Star Luo Imperial Palace.
Damn it!
The moment Yang Fan arrived at the palace gates the next day, he witnessed a riot in progress.
Blood flowed like rivers!
Soul Grandmasters, Soul Elders, and Soul Ancestors were all mixed together in chaotic combat.
No technique, no strategy!
A... palace coup?
"These people are from the nearby Wu Yue Kingdom."
"The Emperor of Wu Yue Kingdom used to be Prince Xing Yong of our Star Luo Empire."
Zhu Zhuqing immediately recognized their origins.
There were many of them, and they came with murderous intent!
He spotted no fewer than five Soul Douluo-level experts alone.
That so many people could enter Star Luo City silently and launch a sudden coup today showed this had been long premeditated.
"Prince?"
"Your Star Luo Empire actually has princes?"
How surprising!
After all...
The brutal competition of Star Luo Empire meant only one prince could survive. Even if one or two others survived with disabilities, they would be eliminated after the new king's ascension.
It was precisely this brutal competition that Star Luo Empire took pride in that had brought them to their current state.
"This is an exception."
"Prince Xing Yong fled to Wu Yue Kingdom after losing the competition years ago, but somehow managed to seize power in a coup there."
Understood!
The Star Luo Emperor had beaten Prince Xing Yong out of the country back then, and now the defeated opponent had returned for revenge.
So...
Under such brutal competition, one truly needed to eliminate all roots of trouble.
"Where should the Star Luo Emperor be right now?"
Yang Fan had no interest in the Star Luo Empire's national affairs.
He only wanted to know if the Star Luo Emperor was still alive.
"Follow me."
Zhu Zhuqing surveyed the chaotic palace and found a bloody path through the corpses.
Before age fifteen, Zhu Zhuqing had never been to the palace, but in the past two years since becoming the Zhu Family's last hope, her visits to Star Luo Imperial Palace had grown increasingly frequent.
Soon...
Under Zhu Zhuqing's guidance, they arrived at where the Star Luo Emperor held court.
At this moment...
The royal guards outside the palace were locked in battle with Wu Yue Empire's soul masters.
The Star Luo Emperor was already surrounded and attacked by four Soul Douluo-level experts.
"Not bad."
Despite being outnumbered four to one, the Star Luo Emperor was holding his own thanks to the power of his White Tiger martial soul.
It made sense...
The Star Lao Emperor had ascended to the throne by stepping over the corpses of many brothers.
Years of handling state affairs might have worn away his combat passion, but his strength should still be intact.
"Brat, stop gawking."
"If the Star Luo Emperor dies, we'll have no idea where to find that Ten-Thousand-Year Green Spirit Vine."
Yao Lao's reminder came at just the right time.
This was no joke!
Who knew if the Star Luo Emperor was the only person on Douluo Continent who knew where to find Ten-Thousand-Year Green Spirit Vine?
If the Star Luo Emperor died before them, they might never get another chance to obtain it.
"Alright!"
Yang Fan flashed into mid-air with a single movement.
Retreat!
Powerful soul force rapidly expanded outward with him at the center.
Under his precise control, all the Wu Yue Empire soul masters' brains suffered powerful mental shocks.
Whoosh—
In an instant, all Wu Yue Empire soul masters lost their combat ability.
Including the four Soul Douluo attacking the Star Luo Emperor.
"So strong..."
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned.
Was this the power of a Titled Douluo?
No!
She absolutely believed no Titled Douluo on Douluo Continent could create such a shocking scene.
Distinguishing friend from foe!
What kind of terrifying strength was needed to achieve such perfect control?
Too strong!
So strong that all the experts Zhu Zhuqing had ever seen paled in comparison.
Perhaps this was the strength of Douluo Continent's number one sect.
"Retreat!"
"Retreat!"
"Retreat!"
Yang Fan's appearance had shattered the balance of the Star Luo Empire in the blink of an eye.
Such a powerful soul master was beyond any Wu Yue Empire soul master's ability to face.
They tentatively retreated backward...
Only fleeing in panic after confirming Yang Fan didn't intend to keep them.
"Done."
Yang Fan hadn't killed anyone present.
He had principles!
He had once declared he wouldn't get involved in any nation's politics.
If not for the Star Luo Emperor still owing him that promised Ten-Thousand-Year Green Spirit Vine, he wouldn't have intervened even if beaten to death.
At this moment...
The Star Luo Emperor suddenly walked over.
Abandoning the dignity befitting an emperor, he came before Yang Fan and bowed deeply.
"Thank you!"
"Thank you for saving our Star Luo Empire."
"How... how should I thank you?"
The Star Luo Emperor was sincere.
Not just because of Yang Fan's intervention today.
More importantly, because of that strength-enhancing pill gifted yesterday.
Without the effects of that pill, he might have died during Wu Yue Kingdom's palace attack last night.
"I simply didn't want Your Majesty to become someone who breaks their word."
"If you truly wish to express gratitude, just give me the medicinal materials I need."
Whatever thanks or honors the Star Luo Emperor offered...
Sorry!
He couldn't accept them.
After today, he would remain himself, and Star Luo Empire and Wu Yue Kingdom would remain themselves.
"Alright!"
"Please wait a moment."
The Star Luo Emperor revealed a smile.
From birth until now...
The Star Luo Emperor had never imagined he would become so embarrassed.
So embarrassed that as an emperor who had just crawled out from a pile of dead bodies, he was immediately being pressed for debt.
...
Half an hour later...
Under the guards' cleanup, Star Luo Palace temporarily regained its original appearance.
Though the Star Luo Emperor had just experienced a great battle, his complexion looked better than yesterday's.
This wasn't a change in mood, but in aura and strength.
Yang Fan and Yao Lao exchanged knowing smiles.
How could the Star Luo Emperor's current changes escape their notice?
"Congratulations to Your Majesty for stepping into Titled Douluo."
Yang Fan stared at the Star Luo Emperor.
Already a Titled Douluo!
Shouldn't he fulfill yesterday's promise?
"How embarrassing."
"Though I've now stepped into Titled Douluo, I haven't had time to absorb a soul ring yet."
The Star Luo Emperor wasn't in a good mood being congratulated at this moment.
The situation was obvious to all!
This so-called Titled Douluo had nearly lost his head before even getting his ninth soul ring.
It wasn't that he didn't want to, but he hadn't had the chance!
After today's events, he felt he might never get the opportunity to obtain his ninth soul ring.
Star Luo Empire faced internal and external troubles!
If he left the palace now, he might face two possibilities.
First: Being assassinated while out.
Second: Returning to find Star Luo Palace had changed hands.
Either scenario would be equivalent to taking his life.
Advancing to Titled Douluo but having no chance to obtain his ninth soul ring—this was the most bitter frustration.
"Your Majesty."
"Can we have that Ten-Thousand-Year Green Spirit Vine you promised?"
Yang Fan had no interest in listening to the Star Luo Emperor's complaints.
He only wanted the medicinal materials.
Give them... and he leaves!
"The medicinal material you mentioned is ready, though it's not actually called Ten-Thousand-Year Green Spirit Vine."
"Its name is Green Wood Immortal Vine."
Yang Fan had no mind to care what the medicinal material was called.
As long as the effect was right!
If the effect was wrong, he wouldn't accept it today.
Just then...
Two palace attendants lined up in orderly fashion, carrying two jade plates covered with red cloth.
When unveiled...
There were eight peculiar vine-like roots in total.
The vines were entirely emerald green!
Each about as thick as a thumb.
From the vines, he couldn't discern anything special about this medicinal material, nor could he smell any unusual fragrance.
Yao Lao had said this was called "restraint"!
Many top-tier medicinal materials were unremarkable in appearance; sometimes you couldn't even sense their value when holding them.
This was why Yao Lao said alchemy had infinite room for improvement.
Because you never knew when combining two or more medicinal materials might result in a top-tier pill.
'Master?'
'No problem!'
After receiving Yao Lao's confirmation mentally, Yang Fan stored the Ten-Thousand-Year Green Spirit Vine in his storage soul guide device.
Done!
The Star Luo Emperor was quite honorable.
They had only asked for five, but he prepared eight.
But thinking about it...
The Star Luo Empire was already in such a terrible state; keeping these top-tier medicinal materials would be useless anyway.
Perhaps after today, these materials would change dynasties.
Just like today!
"Brother Yang."
"Please wait."
"We have many other medicinal materials here. Could we trade for another of those strength-enhancing pills?"
The Star Luo Emperor understood too.
Wanting Yang Fan to commit people and resources to help Star Luo Empire seemed impossible now.
He only hoped to obtain another pill like the one he took yesterday from Yang Fan's hands.
Star Luo Empire had another Soul Douluo who had already reached level eighty-nine.
If Star Luo Empire could gain another Titled Douluo at this time, perhaps they could turn the tide.
"Your Majesty."
"We're still missing one Dragon Blood Lingzhi."
"This is a special medicinal material for replenishing blood and qi (energy), with quality equivalent to a Ninth-Grade Ginseng King."
Of the materials needed to refine the Bone Fusion Blood Pill, only this Dragon Blood Lingzhi remained missing.
Strange to say!
Dragon Blood Lingzhi should be the most easily replaceable medicinal material on Douluo Continent, yet this very material had eluded the entire Breaking Clan for a whole year.
"Dragon Blood Lingzhi?"
"Lingzhi?"
The Star Luo Emperor thought for a long time but couldn't recall if such a material existed in Star Luo Empire's treasury.
He immediately sent people to check...
But the results that came back were ultimately disappointing.
The Star Luo Emperor was immensely disappointed!
He laughed!
Star Luo Empire used to suppress Heaven Dou Empire, yet now their treasury couldn't even produce a single lingzhi?
Ridiculous!
Truly fucking ridiculous.
"Your Majesty."
"I happen to have another strength-enhancing pill here."
"But this pill only raises a Soul Douluo's level by one, and cannot make a soul master reach Titled Douluo."
"Consider it a deposit for this transaction."
"If there are any leads on Dragon Blood Lingzhi in the future, I hope Your Majesty will contact me promptly."
Yang Fan offered one he had refined earlier.
But this wasn't his idea—it was Yao Lao's guidance.
He understood!
Yao Lao did this hoping Star Luo Empire would continue to survive.
A nation's power was always stronger than their blind searching.
Of course...
Whether Star Luo Empire would have the capability or inclination to help them search after this incident was still unknown.
But it was good to have dreams; what if they came true?
"Good, good, good!"
"Thank you!"
"Thank you!"
The Star Luo Emperor was moved to tears.
Setting aside whether this pill could turn the tide in the future, this kindness alone was enough to move him deeply.
...
Outside the palace.
"Master."
"These medicinal materials should be enough now?"
Yao Lao smiled and nodded.
For now!
Refining the Bone Fusion Blood Pill faced only two problems.
First: How to make the withered Bone Spirit Fruit effective.
He was already working hard on this problem and had thought of two methods; now it was just a matter of trying them one by one.
Second: The missing Dragon Blood Lingzhi!
If they could gather that, he would be one step closer to rebuilding his physical body.
"Thank you."
"I've been out for several days now; I plan to return."
Douluo Continent was in turmoil now.
A single day could change the continent's situation.
He didn't dare stay away from the Breaking Clan for too long!
Moreover, with his current strength, he no longer needed to go out for training. What he needed to do was advance from level ninety-nine Limit Douluo to Demigod.
"You... goodbye."
Zhu Zhuqing clearly hadn't expected Yang Fan to leave so suddenly.
Watching Yang Fan's departing figure, she called out with difficulty: "Yang Fan."
"Is something wrong?"
Yang Fan turned to ask.
"I... I..."
"I hope you find that Dragon Blood Lingzhi soon."
Zhu Zhuqing's face was full of things left unsaid, as if she didn't know how to express a bellyful of words.
And indeed!
Last night, her father and two elders had pressured her, wanting her to use her relationship to trade for a pill from Yang Fan's hands to give to the Star Luo Emperor.
How could she bring herself to ask?
She truly didn't know how to express it.
Sigh—
Forget it!
She'd just say she forgot about this matter when she got back.
Her current position in the Zhu Family meant even if she didn't accomplish this, they wouldn't say much.
Just then...
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly discovered something had appeared in her pocket.
Reaching in to take it out...
Her face reddened!
It was precisely that pill Yang Fan had given the Star Luo Emperor to advance to Titled Douluo.
They must have overheard when her family pressured her last night.
"Yang Fan... thank you."
Fortunately, he gave it to her this way—otherwise, she wouldn't have known how to face Yang Fan's generous gift.
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