Jing Hongchen's Gift, Xu Tianran and the Holy Spirit Cult's Stance

At present, aside from the Sun Moon Empire Consecration Hall, no one—including Jing Hongchen—was qualified to remain neutral.

The so-called neutrality of those ministers was nothing more than Schrödinger's neutrality.

For instance, while the emperor was still around, they naturally claimed loyalty to him.

And the imperial relatives still had ambitions of their own.

Lin Yuan appeared somewhat apprehensive as he chuckled and cupped his hands.

"Your Highness flatters me. How would Lin Yuan dare call myself brothers with Your Highness?"

Xu Tianran had been about to say something when he noticed Kong Deming beside him. After a light cough, Kong Deming spoke.

"For His Highness to say such things is enough to prove that you are indeed outstanding, Lin Yuan. However, what a pity. My disciple has some questions regarding Twin Martial Souls and was just about to discuss them with me, so we must excuse ourselves for now."

Xu Tianran was no fool. The springlike smile remained on his face.

"In that case, let us meet another day."

Using that perfectly legitimate excuse, Lin Yuan left with Kong Deming. Jing Hongchen soon also took his leave, citing business at the Hall of Virtue.

After they had gone some distance, Kong Deming looked at Lin Yuan and quietly advised him.

"It is normal for you to have your own secrets. I know you are unwilling to rush into taking a stance right now. Rest assured, I am here."

Lin Yuan heaved a sigh of relief and cupped his hands in thanks.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Kong Deming waved a hand and offered another reminder.

"If you have any questions concerning Soul Guidance Devices in the future, come find me. As for balancing Twin Martial Souls, I have some materials on hand. I will have someone deliver them to you later."

After saying that, Kong Deming did not wait for Lin Yuan to respond further.

He simply left.

Lin Yuan was not surprised. Though his martial soul was indeed powerful,

his talent in Soul Guidance Devices was naturally somewhat lacking. As for Kong Deming,

although he was a Twin Martial Souls genius, he was, at heart, a pure soul engineer.

Afterward, just as Lin Yuan followed Jing Hongchen out of the palace, he looked at him and said softly,

"Hall Master, I have some matters to attend to. My soul power has reached Rank 50, and I need to obtain a soul ring."

Jing Hongchen was not surprised. He could sense that Lin Yuan's soul power had reached Rank 50.

He merely frowned and asked softly, "Should I arrange for Lin Jiayi to bring some men along with you?"

"I have only just returned and still have some matters I cannot get away from."

"There is no need. With my current strength, I am capable enough."

Had anyone else said that, Jing Hongchen certainly would not have been at ease. But Lin Yuan's strength was simply too terrifying.

Moreover, Gu Yuena stood behind him. Although that was Lin Yuan's secret, and it seemed she could only help three times or so, judging by Lin Yuan's attitude, it was clearly not that simple.

Still, Jing Hongchen did not pry. He merely nodded lightly.

"Alright. In that case, leave early and return early. That thing on you can also keep you safe."

Upon hearing that, Lin Yuan subconsciously took out the Hongchen Blessing, intending to hand it back to Jing Hongchen.

But Jing Hongchen merely shook his head gently and said warmly,

"There is no need, Xiaoyuan. If a genius like you were to meet with some accident, the loss would not be something that giving up a Level-Nine Soul Tool could make acceptable."

Even Lin Yuan could see that Jing Hongchen was currying favor with him, and there was no lack of genuine concern in it.

The more powerful people he could befriend by his side now, the better.

Thus, Lin Yuan did not refuse.

"Then thank you, Hall Master."

"The future of the Sun Moon Empire depends on you."

After Jing Hongchen sighed with emotion a few more times, the two parted ways.

Lin Yuan then headed directly toward the Jingyang Mountain Range.

That was his destination for obtaining a soul ring this time.

For him, his fifth soul ring had to possess the metal attribute in order to better bring out his abilities.

After all, hunting metal-attributed soul beasts was already enough.

As he walked, Lin Yuan analyzed the situation.

The enmity with Shrek Academy needed no explanation. There was absolutely no possibility of reconciliation.

What truly made him wary was not Xu Tianran, but the Holy Spirit Cult behind Xu Tianran.

The two Limit Douluo, Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui, would sooner or later be drawn to the potential of his Hades Sword.

They were the ones who truly made him wary and troubled him.

Though he had chosen the Holy Spirit Cult as his background, it had been a helpless choice. For Lin Yuan, pursuing the path to godhood was what mattered most.

Meanwhile, after Xu Tianran left the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace under the escort of Juzi,

he arrived at an exceptionally luxurious hotel, one of his own properties.

Escorted by guards, he gradually made his way to the top floor.

It was clearly his private room. The moment Juzi closed the door,

a figure slowly emerged from the shadows.

"I wonder how His Highness's test went this time?"

The man wore a voluminous black robe. A bone-patterned mask covered most of his face, revealing only a pair of deep purple eyes. Silver-white hair fell from the gaps of his hood, and his tall frame was upright. Though he possessed a handsome face, an inescapable chill of death clung to him.

Upon seeing him, Xu Tianran's calm expression once again turned into that masklike, gentle smile.

This person was none other than Zhongli Wu, the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult.

At present, he was someone Xu Tianran likewise needed to treat cautiously, even with a measure of ingratiation.

Xu Tianran gently shook his head, his tone carrying some regret.

"For now, it is not particularly clear."

"Oh? Is agreeing or refusing not merely a matter of one sentence?"

Zhongli Wu narrowed his eyes and spoke with some dissatisfaction.

After all, it was nearly undeniable that Lin Yuan's battle footage and the martial soul of the Hades Sword almost perfectly matched the image of the Holy Spirit Cult's holy son.

For such a powerful existence, he was desperate to bring him into the cult and nurture him fiercely.

"My imperial father had Elder Kong take him as a disciple. Clearly, he wants him not to rush into declaring his stance during this period. He claims the boy wishes to focus on cultivation, so his true attitude remains unknown. Heh..."

For the first time, Xu Tianran's tone was no longer gentle. Instead, it carried a trace of self-mockery, while something complicated rose in his eyes.

He was no fool. How could he fail to see through it?

Upon hearing this, Zhongli Wu sneered and mocked,

"That old bastard... truly hypocritical. How about I simply help you..."

As he spoke, Zhongli Wu made a throat-slitting gesture.

"After all, he is my imperial father. I also need them to be convinced of my position."

Though Xu Tianran's tone was full of disapproval,

a trace of contempt flashed through Zhongli Wu's eyes. They were nothing more than those damned imperial family members. If not for Kong Deming, he would have killed them all long ago. Why would there be so many troublesome matters?

The Sun Moon Empire's tradition was to fight one another to the death at Xuanwu Gate.

As for reputation, once he won, there would naturally be great scholars to argue his case.

"Then I shall wait quietly for good news from Your Highness..."

As his words fell, Zhongli Wu's figure once more vanished into the darkness.

Only after the consecrated one Xu Tianran had recruited had completely confirmed that Zhongli Wu was gone

did his expression gradually turn gloomy...