God's Successor? Shrek's Invitation!

For now, it seemed that if he wanted the Soul Guidance Gatling to avoid becoming a one-time-use item,

he would at least need metal of the Spirit Refinement Tier.

Meanwhile, the next day, Lin Jiayi knocked on Lin Yuan's door.

"Xiao Yuan, your master is here today. Watch what you say."

Lin Yuan nodded at Lin Jiayi's reminder.

But as for how much he actually cared, it was not much at the moment.

He had previously chosen to rely on the Sun Moon Empire only because, by his estimation at the time, Gu Yuena's strength had not been sufficient to contend with the Holy Spirit Cult's two Limit Douluo at once.

But now that Gu Yuena could enter her Battle Armor state and even suppress the two of them in return,

only one purpose remained for him to stay in the Sun Moon Empire.

Aside from fulfilling his brother's expectations, there was also his determination to find Shrek and correct this erroneous era.

When he pushed open the office door, Jing Hongchen, who was usually seated there, was standing off to the side. The one seated inside was none other than Kong Deming.

After Lin Jiayi carefully shut the door from outside,

only the three of them remained in the office.

"Xiao Yuan, you should know that this technology is epoch-making. Its importance to the advancement of our Sun Moon Empire's soul guidance world cannot be overstated. I am glad that you were the one who developed it."

At that moment, Kong Deming's eyes held nothing but genuine appreciation.

It was unlike last time. Back then, Kong Deming had merely wanted to prevent Lin Yuan from becoming involved in the royal struggle too early.

A Soul Master's strength was certainly formidable, but Kong Deming specialized in the field of soul guidance devices. Now that Lin Yuan had displayed such terrifying talent even in that field, things were different.

"Master, you flatter me."

Lin Yuan spoke humbly.

Jing Hongchen gave a light cough, reminding the two of the purpose of their conversation.

Kong Deming raised his brows and likewise chose to get straight to the point.

"The five Ninth-Level Fixed Soul Guidance Cannons you requested can now be given to you. But you must promise me that these things will not explode within the Sun Moon Empire."

"Mm... I'll do my best."

Lin Yuan's tone was uncertain. What if something unexpected happened?

Who was Kong Deming? After realizing that, he rubbed his brow in frustration before saying,

"Fine. Then don't use them anywhere crowded."

Lin Yuan nodded.

But Jing Hongchen, standing to the side, was utterly dumbfounded.

No, when he had contacted Kong Deming back then, Kong Deming's attitude had been completely different. Why had he suddenly changed his tune? Why had no one told him?

Unable to make sense of it, Jing Hongchen quickly reined in his emotions.

Afterward, Kong Deming solemnly handed Lin Yuan a silver ring.

When Lin Yuan opened it, he found five Ninth-Level Fixed Soul Guidance Cannons neatly arranged inside.

The corners of his lips could not help but curl upward slightly.

"Thank you, Master."

After Lin Yuan offered a few more pleasantries, he left.

Only then did Jing Hongchen look at Kong Deming in confusion.

He seemed unable to understand it. Just the day before, Kong Deming had been saying, how could this kid be allowed to take so many terrifying things?

Yet today, he had handed them over so readily?

As for Kong Deming?

He glanced at Jing Hongchen, seeming to have guessed what he was thinking.

Looking in the direction Lin Yuan had gone, he murmured softly,

"The detailed report on what happened in the Jingyang Mountain Range last night has come out."

"Wasn't it an earthquake?"

Jing Hongchen asked instinctively. Although something had happened in the Jingyang Mountain Range, the affected area was said to have been extremely vast, with the entire interior seeming to have sunk.

"No. According to the preliminary investigation, it was not caused by an earthquake, but by human action..."

"Human action?!"

Jing Hongchen cried out in shock. To achieve such a degree through human power, it would likely take the intervention of a Limit Douluo.

"Furthermore, traces of resentment energy seem to have remained at the scene."

"That person?"

Jing Hongchen's pupils contracted instinctively. He realized who it was—the true ruler of the Holy Spirit Cult, its Supreme Leader, Ye Xishui.

Kong Deming did not need to say anything more.

Jing Hongchen gradually pieced it together himself.

Ye Xishui had suddenly acted, and the timing had coincided exactly with Lin Yuan's trip to obtain his soul ring. It was far too much of a coincidence. And given Lin Yuan's talent as an evil Soul Master—or rather, the talent of his martial soul—it would have been stranger if Ye Xishui had not made a move. Yet Lin Yuan had returned safely.

That meant someone behind Lin Yuan had stepped in?!

Gu Yuena?

Jing Hongchen quickly dismissed that thought. Although she had been very strong at the time, saving someone from the hands of a Limit Douluo still seemed difficult in his view.

That meant there was an even stronger existence behind Lin Yuan.

That divine miracle had not been so simple?

"He may be one chosen by fate..."

Kong Deming sighed, his voice hoarse and tinged with envy.

Jing Hongchen quickly understood what that implied: a legendary God's Successor.

After completing the Divine Trial, such a person could even ascend.

Only such an explanation seemed capable of accounting for why Ye Xishui had failed to take him down, whether now or during that world-shaking battle.

"But isn't that a good thing?"

Jing Hongchen asked instinctively, but Kong Deming shook his head.

"Ten or twenty years ago, it would have been a good thing. But now, His Majesty's health is worsening by the day. If that struggle for the throne truly pushes him too far, then if something happens..."

That made Jing Hongchen think of Lin Yuan's personality.

"But won't you still be here? I have recently sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough, so I will have to rely on you after that."

Hearing this, Jing Hongchen naturally nodded.

"Don't worry, Elder Kong. I won't let the family behind him, or even the boy himself, become embroiled in this struggle."

Kong Deming nodded lightly, then departed.

Not long afterward, there was another knock on Jing Hongchen's door.

Lin Jiayi handed him a letter. But after reading it,

Jing Hongchen gave a cold laugh.

It was none other than a letter from Shrek Academy.

Their relationship had already deteriorated to that extent, and he truly had not expected the other side to choose to send a letter.

Its purpose was to invite Jing Hongchen to peace talks.

They wanted to discuss an exchange student program between Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

Xuanzi's reckless actions represented him alone, and Shrek Academy was even willing to offer two 50,000-Year Soul Bones as a sincere apology.

If no one had been killed—or if Xuanzi had not acted—Jing Hongchen might have been interested.

After all, Shrek Academy's research into and cultivation of martial souls were beyond doubt.

He also felt that although his grandson and granddaughter had avoided relying too heavily on the kind of medicine that would leave lasting side effects in their martial soul cultivation,

they had still used some of it to a certain extent.

Going to Shrek Academy to fully develop their martial souls and master them might be the foundation for their future path toward becoming Titled Douluo, or even Super Douluo.

But their relationship had already fallen apart, while Shrek Academy's offer was laid out before him.

So, after letting out a cold laugh, Jing Hongchen gave his reply.

They wanted peace talks? Fine. Then come to the Sun Moon Empire!