Once they left Star Luo City, they were naturally outside the no-fly zone.
The distance was said to be fifty li, but traveling by Flying Soul Tool was quick. In less than five minutes, the two landed some distance from a cluster of buildings.
Courtyards of varying sizes stood in rows beside the largest building.
Besides the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, there were also residences belonging to military nobles.
Away from the bustling streets of Star Luo City, the area was noticeably quieter. Xu Jiujiu stood quietly beside Yu Tianqing, no longer acting as intimately as before.
Plenty of people here knew her, and she didn't want to hear any rumors tomorrow:
The Star Luo princess met a young noble of unknown identity in secret. They strolled arm in arm, behaving intimately.
The two had already pledged themselves to each other in secret. Princess Jiujiu was pregnant, and a prince consort would soon be marrying into the family...
Ahead of Yu Tianqing stood a palace-like compound that covered roughly three thousand mu.
Its red walls were two zhang high, with golden glazed tiles laid out in neat rows. Watchtowers stood at the four corners, where Soul Guidance Lamps cast a dim yellow glow and Soul Masters kept watch.
High walls enclosed a deep courtyard, austere and solemn.
"Whoa, now that's imposing!"
Yu Tianqing clicked his tongue in wonder. Beside him, Xu Jiujiu said nothing, secretly curling her lip.
After taking a few more steps, Yu Tianqing stopped. In the distance, he could see the gates of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion. The wooden gates were painted vermilion and tightly shut, with only the side entrances on either side open.
A plaque hung above the entrance, bearing the words "Duke's Mansion."
The strokes were sharp, exuding a stern, killing air.
Several Soul Masters in neat uniforms stood on either side of the entrance, straight and tall as pines.
Yu Tianqing studied them for quite a while before turning to Xu Jiujiu:
"Miss Jiu'er, are the men standing guard at the gate all Soul Masters?"
Xu Jiujiu looked where Yu Tianqing was pointing, a complicated expression flashing through her eyes.
"Those are the White Tiger Guards, the most elite unit in the Western Army Group. They must have returned to Star Luo City for their rotation leave."
Yu Tianqing nodded. "They still have to stand guard while on rotation leave? They really work hard. No wonder they're the most elite unit."
"Hmph, they're all Dai Hao's private soldiers..."
Xu Jiujiu muttered to herself, then raised her voice slightly to explain to Yu Tianqing, though her tone was somewhat reluctant:
"Marshal Dai works hard fighting campaigns abroad, after all, and his family's safety has always been what he treasures most. To keep the front stable, he must ensure there's no disorder in the rear. Naturally, the Duke's Mansion needs Soul Masters he trusts to keep it safe."
Her imperial brother had told her all of this.
In politics, the most important thing was to play dumb.
The Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei was a master of the art. Growing up around him, the young Xu Jiujiu had picked up a little, though not much.
Yu Tianqing had keenly caught the flash of displeasure in her eyes just now.
"A true man should be just like that!"
Yu Tianqing seemed to sigh with admiration, instantly drawing Xu Jiujiu's attention. She looked at him.
"Brother Yang, do you also want a grand mansion like this?"
"Of course. Who doesn't like a grand mansion?"
"If you want to make a name for yourself, Brother Yang, why not join the Star Luo Empire Imperial Soul Guidance Research Institute? I believe that with your talent, you'll surely earn His Majesty the emperor's favor."
"Of the original Douluo Three Kingdoms, only the Star Luo Empire places the greatest importance on Soul Tools. It can definitely provide you with the right stage, Brother Yang. Becoming a marquis one day might not even be impossible."
Yu Tianqing said nothing, smiling at Xu Jiujiu. After a long while, he sighed.
"There's no hope."
"How do you know if you don't try, Brother Yang?"
"The political order of the original Three Kingdoms was built on Soul Master factions. For a Soul Engineer to get ahead here..."
Yu Tianqing shook his head.
"It's too hard..."
"Brother Yang, this is your first time in Star Luo City. You don't know how far-sighted His Majesty is. It's thanks to his support that the Imperial Soul Guidance Research Institute has produced so many results these past few years."
"I've heard a little about that." Yu Tianqing raised an eyebrow. "The institute's director is a Level 8 Soul Engineer, isn't he? I wonder what noble rank he holds now, and how his mansion compares to the Duke's Mansion in grandeur?"
"Director Chen is an earl, and His Majesty bestowed his residence upon him. As for its size..."
Xu Jiujiu glanced at the Duke's Mansion in the distance and said no more.
That residence wasn't even half a mu. Though it was already considered a fine home in Star Luo City, compared with the three-thousand-mu Duke's Mansion, it really was a case of
a little house standing next to a great one.
Seeing Xu Jiujiu's expression change from excitement to disappointment was within Yu Tianqing's expectations, and he had no intention of mocking her.
He had transmigrated here, bringing with him the accumulated history of five thousand years.
What did these Douluo natives have?
In ten thousand years, Heaven Dou had split into Heavenly Soul and Dou Ling, and the Star Luo Empire had changed emperors.
But that was all.
The various factions had long since put down deep roots, and their interests had already been divided up completely. What slice of the cake was left for Soul Engineers?
The root cause was that this was a fantasy world. Though the Douluo Continent was jokingly called the sewer of the fantasy genre, Soul Masters were the foundation of the ruling dynasty.
As long as Martial Soul Awakening among commoners was strictly controlled, nothing would throw the empire into turmoil.
In the eyes of the ruling class, stability came before everything else.
They were born loathing all change. Who cared whether Soul Engineers could develop?
Xu Jiujiu said nothing. Yu Tianqing waved a hand. "Thank you for granting this wish of mine, Miss Jiu'er. We can head back now."
Xu Jiujiu murmured a response, seeming to have a great deal on her mind, and the two flew toward Star Luo City.
Yu Tianqing had come to sound out the Star Luo Imperial Family's attitude. Now that he had learned something, the trip hadn't been in vain.
Back at the Star Emperor Hotel, Yu Tianqing went to the luxurious suite on the top floor. After arranging to continue studying tomorrow, he said goodbye to Xu Jiujiu.
Xu Jiujiu watched Yu Tianqing close his door, then took a few steps and entered the largest suite. She casually kicked off her high heels and sank into the soft sofa.
A black-robed old woman appeared from who knew where and came to stand before Xu Jiujiu. She was Xu Jiujiu's hidden guard, a rank ninety-three Titled Douluo, and had been following her the whole time.
"Jiujiu, this brat doesn't know what's good for him. Your wish to recruit him is a blessing beyond measure, yet he keeps finding excuses to refuse. Why don't I tie him up and bring him here?"
"Grandma Manyi, he has ties to Shrek. We can't just make a move against him. What a pity..."
Xu Jiujiu waved her hand, a trace of weariness and dejection flashing through her eyes.
"It is a pity. That brat is about your age, Jiujiu, and his Soul Power is already close to the Soul Saint level."
Manyi looked Xu Jiujiu up and down a couple of times.
"You could take the initiative, Jiujiu. It's not impossible to snatch him away from Shrek Academy. If he became a prince consort of the Star Luo Empire, I doubt Xuan Zi could find any fault with it!"
"Grandma Manyi, you're awful~"
Xu Jiujiu protested coquettishly, two rosy blushes creeping onto her cheeks.