Eastern Palace, a side hall within the Sun Moon Empire's imperial palace.
The chamber was opulent yet retained an air of ancient dignity. Eight-clawed fire dragon motifs adorned nearly every furnishing. Behind a grand desk sat a young man in white robes, deep in discussion with Jing Hongchen.
He held a fan in hand, exuding a certain refined grace—
Yet somehow, something about him still felt oddly out of place.
Though his attire was plain, it clashed starkly with his bearing and the innate nobility that seemed woven into his very presence. His eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence, radiating the unmistakable authority of one born to rule. Jing Hongchen's deferential posture only confirmed the youth's extraordinary status.
And given that this was the Eastern Palace—the Crown Prince's residence—his identity was obvious.
He was none other than Xu Tianran, Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire.
"So, you're saying that the former three nations of Douluo each harbor at least one Limit Douluo," Xu Tianran said calmly from his wheelchair, eyes closed, a thin blanket draped over his legs. An aura of quiet ease surrounded him—as if the intelligence Jing Hongchen had just delivered caused him not the slightest concern.
"Yes, Your Highness," Jing Hongchen replied, bowing low. He allowed his worry about Limit Douluos to show clearly.
"Your Highness," he continued carefully, "a Limit Douluo and a Level 98 Super Douluo exist on entirely different planes. I once crossed fists with Du Busi of the Body Sect. Though I was overpowered, I could still hold my ground. But against a Limit Douluo?…"
He quickly clasped his hands in respect. "Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness—but if I were to face a Limit Douluo unprepared, I might not even get a single chance to strike."
"I see."
Xu Tianran smiled gently. "Dean Hongchen, there's no need to worry. If there are only two Limit Douluos, the Holy Spirit Church has more than enough strength to deal with them."
But far from easing Jing Hongchen's mind, those words sent his heart lurching into his throat.
So the Holy Spirit Church also has two Limit Douluo-level evil soul masters!
Had he just allied himself with tigers?
"Your Highness, regarding the Holy Spirit Church—"
"I understand what you mean, Dean Hongchen."
A faint smile played on Xu Tianran's lips—warm on the surface, yet sending chills down the spine like stepping into a frozen crypt.
"They're nothing but sewer rats. Do you really think I'd allow vermin like them to bask in the glory of the Sun Moon Empire? The moment victory in this war is within reach… that's when both Limit Douluos die."
"And now is the perfect time!" Xu Tianran added, still smiling, even clapping his hands softly in approval.
"If we let the Holy Spirit Church's two evil soul masters clash with the two Limit Douluos from the former three nations—forcing them to cripple each other—our chances of eliminating them all will increase dramatically."
At that, Jing Hongchen had nothing left to say.
He could only bow deeply and proclaim, "Your Highness is truly wise!"
Just then—
"Your Highness…"
"Enter."
At the announcement, Xu Tianran immediately beckoned the messenger inside.
But the moment he saw the man's trembling, ashen face, he knew instinctively: this was bad news.
"Y-Your… Highness…"
"Speak. Whatever it is, I pardon you in advance."
"Your Highness… Lady Ju Zi… has fallen!"
The words struck like a depth charge.
Jing Hongchen's face paled instantly. Having pledged himself to Xu Tianran, he knew exactly what Ju Zi meant to the Crown Prince.
He couldn't begin to imagine what fury would erupt from the prince in his rage!
Staring at the broken keepsake the messenger laid before him, Xu Tianran could no longer deny the truth.
"Ju Zi… is dead?!"
Clang…
The shattered token hit the floor, its echo ringing hollow through the hall.
Her death was like the severing of his right arm.
"Who… did this?!" Xu Tianran slammed a fist onto his wheelchair.
No physical damage occurred—but to the servant and Jing Hongchen, it was clear: the Crown Prince had unleashed the full force of his wrath.
"Your Highness," the messenger stammered, "Lady Ju Zi perished while suppressing the rebellion led by Duke Huihuan. But from the battlefield remnants… it appears she was killed by a Grade-8 fixed-ammo soul guidance cannon."
"Duke Huihuan!"
Xu Tianran's teeth ground together. "By my authority as Crown Prince, I command you—petition His Majesty the Emperor! Send the Empire's Guardian Hand to raze Duke Huihuan's duchy to the ground! Eradicate the rebels! Avenge Ju Zi!"
"Go—now!"
"Y-Yes, yes—!"
The servant scrambled out without another word.
"Your Highness… please accept my deepest condolences," Jing Hongchen said softly.
Xu Tianran's eyes fixed on him—calm on the surface, yet burning with such chilling malice that even the Rank 9 soul guidance engineer felt an icy dread coil in his gut.
"Dean Hongchen," the Crown Prince said coolly, "my grief is meaningless unless others grieve too."
"I understand," Jing Hongchen replied instantly. The old fox knew exactly what his prince wanted.
Wiping the cold sweat trickling from his temple, he bowed and swiftly withdrew.
Now, the vast side hall stood empty—only Xu Tianran remained.
A long silence stretched.
Then, ever so gently, he reached down and picked up the broken token from the floor.
His fingers traced its edges.
A single tear rolled from the corner of his eye.
"Ju Zi… now that you're gone, I have no one left I can truly trust. Every moment you saved me… your dream of vengeance… I remember them all as if they happened yesterday. Who could have imagined we'd be parted by life and death so soon…"
But before the last syllable even faded—
Less than a breath passed—
And the tear on his cheek was gone.
Not a trace of sorrow remained on his face.
Only the rhythmic tapping of his fingers against the armrest echoed through the silent hall.
"Shadow Douluo."
"Your Highness."
A dark silhouette materialized beside him instantly.
It was Shadow Douluo Xue Chen.
Xu Tianran's expression was now utterly blank. "Go and watch my brothers. News of my 'fury' will reach them soon. Some fools might think I've lost my mind—that this is their golden opportunity."
At that, a faint smile touched his lips.
It was the smile of a man who had already decided to drown the palace in blood.
"If any of them dare do something… inappropriate," he said softly, "take your chance. Kill them."
"And remember," he added, voice as calm as still water, "wipe out their entire families."
The gentlest tone, carrying the cruelest command.
As if all the grief over Ju Zi's death had been a performance.
As if those tears were nothing but theater.
Like crocodile tears.
Yet in truth, Xu Tianran's sorrow was real.
But Ju Zi's death was irreversible. And since it could not be undone, why not use the shockwave of her demise to maximize his own gain?
After all, his brothers had always been too cautious.
Now that fate had handed him this opening—it would be foolish not to seize it.
"Ju Zi… may your spirit in the heavens forgive me."
With a soft sigh, Xu Tianran's face hardened into ice.
"Go. Do it."
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