Douluo Dalu: The Frozen Throne

Chapter 64: The long-lasting leap forward, the evolution of ten thousand years, and the situation facing the empire

It did take Xu Jiujiu a little longer to absorb the ten thousand year soul ring, from yesterday afternoon until this evening when it was barely finished, but the gains he got were truly surprising.

The residual soul power from absorbing a 70,000-year soul bone and the increase brought by the soul ring energy actually directly pushed Xu Jiujiu's soul power to level 45.

This was truly surprising. In just less than a week, Xu Jiujiu's soul power had rapidly leapt from level 38 to level 45, which could almost be said to have saved him a year of hard training.

However, this situation will probably only occur this time. In future practice, even if you absorb higher-age soul rings by crossing levels, the increase will be far less than this time.

In fact, this is easy to understand. From the first time a soul ring is absorbed across levels, it means that the soul master's physical fitness, soul power quality and even the body's ability to withstand the total amount of soul power are already far higher than those of soul masters of the same level.

In the subsequent absorption of soul rings, if you absorb soul rings of a higher level, the increase brought about is actually no different from that of an ordinary soul master absorbing soul rings of appropriate years.

After all, the quality of your soul power and the total amount of soul power you can bear are there. What others see as cross-level absorption is actually just absorbing soul beasts of the right age in your eyes. The increase that can be achieved is naturally not as terrifying and considerable as the first cross-level absorption.

Even so, Xu Jiujiu was still extremely happy. Just as she said herself, after completing this breakthrough, the speed at which her Star Crown Martial Soul absorbed the power of the starry sky increased by nearly 30%. In addition, she could use auxiliary soul guides to absorb the power of the starry sky in advance and store it. From now on, even during the day, she could carry out moderate cultivation. The speed of cultivation could not be said to be much faster than before, but at least there would be some changes.

Of course, before deciding to leave Xingluo City to search for opportunities on the mainland, Shu Yan also had to do some ideological campaigning for Xu Jiawei.

After all, he was going to take his sister with him when he left Xingluo City this time. As an elder brother, he always had a special concern and worry for his sister. Although Xu Jiawei was the emperor, it was still inevitable.

Shu Yan didn't know what to say about this, so he just promised not to take too many risks. Only then did Xu Jiawei feel relieved.

As the departure time was approaching, Xu Jiujiu seemed very happy. As a princess, she had been trapped in Xingluo City almost since she was born. She had a lot to learn and come into contact with on weekdays, and she rarely had the opportunity to go out, let alone go to the mainland. Therefore, Xu Jiujiu attached great importance to this trip and could not hide her excitement.

After dealing with the matters of Xingluo City, Shu Yan went to see Qiangu Chaosheng again and received an ancient cowhide map from him. Before Xu Jiawei left, he wanted to let Xingyun Douluo follow him, but after looking at the two Ice and Snow Emperors standing beside him, he reluctantly gave up the idea.

Just like that, with Xu Jiawei personally seeing them off, Shu Yan and the other three quickly left the palace and headed towards the prosperous city outside...

……

When they were about to leave the city gate, the four of them finally met Luo Qinghan, who was being pushed by Tian Ling and waiting at a beverage shop on the street.

After briefly introducing Bingdi to her, Shu Yan didn't say anything else. Luo Qinghan was a smart person. Even if Shu Yan didn't reveal any key information, she knew what she should and shouldn't ask. After getting in the car and greeting everyone in turn, she sat cross-legged in a corner alone and began to meditate without saying a single extra word.

Shu Yan did not disturb him. He held the ancient map he got from Qiangu Chaosheng in his hand and studied it carefully.

Due to the collision of continental plates thousands of years ago, the continents today have changed a lot compared to tens of thousands of years ago.

Many iconic landmarks and even cities have disappeared in the long river of history. Even the original Tiandou Empire has long since split into the current Tianhun and Douling empires.

Later generations built new cities on top of these ancient ruins, and people gradually migrated to those new lands. Therefore, today's map of the continent has many more cities as well as new mountains, plains and other terrains compared to the ancient map in Shu Yan's hands.

In addition, due to the prosperity and tyranny of the Tang Sect in the past, many of their places of origin were not allowed to appear on the map. Legend has it that this was an oracle passed down by the Lord of the Sea. Although there were occasional complaints on the mainland, most people had no choice but to accept it.

Thus, as time went by, the Tang Sect gradually weakened, and some of its original heritage disappeared in history. To this day, many people have even forgotten those secret places that disappeared from the map for no reason. Even if someone remembers, they are too lazy to spend time looking for them.

After all, in this era, the hidden weapons and some of the remaining heritage of the Tang Sect are too backward compared to the new soul guide system and the growing technology and economy. The reputation of the Tang Sect has long been lost in their corruption and conservatism. This is an unchangeable fact. Of course, even if someone wants to change it, Shu Yan will not agree.

This backward product that has already been submerged in the tide of history should just stay in the garbage dump. It would be impolite to come out again...

Along the way, Shu Yan had been studying the map and thinking about things. Xu Jiujiu sat beside her, looking at the scenery outside in a trance. Xue Di, who was sitting opposite her, was taking a nap with her chin supported by one hand, while Bing Di was holding a bunch of snacks, eating them while looking outside to pass the time. For a moment, the carriage was strangely quiet.

Shu Yan sighed helplessly, then closed his eyes and entered a state of meditation.

Judging from the direction they left the city, if they follow this road northwards, they will arrive at the so-called Xuanyu City around this evening. Around the imperial capital Xingluo City, there are four small cities of not too large scale in the order of heaven, earth, dark and yellow. The function of these four cities is to protect the imperial capital from being invaded in time of war. Therefore, each of these four cities has a powerful team of soul masters and some armored cavalry, and their combat power is very strong.

As we got further and further away from Xingluo City, some small villages and towns gradually appeared in the surrounding area.

Compared with other villages and towns, these villages and towns are closer to Xingluo City, so they look clean and tidy, and there are no overly backward or dilapidated buildings. But in the final analysis, the problem is still very obvious. There are at least hundreds of people in this village and town, but the number of people with soul power is not even more than a handful. The ratio is so disparate that it is a bit scary.

After looking at everything outside for a long time, he couldn't help but sigh softly.

Shu Yan also woke up from his shallow meditation at this time. He looked at Xu Jiujiu's slightly furrowed brows, then looked at the scene outside, and roughly guessed the reason for Xu Jiujiu's change of expression.

After thinking for a while, he said softly:

"Jiujiu, don't think too much, this matter has nothing to do with you."

Xu Jiujiu raised his eyes, his expression somewhat depressed, and then said:
"In fact, the problem of civilians in the empire being unable to awaken their spirits has existed for a long time. My brother had thought of many ideas in the early years, such as learning from the Spirit Hall in the past to recruit low-level spirit masters to carry out spirit awakening work, but the reason for the failure in the end was also ridiculous. Ah Yan, do you know why?"

Shu Yan rubbed his head for a long time, then said slowly:
"If I'm not mistaken, the problem lies with the upper echelons of the empire and the aristocracy..."

Xu Jiujiu nodded and said in a deep voice:

"Yes, when my brother proposed this plan, nearly 70% of the older generation of nobles in the empire stood up to oppose it. Because once this measure is implemented, it means that the lower-class people who have been oppressed by them for generations will have a chance to turn things around, which will undoubtedly have a great impact on their interests."

"On the other hand, there are financial issues. The situation on the continent has become increasingly chaotic and dangerous in recent years. The Sun-Moon Empire in the west is ready to make a move. The Empire is on the front line of resisting the Sun-Moon Empire, so it naturally needs an army that is strong enough to resist foreign enemies."

"Therefore, the amount of gold soul coins that the empire spends on the military every year is a figure that is simply unimaginable. Such a terrifying military and political expenditure means that the empire simply cannot come up with enough extra funds to support this idea. In addition, the domestic vigorous development of soul guides also requires a large amount of funds. Don’t think that the taxes collected by the empire every year are even enough to rival the integration of the other two empires, but in fact, there are also many termites in the dark... The empire is in a troubled time, and it is really powerless to deal with these things. Sometimes it is really difficult to consider the overall situation..."

Having said that, Xu Jiujiu leaned on Shu Yan's shoulder and smiled sarcastically, then continued:

"It can be said that in many cases it is not that the empire is unwilling to do so, but that the empire cannot do so at all. Or to put it more bluntly, the empire does not dare to do so. However, with you, A Yan, I think all this can be changed in the future..."

Shu Yan just smiled helplessly when he heard this, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer Xu Jiujiu...

……

(End of this chapter)