Douluo Continent: The Peerless Sun and Moon Traverse the Heavens

"Slap, slap, slap."

Xu Cheng tapped the leather armrest of the sofa repeatedly with his right index finger, the sound being particularly clear in the quiet study.

Han Ruoruo sat on another sofa, propping her head up with her elbow, seemingly deep in thought.

In fact, her mind was blank. Xu Cheng's invitation for her to participate in family decision-making meant that Xu Cheng's family had accepted her.

She was very happy.

But as a naive young woman who had just graduated from Shrek Academy, she was completely clueless about political struggles.

She's quite good at participating in Soul Battles.

In this situation, I can only pretend to be thinking:

Feed? To Lexuan?

I'm in Mingdu now. I just got off the carriage and I feel like I need to grow my brain!

Xu Cheng suddenly spoke up: "Father, who do you favor more?"

Xu Rui frowned and pondered for a while before saying calmly:

"In terms of ability, the current Crown Prince Xu Tianran is undoubtedly the best, but the power of the royal relatives led by Xu Guozhong should not be underestimated. The situation is even more dangerous than it was five years ago."

Xu Cheng nodded, recalling the cunning Crown Prince Xu Tianran from the original story, who ultimately won the struggle.

Xu Tianran was not only disabled in both legs, but Xu Cheng also knew that he actually had all three legs crippled. However, he was still able to ascend the throne smoothly under these circumstances, which shows his composure.

Before Xu Cheng gains sufficient power, it's best to avoid a direct conflict with him.

"The struggle for the throne has always been about the outcome; what matters most is the ability and power among the princes. But there's no rush. His Majesty's health should hold up for a few more years, so let's observe for a while before making any decisions."

Seeing that Xu Cheng had made up his mind, Xu Rui's brows relaxed, and he asked, "What are your plans next?"

Xu Cheng glanced at Han Ruoruo beside him and smiled slightly: "Of course, you should join the Mingdu Soul Master Academy and start as a teacher. I think Ruoruo can join me too, what do you think?"

Xu Cheng reached out and grabbed Han Ruoruo's fair wrist, waving it at Xu Rui like a child showing off:

"Ruoruo is a member of the champion team of the last All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament. The two of us will be in charge of next year's tournament team. Old Deng, you should be secretly happy."

"Oh, me?"

Han Ruoruo was also bewildered by Xu Cheng's sudden decision. She then lowered her head to think and nodded: "Actually, I don't have any specific plans. I quite like being a teacher."

Xu Cheng didn't forget to encourage Han Ruoruo:

"Gu Yi is currently a level 53 Soul King. After absorbing those two soul bones, his soul power should reach level 57. With some effort, he might even become a Soul Emperor. How about it? Feeling confident now?"

Han Ruoruo nodded, her gaze shifting to Xu Cheng, a sly glint in her narrowed eyes:

"So, you planned to take care of Bone Robe all along?"

"It was just a coincidence."

Xu Cheng waved his hand dismissively.

Han Ruoruo lowered her head and started counting on her fingers, muttering, "If there were a Soul Emperor, then the top four wouldn't be out of the question."

Xu Cheng looked at Han Ruoruo without saying a word.

He knew that in this Soul Battle Tournament, there were only three teams with the true Soul Emperor level combat power.

Imperial Academy, Shrek Academy, and Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

The Shrek Academy team's starting lineup will suffer a severe blow due to Xuanzi's negligence.

What God does not take, is to be blamed.

For the Sun and Moon Empire, winning the championship has been a dream for thousands of years.

If Mingdu Soul Master Academy wins the championship under Xu Cheng's leadership, the hidden benefits it brings will be far more than just the obvious rewards.

Seeing the two men's confident demeanor, Xu Rui felt relieved.

"Since you two are so energetic, we'll leave it to you. It'll also relieve the academy of a worry. By the way, the manor in the southern suburbs where you used to study is still empty. Are you going to live there?"

"The manor in the southern suburbs is closer to the academy, making it more convenient for commuting to and from school every day. Let's move there after the semester starts. By the way, I'll trouble you, Lao Deng, to help with the enrollment procedures for Gu Yi and Nan Nan, as well as the onboarding procedures for Ruo Ruo and me."

"These are minor matters; as the dean, I have the authority to handle them. You've had a long journey, so please go and get some rest."

Seeing the two leave, Xu Rui looked at Xu Cheng's broad back and couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

Xiao Cheng has finally grown up and can now shoulder more responsibilities.

Meanwhile, in the study of the Crown Prince's residence in the Sun and Moon Imperial Palace.

Although it was noon, the room was very dark, with only a few soul-guided lights providing the most basic illumination.

Crown Prince Xu Tianran sat upright in his wheelchair, on which sat a small table with his lunch that he had just finished eating.

"Your Highness, it's time to rinse your mouth."

A beautiful maid brought over a teacup and a handkerchief.

Xu Tianran put down the note in his hand, picked up the teacup to rinse his mouth, then used a handkerchief to wipe the water stains from the corners of his mouth, and leaned back in the wheelchair to close his eyes and rest.

The maid stood quietly to one side, not daring to utter a sound.

"tangerine."

Xu Tianran suddenly opened his eyes and called to the maid beside him:

"How's your cultivation progressing lately?"

The maid named Orange took a small step forward and respectfully replied, "Your Highness, Orange's talent for cultivation is only average. With your full support, I have barely reached the level of a fifth-level Soul Master."

"Ju Zi, there's no need to be so formal. If you hadn't sacrificed yourself to take that blow for me half a year ago, I wouldn't be here today. Those cultivation resources are nothing. By the way, take a look at this."

Xu Tianran handed the note in his hand to Ju Zi.

Ju Zi took the note with both hands and examined it carefully. The note read: "Xu Cheng, son of the Dean of Mingdu Soul Master Academy, appeared at his family residence today."

Ju Zi looked at Xu Tianran with a puzzled expression; she was completely unfamiliar with the name Xu Cheng.

"Xu Cheng... is he the founder of the universal soul guide?"

Xu Tianran, seeing the appearance of the oranges, realized what was happening and then introduced them:

"Yes, you're right. Back then, you weren't with me yet, so you might not know much about Xu Cheng. His father was the dean of the Mingdu Soul Master Academy. Six years ago, his proposed 'Integrated Soul Guidance Array' caused quite a stir, and that general-purpose soul guidance school rose to prominence around that time."

After that, he suddenly disappeared from people's sight, and now his sudden return will likely cause quite a stir in Mingdu.

Xu Tianran pondered for a moment before continuing, "Here's what we'll do: after the semester starts, you'll transfer to the Mingdu Soul Master Academy and find an opportunity to help me win him over, so that you can reveal your identity when you're alone with him."

"Yes."

Ju Zi bowed and replied, "Ju Zi will certainly live up to Your Highness's trust and will definitely recruit talented people for Your Highness to help you defeat the Third Prince's gang as soon as possible."

Xu Tianran waved his hand, smiling at Ju Zi: "Ju Zi, you're still too naive. Do you really think the Third Prince is backed by Xu Guozhong and his group of royal relatives?"

"Xu Guozhong was a key figure in helping my father's coup succeed, which is why he has his current position. My father's health has been poor recently, but he is more wary of me, the crown prince, than before, which is why he has the banner of the third prince."

"The Third Prince is arrogant and haughty, not a threat. Our real enemy is..."

Xu Tianran turned his gaze to the window, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

That is the Sun and Moon Imperial Palace, the pinnacle of power in this empire.

"Actually, it's my good father!"