The Plan in Motion

Mingdu, the office of the Federation Speaker.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the bustling city skyline stretched to the horizon, with countless lights resembling an inverted Milky Way. The Federation Speaker stood by the window, holding a newly delivered encrypted report in his hand, his brow furrowed.

"Speaker, what urgent matter do you wish to discuss with me?"

Yu Guanzhi, the Divine Brush Douluo Yu Guanzhi, pushed open the door and entered with a calm expression, but his steps faltered slightly the moment he saw the Speaker's expression.

He had worked with the speaker for quite some time and rarely saw him show such an expression.

No, that's not quite right either. A year ago, when the Eternal Heaven Kingdom was stolen and the Shrek incident happened, this Speaker often showed that expression.

But now that those things are in the past, they're not worth their continued worry. So what could be causing the other person such distress?

"Has the Holy Spirit Cult taken action again?" Yu Guanzhi asked.

The speaker withdrew his gaze from the window and sighed, "It shouldn't be related to the Holy Spirit Cult; it's a problem with the Yuanen Clan."

As he spoke, he handed the encrypted report he had received earlier to Yu Guanzhi.

Yu Guanzhi took the document, and after reading it, he showed an expression of disbelief.

Was the ancestor of the Yuanen Clan the Titan Giant Ape who helped Shrek that day?

The Yuanen Clan once sheltered the remnants of Shrek Shrek after its destruction, seemingly supporting Shrek?

Yu Guanzhi read it twice to make sure he wasn't seeing things before suppressing his shock and looking up to ask, "Is this news reliable? Is someone framing me?"

Yuanen Zhentian and Yuanen Tiandang had just established themselves in the Federation when someone leaked information about the Yuanen Clan's connection to Shrek. It seemed like someone was deliberately sabotaging them.

Yu Guanzhi could hardly help but suspect that this was a frame-up orchestrated by someone vying for power and profit.

"The information is reliable; the person who gave me the information also provided relevant evidence, and they were very well prepared."

The speaker shook his head and said, "I know what you're worried about. The person who provided the intelligence is from the Sea God Legion. It's said that a woman reported these things to him. There's a hint of power struggle involved, but the information isn't fabricated."

Upon hearing this, Yu Guanzhi fell silent for a moment.

If all of this is true, then the problem is very serious.

Yuanen Zhentian is now the vice commander of the Sea God Legion, selected by the Federation. If these matters are not handled properly, not only will he lose his position as vice commander, but the Sea God Legion will also be pushed into the spotlight again, and the situation that the Sea God Legion has just stabilized will fall into chaos again.

Of course, more importantly, it is still necessary to investigate whether the Yuanen Clan has any connection with the remnants of Shrek Academy or the Titan Giant Ape Er Ming. If they do, then the purpose of Yuanen Zhentian and Yuanen Tiandang's participation in the selection is worth exploring. The Federation cannot sit idly by and allow a family with ties to Shrek Academy to take root in the core of the military.

Yu Guanzhi frowned and put down the documents. "Speaker, what are your plans?"

The Speaker snorted coldly, "Now that we've learned of this, we can't simply ignore it. Secretly suspend Yuanen Zhentian and his son from their duties, ordering them to cooperate with the investigation. If the Yuanen Clan isn't deeply involved with the Shrek remnants, they can be dealt with leniently. Otherwise—"

He didn't finish his sentence, but the chilling abruptness in his words sent a shiver down one's spine more than any harsh words could utter.

Otherwise, it's not a matter of simply removing someone from their position.

The speaker's gaze fell on Yu Guanzhi. "I'll leave this matter to Your Majesty."

"I understand." Having been mentally prepared, Yu Guanzhi agreed and opened the door to leave the office to deal with the matter.

Just then, a figure rushed over and almost bumped into Yu Guanzhi.

The person who arrived was the speaker's secretary, Lin Qingyan. She had run all the way here, her forehead covered in a fine layer of sweat, clearly indicating that she had something urgent to attend to.

However, realizing she had almost bumped into Yu Guanzhi, she quickly stepped aside, gave an apologetic bow, and said, still catching her breath, "Your Majesty, my apologies."

Yu Guanzhi waved his hand, indicating that it was alright.

Lin Qingyan then quickly entered the office and reported, "Speaker, there are now many comments on the Soul Tool Network alleging collusion between the Yuanen Clan and the remnants of Shrek Academy. The language is strong, the evidence is detailed, and the public has begun to pay attention to this matter and discuss it online."

The speaker's face instantly darkened.

Yu Guanzhi had not yet left, couldn't help but frown upon hearing the news.

They originally intended to handle the Yuanen Clan's affairs privately, but once the news got out, it ignited public opinion, and everything changed.

It seems the person behind this is determined to escalate the situation. The Yuanen Clan has just been born; whose interests have been threatened? The Sea God Legion? Or the Sea God Family?

Thinking it over, Yu Guanzhi looked at the speaker, who was deep in thought, and said, "Should we restrict the spread of public opinion?"

The speaker took a deep breath, glanced at him, his eyes flickering. "No need. It's better to guide than to block. Since the news has already spread, instead of hindering its dissemination, we should intensify our efforts to smear the Yuanen Clan and thoroughly muddy the waters! I want to see what the Yuanen Clan and the people behind this incident are planning!"

"Is the Federation deciding to amplify public opinion?"

The following day at noon, Huo Yuhao, who had returned to the Douluo Plane, learned that the online public opinion against the Yuanen Clan was escalating and becoming increasingly intense. The Yuanen Clan clan had even been accused of fabricated crimes such as assassinating Federation officials. He then realized that the Federation still had hope for the Yuanen Clan.

He looked at Yuanen Zhentian before him and couldn't help but laugh, "It seems the Federation has no intention of giving up on you. Perhaps I won't even need to intervene. However, your reputation may not be too good for a while."

The increase in smear campaigns against the Yuanen Clan, while having its downsides, helps to dilute the impact of the connection between the Yuanen Clan and Shrek Academy. After all, it's difficult to distinguish the truth from falsehood in these smear campaigns these days, and much of it seems like mindless slander, which actually reduces the weight of the "Yuanen Clan's connection with Shrek" issue in public opinion.

Anyone with a discerning eye would realize that the current situation clearly indicates that someone is targeting the Yuanen Clan.

If the Federation ultimately intends to continue using the Yuanen Clan, Federation can simply pass the buck to someone else.

For example, a certain Holy Spirit Cult, to eliminate these public opinions.

"It's already very good." Yuanen Zhentian sighed softly. "I originally thought that after the Federation questioned me, I would be dismissed from my post, but now it seems there's still a chance. My abilities are still somewhat useful."

"You are, after all, at the Limit. If possible, the Federation will naturally treat you leniently."

Huo Yuhao paused, then continued, "However, the escalating public opinion is also the Federation putting pressure on you, demanding an explanation from the Federation. The person responsible should be arriving soon, and you should leave now."

Yuanen Zhentian rose from his seat and bowed to Huo Yuhao, "Many thanks to Your Majesty for avenging our clan's blood feud."

Huo Yuhao waved his hand, saying nothing more.

Yuanen Zhentian turned and walked towards the door, pushed it open, and left with Yuanen Yehui and the others who were at the door.

Huo Yuhao watched this scene, notified Old Yi to prepare, and rearranged the guards for Yuanen Yehui. Then, he looked at the midday sun outside the window and slowly closed his eyes.

Now, we await further action from the Holy Spirit Cult.

The Holy Spirit Cult did not disappoint Huo Yuhao.

While Yuanen Zhentian and Yuanen Tiandang were being taken away by Yu Guanzhi for questioning, a letter was placed in front of Yehui.

The letter was handed to her by an ordinary person.

Watching the middle-aged man leave, and confirming that he was merely a messenger paid to do someone else's bidding, Yehui frowned, returned to his room, opened the envelope, and read its contents.

The handwriting on the letter was messy yet forceful, each word as if carved with a knife:

Lady Yehui:

It is as if we are meeting in person. Respectfully yours, this letter.

We have heard that Lieutenant General Yuanen is currently undergoing Federation "investigation," Yuanen Clan is in dire straits. We express our deepest sympathy for them.

We hereby offer this sincere message: the person who reported the Yuanen Clan to the Sea God Legion is now in our hands. She also holds decisive evidence that is enough to bring the Yuanen Clan to their doom.

But to be honest, we don't intend to bring down the Yuanen Clan; we just hope that the Yuanen Clan can relinquish the power that doesn't belong to you.

If you are willing to negotiate with us on behalf of the Yuanen Clan, you are permitted to come alone to the old mine in Green Peak Gorge at dusk today. At that time, we will hand over the whistleblower and the evidence to you. In exchange, the Yuanen family only needs to do one thing—

Give up your position as vice commander of the Sea God Legion and leave Sea God Legion core. Go back to where you belong and live peacefully as your Soul Master families. The murky waters of the Federation are not for you to wade through.

Of course, you don't have to come.

However, we'll have to submit this "sincerity" and that evidence to the Federation Parliament —we can't guarantee what will happen to your husband then.

After reading the letter, Yehui couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "The Holy Spirit Cult is putting on quite a show."

Although the letter does not contain the writer's name, the entire letter reveals nothing but a struggle for power and profit, and has absolutely nothing to do with the Holy Spirit Cult.

Outsiders would only think of it as a power struggle within the Sea God Legion, such as someone wanting to compete for the position of the Sea God Legion Commander and trying to use these means to force the most competitive Yuanen Zhentian to step down.

Who would have thought that the recent negative public opinion surrounding the Yuanen Clan and this letter were aimed at her?

If she hadn't known that this was a scheme orchestrated by the Holy Spirit Cult, and if she hadn't had Huo Yuhao's connections and support, Yehui felt that she might have gone alone out of concern for her husband and family, ultimately becoming a pawn of the Holy Spirit Cult.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs".

Yehui's eyes flickered. After contacting Huo Yuhao and receiving a reply, he headed towards the agreed location.

At dusk, at the old mine site of Green Peak Gorge in the northern part of Mingdu.

The setting sun, like blood, dyed the entire canyon a dark red. The abandoned mine entrance resembled a gaping maw, swallowing the last rays of sunlight. Yehui stood at the edge of the mine, his gaze sweeping over the jagged cliffs all around.

"Come out," her voice echoed before the mine, "I'm here."

silence.

Then, the wind stopped.

A powerful aura swept over us.

Yehui frowned.

It's Super Douluo!

She didn't have time to think; she retreated swiftly, avoiding the hand coming from in front of her.

A black figure landed heavily where she had been standing, the ground beneath her feet cracking into a spiderweb of deep pits, scattering gravel everywhere. The person stood still, slowly raising their head to reveal a somewhat pale face.

He looked at Yehui, who was several feet away, and raised an eyebrow slightly. "The intelligence said you sealed your Soul Power, but it seems that was wrong."

"Hmph, who would seal their Soul Power when going out to trade alone?" Yehui stared at the figure before him, his brows furrowed. "But you, you don't seem to have come with any sincerity."

"That's obvious," the Super Douluo sneered. "Our target is, of course, you."

"Us?"

Yehui frowned, and before he could finish speaking, a terrifying sense of oppression came from behind him. It was an overwhelming aura, like a mountain collapsing or Great Sea overflowing. Yehui didn't even have time to turn around; he only felt a numbness in his back and froze on the spot.

The next moment, everything went black before Yehui's eyes, and he fainted.

In the final moment, she had only one thought in her mind.

This aura is no less powerful than that of Snow Empress and the others. How could a Super Douluo like her deserve such treatment?

The Demon Empress stared at Yehui's fallen figure, frowned, and ordered the Holy Spirit Cult members around him, who were clearly surprised by her arrival, "Leave this place immediately."

After saying this, the Demon Empress glanced in the direction of Mingdu, ignoring the surprised looks from the Holy Spirit Cult members, and led Yehui away into the distance.

The reason she was here was at the suggestion of the Ghost Emperor – it would be best if the person in charge of capturing Yehui had a Limit Douluo as a backup.

Yehui is no pushover; she still holds the trump card of the Demon Gate. Some Titled Douluo might not be able to take her down quickly. If they fail to do so, even if they manage to lure Yehui out of Mingdu, it could easily attract the attention of Mingdu's powerful figures. Clearly, it would be safest for Limit Douluo to make a move.

They may only have one chance, so naturally they need to be thorough.

So the Ghost Emperor contacted the Demon Empress and asked her to come over.

To be fair, among all the Limit of the Holy Spirit Cult, she, the Demon Empress, is indeed the most idle and also the strongest.

With her involved, as long as they don't encounter those few freaks within Mingdu, there's basically no chance of failure.

Since this operation also involved Lan Fozi, the Demon Empress agreed.

Her rebellious daughter, for once, came to her senses and supported her mother's actions to Destruction the Douluo Continent and avenge her father, which greatly comforted her.

"Yes, Your Demon Empress!"

The members of the Holy Spirit Cult who had been lying in ambush snapped out of their daze and followed the Demon Empress.

However, not long after, a member of the Holy Spirit Cult Titled Douluo received the news and reported to the Demon Empress with a somewhat grim expression, "My lord, the attempt to capture Yuanen Yehui has failed; all the personnel who went there have perished."

The Holy Spirit Cult made considerable preparations for this operation.

This includes strategies to prevent Yehui from falling into traps, and, when necessary, using the remoteness of Yehui and her daughter's residence to forcibly capture them, etc.

This time, both Yehui and her daughter were among their targets. However, Mingdu was clearly still too dangerous; the Evil Spirit Master who went in to capture Yuanen Yehui had not come out.

Upon hearing this, the Demon Empress remained calm and composed.

Yuanen Yehui, a Fallen Angel Martial Soul possessor who had not yet fully matured, was far less valuable than her mother, Yehui.

By the time Yuanen Yehui grows up, it might be too late.

So she didn't care much about it.

Just then, a strange aura appeared around Yehui, and the Demon Empress's expression changed slightly.

"Is this... a sign that the Demon Gate is opening? He was Mingdu unconscious, yet the Demon Gate could still open... So this really has nothing to do with the Soul Master's will."

With this in mind, the Demon Empress increased his speed dramatically, quickly heading towards a place far from human habitation.

It's not that I'm kind-hearted, it's just that it's obviously better to find a quiet place to discuss cooperation with the demon race.

She had no desire to deal with those powerful figures from the Federation near Mingdu.

The Demon Empress traveled swiftly until he reached a desolate, rocky hilly area, where he placed Yehui on a flat boulder.

Silence reigned all around; even the wind had stopped.

Yehui had already transformed into her demon form. Although her consciousness had returned, she didn't try to control her body. Instead, she submitted to the control of her Martial Soul, repeating the process of her previous role-playing. "Darkness will eventually descend, only through fall can one achieve freedom!"

Her Ninth Soul Ring shone brightly, and a crack tore open in the air in front of her, rapidly expanding into a giant door.

The Demon Gate has reappeared on the Douluo Continent.

The surrounding space was violently distorted, as if the power of the plane was repelling the force from another world.

Just as the Demon Empress thought that demons would emerge from within, a vast and soul-stirring spiritual wave surged forth from the depths of the door.

"This is... Divine Consciousness?! There are actually God Rank powerhouses in the Demon Plane?!"

The Demon Empress's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively took a step back.