Fiend Forest, Holy Spirit Cult Headquarters.
Even though it was daytime and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, the place still exuded a gloomy Yin Qi. Countless resentful spirits gathered here, wailing in agony, chilling the surrounding temperature by several degrees.
Inside a secret chamber, vast Heaven and Earth Yuan Energy continuously surged. Outside the chamber, Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao frowned as he looked at the chamber door.
Having reached the Realm of a ninety-ninth-rank Limit Douluo, he had also touched the boundaries of this World. This World did not permit the emergence of higher-cultivation individuals, suppressing Spirit Masters like him from advancing further.
Unless one used other means to travel to a larger World.
Such a method had another name: becoming a god.
And within that secret chamber, Ye Xishui was precisely attempting to grasp a higher level of power. She was not like Mu En.
Both were Limit Douluo, but Mu En had long lost the possibility of further advancement due to his injuries. Ye Xishui, however, was in her prime, and she had tried more than once to Breakthrough the limitations of the plane.
It was just that, whether because the methods she acquired were merely incomplete fragments or for some other reason, despite multiple attempts, she still had no success.
After a while, the door to the secret chamber finally opened, and Ye Xishui walked out, looking somewhat fatigued.
Long Xiaoyao waited until the spirit power fluctuations around her gradually subsided before stepping forward to her side.
"How was it this time?"
"Hmph." Ye Xishui snorted, "Ever since the war ended, he has been avoiding us. This time, his initiative invitation is likely a feast with ill intent."
"Yes, the last war was a failure…"
Long Xiaoyao paused here and glanced at Ye Xishui. Ye Xishui's child, Zhongli Wu, had died in that war.
However, Ye Xishui's expression did not change upon hearing this. Although Zhongli Wu was her child, she did not like this forcibly obtained child. With his death, Ye Xishui felt as if she had broken free from her shackles, no longer caring about the Holy Spirit Cult and focusing solely on seeking Breakthrough.
But Long Xiaoyao did not dwell on the matter. "This time, it's probably related to the incident in Dongyang City. Previously, the Holy Spirit Cult made some moves in Dongyang City, hiding them from Xu Tianran, but they were exposed by Star Luo Empire's people."
"Star Luo Empire?" Ye Xishui raised her eyes and asked, "Is it that child you showed mercy to last time?"
"As expected, nothing escapes you." Long Xiaoyao chuckled, "Although I held back, that child's strength is indeed extraordinary."
Ye Xishui nodded in agreement, "Besides him, I can't think of anyone else who could fight that thing in Dongyang City."
"And that child has a good relationship with Mu En." Long Xiaoyao seemed to recall something and chuckled.
"You just mentioned the Crown Prince taking a master. Who did he apprentice under?" Ye Xishui paused slightly at the question, then, after a moment of silence, asked about something else.
"Kong Deming."
"So it's that old fellow."
"Since Xu Tianran dared to invite us to the feast, that old fellow has probably already had a Breakthrough."
"Hmph, this is a show of force." A hint of disdain flashed in Ye Xishui's eyes as she led the way out.
A thought flashed through Long Xiaoyao's mind, but he chuckled and shook his head, following her.
The news of the Sun Moon Empire's Crown Prince taking a master quickly spread like wildfire. Even those unfamiliar with Kong Deming could easily understand the significance of the title "Father of Soul Guidance Devices."
The entire Imperial Palace was decorated as if for a festival, much livelier than usual.
Those attending the Crown Prince's apprenticeship banquet were naturally all Soul Masters with spirit power, including more than ten ninth-rank Soul Masters, among them the current Hall Master of Mingde Hall, Mirror Hongchen.
The evening banquet was slightly different from what Ye Xishui had anticipated. Xu Tianran appeared as usual, showing no other expressions, and even frequently smiled and raised his cup in a distant toast.
It wasn't until after three rounds of drinks that Ju Zi, who had been sitting beside Xu Tianran, nodded slightly to him.
"Elder Ye, your tireless work for the Holy Spirit Cult has truly been arduous."
Here it comes.
Ye Xishui's eyes flickered. This was the first time Xu Tianran had mentioned the Holy Spirit Cult. Everyone present held significant power and status, and they were naturally well aware of who the Holy Spirit Cult members were. For Xu Tianran to bring it up so directly, he was likely about to mention other matters.
Indeed, the smile on Xu Tianran's face gradually disappeared. "However, I have heard that the Holy Spirit Cult has been secretly collecting Souls. When our Empire's soldiers fought to the death on the battlefield, their Souls found no peace in the Holy Spirit Cult's hands. Had it not been for the incident in Dongyang City some time ago, I would have remained in the dark."
Ye Xishui glanced at the self-righteous Xu Tianran. Without his secret instructions, how could the Holy Spirit Cult's actions have proceeded so smoothly?
"Oh? This old one hasn't inquired about the Cult's affairs for a long time, but I have heard that everyone in the Holy Spirit Cult is working for Your Majesty. This matter, I fear, does not align with what Your Majesty says, does it?"
Xu Tianran naturally knew the truth of the matter. He spoke first merely to have a pretext. Now that everything was ready, he no longer wished to speak further with Ye Xishui, as some of his actions indeed could not withstand scrutiny.
If he continued, bringing up his past use of the Holy Spirit Cult to seize the Crown Prince's position, it might cause further trouble.
Immediately, a ninth-rank Soul Master on the side slammed his hand on the table and rose, "Ye Xishui, you have massacred countless civilians of our Empire. With such conduct, how can the Empire possibly keep you?"
As he spoke, this Soul Master had already come before Xu Tianran and bowed, "I humbly request Your Majesty to issue an order to eliminate this menace for the Empire."
"We request Your Majesty to issue an order." As soon as these words were uttered, a chorus of agreement echoed through the banquet.
Long Xiaoyao's eyes changed, and his spirit power surged within him, already poised for action.
Judging by this posture, it was not merely a matter of accountability. Unexpectedly, the thought that had flashed through his mind before they left had come true; Xu Tianran actually intended to move against them.
Ye Xishui also had an unfriendly look. She surveyed her surroundings, yet her heart was not overly flustered. Although they had not brought a Soul Guidance Device like the Death God Tower on this trip, with the power of two Limit Douluo, she did not believe Xu Tianran could truly keep them.