Human Nature and Desire

"First, there's the Sea God Clan Mass Disappearance Case. As everyone knows, my Chen clan are devout followers of Lord Sea God Tang San."

"Except for a few outstanding clansmen who venture out into the world to contribute to the prosperity of the continent, the rest of us spend our days living in seclusion on the island."

"You could say we wanted no part in worldly affairs. But because our clan kept such a low profile, we inevitably became a thorn in the side of certain factions!"

Having laid the groundwork, Chen Zeyu's calm tone turned resentful:

"On the day the entire Sea God Clan mysteriously disappeared, my father, Vast Sea Douluo Chen Xinjie, received a distress signal from the clan's old patriarch!"

"After leaving me that message, he set out. When no word had come back even days later, I had no choice but to go to the clan's island myself."

At this point, he abruptly stopped speaking. Chen Zeyu took two deep breaths, as though he had made up his mind.

"That's right. All the news about the Sea God Clan that first spread across the continent was put out by me, through all sorts of opportunities."

"I'd hoped that some powerful faction would uncover the mastermind. But perhaps my father had protected me too well."

The moisture in his eyes flashed and quickly dried. Chen Zeyu's voice turned icy:

"Five whole years have passed, and the mastermind is still at large—more powerful and prosperous than ever!"

"I don't know what kind of deal you powerful factions have made, but now! Here! In front of every Soul Master watching this livestream, I name the mastermind: the Spirit Pagoda!!!"

"I can even say with certainty that, judging by the methods used and the timing of the discoveries, the Tang Sect's mysterious disappearance must also be connected to the Spirit Pagoda!"

Speaking with force, Chen Zeyu clapped his hands. Several Titled Douluos with powerful auras carried in a half-unconscious Titled Douluo.

"I'm sure many of you are wondering if I've gone mad. But if I've chosen to expose the truth, then naturally I've come prepared!"

"This is Longtun Douluo, a genius affiliated with the Spirit Pagoda who became a Titled Douluo at the age of twenty-six!"

"With a powerful Martial Soul and exceptional talent, he's said to have the potential to become a Spirit Pagoda council member one day."

"But do any of you know what this genius's third Soul Spirit is?"

As he spoke, he kicked Longtun Douluo hard in the head twice, then took out a golden device set with a sapphire. Crouching down, he plunged it straight into the man's arm.

A moment later, Longtun Douluo's body began to convulse. As his Soul Rings lit up, his Soul Spirit quickly appeared as well.

Chen Zeyu immediately summoned his Martial Soul. "Do you see, everyone? This Spirit Pagoda genius, Longtun Douluo, has a Soul Spirit that's actually my Martial Soul!"

"What a farce! Everyone knows that my Sea God Clan's Martial Soul, the sea, has always been a manifestation of the concept of sea water!"

"And yet this Spirit Pagoda genius has a Soul Spirit identical to my clan's Martial Soul—one that can even resonate with my clan's inherited Soul Tool?"

"I'm sure I don't need to spell out what that means, do I?"

With that, he pulled out the Soul Tool and stood. Chen Zeyu raised his foot, about to crush Longtun Douluo's neck.

Only then did the Spirit Pagoda's Titled Douluos "rush" onto the scene, using Soul Skills to attack both the livestream equipment and Chen Zeyu.

As the livestream equipment shattered with a crash, the entire Soul Tool network boiled over like a pot of water. Chen Zeyu had set it ablaze!

All kinds of voices questioning the Spirit Pagoda began to emerge. Conspiracy theories spread, and people even turned on the authorities.

At the tea stall, Ming Yue had watched Chen Zeyu's entire performance. Twice, she had even held back the two sisters when they tried to intervene.

"A-Yue?"

"A-Yue! Why won't you let me and Sister act?"

"Those two old monsters from Shrek are hiding nearby. I don't want you two getting hurt."

"Looks like I still underestimated human nature and desire. Let's go back to the Spirit Pagoda first."

After reassuring the two sisters, Ming Yue looked calmly toward a certain spot and thought, It's not time yet.

[At twenty-nine, after returning to the Spirit Pagoda from your date, you began your investigation with Longtun Douluo. You soon made several discoveries.]

[Following the clues upstream, you uncovered several more families within the Spirit Pagoda who were also supporting this faction.]

[You frowned. They could have simply submitted and enjoyed the benefits you brought them, yet these fools insisted on knowing no better.]

[You decided to start killing. Beginning with the most conspicuous pawn, you ordered Qiangu Dieting and Snake Emperor Douluo to lead a purge of many young geniuses and families within the Spirit Pagoda.]

[Perhaps you had acted too boldly, or perhaps the survivors—those "Chen Zeyu livestream incident supporters" who were already terrified—were driven by the desire to save their own skins.]

[Whatever the reason, information pointing directly to the person who had planned it all was laid before you.]

After reading the report, Ming Yue silently set it down and stared at the ceiling for a while. Then he let out a sigh:

"They could have simply lain low and enjoyed a bright future. Instead, they let their desires drive them to this."

"Very well. I'll send you on your way myself."

He rose and headed for the door. As he closed it, Ming Yue snapped his fingers, and the report on the desk burst into flames.

Just like the so-called bonds of blood, it turned to ash!

That night, at the Qiangu Family estate.

His memories of this place ended with the Martial Soul Awakening ceremony when he was six.

The servants greeted him respectfully as he entered the courtyard. His mother, whom he hadn't seen in years and who now had a few strands of white in her hair, was there.

Alongside Qiangu Dieting, she was watching Ming Yue with Qiangu Qingfeng and Qiangu Dongfeng.

". . . You're back."

They stared at each other for several minutes. Only when a breeze passed did his mother finally break the silence.

She seemed to have so much to say, but when the words reached her lips, all that came out was a stiff little greeting.

"What, am I not welcome?"

For a moment, Ming Yue seemed to return to the state of mind he'd had when he first started using the Simulator. But the words that came out were indifferent.

". . . Of course you're welcome. How could your mother not welcome her son? Why are you standing there? Come over. Let's go inside and have a proper family talk!"

A hint of awkwardness flashed in his mother's eyes, but she soon put on a cheerful expression and beckoned to Ming Yue.

"I won't be going inside. You should know why I came today."

"Especially you two, Qiangu Qingfeng and Qiangu Dongfeng."

Ming Yue calmly refused her, then turned his gaze to the Qiangu brothers standing behind her.

At his words, both men involuntarily shuddered. They quickly lowered their heads and dodged Ming Yue's gaze as if fleeing.