Douluo Continent: A Review of the Top Ten Martial Souls, Qian Renxue Breaks Through Defenses

Chapter 97 Testing
The Grand Elder pondered and said, "Your Majesty's words make sense. But in the long run, a young supreme expert who is not completely controlled by the royal family poses a considerable threat."

"Especially since she has a nascent field to develop, her potential for future growth is extremely high. We must plan ahead."

Emperor Xueye nodded: "Issue the decree: First, in the name of the empire, reward Blazing Fire Academy and Huo Wu herself handsomely. The reward should be in the same style as Xue Ke's, but the quality of the soul bone can be slightly lower, to show the royal family's special favor to Xue Ke, and at the same time stabilize Blazing Fire Academy."

"Secondly, Huo Wu is conferred the title of 'Blazing Princess,' enjoying the salary of a prince. One-tenth of the tax revenue from the three southern cities is granted as her cultivation resources. However, she is required to serve in the Imperial military for three months each year, participating in border defense or special missions, to strengthen the Empire's influence and constraints on her."

"Third, send a royal retainer to reside permanently in Blazing Fire City, ostensibly to assist in defense and guide cultivation, but in reality for monitoring and communication."

"Fourth, accelerate the alliance with the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus family, and at the same time... secretly contact other elemental academies such as Shenfeng Academy and Tianshui Academy, especially Feng Xiaotian of Shenfeng Academy, with whom Huo Wu has a delicate relationship, and give him appropriate resources to maintain the balance among the major academies, so as not to let Blazing Fire Academy become the only dominant one."

He paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "Fire Dance is a sharp sword. If used well, it can slay foreign enemies; if used poorly, it may harm oneself. What I want is a sword that obeys."

Wuhun City, the Pope's Palace.

Bibi Dong's anger seemed to have subsided due to the series of "bad news," transforming into an even colder and more ruthless killing intent and scheming.

She sat regally on the papal throne, her crimson eyes fixed on the fading flames of the list of names in the sky, a strange smile playing on her lips.

"Fire Dance... Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix... Domain prototype... Very good, another peerless genius."

Her voice was calm, yet it sent chills down the spines of Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo in the hall. “Proud, confident, and flamboyant young people are often the most easily… tempted, exploited, or… destroyed.”

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan cautiously said, "Your Holiness, this woman's talent is indeed astonishing, and her potential may even surpass that of Liu Erlong and Xue Ke. Her relationship with the Heaven Dou royal family is not close, is it possible that…"

"To win over?"

Bibi Dong chuckled lightly, her tone laced with sarcasm, "Do you think Huo Wushuang is a fool? Or do you think those old guys from Blazing Fire Academy would easily betray the Heaven Dou Empire? They've been rooted in the southern part of Heaven Dou for generations, their interests intertwined. Directly trying to win them over would have a very low success rate."

Ghost Douluo said in a sinister voice, "Then... should we proceed as originally planned, including Xue Ke..."

“No.” Bibi Dong raised her hand to stop her. “The plan has changed. Xue Ke must die; her purification power is too much of a threat to us. But Huo Wu… will remain untouched for now.”

A calculating glint flashed in her eyes: "Send orders to the spies lurking in Blazing City and Blazing Academy to closely monitor Huo Wu's every move, especially her personality weaknesses and interpersonal relationships. Pay close attention to her competition with Feng Xiaotian of Divine Wind Academy, as well as her competition with other geniuses and her cultivation progress. Look for opportunities to create conflict."

"For example, we could 'inadvertently' let her know about the Heavenly Dou royal family's fear and control measures against Huo Wu; or we could sow discord between her and Liu Erlong, the 'senior fire dragon'."

"For example, when she carries out imperial missions in the future, create some 'accidents' to make her dissatisfied with the empire..."

"A genius who is arrogant to the extreme, once she develops a rebellious mentality against the existing environment and constraints, is the best breakthrough point. What we need to do is not to forcibly break her wings before she is fully grown, but rather..."

“Guide her, let her go in the direction we want, or, when she is at her most complacent, deliver the fatal blow.”

"As for Xue Ke," Bibi Dong's tone turned cold, "Ghostly Beauty, Yue Guan, your plan to infiltrate the Heavenly Dou Imperial City remains unchanged, but you must be even more careful." "Xue Ye has strengthened the defenses. You must act according to the situation. If things don't go well, prioritize your own survival, but you must conduct a test. I need to know the extent to which the Heavenly Dou Imperial Family is protecting Xue Ke."

"Yes, Your Holiness!" Ghost Moon Pass accepted the order.

Bibi Dong gazed out of the hall, as if she could see the turbulent future of the continent: "Geniuses emerge in droves? Very well, let these so-called geniuses burn brightly in this chaotic world. In the end, only I, Bibi Dong, will illuminate the path to the throne of gods!"

Star Luo Empire, Dai Tianfeng's Study.

Dai Tianfeng looked at the urgent intelligence about Huo Wu in his hand, his expression a half-smile.

"Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix... the nascent form of a domain... the Heaven Dou Empire is truly teeming with talent."

He put down the intelligence report and looked at the commander of the Imperial Guards, "How is the situation with Zhu Zhuyun?"

"Your Majesty, Miss Zhu Yun has initially stabilized at the level 68 Soul Emperor realm, and her control over the power of the Netherworld White Tiger is becoming increasingly proficient. She is currently cultivating in seclusion in the Royal Secret Realm and is expected to attempt to break through to level 69 within three months."

“Very good.” Dai Tianfeng nodded. “Tell Zhu Yun not to rush, but to proceed steadily.”

“Her opponents have never been outsiders like Liu Erlong, Xue Ke, or Huo Wu. Her battlefield is within the Star Luo Empire, and in her own heart.”

He then changed the subject: "Huo Wu is a strong-willed woman with exceptional talent. Having suddenly gained immense power, she will surely not be content with a life of quiet contemplation."

"The Heavenly Dou Empire's royal family must be wary of and restrain them, and the Blazing Fire Academy is not necessarily a monolithic entity. This is a good thing for us."

"Continue to pay close attention, especially to the internal issues within the Heaven Dou Empire regarding resource allocation, the ranking of the younger generation, and potential friction between Huo Wu and the royal family, as well as with other academy geniuses."

"At the appropriate time, we can have our 'friends' spread some interesting rumors within the Heavenly Dou territory, such as... 'Could the merits of the Fire Dance be enough to grant him the title of a king of a different surname?', or 'Which is stronger, the Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix or the Blazing Fire Dragon?'"

Dai Tianfeng revealed a playful smile: "Internal strife is often more terrifying than external enemies. What we need to do is make the pot of water in the Heavenly Dou Empire even muddier."

"Order the border to maintain a high-pressure defensive posture, but do not provoke them. Let our sons train hard, and allocate the imperial treasury resources to promising young soul masters and elite troops. The real contest is yet to come."

The Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Family, Council Hall.

Yu Luomian and several elders also received the news that Huo Wu had made the list.

"Fire Dance... I know this girl. She's that proud little girl from Blazing Fire Academy. Her talent is truly amazing."

Yu Luomian stroked his beard. "The Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix, a top-tier fire-attribute flying beast spirit, doesn't directly conflict with my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's lightning attribute. In fact, to some extent, they can complement each other with 'heavenly thunder and earthly fire.' However... this woman's personality is not easy to deal with."

(End of this chapter)