After more than two years apart, Huo Yuhao had grown to Wang Nan's height. His face now showed a hint of maturity, yet upon seeing Wang Nan, he still appeared a little flustered, revealing a simple and honest smile.
"Oh, right, Wang Dage, I brought you a gift this time."
As he spoke, Huo Yuhao took out a pair of armguards from his storage Soul Guidance Device.
"These were made by me based on the Sun Moon Empire's humanoid Soul Guidance Devices. This pair of armguards has reached the level of a Rank Nine Soul Guidance Device, and they were designed according to Wang Dage's Spirit. They should be able to cooperate with your Spirit just like a humanoid Soul Guidance Device."
Huo Yuhao scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "It's just that my spirit power isn't sufficient right now, so I can't create a complete humanoid Soul Guidance Device yet. These armguards still need to be powered by the Spirit Master's own spirit power."
"Once I obtain my ninth spirit ring, I should be able to complete a full humanoid Soul Guidance Device. At that time, it can be equipped with a sealed charging Soul Guidance Device to greatly conserve spirit power."
Wang Nan took the armguards and examined them carefully. Dragon-scale patterns were engraved across their surface, and a faint golden luster slowly flowed through them. As spirit power circulated, the aura of the armguards fluctuated in response, clearly resonating with his own abilities.
Huo Yuhao had obviously put a great deal of thought into these armguards. From what he described, it might even be possible to develop them into a complete humanoid Soul Guidance Device in the future. His talent in Soul Guidance Devices was undeniable.
"Thank you, Yuhao. I like them very much."
"As long as Wang Dage likes them."
"No matter when, Yuhao always acts like a child when he sees this human." In Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, the Ice Empress Youyou's voice sounded.
"Yuhao had a difficult childhood. This Wang Dage is indeed different from others in his heart," Tianmeng said. His tone then turned playful. "Just like how Bingbing is to me."
"Scram!"
Deep within Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, an ancient voice released an unnoticed sigh.
If someone had been able to save his loved ones during his childhood, perhaps he would have walked a completely different path back then.
"Wang Dage, shall we depart now?"
Ignoring the usual banter between Tianmeng Iceworm and the Ice Empress, Huo Yuhao looked up at Wang Nan.
"Yes, let's depart now. We'll rendezvous with the others after crossing the border."
Wang Nan gave Huo Yuhao a meaningful look.
Either the Star Luo Empire had not told Huo Yuhao the full plan, or Huo Yuhao had withheld some information from Ma Xiaotao. According to the letter, this mission involved more than just the two of them.
A place capable of imprisoning a Rank Nine Soul Master would never be ordinary, and the Star Luo Empire was unwilling to let its people face danger alone.
The four High Priests of the Hall of Offerings, Suixing, Xuanji, Xingyun, and Julang, were dispatched as the main force. Huo Yuhao would assist by scouting and concealing their tracks. White Tiger Duke Dai Hao would lead a Spirit Master legion to provide support at the border, while Wang Nan, with his overwhelming combat power, would serve as the final safeguard.
This showed how highly the Star Luo Empire valued Sealing God Douluo.
---
"Cough, cough."
In Mingdu, inside a study within the Imperial Palace, Xu Tianran coughed twice.
The defeat in the Great Continental War had left the already physically disabled Xu Tianran looking even more frail.
Due to the loss of his legs and a severe depletion of vitality, even with his cultivation reaching the Titled Douluo realm, the imperial physicians of the Sun Moon Empire had concluded that Xu Tianran's lifespan would not exceed a hundred years. Coupled with the war's defeat and the recent suppression of the imperial family's rebellion, a deep weariness now showed on his face.
Xu Tianran reached out and patted the hand Ju Zi had placed on his shoulder, then spoke slowly. "Ju Zi, do you think the Star Luo Empire will send people?"
"They definitely will." Ju Zi replied while gently massaging his shoulders. "The Star Luo Empire is vigorously promoting Soul Guidance Devices. They have no reason to abandon a Rank Nine Soul Master. Even if they sense that the information surfaced too conveniently, they will still send people to investigate."
"Mm." Xu Tianran nodded slightly. "That would be best. Since the war ended, those Evil Soul Masters have grown increasingly greedy, and their clandestine activities have become more frequent. Now that the imperial family's unrest has been quelled, there is no longer any reason to keep them around."
"During the war, they gathered souls from the battlefield and transported them to Dongyang City. Now, I want to see exactly what they are doing there."
Xu Tianran then turned his gaze to Ju Zi. "This plan of yours is excellent. A traitor can lure the Star Luo Empire into uncovering what those Evil Soul Masters are hiding for us. A perfect example of driving the tiger to devour the wolf."
It's just a pity you were crippled during the Great Continental War. Otherwise, had you personally led the imperial army, how could you have fallen for Shrek's feigned retreat, like that useless Xu Tianyuan?
As these thoughts passed through her mind, a cold glint flashed in Ju Zi's eyes. However, her hands never faltered, and the oblivious Xu Tianran noticed nothing.
"Your Majesty, however, the Holy Spirit Cult still has Death God Douluo and Dragon Emperor Douluo. Directly tearing away the facade might be risky…"
"It doesn't matter." Xu Tianran waved his hand gently.
Ju Zi looked at his calm expression and recalled an old man she had once seen within the Imperial Palace.
Even with her, Xu Tianran still harbored reservations. There were powers within the Sun Moon Empire that she had yet to fully understand.
It seemed a long-term plan was still necessary.
"Your Majesty, since you intend for the Star Luo Empire to act, should we relax investigations within the Empire's borders slightly?"
"No need." Xu Tianran closed his eyes. "It seems even you have moments of oversight. At this time, only by changing nothing will the Star Luo Empire fully believe that they obtained this information on their own."
"If we deliberately lower our guard, it will instead arouse suspicion."
"Yes. This was Ju Zi's oversight."
Ju Zi stopped her movements and immediately knelt before Xu Tianran, appearing genuinely remorseful.
"You've been working too hard lately. Go back early today and spend some time with the Crown Prince."
"Yes." Ju Zi nodded.
"Is there anything else?" Xu Tianran asked when he saw she remained kneeling.
"Your Majesty, although the Crown Prince is still young, his education should be addressed soon. I wish to find a suitable teacher for him."
Xu Tianran assumed Ju Zi was simply doting on her son. After a brief pause, he nodded. "Very well. You and I both understand the Crown Prince's talent. In the future, the Sun Moon Empire will be entrusted to him."
"How about this? I will arrange for the Crown Prince to meet Elder Kong another day."
"Yes." At the mention of "Elder Kong," Ju Zi's eyes flickered briefly, but she kept her head lowered so Xu Tianran could not see. "This concubine takes her leave."