Huo Yuhao from The Peerless Tang Sect is incredibly talented.

The emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire did not answer immediately.

He looked at Huo Yuhao with something indescribable in his eyes.

What Soul Master cares about the common people? They're all focused on leveling up. Even if they see the suffering of the people, they'll just throw in a couple of gold coins, then sigh about their kindness and forget about it, only caring about their own cultivation.

Normal Soul Masters do not need the power of faith.

"Uncle, I know. Tian Dou is vast, but it's not easy to live there." His voice was a few decibels lower than before.

"In my daily governance, I only look at the numbers. How much tax is paid, how many people are there, how many soldiers are there. As long as the numbers look good, I don't know what lies beneath them. Until yesterday, a miracle occurred, which made me realize the weight of those numbers and the blood and tears behind them."

He picked up the teacup, only to find the tea had gone cold, so he put it down again. His fingers circled the rim of the teacup, as if he were turning something he wasn't sure he should pick up.

He continued, "I want to make changes, but I suddenly find myself at a loss. You know, I am the emperor. The salaries of officials at all levels, the Sun, Moon, Star, and Fighting Spirits on the borders are all eyeing me covetously. I suddenly realize that I can't do anything. You are young and determined, but do you know what you're trying to do?"

"Of course, we should let all living beings be good people." Huo Yuhao said, "They should have food to eat, clothes to wear, work to do, a place to live, martial arts training, free time, and dignity. Children should be able to study, practice martial arts and cultivate Taoism, the elderly should be able to take care of themselves, the sick should be cared for, and the wronged should have a place to seek redress. There should be fairness and justice, care for the old and the young, and everyone should be honest and reasonable."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire couldn't help but laugh. "I would never dare to dream of something so outrageous."

"Nephew, you certainly have lofty ambitions. Do you know just how terrifying the person you speak of is? Among the millions of people in Tiandou City today, less than one in a hundred meets your requirements."

The Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire paused here, pondering how to dissuade Huo Yuhao from this idea. After all, it was impossible. If he didn't persuade him to give up and let him waste his time on this matter, it would only be a waste of his talent and would do more harm than good.

"What you just mentioned—food, clothing, housing, education, retirement, medical care, cultivation, and seeking justice—each of these requires money, manpower, and time. I've roughly calculated that for a single household, it would cost a thousand taels of gold per month. With a population of one million in Tiandou City, how can you possibly afford that?"

Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao simply replied, "It's all about human effort, and practice makes perfect. I'll give it a try."

Huo Yuhao's eyes were resolute and sharp, revealing a determination that would not give up until he hit a wall and achieve his goal.

Seeing Huo Yuhao's resolute determination, the emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire couldn't help but sigh. "Young man, you won't stop until you're covered in wounds."

"I can make you the Lord of Tiandou City, but I have three conditions! If you agree, you will be in charge of all affairs in Tiandou City."

"Uncle, please speak."

"First, I will not provide you with any material support, because I need to be responsible for the entire Heavenly Soul and will not indulge your recklessness. However, during my term of office, as long as I am alive, you will always be the Lord of Heavenly Dou City."

"Secondly, after assuming the position of Lord of Tiandou City, one shall not attack the powerful and wealthy in the inner city or confiscate their property when handling affairs, unless there is a legitimate reason, and shall not fabricate charges against them."

"Third, your cultivation must not be neglected. As a Soul Master, you should prioritize your cultivation. Every month, I will send someone to assess your cultivation. If it affects your cultivation, I will immediately revoke your position. The assessment standard will be based on the Shrek Seven Devils."

Without a second thought, Huo Yuhao immediately agreed, "Okay."

After all, these three things aren't difficult. I came to Tiandou City to purchase supplies for the Body Sect in preparation for its future expansion. There's no need to worry about supplies. Don't you understand the importance of putting people first?

As for not confiscating the homes of nobles, Huo Yuhao, after becoming the city lord, has plenty of power and means to get nobles to voluntarily pay money, and then they have to be grateful.

They should thank us.

As for the third point, which examines cultivation level using the Shrek Seven Devils as the standard, to be honest, Huo Yuhao almost couldn't help but laugh when he heard the last point.

A Soul King with suboptimal Soul Ring configuration, who's practically a nobody, could wipe out the Shrek Seven Devils' entire team with his average stats. The Shrek Seven Devils are so weak, why should I compare myself to them? Who am I looking down on?

According to Huo's comparison method, since the Soul King wiped out the Shrek Seven Devils, the Soul King is greater than the Shrek Seven Devils as a whole team, which is greater than the Shrek Seven Devils as a single individual.

As for Taotie Douluo Xuanzi, he was a pure god. Even with Huo Yuhao's ten thousand years of experience, he had to look at this person with respect. A person whose strength ranked among the top ten among the human race in Douluo Continent could not even capture a Soul King.

Even Huo Yuhao, who had read the script in advance, couldn't make any judgment about this person, leaving the ancient monster from beyond the heavens speechless.

The Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire was surprised to see Huo Yuhao agree so readily.

He had expected the young man to at least try to negotiate—no material support, no confrontation with powerful figures, and assurances that his cultivation wouldn't fall behind—none of these three conditions would be easy to meet. But the other party didn't even hesitate, simply offering a "yes."

"My dear nephew," the Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire leaned forward slightly, "did you hear clearly the three points I spoke?"

"That's natural. First, no material support will be provided. Second, no attacks on the inner city's elites are allowed, and no fabricated charges will be used to confiscate their property. Third, cultivation must not slacken; the Shrek Seven Devils will be used as the standard for assessment every month."

The emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over Huo Yuhao's face several times.

He had seen too many people pledge their loyalty to him—those who pounded their chests, those who swore oaths, those who practically wanted to tear their hearts out for him. But none of them had agreed as readily as this young man before him, so readily that it sent chills down his spine.

Is there a trap? Wait a minute, do you really think you can pull this off? Impossible, absolutely not. I've ruled the country for decades, do you think I'm inferior to a child who's never been involved in politics?

After much deliberation, the emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire, unable to find a solution, had no choice but to probe again, wanting to see if the boy truly understood the meaning of those three conditions.

"Nephew, why don't you ask why these three are the correct ones?"

Huo Yuhao looked puzzled, as if wondering why the Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire would ask such a stupid question.

"Aren't these three points quite clear? First, Uncle is responsible for the entire Heavenly Soul Sect and cannot gamble resources on someone who hasn't proven himself yet. Second, the powerful and wealthy in the inner city are the foundation of the empire's rule; to harm them is to harm ourselves. Confiscating their property is like drinking poison to quench thirst, and acting without a legitimate cause is like destroying our own Great Wall. Third, Uncle doesn't want to see a Soul Master genius whose talents are wasted on power."

The Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire remained silent, sighing inwardly. It seemed this young man might truly achieve something and bring about change in Heavenly Dou City.

Just then, the guard who had gone to the prison to fetch the man returned. He knelt on one knee and said...

"Your Majesty, the prisoner has been brought to the square. Please give your orders."