——————-Star Duo Forest outskirts, near Yangxi Town———-
It felt fucking cool.
CRACKLE
I mean, with a single wave of my hand, I had been freezing everything that came in my path with ease.
Of course, the major contribution was from the will of Ice tiger in the spirit ring. It was the one who gave me the current mastery over ice control skill.
Despite the fun I was having, I wondered how the teacher was running the PR team. Considering the large time I had to spend in Mt Lian Po, Teacher had went to back to manage the PR team.
I was the one to suggest the idea and made it a success. No need to let someone in Dai Weisi's faction steal it from under our feet, pointing to our absence as an issue.
It took some time, but the trip was an overall success.
[Self-made soul skill: Rippling wave
1st soul ring [900]: Ice control]
[Data collected:
1] Self-sacrifice soul ring condensation,
Subtopic: Spirit beast- Host cultivation synchronization
2] Additional soul power pathways discovered (from ice control)
3] Soul ring to Martial soul: changes and effects]
Each time I looked at my gains, a smile climbed onto my face.
"ZHANG KUN."
Hearing the shouts, I turned to see Ju Lian waving at me along with a guard and servants group headed by Teacher Mo Tian.
I waved back to them and got to them with a single jump from the sledge.
"Hello, Teacher."
Teacher just gave me a look of questioning with his raised eyebrow, and I gave a nod in response. His face lit up with a gigantic smile. Leaving him to be happy for me, I turned to my friend, who I didn't expect to be here.
"Hey Ju Lian, what are you doing here?"
It might be rude, but I could never be sure about royalty. Dai Weisi might have sent him to take over the PR team. You must know, just the fame and influence from the PR team helped the Blacksmith association under teacher to improve their profits. So, we needed the PR team.
Ju Lian rolled his eyes and said, "I am not the only one here. Even Dai Weisi and his entire faction, Dai Mubai, even the second prince, are here."
"FuCk."
The only reason for the competitors of the throne to gather could be only one person.
"Emperor Dai Huan."
Ju Lian nodded with a somber expression. "Yes, people from all over the Star Luo empire have gathered in Yangxi Town. Apparently, the conflict with the Heavenly Dou empire over Jiang kingdom is over. Now they are going to sign a peace treaty at the border."
Yangxi Town was special not just because of its entrance to Star Luo Forest but also because it was one of the few place that was on the direct border with the Heavenly Dou empire.
You see, both empires did't actually share borders, rather, they keep a series of vassal kingdoms in between them as buffer zones. However, Yangxi Town was one of the few places that exists at the borders of both empires. The reason was simple; it was because of the Star Luo Forest.
Both empires would not have one loss one way to access to its entrance, not even to their own vassals. Hence, the territories near the Star Luo empire like Yangxi Town were the only places on the continent that were on the border between the two empires. Meaning, only places like these had a common boundary between two empires. Always volatile and ready to explode.
SNORT
"As if peace can exist between the two empires."
I had to agree with that. The so-called peace treaty would be broken within a year, and a new conflict would rise somewhere.
Still, procedures must be followed.
I nodded and followed the group. Thankfully, there were no idiots asking for my information on my first soul ring. Teacher Mo Tian was the only one in this group that I fully trust with it. Rejecting them, would easily sour the relations.
Damn, I was being too paranoid. Thankfully, I was shaken out of them by Teacher's gesture.
It was on our way back that the teacher signalled for me to the back of the group. I was puzzled but followed him.
Teacher whispered to me, "Kid, can we get the prince to order the weapons exclusively from our branch?"
"Why?"
"Just answer me, damn it."
I thought of the power-hungry prince. "Yes, it can be done, but it depends on what he will get out of it.."
Teacher nodded and said, "Good, I have a way to tempt him."
Interested, I leaned forward as the teacher said, "Say, if you recruit an innate full powered soul master into his faction, he will accept the contract to keep up his image of generosity, right?"
I scoffed and said, "He will sell a part of himself if he can have such a genius."
Still, I could already see where this is going.
"Little Ye, bring me a cup of water."
I watched as a servant girl of 6-7 years bring Teacher water into a cup. I noticed her blue hair tied into a ponytail.
Under the teacher's nod, she released her martial soul to reveal a yellow ring. It was the martial soul that drew my eyes, a purple-coloured flower with 9 petals around an apple like center.
"Nine hearts Flowering Apple."
Teacher said with a look of pride towards the girl, "Didn't I tell you girl that my student is smart and a bit of bookworm? Even I couldn't recognize your martial soul, but he did it with ease. Zhang Kun, you won't believe this, but this girl's martial soul is a healing martial soul. I am sure recruiting her would give you a lot of influence in the prince's faction."
I could hear my voice trembling with envy and apprehension, "Nine hearts Flowering Apple. It is a plant type healing martial soul that is said to be so rare, it might as well be a legend. Even the 7 treasured glazed tile clan acknowledges this martial soul to be better than them in the auxiliary category. The only reason it is not the first auxiliary martial soul is because only one person from each generation can inherit this martial soul, meaning only two people at a time possess this martial soul. So, teacher, can you tell me why you have this headache with you ?"
Teacher gulped at the info I have given him and said to me, "Like I said, I thought we can score more influence."
"Now, we have a pain in the ass to deal with. Any news leaked will have literal soul Douluo and Titled Douluo scrambling to recruit her, which is way above ours, or even the prince's pay grade."
"Yes, yes. I get it."
A cold but squeaky voice was heard. I turned to see the object of discussion who said to me, "Uncle Mo Tian helped my parents get a job and even went to the extent of hunting a spirit beast for my first soul ring."
"Yes, kid. Her father is a blacksmith, too. I took him as an apprentice. I will introduce to your junior brother when we reach Yangxi Town."
I wonder how lucky the teacher was. First, he encountered me and then a genius like Ye Lingling and more importantly, he had the perfect way to foster a relation with her.
I felt like facepalming myself. Of course, he pulled her entire family under him and tried to leave a good impression on her. An innate full power soul power will stand on top of the continent. So, connecting with her was good, but that was for normal individuals. Even in the perspective of the entire world, the Nine Heart flowering apple was very special. Special enough to cause conflicts.
Ye Lingling asked me, "Excuse me, brother. Where do you think I should go?"
SIGH
It was actually a very important thing for the soul master to decide which influence or sect he would join. For me, it was easy since I had a tiger martial soul and had access to the Dai family vacation mansion as a servant.
I thought about her situation and gave her the best answer I could. While the teacher didn't know the gravity of the genius he found, he was not wrong in forming a good relationship with her.
"Your talent will earn you with full-fledged support from any faction or sect you join. But, 3 places stand out the most among them because of their knowledge reserves that can guide your special martial soul, ironically all 3 of them are academies. Star Luo, Heavenly Duo and Spirit Hall academies."
"I feel inclined to help at Star Luo Academy, but I recommend against it. The academy has turned into a battlefield because of the princes' power struggle. Students are being forced to pick sides. Therefore, I advise you, little niece, not to join the academy."
Teacher felt crestfallen a bit, but he didn't take it too bad. After all, the fact he had her father become his student was enough. He formed a close connection with a genius that is already showing his incredible luck..
Yep, a 11-year-old has a 6-year niece under the actions of a teacher who recruited a guy who is older than me as my junior brother. Most importantly, this junior brother was father of this 6-year-old niece of mine. Oh well, it was done anyway.
"I don't need to elaborate about Spirit Hall, they are most powerful force in the world. Finally, we come to the last of the three academies and the best choice for you, Heavenly Dou academy."
Ye Lingling frowned at the name. After all, Heavenly Dou is the enemy of the Star Luo empire since forever.
"Why Heavenly Dou academy?"
"For a single reason, it has the only other Nine Heart Flowering apple soul master. Under the guidance of that soul master, your progress would be the best."
"Wouldn't that mean betraying the Star Luo Empire?"
I scoffed and said, "As a guy who spent a couple of years with the front view of Star Luo Empire's centre of power, I can say this full confidence: they don't even bother or care that you exist."
Shaking my head to relieve myself of the insanity shown by nobles in their quest for power, I said to her, "Take your time in making the choice. Teacher, despite his flaws, is rich enough to take care of your cultivation till you become a soul grandmaster [level 20 to 30]."
————Yangxi Town———
Looking at the wide range of tents that extended into the Horizon, I could only sigh in wonder. The same view a year back shown a few hundred houses, but with the emperor's arrival, the entire empire was here.
I looked at Ye Lingling in thought, hoping that no soul saint was idle enough to keep scanning all the soul masters. Otherwise, I cannot form a strong relation with her.
Still, I was jealous of her. She was already rank 13. A mere 2 rank difference between us.
Unlike her; I had been torturing myself in the guise of training to come to this point. Even more painful point was that my cultivation speed would slow down further because of my decision to pursue combat strength. So, I once more went over my plans to cheat. It was regular exercise that calmed my mind.
After a few seconds, I though over the current options.
Now, the use of Star Luo academy has decreased for me a lot after Dai Weisi provided with the list of spirit beats and the martial soul knowledge he had. Even the other things they provide now were common in other academies.
Now, with Ye Lingling, I could jump to the Heavenly Dou academy but considering my well-known status of being the follower of Dai Weisi, it might be very difficult to join the Heavenly Dou academy.
There was only one reason that tempted me towards Heavenly Dou academy, the ice-fire Well, the well was under the control of Dugu Bo. But, I know for a fact that his only family member Dugu Yan had or would enrol in the Heavenly Dou academy. So, through Dugu Yan, I could contact Dugu Bo. Most importantly, I know their weakness.
SIGH
It was too farfetched for me to pull this stunt. Though, I wonder how the teacher would react if he knew what I was thinking. Maybe he would have a stroke.
"HAHAHAHA."
Teacher looked at me as if I was a weird guy. I was a weird guy just based on the fact that I was reborn doctor who cut open brains all his previous life.
"Zhang Kun, you are finally back."
I immediately bowed down along with everyone else as the first prince, Dai Weisi, greeted me as he came towards me.
"Hail! Prince Dai Weisi."
The rest of the crowd went on with the greeting. I gave a quick glance to Ye Lingling. I was relieved that she blended into the servants.
Ju Lian joined Dai Weisi's side as if it's natural. The prince on the hand waved everyone to go back to their tasks.
"Come on, Zhang Kun. We have work to do."
I really didn't miss this part. The part of me being his thug. Considering the people here, I was sure he wants me to humiliate his enemies. Well, the enemies to a prince could only be another prince.
I really hoped it was Dai Mubai, otherwise I was fucked.
-
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Looking at Dai Mubai, I cursed my luck. Not the fact that he had a 2nd soul ring. Nah, it didn't matter.
The problem was his opponent who had sent Dai Mubai flying and roaring into the crowd. After that, he went a extra mile by spitting on the downed body of Dai Mubai.
No wonder Dai Mubai had become a drunkard and womanizer. If my brother did the same in front of a crowd while my parents coldly ignored me, I would also search for ways to numb the pain.
Looking at the second prince, Dai Huo, who naturally had the White Tiger evil eyes martial soul, with a level 22 soul power. I really felt this was a pain in the ass.
"Zhang Kun, you better not disappoint me."
Since I already took the salary in form of help to the blacksmith association, I must do the work too.
Before going into the sparring grounds where the noble kids across the Star Luo empire were showing their skills to the Emperor and his court, I asked Dai Weisi a single question, "So, how much do you want me to humiliate him? A loss or a disaster?"
It was Zhu Zhuyun, who spoke from beside Dai Weisi. " The kind that kills him."
Dai Weisi looks troubled at the words. Well, Dai Huo's relation with the couple was complicated. On one hand, Dai Huo doesn't have a Zhu family partner and the only ones that exist in our age group have engagements with his brothers.
Yes, she is the second prince's target. Yep, Dai Huo plans to kill Dai Weisi in the conflict for the throne and take Zhu Zhuyun as his concubine. Cruel beyond words, taking your brother's fiancé and condemning her to be your imprisoned lover, but it was just the way the Dai family works.
As far as I know, Dai Huo publicly told his fiancé, Huang Yun, that he planned to take Zhu Zhuyun as as concubine so that he could master the spirit fusion in the future.
Forced marriage might not form the relation to achieve Spirit fusion but kids from her will form a bridge. If You couldn't believe it. Look at the current emperor.
The current empress used to be the fiancé of emperor's competitor who lost in the fight for the throne, but after a few years of Dai Weisi being born, they achieved spirit fusion.
Though Zhu Zhuyun's situation was even more pitiful. The second prince, Dai Huo, in order to gain the support of nobles, gave the position of his principal wife, i.e., his empress to be- Huang Yun. So, Zhu Zhuyun's position was to be an imprisoned concubine who will be forced to give birth to children, forced to love him and die fighting for the Star Luo empire. Of course, that was if Dai Weisi lost.
I asked the main decision maker, Dai Weisi, "Are you sure about that? I can humiliate him. But, do I need to go to the extent that it will destroy his chances at the throne."
Ironically, I don't have to do anything. The second prince, Dai Huo, was the one who self-destructed with his antics in Yangxi Town.
It seemed the PR work I had done here seems to have worked. The parents of the kids I awakened, who make up the town, brought me some really interesting news about his antics. The kind that will hurt his chances at the throne.
Zhu Zhuyun told me in an icy voice, "If you really achieve this, I will consider you my lifelong friend."
But I still didn't move. No matter how, I need a clear-cut answer from Dai Weisi. Finally, he opened his mouth to answer, "Do it."
I happily got to my task, wondering how much I can squeeze from Dai Weisi. Damn, the royal conflicts were bloody, but really profitable.
I shouted out to Dai Huo, "Second Prince, DAI HUO! SORRY, BUT CAN YOU FIGHT ME? I WANT A GOOD SPAR."
Under the furious look of the second prince, I got on to the sparring ring and announced myself, "Zhang Kun, Level 15 assault soul master, Tiger martial soul."
Dai Huo laughed out at my declaration. "Haha ha haha! You really think that you can challenge me, a prince and a soul grandmaster?"
I shrugged and said, "I am sorry prince but I am greedy for fame. Beating you is a good way to achieve that."
Woah! I finally saw what it meant to be so angry that the veins bulge out in anger. I really wonder if he died of a burst of veins in the canon.
"Oh! You are one arrogant trash. It seems my brother can't train his pets."
Now, I might choose to follow Dai Weisi. It was like I was saying, I choose to follow him..
I wanted to release this info after beating him, to increase the impact. Considering how rude he was, I might as well do it now.
"What can I say, second prince? I thought it might be my best chance fighting you when you are exhausted. After all keeping the Minister Lontian Long's wife and daughter company all night must be exhausting. The moment I entered the town today; I heard many people saying that your tents shaking from the moans."
GASP
I could hear the gasps and comments passing around in the crowd, especially the Minister Lontian Long, the right-hand man of the current emperor.
I internally thought, no wonder Zhu Zhuyin accepted Dai Mubai despite his playboy past. Comparing him to his brothers, one could call Dai Mubai a saint.
Unlike Dai Weisi, Dai Huo didn't have the common sense to not sleep with a woman of powerful man. At least not in such a big gathering.
I was sure that many noble families and soul masters who supported the second prince will be disappearing soon.
I could see why Dai Huo had disappeared by the time the canon started.
"You bastard, since you want to die. I will grant your request."