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"Alright, let's go."
After a brief pause, Dai Pojun stood up from the ground and slowly walked toward the exit of the dungeon.
His actions left Dai Weisi puzzled. With just a few more days, he could break through to Rank 90 and become a Titled Douluo—so why not stay and continue absorbing Yue Guan's soul power?
As if sensing his confusion, Dai Pojun gave a faint smile and used soul power to speak telepathically: "Heh, after everything that happened last night, the civil and military officials must be in a frenzy. As the emperor, I need to explain the situation to them.
Besides, with Chrysanthemum Douluo captured, the ministers are surely speculating that your grandparents have become Titled Douluos. This gives me the perfect opportunity to officially announce it to the court."
Previously, in order to keep the Star Luo Empire's strength hidden, Dai Pojun had deliberately concealed the fact that Dai Tianxing and his wife had already reached Titled Douluo status. Apart from their immediate family, no one else knew of this development.
Had Bibi Dong been aware of it, she likely wouldn't have allowed Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo to act so recklessly. Their failure stemmed from poor intelligence.
But after last night's battle, the truth could no longer be hidden—so they might as well come forward boldly, and boost the morale of the court and the people.
Just then, Dai Pojun's expression shifted, a cold smirk creeping onto his face. "Also, you don't need to go to the Spirit Hall today. After something this big, I'm certain Warwick will come to us. Have you thought about what kind of price we should demand?
You rascal, let me make this very clear: you must not damage the dignity of the Star Luo Empire! Your father—and your grandfather too—are not afraid of war!
Worst-case scenario, we'll fight them head-on. I'd like to see what the Spirit Hall can really do!"
"Yes, Father. I understand!" Dai Weisi responded.
Dai Pojun's words made Dai Weisi's blood surge with excitement. So what if it came down to a battle? Even if it led to ruin, they'd face it head-on—no hesitation, no fear!
Dai Weisi turned to Anna. "Nana, let's head back too. Leaving you alone with Chrysanthemum Douluo is too dangerous."
"Ah? Alright…" Anna replied reluctantly. After a night of absorption, her soul power had already reached Rank 34!
Dai Weisi noticed the girl's reluctance and chuckled, gently ruffling her hair.
"Don't get too attached. It's time you started cultivating properly. Tell me honestly—how much of that Rank 34 soul power did you earn through your own effort? Do you really want others to think you're an evil soul master?"
"Hehe, but I have you to protect me, so I'm not afraid!"
Once out of the dungeon, Dai Pojun personally escorted Anna home. She was the key to his breakthrough to Rank 90—nothing could be allowed to happen to her.
Only then did he proceed to the palace with Dai Weisi. When they arrived at the grand hall, all the civil and military officials were already present. Many glanced around anxiously, whispering to one another—some with concern, others with glee.
"I heard the Alchemists' Association was attacked last night, and the attackers were Titled Douluos! What in the world happened?"
"It was the Spirit Hall's Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo. I heard the Grand Supreme Emperor himself captured them! Those bastards really had the audacity to cause chaos in Star Luo City!"
"If even a Titled Douluo was captured, do you think the Grand Supreme Emperor has already... taken that step?"
"You mean, become a—?"
Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!
Dai Pojun's cough echoed through the hall, instantly silencing the ministers. When they saw him enter, they all dropped to their knees and shouted in unison:
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Dai Pojun ascended the throne and spoke sternly, "All subjects, you may rise."
Dai Weisi stood respectfully at his left side, ready to assist and offer counsel as needed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Gazing at the officials below, Dai Pojun spoke coldly, "I know all of you are filled with doubt and confusion about what happened last night. Now, I will officially clarify the situation.
Last night, the Spirit Hall's Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo launched a savage assault on the Alchemists' Association, killing hundreds of our brave Star Luo warriors.
Fortunately, the Grand Supreme Emperor and the Empress Dowager had already become Titled Douluos. They intervened in time to prevent greater losses and managed to capture Chrysanthemum Douluo."
The entire hall was stunned. Then, expressions of joy burst forth across the officials' faces—Star Luo Empire finally had Titled Douluos of its own!
"Congratulations to the Grand Supreme Emperor! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
"Having the Grand Supreme Emperor become a Titled Douluo is a great blessing for the Star Luo Empire! Truly, the heavens favor our emperor!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
"Ha ha, then I thank all my ministers for your kind words." Dai Pojun smiled warmly. Having a pair of Titled Douluo parents made him feel incredibly fortunate.
Parents who were both Titled Douluos—across the entire Douluo Continent, probably only Qian Renxue enjoyed such a privilege.
At that moment, Dai Pojun's tone shifted sharply, becoming icy as he rebuked, "Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan attacked the Alchemists' Association with the intent to assassinate Chairman Yang Wudi. He killed hundreds of our Star Luo warriors and destroyed countless precious medicinal herbs. According to our Star Luo laws, the punishment should be death by dismemberment!"
"However, Titled Douluos are the treasures of the Douluo Continent. I have decided to grant Chrysanthemum Douluo a 'merciful' punishment: instead of the brutal five-horse dismemberment, he will be beheaded and his execution publicly displayed! He shall be executed this autumn and his body paraded through the streets!"
"I want to make it clear to the world: anyone who kills my subjects within the Star Luo Empire—even if they are a Titled Douluo—must pay the price!"
Swish!
As soon as he finished speaking, the faces of the ministers turned pale and a commotion erupted. They whispered anxiously, unsure how to react.
What does this mean? Is His Majesty declaring war on the Spirit Hall? Can we even win?
Before they could voice their concerns and plead for caution, a desperate voice came from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, please wait! It's a misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding!"
An elderly man staggered into the hall. Though frail and aged in appearance, his movements were powerful and commanding—clearly a formidable expert.
He wore an elegant white robe with golden trim—the ceremonial attire of the Spirit Hall's Platinum Bishop.
His identity was unmistakable. This was Warwick, the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall in Star Luo City.
"Oh? Isn't this the honorable Bishop Warwick?" Dai Pojun sneered mockingly. "Come to beg for Chrysanthemum Douluo's mercy, are you? Let's hear what nonsense your dog mouth can spew."
Warwick looked awkward. Normally, he would have been infuriated by such insults and stormed off in anger. But these were not ordinary times. With Yue Guan still in Dai Pojun's hands, he had no choice but to desperately cling to Chrysanthemum Douluo's life.
In truth, Warwick was also helpless. After Ghost Douluo fled last night, he was ordered to do whatever it took to protect Chrysanthemum Douluo. He had even rushed back overnight to the Spirit Hall to ask Bibi Dong for aid.
Learning that Yue Guan had been captured, and that Dai Tianxing and his wife had become Titled Douluos, shocked him deeply.
Warwick was well aware that the true mission of Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo's arrival was to assassinate ministers—a grave crime in the Star Luo Empire, punishable by death nine times over.
Yue Guan's fate was sealed. There was no way Warwick could save him.
But to avoid future reprisals from Ghost Douluo, Warwick had to put on a brave front and swallow his pride.
(End of chapter)