Tian Dou City
On the city walls, fierce winds whipped through the air, causing the Tiandou Empire's flags to snap loudly in the breeze.
A handsome "youth" clad in silver and gold robes walked upright along the battlements. His figure was tall and poised, exuding an aura of calm confidence.
Behind him followed a stern-faced, red-haired guard clad in armor, his presence radiating a killing intent that starkly contrasted with the youth's gentle demeanor.
The guard watched as the youth paused briefly by each soldier they passed, his gaze filled with concern as he softly inquired about their well-being.
The guard's eyes were filled with confusion.
It wasn't until they entered the gatehouse at the southern gate, where no Tiandou soldiers were in sight, that Porcupinefish Douluo finally couldn't suppress his curiosity any longer. He cautiously asked, "Young Master, your status is so noble—why do you treat these low-born soldiers with such warmth?"
Upon hearing Porcupinefish Douluo's question, Qian Renxue paused for a moment. "Why?"
Her gaze grew distant, as if she could see past the city walls to the distant Wu'an City.
"It's over."
Porcupinefish Douluo, seeing the expression on his young master's face, immediately understood. With a helpless sigh, he thought, 'This look… it's clear that Young Master is thinking about that battle in Wu'an City again.'
Sure enough…
After a moment, Qian Renxue slowly returned to her senses. "Because my spy in Wu'an City told me that Dai Chengfeng did exactly this."
As she spoke, a flicker of admiration flashed across Qian Renxue's eyes.
"He treated the soldiers in Wu'an City with great care. Even after he left, Zhu Yan continued to follow the rules he had established, giving the soldiers of Wu'an City the best treatment possible."
"Now, the soldiers in Wu'an City train with enthusiasm, and everyone takes pride in joining Dai Chengfeng's personal guard—the 'Frontline Death Squad.' They're even willing to go through fire and water for him without hesitation."
"Such an army, such fighting spirit…"
As she spoke, Qian Renxue unconsciously clenched her fists.
Porcupinefish Douluo shook his head slightly, his eyes filled with concern. Unable to help himself, he advised, "Young Master, that battle happened over a year ago, nearly two years now. Can't you let it go?"
"Let it go?"
A cold smile tugged at the corner of Qian Renxue's lips. "In my entire life, I've only suffered defeat at the hands of two people—it's my shame."
"Especially that Dai Chengfeng—he dared to toy with me…"
At this, she slammed her hand onto the parapet. "I want to eat his flesh and drink his blood!"
Clang clang clang…
Porcupinefish Douluo watched his young master, who was clearly contradicting herself, feeling both exasperated and amused. 'Eat his flesh and drink his blood?'
'Who was it that got so worked up when they heard he was sentenced to execution, saying he couldn't die?'
However, at this moment, Porcupinefish Douluo seemed to recall something and quickly straightened his expression. "Oh, right, Young Master. Grand Elder asked me to inform you that Pope Bibi Dong has made a new move."
"And this matter seems to be somewhat related to Prince Dai Chengfeng."
"The Pope…"
A complex light flickered in Qian Renxue's eyes, but she quickly composed herself, feigning casual curiosity. "That woman is making a move—how could it possibly be related to Dai Chengfeng?"
Porcupinefish Douluo explained, "According to Grand Elder, it seems she has managed to connect with one of the higher-ups in the Star Luo Empire…"
Qian Renxue was instantly astonished. "The upper echelons of the Star Luo Empire are always like an impenetrable wall—how could she manage to break through them?"
Porcupinefish Douluo nodded in confirmation. "Actually, rather than breaking through, it's more accurate to say they reached a limited form of cooperation."
"The other party seems to support Crown Prince Dai Weisi. As for the finer details, even Grand Elder isn't entirely sure."
Qian Renxue thoughtfully nodded, recalling the image of Dai Chengfeng, who had been thrown into the death dungeon by Dai Mubai and was reportedly still there. "The struggle for the throne in the Star Luo Empire truly is brutal."
Porcupinefish Douluo continued his report. "The Pope accidentally learned from that high-ranking official in the Star Luo Empire that Dai Chengfeng had constructed a massive hydraulic engineering project called Dujiangyan near the Jiang River in Wu'an City."
Qian Renxue frowned slightly, her eyes filled with doubt. "Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project?"
"Dai Chengfeng knows about this kind of thing?"
Porcupinefish Douluo nodded slightly. "Not only does he know, but it's said that when Emperor Star Luo received the blueprints and plans, he was so excited that he immediately convened discussions with the officials in charge of water conservancy for three consecutive days without sleep."
"Even during rest, he kept the blueprints close to him, hugging them as he slept."
"Moreover, all the water conservancy officials in the Star Luo Empire were astounded upon seeing the blueprints, calling it a genius-level, revolutionary concept."
"Even the Pope, after reviewing the blueprints, believed…"
Porcupinefish Douluo paused here, his expression turning serious. "If this Dujiangyan project is completed, it could have lasting impacts on the Star Luo Empire, which is predominantly mountainous with less than half the plains of the Tiandou Empire."
"She absolutely cannot allow such a thing to happen and intends to intervene to disrupt the Dujiangyan plan."
Qian Renxue was skeptical. "Is it really that impressive? Worth her personal intervention?"
In the world of Douluo, martial prowess reigned supreme. While water conservancy projects were important for a nation, how many soul masters could truly excel in hydraulics?
"Does Dai Chengfeng really have the ability to design a water conservancy system capable of altering the fate of the Star Luo Empire for generations?"
Seeing Qian Renxue's disbelief, Porcupinefish Douluo pulled out a letter from his robe and handed it to her with both hands. "Young Master, I can't explain it well—you should take a look yourself."
"The blueprints are inside. Though I don't understand them, if the final vision outlined in the blueprints is successfully built…"
Porcupinefish Douluo's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of awe shining through. "It truly deserves to be called—a legacy for the ages!"
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue reached out to take the letter from Porcupinefish Douluo, her curiosity piqued. "Let me see what kind of design could make even you marvel…"
She opened the envelope and unfolded the letter inside.
Within moments, her gaze grew focused and grave.
"Automatic water diversion, automatic sand removal, controlled water flow, flood prevention…"
"If this is truly completed, it could create a 'Land of Abundance' stretching thousands of miles. It truly is… a cross-generational, genius-level idea!"
Qian Renxue pressed her lips together, her eyes filled with admiration, but soon an overwhelming sense of frustration took over.
"The Dai family is known for their military prowess, but you also understand water conservation…"
"Damn it, bastard!!!"
Just then, Qian Renxue's eyes suddenly narrowed as she gazed down at the white carriage below the city walls. "I think I saw that white carriage two months ago. There was someone inside who looked very much like…"
At this moment, Porcupinefish Douluo suddenly spoke again.
"Oh, Young Master, I have another piece of news. It's not particularly important, but it's about Dai Mubai…"
"Do you have any interest in hearing it?"
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A/N: After reviewing the original work and consulting online resources and AI, I found that neither Tang San nor Huo Yuhao gained increased soul power after obtaining external soul bones because external soul bones are special growth-type soul bones.
Thus, I've decided that external soul bones will not increase soul power in my story either.
However, soul bones from body parts that cannot naturally grow will indeed increase soul power.
(T/N: I've also checked but couldn't come to a clear conclusion tbh. I'll take what the author says, it's a fanfic anways lol)
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