The vast power of destruction was continuously compressed within Jiang Shengyu's golden giant hand until it condensed into a tiny crystal-like bead. Around this bead, terrifying rifts in space flickered in and out of existence, forming and vanishing in rapid succession.
The level-nine Soul Engineer standing behind him hurried forward, eyes fixed on the crystalline orb in Jiang Shengyu's palm. Swallowing hard, he asked, "Your Majesty, are you all right?"
"Do I look like something's wrong?"
Jiang Shengyu tossed the small orb—what he called the Heart of Destruction—up and caught it again, then turned and reassured the anxious man. "Relax. I know what I'm doing."
"Know what you're doing?" A voice filled with restrained anger cut through the air. "You call nearly blowing the entire Mingde Hall sky-high knowing what you're doing? You could've been caught in a ferocious beast's self-destruction!"
It was Kong Deming, his tone sharp as a blade.
Both Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong turned around instantly, startled and slightly flustered, just in time to see Kong Deming striding toward them, face dark with fury.
"Do you two have any idea that your safety is now the most important thing to the entire Sun Moon Empire? Are you trying to give this old man a heart attack?!"
"Uh… that was an accident!"
Jiang Qingtong quickly lowered her head and apologized in one breath, then hastily pointed at Jiang Shengyu. "It was all my brother's doing!"
After all, being scolded once was better than being scolded twice.
Kong Deming sighed, his tone softening slightly as he turned to Jiang Qingtong. "Qingtong, you shouldn't go along with that brat in all his reckless schemes. He's thick-skinned enough to handle it, but if you get hurt, it won't just be a small problem."
Hearing that, both Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong exchanged helpless looks.
Trying to ease the tension, Jiang Shengyu said quickly, "Teacher, I actually have something more important to discuss with you. Can we set this aside for now?"
"What is it?" Kong Deming asked, frowning.
"That beast isn't dead yet," Jiang Shengyu said.
Kong Deming froze. "That's impossible. He self-destructed!"
"There's someone above," Jiang Shengyu replied, pointing up at the sky. "As long as Tang San remains in the God Realm, they can ignore the laws of life and death—reviving and regenerating endlessly. When it comes to the level of the soul, we still can't match the gods."
Kong Deming snorted coldly. "What an amusing god. Spouting talk about 'boundless compassion' and 'protection for all beings,' yet in truth he's filled with selfishness! With a god like that as their mentor, no wonder Shrek Academy behaves the way it does."
"He can do as he pleases, but no one else may—that's exactly the Shrek way. It's the legacy of that man's character," Jiang Shengyu said with a shrug. Then he held out the Heart of Destruction for Kong Deming to see. "Teacher, look at this."
Kong Deming's brows furrowed as he studied the orb in Jiang Shengyu's hand. With his level of cultivation, he could easily sense the terrifying power sealed within it. If that energy were to erupt, it could flatten the entire Mingde Hall—perhaps even surpass the great Mingdu explosion of the past!
Even a team of level-nine Soul Engineers wouldn't be able to contain the resulting blast.
Kong Deming's expression hardened as realization struck him. "You compressed the energy from that beast's self-detonation into this orb?"
Jiang Shengyu smiled and nodded. "That's right. This way, I can harness that power for myself. Even without using my Martial Soul Fusion Skill, I'll have the strength to heavily injure—or even kill—an Ultimate Douluo."
"But this is the power of pure destruction," Kong Deming said, shaking his head disapprovingly. "It's too volatile. If you're not careful, you'll harm yourself as well as others."
If that thing went off, at least half of the ten level-nine Soul Devices Jiang Shengyu carried would be destroyed!
"So to avoid ever needing to use it," Jiang Qingtong said cheerfully, stepping forward to take Kong Deming's arm, "Teacher, you'd better hurry and reach the level of Level 10 Soul Engineer! That way, we can all bask safely under your shade!"
Kong Deming's stern face eased into a faint smile. "With that immortal herb of yours, I believe I can finally break through to Super Douluo. Once I reach that level, I'll be able to complete the construction of a true Level 10 Soul Device—and ascend as a Level 10 Soul Engineer!"
He was confident. The only thing that had long held him back from that rank was the limit of his cultivation.
With the immortal herb to enhance his aptitude, and his iron will, reaching Super Douluo was now well within reach.
After carefully storing away the Heart of Destruction, Jiang Shengyu turned to the duties of governance. As emperor, even though Kong Deming handled affairs during his seclusion, these responsibilities ultimately fell upon him.
Before long, Jiang Shengyu came across a military report from the frontlines at the Mingdou Mountain Range.
It was written personally by Juzi. Within it was a special battle strategy she proposed against the three nations of the former Douluo Continent.
She suggested deploying both the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Regiment and the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Regiment—two Beast King–level corps—using their superior mobility to carry out a Leapfrog Tactic deep behind enemy lines.
The three nations had concentrated the bulk of their forces along the Mingdou Mountain front. Even the distant Dou Ling Empire had dispatched part of its army to serve as reserve troops for the Heavenly Soul and Star Luo Empires.
This meant their rear defenses were actually quite thin. By taking a route through the Extreme North, the two regiments could strike directly into enemy territory.
And with the combat power of Beast King–level regiments, even if they encountered Ultimate Douluos, they would still have a fighting chance.
If this operation succeeded, it would massively weaken the front-line resistance of the three nations.
However, such a plan—sending two entire regiments deep into enemy territory without supply lines or reinforcements—was a risky gamble, one even Kong Deming hadn't dared to approve. Thus, it had been shelved… until now.
Jiang Shengyu approved the operation.
He appointed Juzi as supreme commander of the two regiments and ordered the logistics department to provide them with additional supplies and support.
When the news reached her, Juzi was elated. She had known Jiang Shengyu would approve her plan—he was just like her, someone who embraced bold risks.
She immediately convened both regiments to deliver the orders in person.
Wang Yiheng, commander of the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Regiment, was stunned. This deep-strike tactic… had actually been approved? They would have no reinforcements at all. If they encountered multiple Ultimate Douluos, it could be disastrous!
Juzi's expression grew solemn. "I know many of you don't trust me. I'm young, and I lack combat experience. But I promise you this—we will win. And we will keep winning! Even if you don't believe in me, you should at least believe in His Majesty the Emperor!"
At the mention of Jiang Shengyu, Wang Yiheng stepped forward without hesitation. "I trust His Majesty's judgment! The Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Regiment will obey orders!"
"The Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Regiment will also obey!" declared its commander, giving a firm nod.
Juzi straightened, raised her hand, and saluted with the proud gesture of the Sun Moon Empire. Her voice rang out like steel:
"We shall make death itself retreat! Beneath the heavens, the radiance of the Sun and Moon shall endure forever!"
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