him in a short time.

His full set of ninth-grade soul tools was no joke.

"Grandma Man Yi, go rest first. I'll take these three distinguished guests to see my brother."

Xu Jiujiu said this while discreetly giving Man Yi a look.

Man Yi hesitated for a moment, then cast an imperceptible glance at Yan Jingchuan and the other two before nodding and leaving.

By herself, Xu Jiujiu led Yan Jingchuan and the others into a lavishly decorated reception hall.

She personally poured tea for the three of them. From beginning to end, Xu Jiujiu remained very composed, at least on the surface.

Only the pounding of her heart exposed her true state of mind.

Ye Xishui casually removed her hood. She had originally disdained hiding herself, but Yan Jingchuan had insisted that it was too early to reveal themselves, so she had reluctantly put it on.

The reception hall was unnaturally silent. Long Xiaoyao slightly turned his head toward a certain direction, where the auras of several Titled Douluo had gathered.

Ye Xishui sensed them as well, then sneered without the slightest regard for Xu Jiujiu standing before her.

"There are barely any Hyper Douluo among them, yet they went to all this trouble. Are they really so eager to die?"

Long Xiaoyao said nothing and simply closed his eyes.

After roughly ten minutes of waiting, a man entered. His entire bearing radiated nobility, while he gave off an elegant and approachable impression. His resemblance to Xu Jiujiu was clear.

Smiling, he bowed to the three of them.

"Greetings, three honored guests. I am Xu Jiawei, Emperor of the Star Luo Empire. You have honored my Star Luo Empire with your presence today. May I ask the names of my esteemed seniors?"

Xu Jiawei wore a warm smile, looking as though he were humbly seeking guidance.

Yan Jingchuan watched coldly. He understood one truth well: politicians had no genuine smiles. Every action they took was calculation and assessment.

Ye Xishui crossed her legs, her tone indifferent.

"Death God Douluo, Ye Xishui."

Long Xiaoyao slowly lifted his eyelids.

"Dragon Emperor Douluo, Long Xiaoyao."

The overwhelming soul power of two rank ninety-nine powerhouses swept out with crushing force.

The Xu siblings, standing closest to them, each retreated half a step.

Outside, the expressions of the Star Luo Empire's Titled Douluo turned incomparably ugly. In an instant, the might of Limit Douluo made them realize the gap between them.

Inside the room, Xu Jiawei swiftly composed his expression and did his utmost to conceal the gravity in his eyes.

"So it is His Excellency Dragon Emperor and Her Excellency Death God. I have been discourteous. I have heard of my sister's offense against you two. Would compensation of ten million Gold Soul Coins and two ten-thousand-year Soul Bones be sufficient to satisfy you?"

Xu Jiawei did not recognize Ye Xishui, but he had heard the legends of the Black-and-White Sacred Dragons and knew of Long Xiaoyao.

Originally, he had indeed intended to exchange a few more pleasantries and test their attitude. But the oppressive feeling just now had been far too powerful, making even Xu Jiawei, a Titled Douluo, feel his scalp go numb.

Clearly sensing their ill intent, Xu Jiawei only wanted to send them away as quickly as possible. Thus, he spoke of compensation bluntly and directly.

Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui did not speak. Instead, both turned to look at Yan Jingchuan.

Xu Jiawei followed their gaze to Yan Jingchuan.

"Young friend Yan, you are so accomplished at such a young age. I actually overlooked you just now. I sincerely apologize. I will offer an additional ten-thousand-year Soul Bone suitable for you as an expression of my regret. What do you think?"

The person who had destroyed the Star Luo Empire's White Tiger Legion and crippled Dai Hao was being called accomplished at a young age. Xu Jiawei's ability to bend and adapt also made Yan Jingchuan view him in a new light.

"Your Majesty, there is no need for compensation. We need not pursue this offense any further."

The moment Yan Jingchuan finished speaking, Xu Jiawei did not feel even a trace of relief. Instead, the pressure on him multiplied.

They did not want compensation, which meant they had come for another purpose.

"We wish to discuss a mutually beneficial partnership with Your Majesty. Would you be interested?"

As he spoke, Yan Jingchuan raised a hand to invite Xu Jiawei to sit, treating the place as though it were his own home.

Though it appeared to be a voluntary inquiry about cooperation, Xu Jiawei knew he had no room to refuse.

After considering it for a moment, he pulled Xu Jiujiu down to sit with him openly, his gaze fixed on Yan Jingchuan.

"I am very curious. What kind of mutually beneficial partnership do you mean?"

"Very simple. A partnership to bring Shrek down from its pedestal together."

Yan Jingchuan pushed the untouched tea before him toward Xu Jiawei. Xu Jiawei's brows knitted tightly, and his earlier easygoing expression vanished.

Shrek's existence had always been a thorn in the side of the Original Douluo Three Kingdoms. Suppressing Shrek was also an unspoken desire shared by every nation. The reason none had taken substantive action was partly because the Sun Moon Empire was watching them like a tiger.

For the time being, the Original Douluo Three Kingdoms still needed Shrek on the front lines to stand against the Sun Moon Empire.

In Xu Jiawei's eyes, Yan Jingchuan had already defected to the Sun Moon Empire. Yet he was now proposing such a partnership. If Shrek were brought down, who would resist the Sun Moon Empire? Would that not be digging their own graves? He was not even bothering to hide his intentions.

"Your Majesty, don't be in such a hurry. I haven't finished."

Xu Jiawei, who had just been about to speak, had no choice but to swallow his words. Yan Jingchuan smiled faintly.

"I know what Your Majesty is worried about. You may rest assured. I said we would make Shrek fall from its pedestal, not destroy Shrek. We merely intend to strip Shrek of its former glory and suppress it."

He explained part of their plan to infiltrate Shrek, as well as their intention to scheme for positions among the next generation of Shrek Seven Monsters.

Yan Jingchuan deliberately concealed the core of his plan: his intention to destroy Shrek completely.

After hearing him out, Xu Jiawei's frown deepened.

"You want Jiujiu to join Shrek and assist your people in taking the positions of the Shrek Seven Monsters, then use the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament to drag Shrek into the mud."

With its name tarnished and its reputation ruined, Shrek would indeed be brought down from its pedestal.

The plan itself was not a problem, but Xu Jiawei still had concerns. He did not trust Yan Jingchuan. He did not trust someone who had joined the Sun Moon Empire, fearing that he had some other agenda.

Ye Xishui suddenly snorted coldly. She would not allow Xu Jiawei to refuse.

A crushing pressure descended without warning. Before absolute strength, Xu Jiawei's calculations of gains and losses instantly vanished. Only then did he truly realize that he had no room to refuse.

Either he agreed, or the Star Luo Empire would be steamrolled by these two Limit Douluo.