Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 504 Xu Tianran and the Orange

After making a promise to Jing Hongchen, Ji Lin took Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen and left Tiandou City overnight, heading towards Xingluo City. His purpose in coming to Tiandou City was simple: to pick up Meng Hongchen. Xiao Hongchen, his brother-in-law, was just an extra; the storage soul guide ring in Meng Hongchen's possession was the unexpected gain.

With the resources provided by Jing Hongchen, the establishment of the Molten Knights will be much smoother.

Everything is ready except for the final push. Once Xuan Ziwen and his group of Soul Masters figure out a way to connect with Ji Lin's Heavenly Fire Judgment, an invincible knight order will reign supreme over the entire Douluo Continent, and may even one day conquer the God Realm.

After all, Ji Lin has always regarded the divine realm as a hypothetical enemy.

The Molten Knights have that potential. As long as Soul Guidance Technology advances, the Molten Knight Armor can become stronger and will eventually be able to reproduce the power of the original. The Molten Knights, composed of gods, is a sight to behold.

Sun and Moon Empire, Ming Capital, Imperial Palace.

Xu Tianran sat quietly in a high-backed chair inlaid with various exquisite gemstones. Not far in front of him, Ju Zi knelt on one knee, her head bowed. From the side, one could see that her delicate face was slightly pale.

"Get up. This isn't entirely your fault." Xu Tianran waved his hand at her.

Ju Zi lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty, it was all my fault. If I had been more vigilant, we wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses. This time, we lost so many soldiers and wasted so many resources. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

Xu Tianran stood up, walked to Ju Zi, helped her up, and gently patted her shoulder, saying, "Alright, this whole thing happened so suddenly. Who could have imagined that the spirit beasts in the far north would suddenly riot? According to what you've said, among the spirit beasts that attacked you were ferocious beasts, possibly one of the three Heavenly Kings of the far north. It's already quite an achievement that you escaped unscathed. The environment in the far north is harsh, unlike any other place. It's such a harsh environment that it's practically the battlefield that ice-type spirit beasts excel at. It seems we miscalculated this time, overlooking such an important detail."

"Your Majesty, I know my crime," Ju Zi said, bowing her head.

Xu Tianran comforted him, "What crime have you committed? In the past year, you have devoted yourself to me and the empire, and you have lost a lot of weight. You have made so many contributions, and your prestige in the army has risen sharply. You are known as our army's female war goddess. What does a temporary mistake matter? No one is invincible. After we have completely conquered the Tianhun Empire and the Douling Empire, I will let you lead a large army to exterminate the soul beasts in the far north. At that time, those rare metals will still be ours. With those soul beasts around, I believe the Douling Empire will not gain anything. You don't need to take it to heart."

Ju Zi then raised her head, her face full of gratitude, and said, "Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty."

Xu Tianran smiled at her, then suddenly sighed and said, "The situation on the front lines is currently quite stable. We have occupied a large area of ​​the Tianhun Empire's territory, but due to the constraints imposed by the Xingluo Empire, our forces are somewhat stretched thin. Especially in the early stages of the battle, various resources were consumed at an enormous cost, and supplies from the rear have been insufficient. For now, let's maintain a stable situation and not rush into further attacks. Otherwise, if the battle lines are stretched too thin, it will create opportunities for the three original kingdoms of the Douluo Continent."

Speaking of the frontline battles, Ju Zi regained her confidence, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as she said, "Although our supply lines are currently a bit too long, the areas of the Heavenly Soul Empire that we have already occupied are relatively secure. You're right, we need to consolidate our position at the front. We still need to resolve the troubles caused by the Star Luo Empire in the rear as soon as possible. To address the issue of our supply lines being stretched further if we continue our offensive, I suggest that after we've made some preparations, we ask Death God Douluo to take action and retake the Ming Dou Mountains, thus threatening the Star Luo Empire once again. Only after we have solidified our defenses along the Ming Dou Mountains can we continue our offensive without any worries."

Xu Tianran smiled and said, "My Empress has now become a renowned general. The veterans in the military all praise you highly. You can arrange the military's tactics. Just report to me whenever there is a major operation."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Please allow me to depart tomorrow, leading the Fire Phoenix Soul Master Corps to participate in the mission of eliminating the Star Luo Empire's Soul Masters within the country. I will definitely wipe them out in the shortest possible time, giving Death God Douluo the opportunity to attack the Ming Dou Mountains."

Xu Tianran stood up. With the advancement of soul guidance technology, the prosthetic leg beneath him had reached a point where it was indistinguishable from a real one.

He gently shook his head and said, "Ju Zi, it is important to wipe out the Soul Master team of the Star Luo Empire, but it is indeed not something that can be accomplished in a short time. Let others do it. I have already asked Zhong Liwu, the leader of the Holy Spirit Sect, to take action personally. With the Death God Douluo stationed at the border, he is the pillar of stability. Those Star Luo Empire troops can only cause us some trouble; they cannot truly accomplish anything."

Orange's heart skipped a beat, and she said, "Your Majesty, is there anything else you wish me to do?"

Xu Tianran nodded slightly and said, "That's right, there's something very important that I can't do without you."

Ju Zi quickly stood up, knelt on one knee beside Xu Tianran, and said, "Please give your orders, Your Majesty. I will do anything that I can, even at the cost of my life."

Xu Tianran's face showed a hint of reproach as he bent down to help her up. "How many times have I told you? You are the Empress now, you don't need such grand gestures. Why won't you listen?"

Orange lowered her head and said softly, "In Orange's heart, you are always the master, and Orange is just your maid. Orange's life was given to her by you. If you need me, even if it means Orange dying right now, Orange will not hesitate."

Xu Tianran was indeed a powerful and ruthless figure, but he was also human. Years ago, his own younger brother attempted to assassinate him, nearly killing him. It was Ju Zi who risked serious injury to bring him out. Over the years, he had countless powerful figures and confidants around him, but the person he truly trusted most was Ju Zi.

Xu Tianran was moved and said, "I have said it before, you are my empress, not a maid. You are now and you will be in the future. As long as you do not betray me, you will be second only to me and above all others."

Orange's face showed gratitude, but in reality, she sighed inwardly. Didn't she understand Xu Tianran's personality? If she didn't act even slightly submissive in front of Xu Tianran, he would probably immediately become suspicious. She knew Xu Tianran too well, so she had to pretend to be the same as before in order to continue to gain Xu Tianran's trust!

"Your Majesty, is there anything you require of me?"

Xu Tianran's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "After you left this time, the ministers jointly submitted a memorial to me, requesting something."

Ju Zi said, "What has troubled Your Majesty so much? Who has troubled Your Majesty? I will go and fetch them..." As she said this, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

Xu Tianran shook his head and said, "If it were anything else, who would dare to threaten me? But this matter is indeed difficult to silence public opinion. They want me to take advantage of my prime and establish an heir apparent as soon as possible."

Upon hearing the words "establish an heir apparent early," Ju Zi couldn't help but tremble and subconsciously looked up at Xu Tianran.

Xu Tianran gave a bitter smile. "Only you know my secret. How can I establish an heir apparent? Since I ascended the throne, you have been my only empress. I have never taken any concubines. To outsiders, it may seem like we are a loving couple, but you know the real reason."

Of course, Ju Zi had no idea that Xu Tianran, having suffered severe injuries and rendered impotent, would never want so many concubines. Not only would he be unable to use them all, but the sheer number of people would cause a lot of trouble, which was related to his ruling position and his dignity as a man.

Orange remained silent. At this moment, she didn't know what to say, as it concerned Xu Tianran's reputation.

Xu Tianran pondered and said, "Now, we must have a child, preferably a boy, to silence the gossip. Even if it's not a boy, as long as we have a child, we won't be afraid of what the ministers say. So, for the next period of time, you will stay in the palace. You will still be the commander-in-chief of the three armies, but you will not go to the battlefield for the time being. First, give me a child."

"This..." Ju Zi stared blankly at Xu Tianran, then hesitated before whispering, "Your Majesty means, shall we adopt one?"

Xu Tianran shook his head, snorted coldly, and said, "Those old guys from my father's generation are all watching me. How can I adopt someone without their knowledge? They have people in the Imperial Hospital. This matter cannot be overlooked, so we must do it properly. Remember? I told you last time that I could find a way to implant a seed in your body and let it take root and sprout. Although I am impotent, I can obtain such a seed from my relatives for you. You give birth to this child, and this child will be my future heir."

Orange was horrified. She turned around and knelt down again. "No, Your Majesty, no! How can I bear another man's child? I am your Orange, and I can only be your Orange. No, I don't agree. Please, Your Majesty, think it over and give me some time. I will definitely find a way that satisfies both of us."

Xu Tianran looked at Ju Zi with some surprise and some emotion. This was the first time Ju Zi had defied his orders since he rescued her years ago, but this defiance greatly satisfied his vanity.

"If possible, no one would want their wife to be pregnant with another man's child, even if it's done by extracting the seed. But there's no other way; this is the only way to silence public opinion."

(End of this chapter)