Chapter Twenty-Two: Schemes Within the Imperial Palace

"It seems Chen Ming was telling the truth about his toxins coming from a fortuitous encounter. The world is vast and full of such wonders; every year, many soul masters find themselves transformed by various circumstances. Throughout history, quite a few Title Douluo have encountered similar fortunes in their youth. I never expected the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy to welcome such a lucky soul this year."

Bai Baoshan, who stood four feet tall, was the first to speak. His eyes held a hint of envy, but nothing more malicious than that.

"The world’s heroes are as numerous as the fish in a river, and all sorts of things are rarely truly surprising; most people simply keep them to themselves. The three of us have reached this point in our lives, and we, too, have had what others might call fortuitous encounters. Yet, haven't we reached our current standing mostly through our own hard work?"

Zhilin stroked his beard and replied in agreement.

Human exploration of the Douluo Continent has only scratched the surface, and the study of martial souls remains an ongoing endeavor. When humanity first awakened their martial souls, they did not know how to cultivate soul power; only geniuses with innate full soul power could absorb soul rings. It was only after people discovered how to increase their soul power that the profession of "soul master" truly came into being.

Ten thousand years ago, soul masters with yellow rings for both their third and fourth slots were common, and it was considered normal for one to only attain a purple ring at the fifth slot. Back then, anyone capable of absorbing a purple ring for their fourth soul ring was considered a genius.

As generations of research and experimentation passed, soul masters learned that a thousand-year soul ring could be absorbed as early as the third slot. Talented soul masters could even attempt to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring by their fifth slot. How many of these advancements over the past ten millennia were secretly born from fortuitous encounters? No one can say for sure.

Since ancient times, the number of soul masters who have gained such advantages has been countless. Which high-level soul master doesn't have their own secrets?

While there are indeed teachers on the continent who harbor jealousy—feeling deeply imbalanced when their students gain such luck and wanting to find ways to siphon those benefits for themselves—the three committee members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy are not such people.

Even across the entire soul master world, the three of them are considered highly virtuous and respected. In the decades since they became committee members, they have taught countless students and earned the respect of many. Their legacy is spread far and wide.

Upon learning of Chen Ming’s fortuitous encounter, their first instinct was to protect him, to ensure he could cultivate properly and eventually become a high-level soul master. Should anyone try to reach out and probe Chen Ming, the three of them would not mind flexing their muscles a bit to break those grasping hands.

After discussing the matter, the three reached a consensus. Though the hour was late, they had no intention of resting. Instead, they quietly set to work across the academy under the cover of night.

***

Meng Shenji organized Chen Ming’s files, Bai Baoshan headed to the palace to meet with Emperor Xue Ye, and Zhilin took charge of inspecting the academy to finalize arrangements and teacher assignments.

Half an hour later, Chen Ming’s file was placed on Xue Ye’s desk. Aware that a special new student had enrolled, Xue Ye, who would normally be relaxing in his private quarters, sat in his study, reviewing the documents under the light of a soul guidance lamp unearthed from ancient ruins.

Xue Ye gently tapped his finger against the desk, lost in thought. A complex array of emotions flickered in his eyes before he finally placed the file down.

"Biluo City, the Chen family... To think that a genius could emerge from such a godforsaken place as Biluo City is truly unbelievable. And the potency of his toxins is alarming... Could it be that we are looking at the next Poison Douluo?"

"Geniuses, miracles... The world is full of them, yet how many actually enter the service of my Heaven Dou Empire... no, my Imperial family, my Xue clan?"

"In the last century, there have been over twenty people with innate full soul power, but how many became Title Douluo? I have seen many with the potential for such heights, but who actually attained it? Enough of that."

"Absorbing a thousand-year second ring, a martial soul that evolved into a royal grade... I only hope you truly possess the potential of a Title Douluo, rather than just appearing to have it."

After mentally simulating the nature of Chen Ming’s toxins, Xue Ye’s gaze sharpened. Although Dugu Bo had never unleashed his full toxicity on the battlefield, Xue Ye and Prince Xue Xing had secretly simulated it countless times; they understood perfectly well the theoretical lethality of his poison.

If an average Title Douluo on the battlefield was worth ten thousand fully armed elite soldiers, then the Poison Douluo was worth at least ten Title Douluo or two hundred thousand elite troops. Toxins might not be very effective against high-level soul masters, but against an army composed mostly of ordinary soldiers, the lethality was devastating. The war-time value of a Poison Douluo alone was equivalent to that of the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

However, although Dugu Bo was nominally a consultant for the Heaven Dou Empire and close to Prince Xue Xing, as an Emperor, Xue Ye could not trust him entirely. Rather than relying on Dugu Bo, Xue Ye hoped the Heaven Dou Empire could cultivate a Poison Douluo of its own.

"Eunuch Tang, have someone secure Chen Ming’s file, then order the secret guards to Biluo City. Do not alert them, and ensure it does not leak that the Imperial family is the one investigating."

"Yes," the elderly eunuch bowed respectfully.

"Also..."

***

Xue Ye squinted, lost in thought, before eventually sighing helplessly.

"Send a copy of Chen Ming’s file to Xue Qinghe. As Crown Prince, he should be able to understand my intentions."

Xue Ye was well aware that Xue Qinghe might have been responsible for the demise of his brothers in order to secure the throne. Unlike others who merely suspected it, Xue Ye was certain of it, even if he didn't know the exact methods.

However, since becoming the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe had performed brilliantly in every aspect. To Xue Ye, aside from a somewhat immature personality—often offending the nobility for the sake of commoners—there were no other flaws. Emotionally, he felt a distance, but rationally, Xue Ye believed that Xue Qinghe would easily surpass him and lead the Heaven Dou Empire into a glorious era.

As for Xue Beng... Xue Ye did not think his playboy son could compare to Xue Qinghe. While Xue Beng might have some petty cleverness and even appeared to be feigning ignorance, compared to Xue Qinghe’s performance, such tricks were worthless. Moreover, as a prince, Xue Beng was far too close to Prince Xue Xing; he seemed more like the Prince’s son than his own, showing more devotion to his uncle than to his father.

Xue Ye disliked this. It was one thing for an Emperor to be close to a Prince, but for a prince to be so close...

Xue Ye slumped in his chair, staring at the ceiling, sighing inwardly. He trusted Xue Qinghe to understand his intentions. Yet, he also worried: if the Crown Prince’s power continued to expand, where would that leave him? He was still in his prime, with at least twenty years of reign left. And in twenty years, what would the Prince’s power be like?

Xue Ye only hoped that the decision he made today would not leave him with regrets tomorrow.