Surging Undercurrents, the Initial Layout of the Game

Yang Yu returned to the Holy Son's Palace, and the coldness on his face instantly faded, leaving only an unfathomable calm. He passed through the empty corridors, his footsteps clearly audible in the silent palace. The servants saw him from afar and immediately bowed their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Yue Guan." He entered the study, his voice quiet.

The shadows twisted, and Yue Guan's figure silently emerged. "Your Highness."

"Two matters." Yang Yu sat down, his fingers absently tracing the smooth tabletop. "First, the formation of the Holy Son's Guard. The Empress said she would 'assist.' Go select the men. Not one person on the list can be left out. As for those the Elder Hall tries to insert, find an excuse to assign them to the outer perimeter or get rid of them. I want this force to answer entirely to me."

"Understood." Yue Guan nodded. For someone who controlled Spirit Hall's Dark Guards, this was no difficult task.

"Second, Zhu Zhuqing is nearly level thirty-five and needs a soul ring. Take her personally to the Star Dou Great Forest and find a suitable ten-thousand-year soul beast. Prioritize speed and attack attributes—darkness or spiritual attributes would be best. Keep it quiet. Go quickly and return quickly."

"Yes." Yue Guan accepted the order, then asked, "Your Highness, regarding that rabbit and Xiao Wu..."

"Send more people. Relaxed on the surface, tight beneath it. Without my permission, not even a fly is allowed in. If the Empress asks again, say her injuries have relapsed and she needs rest." Yang Yu's tone allowed no argument.

"This subordinate understands." Yue Guan's figure slowly merged into the shadows and disappeared.

Yang Yu sat alone in the study, his gaze falling upon the map of Douluo Continent hanging on the wall. At last, his finger came to rest on the territory of the Star Luo Empire, and his eyes turned slightly cold.

Deep within the Glazed Mountains of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stood a secluded alchemy room.

Ning Rongrong wore a plain dress, her face smudged with medicinal ash as she carefully manipulated her Soul Power. Before her sat a small bronze medicine cauldron. Several strangely colored powders within it were slowly merging under the influence of Soul Power, releasing a pungent odor.

This was not an auxiliary soul skill of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, but a long-lost poison-refining technique she had learned from ancient texts. Several rough sketches lay scattered across the table beside the cauldron, depicting complex Soul Tool structures and lists of materials labeled "Highly Toxic," "Paralysis," and "Corrosion."

Her gaze was focused, even carrying a trace of madness. Ever since returning from Nuoding City, her father had watched her more closely, and the sect's resources were no longer unconditionally open to her as they had been before. But she did not care. She had long grown tired of that superficial splendor and hypocritical concern.

Power—only power held in her own hands was real.

"Cough... cough, cough..." A thick cloud of black smoke suddenly rose from the medicine cauldron, carrying intense corrosive properties. Ning Rongrong quickly retreated and shielded her mouth and nose with Soul Power, but a splash of liquid still burned a small patch on her arm, sending searing pain through it.

Looking at the failed cauldron and the wound on her hand, she was not discouraged. Instead, a glint of excitement flashed through her eyes.

"The purity isn't enough... Next time, I'll try Netherworld Grass..." she muttered. Taking out the small notebook she carried with her, she quickly recorded the data and lessons from the failure. Its pages were already densely filled with all manner of dangerous research notes.

Soft footsteps sounded outside the door. Ning Rongrong swiftly put away the cauldron and notebook, and her face returned to its slightly pale, timid expression.

A sect disciple respectfully called from outside, "Miss Rongrong, the Sect Master asks you to come over."

Ning Rongrong took a deep breath, straightened her dress, and walked out of the alchemy room. Once more, she became the seemingly weak and harmless Little Princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

At the border of the Star Luo Empire, the atmosphere was taut with hostility.

The soul master forces of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, clad in uniform blue-violet combat attire, repeatedly patrolled near the border like a restless thunder dragon. They had not actually crossed the boundary, but their undisguised lightning Soul Power and provocative stance kept the Star Luo border troops opposite them on edge.

"Damn it! Those Blue Lightning bastards! I really want to charge over and slaughter them!" A Star Luo officer gritted his teeth as he watched flashes of lightning occasionally streak through the distant sky.

"Shut up! If you want to die, don't drag us down with you!" the veteran beside him snapped. "Didn't you see their banner? That's Yu Yuanzhen's personal guard! If you make a move, do you believe they would really dare to kill their way over? Your Majesty is already in a foul mood. Whoever starts a conflict now will become the scapegoat!"

The officer spat resentfully, but did not dare say another word. Dai Tianfeng had coughed up blood time and again, the court was unstable, and every border general was in danger. They feared both that Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would truly attack and that they themselves might accidentally become the fuse that ignited a war.

This invisible pressure and stifling humiliation filled the entire Star Luo border army with an atmosphere of agitation and despair.

Deep within the Mixed Zone of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Yue Guan suppressed every trace of his aura and moved ahead like a ghost. Zhu Zhuqing followed behind him with her Netherworld Spirit Cat Martial Soul Possession active, her movements light and agile. Like a true shadow, she almost blended into the surroundings.

Their target was a swamp ahead, shrouded in pale violet mist—Ghost Shadow Swamp. A rare soul beast known as the Netherworld Ghost Leopard lived there. It was exceptionally fast, adept at concealment and soul attacks, and perfectly suited Yang Yu's requirements.

"Be careful. That beast is very alert," Yue Guan transmitted.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, her cold eyes sharply sweeping over the swamp. Suddenly, the surface of a seemingly calm stretch of water to her left rippled slightly.

"It's coming!" Yue Guan's gaze sharpened.

Almost at the same instant, a blurry black shadow shot out from beneath the water like lightning and lunged straight at Zhu Zhuqing! It was so fast that it left only an afterimage on the retina!

Zhu Zhuqing had been prepared. Her body twisted at an unbelievable angle, narrowly evading the strike. The Netherworld Ghost Leopard missed, landing without a sound before blending into the surrounding shadows once more and disappearing.

What incredible speed! Zhu Zhuqing's heart tightened. This Netherworld Ghost Leopard was definitely more than thirty thousand years old!

Yue Guan did not intervene. This was Zhu Zhuqing's battle.

Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes. No longer relying on sight, she pushed the Netherworld Spirit Cat's senses to their limit. Her ears twitched, catching the faintest shifts in the airflow; her nose lightly inhaled, distinguishing that barely perceptible cold and sinister aura.

To the left!

Her eyes flew open, and her body shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow. Netherworld Soul Devouring Slash carried bleak silver-black lightning as it precisely slashed toward a seemingly empty patch of shadow!

Roar!

The shadow twisted, forcing the Netherworld Ghost Leopard to reveal itself. Its claws, glowing with a ghostly light, met the cat claws head-on!

Screech!

Soul Power collided with a piercing grinding sound. Zhu Zhuqing was sent two steps back, her arm going numb. The Netherworld Ghost Leopard was also forced fully into view. It was a completely black leopard-like soul beast with sleek lines and crimson eyes. It bared its fangs, issuing a low, threatening growl.

It was too fast, and its strength was not weak either.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were icy, without the slightest trace of fear. She attacked once more, her figure turning into a series of afterimages as she moved at high speed around the Netherworld Ghost Leopard. Netherworld Soul Devouring Slash fell like a raging storm, forcing it into a direct clash with her.

Though the Netherworld Ghost Leopard was fast, Zhu Zhuqing's relentless, life-risking close-range assault gradually left it looking somewhat disheveled. Several shallow bloody marks appeared across its body, their wounds entwined with Netherworld Power that hindered healing.

After failing to gain the upper hand for so long, a vicious gleam flashed in the Netherworld Ghost Leopard's eyes, and its crimson pupils suddenly lit up!

An invisible mental shock, like a sharp awl, viciously pierced toward Zhu Zhuqing's mind!

A soul attack!

Zhu Zhuqing had long been prepared. She visualized the Soul Stabilization technique Yang Yu had taught her, while silver-black lightning surged across the Netherworld Soul Devouring Slash, actively meeting the mental shock head-on!

Buzz!

It was as though invisible ripples spread through the air. Zhu Zhuqing let out a muffled groan, her face turning pale for an instant, but her gaze remained firm. The Netherworld Soul Devouring Slash successfully weakened and deflected most of the mental shock.

Now!

She seized the instant of stiffness after the Netherworld Ghost Leopard unleashed its soul attack, and the Soul Power within her erupted without restraint! Her Third Spirit Ring shone!

"Netherworld Hundred Consecutive Strikes!"

Countless condensed claw shadows bloomed like black lotuses in an instant, completely enveloping the Netherworld Ghost Leopard! Her speed, strength, and attack frequency abruptly rose to a whole new level!

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

The sound of sharp blades tearing into flesh rang out in rapid succession! The Netherworld Ghost Leopard let out a miserable shriek as deep claw wounds exposing bone covered its body in an instant, blood spraying everywhere!

It tried to break free, but Zhu Zhuqing's attacks clung to it like a festering disease in the bone, giving it no chance at all.

In the end, a Netherworld Soul Devouring Slash containing all of Zhu Zhuqing's Soul Power swept precisely across the Netherworld Ghost Leopard's throat like the reaper's scythe.

The Netherworld Ghost Leopard's massive body crashed to the ground. It twitched a few times before falling still. A deep black spirit ring slowly emerged from its corpse.

Zhu Zhuqing panted heavily. She was wounded in several places as well, but her eyes were exceptionally bright. Challenging a ten-thousand-year spirit beast above her level and defeating it gave her a clearer understanding of her own strength.

Yue Guan stepped forward, inspected the spirit ring, and nodded. "Not bad. A Netherworld Ghost Leopard of around thirty-five thousand years. The quality of its spirit ring is excellent, and it is highly compatible with your martial soul. Hurry and absorb it."

Zhu Zhuqing sat down cross-legged and began drawing in the black spirit ring.

Spirit City, side hall of the Holy Son's Palace.

Xiao Wu sat by the window, staring blankly at the sky outside, which was shrouded by a barrier. She had been confined here for several days. Aside from the maid who delivered her meals, she had not seen anyone. The medicinal effects of the herb within her had basically been fully absorbed, and her Soul Power had stabilized at level forty-two. Yet the anxiety of losing her freedom and her fear of the future left her restless.

"Yang Yu... what exactly do you want..." she murmured softly. She did not believe Yang Yu had rescued her out of kindness, much less that he had merely taken a liking to her "talent." That man's thoughts ran frighteningly deep.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by the respectful voice of a guard. "His Highness the Holy Son."

Xiao Wu abruptly rose to her feet and looked toward the door.

Yang Yu pushed the door open and walked in, his expression calm.

"How long are you going to keep me locked up?" Xiao Wu could not help asking, suppressed anger in her voice.

Yang Yu glanced at her but did not answer. Instead, he asked, "Has your Soul Power stabilized?"

Xiao Wu bit her lip. "Yes."

"Good." Yang Yu nodded. "In a few days, I'll have someone take you to obtain your fourth spirit ring."

Xiao Wu froze. "You... you'll let me out?"

"Only to obtain a spirit ring." Yang Yu's tone did not change. "Remember who you are. Behave yourself, and you can stay alive—perhaps even become stronger. But if you entertain any thoughts you shouldn't have..."

He did not continue, but the chill in his calm eyes made Xiao Wu shudder involuntarily.

"I... I understand." Xiao Wu lowered her head, her fingers clutching the hem of her clothes tightly.

Yang Yu said nothing more and turned to leave the side hall.

Watching his departing back, Xiao Wu's heart filled with complicated emotions. Hatred? Fear? Perhaps there was also a trace of something... a dependence on and longing for power that even she was unwilling to acknowledge.

Night fell.

Yue Guan silently returned to the Holy Son's Palace with Zhu Zhuqing, who had successfully absorbed her spirit ring and raised her Soul Power to level thirty-five.

In the study, after hearing Yue Guan's report, Yang Yu's gaze settled on Zhu Zhuqing. He could clearly sense that after absorbing the Netherworld Ghost Leopard's spirit ring, Zhu Zhuqing's aura had become more restrained, while both her speed and mental resistance had improved significantly.

"Not bad." Yang Yu rarely offered praise. "Go consolidate your cultivation."

"Yes." Zhu Zhuqing bowed and withdrew.

Only then did Yue Guan lower his voice. "Your Highness, the clashes along the Star Luo border are still continuing, and the Star Luo army's morale is low. As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong seems very interested in toxicology and Soul Tools, and has secretly gathered quite a few materials. Also... our informant in the Elder Hall reports that Golden Crocodile Douluo has recently been getting rather close to Her Highness the Saintess."

Yang Yu showed no surprise after hearing this.

"Rats always like to move about in the dark," he said blandly. "Let them move. The more they move, the more flaws they reveal."

He walked to the window and looked in the direction of the Papal Palace, his gaze unfathomable.

"Move faster on the matter of the guard unit. We'll need them soon."

Yue Guan's heart tightened. He knew His Highness was about to make a major move.

"This subordinate understands."

Spirit City beneath the night sky appeared calm on the surface, but in the shadows, the forces of every faction were quietly in motion.