As he watched Jing Hongchen leave without hesitation, Xu Tianran could not help showing a trace of bitterness.
Before ascending the throne, Xu Tianran had spent tremendous effort winning over the Hall Master Hongchen of Illustrious Virtue Hall. But Jing Hongchen's repeated mistakes had inflicted enormous losses on the Sun Moon Empire, and this Level 9 Soul Engineer's standing in his eyes had steadily declined. He had even sent him directly to Heaven Dou City to work undercover.
Yet no one had expected Jing Hongchen to join the Civilization Research Institute outright and climb another step beyond the top of a hundred-foot pole. Although Ye Yulin had made equally tremendous progress, a half-step Level 10 Soul Engineer comparable to a Limit Douluo was just as significant to the Sun Moon Empire.
And the siblings Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were outstanding Soul Engineers as well.
The Civilization Research Institute...
Xu Tianran sighed inwardly. A Heavenly Mirror appeared in his hand, and its light flickered as a breathtakingly beautiful face appeared within it, a hint of weariness lingering between her delicate, moth-wing brows.
"Your Majesty?" Ju Zi's voice from the mirror roused Xu Tianran.
Calm returned to Xu Tianran's face. "Ju Zi, how is the campaign against the Heaven Dou Empire progressing?"
A smile appeared on Ju Zi's weary face. "Your Majesty, everything has gone according to plan. We've already reached the outskirts of Heaven Dou City. As long as the Imperial Preceptor and his people keep the Body Sect occupied, we can launch the final attack at any time."
Xu Tianran sighed. "Halt the advance. Tell the Imperial Preceptor's people not to act either. Leave one Soul Engineer legion to hold the position, and withdraw all other frontline troops to the Star Luo Empire's border. Select another three thousand elite