Dai Tianxing's voice carried a calm assurance, as though everything was under his control.
"Does this crown meet the standards of a disciple of a Divine Craftsman? Whatever conditions are required to repair it, you may state them freely. The Star Luo Empire will spare no effort to fulfill them."
Lin Xia took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the storm surging within his heart. With difficulty, he tore his gaze away from the core gemstone and met Dai Tianxing's deep, abyss-like eyes once more.
Repair it?
Of course he would!
Not only would he repair it, he would use this opportunity to thoroughly analyze the crown, especially the energy secrets contained within that core gemstone!
Lin Xia inhaled deeply again, calming the intense curiosity stirred by the Star Radiance Crown, and looked toward the Star Luo Emperor.
His voice was steady, carrying just the right amount of humility and caution.
"Your Majesty, repairing a national treasure like the Star Radiance Crown is not something that can be accomplished in a single day. More importantly, its fundamental damage must first be understood."
"At present, I cannot determine what materials will be required for its restoration. The extent of the damage and the necessary resources must be carefully examined. May I request to keep it for a period of time to study it thoroughly before proceeding with the repair?"
Upon hearing this, a trace of expected amusement appeared on Dai Tianxing's authoritative face. His fingers, which had been idly rubbing a jade thumb ring, paused as he nodded.
"Of course! Your reasoning is sound, little brother Lin Xia. I had already intended to entrust this Star Radiance Crown to you for careful study. Without proper examination, how could one speak of repairing it? Acting rashly without understanding might instead damage this inherited treasure."
His words conveyed recognition of Lin Xia's professionalism, while also demonstrating the decisiveness of an emperor, one who dared to entrust a symbol of imperial authority and power to an outsider.
Before his words had even fully settled, Dai Tianxing smoothly pushed the crown flowing with starlight yet hiding subtle cracks toward Lin Xia.
The crown felt slightly heavy in his hands. Even in its damaged, dormant state, an ancient and vast power of the stars faintly seeped out, causing Lin Xia's Soul Power to stir subtly at his fingertips.
Resisting the urge to immediately probe it with his spiritual power, he maintained a calm expression. With a flick of his wrist, he carefully stored the crown, one that held the attention of countless people across the Star Luo Empire into his storage soul tool.
That seemingly ordinary storage device now bore an immeasurable weight.
Watching Lin Xia put the crown away so naturally, with clear eyes and no trace of greed or tension, the look of approval in Dai Tianxing's eyes deepened.
He let out a hearty laugh, breaking the slightly heavy atmosphere created by the transfer of such a divine artifact. Turning to a palace attendant standing nearby, her aura restrained and composed he gave a direct order:
"Prepare a banquet! It is rare for little brother Lin Xia to enter the palace. I wish to have a proper conversation with him today!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The attendant bowed and withdrew swiftly and silently to make arrangements.
Lin Xia did not put on any false modesty or refuse.
Repairing the Star Radiance Crown was important, but establishing a good relationship with the emperor who ruled such a vast empire was equally significant. He gave a slight bow.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's generosity."
Before long, in a side hall that was both grand and elegantly arranged, the banquet had been prepared.
A large round table was filled with exquisite delicacies from the Star Luo court, each dish made from high-grade soul beast ingredients or rare spiritual plants, rich in color, aroma, and taste, with faint spiritual energy lingering in the air.
Crystal goblets held amber-colored wine, releasing an enticing fragrance.
Those invited to the banquet included not only Dai Tianxing, Zhu Yu, and Lin Xia, but also two princes who had been specially summoned, the Eldest Prince, Dai Mubai, and the Third Prince, Dai Mubai.
Dai Weisi remained as composed and confident as ever, his golden hair impeccably arranged, his face wearing a flawless and courteous smile, his sharp gaze unchanged.
As he entered the hall, his eyes quickly swept over Lin Xia, carrying a trace of subtle scrutiny.
Dai Mubai followed half a step behind his elder brother. His complexion was still unnaturally pale, his eyes evasive. Especially when he saw Lin Xia, the fear and despair he had revealed in the Star Soul Hall seemed to deepen once more.
He tried his best to straighten his back, but the slight tremor in his fingers and his somewhat stiff steps exposed his inner unease.
Zhu Yu, on the other hand, remained calm and composed. Barefoot upon the soft carpet, she sat gracefully beside Dai Tianxing. Her star-like eyes, which seemed to see through all things, quietly observed everyone present, as if nothing could escape her understanding.
The five took their seats. Despite the lavish dishes, fine wine, and exquisite surroundings, a subtle tension lingered in the air.
As the host, Dai Tianxing raised his cup first, breaking the silence.
"Come, little brother Lin Xia. Welcome to the Star Luo Imperial Palace. Today, we will not speak of state affairs, only of personal friendship. This toast is to your remarkable talent at such a young age, your future is boundless!"
His smile was warm, carrying a deliberate sense of closeness beneath his imperial dignity.
Lin Xia quickly raised his cup in return.
"Your Majesty overpraises me. I do not dare accept such praise. To earn Your Majesty's trust and contribute even a small part to Star Luo is my honor."
His posture was humble, yet his words were measured and composed.
After a round of drinks, Dai Tianxing casually brought up the purpose of Lin Xia's visit.
"Speaking of which, Dai Weisi, Mubai, do you know why little brother Lin Xia has come to the palace this time?"
Dai Weisi set down his silver chopsticks, showing just the right amount of curiosity.
"Oh? Your son does not know. Please enlighten us, Father Emperor."
Dai Mubai also raised his head nervously, listening attentively.
A trace of meaning flashed in Dai Tianxing's eyes as he spoke slowly:
"He has come at my invitation to repair the treasured heirloom passed down through generations of the Star Luo royal family, the Star Radiance Crown."
"The Star Radiance Crown?!"
Dai Weisi was visibly shaken. For the first time, cracks appeared in his composed smile, and undisguised shock burst forth in his eyes!
He knew far too well what this soul tool meant to Star Luo and to the Dai family.
It was a symbol of royal power, a supreme artifact capable of influencing the fate of the nation!
And this young boy, who looked even younger than himself, had been entrusted with such a responsibility?
His gaze immediately locked onto Lin Xia, filled with disbelief, scrutiny, and deeper evaluation.
Dai Mubai was even more startled, he nearly knocked over the wine cup in front of him. He hurriedly steadied it, his already pale face turning deathly white as he looked at Lin Xia as if staring at a monster.
Repair the Star Radiance Crown? How… how was that even possible?
What kind of skill and strength would that require? Just who exactly was this Lin Xia?
But this was not the most shocking revelation.
Dai Tianxing seemed quite satisfied with his sons' reactions. A meaningful smile played at his lips as he casually dropped another bombshell.
"Moreover, this little brother Lin Xia has already reached Level 25 Soul Power, a Grand Soul Master."
"Level 25?!"
Dai Weisi and Dai Mubai cried out in unison!
The shock on Dai Weisi's face completely froze. His noble elegance vanished, replaced entirely by pure astonishment.
He was already fifteen years old, exceptionally talented, and had received full royal cultivation, yet his Soul Power had only just reached Level 31, the rank of Soul Elder. Even that placed him among the elite of his generation.
And yet this boy, who looked no more than eleven or twelve, had already reached Level 25?
This was simply a monster that defied all common sense!
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