Xiao Chenlong snapped his fingers again, and a cup of tea appeared before Jing Hongchen.
"Don't be so nervous. This is only a dream realm."
"A... dream realm?"
"That's right, a dream realm. I have a question for you: why did you bring the Holy Spirit Cult and the Sun Moon Empire together?"
"Don't bother trying to deny it. Within the dream realm, I can directly read your thoughts."
"Of course, it was for the Sun Moon Empire. Naturally, I won't deny that it was also for my own status and interests."
Xiao Chenlong shook his head.
"What do you mean?"
Jing Hongchen stared fixedly at Xiao Chenlong, trying to find a flaw.
"Seeking the hide of a tiger—surely you know what kind of organization the Holy Spirit Cult is. You introduced Crown Prince Xu Tianran to the Holy Spirit Cult. Once Crown Prince Xu Tianran ascends the Imperial Throne, do you think you'll be valued and entrusted with power, or discarded once you've outlived your usefulness?"
"Hmph. Stop trying to drive a wedge between His Highness the Crown Prince and me."
"I'm not driving a wedge between the two of you. I'm giving you an opportunity."
"Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen are both at Shrek Academy now, aren't they?"
"I just took a look. Huo Yuhao used a stratagem of self-injury to force his way into Mingde Hall to study Soul Tool Technology."
"You were worried about Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, so you went to Crown Prince Xu Tianran. Yet he refused."
"That alone shows that you are completely unimportant in Crown Prince Xu Tianran's eyes."
Jing Hongchen clenched his fists tightly, making his inner turmoil plain to see.
"What... exactly do you want?"
"My purpose is simple. I need Mingde Hall to serve me."
"Impossible!"
"Don't refuse