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"Very good, full of spirit."

Su Yu smiled slightly and said, "Then I'll be waiting for the day you finish training the Slayer Army."

"Let's wrap things up for today. The establishment of the Slayer Army can't wait."

"You can start preparing right now."

As Su Yu spoke, he stood up.

"I'm going to check on the construction progress of the underground research institute. You guys carry on as you like."

Su Yu greeted everyone and waved his hand casually.

Xuan Ziwen stretched out his hand and said coolly, "Where are the blueprints?"

Su Yu smacked his forehead. "Oops, I forgot."

He reached into his soul tool and took out a stack of blueprints, handing them to Xuan Ziwen.

These were all soul tool design plans he had previously copied from his soul tool catalog.

They weren't particularly high-end, but some of the soul tools were ahead of this era in terms of design.

Some of the design concepts were ingenious and very clever.

Su Yu dared to bet that Xuan Ziwen would love them.

Sure enough, as soon as Xuan Ziwen got the blueprints, he began flipping through them.

Before long, his eyes were sparkling.

Without even saying a word, Xuan Ziwen ran off with the blueprints, clearly already immersed in his world.

Su Yu was used to this behavior.

When he'd first gotten the soul tool blueprints, he had been just as amazed.

The technology within was already extremely advanced.

Some assumptions of this era had already become reality in those blueprints.

Even just a glimpse of what's in there would be enough to drive researchers like Xuan Ziwen crazy.

"Let's go walk around."

Su Yu called out and headed further inside.

…

Heaven Dou City, Imperial Palace.

As the local power in Heaven Dou, the Heavenly Soul Empire's royal family had also received the news.

"Ice God Palace's young master Su Yu has arrived in Heaven Dou City. Weina, go meet him."

The Heavenly Soul Emperor ordered.

"Yes, Royal Brother."

Weina, dressed in palace attire, gave a slight bow, exuding noble grace and elegance.

…

"So, this is the new headquarters of the Holy Slayer Palace?"

Aotian surveyed the grand castle in the distance and spoke calmly.

"This is the new base. It used to be a royal garden, but was later given to the Ice God Palace."

"The Ice God Palace... has Su Yu arrived?"

Aotian's gaze flickered a hint of fanaticism and battle intent in his eyes.

"It shouldn't be fake. But Aotian, we're here on a mission, don't mess around."

Weina said with some concern.

"I know."

Aotian waved his hand, showing he understood.

Soon, the two arrived at the Holy Slayer Palace. Inside, Su Yu was tuning a soul tool when he suddenly received word from a guard.

"That was fast."

Su Yu muttered, then said, "Have them wait in the hall."

"Yes, Palace Master."

Su Yu clapped his hands, finished adjusting the soul tool in front of him, stretched, and walked out of the lab.

In the hall.

Aotian and Weina were waiting when a clear voice called out from afar.

"Princess Weina, sorry to keep you waiting."

Su Yu entered the hall, smiling and nodding, and went straight to the main seat.

"We just arrived as well," Weina replied sweetly.

Su Yu's gaze swept over to Aotian beside Veena. "Long Aotian, you're here too?"

"How is your injury?"

Weina quickly said, "Aotian has fully recovered. Thank you for your concern, Young Master Su Yu. He's here to accompany me this time."

Su Yu glanced at the two and said with a smile, "I understand, I understand. Please, both of you, take a seat."

Su Yu sat at the head, and only then did Weina sit down gracefully.

Long Aotian sat boldly beside her, exuding a sense of authority.

Su Yu glanced at Long Aotian again. Compared to Weina, he was more interested in Long Aotian.

At this age, having reached the Soul Sage level step by step...

His comprehension of the realm had reached a level equivalent to the unity of man and nature that only Super Douluos usually achieved.

Long Aotian was undoubtedly a true genius.

If not for Su Yu, it would be hard to find anyone of his generation who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Long Aotian.

The Body Sect had truly cultivated an excellent heir.

In Su Yu's view, Weina being able to marry Long Aotian was her good fortune.

Being a princess wasn't much, but a genius with the potential to reach the peak Douluo was hard to find.

After a brief look, Su Yu asked calmly, "Princess Weina, to what do I owe this visit?"

Weina quickly said, "I wouldn't dare to give advice. I just heard Young Master Su Yu has returned, so I came to pay respects."

"And I wanted to ask if there's anything our Heavenly Soul Empire can help with?"

"Since this is our capital, we do have some resources to help with small matters."

Su Yu chuckled, "Princess Weina, you're too polite. Offering such a large garden to us is already a huge support."

Weina replied, "Young Master Su Yu choosing to set up the Holy Slayer Palace in Heaven Dou City is a sign of trust and respect for our Heavenly Soul Empire."

"Such small matters are nothing."

"I wonder—when do you plan to reopen the Holy Slayer Palace?"

That was Weina's true purpose in coming.

To establish a stable and positive relationship with Su Yu.

And, using their proximity advantage, to be the first to reach an agreement with the Holy Slayer Palace.

After all, the soul tools produced by the Holy Slayer Palace had great value and strategic significance.

The original three Douluo continents were far inferior to the Sun Moon Empire in soul tool technology.

This meant that, if war broke out, they'd be at an absolute disadvantage.

That's not an exaggeration.

The existence of soul engineer legions was a crushing force to the old three Douluo empires.

If not for the sheer number of powerful individuals in the original Douluo continents, the Sun Moon Empire would have unified the continent long ago.

But as soul tools became more powerful, the advantage of soul masters was less and less.

There weren't many top-level powerhouses on the three empires' side.

In this situation, how could the Heavenly Soul Empire not be anxious?

Su Yu naturally understood Weina's intentions and casually said, "In the next few days."

"Preparations are almost complete; we're ready to start production at any time."

Weina brightened. "And what kind of trading system will you use?"

"Our Heavenly Soul Empire is willing to establish a deeper and closer relationship with the Holy Slayer Palace."

Su Yu smiled knowingly.

Now she can't hide her intentions?

But that's understandable. After seeing the power of soul tools, it's normal to be anxious, especially when there's competition.

After all, if the Heavenly Soul Empire doesn't act, the Star Luo Empire won't hold back.

Su Yu tapped the table with his right hand and said, "Now that the Holy Slayer Palace has moved to the Heavenly Soul Empire, some rules will change."

"The soul tools we make will no longer be supplied to the Sun Moon Empire."

"Our clients will mainly be the three Douluo empires, plus other major sects."

"Transactions will prioritize precious resources and rare metals, with money as secondary."

Su Yu didn't lack money.

What he truly lacked was resources.

The Ice God Palace had deep reserves, but mostly for soul masters.

Supporting the Holy Slayer Palace was still difficult.

Weina pondered and said softly, "Our Heavenly Soul Empire is willing to pay 10% above market price for resources, in exchange for priority purchasing rights."

The Holy Slayer Palace's production capacity was limited.

If others bought more, they'd get less.

The Sun Moon Empire was the main enemy, but wasn't the Star Luo Empire also a hidden threat?

If spending more resources could boost their military power, it was worth it.

Only with hard power in hand could they speak with confidence.

Su Yu shook his head. "The Holy Slayer Palace values fairness. There will be no priority rights."

"But..."

Weina, who had just felt disappointed, perked up again.

"But what?"

"For some friendly forces, when we sell weapons, we'll also gift extra quotas to show goodwill."

Weina's eyes lit up.

Isn't this a silver lining after all?

"Then, Young Master Su Yu, what about our Heavenly Soul Empire?"

"The Heavenly Soul Empire is naturally a good friend of the Holy Slayer Palace," Su Yu replied with a smile.

"Young Master Su Yu is wise. Our Heavenly Soul Empire and the Holy Slayer Palace will always be the best of friends," Weina declared.

Su Yu just smiled.

Soon, the two reached a preliminary agreement for cooperation on soul tool transactions.

"Pleasure doing business!"

"Pleasure doing business!"

Weina was smiling. The visit went more smoothly than she'd expected.

She had thought Su Yu would be difficult.

Strong people like Su Yu were usually eccentric.

But he was unexpectedly easy to talk to.

"Princess Weina would you like to tour our Holy Slayer Palace?"

Su Yu offered.

After all, she was a big customer.

For someone bringing money and resources, Su Yu could always be cordial.

"Then I'll accept your invitation."

Weina was eager to see just how professional the Holy Slayer Palace was.

Guided by Su Yu, Weina toured the Holy Slayer Palace.

Seeing all the soul tools she'd never seen before, Weina was amazed and sighed inwardly.

As expected, the Holy Slayer Palace's soul tool technology far surpassed the Heavenly Soul Empire.

There weren't many soul engineers here, but each one was highly professional.

Even those of the same level were better than those of the Heavenly Soul Empire.

Were these the talents Su Yu had poached from the Sun Moon Empire?

It was a glimpse of the Sun Moon Empire's strength.

This made Weina feel even more urgency and crisis.

Cooperation with the Holy Slayer Palace couldn't be cut off. For now, it was their only way to narrow the gap with the Sun Moon Empire.

About half an hour later, Weina and her companion bid farewell.

"Young Master Su Yu, I must return and report to my royal brother."

Weina bowed.

"Take care, Princess Weina."

Su Yu waved.

"Long Aotian, give my regards to Senior Du Busi."

Su Yu smiled.

Long Aotian nodded, staring straight at Su Yu, his eyes full of battle intent.

After all, Su Yu was the first peer who had ever defeated him.

But Long Aotian didn't challenge him again.

He knew the gap between them.

Even Du Busi said Su Yu's strength was not inferior to his own, so Long Aotian didn't believe he could win.

But Su Yu's existence was like a guiding star to Long Aotian.

He would train hard and, one day, stand before Su Yu and challenge him again.

That was Long Aotian's resolve.

A martial arts fanatic never gives up easily.

"You are full of fighting spirit," Su Yu noted but wasn't bothered.

Long Aotian was a genius, but just not in the same league as Su Yu.

Not even Du Busi was someone Su Yu cared much about now.

Only Ultimate Douluo could make Su Yu take them seriously.

"Aotian!"

Weina called out.

Long Aotian retracted his gaze and said in a deep voice, "Su Yu, one day, I'll challenge you again."

Su Yu smiled faintly. "I'll look forward to it. I just hope you can one day catch up to my shadow."

If you can't now, you certainly can't in the future.

"Sorry to bother you, Young Master Su Yu, farewell!"

Weina pulled Long Aotian away quickly.

Su Yu watched them leave and shook his head with a smile.

…

Within a few days, word spread across the Douluo Continent that the Holy Slayer Palace had reopened.

Those who had experienced the power of the Holy Slayer Palace's soul tools were stirred.

Especially the Star Luo Empire and Shrek Academy.

The Star Luo Empire had a huge demand for soul tools to meet wartime needs.

Shrek Academy also wanted to strengthen its defenses and develop soul tools.

Under Zhang Lexuan's rectification, Shrek Academy realized the importance of soul tools.

They were now putting major effort into soul tool research.

Unfortunately, it was a little late.

Fan Yu, who had the potential to become a level 9 soul engineer, had perished in Illustrious Virtue Hall.

Shrek Academy's current soul tool research was not going smoothly.

They wanted to buy soul tools and also learn from the Holy Slayer Palace.

Reception Hall.

Su Yu met Xu Jiujiu and the travel-worn Yan Shaozhe.

"Princess Jiujiu, Dean Yan, long time no see."

Su Yu sipped tea and spoke calmly.

Xu Jiujiu looked at him with a hint of resentment. "Young Master Su Yu, why didn't you choose our Star Luo Empire for the new Holy Slayer Palace headquarters?"

"Did I do something to offend you?"

Xu Jiujiu was genuinely aggrieved.

She had tried to please Su Yu for quite some time, but Weina ended up reaping the rewards.

Weina didn't even pay as much as she did.

She was even willing to offer herself, could Weina do that?