Three Titled Douluo walked at the very front. Their status was equal to that of the Emperor.
As a junior, even Princess Vina could only walk behind the three.
Everyone walked into the Imperial Palace together, except for Jiang Peng, who remained rooted to the spot, still dazed.
Xiao Xiao chuckled, "Hehe, Big Brother Jiang, are you discouraged? My teacher is not someone you can get your hands on."
He told her she was a little loli, but compared to the outstanding Miaoxin, you can't even be called a shota.
She became a Titled Douluo at thirty, while you'll at most be a Soul Douluo at thirty!
The gap was not just ordinary; it was immense.
"Hmph, isn't she just a Titled Douluo? I'll still pursue her!" Jiang Peng was confused for a moment, then his eyes suddenly became resolute.
How could he easily give up on someone he fell in love with at first sight? Moreover, the more outstanding the woman he pursued, didn't that mean his taste was even more exceptional?
Furthermore, his family would also do their best to help him. After all, if he could marry a Titled Douluo, his father and grandfather would probably wake up laughing in their dreams.
In fact, Miaoxin wasn't that repulsed by Jiang Peng. Otherwise, if it were anyone else trying to court her like that, she would have slapped them away long ago.
Because through her mind-reading, she discovered that there was no difference whatsoever between what Jiang Peng said and what he thought in his heart.
In other words, he was a simpleton whose emotions were always on display. Because of her mind-reading ability, she had encountered too many hypocritical people. Despite her outwardly cheerful demeanor, she always maintained a three-tenths vigilance towards outsiders.
It was rare to see someone with such an innocent heart, and she found it quite interesting.
Everyone arrived at the Imperial Palace Grand Hall. The three Titled Douluo sought an audience with His Majesty. Since the imperial decree had already been sent yesterday, they didn't even need to be announced. They were led into the hall by an eunuch.
At this moment, civil and military officials had already gathered in the hall. In the very center, two groups of people stood distinctly separated.
One side was led by Princess Xu Jiujiu of Star Luo, whom Yuwen Tuo had met. Behind her followed Star Breaking Douluo and Great Strength Douluo.
The other side was Jing Hongchen of the Sun and Moon Empire and his attendants.
Yuwen Tuo also saw the person sitting on the throne. He was a dignified middle-aged man, with a somewhat aged face, but his demeanor was indescribably noble. He wore a golden robe and a golden diamond Heavenly Crown. Just sitting there, it was as if everything revolved around him.
This should be the current Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire, Emperor Xiexin.
Actually, Yuwen Tuo always had a question. Did Vina's surname truly Vina, or was her actual surname Xue?
The original novel didn't seem to mention it, but there was indeed a direct imperial prince in the Heavenly Soul Empire surnamed Xue, named Prince Xue Yu. Their imperial family was, after all, a branch of the former Heavenly Dou Empire, so it wasn't strange that they still bore the surname Xue.
During Emperor Xiexin's reign, he reduced taxes, vigorously promoted soul master education, and strengthened the cultivation of soul masters within the country. He could be considered a decent monarch.
Unfortunately, he couldn't be called an enlightened ruler, as he still overlooked the importance of soul tools, leading to Heavenly Soul's eventual destruction by the Sun and Moon, making him a fallen monarch.
What was even more lamentable was that he didn't manage his court relationships well. The struggle for succession within the Heavenly Soul imperial family was not a healthy competition, and it had already made the entire court quite chaotic.
His only virtue was that most of these princes knew that their competition was merely internal. Any means were fine, but most of them would absolutely not collude with foreign enemies; they had blood in their veins.
This was the only successful aspect of this Emperor's education.
Actually, if it were a peaceful era, he could be considered a competent ruler. Unfortunately, now that chaos was imminent, his abilities seemed far from enough.
Beside him sat an extremely beautiful and noble silver-haired woman, whose appearance resembled Vina. She should be her Imperial Mother, and also the Empress of the Heavenly Soul Empire.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, Empress!" Everyone immediately stepped forward to salute.
Xiao Xiao even wanted to kneel but was helped up by Yuwen Tuo.
"Bold! You must be Yuwen Tuo, and who are these two women beside you? How dare you not kneel before the monarch?" A young man stood up and pointed at Yuwen Tuo, angrily shouting.
Clearly, he was one of the princes.
His accusation was well-founded. Grand Tutor Zhengtian and Divine Brain Douluo did not kneel, which was understandable. Vina was a direct princess, and the Emperor doted on her immensely. Jiang Peng's family had rendered great service and was a venerable clan for generations, and also had a Titled Douluo guarding their family, so obtaining the privilege of not kneeling was also understandable.
But Miaoxin, Yuwen Tuo, and Xiao Xiao, being nameless and without status, immediately became targets of his attack.
It could only be said that Miaoxin was too low-key. She had spent her early years cultivating within the sect, so few people knew her.
Moreover, her age was truly too young. Who would have thought that she would actually be a Titled Douluo powerhouse?
Yuwen Tuo smiled faintly. He had guessed someone would jump out.
"Hmph, a mere prince, dares to make me kneel?"
Miaoxin now displayed a completely different attitude towards Jiang Peng. She glared at him, "You dare ask me and my younger brother and sister to kneel? What audacity do you have to utter such words?"
As she spoke, one yellow, two purple, six black, and nine soul rings all appeared around her. This dazzling soul ring configuration instantly stunned all the princes and ministers.
Titled Douluo? And such a young Titled Douluo, were their eyes playing tricks on them with this soul ring configuration?
Xu Jiujiu and Jing Hongchen also showed surprised expressions.
"So young, yet so powerful. Could this person be the Body Sect's youngest elder, Spirit Douluo Miaoxin? I didn't expect her to be even more impressive than rumored," Xu Jiujiu thought to herself. "And just now Miaoxin said Yuwen Tuo and Xiao Xiao are her younger brother and sister. It seems the Body Sect is not just using Yuwen Tuo, but truly values him."
"Your Excellency, I..."
A dissolute prince, completely overwhelmed by the mental power and pressure of a Titled Douluo, a spiritual-type Titled Douluo at that, was now speechless.
"Alright, shut up," Emperor Xiexin ordered. This son of his was a bit too embarrassing. Among all his children, the only one who had a chance to achieve greatness was his daughter, Vina.
Unfortunately, she was a girl. This was her disadvantage. If she were a boy, the Heavenly Soul court would not be in chaos. After all, who would be qualified to contend with her, and who could win against her?
"You are Yuwen Tuo, aren't you? Come forward, let me see!" Emperor Xiexin kindly called out.
Yuwen Tuo stepped forward. Emperor Xiexin carefully examined him.
"Hmm, indeed handsome and extraordinary. Although I have not met the current Emperor of the Sun and Moon Empire, I had a brief encounter with your mother, and was fortunate enough to see her perform a 'Dance of the Stars.'
She truly was a beauty capable of captivating a nation. Although your appearance is not too similar to your mother's, in your eyes, her past elegance is still faintly visible, and even a hint of sharpness has been added."
Xu Jiujiu stepped forward with a smile, cupped her hands, and bowed. "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. This princess also feels that Tuo'er's temperament is very similar to my Imperial Sister's. For these past few years, my Imperial Sister has constantly missed her child. This time, this princess came hoping to obtain Your Majesty's permission to take Tuo'er back to meet his mother."
"A mother misses her son, and a son sees his mother. This is indeed human nature." Emperor Xiexin nodded.
Jing Hongchen watched, his heart burning with anger. This Emperor Xiexin was clearly siding with the Star Luo Empire, subtly speaking in their favor.
However, this was normal. Between the Sun and Moon and Star Luo, anyone could tell which was the more dangerous enemy.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access 400+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).