Seeking Aid

That evening, the atmosphere in Dugu Bo's study was grave.

Qian Sihai recounted everything that had happened during the day in detail. After hearing it, everyone fell silent.

Zhao Tieshan was the first to speak. "Spirit Hall has set its sights on us."

"That Wang Hong claimed he was inviting Old Qian over as a guest, but he was really here to test us."

"Just because they didn't make a move today doesn't mean they won't in the future."

Li Guishou sat in the corner and said gloomily, "Should I go deal with that Wang Hong...?"

"No." Dugu Bo shook his head. "Killing one Deacon is easy, but after we kill him, Spirit Hall will send even more people. Then they won't be testing us anymore—they'll act directly."

Cang Lang said in a deep voice, "So we just wait?"

Dugu Bo looked at Gu Ci. "Kid, what do you think?"

Gu Ci had not spoken since entering the room. Now that he had been called on, he raised his head, his gaze calm.

"Wang Hong came today for two reasons."

He spoke slowly. "First, to test us. He wanted to know who exactly stood behind Heavenly Workshop and where the Soul Tool technology came from."

"Second, to warn us. He made it very clear—'Only what you can keep is truly yours.'"

He paused before continuing. "But the fact that he didn't act today means Spirit Hall hasn't made up its mind yet."

"They aren't sure how powerful the force behind Heavenly Workshop is, so they don't dare act rashly. That gives us time."

"What time?" Dugu Bo asked.

"Time to muddy the waters." Gu Ci rose and walked to the window. "The Soul Tools from Heavenly Workshop aren't being bought only by people from Heaven Dou City."

"Before long, people from the Star Luo Empire will come. People from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will come. People from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will come."

"By then, Spirit Hall won't be the only one that wants these things. Whoever makes the first move will become the target of everyone."

Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. "You mean..."

"Spread the news about the Soul Tools. The farther, the better."

Gu Ci turned around. "Let everyone know that there is a shop in Heaven Dou City selling the legendary Soul Tools."

"Then, even if Spirit Hall wants to make a move, they'll have to think twice."

Li Guishou chuckled. "I'm good at that. Within three days, I guarantee the entire continent will know the name Heavenly Workshop."

Dugu Bo nodded, then looked at Gu Ci again. "What else?"

"We also need to bring the Heaven Dou Royal Family into this," Gu Ci said.

"Soul Tools have appeared in Heaven Dou City, on the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire. If Spirit Hall wants to reach in here, the Heaven Dou Royal Family won't stand by and watch."

Dugu Bo seemed thoughtful. "You mean, offer the Soul Tools to the royal family?"

"Not offer them. Cooperate with them," Gu Ci corrected.

"We can provide the royal family with civilian products such as Soul Lights and Soul Heaters. We can even help them build an army equipped with Soul Tools."

"In exchange, the royal family must protect Heavenly Workshop's safety and recognize our ownership of the Soul Tool technology."

Zhao Tieshan frowned. "Will the royal family agree?"

Gu Ci smiled. "Why wouldn't they? They can obtain the legendary Soul Tools without spending a single coin, and gain another ally in Heaven Dou City."

"Xue Ye won't refuse such a good deal."

The others exchanged glances, all feeling that this plan was feasible.

Dugu Bo stood up. "Then tomorrow, I'll take you to see Xue Ye."

Early the next morning, Dugu Bo brought Gu Ci to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Xue Ye received them in the imperial study.

The ruler of the Heaven Dou Empire was in his fifties. His face was imposing, but there was a trace of weariness between his brows.

Spirit Hall had been making increasingly larger moves lately, and life had not been easy for him as emperor.

"Poison Douluo, your arrival honors us. Forgive me for not welcoming you from afar."

Xue Ye spoke politely, his gaze falling on Gu Ci. "And this is...?"

"My granddaughter's husband, the son of Marquis Thunder Tiger, Gu Ci."

Dugu Bo sat down carelessly, completely lacking the self-awareness of a subject.

Xue Ye's mouth twitched, but he did not pursue the matter.

Gu Ci stepped forward and bowed before getting straight to the point. "Your Majesty, Heavenly Workshop in Heaven Dou City is my family's business."

Xue Ye raised a brow. "Oh? Then the Soul Tools..."

"I provided the technology," Gu Ci said calmly.

Xue Ye's eyes brightened.

He had noticed Heavenly Workshop's Soul Tools long ago and had sent people to investigate them, but he had never acted.

He had not expected the person behind them to come to his door himself.

"What did you come to see me for?" Xue Ye asked.

Gu Ci explained his proposal for cooperation.

After hearing him out, Xue Ye remained silent for a long time.

"You mean you are willing to provide Soul Tools for my army?" he asked.

"Yes, but I have two conditions. First, the royal family is responsible for Heavenly Workshop's security."

"Second, ownership of the Soul Tool technology belongs to us. The royal family cannot seize it by force or reveal it to outsiders."

Xue Ye stared at Gu Ci for quite a while before suddenly smiling. "You truly dare to ask for a lot. Do you know what these things mean to the empire?"

Gu Ci answered frankly, "I do. That is exactly why I came to seek Your Majesty's cooperation."

"Rather than letting Spirit Hall seize them, it is better for the empire to benefit from them. It is good for Your Majesty and good for us."

Xue Ye pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Fine. I agree."

He stood and walked over to Gu Ci, patting him on the shoulder. "You're a good child. If anything happens in the future, come directly to me."

Gu Ci bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After leaving the palace, Dugu Bo looked at Gu Ci with undisguised admiration in his eyes.

"Kid, you've got more nerve than your father ever did."

Gu Ci smiled. "Grandpa Dugu, it's not that I'm bold. We have no choice."

"Spirit Hall has already come to our door. If we don't find someone to rely on, we won't be able to withstand them."

Dugu Bo nodded. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly looked into the distance.

A figure flew in from the horizon and landed before the two of them.

It was Old Ghost.

"Boss, something happened."

Old Ghost's expression was grim. "News came from Spirit Hall. Bibi Dong has sent people to Heaven Dou City. Not Deacons like Wang Hong, but—"

He took a deep breath. "People from the Adjudication Department."

Old Ghost's words were like a stone thrown into still water, sending ripples through the surface.

Dugu Bo's expression darkened, and a glint of cold light flashed in his eyes. "The Adjudication Department? How many came?"

"So far, we've found two." Old Ghost lowered his voice.

"One is called Yin Wuji, a Soul Douluo. His Martial Soul is the Iron Wire Snake. They say he is one of Spirit Hall's direct protégés, ruthless in his methods and sinister by nature."

"The other is called Iron Face, also a Soul Douluo. His Martial Soul is the Iron Face Spider. The two of them are leading the group, with twelve elite Soul Masters under them. Even the weakest are Soul Ancestors."

"Two Soul Douluos."

Dugu Bo sneered. "Bibi Dong truly thinks highly of us."

Gu Ci stood to the side, his brows slightly furrowed.

The people from Spirit Hall's Adjudication Department had arrived faster than he had expected.

It seemed Bibi Dong valued the Soul Tools far more than he had estimated.

"Where are they?" he asked.

"They have already entered Heaven Dou City and are staying at the Post House in the southern part of the city," Old Ghost said.

"They haven't made any moves yet. They're only gathering information about Heavenly Workshop and the Marquis Mansion."

"If they haven't moved, they're waiting," Gu Ci said slowly. "They're waiting for our response, and they're waiting for orders from above."