The day after returning from the Star Dou Forest, I organized a simple burial for Dai Ming at the capital's cemetery. Only Jiangqi, Teacher Qi, and I attended. It was the most respect I could offer to someone who had tried to kill me.
Thanks to this gesture, I received a surge of positive energy through the "Good Deed" reward—at least five units of positive energy. Normally, accumulating that much would take about 500 days. For that, I sincerely thank you for your help, Brother Dai Ming.
A few peaceful days passed after the burial, but today, something finally changed.
"Dai Mubai, what are all these books?" While training with my Martial Soul near the pavilion, I heard Sister Daydream's voice echoing in my Spiritual Sea. Even there, her voice was crystal clear to me.
"Are you talking about the Bleach manga box set? They're just some books I found in the royal library. Feel free to read them if you like." I heard a murmur of thanks from Daydream before she fell silent again.
Daydream spends most of her time controlling the Great Talisman Formation, often in a state of sleep. I can't fathom how she manages to maintain control even while sleeping. I can only achieve something similar thanks to the "Advanced Control" reward, but it doesn't come close to her ability.
At that moment, I was in Martial Soul Possession mode. With the Sharingan and "Byakugan," I could move every inch of my body with extreme precision. To train, I used the Real Illusion ability to create a replica of Dai Ming in his sacrificed form. However, I could only sustain the replica for a minute as it was too exhausting to use so many abilities simultaneously.
Once my spiritual energy was depleted, I decided to end the training session. After taking a bath with the help of the maids, I headed to a hidden part of the mansion where I was working on a specific formation. However, before I could reach the secret room, Jiangqi intercepted me.
"Young Master Bai, His Majesty has summoned you to the imperial palace." Jiangqi bowed, her face maintaining its usual neutral expression.
I narrowed my eyes at the summons. "Very well, I'll get ready."
Back in the main room, Jiangqi helped me dress in appropriate attire for the occasion. Shortly after, we departed for the imperial palace in a carriage. The journey took about an hour. Upon arrival, I was separated from Jiangqi and escorted into the emperor's presence.
It was my first time in the imperial palace. To my surprise, instead of the lavish decorations I had imagined, the place was adorned with war ornaments. In my previous world, it could have been mistaken for the home of a war god.
After a long walk, I finally reached the imperial hall. Just like on the day I awakened my Martial Soul, the emperor sat on his throne, radiating majesty.
This time, however, the hall was filled with nobles of various social ranks. After performing the formal bow to the emperor, I was instructed to wait for another person's arrival. It wasn't long before the doors opened again.
A boy with golden hair walked in, appearing about nine years old. He looked a lot like me but exuded the aura of a scholar, whereas mine was gentler.
"Dai Weisi, present yourself before the emperor." So, this was my second elder brother. In the original work, Dai Mubai and Dai Weisi were quite close. However, in this life, I had been somewhat isolated due to my focus on creating Talismans and formations, which prevented me from meeting him or my other siblings until now.
Dai Weisi gave me a brief glance before turning to the emperor. If everything had been normal, our eldest brother, Dai Ming, should have been here. But he was now over three meters underground... without a head.
The emperor's stern voice echoed through the hall. "As you all know, imperial princes traditionally compete for the throne. Normally, their identities remain hidden until they reach adulthood. However, as everyone here is already aware of their identities, I will announce a change in the rules to prevent further deaths like Dai Ming's." The emperor's gaze swept over everyone in the hall before he continued.
"From today onward, no assassinations will be permitted until the princes reach maturity at the age of 16. Should there be proof of an assassination attempt, the perpetrator will be disqualified from the throne, and their cultivation will be sealed. To ensure fairness, a supervisor will be appointed. Dai Tian, step forward."
A man with black hair and heterochromatic eyes—one blue, the other red—stepped forward and bowed before the emperor.
"With great honor, I follow His Majesty's orders."
"In addition, both princes will wear contractual collars that will break if they plan assassinations. Dai Weisi, Dai Mubai, these collars are for you." Two golden collars floated toward us. "Place a drop of your blood on them to bind the contract." Following the emperor's command, I placed a drop of blood on the collar and immediately felt a connection to it.
"From this day forward, Dai Weisi will be the First Imperial Prince, and Dai Mubai will be the Second Imperial Prince," the emperor declared in his severe tone.
"We accept the emperor's decree." Everyone in the hall acknowledged the order.
The emperor continued, "The White Tiger has high compatibility with the Hell Spirit Cat of the Zhu ducal family, enabling even Martial Soul fusion." I frowned. This couldn't mean what I was thinking...
"Dai Weisi, step forward." My brother stepped forward, and the emperor announced, "From today onward, I proclaim the engagement between the Zhu family's second daughter, Zhu Zhuyun, and Dai Weisi."
Applause filled the hall after the emperor's proclamation.
I was puzzled. Neither Zhu Zhuyun nor Zhu Zhuqing had awakened their Martial Souls yet.
"Dai Mubai, step forward." I stepped forward just as Dai Weisi had, and the emperor announced, "I proclaim the engagement between the Zhu family's third daughter, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dai Mubai." Once again, applause erupted before the emperor signaled us to step back.
"Neither the second nor the third daughter of the Zhu family has awakened their Martial Souls yet. Thus, the marriage will be deemed invalid if neither of them awakens the Hell Spirit Cat. If only one of them awakens it, the Zhu family's eldest daughter, Zhu Lin—now Dai Ming's widow—will take their place in the marriage," the emperor declared with his stern voice and cold gaze.
I felt a bit uncomfortable at the thought of being engaged already. I had expected the engagement to occur only after Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul awakening. It seems my presence has changed more than I anticipated.
"The two Zhu daughters will reside in the princes' mansions to enhance Martial Soul compatibility. Dai Weisi, Dai Mubai, you are dismissed."
We left the hall in silence. I took the opportunity to analyze Dai Weisi. He was already at level 20 at just nine years old, ready to obtain his second Soul Ring. A genius worthy of an imperial prince. Of course, he wasn't on par with true monsters, but he was still impressive.
As we approached one of the waiting rooms, Dai Weisi made a move. "I wish you luck because I will show no mercy." His scholarly aura vanished, replaced by a murderous intent and a face as cold as ice.
"Perhaps you should worry about yourself. I won't hold back if we face each other." I replied calmly, maintaining my usual composure.
"Don't die before our fight." With a disdainful huff, he disappeared into his waiting room. Whatever he was planning, I wasn't afraid.
I could kill him now, perhaps, but the collar given by the emperor would immediately disqualify me if I tried. Furthermore, I sensed a powerful aura nearby, likely Dai Tian, a level 81 Spirit Douluo with eight Soul Rings, making any attempt impossible. I wasn't ready to face someone that strong yet—not even with Sister Daydream by my side. Despite being a million-year-old Soul Beast, Daydream had no offensive capabilities.
Letting go of that thought, I eventually reached my waiting room, where Jiangqi awaited me. Finally, we departed back to the mansion, where I could relax without much stress.
A few days later, my mansion received a new resident.
A three-year-old girl with black hair as dark as night and silky smooth, dressed in a black children's dress that highlighted her cuteness. This was Zhu Zhuqing, my fiancée.