Chapter 226: Shadows Over the Sun Moon Empire
"You finally came out. Xiao and I have been waiting for you for more than three months." As soon as Xiao Qiang emerged from his seclusion, Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen immediately found him.
Due to a lack of precious medicinal resources, the cultivation speed of the siblings had slowed considerably. Even so, both had successfully reached level 60 before turning eighteen. All they lacked now was a sixth soul ring to become full-fledged Soul Emperors.
Under ordinary circumstances, they would venture out to hunt soul beasts for their next ring. But with the existence of soul spirits, and Xiao Qiang's confirmation that the two were compatible with a 100,000-year soul spirit at the sixth ring, both siblings had chosen to wait.
"Hurry up already, I can't wait to fuse with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and prove that I'm the third genius of the Sun Moon Empire!" Xiao Hongchen said impatiently.
"Um… Junior Brother, hold your horses," Xiao Qiang said. "You also know how difficult it is to find a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, especially one with the bloodline of a divine beast. For now, let's focus on helping Senior Sister Meng find hers first."
Xiao Hongchen's expression froze. "…You serious right now?"
"Don't worry," Xiao Qiang said with a smirk. "You'll get your turn. Meng's soul beast is already confirmed, so we just need to finish that first. Trust me—I won't let you wait too long."
Xiao Hongchen clenched his fists, barely holding back the urge to punch him in the head. "Then I really must thank you."
"You're welcome. It's my duty as your uncle."
"You little—!"
"Alright, Xiao. Xiao Qiang's right," Meng Hongchen interrupted, smiling mischievously. "It's extremely difficult to find divine beast-bloodline soul beasts, let alone a hundred-thousand-year-old one. But Zhu Qingbingchan's martial soul has unique advantages. Once we've dealt with mine, we'll focus all efforts on helping you."
At that moment, Jing Hongchen arrived, his voice calm and steady. "Enough arguing. Xiao Qiang, Meng, and I will go to the Extreme North together. Xiao, you stay behind and wait for us."
"…Understood," Xiao Hongchen muttered, resigned.
"Great! Stinky brother, I'll protect you when I get back!" Meng Hongchen teased, completely ignoring her brother's gloomy expression.
As the siblings bickered, Xiao Qiang turned to Jing Hongchen. "Have Mu Qingxue come with us as well. She's already broken through to the Title Douluo level. If we run into any trouble, it'll be good combat training for her."
Thanks to the spoils from Ghost Douluo's death, Xiao Qiang had obtained a 100,000-year soul bone, while Mu Qingxue had successfully ascended to the Title Douluo level. Her soul power skyrocketed from level 86 to 93, thanks to fusing with a 100,000-year soul ring.
In the original story, Ye Guyi reached Super Douluo level with her ninth soul skill, the Twelve-Winged Seraphim, even though her soul power was only at 91. Compared to her, Mu Qingxue now had not only higher soul power but also better soul ring quality. Paired with her Ultimate Fire, she was undoubtedly a powerhouse.
Xiao Qiang had already confirmed that her ninth soul skill was indeed the Twelve-Winged Seraphim. With the combination of Super Douluo power and Ultimate Fire, Mu Qingxue could easily contend with someone like Du Busi in his normal state.
"Alright then, that's settled," Jing Hongchen said. "Xiao, you stay here and hold the fort. When we return, we'll find a suitable hundred-thousand-year-old soul for you."
Xiao Hongchen could only grit his teeth and nod. "Okay."
…
"Your Highness, Hall Master Xiao and Hall Master Hongchen have departed. Judging by their direction, they're likely headed to the Extreme North—probably to acquire a soul for Meng Hongchen," reported a subordinate.
In the dim room, Crown Prince Xu Tianran opened his eyes slowly, his expression unreadable. Once he dismissed the subordinate, he turned toward the Titled Douluo standing by his side.
"Master Ying."
"This old servant is here, Your Highness."
Xu Tianran paused for a moment before speaking. "Leak Jing Hongchen's location to the three Douluo Alliance countries—secretly."
Ying Douluo's expression shifted. "Your Highness, this…"
"Do not make me repeat myself."
"…Understood." Though deeply troubled, Ying Douluo obeyed without question.
As the door closed behind the departing Douluo, Xu Tianran leaned back, eyes closed once more.
He hadn't wanted to betray the Sun Moon Empire's top talents. But he had no choice.
Jing Hongchen and Xiao Qiang had both refused to support him. Worse yet, they hadn't even maintained neutrality. While Xu Tianran could've waited patiently had they been passive, their refusal to align with him was tantamount to defiance.
His father, the current Emperor, had once been frail. Xu Tianran thought time was on his side. But since the Soul Palace's establishment and the conclusion of the last All-Continent High-level Soul Master Tournament, the Emperor's health had vastly improved.
What should have been five or six remaining years was now shaping up to be fifty or sixty.
The younger princes were rejoicing—but Xu Tianran was on the verge of madness.
Worse still, the assassination attempt he'd survived had left him sterile.
As a soul master in his twenties, being childless wasn't suspicious. But if, in his thirties and forties, he still had no heir, the rumors would start.
He couldn't afford such scrutiny. The truth was too damning.
Were he already Emperor, he could've handled this in secret—perhaps use a royal cousin to produce a child and eliminate him afterward. But as Crown Prince, surrounded by scrutiny, even that option was risky.
Even if he somehow forced the Crown Princess to conceive, it would take years to grow and awaken their martial spirit—and if the result wasn't a royal-class spirit, it would only invite ridicule.
And so, unable to wait, and incapable of orchestrating patricide, Xu Tianran sought another path. One where a blow—strategic and severe—might send his father back into a fragile state.
Even if it harmed the Sun Moon Empire… it was the only path that might secure his future.
"Inform the Holy Spirit Church. Have them assist in secret. Jing Hongchen and the others must die. Especially Xiao Qiang. The secret of soul spirits cannot be leaked."
Another Titled Douluo quietly departed to deliver the deadly order.
In the seemingly empty chamber, Crown Prince Xu Tianran leaned back once more, his expression as cold as iron.
"You refused to serve me. Then don't blame me for being ruthless."