Securely Holding the High Ground, Gathering at Shrek

Therefore, when Zhongli Wu suddenly proposed that the Holy Spirit Cult launch a proactive attack on Shrek Academy, Xu Tianran had been so cautious.

Faced with Xu Tianran's doubts, Zhongli Wu was equally aware of the risks of this operation, but he showed none of it on the surface.

After all, this operation concerned not only the Holy Spirit Cult's plans, but also represented its best opportunity to display its strength to Xu Tianran.

They had to show this future emperor of the Sun Moon Empire that the Holy Spirit Cult possessed the power to alter the continent's balance.

Zhongli Wu clasped his hands behind his back, and the confident expression returned to his face.

"Your Highness, rest assured."

"The plan to raid Shrek Academy was personally formulated by the Supreme Leader of our holy cult."

"Furthermore, our cult's Supreme Elder, the Dragon Emperor Douluo, will personally participate in this operation."

At this point, Zhongli Wu's voice gradually became firmer.

"Although Shrek Academy has an Ultimate Douluo guarding it, according to our intelligence, the Dragon God Douluo Mu En has reached his twilight years, and his physical condition is far inferior to what it once was."

"Before the Dragon Emperor Douluo, he may no longer possess his former strength."

"Therefore, Your Highness need only wait."

"In this battle, our holy cult will certainly deal Shrek Academy an unprecedented blow."

"At the same time, we will show Your Highness exactly what kind of power can be gained through cooperation with our holy cult."

"I believe that after this battle, the cooperation between our two sides will become even more secure."

After Zhongli Wu gave his assurances, Xu Tianran did not respond immediately.

He remained seated, leaning slightly back in his chair as his long fingers rhythmically tapped the armrest.

Once, then again, the crisp sound echoed through the secret chamber.

Yet his gaze remained fixed on Zhongli Wu's face, as though he wished to judge just how much confidence the Holy Spirit Cult's leader truly possessed from the changes in his expression.

Shrek Academy was no ordinary force.

Every expert among the continent's top factions understood that perfectly well.

On the surface, that academy with a ten-thousand-year legacy was merely a soul master academy. In truth, however, it was one of the largest soul master forces on the entire Douluo Continent.

Countless experts had emerged from there, and countless Titled Douluo had left their marks there.

Anyone who truly regarded Shrek Academy as an ordinary soul master faction would probably not even know how they died in the end.

However...

The strength displayed by the Holy Spirit Cult this time was likewise impossible for Xu Tianran to ignore.

The Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao was taking action personally, accompanied by more than ten evil soul masters at the Titled Douluo level.

Along with a vast number of elite evil soul masters and Holy Spirit Cult members who had secretly infiltrated all parts of the Three Douluo Kingdoms over the years.

Such a lineup was, even across the entire continent, unquestionably a terrifying force capable of changing the situation.

Thus, it was genuinely difficult to say who would win and who would lose in this operation.

After a moment, Xu Tianran finally stopped tapping the armrest, signaling that he had finished considering the matter.

He slowly leaned forward, and a gentle smile returned to his face. Yet his eyes remained filled with scrutiny and calmness.

"I naturally trust the strength of the holy cult."

"However, there are some things I must remind the Cult Leader of in advance."

Zhongli Wu said nothing and merely waited quietly for him to continue.

Xu Tianran slowly said, "The Holy Spirit Cult is now one of this prince's most important partners."

"If this operation succeeds and Shrek Academy suffers grievous losses, it will naturally be a good thing for me."

"After all, with such a colossal force gone, whether within the Sun Moon Empire or in the future situation on the continent, everything will be more advantageous to me."

At that point, Xu Tianran paused slightly, as though pondering or carefully weighing his words.

"But if this operation fails, and the holy cult loses a large number of elites, perhaps even Titled Douluo-level experts in Shrek City..."

"That would not be good for either side."

"You should know that over the next few years, this prince's most important goal will still be to stabilize the situation within the empire."

"At that time, I will still need to rely on the holy cult's strength to deal with quite a few troubles."

"Therefore, I hope the Cult Leader will consider this carefully. Do not let a momentary impulse place the holy cult in an irretrievable situation."

Listening to Xu Tianran's words, which sounded concerned but carried an obvious warning, Zhongli Wu's expression did not change in the slightest.

Both sides understood perfectly well that though they were allies, it was only temporary.

They had come together because of mutual interests.

Xu Tianran needed the Holy Spirit Cult's power to remove the obstacles in his path to the throne and help him take control of the Sun Moon Empire.

The Holy Spirit Cult likewise needed the Sun Moon Empire's resources, population, and immense war machine to further expand its influence.

As long as their interests remained, they could sit together and chat with laughter.

But once those interests vanished, the relationship between them could collapse in an instant.

"Your Highness, rest assured."

Zhongli Wu nodded slightly and spoke calmly.

"Since the holy cult dared formulate this plan, we naturally have sufficient confidence."

"I believe Your Highness will soon see the results. I shall take my leave."

After speaking, Zhongli Wu could tell that Xu Tianran was in a poor mood and was dissatisfied with their plan to raid Shrek. Thus, he did not remain any longer, instead turning and walking toward the exit of the secret chamber.

As the heavy stone door slowly closed, the smile on Xu Tianran's face faded bit by bit, replaced by gloom.

"The Holy Spirit Cult wants to use this opportunity to probe Shrek Academy's hidden cards..."

"Then let them try."

He leaned against the back of his chair, a cold sneer appearing at the corner of his lips.

"If the Holy Spirit Cult wins, Shrek Academy will be severely weakened, and this prince will have one less major threat."

"If the Holy Spirit Cult loses, their own strength will be weakened as well. At that time, they will instead become even more reliant on the Sun Moon Empire."

"No matter the outcome..."

"The one who profits in the end will only be this prince."

At that thought, the chill in Xu Tianran's eyes deepened. He only needed to sit outside the chessboard and watch the two sides slaughter one another, then quietly wait for his own opportunity.

Star Dou Great Forest.

Lush ancient trees blotted out the sky and sun, while sunlight filtered through layer after layer of canopies, casting mottled patches of light and shadow across the ground.

Damp, decaying leaves carpeted the earth, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of vegetation unique to the forest.

From time to time, the deep roars of soul beasts could be heard in the distance.

Beneath a concealed ancient tree.

Several men dressed in ordinary mercenary attire sat gathered together.

They looked no different from the mercenaries who entered the Star Dou Great Forest year-round to hunt soul beasts.

Their faces were weathered, their clothes plain, and there were even wounds from battle on their bodies.

Yet if a true expert approached, they would discover an extremely sinister aura concealed within them.

This was not power possessed by ordinary soul masters, but an aura unique to evil soul masters. If Qian Daoliu were here, he would likely identify it at a glance.

One of them took a pitch-black command token from his robes and raised it before the others.

"A secret order from the main headquarters."

"Everyone is to proceed toward Shrek City according to the plan."

"During the operation, do not expose your identities."

"Do not take the initiative to attack soul masters along the way, and under no circumstances are you permitted to attack ordinary civilians without authorization."

Upon hearing those orders, a bald man nearby could not help licking his lips, his face revealing a trace of dissatisfaction.

"It wasn't easy getting out here, yet we can't do anything."

"Those bastards at the main headquarters are seriously controlling too much!"