Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
For every 5 Patreon memberships I receive, I'll release 15 chapters all at once. Your support means a lot to me.
******
"Oh? A grand gift?"
The moment he said this, both Dai Tianxing and Zhu Lingyun revealed interested expressions. "Weisi," they asked in surprise, "what is this grand gift you mentioned?"
"Hehe, Grandpa, Grandma, let's head to the palace first. This matter also concerns Father Emperor. Once we're there, I will teach Xuantian Gong to all of you."
That's right. The grand gift Dai Weisi had prepared for the Star Luo Empire was precisely Xuantian Gong. With this cultivation method, which allowed one to recover soul power even in the midst of battle, the strength of Dai Tianxing and the others would certainly be enhanced by a great margin.
"Xuantian Gong?"
Dai Tianxing frowned, perplexed. Even though he didn't know what Xuantian Gong was, he still proceeded to the Star Luo Imperial Palace along with Dai Weisi, Zhu Zhuyun, and the others.
After arriving at the palace, they found only Dai Pojun and a few palace maids inside. Dai Pojun was currently reviewing memorials and managing the Star Luo Empire's political affairs.
Upon entering the palace, Dai Weisi clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Your son pays his respects to Father Emperor."
"Hm?"
Hearing this familiar voice, Dai Pojun abruptly raised his head. Gazing at Dai Weisi, his face lit up with excitement. "Weisi," he said, overjoyed, "you're out of Slaughter City? When did you get back!"
"Father Emperor, I just returned to Star Luo City as well. I have to say, Star Luo City has truly transformed. It's become so much larger than before."
Hearing this, Dai Pojun couldn't help but burst into laughter. "This is all thanks to the battle at the Clear Sky Sect two years ago, where we thoroughly crippled Spirit Hall's elite forces. We established the renown of our Star Luo Empire and built our momentum!
"Although the current Spirit Hall still has eleven Titled Douluos and remains the strongest power on the continent, their influence is greatly diminished. Our Star Luo Empire, however, is thriving!
"As the saying goes, 'a fine bird chooses a good tree to perch on.' Ever since that battle, increasing numbers of Soul Masters from the Heaven Dou Empire have brought their families to the Star Luo Empire, seeking to build their futures here.
"Today, the number of Soul Masters in our Star Luo Empire has increased by more than half. For this reason, I decided to expand Star Luo City."
"I see..." Dai Weisi nodded slightly, then offered a reminder to Dai Pojun, "Father Emperor, having more Soul Masters under our command is inherently a good thing. However, it would be problematic if Spirit Hall or the Heaven Dou Empire sent spies to Star Luo City to gather intelligence."
"Hehe, rest assured, Weisi. Don't underestimate your father. I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice!" Dai Pojun's lips curled into a slight smile. "I thought of this point long ago. I've already dispatched men to verify the identities of all newcomers; there won't be any mistakes. Moreover..."
At this point, Dai Pojun glanced at Dai Tianxing and grinned. "I discussed it with your grandfather. We decided to use that method you mentioned before... what was it... 'fishing enforcement' [entrapment]. We'll intentionally leak some false intelligence, set up an ambush in advance, and 'besiege a point to strike at their reinforcements.'
"Those spies and scouts sent by Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire are all under my control. I won't let them run rampant in the Star Luo Empire."
"Your father has been on this throne for decades; he knows what he's doing," Dai Tianxing said with a gentle smile. "Right, Weisi, you mentioned earlier that you had a grand gift for the Star Luo Empire, something called... Xuantian Gong? What exactly is it?"
"It's a special meditation method I happened to acquire in Slaughter City."
Dai Weisi fabricated a backstory. In any case, none of them had ever been to Slaughter City, so he wasn't worried about them doubting him.
"Oh? A special meditation method? How is it special?"
"Firstly, unlike ordinary meditation methods which require you to be in a quiet place to meditate peacefully, this Xuantian Gong is completely different. It can be cultivated even in the midst of battle, allowing you to restore your own soul power!"
"Hiss!"
The moment he said this, both Dai Tianxing and Dai Pojun drew in a sharp, cold breath. A cultivation method that could restore soul power during combat... its importance was impossible to overstate.
Whether it was the Nether White Tiger or the Star Luo Holy Tiger, both were Martial Soul Fusion Skills that consumed an immense amount of soul power. Previously, if their soul power was exhausted in a fight, they had no choice but to stop and meditate to recover.
But now, with this Xuantian Gong, they could fight and cultivate their soul power simultaneously. This meant the Nether White Tiger and Star Luo Holy Tiger could be sustained for a much longer duration.
"If this Xuantian Gong truly has such an effect, then this cultivation method is simply invaluable!" Dai Tianxing stated, his brow deeply furrowed. "With this method, my wife's and my combat strength will definitely increase by a great margin."
"Grandpa, that's only one of Xuantian Gong's main benefits. Beyond that, it has another, even more significant function."
Dai Weisi paused, his words stopping abruptly. Dai Tianxing shot him a questioning look, wondering why he had stopped. In the very next moment, Dai Weisi's voice echoed directly inside everyone's minds.
To prevent the information from leaking, Dai Weisi had deliberately switched to using a soul power sound transmission.
"The other function of Xuantian Gong... is that it can allow ordinary people who possess a Martial Soul, but have no innate soul power, to cultivate soul power and eventually become Soul Masters."
Boom!
This statement struck them like a massive bomb, setting off a tempest in everyone's minds. They all whipped their heads around to stare at Dai Weisi.
Dai Pojun was utterly flabbergasted. A long moment passed before he managed to stammer, "Weisi, you... is what you're saying true? Does this Xuantian Gong truly have such a heaven-defying effect?"
It wasn't that he was easily shocked, but that Xuantian Gong was simply too heaven-defying. Allowing ordinary people without innate soul power to cultivate and become Soul Masters...
If this was true, this cultivation method was potent enough to change the entire landscape of the Douluo Continent. If it were popularized among the general populace, the number of Soul Masters in the Star Luo Empire could reach into the millions, or even tens of millions.
"Of course it's true," Dai Weisi affirmed with a nod.
To convince Dai Pojun and the others, he continued his fabrication. "Slaughter City was originally the sacred ground, or 'dojo,' of a certain god. This Xuantian Gong is said to be the very cultivation method that god created."
"So it's a cultivation method created by a god... No wonder it's so powerful..."
"Father Emperor, the effects of Xuantian Gong are too heaven-defying. If we popularize it among everyone, our Star Luo Empire's Soul Master count will exceed a million. But that also means it's highly likely Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire will learn of its existence. When that time comes, it will inevitably increase their strength as well. We must be on guard against this."
"Weisi is absolutely correct," Dai Tianxing agreed, nodding. He pondered for a long while before offering, "I have a tentative suggestion. Currently, the Star Luo Empire has a sufficient number of Soul Masters. For the time being, let's restrict the cultivation of Xuantian Gong to just the few of us here, as well as Dean Lin and General Lie Tianhu.
"If, in the future, our war against Spirit Hall becomes dire, we can then distribute Xuantian Gong to those who are loyal to the Star Luo Empire to cultivate, thereby increasing the number of Soul Masters on our side. What do you all think?"
"I agree," Dai Pojun said, nodding. The power of Xuantian Gong was too world-changing; the fewer people who knew about it, the better.
"I also agree," Zhu Lingyun added with a nod. Since the elders were in agreement, Zhu Zhuyun and the others naturally had no objections, and Dai Weisi didn't add anything further.
Although Xuantian Gong was powerful, its main effect was just increasing the quantity of ordinary Soul Masters. For true geniuses, the most valuable aspect was still its ability to restore soul power during combat.
"Grandpa, Father Emperor, since you have all decided, I will now teach you the cultivation method for Xuantian Gong. Please watch closely."
With that said, Dai Weisi sat down cross-legged and began to circulate his Xuantian Gong. The others followed his example, sitting down to cultivate alongside him.
(End of this chapter)