We are up to 'Chapter 897: Bibi Dong and Bibi Dong - Part 2' on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
------------------------------------------------------
Though Ye Wen could assist in the process of refining the medicinal energy, he wasn't a full-time babysitter. It was better for Xu Jiujiu to handle this herself. Moreover, given the differences between men and women, casually engaging in deep interactions with a girl outside of life-or-death situations was a major taboo.
As Emperor Xu Jiawei and Ye Wen exchanged casual banter to strengthen their rapport, Ye Wen's expression suddenly shifted. He turned his head toward the sky.
"Someone truly isn't afraid of death." Ye Wen murmured softly.
Emperor Xu Jiawei found Ye Wen's actions puzzling and followed his gaze out the window. It was nighttime now, and even the bustling Star Luo Imperial City seemed dark and quiet. However, a beam of light piercing through the heavens shattered the tranquility.
Xu Jiawei's sharp mind immediately connected the dots, and he exclaimed, "This is—!"
But Ye Wen remained calm, picking up a cup of tea from the table and taking a small sip.
"No need to worry. It's just some petty thieves coveting something that doesn't belong to them."
Emperor Xu Jiawei's face grew serious. "Is there anything I can do to help? I can dispatch an entire squad to investigate immediately. To dare harm students during such a prestigious tournament is utterly unforgivable!"
Ye Wen inwardly shrugged at Xu Jiawei's words, but he couldn't deny that the emperor had positioned himself perfectly.
Strength ruled all.
Since Emperor Xu Jiawei was already being so deferential, Ye Wen didn't see a reason to refuse. He nodded slightly.
"Then I'll trouble Your Majesty to look into it. The presence of that Titled Douluo who attacked my student feels unfamiliar, and I'm also curious about which reckless fool dared to target my disciple."
As Ye Wen spoke, a flicker of killing intent flashed in his usually calm eyes.
Huo Yu'er was no puppet like Huo Yuhao, to be manipulated at will. She was not only the disciple of a Supreme Douluo but also a reflection of Ye Wen's prestige.
Emperor Xu Jiawei clearly sensed Ye Wen's murderous intent and took the matter even more seriously. He summoned two Guardian Douluos to investigate the incident personally.
Ye Wen, now calm, felt a tinge of curiosity. After all, unlike Huo Yuhao in the original storyline—who was mistakenly targeted by a foolish Titled Douluo because he leaked the Ice Emperor's essence—Huo Yu'er's situation was different.
At this moment, Emperor Xu Jiawei cautiously asked:
"My Lord, was that beam of light one of your precautionary measures?"
Ye Wen smiled faintly. "Your Majesty need not be so formal. If you have any questions about our relationship, feel free to ask directly."
This deliberate attempt to build rapport made Emperor Xu Jiawei visibly pleased. "As you say, My Lord. We are practically family now. Please satisfy my curiosity."
"Heh, it's nothing special. Just a life-saving soul tool I pre-installed on my disciple that was triggered," Ye Wen said nonchalantly.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xu Jiawei's pupils contracted sharply.
Though the three kingdoms of the original Douluo Continent had attempted to learn advanced soul tool technology from the Sun Moon Empire, everyone understood the concept of technological blockades. How could they possibly sell their most prized techniques for mere scraps of silver? While low-tier soul tools were manageable, even Shrek Academy had yet to surpass the level of eighth-rank soul tools in the high-tier category.
From the perspective of Emperor Xu Jiawei—a Titled Douluo—that beam of light undoubtedly reached the level of a ninth-rank soul tool, equivalent to the strength of a Titled Douluo.
Though he inwardly exclaimed at the impossibility, Emperor Xu Jiawei still trembled as he asked:
"My Lord… are you also a soul engineer?"
Though Tian Xing Academy didn't offer courses in soul engineering, and Ye Wen had never showcased his abilities as a soul engineer, it didn't stop him from calmly nodding at this moment.
"After reaching the 99th rank, I had some free time and decided to study it. Unfortunately, my talent is limited—I've only barely reached the ninth-rank level of soul engineering."
This was a lie. With Ye Wen's mastery of cross-version soul tool technology, why would he bother with the soul tools of this era?
That beam of light was simply the result of Ye Wen's pre-installed divine consciousness on Huo Yuer being triggered.
However, Emperor Xu Jiawei's heart soared with joy. Even a newly minted ninth-rank soul engineer was still a ninth-rank soul engineer. Moreover, the life-saving soul tool Ye Wen gave to his disciple was among the most difficult to create—an autonomous defensive soul tool far superior to those requiring deliberate activation by a soul master.
But that wasn't the most important part. Ye Wen's identity as a ninth-rank soul engineer meant that the three kingdoms of the Douluo Continent finally had their own top-tier soul engineer—a leap from zero to one.
From this point forward, the Sun Moon Empire's dominance in soul tools would weaken, and the number of high-level soul engineers in the original three kingdoms would only grow. When war broke out, they would no longer be so constrained.
Ye Wen paid no attention to Emperor Xu Jiawei's excitement, instead furrowing his brow slightly.
"They're too slow."
Emperor Xu Jiawei, who had been in high spirits, suddenly paused. A Titled Douluo could fly over in seconds, yet several minutes had passed without results. No wonder Ye Wen was irritated.
"There might have been some delays. Please forgive us, My Lord. From what we can see, there hasn't been any fighting over there."
Ye Wen nodded faintly, his interest waning. Unbeknownst to him, the bonds he had formed in this world had reignited a long-dormant spark in his heart.
Indeed, people should venture out more often. Staying in one place for too long leaves the body alive but the spirit dead, Ye Wen reflected.
At this moment, the two Titled Douluos who had left earlier finally returned.
"Your Majesty," they said with slight bows.
Titled Douluos could not be humiliated, so they did not kneel. But in this era, Titled Douluos were not as rare as they had been ten thousand years ago. Emperor Xu Jiawei accepted their bows indifferently and asked calmly:
"Have you two investigated the cause of this incident?"
The two Titled Douluos exchanged glances, and the more robust one stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, by the time we arrived, the intruder had already been reduced to ashes by the contingency measures left behind by Lord Tian Xing. Thus, we were unable to determine their identity or cultivation level. However, based on the residual soul power left at the scene, we can conclude that the attacker was likely an evil soul master."
Emperor Xu Jiawei seemed satisfied with this conclusion, but Ye Wen's brow furrowed slightly before relaxing again.
Perhaps cultivation methods in this Douluo Continent were decent, but when it came to details and logical reasoning, they fell short.
After all, this was an extraordinary age, not a world of master detectives. For a group of muscle-bound warriors to achieve this much was already commendable.
"My Lord, please take a look."
Emperor Xu Jiawei's voice brought Ye Wen back to attention. At this moment, Ye Wen noticed that the two Titled Douluos were also looking at him with great reverence.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow