"Oscar, the Star Crown Sect is just ahead. A disciple will come to help you get familiar with the sect. You may go to the apothecary to collect your resources. Let me know your name."
"Alright."
After handing Oscar over to the sect disciple, Xu Mingxi brought Shao Xin to the sect master's hall. After explaining their situation and the previous promise made to the sect master, he asked Shao Xin to take a certificate to find the elder in charge of guarding the treasury.
Once only the sect master and Xu Mingxi remained in the hall, the sect master set down the information he held and asked Xu Mingxi to sit.
The sect master had thought he could finally relax now that Xu Mingxi had returned, but he didn't expect him to set out again so soon. He would have to manage sect affairs on his own.
"Mingxi, what's going on with Shao Xin and Oscar? You suddenly brought them back to the sect and even promised them elder positions. That's unlike you."
"Shao Xin isn't the important one. Oscar is. He's a food-type spirit master with full innate spirit power. He will definitely become a Titled Douluo in the future."
"Really? That talented? I heard that the girl from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect only had innate spirit power level nine."
"Guaranteed."
Xu Mingxi stared at the sect master and suddenly remembered something—something that might ensure Oscar and Shao Xin's absolute loyalty to the Star Crown Sect.
"Master, I'd like to know if the sect has any information on Shi Nian."
"Shi Nian? The soul saint with the Nightmare martial spirit? He was vice president of Canghui Academy, I believe."
Shi Nian was quite well-known on the continent, and the sect master had a vague impression of him. However, after the former president of Canghui Academy—President Wen, who had a good relationship with the Star Crown Sect—retired, they had lost contact with the academy and weren't up to date on its current situation.
"Yes, him. I've heard he possesses a skull spirit bone with illusion abilities. It's about ten thousand years old—very suitable for Brother Mingguang."
"An illusion-type spirit bone? That would indeed be a great match for Mingguang. The previous elder's illusion spirit bone is now with him. Combining the two, along with his fifth spirit skill—Star Radiance Soul—he might truly be able to kill without being seen."
"Exactly. Maybe Brother Mingguang can use illusions to influence Oscar and make him completely loyal to our Star Crown Sect."
"Alright, I'll let Mingguang go. It's been a while since we sent anyone to the Star Luo Empire. He can take the opportunity to visit them."
After Xu Mingxi handled this matter and was about to leave, the sect master shared some news. Song Jiang and Shui Fu had arrived at the Star Crown Sect to see him, and they had brought a pair of twin sisters from the Shui family. One of them was the future heir of the Shui family.
The Shui family? Twin sisters? This combination suddenly felt familiar to Xu Mingxi. After asking the sect master, he confirmed that this Shui family was the one behind Tianshui College—sisters Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er.
"Tianshui College... they truly made an impression when they appeared. I still remember Shui Bing'er's Ice Phoenix spirit."
Xu Mingxi walked toward the guest room. When the Tianshui College team had appeared in his previous life, their appearance and poise had won widespread admiration.
Moreover, the Five Elemental Academies were not weak. Even though the Elephant Armor Sect had joined Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had been destroyed, even a skinny camel was larger than a horse.
At the very least, each of the remaining four elemental academies had a Soul Douluo—forces not to be underestimated.
Additionally, Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian also had potential to become Titled Douluo, though they lacked time to grow.
Currently in the guest room, Song Jiang sat with Shui Fu and Shui Bing'er waiting, while Shui Yue'er roamed around restlessly, unable to stay still.
Shui Bing'er looked at her lively and beautiful younger sister and sighed quietly in her heart. She understood what their grandmother meant—she wanted to find a supporter for the Shui family. For the sake of the family, she could only let Yue'er down.
Aunt Shui Fu thought differently. She had worked outside for many years and knew that for a female spirit master, marriage was also a chance to leap in status.
Compared to her older sister, Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er's talent was slightly inferior. If she could marry a genius from the Star Crown Sect, who held higher status in the future was still uncertain.
"Aunt Shui Fu, must Yue'er really do this?"
"Bing'er, this is the fate of children from prominent families. And how do you know it won't be a good thing for her?"
"Sister, Aunt, what are you talking about? Come look, it's so beautiful outside!"
Shui Yue'er lay on the windowsill, looking out. The silver moon had quietly risen, the stars twinkled in the night sky. It was a beautiful moment.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Shui Yue'er quickly climbed down from the windowsill and sat next to her sister. Though lively, she had been raised in a prominent family and remained well-mannered.
As Xu Mingxi entered, Song Jiang and Shui Fu stood up together with their nieces to greet him.
"Master Xu, it's been a long time."
"Please sit, don't be formal. Shui Fu, these two are your daughters, right?"
After some polite exchanges, Xu Mingxi had the sect disciples take them on a tour of the sect. Shui Bing'er and her sister could also interact more with the younger generation of the Star Crown Sect.
At this point, the sect had recruited many members from other families and was much livelier than in the past, when only two or three people awakened martial spirits each year.
During the conversation earlier, Xu Mingxi heard that the Shui family wanted to arrange a marriage with the Star Crown Sect—and the intended bride was Shui Yue'er.
He didn't mind, of course. Not only was Shui Yue'er herself quite good, but just winning over the Shui family and Tianshui College behind them—and even forming ties with the other three elemental academies—would be a victory.
As for whether the families were fated to be joined—that would depend on whether Shui Yue'er and the young head of the Star Crown Sect developed feelings. Even if it didn't work out, the families would still have a foundation for future cooperation.
As a result, after Xu Mingxi finished dealing with the Shui family affairs and returned home, he found his father holding a letter with a worried expression.
"Father, what's wrong?"
"It's your brother. He actually sent a letter saying the Zhu family wants to form an alliance with the Star Crown Sect. I told him not to go to the Star Luo Royal Academy in the first place, and now he's involved."
"The Zhu family? Their daughter?"
"Yes, I believe her name is Zhu Zhuqing. I've heard she's very talented. Since the third prince of Star Luo ran away, her status is relatively high, and with no suitable candidates from the Dai family branches, she hasn't married into the royal family."
"What did the sect master say?"
"He said it's fine. Mingwei's son is already of age, but he worries that the Star Crown Sect might get dragged into the Star Luo royal power struggle."
Xu Mingxi thought for a moment and decided to persuade the sect master to agree. The Zhu family had long operated within the Star Luo Empire. Though their power was limited, their network was vast and formidable.