The White Tiger Duke's Surprise Attack

Xu Tianming walked along the palace path toward the inner palace.

The empress's residence stood at the center of the inner palace. It was called Phoenix Grace Hall. Outside lay a grove of golden osmanthus trees, now in full bloom. Their fragrance was rich, and whenever the breeze blew, petals drifted down onto the bluestone pavement like scattered flecks of gold.

Beyond the osmanthus grove stood an exquisite pavilion.

The pavilion stood beside an artificial lake filled with water lilies. Verdant lily pads covered the surface, while several koi darted beneath them, occasionally leaping up and splashing the water.

The pavilion's pillars were made of white stone, and its roof was laid with glazed tiles. Sunlight streamed through the tiles, casting varied patterns of light and shadow within. A tea set and several plates of delicate snacks rested on the round table, while a faint fragrance wafted from the teapot.

As soon as Xu Tianming reached the edge of the osmanthus grove, he heard a familiar voice.

"Mother, please help me persuade Father. I want to go outside the palace and look around."

Xu Tianzhen held the empress's hand, shaking it as she acted cute.

The empress wore a pale gold brocade robe embroidered with phoenixes. A jade phoenix hairpin adorned her high coiffure, its tassels swaying gently with her movements. Her features were dignified and beautiful, and there was an air of authority between her brows. Yet as she looked at Xu Tianzhen, her eyes were filled with affection.

"You only ever think about running outside."

The empress helplessly patted her daughter's hand.

"The last time you sneaked out, your father confined you for three days. Have you forgotten already?"

"That was different."

Xu Tianzhen puffed out her cheeks.

"This time, I'm going out openly. I'm not sneaking away."

"Then have your father lift your confinement first."

"Hmph."

Xu Tianzhen reluctantly released the empress's hand. When she turned around, she saw Xu Tianming walking toward the pavilion.

"Tianming!"

Xu Tianzhen's eyes lit up as she ran over.

"You're here!"

Xu Tianming nodded at her.

"Xu Tianzhen."

"Is it so hard for you to call me Sister?"

"..."

Xu Tianming walked straight to the pavilion. Xu Tianzhen stamped her foot in anger and followed him. Seeing this, the empress smiled faintly.

There was someone else in the pavilion.

Xu Tianran sat opposite the empress. When he saw Xu Tianming enter, he looked up and revealed a gentle smile.

"Seventh Brother."

"Big Brother."

Xu Tianming saluted him. At this time, Xu Tianran had not yet become crown prince.

Then he turned to the empress and respectfully bowed.

"Your son greets Mother."

"Rise."

The empress raised her hand in a token gesture. Her gaze assessed him for a moment before satisfaction appeared in her eyes.

"You look well. It seems you've been cultivating diligently lately."

"You flatter me, Mother."

"Your father mentioned before that you went to Jingyang Mountain with Hall Master Hongchen to hunt a soul beast."

The empress lifted her teacup and took a sip.

"How is your first Soul Ring?"

"I have obtained it."

Xu Tianming raised his hand. A golden Sun Martial Soul appeared above his palm, followed by a gold-red Soul Ring. Dark purple star patterns wound through its gold-red radiance as it slowly revolved in the sunlight.

After setting down her teacup, the empress's eyes showed a trace of surprise.

"This color..."

Xu Tianran also straightened up, his purple eyes falling upon the Soul Ring with a slightly surprised expression.

"Gold-red?"

"Yes."

Xu Tianming withdrew his Martial Soul.

"I encountered a Rift Realm during the hunt. That soul beast was killed inside it, so the Rift Realm's energy affected the color of the Soul Ring."

"A Rift Realm?"

The empress's tone became grave.

"Did you encounter any danger inside?"

"It was dangerous, but we made it through safely."

Xu Tianming answered briefly.

"After Senior Brother and a Titled Douluo destroyed the Rift Realm Lord, we came out quickly."

The empress examined him carefully. Only after confirming that he was uninjured did she sigh in relief.

"If you encounter something like this again, you must be careful."

"I understand, Mother."

Xu Tianming nodded.

"Tianming, what does a Rift Realm look like?"

Xu Tianzhen walked over and leaned close to Xu Tianming, her long gold-purple hair nearly brushing his face.

Xu Tianming stepped back half a pace.

"Keep your distance."

"Why?"

"Too close."

Xu Tianzhen muttered to herself, but obediently returned to her seat. She stared at Xu Tianming's Soul Ring, her eyes full of envy.

"It's so beautiful."

"It looks better than yellow."

The more Xu Tianzhen spoke, the more excited she became.

"Why don't I have such a special Soul Ring?"

"Is it because the soul beast I killed wasn't affected by a Rift Realm?"

"Next time, I'll find a soul beast affected by a Rift Realm."

"No."

The empress and Xu Tianming spoke at the same time. Startled by their voices, Xu Tianzhen froze where she stood.

After setting her teacup aside, the empress spoke earnestly.

"Tianzhen, a Rift Realm is not somewhere you can enter casually. If you dare sneak into one, Mother will personally lock you up."

"I understand..."

Xu Tianzhen shrank back slightly.

Xu Tianran smiled from the side. "Seventh Brother is outstanding, and even his Soul Ring is special. You will certainly achieve great things in the future."

He looked at Xu Tianming with complete sincerity.

"Seventh Brother, cultivate well. Big Brother believes in you."

"Thank you, Big Brother."

Xu Tianming nodded.

At that moment, Xu Tianran's soul communicator suddenly vibrated. After lowering his head to look at it, his formerly gentle expression immediately stiffened.

"What happened?"

The empress noticed that something was wrong and asked.

Xu Tianran looked up, his face grim.

"The White Tiger Duke of the Star Luo Empire has led troops in an attack on the empire's eastern border."

"The border defenses were unprepared. The losses are severe."

The atmosphere in the pavilion immediately grew heavy.

The empress set down her teacup, shock appearing on her dignified face. Xu Tianzhen also fell silent. Though she did not understand military affairs, she could still hear the weight behind the words "severe losses."

Xu Tianming watched from the side, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes.

The Star Luo Empire really had acted decisively!

Taking advantage of the Sun Moon Empire's change of ruler and internal instability, it had suddenly attacked the border. The timing was precise, catching the Sun Moon Empire completely off guard.

His father had only recently ascended the throne. The old officials of the previous court had yet to be fully purged, and undercurrents were swirling through the court. For the moment, he could not spare attention for the borderlands.

After all, no one had expected the Star Luo Empire to dare take the initiative and wage war against the Sun Moon Empire. This was no ordinary border clash; they had truly struck Sun Moon Empire territory.

The White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao, truly was a renowned general of the continent. His grasp of timing was equally precise.

Xu Tianran did not remain in the pavilion for long. He put away his soul communicator and bade the empress farewell.

"Mother, your son will go handle the military affairs first."

The empress nodded.

"Go. Your father needs people at his side as well."

Xu Tianran looked at Xu Tianming again and nodded. Then he turned and left swiftly, disappearing at the end of the osmanthus grove.