Undercurrents Within the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Royal Families

Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City, Imperial Palace of the Star Luo Empire.

Da Bao sat quietly in his room, deep in thought.

Although I lost to Dai Mubai before, given his personality and the goodwill I showed him, he probably won't fight me. Da Bao mused. Even if he really dares to contend with me for the imperial throne, with the power I currently command and the ministers supporting me, securing the throne is practically guaranteed.

If I remember correctly, five years from now, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing should leave this place, reunite with Tang San, and head to Sea God Island together. Da Bao pondered. Since he's certain not to become my enemy, I might as well play hard to get—pretend to be enthusiastic and strongly support Dai Mubai's succession, while secretly gathering those wavering ministers. That way, once Dai Mubai leaves, my power will reach its peak. Once I hold imperial power, military power will naturally fall into my hands as well. Then, neither Spirit Hall nor the Heaven Dou Empire will be able to do anything to me.

But there's still one troublesome issue. Da Bao frowned. Once Dai Mubai leaves, I'll be the sole heir to the throne. How I'll get away and join He Qiang and the others will still be a headache. If I leave before him, the Shrek Seven Devils won't be complete, which could become a major problem. It might even trigger a whole chain of butterfly effects...

Just as Da Bao was wracking his brains, there came a sudden knock at the door, followed by Dai Mubai's voice. "Big Brother, it's me."

"Oh, Mubai. Come in." Da Bao answered while continuing to consider the issue from before.

"Big Brother, what's wrong? You look troubled." Dai Mubai looked at the frowning, contemplative Da Bao and asked.

Although Dai Mubai had always regarded this elder brother of his as a mortal enemy, Dai Mubai and the Dai Weisi Da Bao had transmigrated into were blood brothers after all. Furthermore, Da Bao had shown him goodwill earlier, so Dai Mubai's hostility toward him naturally diminished considerably.

"Nothing. I'm just worried about a few things." Da Bao sighed softly. "Do you know why I was always hostile toward you before?"

"Because of the royal family's rules." Dai Mubai said solemnly. "Only one of us was destined to survive and inherit the throne. The other would have no path but death."

"No, that isn't the most important reason." Da Bao suddenly said. "The most important reason is that I suspected you of being a spy for Spirit Hall."

"A spy?" Dai Mubai looked slightly startled.

Da Bao nodded. "That's right. I suspected you of being a spy. Although Spirit Hall's authority is highly centralized, I still planted spies within it. For instance, Xie Yue and Yan of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation."

"Those two are undercover agents planted in Spirit Hall by the Star Luo Empire?" Dai Mubai was shocked.

Da Bao nodded. "Spirit Hall recruits its talents from the Two Great Empires as well, so it isn't difficult to arrange for two gifted Soul Masters to enter. Those two told me that Spirit Hall has been secretly brewing a plan, and based on several clues, they concluded that Spirit Hall has planted undercover agents in both empires. In the Heaven Dou Empire, they suspect the crown prince, Xue Qinghe. In the Star Luo Empire, they suspect you."

"You trust them that much? Aren't you afraid they truly defected to Spirit Hall and are playing along?" Dai Mubai asked in return.

"They are people I can trust without question." Da Bao said with a serious expression.

"If that's the case, then I won't ask any further." Dai Mubai froze for a moment before replying.

"Enough, let's not talk about this." Da Bao waved his hand. "You should leave first. I want some peace and quiet."

Upon hearing this, Dai Mubai stood and walked out the door.

I finally managed to fool Dai Mubai... Da Bao held his head. What exactly should I do next...?

After thinking hard for a while, Da Bao suddenly slapped his thigh and burst into laughter. "I've got it! As long as I have one or two kids, won't there be heirs to the throne? That way, I can temporarily leave openly and honestly. I'm a genius! Ahahahahaha!"

Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City, Imperial Palace of the Heaven Dou Empire.

"Finally, I have time to settle down." Lin Bo shook his head. "Learning Soul Master-related knowledge from Ning Fengzhi really is a pain."

"But now, it's time to make some plans for the future." Lin Bo's expression turned cold. "Although the previous assassination attempts against Tang San all failed, I now have an excellent opportunity. According to the course of events, Tang San should study at Moonlight Pavilion for one year, four years after the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament ends. Spending an entire year on my turf—what a rare opportunity. I need to plan this carefully."

Lin Bo paced back and forth as he thought. Who should I invite? This is Heaven Dou City. Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo, and Sword Douluo—one of them is always stationed in Heaven Dou City. Tang San's father, Tang Hao, will probably be watching over his son from the shadows as well. If I invite Title Douluo here to assassinate Tang San, setting aside whether they succeed, if they're recognized, it may trigger a war between Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire ahead of schedule. Besides, even during the Heaven Dou Palace Change, Spirit Hall only sent four Title Douluo. If there are only two Title Douluo, then whether it's Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo, Sword Douluo, or Tang Hao, any of them could make this assassination fail. Sending Title Douluo merely to deal with one Tang San, with no high chance of success, and causing war between the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall to erupt early—Spirit Hall would never agree to that.

As for Soul Douluo, while they can conceal their identities, assassinating Tang San would become far more difficult. Lin Bo narrowed his eyes. If Tang San has enough King Yama's Posts on him, then it would be impossible to kill him in a single attempt. Once he escapes death, he'll become even more cautious afterward. That would drastically reduce the chances of a successful assassination.

The more Lin Bo thought about it, the more immense pressure he felt.

"Fine, I'll let you off for now." Lin Bo muttered. "You'll have plenty to suffer in the Star Dou Great Forest. I'll have Bibi Dong go there personally. I refuse to believe I can't handle a brat like you."

Besides that, I need to carefully arrange the details of the Heaven Dou Palace Change. Lin Bo mused. Stingray Douluo and the other one alone won't be enough to successfully carry out the Heaven Dou Palace Change.

"By then, He Qiang and the other ten should have returned to Heaven Dou City as well." Lin Bo paced around. "If they try to stop me, I may really need more manpower..."

"No, that's not right. I forgot something." Lin Bo's eyes suddenly lit up. "If I want to successfully carry out the Heaven Dou Palace Change, the Soul Hunting Operation must succeed completely. I absolutely can't leave them even the slightest chance of survival. If Tang San is dealt with in the Star Dou Great Forest, He Qiang and the others will inevitably interfere with the Heaven Dou Palace Change to prevent Spirit Hall from becoming the sole dominant power. In that case, they may inform the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in advance, preventing Spirit Hall from completely destroying them. If they notify those two sects, then the Heaven Dou Palace Change may not be able to succeed completely. In other words, for the Heaven Dou Palace Change to succeed, the Soul Hunting Operation must first achieve a complete victory. As for how to do that..."

Lin Bo thought hard for a while, yet still could not come up with a flawless plan.

"For now, I'll make do with this rough draft and see whether I can revise it later." Lin Bo let out a long breath. "I can notify Spirit Hall and have them act a few days earlier. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will surely be severely weakened. I can also tell them that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has hidden weapons supplied by Tang San, so they can prepare accordingly and wipe out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as well. Unfortunately, even I can't mobilize the Worship Hall's forces. Otherwise..."

Lin Bo frowned. The Worship Hall's seven Super Douluo, especially the Limit Douluo Qian Daoliu—the grand worshipper and grandfather of the Qian Renxue he had now reincarnated as—were all figures capable of sweeping across Douluo Continent. Unfortunately, not only could he not mobilize the Worship Hall's forces, even Bibi Dong could not.

As for the Heaven Dou Palace Change... as long as Tang San isn't there, I have absolute confidence in victory. It seems I can begin preparing in advance. Lin Bo smiled faintly.