Emperor Xue Ye's fingertips gently traced the intricate patterns on the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, the deep blue glow reflecting in the turbulent depths of his pupils.
Since the divine consciousness had manifested once, the artifact had remained inert, no longer draining his soul power or spiritual energy. Instead, it exuded a mysterious repulsion—as if waiting for its true destined master.
A sharp glint flashed in Emperor Xue Ye's eyes: 'I will not allow anyone to take this treasure from !'
"Your Majesty, an elder from the Star Crown Sect requests an audience."
The sudden voice outside the hall caused the fleeting violence in Xue Ye's eyes to vanish in an instant.
He clenched the artifact tightly, his knuckles pressing into the deep blue shell until they turned pale. Monts later, as the gilded palace doors slowly opened, the frenzied Emperor Xue Ye instantly switched to his authoritative imperial deanor, though irritation lingered in his heart. 'That bunch dares to leave their seclusion in the Star Luo Empire and co to Tian Dou—what do they want?'
"Let them in."
He set the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud aside, intending to study it further later.
Soon after, one elder and three younger mbers of the Star Crown Sect entered the imperial study, bowing respectfully to Emperor Xue Ye seated on the dragon throne.
"Xu Xingkong of the Star Crown Sect greets Your Majesty."
Xu Xingkong wore a yellow-and-white robe, his hair and beard white, exuding the aura of a Soul Douluo. Behind him, two young n and a woman bowed together.
Fully aware yet feigning ignorance, Emperor Xue Ye asked, "Rise, Elder Xu. The Star Crown Sect has been sealed away for over a hundred years. Why have you suddenly erged?"
Xu Xingkong was inwardly surprised by Xue Ye's impatience but decided to play along. "Your Majesty may not know, but although our sect secluded itself, we never severed ties with the outside world."
"We have heard rumors of a divine figure who has published profound theories on martial soul evolution. It is said he once saved Your Majesty. We humbly ask for your assistance in arranging a eting."
Emperor Xue Ye's expression darkened. Despite his repeated warnings, soone had dared leak information. It seed he hadn't killed enough people.
His tone grew colder. "The Star Crown Sect must have done so investigating before erging. Surely you know how mysterious Master Oak is."
"Though I was fortunate enough to be saved by Master Oak, it was rely a stroke of luck. How could I possibly assist you?"
Even if he could help, would he, as an emperor, grovel to aid the Star Crown Sect just because they asked nicely?
'Ridiculous!'
'What do they take for?'
Emperor Xue Ye reclaid his imperial dignity. He wasn't afraid of anyone—not the Spirit Hall, nor the Star Luo Empire.
To his surprise, Xu Xingkong revealed a sly smile. "Your Majesty's words put my mind at ease. The current sect leader of the Star Crown Sect possesses a martial soul called the Xingyan Chessboard, capable of using starlight as chess pieces to aid in locating individuals."
"We humbly request Your Majesty's assistance in making introductions. We seek answers, and I believe Your Majesty is also curious about this Master Oak."
The Star Crown Sect's ergence was deliberate—they were confident in finding Oak, relying on their sect leader's martial soul.
Intrigued, Emperor Xue Ye asked, "Is it similar to the appraisal abilities of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda? What are your chances of success?"
"If Your Majesty assists us, we have a seventy percent chance."
Xu Xingkong feigned profundity. While the abilities of the Star Chessboard were indeed similar to those of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, its uses extended beyond locating individuals—it could calculate the success rate of events using black and white chess pieces.
Though it couldn't determine absolute probabilities and could only asure existing phenona, external assistance greatly increased its accuracy.
The Star Crown Sect had conducted a preliminary calculation before deciding to search for answers in the Tian Dou Empire.
Of course, such an extraordinary ability ca at a cost—each activation required sacrificing lifespan. The higher the difficulty, the greater the toll, making it a last-resort tool rather than sothing to be used casually.
Otherwise, they would have long solved the issue of their unstable martial soul inheritance on their own, without needing to seek out Oak—and risk offending him in the process.
"How exactly do you require my assistance?"
Beneath the dragon desk, Emperor Xue Ye's hand subtly moved, while his face maintained a genial smile. He recalled his earlier idea of appointing Oak as the Imperial Tutor. If he could find him and persuade him…
Xue Ye inwardly shook his head. From what he knew of Oak's behavior, he didn't seem like soone who would involve himself in worldly affairs—but what if he was wrong?
Xu Xingkong didn't beat around the bush, lowering his voice. "First, please arrange for the three disciples behind to enroll in inconspicuous high-level academies within Tian Dou City."
"Oh? And why is that?" Emperor Xue Ye asked curiously.
Xu Xingkong was confident. "Master Oak dislikes drawing attention and certainly wouldn't stay in prominent institutions like the Elental Academy or the Imperial Academy. However, since he researches martial souls, academies are the best places…"
Reverse-engineering the process from the outco was that simple.
---
The slanted rays of the late spring sun filtered through the carved wooden windows, casting light on the edge of the bed. Gu La lazily propped himself up, a strand of black hair falling onto the golden silk pillow.
Just as he reached for the celadon teacup on the low table, his nose suddenly itched. "Ah—Choo!"
The sneeze rattled the silver bells hanging from the bed canopy.
"Who dares sche against behind my back again?"
Gu La rubbed his reddened nose as the silk quilt slipped, revealing his bandaged, muscular chest. He glanced at the young girl sitting on the embroidered stool, mischief dancing in his crimson eyes.
Ning Rongrong had deliberately changed into a moon-white dress adorned with cloud patterns. Her slender fingers fidgeted with the tassels at her waist. Hearing his question, she imdiately adopted the dignified deanor of the young lady of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. "Brother Gu, have you caught a chill?"
As she picked up the dicine bowl, the jade bracelet on her wrist chid softly. She deliberately clinked the porcelain spoon loudly. "Shall I feed you the dicine?"
"Cut the act."
Gu La's gaze shifted, tinged with disdain. Beneath his pale complexion, amusent lingered in his eyes. "If you really want to make comfortable…"
Suddenly smirking, his gaze swept over the girl's slim waist bound by a silk ribbon. "Why don't you show your legs instead?"
"You!" Ning Rongrong's ears instantly flushed red, and the hem of her silver butterfly-embroidered skirt swirled chaotically on the stool.
She quickly pressed her knees together. Though clad in three layers of silk pants, the intensity of his gaze made her legs feel weak. "Pervert! Keep talking nonsense, and I'll have Grandpa Sword hang you on the gates of Tian Dou City for three days!"
Ning Rongrong, the verbal sparring champion, was no match for Gu La. His blatant teasing left her blushing furiously, her embarrassed anger adding a unique charm.
The atmosphere grew strangely tense. Incense smoke rose from the carved copper burner, carrying the soothing scent Ning Rongrong had brought, weaving an ambiguous veil between them.
Her knuckles gripping the skirt turned white. Suddenly rembering sothing, she raised her chin defiantly. "Father heard you're in Tian Dou and wants to host a banquet for you. When are you free?"
Gu La lowered his gaze leisurely, gesturing toward the bandages wrapped around his body. "Do I look like I can get out of bed?"
"And here I am, injured and chatting with you, Miss Highness, yet I can't even get a glass of water. Truly, the world is cold-hearted—"
"Playing the victim~"
Ning Rongrong couldn't help but laugh. Unlike Zhu Zhuqing, she wasn't easily deceived. She didn't believe Gu La would accidentally injure himself during cultivation, let alone be in such a pitiful state that he needed care.
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