Although the flames of war had subsided in the capital of the Star Luo Empire, resistance forces still existed in the dense forests and remote towns on the outskirts of the Star Luo Empire city, occasionally harassing the allied forces' supply lines. Inside the council hall, Bibi Dong looked at the casualty reports submitted by her subordinate Douluo and frowned slightly. "If we continue to suppress them, it will only exacerbate the conflict and increase unnecessary casualties."
Xue Qinghe shared the same sentiment, echoing in a deep voice. "The people of the Star Luo Empire are nostalgic, and the royal family still holds considerable influence. If we can appease the remaining members of the royal family and get them to step forward to stabilize public sentiment, the resistance will naturally crumble on its own."
After a brief discussion, both sides finally decided on a plan to appease the people: to confer the title of " White Tiger Duke " upon the surviving members of the Star Luo Imperial Family family, preserving some of their ancestral property and privileges, and using the name of the royal family to quell public resentment. The candidates naturally fell to Dai Mubai and Dai Weisi —both were originally Star Luo Empire princes, of legitimate blood, and if one of them was willing to accept the title, it would certainly appease the former Star Luo Empire people to the greatest extent.
The message was quickly relayed through spies to the valley where Dai Mubai was hiding, and also reached Dai Weisi, who was being held captive by the allied forces. Inside the council hall, Bibi Dong and Xue Qinghe exchanged a glance, both understanding that whether this move would succeed depended entirely on the choices of the two former princes.
When the spies found Dai Mubai, he was hiding in the mountains and forests on the border of the Star Luo Empire, gazing at the smoke rising from the direction of the imperial city in the distance, his knuckles white from gripping the tree branches tightly.
Upon hearing that the Spirit Hall Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire intended to bestow upon him the title of " White Tiger Duke " to appease the former populace, he clenched the secret letter into pieces, his voice filled with suppressed rage. "I was originally the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire Star Luo Imperial Family!"
Having said that, he waved his sleeve to dismiss the spies, his eyes showing no more hesitation—he would never accept such a humiliating title.
Meanwhile, Dai Weisi, who was under house arrest in the palace dungeon, had a strange glint in his eyes after hearing the envoy's purpose.
He once fought with Dai Mubai for the position of Crown Prince, but was ultimately defeated and imprisoned. He thought he would spend the rest of his life in this dark and hopeless dungeon until Yu Tianheng led his army to break into the palace and the soldiers rescued him from his desperate situation.
Now that the title of " White Tiger Duke " is before me, although I do not have the supreme status of the imperial throne, I can escape my status as a prisoner and regain my freedom and honor.
He tapped his fingers lightly on the edge of the table, a cold smile playing on his lips, "Though the title of Crown Prince has been lost, it's better to see the light of day again as a Duke than to rot in prison. I accept this title."
Inside the council hall of the Star Luo Imperial Palace, as Dai Weisi bowed to receive the gold-inlaid ducal seal, Bibi Dong's gaze, filled with undeniable authority, fell upon him. "The title of White Tiger Duke is not bestowed out of thin air. The old territory of the Star Luo Empire is still unstable, and your younger brother Dai Mubai is gathering the remaining forces to rebel. This is your pledge of allegiance."
Dai Weisi's grip on the seal tightened slightly, then he looked up, his eyes now devoid of any hesitation. He knew all too well that this title was both an honor and a shackle—only by quelling Dai Mubai's rebellion could he truly secure his position. "Your subject obeys," he replied in a deep voice, his tone resolute. " Dai Mubai is out of touch with reality, attempting to defy the tide. Your subject will capture him to prove his loyalty to the shared rule of our two nations."
Upon seeing this, Xue Qinghe immediately ordered three thousand elite soldiers to be transferred to Dai Weisi's command, and also assigned two Heaven Dou generals to assist him.
That afternoon, Dai Weisi, dressed in his ducal robes and carrying the White Tiger Command Flag, led his army out of the capital and headed towards the border mountains where Dai Mubai was hiding. The sunlight shone on his armor, but it did not reflect the glory of royalty; instead, it foreshadowed the prelude to a fratricidal conflict.
A biting wind swirled the withered leaves of the border forests. Dai Weisi, clad in black armor, his boots crunching over the humus, stood with his personal guards in neat rows, completely surrounding the entrance to the valley where Dai Mubai was hiding. He raised his hand to signal silence, his deep voice echoing through the woods. " Dai Mubai, come out. We're brothers, we should have a proper talk."
A moment of silence fell over the forest, broken only by the rustling of wind through the leaves. The next second, a white figure leaped from behind an ancient tree. Dai Mubai White Tiger Dagger, his eyes icy cold, saw Dai Weisi. The instant he recognized him, veins bulged on his forehead, and he roared, " Dai Weisi! You coward! To survive, you've betrayed us and betrayed us, even forgetting the annihilation of the Star Luo Empire! You are unworthy to be a prince of the Star Luo Empire!"
Upon hearing this, Dai Weisi's lips curled into a cold smile, his fingertips casually stroking the sword at his waist. "How I act is none of your business." He took a step forward, his aura suddenly turning icy. "Now that Star Luo Empire is dead, you only have two paths before you—either lay down your weapons and surrender, or die."
Dai Mubai's grip on the White Tiger Dagger tightened abruptly, his knuckles turning white. His eyes blazed with fury, and his voice was resounding. "The princes of the Star Luo Empire only die in battle, never surrender! If you want war, then fight! No need for words! If I die today, it will be a death for my country, a worthy sacrifice for my ancestors!"
A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Dai Weisi's eyes, then he exclaimed, "Good! You certainly have the spirit of a prince!" Before his words even finished, he took a sudden step forward, his black armor gleaming coldly in the shadows of the forest. He beckoned to Dai Mubai, his tone full of disdain, "Back then in that family competition, if it weren't for that brat Tang San helping you, how could you have possibly won against me? Perfect, let's have another match today. Whoever loses will die in these mountains!"
"As you wish!" Dai Mubai roared, his Soul Power suddenly erupted, white Soul Ring lit up around him, and the aura of the White Tiger Martial Soul instantly spread out. He pushed off the ground with his feet and rushed towards Dai Weisi like an arrow.
Soul Power surged through the forest like a raging torrent. Dai Weisi's six Soul Ring alternated between light and darkness, and the oppressive aura of the black rings seemed to freeze the air.
He stomped his left leg hard on the ground, causing it to cave in half a foot. The pale golden light shield of his First Soul Skill, " White Tiger Protection Barrier," had just lit up when his Second Soul Skill, " White Tiger Fierce Light Wave," transformed into a blazing white light, striking Dai Mubai's face directly. His level 68 Soul Power caused even the edges of the light wave to show subtle spatial distortions.
Although Dai Mubai was three levels below in Soul Power, he dared not be careless in the slightest. He activated all six of his Soul Ring simultaneously and immediately used the " White Tiger Protection Barrier " to take the hit head-on.
With a muffled thud, he was jolted back three steps, his feet carving three shallow furrows in the ground.
Before he could regain his footing, he rapidly activated his Soul Power, suddenly unleashing his Third Soul Skill, "White Tiger Vajra Transformation." Snow-white fur covered his entire body, and his muscles swelled several times over. Immediately following, his Fourth Soul Skill, " White Tiger Meteor Shower," poured out, with countless Soul Power blades shooting towards Dai Weisi.
"A mere trick!" Dai Weisi sneered, his left arm blocking as his Fifth Soul Skill, " White Tiger Demon God Transformation," was instantly activated. A ferocious White Tiger phantom appeared behind him, shattering all the light blades and using the momentum to close the distance. His right fist, enveloped in dark Soul Power, slammed straight into Dai Mubai's chest. "If it weren't for Tang San back then, you wouldn't even be able to withstand three of my moves!"