Chapter 1297: Star Luo Royal Court
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Many of the Federation’s scientists declared that technology would replace the soul masters in the future. By then, there would not be any need for soul masters. In any case, the soul beasts were already extinct and the research on spirit souls had reached a bottleneck. Why would they waste time to cultivate when the technology could replace them?
This viewpoint had its supporters in the Dou Spirit Empire in spite of its soul technology which had fallen behind. Hence, they worked hard in developing their soul technology to keep up with the others.
On the other hand, the Star Luo Empire adhered to tradition where the notion of heroism was cherished in their hearts. Even the research done on their soul technology was targeted at elevating an individual’s fighting capability. They believed that if a person’s power could be strengthened significantly, it might even change a war’s outcome.
Perhaps, the Star Luo Empire once bore witness to the Tang Sect’s founder, Tang San creating a miracle during the battle of the Martial Soul Hall back in the beginning. Later, it also witnessed the heroic undertaking of the Holy Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao in defeating the Sun Moon Empire single-handedly.
It was for this reason Dai Yueyan’s feelings were riled yesterday upon witnessing the power of the heavy ion beam. If the Federation’s technology had surpassed the empire’s to the extent that an individual soldier’s weapon could achieve such a devastating effect, how could the war be fought then?
The palace was splendidly decorated with painted beams and carved pillars. Although the Star Luo Empire was in the era of modern soul technology, its soldiers guarding the palace were still dressed in traditional armor suits. It almost seemed like being in the Star Luo Empire of thousands of years ago as the palace looked ancient and did not appear to have changed at all.
They stepped into the audience hall. The dome was an impressive forty meters in height. The spacious hall exuded an imperial influence. The civil and military officials of all ranks stood on both sides of the audience hall. Today was supposed to be the morning assembly of the Star Luo Empire.
Apparently, His Majesty had a motive for choosing to meet Tang Wulin on such a day. Nevertheless, the Smiley Face Douluo had explained to Tang Wulin earlier regarding this so that Tang Wulin would be better prepared.
He raised his head and saw a small fortress-like structure perched at the top of a flight of steps which was lined with red carpet. Around a dozen guards and attendants stood on both sides of the structure. In the center of the structure sat a man. He was dressed in a robe which was inlaid with gold and embroidered with a white ferocious dragon.
The white tiger was the symbol of the Star Luo Empire. It was also the royalty’s direct line of martial soul which was why the tiger was regarded as an honorific symbol by the emperor.
Even at his age, Dai Tianling being a powerful soul master, had very few aging lines on his face. Although Tang Wulin had met him previously, it was from a distance and he did not pay much attention to the emperor even during the award presentation ceremony. Nonetheless, Tang Wulin felt a little odd upon meeting the emperor today.
He had returned but with a different status this time. Not too long ago, he never thought he would be engaging the emperor in a negotiation on equal footing at the age of twenty.
There was another chair next to Dai Tianling on the right. It was the only other chair on the platform. An old man was sitting upright on the chair with his eyelids drooping almost as if he had fallen asleep.
Tang Wulin did not have a favorable impression of him. He was the Monster Academy’s president, a Limit Douluo, who did not have the slightest intention of stopping Long Yue when Tang Wulin was being ruthlessly attacked by Long Yue. If not for Tang Wulin’s self-healing ability, in addition to Teacher Mu Ye’s timely intervention, Tang Wulin might have died.
His name was En Ci. Tang Wulin remembered the name very well. He was sitting next to the emperor because he was not only a Limit Douluo, but the emperor’s teacher as well.
The emperor was En Ci’s student once. He had been under the tutelage of En Ci for a long time. Hence, he was very respectful of En Ci.
However, Tang Wulin’s attention was not on the emperor’s teacher but the person standing on the other side of Dai Tianling.
She was magnificently dressed in regalia with impeccable grooming. Her hair was coiffed in the style of an eligible debutante. Her dress had a fine embroidery of a phoenix spreading its wings and soaring high in the sky with a lively gaze much like the gaze she had.
Her pair of big, bright eyes had a profound influence on Tang Wulin more than once in the past. In the reunion at present, their eyes met one another. All of a sudden, there was a glimmer in Tang Wulin’s firm gaze.
It was impossible for him to remain stoic. At least, there was still some fondness for him. In fact, she had once travelled a long way to meet him in Shrek Academy so as to be with with him. Unfortunately, she was rejected by him then.
Ever since, Tang Wulin felt apologetic to her in his heart.
At the same time, Dai Yun’er was gazing back at him. There was no mistaking the fervor in his gaze.
On the other hand, her gaze had a hint of anticipation, a sense of longing. There was a layer of faint mist and even some hidden bitterness.
During their last meeting, they were at the Sea God’s Lake Date Festival on Sea God Lake. Time had passed and circumstances changed. The Sea God Lake no longer existed. As fate would have it, they were meeting once again in the audience hall of the Star Luo Empire’s palace. Life had always been full of surprises.
Dai Yueyan rapidly took a few steps forward and bowed in salutation. “Your Majesty, Tang Sect’s Sect Master Tang Wulin is here.”
On the surface, all the traditional rituals were still being carried out. However, there had been changes in the Star Luo Empire. For example, one such change was the officials need not kneel down before the emperor anymore. For this reason, the people were fond of the Dai family.
The Dai family was a family of powerhouses who descended from the Holy Ice Douluo. The reputation of the Holy Ice Douluo spread far and wide in the Federation. He was better known as ‘Huo Yuhao’. However, his name had always been Dai Yuhao in the Star Luo Empire. He was supposed to inherit the empire’s royal bloodline. Unfortunately, the Holy Ice Douluo did not possess the white tiger martial soul back then.
Dai Tianling nodded toward Tang Wulin without much of an expression on his face. “The Tang Sect’s Sect Master must be tired after travelling through such a distance. Kindly take a short rest, and we’ll have a discussion after the morning assembly.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Tang Wulin bowed in salutation.
Someone moved a chair over and invited Tang Wulin to take a seat which was in front of the civil and military officials. He was only a step away from the platform.
The Smiley Face Douluo was invited to take a seat on one side while the rest of the Shrek Seven Monsters were seated behind Tang Wulin.
Dai Tianling spoke, “Let’s continue with the morning assembly. How is the situation with the dispatch of our military troops?”
A minister took a big step forward. “Your Majesty, everything is developing smoothly at present. The empire’s first, third and seventh army corps have already been dispatched to the border. The joint training of the Holy Ice Fleet and the White Tiger Fleet has been completed too. All the different weapons have already been deployed.”
“Hmm, if there’s any issue with the allocation of resources, the Ministry of Revenue is to ensure that our soldiers are capable of responding to any sudden changes in the situation.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The minister standing third in line among the civil officials stood out from the line to give his reply.
The following discussions all dealt with the economy. Tang Wulin sat there quietly as he listened to the proceedings. Tang Wulin felt that the ministers of the Star Luo Empire were highly productive. They were capable and experienced in managing their portfolios. Dai Tianling’s role as the emperor was to make decisions and deliver the final verdict.
This was how an autocratic monarchy should be! It was quite different from tradition for the ministers enjoyed freedom of speech. However, they needed to maintain their respect for the royalty. The Star Luo Empire felt they were responsive enough to the extent that they were very confident of their nation’s strength in fighting the war this time.
Tang Wulin was entirely absorbed in the proceedings. He did not look at Dai Yun’er anymore. He acted naturally in the situation and paid close attention to all the goings-on.
En Ci opened his eyes at this moment. His gaze fell upon Tang Wulin who was sitting below the platform.
His gaze appeared blurry, but he looked a little perplexed when he saw Tang Wulin.
He did not stop Long Yue from killing Tang Wulin during the competition at the Star Luo Empire because he saw Tang Wulin’s potential at the time.
Now, the fact had proven his speculation. Tang Wulin was currently seated at the front row of the audience hall. He was attending as the Tang Sect’s Sect Master. Undoubtedly, it was not just him who could see the potential in this young man. The Tang Sect’s high-ranking officials could see that similarly. Furthermore, they were even more certain than him.
When En Ci learned that Tang Wulin had already become the Tang Sect’s Sect Master, he was greatly astonished too. It was a position where the man who represented the first sect on the continent could rival the influential Spirit Pagoda at the moment!