Chapter 108 - Dai Zhu never had a marriage contract

Xu Mingjie was sitting cross-legged on his dormitory bed practicing when he suddenly heard a commotion outside. He exited his cultivation and sighed.

He knew it was most likely the eldest prince of the Star Luo Empire coming again. One of them was the captain of the regular team, and the other the captain of the reserve team. They met every day.

Moreover, the identity of the other party was too special, making it difficult for Xu Mingjie to refuse. The strength of the Star Crown Sect must not be exposed right now—otherwise, it would definitely become a target of the Spirit Hall. Qian Daoliu could no longer bear watching the Star Crown Sect live in seclusion in a corner like this.

Xu Mingjie adjusted his expression in front of the mirror, opened the door, walked out, and greeted Davis with a gentle smile.

Standing beside Davis was his fiancée, Zhu Zhuyun, and descendants of several noble families from the Star Luo Empire. They all walked together to the bustling area of Star Luo City, playing and joking, seemingly getting along well.

"Brother Mingjie, does your Star Crown Sect have any commercial routes like Star Luo City?"

"No, our place is in a remote mountain area, and our clan members rarely interact with the outside world. We are basically self-sufficient."

"Really? That sounds nice, Brother Mingjie. The one who supposedly found great treasure in the sea near Star Luo City is said to be from your Star Crown Sect. Have you heard about it?"

"I've heard the rumors, but I haven't been back to the sect in a long time, so I don't know the details."

"Is that so, Brother Mingjie? Let me take you to the biggest money-making spot in Star Luo City. It's fun there."

"Alright, let's go."

Xu Mingjie dealt with Davis carefully. Of course, he knew the details—it was his grandfather and brother. But only he knew that. If he revealed it just to show off and affected the sect's plans, he would truly become the greatest sinner in the Star Crown Sect.

Davis and the noble children around him would often speak about the Star Crown Sect with admiration, but who knew what they truly thought?

After they left, a young talent who had awakened his martial spirit just over a year ago stepped out from the shadowy alley behind them, stared at their backs, and clenched his fists.

"Davis is six years older than me and has already won over the greatest sect in the Star Luo Empire. Do I still have a chance?"

After hesitating for a moment, he looked north—toward the Heaven Dou Empire. Going there might make it easier to win over external forces or avoid being hunted.

At this moment in the Zhu residence, a young girl who had not yet awakened her martial spirit was fantasizing about her future husband in the garden—what a kind and honest man he would be.

If children from the White Tiger Dai family and the Nether Spirit Cat Zhu family both awakened their family's martial spirits and possessed the ability for martial spirit fusion, they would be betrothed.

However, before the awakening and innate soul power were confirmed, to avoid any mishaps, the two families would not engage or even allow a meeting.

...

A few days later, news spread in the palace that the third prince, Dai Mubai, had fled to the Heaven Dou Empire. The head of the Zhu family immediately visited the Star Luo Queen and received a reply.

Dai Mubai would not be engaged to anyone from the Zhu family, nor would he let anyone interfere with his future. Although the head of the Zhu family was deeply displeased, he had no choice.

He conveyed the news to Zhu Zhuqing, who was about to awaken her martial spirit. Seeing her heartbroken, he turned and left, leaving her crying alone in her room.

After some time, the crying stopped. The young Zhu Zhuqing wiped her tears, comforted herself, and began training.

Since the third prince Dai Mubai had left, the Star Luo Emperor and Empress had no other children. With an unreliable husband, the empress could only rely on herself.

After leaving the room, the Zhu family head sat in the main hall thinking. The Zhu family built its power through marriage. Since marrying into the royal family was now impossible, could he find a strong husband candidate for Zhu Zhuqing?

He reviewed the Zhu family's intelligence reports on all the major powers in the Star Luo Empire. Due to his position, he first ruled out all sects and families that had defected to the Spirit Hall.

Secondly, to avoid arousing suspicion from the emperor, he had to make a careful choice. With these constraints, the number of suitable forces was very small, and only one stood out.

"Someone, come here."

"Master, what are your orders?"

"Go to Star Luo Royal Academy and invite team captain Xu Mingjie to my Zhu residence for a talk. Remember, be sincere."

"Yes, I will go immediately."

After making arrangements, the Zhu family head began discussions with palace advisors on how to more securely establish Davis as the crown prince of the Star Luo Empire. This was now their top priority.

At this moment, Xu Mingxi—far away in the Sunset Forest—had no idea that while his younger brother was doing as he had hoped by getting involved with various powers after joining Star Luo Royal Academy, the results would be completely different from what he expected, and his brother would be caught in a vortex of strife.

Now, he was busy hiding in the forest, observing a soul beast feeding.

Staring at the hundred-thousand-year-old tiger that was roaring as it gnawed on a giant ox's corpse, he noted the location in his notebook.

Xu Mingxi had been searching the Sunset Forest for days but found nothing except a few rare herbs. Only today did he hear an earth-shaking roar.

He had rushed over excitedly, only to be disappointed. The soul beast was indeed a hundred-thousand-year-old beast, but not what he needed. He could only register it and save it for Xu Mingguang and others as a ninth spirit ring.

"Forget it. This Sunset Forest should only have this one hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast. I guess Dugu Bo has already cleaned up the rest."

Xu Mingxi muttered to himself as he returned to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Dugu Bo had already picked all the herbs and was waiting there with Dugu Yan.

He handed over the Blue Silver King's soul bone to Dugu Bo, instructing him to take the bone and the herbs back to the Star Crown Sect and deliver them to the sect leader.

Xu Mingxi had no worries about Dugu Bo running away—his son and daughter-in-law were still in the sect. Besides, knowing the strength of the Star Crown Sect, would Dugu Bo even dare flee?

After bidding farewell to Dugu Bo, Xu Mingxi didn't delay any longer and left the Sunset Forest immediately. There was nothing more to gain here for now, and he had more important things to do.

Upon exiting the forest, Xu Mingxi looked at the map in his hand and headed south toward the Heaven Dou Empire.

After just three days, a dusty Xu Mingxi lifted his head and looked up at the large sign hanging over the city gate. The three large characters—"Soto City"—told him he had arrived at his destination.