CHAPTER 114: The Cost of Victory and the Weight of Power

Chapter 114: The Cost of Victory and the Weight of Power

When Xiao Qiang saw that the soul bone of the Ice Jade Scorpion was among the prizes for the competition, he was full of doubt and suspicion.

"We've caught evidence of foul play by the Xingluo Empire," Jing Hongchen explained gravely. "After some negotiation, this soul bone will be handed over to you, Meng."

Jing Hongchen intended to award the soul bone to his granddaughter, Meng Hongchen. After all, he knew Xiao Qiang already had soul bones in both arms. Without hesitation, he was ready to pass this prize to his own family.

However, Meng Hongchen shook her head and refused.

"Grandfather, this soul bone should go to Xiao Qiang. He contributed the most to our victory in this competition," she said firmly.

With Meng's refusal, Xiao Qiang didn't hesitate. He stepped forward and accepted the soul bone without reservation. At the same time, he used his Spirit Sharing ability to send Jing Hongchen a private message.

"Teacher, this soul bone from the Ice Jade Scorpion can only be absorbed by a soul master with an Ultimate Ice Martial Soul. Anyone else who tries will suffer a dangerous backlash."

As the message rang in his mind, sweat gathered on Jing Hongchen's forehead beneath his mask.

"So that's why this soul bone came to us so easily," he muttered to himself. "Xingluo, you dare to play tricks like this? You'll regret it."

He clenched his fists silently, cursing the Xingluo Empire for their underhanded tactics. The competition prize had been tampered with—but thankfully, Xiao Qiang had warned him just in time.

"Trying to trick me with a rigged soul bone… I'll remember this. Don't blame Mingde Hall when we start limiting the sale of soul tools to your empire!"

In the end, the Ice Jade Scorpion soul bone went to Xiao Qiang, while the other two soul bones—each with a modest ten-thousand-year age—were handed to two regular team members.

But Xiao Qiang had no interest in those. Compared to the Ice Jade Scorpion's power, those two were of ordinary quality. Even if Xiao Qiang had wanted them, Jing Hongchen wouldn't have approved.

After all, the Sun and Moon Empire wasn't Shrek Academy—it was a rival nation. The soul bones provided by the state were often less than ideal. If the prize hadn't already been confirmed in advance to be ten-thousand-year soul bones, the Xingluo Empire might have given out far weaker ones, perhaps only at the thousand-year level.

With the distribution complete, Jing Hongchen led Xiao Qiang and the rest of the team to a nearby military camp for rest.

They had traveled under heavy pressure ever since leaving the Xingluo capital, constantly worried about ambushes from Shrek or retaliation from the Xingluo Empire. The tension had worn on everyone.

But now, inside the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Instructor Corps, they could finally breathe easy.

No matter how much the Xingluo Empire wanted revenge, they wouldn't dare act here. The strength of the Royal Soul Instructor Corps was undeniable.

Although General Dai Hao was considered a "God of War" by many, history showed otherwise: his armies were repeatedly defeated—or in retreat—from the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Instructor Corps. Jing Hongchen had no fear of a sneak attack now.

However, rest wasn't Jing Hongchen's only purpose for coming to the military base.

"Captain Xu, please allow me to use the military's communication array to contact the imperial capital."

Sun and Moon Empire – Imperial Capital – Palace

In the palace, the current Emperor of the Sun and Moon Empire lay weakly on his bed, sighing.

He was the younger brother of the previous emperor. In his youth, he had harbored ambitions for the throne, but as the second son, he had no rightful claim. Their father had favored the elder brother, who naturally inherited the throne. Still, his older brother had treated him kindly, granting him titles and luxuries over the years.

As time passed, his desire for the throne dulled, tempered by the fear of taking that irreversible step. He resigned himself to life as a prince.

But things changed when his elder brother became sympathetic to Shrek Academy's ideals. He opposed the development of high-level offensive soul tools in the name of "peace." This decision shocked the empire.

While peace sounded noble, the Sun and Moon Empire could not afford to forgo powerful soul tools. The moment research halted, the military advantage over the Tianhun and Xingluo empires began to crumble.

The Sun and Moon Empire's forces were gradually pushed back. The enemy nations seized the opportunity to demand open trade of soul tools—essentially, a forced surrender in all but name.

His elder brother agreed, hoping to avoid further war.

But this infuriated the nobility. While anger alone wouldn't justify regicide, the appearance of the emperor's own son, Xu Tianran, changed everything.

Unlike his father or uncle, Xu Tianran was cold, decisive, and ruthless. He shared the same thirst for power but lacked their restraint. He had no qualms about seizing what he wanted.

With nobles reluctant to make the first move, Xu Tianran arranged for evil soul masters to carry out the assassination. The emperor's entire family was wiped out in one brutal night.

By the time his uncle could even consider opposing it, the deed was done.

Thus, the prince—the current emperor—ascended to the throne.

Yes, he wore the crown now. But it came with a terrible price. He had the title, yet no real power. He had to appease the nobles constantly, for it was they who had backed him in the first place. And in return, he was bound by their whims.

He couldn't remove them. He couldn't oppose them. He was emperor in name, but little more.

This throne is more of a cage than a crown.

He had killed his own brother's family. He bore the label of a traitor, and yet, he never enjoyed a single day of true rule. He dared not attack the other kingdoms outright for fear of ruin, and he feared the judgment of history.

His legacy would be tainted forever.

"Is there no good news at all?" he muttered bitterly. "Can't I leave behind even a single deed worth remembering?"

Just then, a eunuch rushed in.

"Your Majesty! The results of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition are in!"

The emperor didn't lift his head. "Let me guess. Second place again? Save your breath."

"No, Your Majesty. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy has taken first place this time! They've defeated Shrek Academy!"

The emperor sat up straight, his sickly expression vanishing in an instant.

"What did you say?!"

"This time, our academy defeated Shrek Academy and claimed the championship."

For a moment, the chamber was silent—until the emperor burst into excited laughter.

"Magnificent! For ten thousand years, Shrek Academy stood at the top, ever since their defeat of Spirit Hall. But now—now that glory belongs to my Sun Moon Empire!"

He rose to his feet, energy surging through him.

"All members of the champion team will be granted the rank of Earl! Extra rewards for those who made exceptional contributions!"

For once, the Emperor of the Sun and Moon Empire had a chance to be remembered for more than betrayal.

This victory might just be the spark that turned the tides of history.

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