Malice from the Imperial Family

"What a coincidence. I never thought I'd meet Your Highness the Crown Prince here. It seems the Heaven Dou Empire has no decent books left. Should I ask my father to return a few to you?"

"Nothing but scraps and leftovers. The Heaven Dou Empire doesn't lack such things. You, on the other hand, treat what our empire discarded as treasure. How could I have the heart to take it back?"

Relations between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire were terrible. Clashes along their border never ceased, and their imperial families could not stand the sight of each other.

Within their own countries, members of the two imperial families might have exchanged hollow courtesies for the sake of protocol, keeping up a fine appearance.

But abroad, neither side cared to save the other's face. Both wanted the other dead.

Xue Qinghe might have been a false Crown Prince, but he held the position and had guards at his side. Faced with a provocation from an enemy state, he had to strike back.

"To think the Crown Prince of a mighty empire would have nothing but a sharp tongue."

The Fourth Princess, Dai Yan, flew into a rage. Pointing at Xue Qinghe's nose, she cursed:

"If Spirit Hall hadn't interfered back then, you worthless fools would have become our prisoners long ago! Where do you get the nerve to act so arrogantly in front of me?"

Dai Weisi had been ready to enjoy the show. Instead, Dai Yan turned her attack on Spirit Hall.

His expression changed drastically. He stepped forward and slapped Dai Yan, then barked:

"Shut up! This isn't the empire. Watch your mouth!"

Some things were best left as unspoken understandings. Saying them aloud changed everything.

Especially before Soul Masters from across the lands gathered at Spirit Hall. Once those words were out, they could not be taken back.

Dai Weisi truly had not expected Dai Yan to dare expose Spirit Hall's sore spot openly while on its own turf.

That went beyond arrogance. It was stupidity.

Dai Yan was baffled. Why had he hit her out of nowhere?

Holding her cheek, she looked bewildered and bitterly indignant:

"Big Brother, what are you doing? Everyone knows that if Spirit Hall hadn't meddled, Star Luo would have taken the Heaven Dou Empire by now!"

The Star Luo Empire prized martial strength and had a formidable army. Its centralized rule allowed its factions to follow a unified command during war, making its fighting power astonishing.

The Heaven Dou Empire was more like a patchwork of fiefdoms, with lords everywhere and little hope of presenting a united front.

Long ago, the Star Luo Empire had launched a war against the Heaven Dou Empire. Its armies had swept across Heaven Dou's territory with crushing force.

Unfortunately for Star Luo, Spirit Hall stood between the empires.

Spirit Hall would never allow only one empire to remain on the continent. That would set Spirit Hall on a path toward its own destruction.

So no matter how fiercely the two empires fought, neither would be allowed to swallow the other.

The Heaven Dou Empire was weaker overall, and Spirit Hall's existence benefited it.

Thus, although Heaven Dou had spent years secretly vying with Spirit Hall, it never pushed matters too far. It kept within certain bounds.

The stronger Star Luo Empire, meanwhile, had become the aggrieved party. It hated Spirit Hall to the bone.

That was especially true of the ruling members of the Star Luo Imperial Family.

But Spirit Hall had deep foundations and immense power. The Star Luo Imperial Family could do nothing but endure and wait for an opportunity.

Dai Weisi was nearly driven mad by Dai Yan's stupidity. Mocking the Crown Prince was one thing—they were enemies. But why provoke Spirit Hall?

He closed in on Dai Yan, his voice thick with exasperation:

"Shut your mouth, Dai Yan. This is Spirit Hall, not a place for you to run wild."

Sensing the many gazes gathering on her, Dai Yan's face darkened. Her fists clenched without her realizing it.

"What is going on here? Loud disturbances and group fights are forbidden in the Martial Soul Library. Are you all showing contempt for Spirit Hall's authority?"

Qian Zong descended slowly from the second floor. Standing on the stairs, he surveyed them from above, his gaze moving between the Soul Masters from Star Luo and Heaven Dou.

On one side stood the Heaven Dou Empire's party, led by Xue Qinghe. There were twenty-three of them: two Soul Douluos, two Soul Saints, three Soul Emperors, and the rest Soul Ancestors or lower.

Clearly, the Heaven Dou Empire attached great importance to the Martial Soul Library. It had sent not only its Crown Prince, but a large contingent of Soul Masters as well.

On the other side stood the Star Luo Empire's party, led by its eldest prince, Dai Weisi. Its twenty-seven members included five Soul Douluos and one Soul Saint; the rest were Soul Ancestors or lower. In raw strength, they surpassed the Heaven Dou party.

The Star Luo Empire also took the Martial Soul Library seriously. It had sent a prince and Soul Masters to learn what they could.

Dai Yan's gaze fell on Qian Zong. Sensing that his Soul Power had not reached level ten, her anger flared.

She was a Princess and a level-twenty-seven Soul Grandmaster. Since when did any stray cat or dog get to order her around?

Pointing at Qian Zong's nose, Dai Yan cursed:

"Who do you think you are? You dare meddle in my affairs? Get over here, kneel, and apologize to me!"

Dai Yan did not dare offend Dai Weisi. Her elder brother was no one to trifle with and had all but secured the throne. Insulting him was too risky.

She could insult Xue Qinghe, but not too blatantly. He was, after all, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire and represented its dignity.

Qian Zong's arrival gave the fury inside her an outlet.

He looked well past twelve, yet had not even crossed the threshold to become a Soul Master. Deep down, Dai Yan saw no threat in him whatsoever.

When Qian Zong remained unmoved, Dai Yan grew angrier:

"What are you looking at, you worthless wretch? Get over here! Or do you want me to break your legs myself?"

Seeing Xue Qinghe come down from the Library's second floor had already put Dai Yan in a foul mood.

They were both members of imperial families. Why was he allowed upstairs while she was stopped?

The unfairness ate at her.

Then her elder brother had slapped her for speaking the truth. Dai Yan's anger had reached its peak.

Now a worthless wretch with less than level-ten Soul Power had come down from the Library's second floor and dared ignore her. Her fury ignited at once.

In the Soul Master World, strength had always commanded respect.

"You have a death wish."

Ling Yuan's eyes glimmered with fire as she moved to seize Dai Yan, her anger barely contained.

A mere Princess dared make trouble for the Young Hall Master.

Qian Zong reacted swiftly, catching Ling Yuan by the wrist and stopping her.

"My friend, I haven't done anything to you, have I? Are you a dog? Why do you bite everyone you see?"

Qian Zong did have plans involving Dai Yan.

Spirit City was packed. If he could use Dai Yan's status as a stepping stone to gain Spirit Hall several new territories, it would greatly benefit both Spirit Hall and himself.

But Qian Zong had not even begun putting his plan into action. Why was she already targeting him?

He could not make sense of it.

Still, Dai Yan's behavior served Qian Zong's interests.

An imperial Princess had openly insulted the director of the continent's most comprehensive free library, right in front of Soul Masters from across the continent. Once word spread, things would get interesting.

Qian Zong was no Qian Daoliu or Bibi Dong. He had timing, terrain, and people on his side, with provisions stockpiled to boot. If he could also claim the moral high ground, he would dare send the Angel Legion to launch a war—

No, that was wrong. To reclaim lost territory.