Inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, Board Head Meng Shenji bowed deeply toward Emperor Xue Ye, who sat upon the throne. "Greetings, Your Majesty," he said respectfully.
"Board Head Meng Shenji, there is no need for such formalities. What brings you to see me?" Emperor Xue Ye's voice sounded aged, carrying a faint weariness as if his strength were slowly failing him.
Meng Shenji straightened up, his face filled with a mixture of solemnity and barely suppressed excitement. "Your Majesty, I have come to report a matter of extreme importance!"
"Oh?" Emperor Xue Ye was slightly taken aback, a flicker of interest crossing his features.
"I wish to introduce Your Majesty to a man named Lin Mu, the current leader of the Royal Fighting Team at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy," Meng Shenji began. After a brief pause, he continued, "He is only twenty-three years old, yet his Soul Power has already reached the Soul Saint Level. His strength is nothing short of terrifying; he has consecutively defeated both the Poison Douluo and the Chrysanthemum Douluo!"
"Hmm? I have heard reports of him defeating Dugu Bo, but when did he face the Chrysanthemum Douluo?" Emperor Xue Ye frowned, a hint of doubt in his eyes. Compared to the Poison Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo was a senior Elder of Spirit Hall and the right-hand man of Pope Bibi Dong. His strength was on an entirely different Level. Defeating such a man with the cultivation of a Soul Saint seemed nearly impossible.
"Your Majesty, just two days ago, Chrysanthemum Douluo descended upon the academy once more in an attempt to recruit Lin Mu into Spirit Hall. Lin Mu refused on the spot. Chrysanthemum Douluo was enraged and attacked, but after a brief struggle, he was severely injured by Lin Mu and ultimately forced to flee!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye's pupils dilated. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest of his throne. To reach the Soul Saint Level by twenty-three was one thing, but to defeat a seasoned Title Douluo like Yue Guan head-on was another entirely. Such talent was limitless. If this man could be bound to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the Empire would finally have the strength to challenge Spirit Hall without making further concessions.
Having considered the potential, Emperor Xue Ye made his decision. "In that case, such a peerless genius must serve the country. I shall immediately draft an edict to summon him to the palace and bestow upon him—"
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" Meng Shenji interrupted hurriedly.
Seeing the Board Head's alarm, Emperor Xue Ye deepened his frown. "And why not?"
"Your Majesty, Lin Mu has always disliked being restrained. If he weren't that way, he wouldn't have refused Spirit Hall's recruitment so decisively. Even though the Crown Prince has tried to win him over multiple times, he has yet to succeed." Meng Shenji paused to let the point sink in. "If Your Majesty attempts to forcibly recruit him with an imperial edict, it may not only fail but backfire, pushing him straight into the arms of Spirit Hall."
Emperor Xue Ye's expression turned grim. There was logic in those words. A man who dared to maim an Elder of Spirit Hall would certainly not fear the Heaven Dou Empire. If he were forced into the enemy's camp, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"Board Head Meng Shenji, what is your recommendation for dealing with this man?"
"Your Majesty, by injuring Chrysanthemum Douluo, Lin Mu has incurred the enmity of Spirit Hall. They will not let this go easily. I believe Your Majesty should exert all available strength to publicly support Lin Mu and provide him with the Empire's protection!"
Meng Shenji had prepared this argument beforehand. In his view, this was the only way to ensure Lin Mu stayed on the Empire's side. Emperor Xue Ye fell silent once more. He understood the principle of offering help in a time of crisis, but publicly shielding Lin Mu meant drawing the direct wrath of Spirit Hall. It was a gamble he had to weigh carefully.
Suddenly, a cold, slightly sharp voice echoed from outside the hall. "Your Majesty, this matter requires much more careful consideration!"
Prince Xue Xing stepped into the hall, giving Meng Shenji a brief, sideways glance before bowing to the Emperor.
"Xue Xing? What are your thoughts on this?"
"Your Majesty, I understand Board Head Meng Shenji's appreciation for talent," Prince Xue Xing began, his tone shifting to a chilling coldness. "But it is not worth completely offending Spirit Hall for a young Soul Master who refuses to even pledge his allegiance. If Spirit Hall uses this as a pretext for war, the Empire simply cannot afford the cost."
Unlike Meng Shenji, Prince Xue Xing was considering his own political interests. Lin Mu and Xue Qinghe were close; if the Empire fully supported Lin Mu, it would only strengthen the Crown Prince's faction, making him a more difficult obstacle for Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng.
Emperor Xue Ye's hesitation deepened. The Empire was currently stable. Giving Spirit Hall a reason to mobilize could spark a war he desperately wished to avoid. "Then what do you suggest?"
"Your Majesty, we should either ensure this person is completely loyal before acting, or we maintain a neutral stance, neither offending Spirit Hall nor provoking the man's resentment. My suggestion is to wait and see how the situation develops."
Meng Shenji's eyes widened. Prince Xue Xing was clearly sabotaging the opportunity. Before he could argue further, Emperor Xue Ye spoke.
"This is a matter of great gravity. Allow me to consider it further. Board Head Meng Shenji, you may leave."
Seeing the outcome he wanted, Prince Xue Xing's lips curled into a slight smirk. He knew his elder brother's cautious nature well; "considering it" was just a polite way of doing nothing. Meng Shenji sighed inwardly, unable to hide his disappointment as he withdrew.
Two days later, Lin Mu returned to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy with his three disciples. Not long after, Qin Ming and another Soul Emperor teacher also returned, accompanied by Shi Mò and Dugu Yan.
Lin Mu immediately instructed Qin Ming to gather the entire Royal Fighting Team. Half an hour later, they were all assembled on the training ground.
Lin Mu stood before them, his gaze sharp. "Although we have only been training for two months, your individual strengths have improved significantly. Moving forward, we will focus on honing your teamwork and coordination."
Yu Tianheng and the others were visibly excited. They were tired of simple duels and were eager to test their new power in a team setting. With several members having reached Level 40, they were now a team of Soul Ancestors, fully capable of challenging top-tier teams in the Soul Arena.
Qin Ming spoke up. "Teacher Lin Mu, Soul Ancestor Level teams are relatively rare in the Heaven Dou City Grand Soul Arena. It might be difficult to maintain the high intensity we had before."
"I have already considered that," Lin Mu replied, his eyes flashing with a competitive light. "It would be unfair for this team to face ordinary Soul Elder Level teams. We will start by clearing out the Soul Ancestor teams in Heaven Dou City, and then we will move on to sweep through the arenas in other cities."
The team felt a surge of anticipation. Under Lin Mu's leadership, they had been completely transformed. Qin Ming looked at them and realized that compared to Lin Mu's methods, his own previous coaching had been practically useless.