On the day of Dai Weisi's investiture ceremony.
The entire Star Luo City was awakened by the sound of cannon salutes.
Nine earth-shattering roars echoed one after another from all around Star Luo City, spreading throughout the entire city like rolling thunder.
The ten-mile-long street stretching from the main gate of the Star Luo Empire's palace to the central square of Star Luo City had long been cleared by the Imperial Guards, who were exclusively under the control of the Star Luo Imperial Family.
On both sides of the street, every ten steps there stood a soldier fully armored and holding a long spear, standing motionless like a statue, exuding a chilling aura.
"What a grand display!"
On the third floor of Peaceful Restaurant, Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing stood by the window, gazing at the majestic palace that was partially revealed in the distance. Xiao Yan spoke softly.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, her gaze cool and clear, and explained to Xiao Yan:
" The Star Luo Empire values martial prowess, and its emperors throughout history have established their nation on a strong military. This scale of ceremonial procession serves both to demonstrate national power and to intimidate all sides."
The Star Luo Empire was stronger than the Heaven Dou Empire overall. If it weren't for the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect interfering, the Star Luo Empire would probably have already annexed the Heaven Dou Empire.
Zhu Zhuqing raised her chin slightly and pointed in the direction of the palace.
He gestured for Xiao Yan to look towards the palace guards lined up on the street.
"The badge on their chests is a golden, winged White Tiger; this is the symbol of the Star Luo Imperial Family."
" The Star Luo Imperial Family controls a Golden Wing Guard, a force that belongs exclusively to the Star Luo Imperial Family and obeys only the Star Luo Emperor."
The leader was a level 85 Soul Douluo.
" Soul Douluo..."
Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, and Zhu Zhuqing continued to speak.
"The power structure of the Star Luo Empire and the Military Industry Empire is simpler and more direct than that of the Heaven Dou Empire."
At the very top, the Imperial Family Dai Family naturally controls over 60% of the empire's military power, and Star Luo Emperor Dai Tianfeng himself is a powerful figure who has broken through to the Soul Douluo realm.
"Besides that, there are the three marshals."
Zhu Zhuqing extended three slender fingers and described the Star Luo Empire's top combat strength to Xiao Yan.
"Marshal Han Meng, a level 87 Power Attack System Soul Douluo, is stationed on the northern border and fights against the Soul Beast and barbarians of the Far North year-round."
Marshal Li Fulong, a level 86 Control System Soul Douluo, is in charge of affairs in the southern provinces.
Finally, there is Dai Yue, the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards. He is from a collateral branch of the Imperial Family, an 84-level Agility Attack System Soul Douluo, and commands 200,000 Imperial Guards in the capital.
"These three are all powerful figures absolutely loyal to the Star Luo Imperial Family, and they control almost 80% of the Star Luo Empire's resources."
As Zhu Zhuqing explained the strength of the Star Luo Empire, Xiao Yan nodded in agreement.
As one of the largest empires in the Douluo Continent.
The Star Luo Empire possessing such a foundation was within Xiao Yan's expectations.
The only saving grace is that the Star Luo Empire has no powerhouses at the Titled Douluo level.
However, it is precisely for this reason that the Star Luo Empire was unable to annex the Heaven Dou Empire.
After all, the Heaven Dou Empire has the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
After introducing the strength of the Imperial Family family, Zhu Zhuqing then introduced the Soul Grandmaster families within the Star Luo Empire to Xiao Yan.
" The Zhu Family, you understand now."
A complex look flashed in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, but she was much more relaxed now.
" The Zhu Family has an 83-level Agility Attack System Soul Douluo. If we're talking about seniority, he should be my grandfather."
In addition, there were three elders at the Soul Saint level.
Moreover, the Zhu family's Netherworld Cat Martial Soul is naturally compatible with the Star Luo Royal Family's Netherworld White Tiger Martial Soul.
The combination of the two makes it easy to unleash Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
Therefore, the Zhu Family family had intermarried with the Imperial Family for generations, and their status was closer to that of the Star Luo Imperial Family than that of ordinary families.
"Besides the other families..."
Zhu Zhuqing frowned and pondered for a moment before continuing to speak to Xiao Yan:
"The other families are not particularly powerful. Apart from them, the Iron Wall Shi Family family's inherited Martial Soul is the defensive Black Armor Turtle."
The Shadow Blade Chen Family possesses the Shadow Blade as their Tool Martial Soul Martial Soul.
"Both families have experts at the Soul Douluo level, but I don't know any more precise information."
Zhu Zhuqing's current knowledge consists mainly of information that is widely known to the public.
After all, she wasn't favored in the Zhu Family back then, and she only got this information because of herself.
"What about the Hundred Herbs Pavilion? The Shi Family and Chen Family families must be behind it, right?"
Xiao Yan continued speaking, asking Zhu Zhuqing a question.
" Hundred Herbs Pavilion is rather special." Zhu Zhuqing tilted her head and pondered for a moment before continuing.
" Hundred Herbs Pavilion is nominally a chamber of commerce, but in reality it is an alliance of several mid-sized families."
The most central family among them is the Greenwood Lin Family.
The Greenwood Lin Family is an extremely unique Soul Master family, even on the entire Douluo Continent.
Their influence extends throughout the two great empires of Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire.
The Martial Soul, Green Jade Vine, excels in healing and control, and the clan also boasts Soul Douluo- level powerhouses, and seemingly even Titled Douluo who owe them favors, thus granting them a transcendent status.
With Zhu Zhuqing's explanation, Xiao Yan looked towards the palace and took out the invitation that the Star Luo Empire had sent long ago.
Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing also changed into appropriate attire.
After all, with the tokens in their hands, they now represent the elders of the Spirit Hall.
Xiao Yan wore a black robe with gold trim, and the snow-white jade pendant given to him by Qian Renxue hung at his waist.
Zhu Zhuqing, on the other hand, was dressed in a tight-fitting purple-black outfit, her long hair tied in a high ponytail and draped behind her head, exuding a cool and aloof air.
When I went downstairs, the manager of Peaceful Restaurant personally saw me off, his attitude almost obsequious.
The commotion in Star Luo City these past few days has already spread Xiao Yan's name Star Luo City.
The controversy surrounding the Blood Coagulation Powder and Qi Gathering Pill, coupled with the fact that he was an elder of the Spirit Hall and possessed terrifying talent, all contributed to the situation.
No one dared to neglect this excessively young and distinguished guest.
Outside the Peaceful Restaurant, a carriage was even specially prepared, and it hurriedly came to greet Xiao Yan and his companion upon seeing them.
After Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing boarded the carriage, they headed towards the central square. Along the way, countless people could be seen crowding outside the police line, craning their necks to look towards the palace.
The cries of vendors, the laughter of children, and the excited chatter of people mingled together, immersing the entire city in the atmosphere of this grand investiture ceremony.
After all, this is a major event for the Imperial Family.
At such times, whether out of consideration for face or to demonstrate power, the Imperial Family would often bestow rewards upon ordinary citizens.
For ordinary people, these things are enough to make them smile.
In the central square, an altar had already been completed.
A towering white jade altar, nine zhang high, stands in the very center. The altar is carved with scenes of major battles that have taken place in the Star Luo Empire over the past thousand years, from the founding emperor Dai Tianxing pacifying the chaotic world to the successive emperors expanding the territory, all vividly depicted.
Around the altar, nine golden pillars with coiled dragons stood tall, their tops burning with specially crafted Soul Power flames.