Exploring Mingdu

After ending the communication call, Xu Tianming changed into casual clothes and had a palace maid report that he wished to leave the palace.

A prince's outings naturally could not be as casual as those of ordinary people. Neither the empress nor the emperor would let him run around outside alone.

This was not a matter of trust, but of safety.

Although the Sun Moon Empire was the continent's strongest nation and Mingdu possessed the highest-grade soul tool defense system, there had never been a shortage of forces secretly eyeing the imperial family.

The person responsible for protecting Xu Tianming was Liu Consecrated Elder, who had awakened his martial soul back then. A Level-Eight Soul Engineer, he was considered a figure of high status and authority throughout the Sun Moon Empire.

When ordinary princes and princesses went out, at most they would be assigned a few Soul Emperor or Soul Sage guards. They simply could not command a powerhouse of this level.

Xu Tianming received such treatment entirely because he was Kong Deming's personal disciple.

As for having a Titled Douluo provide close protection, that was even more impossible. There were only a handful of such beings in the entire empire. Even the emperor normally had to show them some respect, let alone ask them to serve as a prince's bodyguard.

Among the four great empires of the Douluo Continent, perhaps only Princess Xu Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire had been protected by a Titled Douluo since childhood.

But that was because the Star Crown Lineage lacked successors. Only three people of this generation had awakened the Star Crown Martial Soul, and there were few members of the imperial family. Xu Jiujiu was also the emperor's younger sister, which was why she received such treatment.

Other than that, there was no second person.

When Xu Tianming walked out of Mo Mang Palace, Liu Consecrated Elder was already waiting at the entrance.

The old man wore a gray Soul Engineer robe. His hair and beard were entirely white, and his face was kindly. Upon seeing Xu Tianming, he gave a slight bow.

"Seventh Prince."

"Liu Consecrated Elder, thank you for your trouble."

"It is no trouble. It is this old man's honor to protect Your Highness on an outing beyond the palace."

Though Liu Consecrated Elder spoke politely, he took this mission extremely seriously.

The Seventh Prince was Elder Kong's personally accepted disciple and the emperor's most beloved youngest son. If anything happened to him, Liu Consecrated Elder could not bear that responsibility.

Just as Xu Tianming was about to board the soul tool car parked at the entrance, a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Xu Tianming!"

Xu Tianming paused and turned around, just in time to see Xu Tianzhen running out through the palace gates. Her golden-purple hair streamed behind her, and her golden amber eyes sparkled.

"You're going out to have fun without inviting me?"

Xu Tianzhen put her hands on her hips and glared at him with displeasure.

Xu Tianming sighed helplessly. Why was this little devil here again?

"Have you finished your lessons? Father won't let you leave the palace, will he?"

"None of your business."

Xu Tianzhen stamped her foot, but showed no intention of leaving. Instead, she darted straight into the soul tool car, plopped down inside the carriage, crossed her arms, and struck a pose that said, "What are you going to do about it?"

Xu Tianming looked at Xu Tianzhen, not knowing what to say.

Liu Consecrated Elder gave a wry smile beside him. He had long heard of the princess's temperament.

"Your Highness, how about..."

"Forget it. Bring her along."

Xu Tianming waved a hand.

One more person did not matter anyway. This was Mingdu; what danger could possibly arise?

As for whether Xu Tianzhen would cause trouble...

Xu Tianming glanced at Xu Tianzhen, who was already touching and inspecting everything inside the carriage, and silently encouraged himself.

At worst, he could let Liu Consecrated Elder clean up the mess.

The soul tool car left the palace road and traveled along Mingdu's streets for a while before stopping at a plaza outside the eastern gate.

Meng Hongchen, Xiao Hongchen, and Ye Guyi had already been waiting at the plaza for quite some time.

Meng Hongchen wore a white blouse and a light blue skirt, with an ice-blue bow standing out vividly atop her head. She stood on tiptoe, looking toward the palace. The moment she spotted Xu Tianming's soul tool car, she hurried over.

"Your Highness, you finally arrived."

Xiao Hongchen stood behind her, his silver-white short hair faintly gleaming under the sunlight. His mismatched eyes quietly watched Xu Tianming, and a slight smile rested on his lips.

Ye Guyi stood somewhat farther away. Her pale golden hair hung to her waist, while the hem of her long dress swayed gently in the breeze. Her emerald eyes looked at Xu Tianming before she gave him a nod of greeting.

Xu Tianming stepped down from the soul tool car and nodded to the three of them.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Not at all, not at all. We only just arrived too."

Meng Hongchen smiled and shook her head, then turned her gaze toward Xu Tianzhen, who was peeking out from the soul tool car.

Xu Tianzhen jumped down from the soul tool car, sized up the three children before her, then shifted her gaze to Xu Tianming.

"Are these the friends you told me about?"

Xu Tianming nodded, then turned to Meng Hongchen and the others. "This is my older sister, Xu Tianzhen."

The three of them froze together. Meng Hongchen recovered first and promptly bowed.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Xiao Hongchen followed with a bow.

"Your Highness."

Ye Guyi also gave a slight bow. She said nothing, but did not neglect proper etiquette.

Xu Tianzhen waved a hand carelessly.

"Since you're all Tianming's friends, you're friends of mine, Xu Tianzhen, too. Just call me Tianzhen."

Xu Tianming added, "That's right. Since we're friends, there's no need for formal titles. From now on, you can all call me Tianming too."

Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen exchanged a glance, then nodded.

"Alright, then we won't stand on ceremony."

Meng Hongchen changed how she addressed him.

"Tianming."

Xiao Hongchen said, "Tianming."

Ye Guyi remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"Tianming."

Xu Tianming smiled at Liu Consecrated Elder.

"Liu Consecrated Elder, let's go."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After everyone boarded the soul tool car, they headed for the most bustling part of Mingdu.

Mingdu was the capital of the Sun Moon Empire and the most prosperous city on the Douluo Continent. It covered more than 2,500 square kilometers, with a permanent population of around ten million and a great many transient residents.

Every day, countless merchants and travelers came to this city from all across the empire, bringing not only wealth, but all kinds of cultures and customs as well.

The city's architectural style was highly modern. Most buildings stood five stories tall, and there were even structures over ten stories high.

Soul tool lamps hung everywhere along the streets. Even during the day, those crystal lamps emitted soft halos of light, keeping the streets bright and clean.

Moreover, Mingdu was the only city on the continent without city walls.

Its defenses did not rely on towering walls built from bricks and stones, but on the soul tool systems spread throughout the city. If enemies wished to invade Mingdu, they would first have to pass through the soul tool defense network established by Ninth-Rank Soul Engineers.

Meng Hongchen knew the bustling areas of Mingdu extremely well. She led everyone through the lively streets, introducing the distinctive features of each place as they walked.