Chapter 153 Xingluo's Last Hope_1

Dead.

All dead.

And it was a one-sided massacre.

Upon hearing Minister Xu's words, The Star Luo Emperor finally accepted reality.

At the same time, his heart was filled with sorrow.

So much pain that he could hardly breathe.

Eight Soul Douluo, more than twenty Soul Saints—these powerful beings were the pillars of the Xingluo Empire.

Even the weakest Soul Saint, in the world of Soul Masters, was considered a person of influence.

"I was wrong, I was truly wrong," the Star Luo Emperor lamented, "The reason for sending so many powerful fighters was to reduce casualties, yet I had never expected the result to be total annihilation."

"Had I known, I would have sent fewer... "

He was regretting it so much right now.

It would have been better to have heeded the Fleet Admiral's advice, deploying three Soul Douluo and ten Soul Saints...

"Your Majesty, please restrain your grief."

Seeing his state, Minister Xu quickly spoke up.

How could he not know what the Star Luo Emperor was thinking?

After all, every Soul Saint-level expert was incredibly precious, withdrawing so many powerful fighters meant a significant blow to the vitality of the Xingluo Empire.

The Star Luo Emperor's heart was undoubtedly filled with sorrow.

"I'm fine," the Star Luo Emperor said, forcing the words out.

But now no one knew that his legs had gone weak and he couldn't even stand up.

Originally, he had thought to use the momentum of defeating Qin Xiao to enhance the might of the Xingluo Empire and let everyone know that the dignity of the Xingluo Empire was not something a mere Titled Douluo could provoke.

But what about reality?

Dozens went, only one returned, slaughtered to the last man.

For the Xingluo Empire to restore its former glory, it would now be impossible without ten or twenty years.

This move had lost him both his valuable pieces and his troops.

Of course.

There was another reason that had turned the Star Luo Emperor into his current state.

It was that the calamity, Qin Xiao, was still alive.

Such a powerful being, if he were to attack, who could defend?

The Star Luo Emperor thought about it, there was no one in the imperial palace who could hold off such an attack.

And in the entire Xingluo Empire, there weren't that many powerful fighters left.

"The soul power of a Titled Douluo is not limitless. Perhaps, Qin Xiao could be piled to death with the lives of countless soldiers..."

"But then again, Qin Xiao isn't stupid, he wouldn't just fight an army head-on, right?"

No sooner had the thought emerged in the Star Luo Emperor's mind than he dismissed it.

After all, a powerful fighter like Qin Xiao could simply carry out a decapitation strike against him personally.

"Your Majesty, do you have any plans for what to do next?" Minister Xu softly inquired.

"Plans..."

Hearing Minister Xu's question, a flicker of light passed through the Star Luo Emperor's eyes.

What plans could he have now?

He too was secretly making calculations in his heart.

Of course.

If possible, the Star Luo Emperor would choose to flee at once, leaving Xingluo City to avoid the storm, plotting in the shadows, and wait until he was confident enough to eliminate Qin Xiao, or only show himself after Qin Xiao was taken care of.

But he couldn't.

He was the ruler of a nation; fleeing because of a Titled Douluo, what would become of his subjects?

Did he have no shame?

Moreover, the situation had not reached a point of desperation, not to the extent that he had to abandon the foundations of the Xingluo Empire and flee.

"Minister Xu, this matter requires further deliberation, for now, you need not trouble yourself further," the Star Luo Emperor said to Minister Xu, "What you need to do now is return to your family and prepare your affairs; in a few days, I shall personally see you off."

"Uh..."

"See me off..."

Minister Xu's gaze flickered, unsure what to say.

Should he thank His Majesty?

Some words were hard to say.

If someone talked to him like this, he'd have slapped them already.

"Take care, Your Majesty."

After pondering, Minister Xu said just that.

The Star Luo Emperor said nothing more, just waved his hand to indicate that Minister Xu could leave.

Soon.

The Imperial Palace Hall was left with only the Star Luo Emperor.

His eyes were filled with confusion, staring into the distance, lost in thought.

For a long, long while.

A light returned to the eyes of the Star Luo Emperor, "No, I haven't reached a dead end yet. If I can make contact with the Hao Tian Clan and they send powerful fighters to aid in eliminating Qin Xiao, wouldn't all problems be solved?"

The upper three families, Seven Treasures Glaze Sect, support the Tiandou Empire.

The Hao Tian Clan supports the Xingluo Empire.

The Blue Electric Overlord Dragon Clan remains neutral.

Although the Hao Tian Clan had disappeared for many years, the Star Luo Emperor still had some means to make contact.

As for whether he would receive a response,

"Do what I can, and leave the rest to the heavens!" the Star Luo Emperor sighed, realizing the situation was beyond his control.

If the Hao Tian Clan did not respond and Qin Xiao attacked, then he would have no choice but to leave the Star Luo Imperial City, perhaps even the entire Xingluo Empire, to avoid the storm.

There was no choice.

Compared to one's life, if spine-poking was the price, so be it.

...

Elsewhere.

Duke Youming's Mansion.

A woman who resembled Zhu Zhuqing in looks by seven or eight points, with an even more graceful figure named Zhu Zhuyun came before Youming, (Yuhao's nickname) Grand Duke.

"Father, there is news," she said softly.

"What news? Did Qin Xiao die?" the Grand Duke asked eagerly.

"Yes," upon hearing the Grand Duke mention Qin Xiao's name, Zhu Zhuyun's gaze flickered and she slowly shook her head, "but I haven't received any news regarding Qin Xiao. Instead, it's Minister Xu who was dispatched to the Tiandou Empire by His Majesty who has returned."

The arrangements by the Star Luo Emperor weren't a secret to the nobles.

Zhu Zhuyun was aware; it wasn't all that surprising.

Oh? The Grand Duke frowned, "Aside from that old man from the Xu family, who else?"

"No one else, just that one person."