That night, at Cloud-Treading Villa.
Qian Xunzong returned to the Cloudfall courtyard to rest. With nothing else to do, he opened the system panel.
[Host: Qian Xunzong Identity: Fourteenth-generation descendant of Spirit Hall's Qian Family. Age: Six Martial Souls: Judgment Deity, Divine Throne of Eternity and Creation (allocatable thrones ×2). Level: 37 Soul Bones: None Pet Beast: Jade Balance Xiejing Beast. Retainers: Mo Hengchuan (Confucian Immortal Douluo), Judgment Knights ×300. System Space: Empty]
At a glance, Qian Xunzong spotted something new: "×2" had been added after his Second Martial Soul, the Divine Throne of Eternity and Creation.
"System, what's that about?"
[Ding! Originally, there was only the Divine Throne of Eternity and Creation. The other five Divine Seal Thrones were modeled after it. When the host's Soul Power reaches levels 10/30/50/70/90, he will gain the right to bestow one subsidiary throne upon another person at each milestone.]
Qian Xunzong's face lit up. Though the other five Divine Seal Thrones were imitations, every one of them was a divine artifact with its own specialty.
Strongest attack—the Throne of Doom and Slaughter.
Strongest defense—the Throne of Guardian and Mercy.
Strongest support—the Throne of Wisdom and Spirit.
Strongest command over laws (luck)—the Throne of Order and Law.
Strongest control—the Throne of Fear and Sorrow.
And now, not only did he possess the Eternal Throne, he also had the right to assign the other five. How incredible was that?
"System, you've outdone yourself. Which two thrones can I assign right now?"
[Ding! The subsidiary thrones the host can currently assign are the Throne of Guardian and Mercy and the Throne of Doom and Slaughter.]
"Oh, nice! One for offense and one for defense!"
Once his excitement settled, Qian Xunzong considered who should receive them. The Throne of Doom and Slaughter could move freely, so he could assign it whenever he found someone suitable.
The Throne of Guardian and Mercy was far more restrictive. Its holder could not stray beyond a certain distance from it. Yang Haohan, for example, could never leave Holy City; doing so would bring severe backlash. Fortunately, the thrones could project themselves elsewhere.
"Looks like the Throne of Guardian and Mercy needs to be placed in a city to make the most of it," Qian Xunzong mused.
"Spirit City? There's no real need. Spirit Hall's headquarters are there, along with Grandpa and the others. A throne wouldn't make much difference."
Spirit City was hailed as the holy land of Soul Masters. Besides Spirit Hall's many Titled Douluo, the Angel God Statue stood in the Enshrinement Hall. As Great Enshrined, Qian Xichen could draw on some Angel Divine Power, making him practically invincible within Spirit City.
A throne would do little to strengthen Qian Xichen further. He was already a Level-99 Limit Douluo, and within the reach of Angel's Light, he was virtually the strongest person below godhood. A throne would not push him to the divine level, so giving it to him would waste much of its potential.
"Looks like I'll have to build a force of my own. I'll leave the family business of Spirit Hall to that big brother of mine."
"As for now..." Qian Xunzong glanced at the moon hanging high outside the window, scooped up Xiaojing, and curled up under the covers.
"Sleep!!"
The next day, the sun was already high in the sky.
Qian Xunzong stretched comfortably and washed up. Mu Rong Huai immediately spoke under his breath: "New day, fresh start. System, let's check in at Cloud-Treading Villa!"
[Ding! Host detected at Cloud-Treading Villa. Check-in successful. (Location cooldown: Two months)] [Check-in reward: Embroidered Uniform Guard ×5,000.]
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard! Mysterious watchers over the realm—a familiar classic!!"
Three figures appeared three meters in front of Mu Rong Huai. The leader wore gold robes embroidered with a winged flying fish bearing a dragon's head and fish's tail, and an Embroidered Spring Saber in a gold scabbard hung at his waist. The two behind him wore red flying-fish robes and carried Embroidered Spring Sabers in red scabbards.
All three were broad-shouldered and imposing. They were members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
[Name: Shen Ye Position: Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Martial Soul: Embroidered Spring Saber (Gold) Level: Level-95 Super Douluo. Title: Absolute Blade. Soul Rings: Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black Soul Bones: Full set. Loyalty: ∞ Assessment: Unwaveringly loyal, ruthless, and decisive.]
A Super Douluo commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Excellent. Qian Xunzong turned to the other two.
[Names: Duan Jinghan / Lu Chengying Positions: Deputy commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Martial Souls: Embroidered Spring Saber (Red) Levels: Level-91 Titled Douluo. Titles: Blood Chain / Dark Reaper Soul Rings: Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black. Soul Bones: None. Loyalty: ∞. Assessment: Ruthless and decisive.]
"Heh, not bad. Both deputy commanders are Titled Douluo too. Very nice."
The three men dropped to one knee before Qian Xunzong. "Your subordinates Shen Ye, Duan Jinghan, and Lu Chengying greet our lord!!!"
"Rise. Give me an overview of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
Shen Ye answered at once. "My lord, apart from the three of us, the Guard has five officers of the thousand, all at Soul Douluo level, and fifty officers of the hundred, ranging from Soul Emperor to Soul Sage. The rest vary in Soul Power. Some are ordinary people; the strongest reach Soul Emperor level."
The Embroidered Uniform Guard kept watch across the realm, so its members were not all of the same strength. Most spent their time hidden among the various factions. They might be palace guards, commanders of the imperial guard, roadside vendors, or tavern servers. Some roles were easier for ordinary people to blend into.
"Good. Duan Jinghan, Lu Chengying, leave three hundred guards at Cloud-Treading Villa, hidden in the Cloud-Treading Mountains. Send everyone else out. Infiltrate the major factions as quickly and quietly as possible—the departments of both empires, the Seven Great Sects, the Blacksmith Association, and the rest. If any of them makes a move, I want to know immediately."
"As you command!!"
The two turned and left to carry out Qian Xunzong's orders.
"Shen Ye, you'll stay by my side as my guard. When reports come in from your people, sort through them and bring me the important ones."
"Yes, my lord."
Qian Xunzong nodded. "You may go. Ask Manager Zheng to arrange a place for you to stay."
Shen Ye nodded and left the "Falling Cloud" courtyard.
Watching him go, Qian Xunzong thought the reward was generous. Cloud-Treading Villa was hardly an important location, yet his check-in had yielded five thousand guards and three Titled Douluo. That was almost enough to rival the Papal Palace.
[Ding! Host, that is because this was your first check-in at this location. First-time rewards are generally more generous; later rewards will be somewhat reduced.]
"Oh, so that's how it works. Got it. Dismissed."
[Yes, sir—]
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