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When the Crown Prince came to visit, Tang San naturally needed to greet him personally, even though this prince was not the biological son of the Emperor Xue Ye, nor even his son in any sense.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
Tang San welcomed Xue Qinghe into the Silver Blue Manor and led him to the living room. Xiao Wu, Guang Ling, and Lan Yin Zi did not join them, each busy with their own tasks: studying medicine, researching soul devices, and training.
"Tang San, you seem to be enjoying yourself lately. There are quite a few private newspapers in the city reporting on your escapades," Xue Qinghe remarked with a smile, holding a teacup.
After revealing his true identity at the Luowang Auction House and even bidding on slaves, the news had certainly spread, but the reports varied depending on who heard them.
"So—"
"Yes, it's all true," Tang San admitted. After all, he had indeed been quite the playboy, so there was no need to deny it, though the rumors were exaggerated.
"With fame comes gossip, Tang San. There's no need to—" Xue Qinghe started to console him but then doubted his ears. However, maintaining his composure, he smiled and said, "You are quite a straightforward person."
"Compared to the Crown Prince, I am just a bit more free," Tang San replied as he poured tea for Xue Qinghe. Then he got straight to the point, asking, "What brings Your Highness here? Let me make it clear that I have no interest in the royal disputes and focus solely on my own research."
"Tang San, do you think I am someone obsessed with power?" Xue Qinghe pretended to be offended.
"My mistake," Tang San laughed, taking a sip of tea. "So, what brings you here? Surely it's not just to catch up? After all, rumors say you are incredibly busy."
"Actually, it's about my father..." Xue Qinghe's eye twitched slightly as he began to explain.
It turned out that the Emperor Xue Ye had recently started handing over the empire's affairs to Xue Qinghe, preparing to become a retired emperor and enjoy his twilight years.
This should have been a good thing.
However, once Xue Qinghe began managing the empire's affairs, she realized that being an emperor was not easy. Short-term tasks were manageable, but over time, she became physically and mentally exhausted.
This was completely different from the duties of the Pope of the Spirit Hall she had observed!
Bibi Dong, the Pope, only needed to spend a little time on state affairs each day, even during the busiest times, leaving the rest of her time for training or personal pursuits.
In contrast, the Emperor of the Tian Dou Empire had to constantly review memorials, often unable to rest even at night. Only during festivals or major events did he get some respite.
This disparity left Xue Qinghe with a sense of disillusionment as she started learning the ropes of being an emperor.
Both the Pope and the Emperor were the supreme rulers of two major powers, so why was there such a difference in workload?
If Xue Qinghe had asked, Tang San could have answered—
The methods of governance were different.
In Tian Dou, the rule was based on balance. As the supreme ruler, the emperor could not just enjoy life; he had to constantly monitor the intelligence from various states within the empire to prevent conflicts, wars, or plots against the imperial family.
Moreover, the emperor was very concerned with power, preferring to review all matters personally, not allowing subordinates to conceal anything.
As a result, just handling the affairs within the Heaven Dou capital was enough to exhaust the emperor. The Emperor's overwork and eventual illness were understandable, though Xue Qinghe had secretly poisoned him, accelerating his decline.
The Spirit Hall is an organization akin to a church, composed entirely of soul masters, where the strong are revered. Although it includes elements of faith and ideology, one undeniable fact is that joining the Spirit Hall and possessing sufficient strength guarantees a high status.
Returning to the main topic.
Xue Qinghe's visit was primarily because she was short of capable people and hoped Tang San could assist her.
Tang San slightly pursed his lips and thought: Isn't she just recruiting people? However, he didn't consider this involvement in royal disputes, though he knew he was clueless about handling state affairs.
"Apologies, Your Highness, you might have come to the wrong person. I have no experience in assisting with administrative matters. If you asked about soul master cultivation, I could be very detailed. But helping you manage governance is beyond my expertise," Tang San said politely. "Since it's your destined role, many wise individuals must already support you. Why not seek their help?"
Xue Qinghe sighed, then stared intently at Tang San. "They are all useless. None can accomplish anything, and their familial connections make them untrustworthy."
In fact, Xue Qinghe planned to replace these people with her own loyalists once she ascended the throne. How could she trust them?
"Your Highness's gaze flatters me," Tang San sighed. "But I must reiterate that my expertise lies in soul master theory, not in statecraft. Specialization is important."
"In governing a country, Your Highness shouldn't be overly reliant on soul masters."
"Soul masters make up only a fraction of the population—perhaps one-twentieth or even one-thirtieth. Governing the Tian Dou Empire differs from managing the Spirit Hall, where strength alone determines high status, leaving weaker individuals to handle minor tasks. In contrast, you must consider the populace's welfare."
"And managing the populace isn't about having the strongest fists; it's about ensuring they don't rebel, but soul masters aren't involved in production. Over time, many issues will arise."
This likely explains why, in the original story, after the Spirit Hall established its nation, widespread discontent and resistance from the two great empires emerged. Managing civilians and managing soul masters are entirely different tasks.
Managing soul masters is easy—being stronger means they listen.
Managing numerous civilians is another matter. In the original story, not only did the Spirit Hall and Spirit Empire fail to govern their people effectively, but they also struggled to train their armies. During the final battle, Tian Dou's army, including the soul master troops, had uniform soul rings, while the Spirit Hall's forces were chaotic, with only the Elephant Armor Clan and Holy Dragon Clan showing some order.
Managing a sect or gang and managing a country are worlds apart.
Yet, Xue Qinghe's gaze grew even more intense.
Despite Tang San's claims of ignorance in statecraft, his words revealed the essence of governing a kingdom: it's not about a loving attitude or overwhelming strength, but about the welfare of the people.
As long as the people live in peace and contentment, the country is well-governed!
"Tang San, will you help me?" Qian Renxue extended her invitation again. "Whatever the Spirit Hall can offer, I can match, and I am willing to share the throne of the Tian Dou Emperor with you!"
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the living room grew tense.
Moments later, Tang San set down his teacup and said calmly, "To be honest, I prefer having more freedom rather than being confined to a room sorting through documents all day."
Xue Qinghe was curious. "But don't you usually sit in a room to study materials on soul masters and soul beasts?"
"The content is different, so naturally my interest is different. If I'm forced to do something, it might have the opposite effect," Tang San replied, leaning back on the sofa with a lazy demeanor, leaving Xue Qinghe at a loss for how to persuade him.
"Then forget it," Xue Qinghe thought, realizing that tempting Tang San with benefits wouldn't work. To win him over, she needed to conquer him, much like Bibi Dong had done. In terms of personal charm, Qian Renxue believed her disguise as Xue Qinghe was quite compelling, but if the crown prince's status didn't impress Tang San, then her charm was close to zero.
Regarding strength, Qian Renxue believed that only by becoming a god could she truly dominate him. But could Tang San, with his abilities, surpass even a deity in his mortal form? The thought startled her, and she quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of which, at the banquet back then, my sister Xue Ke was very fond of you. My father even considered betrothing you to her, but you refused."
"Your sister is indeed charming, but relationships need a foundation," Tang San said with a serious expression, noticing her half-smile. He hadn't refused directly, not wanting to embarrass the Emperor Xue Ye. Instead, when the emperor was about to speak, Tang San discreetly used his second spirit ability to send a debuff seed into his nose, causing him to fall asleep.
The debuff could lower a soul master's attributes. Given the emperor's already frail health, it naturally made him pass out. Others might not have noticed, but Xue Qinghe certainly did.
"Feelings can be cultivated," Xue Qinghe pressed, her almond-shaped eyes narrowing slightly, sensing she had found a weak spot in Tang San.
"For ordinary people, yes. But for someone like me, a researcher, if we can't understand each other, forcing a relationship would be like wringing two dry towels together. Without mutual affection, they would eventually part," Tang San replied.
This peculiar analogy left Xue Qinghe at a loss for words. She forced a laugh and changed the topic. "How long do you plan to stay at the Silver Blue Manor?"
"I'm not sure. It could be as short as a month or as long as six months," Tang San said, stroking his smooth chin. "I've seen many commoners' martial spirits during my travels and conducted detailed investigations and records. I have new ideas, and after hiring a pair of brothers with original martial spirits, a mother-daughter duo whose spirits can materialize, and a little girl unable to awaken her spirit at the Luowang Auction House, I need time for research."
"Materialize?" Xue Qinghe's eyes lit up at this new term, eager to learn more.
"Yes, materialize. Although I can only corroborate it with some uncertain legends for now..." Tang San teased.
"What legends?" Xue Qinghe asked.
"Reaching level 100 and becoming a god," Tang San replied.
"God..." Xue Qinghe's pupils contracted. She realized that Tang San might already be thinking about surpassing level 100 in the future. Unable to resist, she asked, "Isn't that just a legend?"
"That's why I said it's uncertain. But as a rigorous theoretical researcher, I won't completely dismiss it as false," Tang San replied with a confident smile. "Gods, I'm not sure about, but I have some theories on breaking through to level 100."
"What theories?" Xue Qinghe's voice became delicate with excitement—Tang San already had conjectures about surpassing level 100!
"One theory is the materialization of one's martial spirit."
Tang San raised an index finger. "Soul masters cultivate their soul power to break through level 100 by fully converting their martial spirit, which lies between matter and energy, into pure energy or matter. The key is the ability to switch between these two states at will."
"From this, I derived a new theory: the primary purpose of soul masters cultivating soul power is to gain the ability to control their martial spirit's transformation between matter and energy."
"Of course, this theory will only be published after I test it and find it viable."
Xue Qinghe was stunned.
Although Tang San used some new terminology, she understood the gist from the context, which made her even more shocked. This was the threshold of self-creating a divine position based on personal research!
However, Tang San overlooked an essential element: the power of faith.
Without the power of faith, Tang San's dream of breaking through to level 100 and creating a divine position would be impossible. Even if he reached level 99 and lived for millennials, he wouldn't accumulate enough energy to materialize his martial spirit.
Still, Qian Renxue admired him.
After all, Tang San was only fourteen. He might eventually understand the power of faith or find another method to break through. His future held limitless possibilities.
"And the second method?" Qian Renxue asked after regaining her composure.
"If someone became a god in the past, successors might be able to inherit their divine position," Tang San answered without hesitation.
"Inherit a divine position? That's impossible," Xue Qinghe said, taking a sip of tea.
"There are indeed some peculiar places on the continent," Tang San continued, lowering his finger. "For example, the City of Slaughter. Recently, it underwent significant changes. After hearing about it, I investigated and found it seemed to exist in another dimension, far beyond current human capabilities."
"Rumor has it that passing through the Hell Road grants one domain abilities."
"The power to bestow domains seems god-like to most people."
"So, a bold guess: could the City of Slaughter have been established by an evil god?"
(End of Chapter)