Douluo Continent: Heavenly Pill Demon Tiger

Chapter 241 Xu Tianran and Orange

The back garden of the Sun and Moon Empire's imperial palace.

The wheels of the wheelchair made a regular, soft sound as they rolled over the smooth, mirror-like bluestone pavement, crushing the fallen leaves that had been carefully trimmed by the craftsmen.

Towering ancient trees are neatly placed in their designated locations, casting geometric shades; the flow rate of the artificial waterfall is strictly controlled, and even the height of the splashes seems to have been measured; in the flowerbeds, various rare and exotic flowers are pieced together to form a huge imperial emblem of the Sun and Moon Empire.

This place doesn't resemble a garden; it's more like a giant sand table with plants, trees, mountains, and water as chess pieces.

"Ju Zi, how is Father?" The man in the wheelchair asked calmly, his eyes closed, as if inquiring about the weather.

A soft, thin blanket was draped over his knees, concealing the truth about his legs. He was Xu Tianran, the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire. At this moment, with the emperor critically ill, he held the reins of power and was the de facto ruler of the empire, controlling more than 80% of the country's power.

The woman pushing the wheelchair was dressed in simple palace attire and had a respectful posture.

This is his nominal beloved concubine, Orange.

The reason it was only nominal was because Xu Tianran had injured his genitals in his early years and was unable to have sex; he was not only a sick man but also a eunuch.

"His Majesty's coma is lasting longer each day. The imperial physicians say that his time may come in the next few days." Her voice was very soft, as if she were afraid of disturbing the tranquility of this exquisite garden.

Xu Tianran kept his eyes closed, a faint smile even playing on his lips, as if the old man Ju Zi had described, nearing the end of his life, had nothing to do with him. "My father, the emperor, was cautious and timid his whole life, good at maintaining the status quo but lacking in expansion. His historical writings, however meticulous, are merely mediocre."

This is another man like Dai Youheng, ruthless and only concerned with profit.

He casually remarked on his father's imperial career, then asked, "What's the military's stance?"

Orange reported calmly, "Since we have taken complete control of the Mingdu Garrison, dissent within the army has largely subsided. Two-fifths of the Empire's army are directly loyal to you, while the other two-fifths are either observing or loyal only to Your Majesty personally."

Once you formally ascend the throne, they will naturally submit. The remaining one-fifth are mostly generals commanding large armies on the borders; some have been won over by other princes, and some are your former enemies.

Xu Tianran's smile deepened, his handsome smile still present, but it sent a chill down Ju Zi's spine as she pushed the wheelchair.

She knew that smile all too well; it was a mask formed from condensed killing intent. Whenever Xu Tianran showed that expression, it meant someone was about to be completely wiped off the chessboard.

"No rush," Xu Tianran said gently. "After I ascend the throne, if there are still any stubborn people—like Ju Zi, I'll trouble you to deal with them."

Orange's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly, then relaxed, and she respectfully replied, "Yes."

Xu Tianran suddenly opened his eyes and turned to look at her. His gaze was sharp, seemingly able to see through all pretense. "Ju Zi, there's no need for such formality between us. When I rule the world, you will be the Empress, the mother of the nation. Always being so cautious makes you lack the dignified bearing of an Empress."

Ju Zi raised her head, revealing a perfectly timed, gentle smile that was neither distant nor overly intimate. "Your Highness knows that Ju Zi follows you not for fame or position. Ju Zi has only two wishes: one is to stay by Your Highness's side, and the other is to witness the Star Luo Empire reduced to ashes."

Her voice was soft, but the word "scorched earth" carried a steely coldness.

Xu Tianran nodded in satisfaction, raised his hand and gently patted the back of her hand resting on the armrest of her wheelchair. "Your wish is my wish. Your performance in the army has far exceeded my expectations. Even those arrogant veterans are convinced of your abilities. In the future, when we fight against Xingluo, you will be my commander-in-chief."

"Thank you for your trust, Your Highness." Ju Zi made a gesture to kneel, but Xu Tianran raised his hand to stop her.

"I told you there's no need for such formalities." Xu Tianran's tone carried a hint of reproach, but it also revealed his desire for control. "If you hadn't risked your life to save me back then, I would have been dead long ago. I have many capable people around me, but the only one I can completely trust is you."

"

Orange's eyes instantly filled with the light of "emotion," but deep within her eyes, unseen by Xu Tianran, lay a frozen lake.

Completely at ease? How could that be?

She recalled the high-ranking official who had been kind to Xu Tianran, but who had died "accidentally" simply because of a slightly careless remark while drunk. The order for that accident was one that she had personally conveyed.

Those who trusted Xu Tianran the most often died the fastest.

She knew this man all too well. He was a man of great talent and ambition, ruthless and patient, with a clear goal: to unify the continent.

His mutilated body did not destroy his will; instead, it tempered his mind to the level of the most dangerous soul tool.

However, since losing his legs and the symbol of masculinity, the cold and obsessive side of his personality has grown stronger. He is a ruthless and ambitious man, but Orange feels he is more of a rational madman, an emperor in a wheelchair who longs to burn the entire world.

Unless someone smarter and more ruthless than him appears in the world, he is destined to succeed.

As it happens, she needs to use this madman's power to take revenge, so she must be more careful than anyone else, burying her true self deep inside and playing the role of a loyal, capable tool that always maintains a proper distance.

"Preparations for the competition are nearing completion. The Red Dust Hall Master reports that everything is under control." Orange skillfully steered the conversation back to the main topic. "Elites from Shrek Academy, Star Luo, and Heavenly Soul have all gathered in Mingdu. Shrek Academy has sent two teams this time, one from the academy and the other from Tang Sect."

"Tang Sect? That dilapidated sect that was eliminated by the times? It's nothing to worry about." Xu Tianran said with a contemptuous tone.

"The Heavenly Soul Empire is participating under the name of the Snow Demon Sect, with Princess Vina accompanying them. The Star Luo Empire, surprisingly, has abandoned the Star Luo National Academy and is competing under the name of the Star Crown Sect. I speculate that this is to allow Dai Youheng to participate legitimately." Orange's intelligence network is indeed efficient and accurate.

"Dai Youheng? That illegitimate son of the White Tiger Duke's family? The one with the rumor that he hunted a 100,000-year soul ring at the Soul Emperor realm and killed a Soul Douluo beyond his level?" Xu Tianran, with ambitions for the world, was well aware of the important information about the White Tiger Dai family, a potential rival.

"It's him. It's widely believed that he will be the strongest individual fighter in this competition," Orange stated objectively.

Upon hearing this, Xu Tianran let out a low chuckle, looking at Ju Zi with a hint of amusement. "The strongest individual? Ju Zi, what do you think of him compared to me?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Ju Zi spoke with a firm yet respectful tone, "How dare the light of a firefly compete with the brilliance of the moon? No matter how strong Dai Youheng is, he is still just a mortal tiger. But Your Highness, you are a born dragon with the Purple Radiance Extinction Dragon Martial Soul, and a supreme sub-dragon born alongside the Dragon God."

These words were not entirely flattery. In her heart, Xu Tianran's talent and strength were indeed unfathomable; he had already reached the level of a Title Douluo.

Dai Youheng may be a genius, but how can he be compared to a Title Douluo who possesses a super martial soul and a mind as deep as the sea?

Even the fiercest tiger cannot defeat a hidden dragon that soars through the heavens and commands the wind and clouds.

Xu Tianran smiled slightly, said nothing, and simply closed his eyes again, enjoying the warm sunshine in the garden and the pleasure of regarding a powerful opponent as an ant.