Xu Tianyuan continued, "I've already mentioned your reward. Now, let's move on to other matters. Xu Zhengyang, why did you have Ma Rulong and Jing Hongchen spread rumors in Star Luo City, claiming that my Sun Moon Empire was in chaos and that princes were fighting each other for the throne?"
"You should be aware of the danger of such rumors. Speaking ill of the royal family is a crime that cannot be easily erased."
Xu Zhengyang quickly said, "Uncle, I did all this for the family, and for the future of our Sun Moon Empire."
Xu Tianran, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, " Xu Zhengyang, you say it's for the development of the Sun Moon Empire, I'd like to see what your insights are. Do you know that your rumors have caused considerable trouble for the royal family?"
Even Xu Zhengyang didn't expect Xu Tianran to speak at this moment, and what he said was extremely fatal. In any empire, the royal family has absolute authority and cannot afford any internal strife, otherwise power will easily fall into the wrong hands.
Although Xu Tianran spoke calmly, he exuded an air of authority and even intimidation. He was not only the Crown Prince, but also a Titled Douluo powerhouse.
Xu Zhengyang remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Your Highness, although our Sun Moon Empire is powerful and our military strength is unparalleled in the world, and our research and application of Soul Tool far surpasses other forces of the same level, we have never been able to win the championship in the Soul Master Tournament. We have always been one step behind. The root of all this is Shrek Academy."
Xu Tianran, upon hearing this, instead of getting angry, laughed, "That's interesting. Xu Zhengyang, you should know that Shrek Academy is a mountain in the hearts of all of us, the biggest shadow in our entire Sun Moon Empire. Although you were lucky enough to win the championship this time, as far as I know, most of the Shrek Team's main players were injured, and only three main players participated in the Soul Master Tournament. The rest were substitutes, and they were all younger than you."
Even if you win this match, Shrek Academy will still demonstrate its formidable strength. Winning the next Soul Master Tournament won't be as easy as it was this time.
Xu Zhengyang smiled and said, "Your Highness, Shrek Academy's strength doesn't lie in the Shrek Team or the Soul Master Tournament. As long as the next Soul Master Tournament is fair and just, I'm confident I can defeat those Shrek people."
"But for the threat to our Sun Moon Empire, Shrek Academy's true strength lies in its foundation and its influence over the entire Douluo Continent. This is the reason why our Sun Moon Empire has never been able to break through."
Xu Tianran said thoughtfully, "That's interesting. Then tell me, what exactly is the foundation of the Shrek Academy?"
Xu Zhengyang continued, "For so many years, Shrek Academy has always touted its neutrality and considered itself a pure academy. But that's not the case. Over the years, Shrek Academy has cultivated countless talents. Whether it's the Star Luo Empire or the Heaven Soul Empire, they are all willing to send their geniuses to the Shrek Academy to study."
"There, talents from all countries compete and learn from each other. Just like this Soul Master Tournament, there's Ma Xiaotao, who was trained by Shrek itself, Dai Yueheng from the Star Luo Empire, Bei Bei from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. After graduation, these people may not all stay at the Shrek Academy, but through long-term interaction and learning, they have formed very deep friendships."
"It can be said that although Shrek is an academy, its influence extends throughout the entire Douluo Continent. Experts from various countries all have the shadow of the Shrek Academy. Therefore, once a war breaks out, the three empires will have a very tacit understanding. As long as Shrek Academy raises its voice, the three empires will quickly integrate their strength and do their best to resist our Sun Moon Empire. No matter how strong our Sun Moon Empire is, it is impossible for us to defeat the three empires at the same time."
"Not to mention that Shrek Academy's influence extends beyond the three great empires; it also extends to traditional sects. If my information is correct, back then, the traditional Clear Sky Clan, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and even some relatively low-profile sects, all had members studying at the Shrek Academy."
"This is Shrek Academy's greatest strength: its powerful integration capabilities. It not only possesses formidable strength itself but also exceptional leadership abilities."
Both Xu Tianyuan and Xu Tianran fell silent upon hearing Xu Zhengyang 'Xu Zhengyang words, carefully considering and analyzing them.
Xu Zhengyang was clearly right. When the Sun Moon Empire launched the war, it initially had a very clear advantage. However, Shrek Academy rallied the three empires, and they combined their strengths. Countless Titled Douluo even intervened, which ultimately led to the Sun Moon Empire's defeat.
Several minutes passed before Xu Tianran finally spoke again, "What does what you're saying have to do with spreading rumors about the Sun Moon Imperial Family?"
Xu Zhengyang said, "Your Highness, in fact, after so many years without a war, the three great empires of the Douluo Continent have long been at odds. Coupled with their original blood feud, if it weren't for the Sun Moon Empire being too powerful, they probably would have already started fighting each other."
"Although Shrek possesses extremely strong leadership and integration abilities, everyone has selfish desires, and hatred is not so easily resolved. Take the Star Luo Empire's auction of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Embryo, for example, which aroused public outrage from all sides. If it weren't for the threat from our Sun Moon Empire, would they have fought each other to the death?"
"As for the Shrek Academy, if we win the Soul Master Tournament again, will it reduce Shrek Academy's influence in the Douluo Continent? Or will Shrek Academy even split up from within?"
"Only when there is an external enemy can the various forces unite as one; once the external enemy is eliminated, internal strife often begins."
Xu Tianran nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. I used to think that I could sweep the world with the strength of the Sun Moon Empire, but if we could really cause internal strife in the Douluo Continent and make the major forces on the Douluo Continent less united, it might greatly reduce the pressure of war."
" Xu Zhengyang, your method is not bad, but even though the Star Luo Empire is in chaos this time, it was still mediated by the Shrek Academy. I'm afraid this war won't break out so easily for them."
Xu Zhengyang shook his head. "We don't need them to start a war. As long as the three great empires don't work together, with the strength of our Sun Moon Empire, we can easily befriend distant powers while attacking nearby ones, and we can gradually divide them. As long as we eliminate one of the three great empires or one of their forces, we can deter all sides and change the current situation."
"Especially Shrek Academy. If we can cripple Shrek Academy, it will be a golden opportunity for our Sun Moon Empire."
Xu Zhengyang was very clear that in the original work, the Sun Moon Empire definitely had a chance, especially when Di Tian led the Soul Beast to launch a beast tide attack on the Shrek Academy. That was the most vulnerable time for the Shrek Academy. If they could send Soul Engineer legion to attack at that time, they could definitely destroy Shrek Academy.
Xu Tianyuan and Xu Tianran exchanged a glance. With their intelligence and insight, they instantly understood Xu Zhengyang's meaning: if the Sun Moon Empire wanted to unify the world, it was necessary to first destroy Shrek Academy, or rather, severely damage Shrek Academy, while simultaneously dividing the three empires.
Just like the recent upheaval in the Star Luo Empire, it has, in a sense, created conflict among the three major empires. Shrek Academy's forced mediation may be effective in the short term, but in the long run, it will also plant seeds of discord in the minds of the various powers.
Even Xu Tianran nodded at this moment. "Good, very good. Although it may seem a bit like empty talk, it is indeed what we should do next, and it will definitely benefit us in the future."
"But Xu Zhengyang, what are your thoughts on how to implement this?"
Xu Zhengyang thought for a moment and said, " The Dou Ling Empire Dou Ling Empire n't border our Sun Moon Empire, and its strength is relatively weak. We can try to befriend the Dou Ling Empire, and even provide them with some knowledge of Soul Tool at a low price, so that they won't be so hostile to our Sun Moon Empire. At the same time, we can impose a Soul Tool blockade on the Heaven Soul Empire and the Star Luo Empire, so that all Soul Tool flowing into the Douluo Continent must pass through the Dou Ling Empire."
"This would greatly benefit the Dou Ling Empire, but it would also create conflict between the Dou Ling Empire and the other two major empires. If war were to break out between them, the Dou Ling Empire, due to the enormous benefits it would gain, would definitely not easily wage war against us."
Xu Zhengyang was well aware that between nations, the problem was not scarcity but inequality. Having given the Dou Ling Empire such great benefits, the Dou Ling Empire would absolutely not dare to easily antagonize the Sun Moon Empire.
It's important to understand that the number of Soul Tool sold from the Sun Moon Empire to the Douluo Continent each year is enormous, and there are even various clandestine channels. However, if the Sun Moon Empire tightens its blockade on Soul Tool and instead supports the Dou Ling Empire in selling Soul Tool, it would be tantamount to giving profits to the Dou Ling Empire, and these profits would be enormous.
If the Dou Ling Empire wants to develop, it will never let go of this terrifying profit. In particular, the conflict between the Dou Ling Empire and the Heaven Soul Empire is even deeper. They will even secretly sabotage each other. As a result, the Dou Ling Empire and the Heaven Soul Empire will have a war sooner or later.
Xu Tianran nodded. "Good idea. The Dou Ling Empire is the rear area of the entire Douluo Continent. If the Dou Ling Empire and the Heaven Soul Empire are at odds, they might even start a war. At that time, the current balance of the Douluo Continent will collapse, and even the rear area will be in danger. This would indeed benefit our Sun Moon Empire Sun Moon Empire, and might even bring us many unprecedented benefits."
" Xu Zhengyang, your plan is excellent, but I need to consider its implementation further. As you said, if the three great empires of the Douluo Continent were to unite as one, it would be difficult for our Sun Moon Empire to prevail. However, if they were to experience internal strife or instability in their rear, that would be our golden opportunity."
Clearly, both Xu Tianyuan and Xu Tianran were carefully considering the feasibility of Xu Zhengyang's plan. The root of all this was the enormous profits from Soul Tool. If this continued, the Dou Ling Empire would reap huge benefits and might even control the lifeline of Soul Tool for the Heaven Soul Empire and the Star Luo Empire, which would be absolutely intolerable for both empires.
Xu Tianran looked at Xu Tianyuan: "I think this plan is feasible. It can avoid direct conflict and reduce our own losses. In my eyes, the Heaven Soul Empire is indeed insignificant. Even if we give some benefits to the Dou Ling Empire, it will not affect us."
Xu Tianyuan nodded. "That's certainly feasible. Recently, the pressure on our army at the border has lessened considerably, and the Star Luo Empire isn't as powerful as it used to be. As for the mere Dou Ling Empire, even if it gets stronger, it's just a slightly larger ant. There's no need to worry about it."
Xu Tianyuan and Xu Tianran talked without caring about the presence of Xu Zhengyang and Xu Jie, clearly treating Xu Zhengyang as one of their own.
After their conversation, Xu Tianran suddenly spoke to Xu Zhengyang, " Xu Zhengyang, there's something else. I heard you suggested bringing Zhengtian Academy into the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. Do you know how significant that would be?"
Xu Zhengyang said, "Your Highness, I am doing this for the development of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. Our Sun Moon Empire has very limited research and development in Soul Master. Zhengtian Academy has a unique Angel Martial Soul with a long and rich heritage, which will definitely enable our Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy to achieve a breakthrough."
Xu Tianran nodded. "I understand your thoughts very well, but have you ever thought about the special nature of the Angel Martial Soul? Have you ever thought that the Angel Martial Soul is a thorn in the side of many people, especially the Holy Spirit Cult of our Sun Moon Empire, who want to kill the Angel Martial Soul as soon as possible?"