A question of governance and warfare

Watching the two of them fool around, Dai Chengqian shook his head and looked at the others.

By then, everyone had undergone significant changes.

Zhu Zhuqing, for instance, had not only gained soul power after taking the narcissus jade muscle bone, but her skin had also become fairer, with a rosy glow.

Dai Chengqian asked everyone about their progress.

After receiving nourishment from the immortal herbs that day, all of them had gained soul power.

Zhu Zhuyun currently had the highest level in the team. She had risen three levels, reaching level 48.

Zhu Zhuqing, Asuya, and Ye Lingling had risen two levels, reaching levels 42, 42, and 46 respectively.

Meng Yiran and Dugu Yan had each risen one level, reaching levels 41 and 44 respectively.

Red Luan's advancement fed back into Dai Chengqian, instantly raising him three levels to level 45.

Compared with everyone else's gains, an increase of three levels might not have seemed like much.

But ever since Dai Chengqian's martial soul had become the purple sky divine thunder tiger, increasing his soul power had become extremely difficult.

Through meditation alone, raising his soul power by one level would take almost several times as long as it would for an ordinary soul master.

After he reached level 40, his soul power growth had slowed even further.

Not long ago, absorbing a fifty-thousand-year soul ring as his fourth soul ring had only raised his soul power by two levels.

Now that he had quickly gained three levels through Red Luan, Dai Chengqian was already more than satisfied.

Five days later, only three days remained until the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament.

A few days earlier, Bai Qingyue had sought out Dai Chengqian and told him that the soul beast uprising in the Star Dou Great Forest had subsided, so he could head into Star Dou to hunt soul beasts.

Dai Chengqian had smiled and revealed his fifty-thousand-year soul ring, giving Bai Qingyue an instant fright.

After hearing about it, Dugu Bo had come to inspect it too. Just like Bai Qingyue, he had been shocked, pointing at Dai Chengqian and repeatedly calling him a "little freak."

Since he had absorbed a fifty-thousand-year soul ring without anyone noticing, anyone with discerning eyes could guess that Dai Chengqian must have encountered some extraordinary opportunity.

Knowing that this was likely an important secret of Dai Chengqian's, Bai Qingyue and Dugu Bo had both tactfully refrained from asking further questions.

That morning, Dai Chengqian received a summons from the emperor to enter the palace.

After questioning the eunuch who had come, Dai Chengqian learned that the Star Luo Emperor had summoned all the princes preparing to compete that day.

He arrived at the Imperial Study.

Dai Chengqian found that several of his brothers had already arrived.

The Eldest Prince, Dai Weisi, was naturally present, along with the second, fourth, and fifth princes.

Including Dai Chengqian himself, there were five princely teams from the Star Luo Empire entering the preliminary rounds this time.

As for Dai Mubai, since he would be competing in the preliminary rounds in Heaven Dou, the Star Luo Emperor had not summoned him.

"You're all here."

The Star Luo Emperor looked at his sons and said:

"Good.

I had thought only the eldest, the third, and the sixth would participate this time at most.

I didn't expect the second, fourth, and fifth to form teams as well.

Excellent!

Competition is a good thing.

My promise remains unchanged. Whichever of you wins in the end will become the crown prince.

Though you are brothers by blood, I expect you not to hold back during the tournament. Understood?"

Dai Weisi glanced at Dai Chengqian, hatred showing in his eyes.

He bowed to the Star Luo Emperor and said:

"Rest assured, Father Emperor. We all understand the rules of the Star Luo Empire.

To select the strongest successor and ensure that the Star Luo Empire flourishes for ten thousand years, I am willing even to sacrifice myself!"

Dai Chengqian looked at Dai Weisi, his lips curling slightly.

Dai Weisi was a textbook self-serving opportunist. If he thought he could win, he supported the Star Luo Empire's system of pitting brothers against one another.

If he thought he could not win, then the system was rotten baggage that ought to be abolished.

It seemed Dai Weisi still believed he was the strongest of all his brothers.

Little did he know that, even setting Dai Chengqian aside, he probably could not defeat Dai Mubai, far away in Heaven Dou.

The Star Luo Emperor looked at Dai Weisi and nodded, then turned and pointed at the enormous map on the wall, saying:

"The Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament is jointly organized by our Star Luo Empire, Heaven Dou, and Spirit Hall.

Whether in the strength of its contestants or its scale, this tournament is the largest in the entire soul master world, and it costs an enormous amount of money.

Do you know why we hold this tournament?"

Upon hearing the Star Luo Emperor's question, Dai Weisi was the first to speak:

"Father Emperor, I believe

the purpose is simple: to determine, among the young soul masters of recent years,

which is the strongest among those from the three great powers—the Star Luo Empire, Heaven Dou, and Spirit Hall!

It is a contest for prestige between the three great powers."

The Star Luo Emperor smiled at Dai Weisi, then looked at the other princes and said:

"The eldest makes a fair point. Does anyone else have a different view?"

Hearing the Star Luo Emperor's assessment, Dai Weisi understood that his answer had not satisfied the emperor.

At that moment, Dai Chengqian took a few steps forward and spoke slowly:

"Father Emperor, allow me to share my view. I believe the Eldest Prince has only addressed what lies on the surface.

The reason the three great powers hold this tournament is indeed simple, but it is not for the prestige of their respective factions.

It is for talent!

This tournament gathers talent from Advanced Soul Master Academies across the continent, ultimately identifying a great many gifted individuals.

The ultimate aim of our three great powers is to select the finest talents among them, win them over, and recruit them.

Father Emperor, that is my view."

"Correct."

The Star Luo Emperor nodded slightly. He was fairly satisfied with Dai Chengqian's answer.

Damn it. He got to show off in front of Father Emperor again.

Dai Weisi seethed inwardly, but there was nothing he could do. He rather regretted speaking up earlier.

Had he known this would happen, he would have been better off following the second and fourth princes' example and keeping quiet.

The Star Luo Emperor looked at the other princes and said evenly:

"If you wish to inherit the Star Luo Empire's great legacy, brute force and ruthless fighting alone will not suffice.

In this respect, you should learn from the sixth. He has made great progress over the past year."

The Star Luo Emperor picked up a wooden pointer from the desk, traced two circles around the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire on the map, and said:

"The preliminary rounds are divided into two regions: Heaven Dou and the Star Luo Empire.

Each of our two imperial regions has one main-team berth. The main team can advance directly to the grand finals without participating in the preliminary rounds.

Originally, I intended to have the five of you fight one another and award that berth to the winner's team.

But now I have changed my mind. I will ask you a question about governance and warfare. Whoever gives the best answer will receive the berth for his team.

As for fighting, you will have plenty of opportunities once the tournament begins."

Hearing the Star Luo Emperor's words, all of them became alert and looked at him.

The Star Luo Emperor pointed at the map and spoke slowly:

"Look here. Suppose foreign barbarians along our northeastern border repeatedly harass our frontier year after year, plundering the Star Luo Empire's resources.

Their barbarian soul masters are formidable. If our Star Luo Empire sends a great army on a distant campaign, the treasury will be drained, and other problems will arise within the country.

If we hold our border defenses, they will plunder vast quantities of resources from our frontier every year, leaving the Star Luo Empire's dignity in tatters.

What do you think we should choose—war or peace?"