The distribution of the Soul Bones for the wives was complete, but since Zuo Yan had slipped off to the Skywater Academy carriage, his soul bone was temporarily withheld.
During the following journey, Gu Xuan devoted his body and soul to cultivation, though Li Li would occasionally "influence" his mental discipline within the carriage. When fatigue set in, he would gather the girls to chat and joke, while also inquiring about their future cultivation plans. Their goals were largely the same: follow Gu Xuan and break through to higher realms.
Consequently, Gu Xuan began tailoring specific training regimens for the girls and his other companions. The members of the Imperial Team didn't need his guidance; they would return to their respective clans to solidify their statuses as heirs. These people formed Gu Xuan's foundation outside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Most were nearing the Soul King rank, with Yu Tianheng already at Rank 51. In a few years, they would be the pillars of their clans and vital assets to Gu Xuan.
As for Yang Pojun and Ma Bao, Gu Xuan planned for them to travel the continent to broaden their horizons. Once the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was in his hands, he would lead them to Sea God Island to "power-level."
Gu Xuan had his own stakes as well. The Three-Year Promise with Qian Renxue was no joke. If he didn't work hard enough, he wouldn't be bringing her in as "Wife Number Six"—he'd be the one bowing at her feet. Gu Xuan had no such fetish; he had to win. If he succeeded and married her, the continent would essentially be his to command.
The current Tang San lacked the opportunities of the original story and was essentially cut off from Sea God Island. Without the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, he might not even reach the island, or worse, be killed upon arrival. Therefore, Gu Xuan had to secure that artifact—and he already had.
His primary motive for visiting Xue Qinghe earlier wasn't just to tease his "big brother," but to lay the groundwork for this. Using the excuse of "traveling across the sea," he asked for a specific treasure: the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. As a national treasure of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe couldn't hand it over immediately, but he promised to speak with Emperor Xue Ye. Given that Gu Xuan had brought home the first-ever championship for the empire, a little "pillow talk" from the Crown Prince went a long way.
Time flowed like water. After twenty-three days, the teams returned to Heaven Dou City, where Emperor Xue Ye had prepared a grand welcome. The Imperial Academy's victory brought immense prestige to the empire, cementing its status as the top academy.
Emperor Xue Ye personally awarded the promised prizes. Through Xue Qinghe's mediation, the Emperor finally decided to bestow the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud upon Gu Xuan. Though a national treasure, its true purpose had remained a mystery for years. Even so, the four skills it granted were enough to significantly boost a soul master's power.
Gu Xuan was ecstatic to finally have the shroud. But the gift wasn't free. Emperor Xue Ye wasn't a fool; Gu Xuan was a genius, but he was still a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan man. To fully bind him to the throne, the Emperor proposed a marriage—this was the true reason he was willing to part with the shroud.
The Emperor had four sons, with only Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng remaining, but he had many daughters. One of them was Xue Ke. At fifteen, she was already Rank 35 and possessed both her mother's peerless grace and her father's imperial dignity. Marrying her to Gu Xuan was the ultimate gesture of favoritism. Gu Xuan certainly didn't lose out on the deal.
However, while Gu Xuan was pleased, many others were not. Dugu Yan and the other four girls were unhappy—sharing one man was already a squeeze, and now another was joining? Even the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, was displeased and had even tried to dissuade the Emperor.
Though wise, Xue Qinghe's current reaction was that of a brother watching his sister being "defiled by a pig." The Emperor found this protectiveness touching but ignored the objection for the sake of imperial stability. He believed marrying Gu Xuan into the family would tie him to Xue Qinghe's future reign.
When the Emperor learned Gu Xuan already had five engagements, even the once-profligate Emperor was impressed. He didn't want Xue Ke to be a mere concubine, but when he looked into the backgrounds of the other girls, he realized the competition was fierce:
Dugu Yan: Granddaughter of Dugu Bo; a Titled Douluo's bloodline.
Ye Lingling: Sole heir of the Nine-Hearted Begonia; high status in the soul master world.
Ning Rongrong: The jewel of Ning Fengzhi's eye with the legendary Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Li Li: Years of deep emotional history with Gu Xuan.
Zhu Zhuqing: A direct daughter of the Star Luo Empire's Zhu family; a vital political link.
Thus, the Princess of Heaven Dou, Xue Ke, became Wife Number Seven. The Emperor nearly fainted. 'Wait, there are only five girls, how is she Number Seven?'
Gu Xuan explained slowly, "Your Majesty, I made a bet with a beautiful elder sister. If I beat her in a fight in three years, she becomes Number Six. Given my talent, I won't lose, so that spot is taken."
Hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye fell silent, but Xue Qinghe—standing beside him—felt his face burn a deep crimson.
'This brat has really been thinking about me this whole time! We've only met a few times, and he's this obsessed with marrying me?' Xue Qinghe thought. 'It seems my true form is truly peerless; otherwise, why would this picky brat be so persistent?'
For some reason, Xue Qinghe wasn't angry. He even forgot to be annoyed at Gu Xuan's arrogant claim that he couldn't lose. He only lamented that poor, innocent Xue Ke had been snatched up by this rascal.
Since the wedding wasn't until Gu Xuan's eighteenth birthday—July 7th, three years from now—there was plenty of time for them to "cultivate" their feelings.
(End of Chapter)
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