Chapter 38

Ye Guyi walked into the room.

Jing Hongchen saw that Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi had private matters to discuss, so he immediately said to Huo Yuhao, "I'll go introduce you to the Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire. Take your time talking." With that, he turned and left the room.

Only the two of them remained in the room. Ye Guyi looked at Huo Yuhao, her cheeks faintly flushed and the tips of her ears quietly tinged pink. Her lashes lowered slightly with a girl's shy embarrassment as she softly asked, "Why did you come here?"

Huo Yuhao looked at her and replied calmly, "I have an important matter to discuss with you."

Ye Guyi lowered her head slightly, her heartbeat quickening as her voice softened. "Then... why do you want to rebuild Spirit Hall?"

Huo Yuhao's expression turned serious as he slowly said, "Neither of us has a sect or faction to rely on. We need a place where we can truly establish ourselves. Besides, your Angel Martial Soul has deep ties to Spirit Hall from ten thousand years ago. You are the last bloodline of the Angel God, and now you have inherited the Angel God's divine position. It is only right for us to revive Spirit Hall."

Yet another calculation had long been churning in Huo Yuhao's heart.

He carried all the memories of Douluo Continent and knew well the darkness and dangers hidden across this land. Reviving Spirit Hall was merely a pretext he had put on display. His true purpose was to use Spirit Hall's name to quickly gain a foothold on the continent and secretly carry out his own plans.

Huo Yuhao had long since fixed his sights firmly on the Holy Spirit Cult.

What he wanted was the Holy Spirit Cult's forbidden secret art that could increase soul ring ages, their countless Evil Soul Masters, precious cultivation resources and treasures, and the two Rank 99 Ultimate Douluo who oversaw the Holy Spirit Cult. He would not let a single one of those top-tier forces escape. He would refine them all into absolutely loyal, unwavering Undead Puppets with Necromancy.

He was even determined to obtain the Dark Saint Dragon bloodline within Long Xiaoyao's Martial Soul.

Huo Yuhao's primary purpose in establishing Spirit Hall was still to provoke Tang San's suspicions and continuously interfere with his judgment of the lower realm.

Sun Moon Empire Imperial Palace: Jing Hongchen hurried all the way toward the depths of the imperial palace, his body still carrying a lingering gravity. As the dean of the Sun Moon Empire's Soul Tool Academy, he held great power and an exalted position. Yet there was none of his usual composure on his face now, only wariness and deep consideration toward Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi.

The palace was lined with red walls and golden tiles, heavily guarded at every turn. Every corner exuded the unique majesty of the imperial family. Upon seeing Jing Hongchen, the guards bowed in salute. No one dared obstruct him in the slightest. Everyone knew the weight Dean Jing carried in the Sun Moon Empire. Even before the reigning emperor, he was qualified to speak frankly, offer counsel, and discuss major affairs.

After passing through layer upon layer of palace gates, Jing Hongchen finally arrived outside the imperial study where the emperor handled state affairs. The eunuch standing guard outside hurried forward to announce his arrival. Before long, the emperor's steady summons came from within. Jing Hongchen adjusted his robes and stepped into the imperial study.

The imperial study was simply furnished yet imposing. Sandalwood incense curled through the air, dispelling the stuffiness within the hall. The Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire sat upon the dragon throne, his face stern and his gaze sharp, his every bearing carrying the pressure of one long accustomed to power. Seeing Jing Hongchen arrive in such haste, the emperor raised his eyes slightly, set down the memorial in his hand, and asked, "Dean Jing, you entered the palace in such urgency today. Has something major happened?"

Jing Hongchen bowed in salute, then straightened and spoke solemnly. "Your Majesty, I have come today to discuss a matter of utmost importance. This concerns the future balance of power in our Sun Moon Empire and may even affect the situation across the continent. I would not dare be negligent in the slightest."

Hearing this, the emperor raised a brow, surprise appearing in his eyes. Jing Hongchen had always been steady and composed. Anything that could make him take matters so seriously was surely no trivial affair. He immediately raised a hand. "Speak freely."

"Your Majesty, I have recently come into contact with two exceptionally unusual young people, one man and one woman. The man is named Huo Yuhao, and the woman is named Ye Guyi." Jing Hongchen spoke slowly, his tone carrying an unconcealable gravity. "These two are far beyond ordinary Soul Masters. I have judged countless people, yet I have never seen a younger generation so unfathomable."

"Oh? Such people exist?" Interest flashed through the emperor's eyes. "Tell me in detail."

"Let us speak of Huo Yuhao first. Though young, he is meticulous in thought and steady in bearing. There is none of a young man's impatience in his every gesture. Instead, he possesses a depth and vision far beyond his years. I cannot see through him. I can even sense a faint, almost imperceptible pressure from him." Jing Hongchen carefully explained his assessment of Huo Yuhao. "And Ye Guyi, who is at his side, is even more astonishing. What that girl possesses is the legendary Sacred Angel Martial Soul, long thought extinct!"

"The Sacred Angel Martial Soul?" The emperor abruptly sat upright, his eyes filled with shock. "Was that not Spirit Hall's inherited Martial Soul from ten thousand years ago? Innately sacred in attribute, capable of restraining all darkness and evil, it is one of the highest divine-grade Martial Souls. It truly still exists in this world?"

"Without a doubt." Jing Hongchen nodded. "I saw it with my own eyes. The sacred aura around that girl was extraordinarily dense, with holy power flowing through her. It is in no way comparable to an ordinary Martial Soul. And the purpose of their visit is very clear—they intend to revive Spirit Hall."

The emperor fell into deep thought, lightly tapping his fingers against the table. Only after a long while did he speak. "Revive Spirit Hall... Spirit Hall flourished at its peak ten thousand years ago. Its reappearance now is no small matter. Why have they chosen to establish themselves in our Sun Moon Empire?"

"I asked about that as well. Huo Yuhao did not state it directly, but I could tell that their choice of the Sun Moon Empire came after careful consideration." Jing Hongchen continued, "And, Your Majesty, the foundation behind these two is far deeper than we imagined. It can even be said to be deep enough to alarm me."

"Oh? What do you mean?"

"Huo Yuhao revealed to me that among those accompanying him, even one of his personal guards is a Rank 92 assault-type Title Douluo. Such strength would be considered top-tier even in our Sun Moon Empire, yet he is willing to serve merely as a guard. This shows just how powerful the force behind him is." Jing Hongchen lowered his voice slightly, his tone filled with shock. "And that is only what he has revealed openly. According to him, he can command as many as five Title Douluo. What truly horrified me was that among those five, there is even a Rank 99 Ultimate Douluo!"

"An Ultimate Douluo?!"

The emperor was completely shaken. He suddenly rose to his feet, his eyes full of disbelief. A Rank 99 Ultimate Douluo stood at the very pinnacle of Soul Masters on Douluo Continent. There were only a handful across the entire continent. Who would have thought that such a young man as Huo Yuhao had such terrifying backing?

"It is absolutely true." Jing Hongchen said in a low voice, "At first, I did not dare believe it either. But judging from Huo Yuhao's tone and expression, it was not empty talk. With such a foundation, let alone reviving Spirit Hall, they would have the strength to fight any long-established power on the continent. Their desire to revive Spirit Hall within the Sun Moon Empire is not mere rhetoric. They have absolute strength to support it."

Silence fell over the imperial study. The emperor paced back and forth, rapidly weighing the advantages and disadvantages in his mind. Jing Hongchen did not urge him, merely standing quietly at the side as he waited for the emperor's decision.

After a long while, the emperor stopped and looked at Jing Hongchen, his gaze now resolute. "Dean Jing, what is your view? Should I permit it or refuse?"

"Your Majesty, I believe we should permit it." Jing Hongchen answered without hesitation. "Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi possess peerless talent, and behind them stand five Title Douluo and an Ultimate Douluo. Their strength is formidable. If we forcibly obstruct them, we will only make a powerful enemy of the Sun Moon Empire, which would be more loss than gain. On the other hand, if we allow them to establish themselves within our borders and revive Spirit Hall, it will bring nothing but benefits to the Sun Moon Empire."

"Continue."

"If they wish to establish themselves, they will inevitably need the Sun Moon Empire's support. Once their wings have grown, they will remember today's goodwill. Even if they do not directly submit to the Sun Moon Empire, they will become our most steadfast allies." Jing Hongchen analyzed carefully. "With such a top-tier force aiding us, the Sun Moon Empire's voice across the continent will grow enormously stronger. Whether facing Shrek or other empires, we will have far greater confidence. Moreover, Ye Guyi possesses the Sacred Angel Martial Soul, which naturally restrains the Evil Soul Masters of the Holy Spirit Cult. Keeping them close will also help us contain that festering threat."

After hearing him out, the emperor's doubts completely vanished, and a relieved smile appeared on his face. "Dean Jing speaks wisely, with sound reasoning. Since they possess both the strength and the intention to revive Spirit Hall in our Sun Moon Empire, I shall grant their request. With such a powerful force taking root in our nation, the rise of the Sun Moon Empire will gain yet another source of support."

At this point, the emperor's tone shifted, and his expression grew more cautious. "However, Ye Guyi's Sacred Angel Martial Soul is far too conspicuous. The Holy Spirit Cult has been stirring in the shadows of the continent, and they hate Soul Masters with sacred attributes to the bone. They will certainly try every possible means to eliminate her. Convey my wishes to Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi. In their daily lives, they should conceal Ye Guyi's Martial Soul and sacred aura as much as possible. They must not be too ostentatious, lest they draw the Holy Spirit Cult's frenzied retaliation too early and create unnecessary trouble."

"Your Majesty has considered everything thoroughly. I understand." Jing Hongchen bowed in response, deeply agreeing with the emperor's judgment.

"Very well. Let this matter be settled thus." The emperor waved a hand, his voice steady. "After you return, properly arrange a place for them to establish themselves and grant them suitable conveniences. There is no need to deliberately make things difficult for them, nor is there any need to fawn over them excessively. Remember, they are our collaborators, not subordinates. Maintain the proper boundaries and wait. In time, this newly risen force of Spirit Hall will surely become the sharpest blade in the Sun Moon Empire's hand."

"This subject obeys!"

Jing Hongchen bowed once more, and the weight in his heart finally lifted. He knew that allowing Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi to revive Spirit Hall would be an immensely important decision for the Sun Moon Empire. And this single step would surely set off an entirely new storm across all of Douluo Continent.