Zhongli Wu's Evil Plot, Investigating the Dragon Core

Sun Moon Empire, Bright City.

After recovering from his injuries, Zhongli Wu immediately went to find Jing Hongchen, the master of Illustrious Virtue Hall.

"Cult Master Zhongli, your Holy Spirit Cult really went all out this time!" A mocking smile appeared on Jing Hongchen's face. "You went behind Illustrious Virtue Hall's back to capture Ye Ming?"

"You hit a wall this time, didn't you!"

Jing Hongchen was not surprised that Zhongli Wu had guessed Ye Ming's identity.

After all, Jing Hongchen's previous actions had indirectly proven Ye Ming's importance.

At their level, there were only a few reasons worthy of their attention.

What displeased him was that Zhongli Wu had bypassed him and directly targeted Ye Ming.

Clearly, this brat Zhongli Wu wanted to keep the prize all to himself!

"Hall Master Hongchen, there is no need for such sarcastic remarks."

Zhongli Wu gritted his teeth, a vicious gleam flashing through his eyes. "Since its founding, the Holy Spirit Cult has never suffered such heavy losses!"

"I will make Shrek Academy pay for this!"

"I need your help. Once this is done, all the mineral resources we discussed last time will belong to Illustrious Virtue Hall, and... Ye Ming will be yours!"

Jing Hongchen's interest was piqued. He took a deep drag from his pipe. "I'm all ears."

"What does Cult Master Zhongli intend to do, and what do you need this hall master to do?"

"Let me make this clear first. Illustrious Virtue Hall is not like your Holy Spirit Cult. We cannot send out four or five Titled Douluo."

"I don't need Illustrious Virtue Hall to send anyone!" Zhongli Wu said frankly. "I came into close contact with that brat Ye Ming, yet I never sensed any aura of a soul beast in human form from him."

"I assume you discovered it with a soul tool from Illustrious Virtue Hall?"

Jing Hongchen exhaled a smoke ring without denying it.

"Can that soul tool be modified?" A savage look flashed in Zhongli Wu's eyes. "That brat will be going to the Star Luo Empire to participate in the Soul Fighting Tournament..."

"If we expose his identity in front of everyone, let's see how Shrek Academy deals with it!"

"The hatred between humans and soul beasts is irreconcilable. Not even Shrek Academy can protect him!"

"During the tournament, experts from the four great empires—Star Luo, Heaven Soul, Dou Ling, and Sun Moon—will all gather there, along with the major sects and factions... Hehehe."

"When that time comes, even if Mu En rose from the dead, he would not be able to protect that soul beast in human form!"

As the number one evil soul master organization on the Douluo Continent, the Holy Spirit Cult had never cared whether the continent remained stable.

For Zhongli Wu, only by stirring up the tides of the world and watching ordinary people and soul masters slaughter one another could the Holy Spirit Cult expand rapidly.

If this plan succeeded, even if it could not drag Shrek Academy down from its pedestal, it would at least wipe away the glory it had carried for ten thousand years.

If several great empires acted together, the continent's already delicate balance would grow even tenser.

Only then could the Sun Moon Empire and the Holy Spirit Cult rise with the tide.

Jing Hongchen's hand holding the pipe trembled slightly, and his eyes narrowed.

After pondering for a long time, he finally spoke. "Modifying the soul tool will not be a problem."

"This will certainly muddy the waters enough. But with so many Titled Douluo taking action, can you guarantee that you can capture that soul beast?"

"Hahaha, that is precisely why I need Hall Master Hongchen's assistance!" Zhongli Wu became increasingly crazed, the ruthlessness in his eyes impossible to hide.

"Hall Master Hongchen, provide a few more fixed-installation soul cannons. Then we can bombard Star Luo..."

"Don't those soul masters pride themselves on being righteous?"

"Once chaos erupts, let's see whether they save people or hunt souls and extract bones for their own benefit!"

"Rest assured, Hall Master Hongchen. Even if the Titled Douluo gather in force, I will capture Ye Ming and deliver him to you."

Looking toward Shrek Academy, Zhongli Wu clenched his fist. "I will ask the Supreme Elder of our cult to take action and send Shrek Academy a great gift!"

During the Soul Fighting Tournament, Star Luo City's population would surely reach its peak.

A single Class 9 fixed-installation soul cannon would be enough to wipe out tens of thousands of people...

Jing Hongchen suddenly felt a chill run down his back.

Madman!

This was a completely naked madman.

To take revenge on Shrek Academy, he was willing to use tens of thousands of civilians as bait.

But... those dying would be people of the Star Luo Empire. What did that have to do with him?

Jing Hongchen took a hard drag, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and said in a low voice, "Good!"

"I will modify that soul tool as soon as possible, then transfer two Class 9 fixed-installation soul cannons from Illustrious Virtue Hall."

"I will await the Cult Master's good news."

Star Luo City.

As the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City was unquestionably its greatest city, known as the imperial capital that would never fall.

Its walls stood a hundred meters high and were an equally terrifying hundred meters thick.

The city covered more than a thousand square kilometers.

Star Luo City had a permanent population of over eight million and could accommodate as many as twenty million people at its limit.

As the host of this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament, Star Luo City was now bustling with people and even seemed somewhat crowded.

The tournament would be held at Star Luo Square, in front of the imperial palace.

Not far east of Star Luo Square stood a grand seven-story hotel.

This hotel, called the Star Emperor, belonged to the royal family.

It had been specially cleared out to receive participants from advanced soul master academies and soul engineer academies from various nations.

As the defending champions and the continent's number one soul master academy, Shrek Academy's competitors were assigned the luxurious rooms on the top floor.

Not only did each person have a bedroom of their own, but they also had a dedicated conference room.

On the top floor, in the innermost room.

On the enormous bed, spacious enough for three to five people without feeling crowded, Ye Ming, Gu Yuena, and Di Ruiqiu sat together.

Ye Ming pointed next door, and Gu Yuena nodded gently. "I've used my spiritual power to shield the entire room. No one can hear our conversation."

"Since that day, although Xuan Zi and the others haven't said anything, a barrier has ultimately formed between them and us."

"Ye Ming, are we still going to remain at this academy?"

"Those not of our kind are bound to have different hearts." Ye Ming gently shook his head. "We cannot stay at Shrek Academy any longer."

"Although Mu En vouched for me that day, the truth is that he probably already knows our identities."

He knew that Mu En had only dissolved his body, while his soul had entered the Golden Tree.

Who knew when this man might emerge again alongside the Golden Tree spirit and recreate that ultimate scene from that day?

"Little brother, then why are we still participating in this tournament?" Di Ruiqiu blinked her large eyes, utterly confused. "This place is full of Titled Douluo. That Holy Spirit Cult definitely won't let this go."

"Wouldn't staying here be even more dangerous?"

"If we leave now, it will instead arouse Xuan Zi's suspicions." Ye Ming grinned. "Besides, this tournament is the pinnacle event for the younger generation of humans."

"Since we are destined to leave, then before we go, let us leave these geniuses of the continent with an unforgettable memory while wearing human identities!"

Beyond that, Ye Ming had another objective: the Snow Empress at the auction house.

As an Ice Snow Maiden born of heaven and earth, she naturally belonged to the soul beast lineage.

He would not allow the Snow Empress to become nourishment for human soul masters.

Di Ruiqiu nodded as if she understood.

In any case, she would simply do whatever Ye Ming said.

At that moment, Ye Ming took out the Dragon Core.

"Yue'er, take a look for me. Is there actually anything wrong with this Dragon Core?"