Outside the window, the bright moon hung high. Wang Nan was not meditating, but sitting at his desk. With a wave of his right hand, four clusters of light floated up in front of him.
These were all the Spirit Bones from Zhongli Wu's body.
Spirit Bones are different from spirit rings. A Spirit Master can retain them after death. However, it is actually not common to obtain an opponent's Spirit Bone from a battle.
After all, in a fight to the death, the side about to be defeated would not be willing to leave their Spirit Bones for their opponent.
Whether by burning or detonating them, as long as there was even a sliver of a chance, they would not leave their Spirit Bones behind.
Unless the strength difference between the two sides was too great, or the Spirit Bones had not fully integrated with the Spirit Master.
At that time, Zhongli Wu had only been thinking of ambushing Wang Nan and never expected to die on the spot. Therefore, the Spirit Bones in his body were perfectly preserved.
Judging by the aura emanating from them, three of the Spirit Bones had reached the 100,000-year level, which Zhongli Wu must have obtained when he hunted 100,000-year spirit rings.
Although the remaining one was not very old, it shone brightly and did not look like an ordinary Spirit Bone. Given Zhongli Wu's background and his position as the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult, his Spirit Bones would naturally not be of poor quality.
Zhongli Wu left behind many things after his death. Besides these Spirit Bones, there were also Soul Guidance Devices and other items. However, compared to the Spirit Bones, those were far less valuable.
Just as Wang Nan was pondering how to deal with these Spirit Bones, several footsteps could be heard approaching from outside.
No outsiders usually came to where he lived, so whoever was approaching must be looking for him.
"Thump, thump, thump."
Sure enough, the footsteps stopped at the door, followed by a knock.
Wang Nan put away the Spirit Bones and got up to open the door.
"Your Excellency Heaven's Equal."
"It's Your Highness, the Princess."
"I apologize for disturbing your rest. I came this time regarding the reward and the fiefdom I promised you earlier."
"Oh, it's about that. Princess, please come in."
After settling the two accompanying guards outside, Princess Xu Jiujiu stepped into Wang Nan's room. In such a short time, she had already changed into simple attire, looking much more ordinary and no longer resembling a princess.
"According to past practice, the Star Luo Empire prepares a suitable Spirit Bone for Spirit Masters who join the Hall of Offerings." Princess Xu Jiujiu sat down at the table with Wang Nan and quickly got down to business.
"More Spirit Bones?"
Wang Nan raised an eyebrow. Even among Titled Douluo, it was difficult to collect all six Spirit Bones. Such a reward would already be extremely generous for most Spirit Masters. Someone like Wang Nan, who not only had a complete set but even surplus Spirit Bones, was rare.
"Also," Princess Xu Jiujiu said as she handed over a storage Soul Guidance Device, "inside are cultivation resources and gold coins."
Wang Nan extended his mental force and gave it a brief scan. Inside were medicinal materials, medicinal pills to increase spirit power, and several rare metals. Although Wang Nan was not a Soul Engineer, the Star Luo Empire still prepared some for him.
He did not check the gold coins carefully, but their number was no less than a million.
"These are only this year's share. The Star Luo Empire prepares such rewards annually for the offerings of the Hall of Offerings."
In the blink of an eye, Wang Nan had become someone earning millions a year. And this was only gold coins. The other items were worth far more.
However, Wang Nan was someone who had seen great storms. His expression did not change much, and he accepted the items calmly.
"Additionally, regarding Duke Heaven's Equal's fiefdom," Princess Xu Jiujiu hesitated slightly. "It is located in Liujin Province."
Liujin Province sounded unfamiliar, but it contained a very famous city called Gengxin City.
One reason the Sun Moon Continent differed from the original Douluo Continent in its development of Soul Guidance Devices was its abundance of mineral resources. It was rich in rare metals that were excellent materials for advanced Soul Guidance Devices.
The original Douluo Continent could not compare. There was only one exception, and that was Gengxin City in the Star Luo Empire. As early as ten thousand years ago, it was known as the City of Steel, with its surroundings rich in various metals.
As a result, Gengxin City gathered a large number of blacksmiths and other craftsmen. Later, with the rise of Soul Guidance Devices, it became one of the main manufacturing centers in the Star Luo Empire.
With the concentration of Soul Masters and the trade of Soul Guidance Devices and raw materials, Liujin Province was eventually established as a separate province. Although its territory was not large, its status steadily rose as Soul Guidance Devices became more widespread.
Moreover, the income generated by Soul Guidance Device-related industries was considerable.
"Thank you, Your Highness the Princess."
"Your Excellency Heaven's Equal is a Duke of the Empire. This is only proper."
After saying this, Princess Xu Jiujiu did not leave. She remained seated and glanced at Wang Nan several times.
The night was quiet. Wang Nan suddenly felt a faint fragrance drift over, and he saw Princess Xu Jiujiu stand up and step slightly closer.
"Please forgive Jiujiu's impoliteness, but I suddenly remembered some past events. The first time I saw you was at the entrance of Shrek Academy, wasn't it?"
Wang Nan nodded. The first time he had personally seen Princess Xu Jiujiu was before the Star Luo Empire hosted the Soul Duel Tournament, when she came to visit and Wang Nan was among those who greeted her.
"At that time, I still had some arrogance in my heart. I possessed the Star Luo Imperial Family's Legacy Spirit, the Star Crown, and believed I could defeat Shrek Academy in that Soul Duel Tournament."
Princess Xu Jiujiu smiled. Her natural elegance as a princess only became more striking when she smiled.
"I never expected Shrek's strength to be so overwhelming. Under your leadership, they defeated us like a storm."
"After that, every time I cultivated, I would recall that Soul Duel Tournament. Then we met again when you saved me in the Star Dou Great Forest."
"You are still the same as you were back then, always seeming invincible, no matter what kind of opponent you face."
Princess Xu Jiujiu was immersed in her memories. Her gaze seemed fixed on Wang Nan, yet also seemed to look far beyond him, her words carrying a gentle tenderness.
"Your Highness Jiujiu."
Wang Nan suddenly stood up.
"I apologize. I was being impolite."
"Your Highness, it is getting late. The war is not yet settled, and the Sun Moon Empire may return. You should rest early."
Princess Xu Jiujiu looked at Wang Nan once more, then turned toward the door.
"Then I shall take my leave."
The footsteps outside gradually faded away, and the surroundings became quiet once again.
Wang Nan sighed softly, sat down on the bed, and began to meditate.