Ye Xishui, Long Xiaoyao

Evil Demon Forest, Holy Spirit Cult headquarters, council chamber.

The excitement in Zhongli Wu's eyes was hard to hide, and a gleam of ambition shone there too. The current leader of the Holy Spirit Cult looked toward the stunning woman in the seat of honor, his manner growing a little restrained. "Mother, the Sun Moon Imperial Family has been shaken. Prince Purple Brilliant, Xu Chengjing, launched a rebellion in the dead of night, executed Xu Chengye, emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, and took the throne. This may be an opportunity for our Holy Spirit Cult."

At his words, the elders and dignitaries of the Holy Spirit Cult wore varying expressions. The stunning woman in the seat of honor slowly opened her eyes.

She was none other than Ye Xishui, the Holy Spirit Cult's supreme leader, the Death God Douluo, and one of the three Limit Douluo of the age!

Though Zhongli Wu was the cult leader, Ye Xishui still had the final say in many of the Holy Spirit Cult's affairs.

Ye Xishui raised her eyes with a languid air. Her voice was light and calm, betraying neither pleasure nor anger. "Go on."

Zhongli Wu took a deep breath before speaking again. "Xu Chengjing's actions were nothing short of treason. There are bound to be objections at court. Our Holy Spirit Cult could help him while his position is still unstable and secure his hold on the throne. With the emperor of the Sun Moon Empire's tacit approval, we could naturally step out of the shadows and act openly."

Ye Xishui's expression remained unchanged, but she gave a soft laugh. "Then why did I hear that three Soul Engineer legions—the Imperial Dragon, Fire Phoenix, and Dreadclaw—openly took part in the rebellion and supported Xu Chengjing's ascent to the throne?"

Zhongli Wu's heart gave a slight jolt.

Ye Xishui rarely concerned herself with the cult's affairs and could vanish without a trace for long stretches, yet she had missed nothing that happened beyond it!

Zhongli Wu grew even more cautious, his face filling with deference. "Then what does Mother think our Holy Spirit Cult should do?"

Ye Xishui glanced at Zhongli Wu. Her voice did not waver. "Xu Chengjing plotted for years before finally taking the throne. He is hardly without a foundation. Cooperating with him carries great risk. But... I recall Xu Chengjing has several sons?"

"That's right. Xu Chengjing has four sons. His eldest legitimate son, Xu Tianran, inherited his Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon Martial Soul. His second and third sons are close in age and rarely appear in public. As for his fourth son, Xu Tiance, he awakened a Martial Soul the Sun Moon Empire has not seen in a thousand years. Kong Deming has now taken him as a disciple."

Kong Deming...

At the mention of Kong Deming, Ye Xishui's expression shifted slightly, and wariness surfaced in her eyes.

She had never been able to fathom the strongest Soul Engineer in the Sun Moon Empire. Beyond knowing that Kong Deming possessed Twin Martial Souls and was a rank ninety-four Titled Douluo, she had no other information. No one had seen him fight at full strength in a long time. For that reason, she could not tell whether he had truly become a Level 10 Soul Engineer.

Of course, the more fundamental reason was that Ye Xishui knew little about Soul Tools. Even her Death God Tower contained many vital components made by Kong Deming.

For even Kong Deming to take that boy as a disciple... and for him to have awakened a Martial Soul the Sun Moon Empire hasn't seen in a thousand years—this Xu Tiance sounds rather interesting!

Ye Xishui narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of interest appearing in them.

"Xu Chengjing has already decided to name Xu Tiance Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire. If Mother wishes to approach one of Xu Chengjing's sons, I think we should make contact with Xu Tianran."

"As Xu Chengjing's eldest legitimate son, Xu Tianran took part in many of his father's operations and accomplished a great deal. Now that Xu Chengjing has named Xu Tiance Crown Prince, Xu Tianran is bound to resent it."

There was another part Zhongli Wu left unsaid.

If they could gain control of Xu Tianran and help him compete for the throne, the Sun Moon Empire might be plunged into a succession struggle. That would undoubtedly favor the Holy Spirit Cult's plans to take control of the entire empire.

But Ye Xishui rejected Zhongli Wu's idea outright.

"Xu Tianran is already too old, and he has all but lost his right to inherit the throne. Even with our help, his chances of success are slim. Xu Tiance would be far more useful to the Holy Spirit Cult."

Ye Xishui slowly rose from her seat, her dark red robes stirring softly. "I will try to make contact with Xu Tiance. Until then, do nothing rash."

With that, Ye Xishui strode out of the council chamber. When she opened its doors, Long Xiaoyao was already waiting there.

As Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao walked away, Zhongli Wu and the other elders and dignitaries hurried to their feet and spoke in unison. "Farewell, Supreme Leader and Supreme Elder."

Long Xiaoyao had heard every word spoken in the council chamber, and worry appeared on his face.

"Making contact with Xu Tiance may not be easy. He has more than Kong Deming and the Offering Hall behind him. Even Du Busi of the Body Sect has quietly arrived in the Sun Moon Empire and taken Xu Tiance as a disciple."

Ye Xishui's eyes abruptly sharpened.

Those few words carried an unusual implication.

Du Busi took Xu Tiance as a disciple too... Why would a man who can't tear himself away whenever he sees a Body Martial Soul take Xu Tiance as a disciple?

"Does Xu Tiance have Twin Martial Souls?"

"Most likely. His primary Martial Soul should be Sun-Moon Radiance, the symbol of the Sun Moon Empire, while his Second Martial Soul is an unknown Body Martial Soul. That means he has both the Sun Moon Empire's Offering Hall and the Body Sect behind him. Approaching him recklessly could very well..."

Ye Xishui suddenly blinked, and her expression turned cold. "Are you planning to let me go alone? Just like back then?"

Those simple words stunned Long Xiaoyao. Pain and guilt crossed his face, and his voice softened. "Of course I'll stay by your side. Since you've decided to make contact with Xu Tiance, I'll go with you, even if we have to face the Sun Moon Empire's Offering Hall."

Ye Xishui studied Long Xiaoyao's handsome face for a moment. Her expression barely changed, but a trace of a smile appeared in her eyes.