A blush instantly spread across Vina's fair cheeks, reaching her ears. A hint of panic and determination flashed in her eyes, but her voice remained soft. "Father, your daughter... your daughter already has someone she loves."
Who is it?
"Yes, it's Long Aotian from the Body Sect. He has exceptional talent, and although he's not as dazzling as the young sect leader, he's still a standout among the younger generation in the sect and is highly regarded by the sect leader and elders."
"We... we are of one mind. Moreover, the Body Sect has always had a close relationship with our royal family. With Long Aotian as a connection, and considering the shared threat faced by the empire and the sect, His Majesty the Sect Master should not stand idly by."
Vina's voice carried the shyness of a young girl mentioning her beloved.
She brought up Long Aotian not only to express her feelings but also to tell her father that the connection with the Body Sect was not limited to marriage.
Vikes stared intently at his daughter, at her current state, and fell silent.
He was not an unreasonable father, and he knew his daughter's personality well.
A moment later, the light of hope in his eyes dimmed, finally turning into a deeper sigh, tinged with helplessness and heaviness.
"Ah, I've met Aotian a few times; he's indeed a promising talent."
"Since your mind is made up..." He patted Vina's hand, his voice filled with weariness, "Fine, this matter was due to my oversight, causing you distress. I only hope... I only hope that the Body Sect can lend a helping hand out of mutual dependence."
The atmosphere in the imperial study became even more tense because of this unspoken marriage proposal.
The father and daughter remained silent, with only the occasional sound of wind coming from outside the window, as if carrying the sounds of distant battles and the clash of swords.
Just then, a loud, even trembling voice, filled with uncontrollable excitement, broke the deathly silence of the imperial study like a thunderclap.
"Report!"
Emperor Vikes looked up abruptly, his weariness replaced by a hint of surprise:
What's the matter that you're so panicked?
The eunuch practically tumbled in, his face beaming with unbelievable ecstasy.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! The Body Sect's Du Busi Sect Master and Young Sect Master have arrived at the palace gates to pay their respects."
"What?!" Vikes jumped to his feet, the movement so forceful that it knocked over the chair behind him. The weariness on his face instantly vanished with immense surprise, and even his voice rose several decibels, "Quick! Quickly, invite him in! No! I will personally go to greet him!"
He disregarded the dignity of an emperor and was about to walk out.
"Father!" Vina was also startled, but then a glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes as she quickly helped her somewhat distraught father up.
However, before Vikes could take two steps, a booming laugh, like the sound of a great bell, pierced through the heavy palace doors and rolled in:
"Haha, Your Majesty, there's no need for that. I'll come in myself!"
Before the words were finished, the heavy, carved wooden door of the imperial study seemed to be pushed open by an invisible force, and two figures strode in.
The leader, a towering figure with bristling hair and beard, was none other than Du Busi, the sect leader of the Body Sect.
His signature wild aura instantly filled the entire imperial study, bringing a powerful sense of oppression, but also inexplicably easing the tense nerves of Vikes and his daughter.
Half a step behind Du Busi, a lean and stern-faced young man calmly followed.
He was dressed in ordinary everyday clothes, seemingly unremarkable, but when his deep eyes swept over them, Vikes and Vina felt a tremor from the depths of their souls, as if they were being stared at by an ancient Ferocious Beast.
"Poison Sect Master, Young Sect Master." Vikes hurriedly stepped forward, his face beaming with a smile of relief, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement, "Your presence is truly an honor for our Heaven Dou Empire! Please, take your seats!"
With Du Busi his hand, Du Bu Si walked to the head seat without any politeness and sat down. Toji stood quietly beside him, his gaze calmly sweeping over Vikes and Princess Vina, who was secretly observing him with curiosity and a hint of awe.
Vina secretly thought to herself, she already knew about the legend of this formidable man.
Seeing his true colors up close now, he's definitely much better than Long Aotian.
After only a few pleasantries, Vikes could no longer contain himself; his smile turned into extreme earnestness and anxiety.
"Poison Sect Master, Young Sect Master, your arrival is perfectly timed. The empire is on the verge of collapse, with the Sun Moon Empire's army pressing in, their Soul Tool possessing astonishing power, and Evil Soul Master aiding and abetting the wicked."
"The front lines... the front lines are on the verge of collapse! We earnestly request the Body Sect to intervene and assist the Empire in resisting this powerful enemy. The entire Heaven Dou Sect will forever be grateful for your kindness!"
Upon hearing Du Busi raised a thick eyebrow, his face showing no sign of seriousness, but rather a hint of arrogant disdain for the world:
"Hmph, the mere Sun Moon Empire, relying on a few pieces of scrap metal and a swarm of shady insects, dares to be so insolent? Your Majesty, rest assured, this battle is our Body Sect's responsibility!"
His voice was resolute and carried an undeniable power, instantly giving Vikes a shot in the arm.
Vikes was overjoyed and quickly said:
"Excellent! The front lines are in dire need of help! The main forces of the Sun Moon Empire's two Soul Engineer Corps are launching a fierce attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the defending troops. They desperately need reinforcements! I wonder what the Sect Master's plans are..."
"Let me go." A calm voice interrupted the emperor.
Toji?
He stepped forward, looking at Vikes with a calm gaze. "Actually, I can go by myself."
"..." Vikes's ecstasy froze instantly, replaced by deep astonishment and disbelief.
He looked at Toji's excessively young face, then at Du Busi, wondering if he had misheard.
one person?
Facing the main force of the Sun Moon Empire's most elite Soul Engineer Corps?
How... how is this possible?
Although legends describe this young sect leader of the Body Sect as fierce, capable of single-handedly wreaking havoc on the Sun Moon Empire and even infiltrating Shrek Academy...
But this is no longer a small-scale war; it's a massive war between nations.
In this situation, can one person truly turn the tide of battle?
Du Busi was taken aback for a moment, then burst into an even louder laugh, which made the entire imperial study vibrate.
"Hahaha, good, good lad. You're arrogant enough, and you've got guts!"
"Looks like you want to use those arrogant fools to test your new abilities?"
He turned to look at the bewildered Vikes, and slapped Toji's shoulder forcefully. "Your Majesty, there's no need to doubt. If my disciple says one person is enough, then one person is enough!"
"His strength... heh, I guarantee those Sun Moon brats will see what true despair is."
Du Busi's eyes gleamed with absolute trust and a hint of excitement, as if he wanted to stir up trouble.
"If Your Majesty is still not at ease, I will personally lead the sect's elite troops to the front lines first thing tomorrow morning, together with Toji. With us here, Your Majesty can simply sit back and await the news of victory!"
Looking at Du Busi's arrogant and confident demeanor, and then at Vikes 'Toji calm, deep-pool-like eyes, Vickers' initial surprise and doubt were replaced by an indescribable shock and a strange sense of anticipation.
He took a deep breath and clasped his hands in a deep fist salute:
"In that case... I will have to trouble the Poison Sect Master and the Young Sect Master! The survival of the Heaven Dou rests entirely in your hands!"