Chapter 143: Return to Star Luo, the Xuanji Douluo and Reform Proposals

Once Shu Yan had stabilized his cultivation, the group immediately set off, preparing to return to Star Luo.

Xue Ling gave Shu Yan a mark similar to a spatial key, allowing him to enter that small world from anywhere, rather than having to rely solely on the array patterns beneath the deep sea.

This was somewhat similar to the Undead World, but the difference was that Shu Yan could not bring the soul beasts from this small world out in any form, nor could he obtain soul rings from them. Their only use was perhaps to ensure that the world did not lack vitality, or rather, to provide Shu Yan with a steady stream of soul bones.

The Snow Empress was currently condensing her Yin-Yang Complementary Dual Soul Cores with Xue Ling's help, which would take quite some time. The group decided to return to Star Luo first; when the time came, Xue Ling would only need an accurate coordinate to open a spatial portal, and the Snow Empress would be able to return to their side.

Without the Snow Empress to carry them while flying, the Ice Empress's speed was still lacking. Although it was still very fast, the efficiency was a notch lower than before.

Passing by the Dragon Burial Mountain Range, the group paused slightly, but they still did not detect anything unusual. However, their intuition told them that there was definitely a mysterious existence beneath the Dragon Burial Mountain.

It was just that now, with the Snow Empress—their top combat power—not by their side, deep exploration would have to wait for a while. Shu Yan was extremely interested in this kind of mysterious opportunity that had not appeared in the original work. Who could clearly explain what was inside? It could be a heaven-sent opportunity, or it could be a disaster sealed away.

……

Stepping back into this prosperous, massive city, Shu Yan felt a lingering sense of emotion in his heart. Time spent outside always passed by in a flash, but this place was where he felt most at ease.

He had lived in Star Luo City for a very, very long time, starting from when he was abandoned in swaddling clothes in a small alley in the city. Now, so much time had actually passed.

Later, being picked up by a kind passerby and sent to a specialized welfare institution in Star Luo to grow up day by day—was this not also a kind of luck?

After all, apart from massive cities like Star Luo City, few other places had such welfare institutions. Even if he had been adopted by kind people, what his subsequent fate would have been was unpredictable.

Regarding his own background, Shu Yan had actually always been somewhat confused. Just as he had said before, he didn't quite know how to face it, nor did he know why he had been abandoned. His background was shrouded in a fog, but what Xue Ling had said earlier gave him some guesses, yet Shu Yan had no intention of investigating further.

Did he yearn to know his origins and background?

Now, he couldn't give a definite answer. He didn't know what his thoughts on this really were; he could only be certain that his mood was somewhat complex and contradictory, but as for the rest, he was truly too lazy to think about it.

Fatherly and motherly love were things he had longed for in his previous life. Perhaps he had such thoughts in this life too, but they were far from as intense as before.

After entering the city, the group headed straight for the Imperial Palace. As they neared the Princess's Mansion, they suddenly felt an aura of Titled Douluo level coming from behind.

The group turned around, a flash of silvery-white spatial light appeared, and finally, an old man with white hair and beard appeared before them.

The old man looked very aged, nearly seventy years old. His aura was calm, and because they were inside the Imperial Palace, his expression was somewhat stern, appearing difficult to get along with.

His soul power aura was not weak, at level 94, and his aura was relatively solid; he had the potential to break through to Super Douluo in the future.

The old man possessed a unique aura belonging to a soldier. Xu Jiujiu narrowed her eyes slightly, then smiled gently and said:

"I wonder when Senior Xuanji returned to Star Luo City. Jiujiu hasn't seen you for a long time..." Xuanji Douluo, commander of the Star Luo First Soul Master Regiment. His real name had long been forgotten by everyone, and he was known only by his title, Xuanji. His martial soul was the Xuanji Umbrella, a top-tier tool martial soul with a very rare inheritance, and it was a true top-grade existence among umbrella-type martial souls.

Xuanji Douluo was also taken aback upon seeing Xu Jiujiu. Then, a hint of a smile squeezed onto his aged, gaunt face. He slowly descended, cupped his hands, and said:

"So it is Her Highness the Princess. This old man pays his respects. I returned a few days ago and heard from His Majesty that you had gone out for training, and that old woman Xingyun was nagging about it all day. I didn't expect the Princess to return today. I just sensed an unfamiliar aura and came to investigate."

Xu Jiujiu waved her hand, her posture elegant and gentle, completely devoid of her previous cute appearance, and her aura was also rapidly changing.

"Senior Xuanji has been staying with the Northwest Army. Returning this time, there must be some major event, right?"

Xu Jiujiu continued to ask.

Xuanji Douluo's gaze swept obscurely over the group behind Xu Jiujiu, then he said softly: "It's not really a major event, just that there have been some unusual movements from the Sun Moon Empire side. The army needed someone to relay news back to Star Luo City, and coincidentally, I had some important matters to handle back here, so I just came along."

Xu Jiujiu nodded with a smile, then said: "Since that is the case, Senior Xuanji, please feel free. My friends and I are in a hurry to see my Imperial Brother. If there is a chance later, I will chat with you again."

Xuanji Douluo pulled out a stiff smile, his gaze lingering longest on Shu Yan and the Ice Empress, but then, his entire body turned into a streak of silvery-white light and disappeared.

Seeing the other party leave, Xu Jiujiu turned and continued walking forward, while saying softly: "This Xuanji Douluo holds a high position in the military. The Star Luo First Soul Master Regiment he commands is the most powerful soul master force in the entire Imperial military. He himself is also a veteran of the contemporary military, especially renowned in the Northwest Army Corps. However, he was a close friend of the previous Duke of White Tiger, and now he also stands in the Duke of White Tiger's camp."

Shu Yan nodded, having some understanding of this.

"Later, we need to clear out all the rot within the Empire and the old-generation nobles who are unwilling to stand in our camp. This undoubtedly requires secret, bloody suppression, and the speed must be fast; we cannot give them time to react."

"If possible, the Duke of White Tiger's lineage should also be eradicated. However, they have deep influence in the military, so we cannot use conventional means; we must use our brains."

Shu Yan said softly. Star Luo needed reform; this was to cope with the future big picture. The continent was currently relatively calm, and although there were undercurrents within Star Luo, it was generally stable, which could support Shu Yan's vision.

As for the Sun Moon Empire side... if possible, Shu Yan would go and create some big commotion for them, keeping them busy with other things for a short time so they couldn't fully monitor Star Luo. This time could not be very long, so the actions of Shu Yan and the others had to be fast and ruthless.

Reform was never just about lip service; it required bloodshed and sacrifice. Killing and suppression were the most effective and simple iron-fisted means. If Xu Jiujiu wanted a more perfect and powerful Star Luo Empire, then Shu Yan would do his utmost to help her. In other words, was this not also helping himself...

In the future, he would still need to use the power of Star Luo to purge the continent. Everything he was doing now was merely paving the way for the future.

……

(End of Chapter)