Ever since his first soul ring evolved to 100,000 years old and his soul power reached rank 60, his Absolute Domain skill had been upgraded several times: reaching over 1 kilometers in range, at first.
Absolute Domain was a god-tier skill that allows Huo Yuhao to control and manipulate space around him to do whatever he wanted with a mere thought. Unfortunately, it was held back due to its extremely short range of usage.
Imagine that, the power to control space and he was limited in using it by the space of 'inches'? It was illogical!
When he became a Soul Emperor and the first soul ring's age reached 100,000 years old of power, his Absolute Domain can finally be called a true god-tier skill that no mortal can go against.
However, to his utter disbelief, someone managed to challenge him on that claim and thoroughly 'taught' him that there are still people who are much better than him.
Di Tian, the Beast God.
A True Dragon that was born with and mastered the element of Darkness, has deep mastery over the space element that even species known for using space would pale in comparison. He managed this by learning and mastering the use of space for thousands of years!
It was through his teachings that Huo Yuhao's comprehension over the space element advanced by terrifying leaps and bounds! In fact, his speed of understanding the Space Element was so terrifying that it even shocked Di Tian.
From Di Tian's own words, his skill with controlling space could even rival him!
This was thanks to Huo Yuhao's own genius comprehensive capabilities and with the amplification of the Sharingan's innate skill, copying, he can easily master almost any technique and even soul skills in the world!
That's right, never forget the most broken skill of having a Sharingan!
Within a large room about the size of a basketball court, a bright silver light flashed and Huo Yuhao with Na Na and the others appeared.
"This is...?" Na Na muttered, as she and the others looked around in confusion.
"The Imperial Consecration Hall. Don't worry, the Hallmaster Elder Kong is on my side. Wait a moment," Huo Yuhao said casually and secretly wiped the blood dripping from his eyes.
He raised his head and used the Purple Demon Eye to locate said elder to tell him about Na Na and the others.
Elder Ma had prepared a base for their organization, but Huo Yuhao felt that the Imperial Consecration Hall would serve as a far better base of operation; with easy access to high quality resources and equipped with high class soul tools.
'Oh? He has some guests... Wait, isn't that the Crown Prince?' He raised an eyebrow, curious to what this guy is doing here.
As the crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran should be busy with various tasks that involve earning the support of royal elders and many noble factions to firmly solidify his position.
So while trying to bootlick the nation's, no, the world's greatest soul engineer is a very worthwhile investment; that was only if he had the capital to sway Kong Deming to his side.
Kong Deming desires advancement in his cultivation and craft. With his cultivation and capabilities, only someone like the Emperor has the authority to provide high-quality resources for him.
As the Crown Prince, Xu Tianran does indeed have the qualifications to poach Kong Deming.
And to Kong Deming, the crown prince was a lifeline if he found Huo Yuhao to be untrustworthy.
Now some might wonder why Huo Yuhao didn't just hypnotize Kong Deming to ensure an everlasting loyalty—
He was bait.
Huo Yuhao doesn't know a lot of top-tier information about the Sun Moon Empire, he feared that there might be some shadow organization or someone that was much more powerful than Kong Deming hiding somewhere.
If Kong Deming reached out to someone for help, Huo Yuhao would know immediately and he would quickly make preparations to fight against them.
If there wasn't any hidden threat?
Well, either Kong Deming would become a helpful ally as a class 10 or even class 11 soul engineer in the future...or his frozen body would be found in some ditch.
'This is a good opportunity to try and get a proper read on Xu Tianran.' Huo Yuhao smirked, planning on meeting this 'infamous' crown prince in person.
Although he's heard a lot about him from rumors and Juzi, even saw him from the perspective of Kong Deming's memories, he wanted to see the man with his own eyes and judge whether this crippled Crown Prince was truly as dangerous as he expected.
"It's been a while, Elder Kong. I am glad to see you in good health." Xu Tianran respectfully greeted with a faint smile.
Kong Deming nodded. "Your Highness, it...has been quite a while since our last meeting. Which is understandable, considering your position, I'm sure you have a lot on your plate."
Xu Tianran laughed it off and said, "Responsibilities do have a way of piling up. Every day feels like a battle of its own—though unlike you, Elder Kong, I cannot simply retreat into the peace of research and cultivation. Politics is far less forgiving."
While he wanted to pull Kong Deming into his faction, that didn't mean he would be entirely submissive. Xu Tianran was ruthless and cold-blooded, but he was also quite prideful which is why it always pains him about his useless legs.
Even if Kong Deming was stronger than him, both in strength and political power, Xu Tianran wouldn't easily bend the knee—which is ironic.
Kong Deming unconsciously eased up, his eyes softening a little bit.
'Thankfully, it's not another illusion!'
After being traumatized by Huo Yuhao, Kong Deming started to closely observe the personalities and mannerisms of others to see if they were genuine or just another illusion playing tricks on him.
The paranoia gnawed at him daily.
Every smile, every word, every gesture had to be scrutinized.
Unfortunately for him however, he would never be able to see through Huo Yuhao's genjutsus unless he achieves Divine-level(Divine Origin Realm) spiritual power.
Xu Tianran's ego was unmistakable. He knew the young man very little, mostly because he was reluctant to get to know him better, but arrogance like his was impossible to hide. Even crippled, even bound to that wheelchair, he radiated an aura that demanded respect.
For his ambition knew no bounds.
For the sake of vengeance, he executed his brother. For the sake of seeking power, he would sacrifice the nation. For the sake of the throne, he would even use his queen as a mere tool.
Others might not know, but Kong Deming knew that Xu Tianran was a Titled Douluo! Granted he used many "drugs" in his cultivation, still, he managed to become a Titled Douluo in his thirties and was no pushover either.
If he wasn't crippled that no modern medicine or healing soul master could cure, Xu Tianran might've ruled the whole world by now.
That was, until he met Huo Yuhao.
"Pardon the intrusion~"
'Think of the devil and he shall appear.' Kong Deming inwardly smiled bitterly, but outwardly he put a stern expression on his face and let out a sigh.
"Yuhao, what did I tell you about coming in unannounced?"
"Sorry about that Elder Kong, I won't do it again." Huo Yuhao said cheekily with a smile, clearly not taking his words seriously.
He didn't spare a glance at Xu Tianran and walked over to a sofa. He casually sat on it, rested his arms on the backrest, and crossed one leg over the other like he owned the place.
The open display of arrogance would've gotten anyone else executed for disrespect in front of the Crown Prince.
Xu Tianran would've said something but stopped when he noticed the blindfold around his eyes, clearly thinking that he was blind. At that moment, in that cold heart of his, a trace of sympathy appeared because they were of similar situation.
That would soon be shattered in the next few minutes.
Kong Deming's eyebrow twitched. "Yuhao! If it isn't obvious, I have an important guest with me. He's—"
"I'm really sorry for being late, Elder Kong. Truth be told, I got lost on the path of life~"
"...."
"...."
Kong Deming and Xu Tianran had dark expressions, flabbergasted and unsure if they had just been insulted or if Huo Yuhao was simply an idiot.
"The path of life?" Kong Deming repeated slowly, his eye twitching.
Huo Yuhao nodded with utter seriousness, though the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed him. "Yes. You know, that moment when you suddenly realize you've been walking the wrong way... and end up late because of it."
Silence stretched in the hall.
'This kid...' Xu Tianran's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his wheelchair, once, twice, then stilled. His faint smile returned, but this time there was no warmth in it at all.
"Interesting," he murmured, his voice smooth but razor-sharp. "Elder Kong, who might this... peculiar gentleman be?"
He wanted to say a more derogatory word for Huo Yuhao, but considering Kong Deming's 'gentle' attitude towards him then that must mean that the young man must either have a extraordinary background or he might be a brilliant genius.
The latter meant that he was likely his successor!
'I need to know more about this guy!' Xu Tianran slightly narrowed his eyes.
'So, Xu Tianran...' Huo Yuhao's smirked as he waited to see what abilities this infamous crown prince holds if he was worth keeping as a lackey.
As for fear of being betrayed by his ambitious agendas, ha! A little genjutsu was all it would take to shatter that ambition into dust.
Kong Deming cleared his throat, cutting down the growing tension. "Your Highness, allow me to properly introduce him. This is Huo Yuhao, a young talent under my guidance. Though he may be... a little eccentric, his potential is undeniable."
Xu Tianran's brows raised. "Oh? High praise coming from someone like Elder Kong. To be so talented yet, I've never heard of you before. Why is that?"
'Now comes the tricky part...' Kong Deming inwardly sighed, hoping to not mention more about Huo Yuhao's background.
But Huo Yuhao spoke up before he could weave a careful excuse.
"Oh, that's because I'm not from the Sun Moon Empire. I'm an exchange student from Shrek Academy. Nice to meet you, Your Highness." Huo Yuhao said.
Xu Tianran's eyes widened. "You're one of the exchange students from Shrek Academy? Huo Yuhao, Huo Yuhao... Yes, of course! I've heard about you."
"Aren't you the Ice King who single-handedly dominated the entire Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament?!"
Huo Yuhao laughed lightly, rubbing the back of his head. "Aw shucks, I didn't know I was that famous. You're making me blush~"
Xu Tianran didn't calm down. After all, this was the student who not just dominated an entire tournament of groups of very talented soul masters that were a few years older than him, but also owns a 100,000 years old soul ring as his fifth soul ring!
Of course not many believed on the second part, a 12-13 year old being a soul king was already shocking enough but to also own a 100,000 years old soul ring? Even an idiot wouldn't believe such bull!
But Xu Tianran was different. He wholeheartedly believed it. Why? That's because he learned about the alliance between the Great Beasts of the Star Dou Forest and Shrek Academy firsthand by the Dragon Emperor, Long Xiaoyao!
The crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire had partnered with the infamous and vile Holy Spirit Cult! It was such a shocking and terrifying knowledge that would've made anyone from the Three Douluo Empires want to hunt down Xu Tianran.
Unfortunately, no one from the three empires or even Shrek Academy knows or else they would've tried their best to assassinate him before he takes the throne.
Long Xiaoyao had told him that if the alliance between the Great Beasts and Shrek Academy were genuine enough, it wouldn't be surprise if their greatest talents owned some 100,000 years old soul rings and soul bones.
They didn't know when the partnership between such powerhouses began, so considering Huo Yuhao's fifth soul ring being red, they could only speculate that it started a decade or so ago.
'He's a huge threat! Give him a decade, he would likely have the power to annihilate the empire! Why hasn't Elder Kong eliminated this man already?! Wait, why... hasn't he done that? Unless...' He narrowed his eyes, deep in thought while subtly gesturing his bodyguard hidden in his shadow to stand down at the moment.
He was completely unaware of the cold gleam in Huo Yuhao's eyes.
'Unless Elder Kong had swayed this guy into the empire's side!' Xu Tianran came to a startling conclusion, his expression remaining calm even as his mind churned with schemes. 'If that's the case, then killing him now would not only risk offending Elder Kong but also ruin whatever hidden plan they have!'
Considering Kong Deming's loyalty to the empire, Xu Tianran didn't think that the old man would work for the boy and concluded that they were planning to overthrow Shrek Academy.
'As expected of Elder Kong. To be able to sway a brilliant genius from another country to our side!' If he could, he would've given a standing ovation to Kong Deming.
Xu Tianran inwardly sighed. 'This changes things. It would speed up my plans for conquest! But as much as I like to conquer the continent, now is not the best time. Tch! If only that old bastard could croak already...'
His faint smile widened as he turned towards Kong Deming, masking his real intentions with a cool facade. "So this is a hidden gem you've taken under your wing, Elder Kong. Truly fascinating. I have many question, no doubt many others would have as well... but I trust you."
He then glanced Huo Yuhao, "One can only imagine what heights he'll reach in the future with your guidance."
"Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness." Kong Deming cooly replied. "I was planning on—"
*Ding-dong-ding*
Suddenly, the grandfather clock in the room chimed.
Xu Tianran clapped his hands, eyes closed. "Well, look at the time. I apologize, Elder Kong, but I have another engagement awaiting me. Matters of the court wait for no man, after all."
His tone was calm and polite, but the deliberate timing of his words made it clear, he had no intention of letting the conversation drift deeper. Whether it was to avoid Huo Yuhao's probing presence or to regroup his thoughts, he was retreating on his own terms.
Opening his eyes again, Xu Tianran gave a faint smile and turned his gaze toward Yuhao.
"It was... exciting to have met you, Huo Yuhao. I hope our paths cross again in the future. Elder Kong, let's have another tea session on another time."
"Eh, sure. Let's meet again sometime. By the way, do you want help in rolling out of here?" Huo Yuhao said.
Xu Tianran blinked. "I...uh, don't understand what you mean by that?"
"Isn't it obvious? Helping push your wheelchair of course."
The crown prince's eyes widened. "How did you know I was...? I'm pretty sure I and Elder Kong haven't mentioned my disability in our entire conversation."
"Well, true, but I knew you were in a wheelchair because, well, I see you are in a wheelchair after all."
"...What?" Xu Tianran said, his expression dark.
"What?" Huo Yuhao said, smirking.
"...." Kong Deming.
'This little...' Xu Tianran suppressed the rising anger within him and cupped his hands towards Kong Deming before wheeling himself out of the room.