How did it all come to this? Zhu Mei Lan thought to herself as she watched the students of Shrek Academy, trying to get use to the military grade flying-type soul tools. She couldn't help but feel a little envious of them, as those are very expensive equipment that even she, a Lieutenant, would find it difficult to get permission to use them.
But that was to be expected, they were students of Shrek Academy. They were the cream of the crop, the elite among elites. Shrek Academy was renowned for producing the most talented and powerful soul masters in the world. Zhu Mei Lan had heard countless stories of their legendary exploits, and now, here she was, accompanying them on a mission of great importance.
Well, she was really just accompanying them for safety on her return home. From what her captain said, Elder Xuan is a powerful Titled Douluo that he once had the opportunity to witness a powerful move in battle; so he was pretty assured that they can keep her safe on their journey.
Right, journey towards the Ming Dou Mountain Range. This mountainous area was formed four thousand years ago as a result of the collision between the two continents. Because of that, it's called the Ming Dou Mountain Range. It has an extremely vast amount of mineral resources, and it produces extremely precious minerals. Because of that, the Star Luo and Sun Moon Empires have been continuously fighting over this mountain range for many years.
That was the place the Eastern Army, the army her father led, was stationed to not only help experts to harvest resources, but also to keep the Sun Moon army at bay. The strategic importance of the Ming Dou Mountain Range could not be overstated. Control over this area meant access to a wealth of resources, which could significantly tip the balance of power between the Star Luo and Sun Moon Empires.
As she continued to watch, her mind drifted back to the circumstances that led her here. It started a long time ago, basically back when she was a child. Unlike what other people think when they're the child of one of the most powerful and influential person in the Star Luo Empire, it wasn't all privilege and ease. In fact, it was quite the opposite.
The White Tiger Family is a patriarchy family, with either of her older and younger brothers being the rightful heirs to their father's legacy. It was custom that would never be changed, leaving her to be either a bargaining chip for her brothers or to go marry off into another powerful family to solidify alliances.
Zhu Mei Lan, no, Dai Mei Lan didn't like that even when she was a little a girl. Especially since she awakened an extremely rare, mutated variant of their family's hereditary martial souls.
Her martial soul was the Heavenly Devouring White Tiger. A never before seen martial soul or even a soul beast! Moreover, she awakened with an innate rank 15 soul power! Truly an incredible and mysterious martial soul. It would be considered to be comparable to the extinct and peak level martial soul in the continent, the Seraphim.
Her mother secretly hired some history experts to find out more about her martial soul, and after weeks of scrolling through hundreds of old scrolls, they found it that it was possibly the progenitor and ancestor of the White Tiger.
It's original form was a completely white furred tiger with golden rings around its body, beady evil eyes that seem to pierce through one's soul, razor-sharp fangs and a terrifying wingspan over thousands of feet!
It was known for its unparalleled ferocity and power, feared and revered by all who encountered it. However, over the many millennia, even before the creation of the previous two empires; Star Luo and Heaven Dou, the Heavenly Devouring White Tiger had become nothing more than a legend, its existence shrouded in mystery and myth.
It was like the opposite of the infamous and now extinct Dark Devilgod Tiger. A terrifying evil soul beast that was said that it can never become someone's martial soul, as it had an evil attribute, courtesy of the legend of some Dark God's blood running through its veins.
Her mother had been quite ecstatic to find out about the possible origins about her martial soul, that she unhesitatingly started erasing the existence of her martial soul from everyone's minds; starting from killing the historic experts she hired and every servant and the person who awakened her martial soul.
She killed everyone who knew about true her martial soul's identity, without any hesitation. While lying to everyone, including the White Tiger Duke, her father.
From that day, Dai Mei Lan understood just how ambitious and cruel her mother was. Helpless and not wanting to provoke her mother's wrath, she obeyed every order she told her to do.
First, she sent her out to live and train in her mother's side pf the family, the Zhu. Her mother was the daughter of high ranking family members of the Zhu family and the Xu royal family, which made her a powerful figure in both political and martial circles. The Zhu family manor is where she was sent to, which is why she now took on the Zhu name.
Living with her mother's family was like stepping into a viper's den. Dai Mei Lan had to navigate the treacherous waters of family politics, where every word and action was scrutinized for its potential to advance or undermine one's position.
Under her mother's watchful eye, Zhu Mei Lan underwent rigorous training in both cultivation and political maneuvering. She learned to wield her martial soul with precision and control, gaining the best soul rings and soul skills under the tutelage of the elders of the Zhu family. But she also learned the art of manipulation and deception, as her mother schooled her in the ways of intrigue and subterfuge.
Her mother wanted her to become what she had failed to achieve herself: a renowned person, who can leave their name in the annals of history. She wanted her to become... the Empress!
However, despite her mother's efforts to mold her into a pawn in her grand schemes, Dai Mei Lan refused to lose sight of her own ambitions. Deep down, she harbored a burning desire for freedom, to break free from the chains of her mother's expectations and forge her own path in the world.
She knew that she was destined for greatness, but not the kind of greatness her mother envisioned. She wanted to make her mark on the world, not as a puppet Empress controlled by others, but as a true leader in her own right!
Which is why when she turned fifteen years old, she became a soldier. She managed to convinced her mother that it was for the sake of training, saying that she wanted to follow parts of her father's path.
It was half truth, as she did register as a soldier for the sake of training and know more of the outside world, but it was more for the sake of gaining her freedom.
Because if she manages to rise to a high rank and gain significant achievements that she can be granted a high ranking nobility title, she would gain the freedom to make her own decisions and pursue her own ambitions. Joining the military was her first step towards independence, a chance to break away from her mother's influence and carve out her own destiny.
'But that is still far into the future, right now, I'm still under my mother's control.' Zhu Mei Lan thought to herself, letting out a sigh of resignation.
The reason why she had to accompany the Shrek Academy students and personnel to the Eastern Army was because her mother had called for her return to the White Tiger manor. Apparently her brothers had done something so stupid and ludicrous that it almost caused a war between Star Luo Empire and the Shrek Academy, causing her to drop her jaw in utter shock.
What the fuck did those idiots do?! Was her first thought as she absorbed the shocking news. She couldn't fathom what her brothers could have possibly done to provoke such a serious situation.
Most people had thought that Shrek Academy was quite below in true power compared to the Empires, which was unsurprising, as it was a school after all. How could it compare to terrifying power of armies and hardened soldiers. What could inexperienced students and paper pushing teachers can do against them? Most just thought that the academy is considered strong because of their ability to call upon their alumni, which are indeed formidable.
However, the truth was that Shrek Academy earned its reputation rightfully as the "Monster Academy" after what she had heard from the elders of the Zhu Family when talking about the school.
They had a rank 99 Titled Douluo, also known as the Ultimate Douluo! The highest level of soul master cultivation and are known to be the closest thing to a mortal God!
Armies? Soldiers? Soul tools? They were but mere ants and twigs compared to a God!
The Star Luo Empire has no chance on winning against Shrek Academy in a direct confrontation.
So Zhu Mei Lan was completely shocked as to what kind of stupidity her brothers had done that it with Shrek Academy was now looming over the Star Luo Empire. It was unfathomable to her how they could have acted so recklessly, jeopardizing the stability of the entire continent!
Which is why her mother thought it was the perfect opportunity for Zhu Mei Lan to reappear in the family and take control of the situation; to prove what she had learned in the past two years that she'd been playing as a soldier.
'Do not worry, mother. I will prove my worth, but it will not go as you expect,' Zhu Mei Lan thought to herself, clenching both of her hands. Her determination growing stronger.
'Hmm. So that's the situation huh,' Huo Yuhao thought to himself as he closed his eyes, his hands busy modifying the flying-type soul tool to suit his needs, no one noticing that he had secretly read Zhu Mei Lan's memories.
He didn't often use his Sharingan's ability of reading through people's memories, he had done some testing on it during their crusade against the Ironblood Sect; which only works and won't be detected if the target has less spiritual power than him, but that doesn't mean he was some maniac that would delve in other people's minds.
Huo Yuhao only delved into his half-sister's memories because for one, information. With how Captain Huang Chen seemed desperate to let her come along with their journey, it piqued his curiosity and suspicions. Zhu Mei Lan's background was a tangled web of politics, power, and hidden ambitions, and understanding her true intentions could be crucial for any unexpected danger ahead.
But truthfully, he wanted any information related to the duchess. All information related to her was scarce and few, besides seeing her once when she drove him and his mother to the wooden shed at the back of the White Tiger Mansion, he hadn't seen nor heard much from her ever since.
Though it looks like she was just hiding in the mansion, like the ruthless bitch that she was, vying for control and power.
Now knowing that his whole "family" will be gathered together soon, a cold glint flashed across his eyes.
...
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