Inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, when Xue Ye learned of Jun Yi's break with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School, he immediately summoned Xue Qinghe to the Imperial Study. A hint of joy finally appeared on his sickly face.
"Father, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Qinghe, are you aware of Jun Yi with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School?" Xue Ye inquired.
Xue Qinghe sighed, looking extremely regretful, and said, "Of course I knew. I really didn't expect that Brother Yi would be hunted down by His Sword Douluo while traveling the continent. When I first received this news, I thought it was just a rumor."
Xue Ye smiled broadly as he walked to Xue Qinghe's side, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "This may be a bad thing for you, but it's a good thing for the future of the empire. I was worried that Jun Yi might Ning Fengzhi in the future, thereby sidelining you and seizing the empire, turning our empire into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's backyard. Their split is entirely beneficial to our empire, with only one drawback."
"Your Majesty, I am foolish and ignorant. Although I understand the many benefits you speak of, I ask you to be frank about the harm you are referring to," Xue Qinghe said.
"Actually, this trouble can be seen as a test for you. Ning Fengzhi is your teacher, and Jun Yi regards you as an elder brother. As the person supported by both of them, you naturally need to work on the relationship between them. You could say this is another way of governing a minister, only the objects of your governance have changed to Ning Fengzhi and Jun Yi."
"I believe you have the talent, but now we need to lend a helping hand to Jun Yi. After all, he is currently powerless and isolated compared to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. This is the best time for us to completely bring him into the royal camp."
Then, Xue Ye took out an item from the gem on his chest and placed it in his palm. It was an extremely strange object, crystal clear blue in color, three-dimensional triangular in shape. It seemed to be carved from a sapphire and was only the size of a palm. The crystal blue light was filled with a precious glow, and strange energy fluctuations constantly emanated from it.
On this blue triangular object, there are ripples like water waves. These patterns don't seem to be carved, but rather come alive, with rings of blue light shimmering, reflecting a faint precious glow throughout the imperial study. It is entirely azure blue, just like an ordinary gemstone. This is the National Treasure of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
Xue Ye handed it to Xue Qinghe, saying, " Qinghe, you should know what to do. This Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is a gift to Jun Yi."
"Father, this is National Treasure. Is it really appropriate to just give it to Brother Yi like this...?"
"This item symbolizes the honor of our Heaven Dou Empire and the pride of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. It was passed down from our ancestors, but apart from its beautiful appearance, it is utterly useless. Giving it to Jun Yi signifies that our royal family has completely recognized Jun Yi. You don't need to say anything more. Go ahead. I have complete confidence in entrusting this matter to you."
"As you command!"
Having accepted the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud bestowed upon him by his father, Xue Qinghe was about to leave the Imperial Study when Xue Ye's voice reached his ears once again.
"Now that you're back, it's time to decide on the position of Crown Prince."
"Thank you for your grace, Father Emperor."
Xue Qinghe, looking excited, knelt down and bowed to Xue Ye before quickly leaving the imperial study.
Inside the Papal Palace, Bibi Dong looked at the urgent letter from Heaven Dou City, a complex expression on her face. Things were developing in a way that was increasingly beyond her expectations. She gently touched her forehead and closed her eyes to rest. After a long while, she slowly opened her eyes.
" Xue'er, I don't quite understand what you're thinking. Jun Yi, having lost the protection of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School, is already a stray dog. We just need to put some more pressure on him, and he'll have nowhere else to turn but the Spirit Hall. At that time, we'll have access to a higher level of Soul Tool technology, and dominating the continent will be just around the corner. Why do you choose to help him?"
To Bibi Dong's left was a letter from Qian Renxue, explaining that she had reached an agreement with Jun Yi, asking the Spirit Hall to temporarily refrain from targeting Jun Yi, and to decide how to deal with Jun Yi after she became the Heaven Dou Emperor.
" The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect made a truly disastrous move. To obtain blueprints for higher-level Soul Tool, they actually sent Titled Douluo to hunt down Jun Yi. This doesn't seem like something Ning Fengzhi would do. Could it be that he's trying to seize the market for high-level Soul Tool? No, he's not the kind of person who would act so impulsively for such a small amount of money. If Ning Fengzhi really wanted to kill Jun Yi, Jun Yi would never have survived. Just like with Tang Hao's wife back then, Tang Hao and even the entire Clear Sky Sect were tricked by him. Could there be some deeper meaning behind his actions?"
Bibi Dong fell into deep thought; she simply couldn't understand what benefit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would gain from pursuing Jun Yi.
Inside the dormitory of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Jun Yi told Dugu Yan everything he had experienced over the past two years, including being chased by Sword Douluo and how Zhu Zhuqing sacrificed her life to shield him from a sword strike. Dugu Yan was stunned after hearing this.
"And so Zhu Zhuqing just..." A trace of sadness appeared on Dugu Yan's face. Although she had never seen what Zhu Zhuqing looked like, through Jun Yi's story, she knew that she was a girl who loved Jun Yi very much, so much so that she was willing to sacrifice her own Life.
"She's alright. My Martial Soul is extremely special, and one of its abilities is quite unique. As long as she has a breath left, I can sacrifice a part of myself to revive her," Jun Yi said slowly.
He then clenched his fist and continued, "It's all my fault. I was too arrogant, thinking I could protect her, but I didn't expect to drag her down with me."
Dugu Yan shook her head and said, "This has nothing to do with you. You've already done enough. There's only one Soul Master of your age who can reach your level of strength in ten thousand years. Besides, Zhu Zhuqing is still alive. A gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years. You don't need to put too much pressure on yourself."
"Hmm." Jun Yi nodded. After expressing his inner turmoil, he did feel much better, especially after hearing Dugu Yan's comfort, which eased his tense nerves.
Just then, there was a knock on Jun Yi's door.
"Who is it?" Dugu Yan asked curiously, preparing to open the door to greet the person.
Jun Yi also stood up and walked towards the door, saying to Dugu Yan as he went, "It's Brother Xue."
(End of this chapter)