At the Starlight Auction House, the Sun Moon Battle Team, led by a maid, ventured deeper inside. After witnessing a series of bizarre changes, they entered a room spanning approximately two hundred square meters.
The room featured a massive invisible Soul Guided Device built into the wall, a Light Guided Screen from the Sun Moon Empire. It could transmit images through special means. The core array didn't require Soul Power; instead, it utilized a special mineral from the Sun Moon Empire.
Xu Tianxi, who usually paid little attention to such things, quickly thought of television and cinema. He quietly sent a message to Jing Hongchen:
"Dean, is there a possibility of using this Light Guided Screen to film longer content?"
Jing Hongchen was puzzled. "Tianxi, what do you mean?"
"I think creating these things would have significant propaganda value, helping to promote a positive image of our country."
As a transient from Earth, Xu Tianxi deeply understood that during a specific period in history, cinema became the most crucial weapon on the cultural front. A certain "polar bear" nation, to produce a timeless masterpiece, leveraged its national advantages and mobilized resources from various departments across the country, creating the most epic film in human history.
To make that film, they even mobilized the military, with high-ranking generals from the army, navy, and air force personally providing guidance. All major national museums were mobilized, and the director died twice, showing the sheer scale of the undertaking.
And that film lived up to expectations, causing a huge sensation domestically and internationally. It was a massive financial success, and its cultural impact was immeasurable.
Here in the Sun Moon Empire, the economic cost would be almost negligible. If the price of the Light Guided Screen could be brought down and popularized nationwide, with cinemas opening in places like Mingdu, they could make a fortune quickly.
If it could spread to the other Three Great Empires, it would be a complete blow to their cultural confidence. It could play a role in both pre-war preparations and post-war stability.
Xu Tianxi organized his thoughts and calmly transmitted,
"Consider this: our Sun Moon Empire's living standards are far superior to those of the Three Great Empires. If we could film some scattered scenes and show them in areas of the Three Great Empires where living conditions are very poor, what would happen?"
"I can say with certainty that most of the nobles in the Three Great Empires are not die-hards. Many people don't really care who's in charge."
"As for the common folk, whose emotions are the most straightforward, they have endured layers of exploitation from nobles and empires. The Three Great Empires have shown them no kindness. As long as the Sun Moon army commits no offenses, it won't actually affect their lives; in fact, it might even improve them. It's just that the change in national name might be emotionally difficult for them to accept, which will require subtle, gradual change."
Hearing this, Jing Hongchen's eyes suddenly brightened, then he said with some concern, "But the Three Great Empires have such deep prejudices against our Sun Moon Empire. Will it really be effective in the short term?"
Xu Tianxi's expression remained unchanged. "If it doesn't work for this generation, it doesn't mean it won't work for the next. Those people can control themselves, but can they control their descendants?"
"If our Sun Moon Empire's subjugation of the Three Great Empires is to bring a better future to the common people of the Douluo Continent, then who can say we are invading rather than punishing the wicked and comforting the innocent? As for the die-hard resistors, leave none alive."
"The nobles of the Three Great Empires have been high and mighty for countless years, yet the common people barely even have a chance to awaken their Martial Souls. What use are they? We are eliminating the darkness hanging over the Three Great Empires. As long as the common people of the Three Great Empires understand this, they will know who the true righteous force is."
Punishing the wicked and comforting the innocent has existed since ancient times. The Ji Zhou dynasty used it, and after entering the customs, great Confucian scholars debated its merits.
Jing Hongchen couldn't help but gasp, a strange chill running down his spine.
Could this really be the thought of a ten-year-old child? He probably had long since decided to annihilate the Three Great Empires. Just then, the Light Guided Screen gradually cleared, with patterns appearing on both sides and a clear auction stage in the center of the screen.
The auctioneer responsible for hosting the Sun Moon Battle Team spoke at the opportune moment, introducing the auction process to everyone.
Before long, the Soul Guided Screen emitted a soft, non-blinding golden light, and the melodious voice of Star Luo Princess Xu Jiujiu resonated from within.
"Welcome, distinguished guests, to the Starlight Auction House's premium auction. Today, we will present a total of nine precious items to all our esteemed guests—"
The Soul Guided Screen's light and shadow shifted, revealing Xu Jiujiu, the Chief Auctioneer of the Starlight Auction House, dressed in a red gown. She appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old, with icy skin and snow-like complexion, and exquisite features. Combined with the lighting effects, she presented a perfect visual experience.
Xu Tianxi quietly thought that royal life wasn't easy; even a princess had to personally act as an auctioneer.
Speaking of which, Xu Jiujiu and Tian Hun Princess Vina were rare women on the Douluo Continent who weren't obsessed with romance. Their way of thinking was quite unique.
Xu Jiujiu on the screen exchanged a few pleasantries and performed a courtly bow, then immediately presented the first auction item: an eighth-grade close-combat Soul Guided Device, the Tyrant Tiger Soul Refining Blade, crafted with a ten-thousand-year Tyrant Tiger right arm bone as its core material. The auctioneer responsible for their group swallowed hard, trying to appear inconspicuous.
In the private room next door, Room 2.
Xiao Changfeng, who had been quietly observing the auction items from the sofa, couldn't help but react upon hearing "from Mingde Hall." He chuckled to Star Shattering Douluo, who was hosting him:
"Aren't you afraid that Mingde Hall Master will go mad with anger if you do this?"
Star Shattering Douluo laughed heartily, waving his hand. "Don't worry, old senior, we wouldn't bring it out if we didn't have something to rely on. It's just an eighth-grade Soul Guided Device. I'm sure Mingde Hall Master won't turn hostile over such a small matter."
"That's true," Xiao Changfeng nodded lightly. It seemed that this time, the Starlight Auction House had quite a few "imported" goods from Mingde Hall among its major offerings. Jing Hongchen was going to be upset tonight.
"Besides, the Starlight Auction House is a royal property. If Mingde Hall Master were to act out, old senior, you wouldn't stand idly by, would you? With you here, Mingde Hall Master wouldn't dare act recklessly."
Star Shattering Douluo continued, his words clearly indicating a close familiarity.
Both he and Xiao Changfeng had been students at the Star Luo Royal Academy. Xiao Changfeng was a year ahead of Star Shattering Douluo; back then, Xiao Changfeng was the captain of the main team, and Star Shattering Douluo was the captain of the reserve team. They had a deep friendship.
After graduation, Xiao Changfeng returned to his sect, while Star Shattering Douluo joined the Star Luo Empire. Decades passed, and he achieved the status of a Level Ninety-Five Super Douluo, a top-tier expert in the Hall of Worship. The Star Luo Empire hoped he could reach Level Ninety-Seven or even Level Ninety-Eight.
However, this strength was undoubtedly still vastly inferior to Xiao Changfeng's. The latter had disappeared after graduating from the academy, only to reappear later as a Level Ninety-Seven Super Douluo, having cultivated his Ice Crystal Phoenix Martial Soul into the legendary Ultimate Ice.
In the battle at Shrek City, Eternal Emperor Xu Xiaoyun became a legend, and Ice Phoenix Douluo Xiao Changfeng also gained immense renown. He single-handedly defeated Old Song, the third strongest in the Sea God Pavilion, and Yan Shaozhe, the Dean of Shrek, a feat only surpassed by Xu Xiaoyun.
His Level Ninety-Seven strength needed no further explanation. Few in the current era surpassed his cultivation. With the legendary Ultimate Ice, he was undoubtedly invincible among those of the same level. He could contend with a Level 98 Super Douluo, and the outcome of a battle with a Limit Douluo was also unknown.
In Star Shattering Douluo's view, this level of strength was certainly no less than Jing Hongchen's.
Xiao Changfeng smiled faintly, not telling his junior that his stance had already changed.
If Shrek hadn't caused that incident back then, perhaps they would have trusted the Three Great Empires and wholeheartedly resisted the Sun Moon Empire. But now, what's done is done; there's no turning back.
Star Shattering Douluo's expression was eager, and he chuckled, "After His Majesty heard about your and your esteemed teacher's affairs, he wanted to find time to visit you both. However, with the tournament approaching and so many matters to attend to, he hasn't been able to get away."
"When His Majesty learned that you, old senior, would personally deal with that Evil Soul Master, he specifically instructed me to treat you well. There might be some items here today that could be useful to you, old senior. As long as you fancy it, it absolutely won't get away!"
Shrek had been repeatedly humiliated by the Clear Sky Sect, Xuanming Sect, and Mingde Hall, and its deterrent power was greatly diminished. Upon hearing of Xiao Changfeng's appearance in Star Luo City, Xu Jiawei immediately had an idea. He dispatched Star Shattering Douluo to reminisce with the most outstanding student in the history of the Star Luo Royal Academy, and offered promises to win him over at any cost.
Among the authorities granted to Star Shattering Douluo, he could offer Xiao Changfeng the positions of Hall of Worship Master and National Teacher if he could bring him into the Star Luo Empire. The old Hall of Worship Master was already leaving, so preparations could be made to make room for the newcomer.
Given Xiao Changfeng's age, a breakthrough to Level 98 was a certainty, and there was great hope for him to become a Limit Douluo. Even for a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, Xu Jiawei wouldn't bat an eye.
Xiao Changfeng smiled faintly and shook his head. "There's no need for that. At my cultivation level, external objects hold little significance anymore. Although our Xuanming Sect isn't as financially powerful as Mingde Hall, we can still afford the bill."
Star Shattering Douluo chuckled, then changed the subject to continue the conversation. It was expected that Xiao Changfeng wouldn't be easily swayed; they had plenty of patience.
At that moment, the auction item on the Light Guided Screen had changed to twelve Level Six Fixed Soul Cannon Shells. Seeing this batch of top-tier contraband, a flicker appeared in Xiao Changfeng's eyes.
"With contraband of this level, Jing Hongchen won't actually be so enraged he causes trouble, will he?"
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