Chapter 167: Tang San Visits Moon Pavilion

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Inside the Snow Night Palace! 

After laughing heartily, Emperor Xue Ye quickly regained his imperial composure. Standing tall and dignified, he looked at Wang Li and solemnly said: 

"Wang Li, I sincerely thank you for saving me. However, I must ask—your soul power, that red soul ring just now… Have you truly advanced so rapidly in cultivation that you've become an eight-ring Soul Douluo?" 

Hearing this, Wang Li used to find excuses in the past, but now, he needed only one response: 

"Yes, Your Majesty. I cultivate diligently, and my soul power rises rapidly. As for that red soul ring, it is indeed a hundred-thousand-year soul ring—one that was willingly sacrificed to me by a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in need of my help." 

Absurd! 

Could cultivation really be this easy? 

And a hundred-thousand-year soul beast—one of the most powerful existences among soul beasts, a treasure trove for any soul master—why would such a creature willingly offer itself in sacrifice? 

No matter how unbelievable it seemed, Emperor Xue Ye had no choice but to accept it. He had to make an immediate decision—to recruit Wang Li at all costs. 

"Wang Li, you saved my life, and I will not be stingy with my rewards. For such a great merit, I have decided—I will confer upon you the title of king and grant you your own territory. You will be an ennobled king of a different surname. This is unprecedented in the history of the Heaven Dou Empire, but for you, I shall break tradition!" 

A king of a different surname—this showed just how much Emperor Xue Ye was willing to invest. The four existing kingdoms within the Heaven Dou Empire had already grown increasingly powerful, paying only superficial respect to the imperial family. However, all four were still of royal blood. 

If Wang Li accepted, the empire would gain an entirely new kingdom—one ruled by a non-royal. 

But Wang Li merely shook his head and declined outright: 

"I appreciate Your Majesty's kindness, but I have no desire for a title. My sole focus is cultivation, and worldly power does not interest me—it would only slow my progress. As long as Your Majesty rules wisely and treats the people well, that is enough for me." 

Wang Li lacked nothing. Why would he want land to confine himself? It was completely unnecessary. 

Emperor Xue Ye was taken aback—he had just offered an entire kingdom, yet Wang Li rejected it without hesitation. However, after considering it, he realized that someone as young as Wang Li, already a Soul Douluo, must be utterly devoted to cultivation. But such a person was difficult to win over. 

As an emperor, he wielded supreme power. But if Wang Li could not be tempted by status and authority, then how could he secure his loyalty? 

A genius like this—such a formidable powerhouse—could become a pillar of the empire. But how? 

Suddenly, Emperor Xue Ye had an idea. His tone grew serious as he declared: 

"You may refuse my offer, and I will not be offended. However, as the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, I must repay the debt of my life." 

"Within the empire, there is a national treasure known as the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. It is a legendary soul tool. By infusing it with soul power, one can access four different soul abilities. In some ways, it is even more valuable than soul rings or soul bones. Gaining four additional skills can drastically enhance a soul master's combat power." 

"I have decided to grant you this national treasure. This time, I will not take no for an answer—because my life is worth far more than this artifact." 

Wang Li felt somewhat helpless—this was clearly being forced upon him. The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud—he knew its true nature. It was, in fact, the Heart of the Sea God. 

If he sought to inherit the Sea God's divinity, possessing this artifact would greatly increase his chances of success. 

However, he had no intention of becoming the Sea God. While his Blue Silver Grass possessed life attributes that did not directly clash with the Sea God's power, he was still a land-based plant. Becoming the Sea God felt… off. 

That being said, even disregarding its connection to the Sea God, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud remained an incredibly powerful soul tool. With four abilities, it might not grow like soul rings or soul bones, but it could still prove useful in battle. 

Reluctantly, Wang Li accepted it: 

"If that is the case, then I thank Your Majesty." 

Emperor Xue Ye nodded in satisfaction. He issued an order, and before long, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was brought forward—a blue, pyramid-shaped crystal, no larger than a palm, emitting a faint, ethereal glow.

Wang Li accepted the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and once again expressed his gratitude: 

"Many thanks, Your Majesty!" 

Emperor Xue Ye waved his hand and said: 

"My body has only just recovered, and I am still somewhat fatigued. I won't keep you here any longer. Qinghe, see to our guest and make sure our empire's savior experiences the full warmth of the royal family." 

Hearing this, Xue Qinghe stepped forward and bowed respectfully. 

"As you command, Father!" 

Then, turning to Wang Li, he spoke with deep gratitude: 

"Brother Wang Li, we truly owe you. If not for you, the traitor's scheme would have succeeded. With Father safe, the Heaven Dou Empire remains secure as well." 

As Wang Li listened to Xue Qinghe's words of gratitude, he couldn't help but feel that there was a certain gritted-teeth undertone to them. He quickly explained: 

"I only did my duty. I promised Your Highness that I would do my best, and fortunately, my soul skill proved effective." 

Xue Qinghe chuckled—it was true that he was gritting his teeth. After years of careful planning, Wang Li had effortlessly unraveled his schemes. 

The worst part? He had been the one to insist that Wang Li save Emperor Xue Ye… and Wang Li actually did. It was a textbook case of lifting a rock only to drop it on his own foot. 

Not wanting to linger in the imperial bedchamber any longer, they stepped outside. Once they were alone, Xue Qinghe suddenly posed a question designed to unsettle: 

"Brother Wang Li, who do you think was behind the poisoning of my father?" 

Wang Li glanced at him curiously—Wasn't it you? And now you're asking me? He quickly shook his head and replied: 

"I have no idea. I spend most of my time cultivating and battling, so I'm not well-versed in political affairs." 

Xue Qinghe nodded thoughtfully. 

"That's true. You're not even twenty years old, and yet you've already become an eight-ring Soul Douluo. And your eighth soul ring is a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. At this rate, it's almost certain you'll reach the pinnacle of the continent and become a Titled Douluo before twenty-five." 

"Most people at twenty-five are still competing in soul master tournaments, but you… You'll have surpassed nearly all the seniors of the soul master world and stood at its very peak." 

"Your achievements, Wang Li, are unmatched across the entire continent." 

Wang Li thought to himself that he would actually reach Titled Douluo before turning twenty—he was just missing one more suitable hundred-thousand-year soul ring. But out loud, he simply said: 

"It's nothing special. From the day I embarked on the path of a soul master, I swore to reach the very pinnacle. I've worked tirelessly for years to get here." 

Hearing this, Xue Qinghe couldn't help but feel envious. Wang Li had the freedom to pursue his ambitions without restraint, while he himself was bound by duty and schemes. A sudden thought crossed his mind, and he asked: 

"Wang Li, if something were to happen to me—if I were to be harmed—would you feel sad?" 

Wang Li was momentarily taken aback. What nonsense is he talking about? Who could possibly harm him? If anything, it was the other way around—he was the one capable of making others disappear. With an amused shake of his head, he laughed and said: 

"Your Highness, you are surrounded by powerful protectors. Nothing like that would ever happen." 

But Xue Qinghe wasn't satisfied with that answer. With an almost unreasonable stubbornness, he pressed on: 

"Even my father, the emperor, had assassins try to poison him. So, of course, I could also be in danger. Just answer me—if I were to be harmed, would you feel sad?" 

Wang Li sighed helplessly. Why is he being so insistent? But considering Xue Qinghe's status as the crown prince, Wang Li decided to humor him: 

"Your Highness and I share a deep bond. If anything were to happen to you, of course, I would be saddened. I would also track down the culprit and avenge you." 

At last, Xue Qinghe smiled, genuinely satisfied.

As they left the palace, Dugu Bo glanced at Wang Li and subtly reminded him to be cautious of Xue Qinghe—after all, with Emperor Xue Ye nearly assassinated, the crown prince was the one who stood to gain the most. 

However, after some thought, Dugu Bo decided not to interfere in Wang Li's choices. Instead, he smirked and teased: 

"You really are carefree. Emperor Xue Ye personally offered to grant you a royal title, and you turned him down. Once an emperor speaks, his word is law—if he promises, he won't go back on it." 

"Do you realize what you refused? A kingdom's territory is as vast as an imperial province. Within that kingdom, you would hold power akin to that of an emperor." 

Wang Li shook his head with a smile. If this were a world without supernatural abilities, becoming a king would indeed be an appealing choice. However, on the Douluo Continent, where soul masters reigned supreme, worldly power paled in comparison to absolute strength. 

Laughing, he said: 

"Being a king sounds like a hassle. A good king works tirelessly; a bad king is despised. Rather than wasting time on politics, I'd rather focus on cultivation… or spend the day shopping with Yan Yan." 

Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan took Wang Li's hand, her gaze as gentle as water. A certain thought crossed her mind—tonight, she would wear that new purple slip dress she had bought earlier… and nothing underneath. 

---

 Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's Residence 

After returning, Xue Qinghe sat in silence for the entire afternoon. As evening fell, he finally spoke in an even tone: 

"Uncle Si Long, Uncle Ci Xue." 

The moment his words fell, two figures emerged from the shadows. They bowed respectfully. 

"Young Master!" 

Xue Qinghe remained composed as he reported the failure of his plan. 

"The poison in Xue Ye's body has been neutralized by Wang Li. The plan has failed. From now on, all our forces within and outside the palace are to go into hiding. No one is to act without my direct orders." 

The two men standing before him were Serpent Spear Douluo, Si Long, and Bloodthorn Porcupinefish Douluo, Ci Xue. Both were visibly enraged, and Si Long immediately offered: 

"Young Master, this Wang Li dares to ruin your plans? Allow me to kill him at once and set things right!" 

Xue Qinghe's expression darkened. His gaze grew sharp as he sternly commanded: 

"I have made my decision. We go into hiding. That includes you, Uncle Si Long, and you, Uncle Ci Xue. No one will act on their own." 

Then, his tone grew even colder as he continued: 

"Furthermore, arrange for my feigned death. I will be returning to Spirit Hall to begin closed-door cultivation. From now on, I will focus solely on reaching the Soul Douluo and Titled Douluo levels. The plan to seize control of the Heaven Dou Empire is canceled." 

Si Long and Ci Xue were utterly shocked. Ci Xue, in particular, couldn't help but blurt out: 

"Young Master, are you really going to abandon twenty years of planning?" 

Xue Qinghe let out a self-deprecating chuckle before replying: 

"Twenty years of planning… what a joke. Wang Li isn't even twenty yet, and with just a single move, he rendered all my efforts meaningless. In the end, soul power is the only thing that truly matters." 

"For the past twenty years, I've toiled endlessly in the pursuit of power, constantly scheming and maneuvering within Heaven Dou City. But if I had spent these two decades focusing solely on cultivation in Spirit Hall instead of wasting time in political struggles…" 

"Then by now, I wouldn't just be a Soul Sage. I'd be a Soul Douluo—perhaps even on the verge of becoming a Titled Douluo." 

"I've had enough of this life. From now on, I'll live for myself. In short, I will bear all the consequences alone—none of you are responsible." 

Upon hearing these words, both Si Long and Ci Xue fell into silence. 

As the two Douluo who had long served at Xue Qinghe's side—handling all the dirty and exhausting work—they knew better than anyone the extent of his talent. 

Even with his cultivation divided between politics and training, he had still reached the Soul Sage level before turning thirty. 

If he had devoted himself fully to cultivation from the start, he wouldn't just be an ordinary Titled Douluo in the future—he would have the potential to reach Level 99, a peerless Douluo like the Grand Worshipper. 

Without hesitation, both men dropped to one knee and declared in unison: 

"We are willing to bear the consequences alongside you!" 

Xue Qinghe chuckled softly. 

"Then do as I say. Make the necessary arrangements. As for Wang Li—you are not to touch him. One day, under my new identity, I will make him kneel before me." 

His eyes burned with determination. When he looked at Wang Li, he saw a reflection of the person he could have been—someone unburdened by worldly affairs, dedicated solely to cultivation, breaking through levels with effortless ease. 

If he was to reclaim the potential he had squandered, he had to be prepared to surpass even himself. 

Si Long and Ci Xue responded immediately: 

"Understood!" 

---

 After That Day… 

Xue Qinghe started appearing more frequently around Wang Li and Dugu Yan. 

One day, as they were out together, Wang Li found himself cornered by Xue Qinghe once again. With a sigh, he said: 

"Your Highness, do you really have this much free time? Don't you have state affairs to attend to?" 

With Xue Qinghe constantly tagging along, his precious one-on-one time with Dugu Yan was constantly disrupted. This guy had zero self-awareness! 

Xue Qinghe laughed heartily. 

"Now that my father has fully recovered, state affairs are back in his hands. Since you saved his life, I can't just ignore you, can I?" 

Then, he grinned. 

"Come on, I'll take you somewhere interesting today. Moon Pavilion—the Heaven Dou Empire's Imperial Etiquette Academy." 

"My younger sister, Xue Ke, is studying there, and she mentioned something strange. Apparently, a 'peculiar individual' recently joined the academy. Unlike the noble children, this person gives off the aura of a butcher, radiating pure killing intent. Many students have already complained about him." 

Hearing this, Wang Li's expression shifted. 

Moon Pavilion? 

If not for Xue Qinghe's suggestion, he wouldn't have even considered going there. 

After a brief pause, he nodded. 

"Alright, let's go take a look." 

---

 Moon Pavilion 

Before long, the group arrived at the Imperial Etiquette Academy. With Xue Qinghe leading the way, they gained entry without issue. 

Upon reaching the second floor, they entered a room and looked down through a window. Below, in the academy's circular training hall, noble children were attending their lessons. 

Then, Wang Li's gaze fell on the so-called 'peculiar individual.' 

The moment he laid eyes on him, he recognized him instantly. 

This 'peculiar individual'—was none other than Tang San. 

(End of Chapter)