The Sun Moon Empire, outside Mingdu.
The area was now under heavy guard, and the air was thick with tension and oppression.
Several figures stood on the bank.
Jing Hongchen bowed slightly, his expression respectful as he reported something to an old man before him.
The old man had a head of silver hair and a stooped frame, yet he stood as steady as a Pillar of the Sea. He was Kong Deming, Silver Moon Douluo, Hall Master of the Sun Moon Empire's Hall of Worship, and the true master of Mingde Hall. He was also Jing Hongchen's teacher.
"Elder Kong, after repeatedly verifying this over the past few days, the results have been astonishingly consistent. It doesn't matter whether it's an ordinary soldier, a Soul Master with decent cultivation, or even a death-row inmate. As long as they jump into the river, the result is the same."
Jing Hongchen kept his voice low, unable to hide his shock.
"If one guard jumps in, three guards come out. We've tested it thirteen times, and it's happened every time. And..."
He paused and gestured toward several "copies" in the distance, each under close guard and wearing a different expression.
"The first to emerge from the river is the strongest, and their talent improves dramatically. The second is weaker, while the last to appear—the original who jumped in—is actually the weakest of the three."
A gleam flashed in Kong Deming's cloudy eyes. He said nothing, listening in silence.
Jing Hongchen took a deep breath and continued.
"We also tried testing this with death-row inmates. If they lie, they disappear on the spot, leaving no trace of their presence. They're most likely killed outright."
Jing Hongchen turned to look at the river, a trace of apprehension flashing in his eyes.
After hearing the report, Kong Deming remained silent. But thoughtfulness showed in his eyes, deep as the stars.
Not far away, Crown Prince Xu Tianran sat in a wheelchair.
Though his legs were disabled, he always wore a smile. A guard stood behind him, pushing the wheelchair.
An old man stood beside Xu Tianran: the emperor of the Sun Moon Empire.
He was in the twilight of his life, the wrinkles on his face like cracked bark. Yet the imperial authority of a man who had long held power still made it hard to look him in the eye.
"Hall Master Hongchen."
The Old Emperor spoke slowly. His voice was hoarse, but carried unquestionable authority.
"Can this 'variable' be brought completely under control? If we send the armies of the Sun Moon Empire into the river, can we create an invincible Soul Master legion?"
His eyes shone with fervor.
One turned into three—and the copies were even stronger!
If they could use this in the military, wouldn't the Sun Moon Empire's dream of uniting the continent be within easy reach?
Jing Hongchen's expression turned troubled at the emperor's question.
"Your Majesty, this matter... I'm afraid it isn't that simple."
Jing Hongchen gave a bitter smile and explained.
"We can't make full use of it yet. The people who emerge from the river have very different personalities. Some become extremely greedy, others incredibly violent. We can't control every one of them."
As he spoke, Jing Hongchen turned and pointed toward a pit nearby.
Dozens of corpses lay piled inside.
Though dead, their faces still twisted with madness and fury, sending a chill through anyone who saw them.
"Your Majesty, please look. They were failures whose personalities changed drastically. They were extremely uncontrollable and consumed by resentment, and they tried to turn on us. For the sake of safety, we had no choice but to eliminate them."
"There have been... quite a few."
Jing Hongchen sighed.
"Of course, some have remained relatively stable and can be put to use, but they're not a large proportion."
The Old Emperor's brows drew tightly together, and a trace of displeasure crossed his face.
"Far too uncontrollable."
He muttered to himself, then struck the ground heavily with his scepter.
"I want absolute obedience. I want an invincible army, not a bunch of lunatics who could lose their minds at any moment!"
The Old Emperor abruptly raised his head and glared at Jing Hongchen.
"Can we... make the person in the river serve us?"
At those words, the temperature seemed to drop.
Jing Hongchen's expression changed. He hurriedly shook his head, remembering the Evil Qi Xuan Zi they had created.
"That person never gives much of a response to our attempts to probe the outside world."
"He can casually create a terrifying powerhouse like that. He even toyed with Shrek Academy's Taotie Douluo as though he were in the palm of his hand. He's probably a Deity."
"Making an enemy of someone like that would bring the Sun Moon Empire no benefit!"
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Jing Hongchen's forehead. He was truly afraid.
It was the instinctive terror of the unknown.
But the Old Emperor wasn't intimidated.
As the ruler of an empire, he was watching his life draw to a close, with the chance to unite the continent right before his eyes. His greed had already overwhelmed his reason.
"No benefit?"
The Old Emperor sneered, a touch of madness appearing on his aged face.
"As long as I can control this river and wield the power to create powerhouses, I'll make even a God bow his head!"
"No matter the price or the means, the Sun Moon Empire will take complete control of this river! There's no room for discussion!"
The Old Emperor's voice echoed along the empty riverbank, domineering and absolute.
"But, Your Majesty..."
Jing Hongchen knitted his brows and was just about to try to dissuade him again.
Suddenly—
A terrifying suction force burst out of thin air, so powerful it made their souls tremble.
"Who's there?!"
Kong Deming, who had remained silent until now, paled. Silver light flared from his body as he tried to intervene.
But the force was faster still!
Even a powerhouse of Kong Deming's caliber couldn't react in time.
"Ugh—!"
The Old Emperor let out a short, muffled groan. It was as if an invisible Big Hand had seized him. In an instant, he was ripped away from the protection of the others and sent hurtling forward.
Splurt!
Flesh tore.
The Old Emperor's body hung suspended in midair.
A pale, slender hand wreathed in Thick Black Qi had plunged into his chest, pierced straight through his body, and emerged from his back!
Blood dripped from the hand, staining the earth below.
The Old Emperor's eyes were wide. Blood bubbled from his mouth as the light of life rapidly faded from his eyes. Even as he died, he couldn't understand what had happened.
"Quiet."
A cold voice rang out.
The hand flicked sharply, tossing the Old Emperor's body aside.
Only then did the others get a clear look at the attacker.
It was an old man.
When Jing Hongchen saw his face, he felt as if a Big Hand had seized his heart and squeezed hard enough to stop it.
That face...
It looked somewhat like Mu En, yet the aura between the brows seemed more like Xuan Zi. This was Mu Xuan!
Two figures slowly stepped out from behind Mu Xuan: Zhongli Wu, the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult, and... Xuan Zi?
Mu Xuan lifted his head slightly, his cool gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"You want to control this river?"
"Do you really think you can, you... insects?"
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