The Holy Son Establishes His Authority

News of the Holy Son's Guard's successful first battle was like a stone cast into a still lake, sending ripples through Spirit Hall's upper ranks. The dissatisfaction of Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others was practically written on their faces, while some mid-ranking officials who had previously remained on the fence began to reconsider their positions.

Yang Yu turned a blind eye to it all. He placed several tokens bearing twisted symbols, seized from "Ghost Shadow," on his desk and ordered Yue Guan to intensify the investigation into clues about the Holy Spirit Cult. He had a feeling that this Evil Soul Master organization lurking in the shadows would become a problem in the future.

A few days later, an order came from the Papal Palace to convene the Elder Hall's regular meeting. One of the agenda items concerned the recent border situation and matters related to the Holy Son's Guard. This was clearly an "inquiry" aimed at Yang Yu.

On the day of the meeting, the atmosphere within the Elder Hall was solemn. Bibi Dong sat high in the main seat, her expression indifferent. Below her, several worshippers and elders led by Golden Crocodile Douluo were seated on both sides, while Hu Liena attended as the Saintess to observe. Yang Yu sat to Bibi Dong's lower right, his expression calm.

Golden Crocodile Douluo was the first to attack. He fixed Yang Yu with a sharp gaze, his voice deep and heavy. "Your Highness the Holy Son, without a resolution from the Elder Hall, you privately deployed the guard across the border, killed Star Luo personnel, and destroyed their supplies. Was this not too reckless? If it triggers a war between the two nations, who will bear the consequences?"

Several elders aligned with him immediately voiced their agreement.

"Elder Golden Crocodile is mistaken." Yang Yu's voice remained steady and unhurried. "The Star Luo Empire colluded with Evil Cultists; the evidence is conclusive. They secretly gathered large quantities of rare military metals, and their intentions could not be clearer. My guard acted to sever their claws and weaken their potential for war. It was a preemptive strike. How can it be called reckless? As for provoking a war..."

He paused and swept his gaze over everyone present. "Could it be that Spirit Hall fears Star Luo? If they dare to fight, then we fight. It would be the perfect opportunity to wipe out this cancer of the continent in one stroke."

"Arrogant!" Snake Lance Douluo, another elder with a fiery temper, slammed his palm against the table. "A mere brat who knows neither heaven nor earth! Is war some child's game? The situation across the continent is tangled and complex. How can we allow you to act so recklessly?"

"Does Elder Snake Lance mean we should sit by and watch Star Luo grow stronger, then resist only once their blade is at our throats?" Yang Yu countered, his tone still calm. "Or does Elder believe that Spirit Hall's million Soul Masters cannot even hold back Star Luo's army?"

"You!" Snake Lance Douluo's face flushed red as he was left speechless.

"Enough." Bibi Dong finally spoke, her voice carrying unquestionable authority as it suppressed the unrest in the hall. "I have my own considerations regarding Star Luo. Although the Holy Son's Guard's operation this time was procedurally questionable, its results were acceptable. It enhanced Spirit Hall's prestige. Its merits and faults cancel each other out."

With a few casual words, she brushed aside the procedural issue. It gave Yang Yu a way out while also silencing Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others. After all, the guard had indeed obtained evidence of Star Luo's secret dealings in military supplies and annihilated all enemy personnel. Their achievements were there for all to see.

Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression darkened, but he could not continue pressing the matter.

Bibi Dong changed the subject and looked at Yang Yu. "However, Yu'er, your original purpose in forming the guard was to protect your own safety. Now that its combat power has begun to show, you must use it with even greater caution and not expose it to danger lightly. Future operations must be reported to the Elder Hall in advance for deliberation."

She was trying to restrict the guard's authority to act.

Yang Yu sneered inwardly, but respectfully replied, "Your disciple will remember Teacher's instruction."

He did not argue. It was not yet time to completely tear off all pretenses.

The meeting continued with discussions of several other trivial matters, and the atmosphere remained oppressive. Just as the meeting was about to end, Yang Yu suddenly spoke again.

"Teacher, elders, there is one more matter." He took out the tokens bearing twisted symbols. "During this operation, our members encountered several black-robed men. Their methods were strange; they excelled in soul attacks and concealment, and were vastly different from ordinary Soul Masters. These are tokens taken from them. After investigation, they may be connected to the Evil Soul Master organization known as the Holy Spirit Cult, which was destroyed in the previous era."

"The Holy Spirit Cult?"

The moment that name was mentioned, the expressions of several elderly elders changed slightly. Golden Crocodile Douluo also frowned, clearly having heard of the organization's notorious reputation.

"Remnants of the Holy Spirit Cult dare to show themselves again?" one elder said gravely.

"For now, it is only a suspicion." Yang Yu presented the tokens. "But there is a strong possibility that they have colluded with the Star Luo Empire. If that is true, Star Luo's ambitions may be far greater than we imagined. This disciple suggests increasing the investigation into this matter, uncovering the truth behind the Holy Spirit Cult's resurgence, and determining their exact relationship with the Star Luo Imperial Family."

He threw out the hot potato that was the Holy Spirit Cult, instantly shifting everyone's attention. Compared with condemning him for acting without authorization, the reappearance of this ancient Evil Soul Master organization was clearly more likely to draw the elders' vigilance and attention.

Bibi Dong took the tokens and carefully sensed the lingering cold aura upon them. Her gaze grew deep. "The Holy Spirit Cult... If it truly is them, they cannot be underestimated. The Punishment Hall and Intelligence Department will jointly investigate this matter. Their movements must be thoroughly uncovered."

She glanced at Yang Yu. "Yu'er, since you have had contact with them, assist from the side."

"Yes, Teacher." Yang Yu accepted. What he wanted was precisely the authority to "assist." With that, his investigation into the Holy Spirit Cult and his continued actions against Star Luo would gain a little more legitimacy.

The meeting ended in a somewhat grave atmosphere. Although Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others were dissatisfied that Yang Yu had used the opportunity to expand his influence, they could not say much more in the face of the shared threat posed by the Holy Spirit Cult.

As he left the Elder Hall, Hu Liena quickly caught up with Yang Yu, her face carrying just the right amount of concern. "Junior Brother Yang Yu, the Holy Spirit Cult sounds very dangerous. You must be more careful during your next operation."

Yang Yu glanced at her and said flatly, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister."

Hu Liena seemed to want to say more, but Yang Yu had already walked straight toward Yue Guan and Zhu Zhuqing, who were waiting outside, leaving her standing there.

Hu Liena watched his retreating figure. A trace of coldness flashed through her beautiful eyes before she resumed her seductive expression and turned to leave.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Rongrong's research had made a breakthrough. She successfully sealed a paralyzing toxin extracted from a corrosive plant inside a modified, seemingly ordinary Soul Tool wristband. The trigger mechanism was extremely concealed, requiring only a specific frequency of Soul Power vibration. She had tested it: the toxin took effect very quickly and could instantly paralyze the limbs of a hundred-year Soul Beast, leaving it unable to move.

This eased her mind somewhat. She hid the wristband close to her body and began planning her next step. Paralysis alone was not enough; she needed something more lethal.

However, Hu Liena's shadow had not gone far. A few days later, a cooperation agreement between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall regarding the supply of Soul Tool materials was formally signed, and Hu Liena arrived once again as Spirit Hall's representative.

At the banquet after the signing ceremony, Hu Liena held a wineglass and approached Ning Rongrong with a smile.

"Little Sister Rongrong, I heard you've been very interested in Soul Tools lately?" Hu Liena asked as if casually.

Ning Rongrong's heart skipped a beat, but her expression did not change. "I'm merely looking around to pass the time."

"Is that so?" Hu Liena's smile deepened. "I know several masters from Spirit Hall's Soul Tool Hall. If you're interested, Sister can introduce you to them. It would be better than working behind closed doors by yourself, wouldn't it?"

The words appeared well-intentioned, but they carried an undertone of warning and surveillance. Ning Rongrong's hand beneath the table clenched slightly, yet she forced a grateful smile onto her face. "Thank you, Sister Nana. I'll consider it."

She could feel that Hu Liena—or rather, Bibi Dong behind her—had already set their sights on her.

Holy Son's Palace, side hall.

After Xiao Wu absorbed her fourth soul ring, the area in which she could move had been slightly expanded. She was allowed to walk within the small garden behind the Holy Son's Palace, but guards still watched her closely.

She sat on a stone bench, watching birds fly through the sky, her eyes somewhat lost. Her strength was growing, but freedom remained far beyond reach. Yang Yu occasionally came to see her, but each time he spoke only a few words, asking about her cultivation progress or bringing medicine to stabilize her Soul Power. His attitude was cold and distant.

She knew she was a chess piece—a valuable chess piece related to Immortal Herbs and a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Yang Yu had spared her life because he surely had greater plans. Yet she had no power to resist.

At times, she thought of Tang San, the "Third Brother" who had once treated her so well and had now turned to ash. She thought of Er Ming in the Star Dou Great Forest... Her thoughts were a tangled mess.

A maid approached carrying some pastries and carefully placed them on the stone table. "Miss Xiao Wu, please have some."

Xiao Wu came back to herself and glanced at the maid without saying anything. She knew these maids were also watchers.

She picked up a pastry and mechanically put it into her mouth. It tasted like wax.

Spirit City, Old Martial Arts Training Ground.

The ten guard members who had returned from their first real battle had become the backbone of the team, training even harder than before. Yang Yu shared some fragmented intelligence Yue Guan had gathered about "Ghost Shadow" and the Holy Spirit Cult, after filtering it, so they could conduct targeted training against concealment and soul attacks.

The strength and decisiveness Zhu Zhuqing displayed in that battle had earned the guard members' trust. She did not speak much, but every piece of guidance she gave struck at the heart of the matter. Her cultivation was steadily rising as well, advancing toward rank thirty-six.

Yang Yu stood at the edge of the field, watching the team train under pouring sweat, his gaze calm.

The guard's blade had already tasted blood. Next, it was time to use that blade to pry open a larger game. Star Luo, the Holy Spirit Cult, the Elder Hall... One name after another flashed through his mind.

He needed more power, and he also needed... a suitable opportunity.

He raised his head and looked toward the Papal Palace.

A storm was brewing. And he would be the one to unleash it.