The golden-red sun slowly rose from the east, casting its shimmering light across the ocean's surface. The sea breeze carried a faint salty scent, damp and chilling in this late autumn season.
Waves crashed one after another against the rocky cliffs. As the mist above the sea began to disperse, an island emerged abruptly from the haze.
This island was situated in the western seas of the Sun Moon Empire, far from the empire's mainland but not so deep into the ocean. Because of its location, it avoided the threat of powerful sea soul beasts that roamed the depths, making it possible for the Sun Moon Empire to annex it into its vast territory under direct governance.
The island wasn't particularly large. Unlike typical islands, it was surrounded by a solid wall of grayish-blue marble, standing nearly 50 meters high.
The relentless waves had left marks of time on the walls, yet the structure remained unyielding, standing firm and unmoved.
At the top of the wall, massive cannon barrels gleamed with a dark metallic luster, aimed outward. Rows of well-trained, disciplined soldiers patrolled the walls in shifts, their deep-blue standard-issue armor reflecting the sunlight with a faint, mesmerizing glow.
This island served as a naval military base, constructed by the Sun Moon Empire to fend off the sea soul beasts causing trouble in the western seas. Bases like this weren't uncommon in the empire's western and southern waters. After all, despite the advancements in soul tool technology, humanity was still far from conquering the vast, mysterious oceans.
The soul beasts of the deep sea were not only greater in number but also far stronger than their terrestrial counterparts.
Within the walls, there were no bustling streets or lively towns. Instead, rows of low stone houses lined the grounds. Here and there, small groups of soldiers were seen resting or patrolling. At makeshift supply points, they queued to receive various provisions.
The only structure that vaguely resembled a town feature was the tall castle at the center of the island.
The castle, built entirely from grayish-blue stone, towered over the other buildings, its oppressive aura unchanged even under the sun's rays.
In stark contrast to the one- or two-story stone houses around it, the five-story castle stood out like a crane among chickens.
In the flower garden before the castle, vibrant and rare flowers bloomed, adding the only splash of color to the island. Their pleasant fragrance diluted the sea's salty tang.
By the edge of the garden, a young man dressed in a luxurious robe of purple and gold closed his eyes. He leaned closer to a rare dark purple ink orchid, taking in its fragrance with his sharp nose.
The youth appeared quite young, his features carrying a hint of boyish innocence. His shoulder-length black hair was interspersed with streaks of purple at his temples and forehead, giving him an air of mysterious allure.
With finely sculpted features and skin as fair as jade, he looked more like a pampered noble than someone who lived by the sea.
Indeed, that was the case. His name was Xu Zihuang, and his status was far more prestigious than that of ordinary nobles. He was the son of a prince of the Sun Moon Empire. However, three years ago, the Sun Moon Empire underwent a political upheaval.
His father, a once-powerful prince, had risked his life to save the former emperor of the Sun Moon Empire. As a result, his family met a tragic end.
Perhaps out of consideration for the precarious balance among the imperial family or because the new emperor wished to avoid excessive bloodshed so soon after ascending the throne, the then-five-year-old Xu Zihuang was spared. Instead, he was exiled to this isolated island in the sea.
"Your Highness, the wind is strong outside. Please take care of your health," a calm and steady voice from behind him said.
Xu Zihuang slowly opened his eyes and turned to look at the speaker with a smile. His deep purple eyes were tranquil and indifferent.
The middle-aged man before him wore deep-blue armor and exuded a commanding presence. However, the faint smirk on Xu Zihuang's lips was laced with self-mockery.
"Your Highness? A prince in exile?"
The man's dark skin and towering frame—nearly two meters tall—gave him the appearance of a hardened soldier. Yet, he lowered his head respectfully before Xu Zihuang, not daring to meet his gaze.
The usual trope of a fallen noble being humiliated by their subordinates didn't play out here. The dignity of the royal family was inviolable. Even if Xu Zihuang was just a prince in exile, he still represented the Sun Moon Empire's imperial family.
If he could be casually humiliated, then what value would the royal family's reputation hold?
Xu Zihuang brushed aside the wind-tousled strands of hair on his forehead and walked slowly toward the middle-aged man, squinting slightly as he studied his expression.
"Captain Hai Xiao, your visit at this time must mean there's something to report, correct?"
Hai Xiao nodded, his stiff face twitching slightly.
"This afternoon, a ship will arrive from the empire's mainland, carrying one hundred noblewomen selected from across the empire. Each of them is exceptionally gifted and beautiful. His Highness the Crown Prince hopes that Your Highness can choose ten among them to pass down the royal family's purest Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon bloodline."
Hai Xiao paused briefly before continuing, "Of course, if Your Highness wishes to keep all one hundred noblewomen, His Highness the Crown Prince has also granted his approval."
"Hmph." Xu Zihuang sneered internally, though his eyes grew colder.
"Xu Tianran, you've really thought this through, haven't you?"
Finally, he understood why Xu Tianran had spared his life back then.
Although the imperial family of the Sun Moon Empire was vast, those who inherited its top-tier martial souls were exceedingly rare. Xu Zihuang was one such individual.
Not only was he born with the highly coveted innate full soul power that was quite rare on the side of the Sun Moon Empire during his awakening, but he had also inherited the high-level beast martial soul, the Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon. Furthermore, his bloodline purity was unprecedented in the nearly thousand-year history of the imperial family.
The emotions deep in his eyes quickly faded into calmness. Without another word, Xu Zihuang turned and walked into the castle.
"Inform me when they arrive, Captain Hai Xiao. It's not like I have the right to refuse, do I?"
Now that he understood Xu Tianran's true intentions, Xu Zihuang felt a strange sense of relief.
At the very least, for now, he was safe.
If he managed to survive in the future, he probably wouldn't be able to leave this island at all. Letting loose and indulging would be the only things he could do.
Fortunately, with the current soul tool technology in the Sun Moon Empire, they couldn't extract his seeds and keep them active for a long time, which gave him some room for choice.
Most importantly, he had managed to survive for three years. At least it would take another three or four years for him to reach an age where he could leave offspring behind.
These three or four years were likely his final deadline.
He knew all too well how ruthless his cousin could be. Once he fulfilled his purpose, his life would undoubtedly be forfeit.
Walking through the castle's spacious, opulent corridors, Xu Zihuang sighed inwardly.
"Starting off at hell-level difficulty, huh?"