Deep within the imperial palace, the most beautiful of all palaces—Star Luo Palace—was brightly illuminated. Emperor Dai Liang had personally prepared a grand court banquet to honor the champion team of this year's Soul Master Tournament.
Delicacies flowed like water, court musicians played beautiful melodies, and elegant palace maids moved gracefully through the crowd. It was a scene of utmost royal luxury. Yet, the atmosphere at the banquet was somewhat restrained. All the students of Grand Martial Academy behaved impeccably, constantly paying attention to the head seat.
Dai Liang sat at the head, wearing his usual elegant smile. He glanced at the young elites below, especially lingering on Chen Yi, before finally turning to the Grand Elder at his side and laughing heartily.
"Young Master Chen is a true genius—the greatest of our age. The disciples of your sect are all first-rate heroes and will surely become great talents in the future."
"With such talent, your sect will undoubtedly stand tall like a pillar of the heavens, a true blessing for the continent."
The Grand Elder set down his white jade teacup, still wearing his gentle smile.
"Your Majesty flatters us. The children simply compete with a bit of luck and fortune. As for what the future holds, it's up to them to create. I thank Your Majesty for your generous reward."
The two exchanged a few pleasantries, with Dai Liang mostly bringing up trivial topics about northern customs and academy construction, which the Grand Elder answered without hesitation.
Seeing the atmosphere couldn't be warmed, Dai Liang scanned the banquet and suddenly asked, as if just realizing something:
"By the way, is the Nine Heart Douluo not present at today's banquet? Has my court's hospitality been neglected?"
Hearing this, the Grand Elder's lips curled into a smile as he raised his eyes to meet Dai Liang's, his tone flat as he asked:
"Oh? Your Majesty, do you truly not know why Elder Ye refuses to set foot in this Star Luo Palace?"
Dai Liang's smile faltered slightly, a faint haze passing through his eyes. He hadn't expected this Grand Elder to be so direct, giving him no face at all.
Seeing this, the Star Luo Queen who accompanied them quickly raised her wine glass, ending the awkwardness with an elegant smile.
"Please don't be surprised by His Excellency. The incident back then was actually due to slander heard by the late emperor. Both His Majesty and this palace have often regretted it. Now, with the passage of time, Star Luo respects only the Nine Heart Douluo and the Ye family."
"If there's a chance, Star Luo wishes to make amends for this matter, to clear up past misunderstandings, and hopes His Excellency will mediate between us and the Nine Heart Douluo."
Dai Liang nodded in agreement with the Queen, looking at the Grand Elder with anticipation. The Grand Elder simply responded with a quiet "hmm," neither agreeing nor refusing, then slowly sipped his tea again, clearly uninterested in the topic.
Star Luo's so-called "compensation" seemed pale and superfluous in the face of absolute strength and established facts.
Dai Liang straightened up, smiling again as he changed the topic, now speaking with passionate enthusiasm.
"Your sect has strength and talent, but you are based in northern Martial City—a quiet place. Yet, Douluo Continent's prosperity is limited, and resources cannot always sustain everyone. The Heaven Dou Empire's foolishness is clear for all to see—they fail to recognize a true dragon."
Dai Liang first criticized Heaven Dou, then changed his tune, his eyes burning as he looked at the Grand Elder.
"But my Star Luo Empire is different! I have always craved talent and treasured heroes above all! If your sect is willing, I am willing to mobilize the full strength of my empire to serve your sect as guardians of Star Luo!"
"At that time, the empire will fully support all your needs within Star Luo's borders!"
At once, the banquet fell silent, even the music fading. The students of Grand Martial Academy also stopped their movements, gazing at the Grand Elder.
Hearing this, the Grand Elder's gentle smile didn't change in the slightest. He set down his teacup, met Dai Liang's gaze—filled with expectation and ambition—and replied in an indifferent tone:
"Your Majesty's goodwill is understood. But my sect is devoted to cultivation, uninterested in worldly disputes, and does not intend to be involved in imperial intrigue."
"Please do not mention this matter again, lest we embarrass one another."
Dai Liang's smile froze completely. He was utterly caught off guard by the total and merciless rejection. Subconsciously, he wondered if perhaps his offer was insufficient, and considered raising the stakes—transferring tax income from wealthy provinces, opening the royal soul bone treasury, and so on...
Yet before he could speak again, the Grand Elder had already straightened, dusted off nonexistent dirt from his robes, and nodded lightly to Dai Liang.
"Your Majesty, that's all. The competition is over, the northern border is far, and there are many sect affairs to attend to. It is time for us to take our leave."
"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty."
Without another glance at Dai Liang—whose face had instantly soured—the Grand Elder turned and strode out of the hall.
On the other side, Yang Zhantian, Shui Bing'er, and others immediately rose, glancing at Chen Yi, who was already following the Grand Elder's footsteps. They bowed quickly to Dai Liang and the Queen, then decisively turned and followed.
In an instant, the previously lively banquet was left deserted, tables laden with untouched delicacies, and only the Star Luo royals remaining.
Staring at the backs of the Body Sect as they left without a hint of nostalgia, Dai Liang's fingers turned white as he gripped his golden goblet. The last warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by deep gloom and a sense of insulted anger.
"Heh..." Dai Liang sneered under his breath. Dedicated to cultivation? Uninterested in worldly affairs? Even Tang Chen of the Clear Sky Sect said the same, boasting of nobility and transcendence.
But in the end? Wasn't it all for resources and influence—reaching out to Star Luo, for reasons unknown to the imperial nobles?
These so-called sects, in the end, are just a group of speculators waiting for the right price to raise their own value!
In his view, today's rejection simply meant the price offered by Star Luo was not enough... Perhaps they thought betting on Heaven Dou's side would bring greater victory?
He raised his head and drained his glass, his gaze icy.
…
Outside Star Luo City, on a solitary peak overlooking much of the city, the night wind was cold. Qian Renxue's long golden hair and palace dress fluttered in the breeze. She stood quietly at the edge of the cliff, her beautiful golden eyes no longer clear, gazing toward the brightly lit palace in the distance.
This was the first true defeat of her life. She had lost to a teenager younger than herself and at a lower soul power level. What hurt even more was the memory of her opponent's condescending words, which branded her pride like a red-hot iron.
Soft footsteps sounded behind her. Azure Luan Douluo quietly appeared at her side, gazing at her stubborn, solitary back, a trace of distress in his eyes.
"Xue'er," Azure Luan Douluo's voice was full of elder-like gentleness and comfort.
"Victory or defeat is only temporary. Don't brood over it. Your talent is unparalleled. The Seraphim is divine inheritance. Chen Yi is extraordinary, but his future prospects may never match yours, as he is limited by the Martial Soul of the Body Sect."
Qian Renxue did not turn around, just gazed into the distant lights, breathing the cold air deeply. The mountain wind blew away some of the stifling feeling in her chest, but the fire in her eyes did not fade.
"Fourth Grandfather, I understand."
Her voice was steady, but lower than before.
"I won't be discouraged or defeated. This only allows me to see my own shortcomings more clearly."
Azure Luan Douluo looked at her with hopeful eyes and took the opportunity to persuade her.
"In that case, Xue'er... let's return to Spirit Hall. As for the Heaven Dou side, let others handle it. The Grand Worship will understand. Now is the time you need the best resources and guidance. Focus on cultivation, face the Divine Trials. Staying for court intrigue is a waste of talent and time."
At that time, Qian Renxue had insisted on executing her plan in Heaven Dou and seizing the throne, while he and his followers opposed her, believing it was a dead end. But Qian Renxue was stubborn, and for some reason, Qian Daoliu agreed, so they had no choice but to comply.
Chen Yi's emergence had introduced a major variable and pressure. In Azure Luan's view, now was the perfect time for Qian Renxue to abandon her plan and return to the right path.
Qian Renxue fell silent for a while, then slowly but firmly shook her head.
"No, Fourth Grandfather. I can't go back yet."
She turned to look at Azure Luan Douluo, her eyes shining with unwavering determination.
"Heaven Dou Empire—Emperor Xue Ye is old and feeble, his health declining, and the undercurrents in the dynasty are rising. Our years of arrangements have reached a critical stage. Within a few, at most ten years, the entire Heaven Dou will fall under our control."
"If I leave now, all our efforts will be wasted, and the gains will be outweighed by the losses."
In her heart, the image of Bibi Dong flashed unconsciously. If she gave up her mission and returned now, how would that woman view her? How would she mock her for failing and quitting halfway?
The proud Qian Renxue could never accept that. She wanted to complete this difficult mission and prove she was second to none.
Azure Luan Douluo regretted it upon hearing this. He understood Qian Renxue's temperament and knew how difficult it was to change her mind, but still tried to persuade her with a final ray of hope—only to sigh helplessly at her stubbornness.
"In that case... that's all. Just be more careful. Summon me immediately if you need anything."
Qian Renxue nodded, turning her gaze once more toward Star Luo City, especially the palace. It was as if she wanted to pierce through the palace walls to see the person who had made her suffer.
"Next time, Chen Yi, I will never lose again."
With that, she turned away, no longer lingering under the starry sky, and prepared to leave. But as she turned, she seemed to recall something, her face darkened, and with a cold snort, she vanished on the spot.
On the mountaintop, only Azure Luan Douluo remained, sighing for a long time.
...
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