Schemes in the Shadows, Plots in the Open, and Intrigue on Every Front~~

Ye Hua remained silent.

Previously, Hu Liena had given him some breathing room.

However, he had other considerations and did not take any action.

"Nana," he comforted her, "From now on, don't try to persuade her anymore."

"Huh?" Hu Liena was stunned.

"To avoid arousing suspicion, after all, your teacher is winning battle after battle, and you should support her."

Hu Liena asked anxiously, "What should we do?"

"Xue Ke and Sister Zhu Qing wouldn't agree, would they?"

Xue Ke is a member of the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family, while Zhu Zhuqing is a noblewoman of the Star Luo Empire!

Although it's hard to understand why they didn't take action, they certainly don't want their motherland to be attacked!

"Stay calm. Eat when you're hungry, sleep when you're tired. I'll be right back."

Hu Liena breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving Ye Hua's response.

"Alright, then come directly to Jialing Pass. My teacher, the main force of the Heaven Dou Empire, and I are here."

Ye Hua hummed in agreement and ended the call.

Seeing their puzzled looks, Ye Hua shook his head.

"Sorry, we have to go back now."

"The Spirit Hall has declared war on the Two Great Empires."

The scene fell silent instantly.

Ning Rongrong sat up straight. "When did this happen?"

"Hu Liena just sent me a message in the last two months."

"The fighting is intense, the two sides can't reach an agreement, and if it drags on any longer, it will become a bloody war."

The group looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Then let's go back first," Ning Rongrong said first.

"Brother," Xiao Wu also stood up, "The search for Divine Inheritance can wait."

"Even at the very least, we should be able to find them all within ten years, right?"

Bai Xiuxiu wholeheartedly agreed.

Ye Hua was pleased, "Alright, let's resolve the war issue first!"

Ye Hua arrived at the Deep Sea and whistled.

A deep whale call echoed, the sea trembled, and amidst the surging waves, a dark shadow rapidly rose.

The massive body of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, half-submerged in the sea, resembles a moving island.

"Take us back to Vast Sea City."

"Yes, sir!"

The sea breeze rushed towards them, Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, upon receiving the order, sped off at lightning speed!

Despite his bulky physique, he swam like a speedboat!

Bai Xiuxiu's hair was blowing wildly in the sea breeze, and she grabbed Ye Hua's arm tightly.

Being swallowed by Big Whale last time left me with a psychological trauma.

Even though they knew it was a temporary measure, they dared not leave Ye Hua!

The other girls were better off, chatting and laughing until dusk.

The setting sun dyed the sea a golden-red hue, and the coastline appeared at the edge of the horizon.

But Ye Hua sent the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King home, while he tore through space and led everyone directly to Jialing Pass.

This formidable pass, guarding the nation's gateway, is now filled with rows of camps and fluttering banners.

The battle flag fluttered in the evening breeze, embroidered with Swan and swords, but its surface was blackened by the flames of war.

On the city wall, the soldiers looked exhausted, gripped their weapons tightly, and looked warily towards the outside of the pass.

Two miles outside the pass lies the Spirit Hall's main camp, a vast, dark mass, marked with its iconic angel insignia.

Without alerting the guards, Ye Hua found the commander's tent and lifted the tent flap.

"Who?" Xue Beng looked up in surprise.

When they saw it was Ye Hua, they were immediately stunned.

"The Night Alliance Leader?"

"It really is you!"

"Heaven has eyes! You've finally returned!"

The Xue Beng, originally grayish-white, turned rosy in the blink of an eye.

Even their backs, bent from the weight of military duties, straightened!

"Your Highness," Ye Hua nodded slightly, "How have you been?"

Xue Beng's lips moved slightly, and he actually clasped his hands in a fist and knelt on one knee!

Ye Hua was surprised. Although he was alone in the command tent, wasn't it a bit too much to kneel down, setting aside his dignity Crown Prince?

"Your Highness, please get up." Ye Hua used his Soul Power to help him up.

"Night Alliance Leader, please don't take offense. This is on my behalf thanking you!"

"When Xue Ke returned to the palace, even her father jumped up from his sickbed!"

"Soul Douluo! He's not even twenty and he's already Soul Douluo!"

"Father Emperor was so happy he fell over; the imperial physician was nearly scared to death!"

Ye Hua chuckled, "In everyone's eyes, am I a heartless and ungrateful person?"

"I never mistreat my woman, and Xue Ke is indeed very hardworking."

Xue Beng immediately took over the conversation, "That's also thanks to you, this is Father Emperor's way of expressing his gratitude!"

He then took out a scroll from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

"This is Fiefdom Deed personally signed by the Emperor, extending your territory by 600 li to the north and 400 li to the west."

"Your fiefdom is now comparable to the kingdom's territory!"

Ye Hua raised an eyebrow.

Before he could think further, Xue Beng took out another scroll. "This is State Letter from the Star Luo Empire!"

"They promised that if you wished, they could offer you an equal territory, with the location entirely up to you!"

Ye Hua looked at the two scrolls of documents, but his hands didn't move.

"Your Highness," he said with a half-smile, "Haven't you finished yet?"

Xue Beng's expression froze.

He rubbed his hands together, looking slightly embarrassed. "The Night Alliance Leader has a discerning eye."

"Father also hopes to bestow upon you the Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."

"Her position is hereditary and perpetual, she is on par with the imperial family, and holds supreme military and political power."

Before he could finish speaking, Ning Rongrong pinched Ye Hua's lower back.

Ye Hua understood immediately.

"Your Highness, I'll accept the territory, but please don't bestow upon me the title of king!"

"The empire finally managed to suppress all the kingdoms and achieve centralized power!"

"If I jump out again, the Emperor won't be happy, will he?"

Taking over territory is a way of receiving payment, a reciprocal exchange.

Accepting the Prince is tantamount to declaring allegiance and sending a signal.

Hey! I am Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire! A community of shared interests!

That's a very tactful and polite way to put it.

I didn't even accept the top scholar positions from the Seven Great Sects recommended by the Spirit Hall, why would I accept your Prince?

What do you mean by "I respect you" and "I'll give you benefits"? It's all a calculated scheme with hidden costs!

Xue Beng knew his plan would be exposed, so he could only force a smile.

Fortunately, since the territory accepted them, they will still help out.

"The Night Alliance Leader's actions are truly righteous; I will certainly report the truth to my father!"

He had barely finished speaking when hurried footsteps sounded outside the tent.

Marshal Ge Long strode into the command tent, the sound of his armor plates rubbing together incessantly.

"Your Highness!" Ge Long exclaimed gravely, "The Spirit Hall Empire has mobilized troops again!"

"The three Soul Master legions have assembled; it seems they're going to fight at night!"

"The leaders are none other than Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and two Red Cardinal!"

Xue Beng's expression changed drastically; he clearly hadn't expected the Pope's confidant to personally intervene!

"Could it be that they're going to decide the outcome tonight...?" Xue Beng's voice trembled.

Xue Ye was not fully recovered, and he was leading the campaign in place of his father to establish his authority!

If the empire's gates fall, even the crown prince's newly secured Crown Prince will be in jeopardy!

"What about our city defenses?" Xue Beng asked anxiously.

"The main city wall can barely hold, but the Spirit Hall has no less than three thousand siege Soul Master, plus Titled Douluo to reinforce the defenses."

"Your Highness, to be honest, we cannot hold out in a head-on confrontation."

Upon seeing Ye Hua and the others, Ge Long was shaken and decided to confess.

Xue Beng's lips twitched, and he had no choice but to bow to Ye Hua.

"Night Alliance Leader! We beg you to intervene and persuade the Spirit Hall to withdraw its troops!"

"Afterwards, Two Great Empires were willing to pay reparations!"

"Compensation or concessions, please just name your price!"

Ge Long gritted his teeth and added, "Your Highness, they also demand the cession of Jialing Pass and recognition of their dominant position!"

Xue Beng suddenly looked up, "Yesterday it was still..."

"No, the imperial territory cannot be ceded!"

"If we surrender Jialing Pass, the Spirit Hall's Soul Master legions can arrive in a day, leaving Heaven Dou City with no natural defenses!"

He turned to Ye Hua again, his tone earnest.

"Night Alliance Leader, we beg you to intervene!"

Watching the Xue Beng, which seemed to be pleading, Ye Hua sighed.

"This is difficult."

Xue Beng's heart skipped a beat.

"What the Spirit Hall lacks is strategic depth and dominant position."

Xue Beng chill ran through Xue Beng as he watched Ye Hua about to refuse.

"But," Ye Hua suddenly changed the subject, "There's always a way."

"Take me to the city wall."

"Thank you Night Alliance Leader!" Xue Beng was overjoyed and quickly led the way.

At this moment, outside Jialing Pass.

The Martial Soul Legion has been deployed.

A dense, dark formation of Soul Master advanced towards Jialing Pass.

Several figures floated in the air, the leader being Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum Martial Soul shone brightly, while Ghost Douluo followed like Gui Mei.

"Attack the city!"

Seeing that Titled Douluo were being defeated, the garrison at Jialing Pass immediately despaired.

The strongest among them was Poison Douluo, but even he could only hold off one of them.

Marshal Ge Long the strongest, but he's still just Soul Douluo; he can't beat him!

The opposing side has now deployed two Titled Douluo Elder and two Soul Douluo Red Cardinal!

How do I fight?!

Yue Guan's lips curled into a smile, his determination evident.

"Gui Mei, after this battle, Your Majesty will completely suppress the Heaven Dou Empire."

"The Two Great Empires are corrupt; the continent needs a new dominant force!"

The Gui Mei nodded approvingly, "That's right, since they don't want to be dignified, then let them be dignified!"

"His Holiness the Pope is personally overseeing the battle at the front; we can't afford to falter!"

They looked at each other and saw the fervor in each other's eyes.

He was about to take action himself, but suddenly stopped!

The tens of thousands of Soul Master on both sides were completely stunned!

Because a colossal Martial Soul Avatar appeared in the sky above Jialing Pass!

Nine-Dragon Spirit Yang Staff!

Ye Hua's Martial Soul!

"What is he doing here!" they both exclaimed in unison.

Didn't His Holiness the Pope say that they are not on the continent?

How could this be...?

"Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo are old friends."

"I suppose His Holiness the Pope also here? Would you mind saying a few words?"

Ye Hua spoke calmly.

The generals of the Martial Soul Army looked at each other in bewilderment.

And the next second--

Whoosh!!!

The sky, which was originally dominated by dusky yellow and fiery red, was instantly dyed purplish-red!

"Ye Hua! Do you want to be my enemy?!"