"I haven't disturbed everyone, have I?"
Star Luo Douluo walked into the study with a smile. The aura from his recent breakthrough to Limit Douluo had yet to fully settle, and the moment he entered, a heavy pressure filled the room.
Huo Yuhao remained unaffected, but Emperor Xu Jiawei's expression changed subtly.
He quickly adjusted himself, stood up, and looked at Star Luo Douluo. "Congratulations, Royal Uncle."
Star Luo Douluo waved his hand, took two steps forward, and stopped beside Wang Nan. He cupped his hands slightly and offered a salute.
Although Star Luo Douluo had already broken through to the Limit, Wang Nan still felt unfathomable to him. Moreover, his own breakthrough had been influenced by Wang Nan's Domain at Jialing Pass.
For that reason, despite his seniority in age, Star Luo Douluo took the initiative to show respect.
"Congratulations, Star Luo Douluo," Wang Nan replied.
"I must also thank the Peerless Douluo for his guidance back then."
Star Luo Douluo no longer addressed Wang Nan as Duke Heaven's Equal. This subtle change in address also reflected a shift in his inner attitude.
Emperor Xu Jiawei's expression remained steady. He had already anticipated Wang Nan's extraordinary strength to some extent.
"By the way," Star Luo Douluo said, glancing at Emperor Xu Jiawei, "I see Your Majesty looks troubled. Is there an issue with your discussion?"
"This…" Emperor Xu Jiawei hesitated, then nodded toward Star Luo Douluo. "I dare not hide it from Royal Uncle. Duke Heaven's Equal and I were just discussing Evil Soul Masters and Soul Guidance Devices."
After taking his seat, Emperor Xu Jiawei recounted their earlier conversation. Wang Nan did not interject, merely listening quietly.
When Emperor Xu Jiawei finished, Star Luo Douluo lifted his gaze toward Wang Nan.
Having just broken through, his aura was still difficult to control. Emperor Xu Jiawei and Huo Yuhao both felt subtle fluctuations of spirit power instinctively resisting his presence.
Wang Nan, however, sat calmly. No spirit power or mental force could be sensed from him at all. Star Luo Douluo's aura spread outward as if it were dissolving into the world itself.
Wang Nan's words from Jialing Pass years ago echoed in Star Luo Douluo's mind. Spirit Masters like them had no further path forward in this world. After breaking through to the Limit, Star Luo Douluo himself had sensed it vaguely. Beyond this realm, there was nothing more.
Wang Nan would not have spoken those words back then without reason. Perhaps he had always been searching for a way forward.
With this thought, Star Luo Douluo collected himself and looked at Wang Nan. "This matter should proceed as the Peerless Douluo suggested."
Emperor Xu Jiawei paused briefly, then nodded. "Yes, Royal Uncle. Tomorrow, I will immediately summon the ministers and begin implementing this."
"Furthermore," Star Luo Douluo continued, drawing everyone's attention, "now that I have broken through, once I finish stabilizing my state, I plan to visit friends in the other two great empires. I can also raise the issue of Evil Soul Masters with them."
Wang Nan's gaze shifted subtly as he looked at Star Luo Douluo.
Star Luo Douluo was, after all, a seasoned schemer. Nearly two hundred years old and having managed the Star Luo Empire's affairs for over a century, he could not fully grasp Wang Nan's intentions, but he could discern their direction.
If his guess was correct, Wang Nan's actions were tied to what he had mentioned at Jialing Pass. Thus, Star Luo Douluo not only agreed readily, but also volunteered to push the matter across the other two great empires.
While Heaven Dou and Douling might not act as decisively as Star Luo, relations between the three empires had grown much closer since the Continental War. Even incremental progress would be of great value to Wang Nan.
"In that case, thank you, Star Luo Douluo, and thank you, Your Majesty." Wang Nan stood up. "There is also one small matter."
"Please speak, Duke Heaven's Equal."
"I've noticed that Star Luo City has changed greatly in recent years. It's clear that Your Majesty intends to vigorously promote Soul Guidance Devices, yet the southeastern district has seen little change."
"This—"
Before Emperor Xu Jiawei could explain, Wang Nan smiled and continued, "My father once said that the Empire's development should not be delayed because of our family. Your Majesty may proceed as you see fit."
"Your father is truly righteous," Emperor Xu Jiawei said sincerely.
Since Emperor Xu Jiawei had already agreed to Wang Nan's proposals, the atmosphere afterward was notably relaxed. After Huo Yuhao presented the prototype of the rechargeable Soul Guidance Device, even Emperor Xu Jiawei could not suppress his astonishment.
Such a Soul Guidance Device could only be described as miraculous. Its appearance was destined to bring tremendous changes to the entire Douluo Continent.
It was not until the afternoon, when the sun began to sink, that Wang Nan and Huo Yuhao finally left the imperial palace. As Emperor Xu Jiawei escorted them to the palace gates, he suddenly spoke.
"Jiujiu, immediately organize the data for the southeastern district of Star Luo City."
"Wait." Star Luo Douluo's voice halted Princess Xu Jiujiu as she was about to depart.
"I don't know what your original plans were," he said calmly, "but it would be better to leave that area as it is."
Star Luo Douluo did not look at Emperor Xu Jiawei. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on the distance, uncertain whether he was watching Wang Nan's retreating figure or the far horizon.
"Before long, the value of that place will far exceed your expectations."
Emperor Xu Jiawei followed his gaze, but Wang Nan was already gone.
"I understand."
Within Wang Nan's body, a subtle force flowed, perceptible only to him. He had originally intended to discuss these matters solely with Emperor Xu Jiawei, yet Star Luo Douluo's breakthrough and emergence from seclusion had brought unexpected gains.
Perhaps that day truly was not far away.
Shaking off his thoughts, Wang Nan turned to Huo Yuhao. Although they were still traveling, Huo Yuhao's gaze was distant, clearly lost in his own thoughts.
Leaving the imperial palace, Huo Yuhao knew that he would soon face matters of his own. Even after mentally preparing himself countless times, now that the moment had arrived, his heart was filled with complex emotions.
Ever since Huo Yuhao helped Wang Nan assemble the humanoid Soul Guidance Device, Tianmeng Iceworm and the others no longer hid themselves excessively around Wang Nan. Yet at this moment, none of them spoke, remaining silent within Huo Yuhao's mental sea.
"Mother."
When they arrived at Wang Nan's family courtyard in Star Luo City, Huo Yuhao immediately saw his mother. Her eyes were equally unsettled. More than a decade of waiting was about to reach its conclusion today.