Douluo Continent: Building a Divine Kingdom Starting from the Spirit Hall

"We still need to infiltrate and record those deployment maps."

After glancing at the location where the Star Luo Empire's troops were stationed, the ghostly figure once again disappeared into the shadows, stealthily heading in that direction.

To record, they would naturally need to record a complete set, and they also need those deployment maps to plan their strategy.

On the other side, Dai Xueyi, who was in the tent, looked at the storage soul tool in her hand with great confusion. It had just been thrown in from outside and had smashed a hole in the tent made of animal hide.

"It should be a good thing."

Zhu Yuying, who was still recovering from her injuries, coughed for a while before speaking, saying that she understood that someone must be trying to secretly cooperate with them to do something, and did not want to show their face.

"Possessed by the White Tiger!"

Dai Xueyi didn't dare to delay. She first possessed her martial soul, and then used her soul power to open the unclaimed storage soul tool, took out the contents, and then saw a large roll of animal hide.

She took out a long sword and peeled back the animal skin scroll. The content drawn on the outermost and largest sheet alone made her pupils shrink, and Zhu Yuying beside her also became solemn.

After looking at the largest animal hide scroll for a while, they unfolded the other animal hide scrolls one by one. The more they looked, the more solemn their expressions became. Especially when they saw the defense map of Tiandou City, their heartbeats almost stopped.

"is that true?"

It took her a while to calm herself down before Dai Xueyi asked.

She wasn't interested in that kind of thing; on the contrary, her fiancé, Zhu Yuying, was an expert in it.

These defense maps don't look fake, but who knows if the other side has left any hidden tricks? If they want to use them to plot against their Star Luo Empire, they must be treated with caution.

Chapter 228 Soul Master University

"We can't confirm the one for Tiandou City, but the one for Jialing Pass is definitely real. It's exactly the same as the one we explored before, and there are even nearly half of our people that we didn't explore."

After examining the defense map of Jialing Pass separately, Zhu Yuying finally confirmed.

The Star Luo Empire constantly plots to destroy the Heaven Dou Empire and unify the Douluo Continent. Therefore, they have been secretly investigating various military strongholds of the Heaven Dou Empire, with Jialing Pass, as the last barrier of the Heaven Dou Empire, being a key focus of their attention.

He had seen this intelligence before, and it all matched up in this defense map.

"Can you tell who did this? What is the person behind it trying to do?"

Lifting her gaze from the animal hide scrolls, Dai Xueyi didn't believe this was a free meal. The person behind it all must have a bigger scheme, wanting to use their Star Luo Empire as a tool to achieve their ulterior motives.

The only question is who is behind this.

"There are too many suspects: the Spirit Hall, the two sons of Emperor Xue Sheng of the Heaven Dou Empire, and, well, we can't rule out Xue Xing, who has always been known as a playboy. Even the four kingdoms on the Heaven Dou Empire side may have motives."

However, very few people can obtain the defense map of Heaven Dou City.

Having identified a few suspects, Zhu Yuying was too lazy to continue guessing. In any case, whoever benefits the most after this incident is over will be the mastermind.

"The person behind this is definitely not a simple individual."

Dai Xueyi is also speculating about the mastermind behind the scenes. At present, she can only confirm that the other party has an extraordinary status in the Heaven Dou Empire, otherwise it would be impossible for them to obtain such a detailed and comprehensive defense map of Heaven Dou City.

It's important to understand that a defense map is not just about the arrangement of troops, but also includes the city walls, the surrounding area, and various underground mechanisms and secret passages, as well as various types of consumable military equipment, such as the storage locations and quantities of arrows.

These things will not be exposed until wartime, and they are definitely the focus of the Heavenly Dou Empire's defenses.

How could someone who can produce such things be simple?

"Send word to everyone: get some rest tonight, and set off early tomorrow morning on a forced march back to Xingluo City. No one is to leave the ranks during this time; anyone who disobeys will be executed."

He stood up, walked out of the tent, put on his snow-white coat, and gave orders to the messenger guarding outside.

Regardless of the schemes behind the scenes, this is indeed a good opportunity for their Star Luo Empire. Even if they cannot destroy the Heaven Dou Empire, they can at least severely damage it.

All of this was recorded by the ghostly figures hidden in the shadows, including the defense maps that the two had previously flipped through.

Leaving aside the matter of the Star Luo Empire's team, on the other hand, Xue Ye led his team to Tian Dou City.

Because Xueye was in a hurry to get back and make arrangements, and also needed to finish the Soul Master Competition as soon as possible so as to end the Snow Battle, the temporary emperor traveled very quickly.

When they reached a point ten miles outside Tian Dou City, Tian Hao and Chen Xin appeared and rejoined the group, heading towards Tian Dou City together.

When they arrived at Tiandou City, the city gates were packed with people who lined the streets to welcome the group and chanted Huanyin's name.

Because it was the Huanyin Academy team that won the championship for their Tiandou team, and they were incredibly strong, everyone felt extremely honored.

Of course, such a lively atmosphere must have been made possible by the behind-the-scenes efforts of Emperor Xuesheng and Xuezhan; otherwise, so many people wouldn't have been able to attend.

The procession proceeded along the streets lined with people on both sides to the palace, where Emperor Xuesheng and Xue Zhan had already prepared a banquet and were waiting, along with various important officials of the Tiandou Empire.

"Father, your sons and we have lived up to your mission and won the championship for the empire."

Snow Night, walking at the forefront, reported to Emperor Snow Victory with a slightly excited expression.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Sitting on the throne, Xue Zhan repeatedly said "good" three times. Although he had some confidence in that younger brother, he wasn't too confident. After all, the Spirit Hall Academy team and the Star Luo Royal team were really strong. Who would have thought that younger brother would actually pass the test and win the championship, and do so with such strength.

It seems we need to further win them over and keep them close by.

"boom!"

Just then, Emperor Xuesheng stood up and walked over, slapping Xue Zhan off the throne and sending him flying, while also cursing.

"No respect for elders."

The eldest son, Xueye, just reported back to his father, the emperor. Why are you responding like that?

Steadying himself up, Xue Zhan rubbed the back of his head where he had been slapped and scurried over to stand beside his father.

"Ye'er, you've worked hard. You should drink this celebratory toast first."

Emperor Xuesheng nodded with satisfaction, affirming his eldest son's achievements.

Look at Ye'er now, she's so much more composed than before.

Indeed, painful trials are the way for men to grow quickly.

As soon as he finished speaking, a maidservant stepped forward with a tray containing fine wine that had been prepared beforehand.

Emperor Xuesheng stood up and stepped down from his throne, personally pouring his son a cup of fine wine.

Moved, Xueye stepped forward, took the wine glass, and drank it all in one gulp. Then she stood beside her father, glancing at Xuezhan on the other side with a sparkling look in her eyes.

"This second cup of celebratory wine shall be drunk by Grand Duke Gai Zongheng, the Guardian Sword Saint of the Heavenly Dou Empire."

Emperor Xuesheng refilled his cup and turned his gaze to Tian Hao at the front of the procession.

Because Emperor Xuesheng had already given away the news, everyone knew about the reward and didn't react excessively, though they were still full of envy.

Keep in mind that's a dukedom, second only to the princes of the imperial family, and a duke with a real fiefdom who can establish his own kingdom.

No matter how small the area, it is still a country!

The empire's high-ranking officials remained silent on the matter, mainly because the fiefdom was not located within the empire's territory and would not harm their interests.

Furthermore, there are three Title Douluo standing behind him, one of whom is extremely mysterious and whose identity has not yet been discovered.

With such a lineup, defending Baili's fiefdom is nothing. Even the kingdom where the fiefdom is located might not object, since it's equivalent to attracting three Title Douluos to their territory. Having three Title Douluos guarding their territory would actually make them feel more secure.

"Thank you for the wine, Your Majesty. Your subject, Gai Zongheng, will do everything in his power to protect the empire."

Taking the wine glass and drinking it all in one gulp, Tian Hao struck a pose of selfless devotion, which greatly pleased Emperor Xuesheng.

Regardless of how true this statement is, at this stage, it is at least ostensibly tied to the Empire, and further wooing will be done gradually in the future.

As long as interests are tied to and integrated with the empire, it is difficult to betray it even if one wants to.

After that came a banquet, where Emperor Xuesheng hosted everyone, especially the academy teams that had gone on this expedition.

Meanwhile, the empire's high-ranking officials also extended olive branches, inviting Feng Aotian and his companions.

Feng Aotian and the others declined the invitations, stating that they would continue their studies at the academy and strive to elevate their school to a higher level.

"Your Majesty, I would like to apply for my Illusionary Sound Academy to be promoted to a Soul Master University."

Halfway through the banquet, Tian Hao, who had eaten his fill, wiped his mouth and stood up to make a suggestion to Emperor Xue Sheng.

Tian Hao was the focus of the banquet, and his opening remarks immediately attracted everyone's attention, causing the originally lively banquet to quiet down.

"Soul Master University?"

Emperor Xuesheng was puzzled. He understood the meaning of that sentence: it was about raising the level of Huanyin Academy. However, the advanced soul master academy was already the highest level soul master academy in the world. Even their Heaven Dou Royal Academy was an advanced soul master academy, just with better conditions.

Chapter 229 The Inner Circle of the Academy

"As we all know, the current Soul Master Academy is divided into primary, intermediate and advanced levels, but in essence they are all the same. They just teach Soul Masters to cultivate and improve themselves according to the experience of their predecessors. It is a step-by-step teaching and cultivation method. After graduating, Soul Masters have to rely on their own cultivation, and their achievements depend almost entirely on their own talent and potential."

I believe that a new institution of higher learning should be established above the Advanced Soul Master Academy. I would name it Soul Master University. In addition to continuing to inherit the cultivation experience of our predecessors and better helping Soul Masters improve themselves, it should also have research, integration, and innovative concepts.

Research involves studying the cultivation experiences left by our predecessors and further refining them. Integration means learning from their strengths and making up for their weaknesses, taking the essence and discarding the dross. Innovation is more difficult; it involves building upon the foundation laid by our predecessors to create better cultivation methods.

For example, my Holy Spirit Sword Technique, and the Sacrifice Method, etc. To put it bluntly, the Soul Master University helps students create their own original soul skills and cultivation methods, so as to fully unleash their own power and potential. My own performance and my performance in this Soul Master Competition are the best proof of this.

Our Illusionary Sound Academy is qualified to transcend the level of advanced Soul Master academies and become a brand-new Soul Master University. Furthermore, the Sonic Sword Qi Secret Technique created by my teacher, Dean Hai Liuyun, will be revealed to all students as the inherited secret technique of Illusionary Sound University.

Tian Hao explained his vision for a Soul Master University to Emperor Xuesheng and everyone present, which was essentially just copying the university concept from his previous life.

This concept has aroused the interest of many people, especially the deans of the fifteen colleges, as if a new world has been opened up for them.

Previously, although they competed with each other, they were greatly limited. Despite their efforts, they remained just advanced soul master academies. But now, with the new concept of a soul master university, that concept is indeed better than that of these advanced soul master academies.

"Great idea!"

He first nodded in approval, then Emperor Xuesheng's gaze swept over everyone present, especially the deans of the fifteen academies.

"Please feel free to speak your minds and refine this concept to make the Soul Master Education System of my Heaven Dou Empire even more perfect."

This is no small matter; it cannot be decided in one go. We need to discuss it carefully.

Next came the discussion and suggestions, where everyone worked together to supplement and improve the concept and meaning of the Soul Master University. Finally, Emperor Xuesheng made the final decision.

"In the name of the Emperor of Heaven Dou, I hereby declare that a Soul Master University shall be established above the Advanced Soul Master Academy. The Illusionary Sound Academy will be the first Soul Master University of my Heaven Dou Empire, and its daily needs will be covered by the Empire's funding."

From now on, if an advanced soul master academy wants to be promoted to a soul master university, in addition to having the ability to assist the academy in creating its own soul skills, it also needs to win the championship in the continent-wide advanced soul master academy elite competition. I hope everyone will work hard and win the championship again in the next competition, adding another soul master university to the empire.

In closing, Emperor Xuesheng offered words of encouragement and expressed his high expectations for the next Soul Master Competition.

Their performance in this Soul Master Competition was outstanding, with five Soul Kings emerging. If these talented individuals are retained in the academy for teaching and research, they will definitely help the academy to make further progress.

Most importantly, it establishes the concept and significance of Soul Master Universities, which will surely motivate all the advanced Soul Master academies to teach students more diligently and cultivate more and better high-end talents for the Empire.

The banquet finally came to an end, but no one felt tired even though it lasted all night, especially the people from the fifteen advanced soul master academies, who were all extremely excited.