The palace's fine wines were all confiscated by the soldiers and handed over to Cao Yu, who then passed them on to Xuan Zi and the others.
"Alright, Little Yu, we'll head back now."
"Remember to come back and visit when you have time. The Sea God's Fate's Feast will be even more lively next year. How about you be the host?"
Because Shrek established a new Academy of Sciences, more people enrolled, and after several years of training, many became students in the Inner Court.
Most of them were students who transitioned from the Soul Guidance Department to the Academy of Academy of Sciences.
Moreover, Bei Bei has also graduated from the Inner Court and is busy with his career, so the position of male host is naturally vacant.
Cao Yu simply smiled and said, "I'll go another time."
"Alright, we won't stay here any longer. You remember to take care of yourself, and don't let Xiaotao and the others suffer any injustice."
"Understood, Xuan Zi."
The elders, all smiles, happily flew away from Sunrise City. For them, the greatest gain from this trip was not only wiping out the Holy Spirit Cult, but also acquiring a large quantity of fine wine.
They probably have enough to drink for several years.
When Cao Yu arrived at the entrance of the palace hall, he could faintly hear the sound of a woman weeping coming from inside.
Looking inside, Cao Yu saw that the woman was Xu Tianzhen. His left foot, which was about to step inside, suddenly froze in mid-air.
"Forget it... what would I do inside? Let's just leave."
Somewhat disgruntled, he turned and left.
As for Xu Tianzhen's future life, Cao Yu had already instructed Duke Dai Hao of the White Tiger Duke to arrange for people to protect her, so that at least her future life would not be bad, which was something he could guarantee.
However, judging from his current behavior, he seems to be avoiding Xu Tianzhen to some extent.
After all, getting entangled in this matter would be a real headache for him, so it's much better to simply avoid meeting.
"Never mind, let nature take its course."
On the morning of the fourth day, a grand funeral for Sunrise City was slowly taking place amidst a white atmosphere.
Everyone knows that the moment the coffin covered in white cloth was carried out of the funeral procession officially marked the fall of an empire.
"Waaaaah!!!"
This was the clarion call of an empire's demise, and also a lament.
"Let us mourn for our departed king!"
People sang the song of the sun loudly, for they believed in the Sun Moon, just as the Sun Moon gave them strength.
The generals and soldiers of the Star Luo Empire watched all this silently, their faces expressionless; they were simply following orders.
The weeping at the front of the procession sounded all the more heartbreaking.
Xu Tianran's remains were eventually buried in the imperial mausoleum in the northeast, the place where their monarch should rest.
"Former Duke Xue Sha of the Dou Ling Empire."
"Princess Vina of the former Heaven Dou Empire, Duke Lin requests an audience!"
The guards outside the palace in Star Luo City shouted loudly, but the expressions on the faces of those present changed slightly.
"Princess Vina, I never thought we'd end up like this." Duke Lin's face revealed a look of resentment, and his fists clenched involuntarily.
Unexpectedly, their empire couldn't be spoken of openly and honestly by a soldier; he even deliberately used the word "former"!
Princess Vina, however, calmly replied, "But it's the truth, isn't it?"
"That's true, but this..." Duke Lin wanted to say something more, but Princess Vina raised her hand to interrupt him.
"We need their help, and whether it will work out is still uncertain."
If we fail today, then our Heaven Dou Empire will truly have no hope, and this continent will be dominated solely by the Star Luo Empire."
On the other side, Duke Xuesha was equally anxious. Accompanying them were dozens of soldiers and several strategists who kept offering advice.
You can also see Duke Xuesha nodding incessantly, completely ignoring the Heaven Dou Empire nobles beside her who are also on their way to ruin.
In the past, they would have already stepped forward and struck up a lively conversation, but things are different now, and whether they can even protect themselves is another matter.
A message came from inside just a few minutes later.
"Duke Xuan Xue Sha, Princess Vina, and Duke Lin, please enter the hall!"
Only three people went in; their men could only watch helplessly outside.
Upon entering the palace, Xu Jiawei and a group of elderly members were already waiting for them in the hall.
They were just relaxed, sipping their tea and chatting, occasionally bursting into laughter.
Seeing Xu Jiawei's attitude, the three noble members felt their hearts sink instantly.
"Princess..." Duke Lin couldn't help but turn to look at Vina, Vina could only gently shake her head at him.
"Sigh! Let's just take it one step at a time."
Duke Lin said no more and could only follow Vina to Xu Jiawei and the others.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, and all Douluo Lords!"
The three bowed slightly in greeting, and only then did Xu Jiawei and the others turn their attention to these people.
Xu Jiawei chuckled and, feigning ignorance, asked, "Princess Vina and the two dukes, is there something you wish to discuss with me?"
The former Duke Xuesha of the Dou Ling Empire took out a pile of Storage Soul Tool and respectfully placed them in front of Xu Jiawei.
"Your Majesty, this is a small gift we specially prepared for you." With that, Duke Xuesha projected the storage of her Soul Tool, which contained dozens of gold and treasure items as large as mountains.
Princess Vina, standing to the side, was also gesturing to Duke Lin with her eyes; they, naturally, were not to be outdone.
The things Duke Lin brought this time were not much less impressive than those Duke Xuesha.
If the Sun Moon Empire's army hadn't rushed off to deal with the Star Luo Empire after capturing their capital, these royal nobles would probably have been wiped out long ago.
They've already taken out almost half of the national treasury; this is definitely a massive financial blow!
But after all, you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub; they had to do it, perhaps that way there was still a glimmer of hope.
Xu Jiawei and the others chuckled softly, while Cheng Gang, barely suppressing his laughter, said:
"Drink tea, drink tea, none of you are behaving properly."
"You think you're so serious? I wonder who's usually the most... what was it again?"
Liu Kongzhu smiled and reminded Xu Tianshui, " Little Yu said that's called Bagua (Eight Trigrams)."
Xu Tianshui then turned to Cheng Gang and said, "Yeah! You're such a gossip."
Cheng Gang's face instantly darkened; he felt his image as a superior person in the eyes of others had suddenly collapsed.
Those old guys are really good at ripping people off!
It's just that we sometimes talk a little more, how did that become gossip in their mouths?
Xu Jiawei addressed the group, saying, "Alright, you lot, stop fooling around and let them finish speaking."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
When Cao Yu returned to the Star Luo Empire, he went straight to the palace, as there were still many things he needed to discuss with his brother-in-law.
Then, when he came in, he saw several people standing respectfully in front of his brother-in-law, as if they were discussing something.
However, the sharp-eyed Cheng Gang had already spotted him, so he quickly invited him to sit down.
" Little Yu, come over and have some tea."
(End of this chapter)