"You want Zhu Zhuyu and Zhu Zhuqing?"
Dai Tianfeng's voice was calm, but the look he cast toward his eldest son, Dai Weisi, was icy enough to chill the air.
"Yes, Imperial Father." Dai Weisi trembled slightly. He didn't dare meet his father's eyes. Forcing his wavering voice to steady, he said, "Your son is certain that combining with them will ensure a stronger White Tiger bloodline."
"Oh?" Dai Tianfeng sneered. "And what reasoning leads you to that deduction?"
"Zhuqing and Zhuyu both entered today's Talent Ranking. If they maintain their positions until the end of the month, it proves their potential. If our descendants inherit our talents, the Empire's future will naturally grow even more glorious—"
"I wasn't asking about the sisters' talent. I'm not blind." Dai Tianfeng's gaze sharpened. "I'm asking on what basis you believe your children would be geniuses."
Dai Weisi's pupils constricted. Cold sweat streamed down his forehead. His knees gave out and he knelt heavily, panic flooding his voice. "Your son is incompetent. I have disappointed Imperial Father."
Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall as Dai Tianfeng rose. Each step landed like a hammer on Dai Weisi's chest.
"Remember this, Dai Weisi."
"The Emperor of Star Luo can neglect state affairs—but he must never lack power."
"State affairs can be entrusted to the Empress, the princes, the Duke of Netherworld, even the Prime Minister."
"But this strength… must be carved into your very bones."
"I sit on this throne because I personally tore apart my competitors and crushed every rebel beneath my feet."
He paused, then continued coldly, "I even exchanged a complete set of cultivation techniques and secret manuals for you. Your starting point is not inferior to those sisters. Tell me—what is your ranking?"
"...Your son ranks 42nd." Dai Weisi's lips trembled. His body shook uncontrollably, drenched in sweat.
Below the top twenty, rankings were hidden from everyone except the individual and those within ten places around them. Challenges were restricted accordingly—he could only challenge up to rank thirty-two. He knew those names, and nothing above.
Challenge requests lasted one day. If ignored, surpassed, or refused, the record remained. Every victory, defeat, and refusal was displayed. For proud youths, repeated refusal was worse than losing.
"Forty-second?" Dai Tianfeng's laugh was frigid. "With that ranking, you dare ask me for those sisters? Are you worthy?"
Dai Weisi bowed his head, trembling.
"You are Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire—the future ruler of a nation. What are you afraid of?" Dai Tianfeng's fury surged. "Stand up!"
Dai Weisi forced himself upright, breath ragged. Dai Tianfeng stepped closer, his cold, ruthless eyes locking onto his son's. Under that pressure, Dai Weisi finally steadied, forcing himself to meet the gaze.
"What is Zhu Yun's ranking?" Dai Tianfeng asked.
"Thirty-first."
"Hmph. Good. Good."
"One is fifth. One is twelfth. One is thirty-first. You can't defeat any of them—and yet you dare covet them?"
He exhaled slowly, voice lowering.
"I may have only two children left alive, but that does not mean only you and Dai Mubai can inherit my throne."
"I gave you resources. I gave you time. Whatever else you need, I can still exchange for you."
"But before the end of the month—you must enter the top twenty at least once."
"If you fail, I will recall your younger brother. If even Dai Mubai is lacking, I will choose from the collateral branches."
"The Dai family is the strongest clan in the Star Luo Empire. Our throne belongs only to the strongest White Tiger Spirit Master of each generation."
"If the Dai family cannot remain strongest under your rule, then I would rather hand the throne to a collateral branch."
"Do you understand?"
"Your son understands! I will definitely enter the top twenty!" Dai Weisi swore through clenched teeth.
"Get out."
After he left, silence swallowed the hall. Dai Tianfeng stood by the window, staring at the sunset, expression unreadable.
"Someone," he finally said.
An attendant knelt.
"Convey my decree: marry Princess Lingyun to Liu Yanhu."
"Also—order the White Tiger Sect to screen the entire Dai clan. As long as someone from the clan—direct or collateral—can enter the top twenty, the Imperial Family will spare no resources cultivating them."
His gaze deepened.
"What kind of luck does that old man Feng have… to suddenly produce a genius collateral disciple?"
Hu Yan Zhen snorted sourly.
"I heard Feng Xin's parents died," another voice added. "He wasn't valued at Wind Sword Sect. Even inner disciples could order him around."
"This time he went to Heaven Dou City alone, saw the Sacrificial Shop, and traded a piece of ancestral meteor iron for the Di Yuan Body Tempering Skill and the Five Viscera Visualization Method."
"When Old Man Feng arrived, the boy seized the moment and offered himself as a disciple. Old Man Feng recognized his talent instantly and poured everything into him—abandoning even his own descendants."
Tuoba Xi's expression twisted. "Our direct descendants are half-wits, yet Wind Sword Sect gets a genius from a collateral line? Where's the justice?"
He gritted his teeth. "When I return, I'll cast the net wide. I refuse to believe the Elephant Armored Academy lacks talented collateral blood."
"Old Elephant," Tuoba Xi asked, "if our descendants absorb head Spirit Bones, would it improve comprehension?"
"...Barely." Hu Yan Zhen looked irritated.
"You tested it?" Tuoba Xi narrowed his eyes. "You gave your academy's inherited head bone to your grandson?"
"I wanted to—but not yet," Hu Yan Zhen snapped. "I asked the Sacrificial Shop. Head Spirit Bones can increase mental force, speed cultivation, and make techniques easier to operate. But they cannot raise true control—much less comprehension."
Secret manuals were ruthless. If one could not grasp them, no miracle would change that.
Tuoba Xi slumped in frustration. In the end, he could only follow Hu Yan Zhen's approach—search the collateral lines.
"How was it?"
Qian Renxue closed her eyes, recalling the earlier battles. "...At least five people have higher comprehension than me. I'm only third because I have more spirit rings and more techniques. My Spirit is stronger, so I can fight above my level."
"But even with that advantage, you still lost twice," Qian Daoliu said bluntly.
"Gao Feng's comprehension is high. His combat experience and adaptability are extraordinary. I admit defeat to him without regret."
"Huo Wu also has terrifying comprehension. Her Flame Manipulation Skill is nearly perfected. Her fire-type spirit power shifts freely—I lost fairly."
"When the people behind you raise their spirit power and acquire better rings—or refine their Spirits with elixirs—do you still believe you can remain third?"
"No." Qian Renxue's tone dimmed. "Meng Yiran, Shui Bing'er, Feng Xin, Feng Xiaotian… their comprehension is all terrifying. They only lost because I had advantages elsewhere."
"For now," Qian Daoliu said, "put aside the Supreme Pontiff Palace. Let the Elder Council and Bishop Council handle matters. Your time belongs to cultivation."
"Xue'er understands."
But inwardly, Qian Renxue thought otherwise.
In the past, Grandpa's logic would have been absolute.
But now… with the Sacrificial Shop, the rules of the world might already be changing.
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