Chapter 116: Unwanted Victory and Silver Dragon's Gift
"Father can stand up now?"
When he heard the news that the Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire had stood up, Crown Prince Xu Tianran's face remained expressionless, but inwardly, he was cursing non-stop. It had taken so much effort to get the old man bedridden, and he had only a few years left. Once the emperor passed, Xu Tianran could take the throne without resistance.
But now, the emperor had suddenly recovered and could stand again. Just thinking about his father's age and how much longer he could cling to power made Xu Tianran feel deeply frustrated.
"Yes, Your Highness. After His Majesty learned that the Sun Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy defeated Shrek Academy, he became so excited that he stood up." The intelligence officer knelt on one knee before him and reported dutifully.
"The Sun Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy defeated Shrek Academy? We actually won?" Xu Tianran's eyes widened with disbelief.
"Yes, Your Highness. This is the first time in history that we've bested Shrek Academy."
"Good… Good. Master Mingde and the students have done well. Thanks to them, the Sun Moon Empire is enjoying a double celebration."
Xu Tianran smiled, but the joy didn't reach his eyes. While defeating Shrek was a great thing for the Empire, it had absolutely nothing to do with him. Worse, the victory became the very reason his father stood up again. In his view, that win had triggered a string of events that could derail his carefully laid plans.
As the Crown Prince, the longer his father remained in power, the more dangerous it became for him. His crippled legs were a constant vulnerability, and as time dragged on, even his own faction might begin doubting his worth.
And there were his brothers. So long as he remained heir apparent, they would inevitably see him as the first obstacle. After all, if nothing happened to him, he would inherit the throne once the emperor died. But his injuries and childlessness only made it easier for others to scheme.
The Empire might be rejoicing, but for Xu Tianran personally, this so-called victory was a disaster.
"Inform the participants of the competition that they are the pride of our Empire. I will personally visit to commend them soon."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The intelligence officer bowed and quickly left.
As soon as he was alone, Xu Tianran gripped the wheelchair tightly—and with a loud crack, crushed the armrest beneath his hand.
"Your Highness," came a calm voice.
It was Ying Lao, a Titled Douluo, and Xu Tianran's most trusted guardian. He stepped forward with a hint of concern. "Now that His Majesty has recovered, I fear some of those you recruited may begin having second thoughts."
"Hmph!" Xu Tianran snorted, eyes darkening. "Anyone who dares to entertain such thoughts will be executed—along with their entire family. Let's see who dares oppose me now."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Ying Lao nodded, though inwardly, he was a bit disappointed. He had hoped Xu Tianran would mention the benefits of continued loyalty, not just threats. After a brief silence, he asked again, "Your Highness, I will move against those who have betrayed you. Do you have any further instructions?"
"No. Thank you for your hard work, Ying Lao."
Ying Lao: "…"
"It is my honor to serve Your Highness. I will take my leave."
After he left, Xu Tianran rubbed his forehead. His father's recovery was a serious blow, and he couldn't think of a way to reverse it. He could do anything—except kill his father.
If he became known as the prince who killed his own father to take the throne, he'd only be setting a precedent. When he was older and in power, what was to stop his own son from doing the same?
Especially that son… if the rumors were true, he might not even be Xu Tianran's biological child.
At that thought, Xu Tianran felt a chill. I wouldn't even rest in peace. I'd just be paving the way for someone else's child.
"Why did we have to win now? Even five years later would've been fine!"
By then, his father would probably be dead, and Xu Tianran would have already cemented his control over the Empire. But at the moment, his power base was still too shallow. Unless the powerful Master of Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen, sided with him, he couldn't gain an advantage over his brothers.
"Mingde Hall Master…"
Xu Tianran wheeled himself to a desk piled high with intelligence reports on Jing Hongchen. He began flipping through the latest updates, hoping to find a weakness—anything he could exploit to sway the man to his side.
But after hours of scanning, no useful weakness turned up. However, he did find something interesting.
"Jing Hongchen's disciple… a fifteen-year-old child… defeated a Soul Emperor from Shrek Academy?"
Xu Tianran's eyes lit up as he read about Xiao Qiang. Perhaps winning over this boy could be the key to drawing Jing Hongchen into my camp…
Meanwhile, back at the imperial capital…
"This is the Silver Dragon Staff."
After returning victorious and accepting the Emperor's summons, Jing Hongchen—as expected—was granted permission to choose a ninth-level soul tool from the royal treasury.
Following Jing Hongchen's advice, Xiao Qiang selected the Silver Dragon Staff.
The moment he poured his soul power into it, he could feel the elemental energies respond more sharply than ever before. Not only did it boost his elemental control, but the staff also emitted a strange energy—one not tied to any of his soul rings.
He recognized it immediately.
Spatial power.
Xiao Qiang's fifth soul ring granted him two abilities: Element Control and Mental Confusion. His Element Control covered seven elements—light, darkness, ice, fire, earth, wind, and thunder. Compared to Gu Yuena's seven-element mastery from Douluo Dalu 3, Xiao Qiang lacked space but had thunder instead.
Now, the Silver Dragon Staff filled that gap.
With Mental Detection to locate a destination, Xiao Qiang opened a spatial wormhole to it. In a flash, he stepped through and reappeared exactly where he'd marked.
"Not bad. Really a fine weapon," Xiao Qiang muttered, gripping the staff.
"Why do you care if it's strong? Planning to whack someone with it?" Tianmeng's voice rang out in his mind.
"As expected of Brother Tianmeng! You thought exactly what I was thinking."
"Of course. I'm Tianmeng. There's nothing I can't think of."
"Then I leave this to you. You figure out how to harness the spatial power in the staff and build a personal pocket dimension."
"…Huh?"
"Yes, it's difficult. Even most Titled Douluo wouldn't be able to do it. But a mere Titled Douluo is nothing compared to Brother Tianmeng!"
"Flattery won't get you out of this."
"Come on, I've done my share. Now it's your turn."
"And what exactly are you doing?"
"Me? I'm going to reach level 60 in the next few days."
"What?! Level 60? How?"
"By hunting down evil soul masters using the angelic martial spirit's feedback."
"Do you even know where to find one?"
"I don't. But someone does."
At the Sun Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy, Nana sneezed out of nowhere.
"Did you catch a cold?"