Star Crown Sect.
Everyone who heard the name of this sect from Zhu Zhuqing's father was completely dumbfounded.
Huo Wu frowned and subconsciously looked at Shui Bing'er beside her. Shui Bing'er noticed her gaze and shook her head slightly.
Shui Yue'er leaned close to her sister's ear and whispered, "Sister, what kind of sect is the Star Crown Sect? I've never heard of it before."
Shui Bing'er said softly, "I've never heard of it either; it must be a hidden sect."
Yang Wudi frowned. "I've lived in the Star Luo Empire for so many years, but I've never heard of this sect."
Even Zhu Zhuqing's mother looked puzzled.
Qian Renxue looked thoughtful, clearly trying to recall where she had heard the name of this reclusive sect before.
Lin Mo, however, seemed to understand perfectly.
Lin Mo had some understanding of the Star Crown Sect, or rather, the Xu Family behind them.
The Star Crown Sect is a reclusive sect within the Star Luo Empire, possessing considerable strength. The Martial Soul passed down through its families is the Star Crown.
This is an extremely special astrological Martial Soul, a top-tier Martial Soul that possesses both strong offensive and supportive Ability.
Judging solely from the strengths of Martial Soul, the Star Crown's dual offensive and support Ability are somewhat similar to Feng Xiaotian's Gale Twin-Headed Wolf Martial Soul.
However, the Gale Twin-Headed Wolf Martial Soul excels in both strong and agile attacks, while the Star Crown is an even rarer combination of strong attack and support.
"I remember now," Qian Renxue suddenly spoke, her tone firm, " Star Crown Sect, Xu Family."
I have seen records about this sect in the Spirit Hall, and its strength is indeed not to be underestimated.
Their family's Star Crown Martial Soul is also considered a top-tier Martial Soul, but due to the stringent conditions for its inheritance, there have never been many Star Crown descendants who have inherited it.
She paused, then turned her gaze to Zhu's father, a hint of amusement in her voice. "But how could such a reclusive sect suddenly get involved with Tang San?"
"They've always been aloof from worldly affairs, so why are they getting involved in this mess?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu's father's expression visibly sombered. After a moment of silence, he slowly began to explain:
" The Star Crown Sect is a reclusive sect native to our Star Luo Empire. Very few people know of its existence, but its strength should not be underestimated..."
At this point, Zhu's father raised his head and looked directly at Lin Mo, their eyes meeting.
"Judging from the information they deliberately revealed, the Star Crown Sect's power is definitely no less than any of the Upper Three Sects among the original Seven Great Sects."
The Star Crown Sect has a total of three Titled Douluo, and their sect leader, Xu Zhenshan, is the one with the highest cultivation level, reaching level ninety-six.
Upon hearing Zhu's father's words, everyone present became solemn.
Three Titled Douluo, one of whom has a cultivation level as high as level 96.
Such strength is already above that of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and can even be considered equal to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Soon, Lin Mo spoke calmly, "I'm afraid the predicament of your Zhu Family also stems from this."
I was wondering why you so readily handed over the position of head of the Zhu Family to Zhu Zhuqing...
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing also looked puzzled.
Mr. Zhu took a deep breath, shifted his gaze from Lin Mo to his daughter Zhu Zhuqing, and then began to recount the whole story:
"That bastard Dai Mubai, after murdering his brother and father to seize the throne, initially set his sights on Zhu Yun, wanting Zhu Yun to become his empress..."
"But Dai Weisi just died, and he died at Dai Mubai's hands."
Can you imagine? Zhu Yun watched helplessly as her husband was severely injured by Tang San, Dai Mubai's henchman, and then Dai Mubai himself slit Dai Weisi's throat.
" Zhu Yun naturally could not do as he wished, and she would rather die than comply. From then on, she was thrown into the prison, and I could not even see her."
That beast Dai Mubai, he even... he even spread the word that as long as Zhu Yun submits to him and becomes his woman, he will spare her life.
Mother Zhu could no longer hold back her tears, which welled up in her eyes.
Father Zhu closed his eyes, took a deep breath to calm himself down, and then continued, "On the other hand, not long after Dai Mubai ascended the throne, his brother, who was also his national advisor Tang San, somehow made contact with the Clear Sky Sect."
Not only do they have two Titled Douluo, Tang Hao and Tang Chen, backing them up, but they've also somehow managed to get involved with the Star Crown Sect.
"They attempted to form an alliance with the Star Crown Sect, but the prerequisite for the alliance was that the Star Crown Sect must have a direct descendant who inherited the Star Crown Martial Soul and marry Dai Mubai as empress."
This symbolizes the alliance between the two families and marks the first step in the formal emergence of the Star Crown Sect.
"So your Zhu Family was abandoned?" Qian Renxue couldn't help but snort.
"The Star Crown Sect, though powerful, has extremely strict requirements for inheriting the Star Crown Martial Soul. The number of people who have inherited the sect's Star Crown Martial Soul Martial Soul not large..."
" The Xu Family dares to meddle in something like this, and even dares to side with Tang San... Aren't they afraid of extinguishing their Star Crown lineage?"
Upon hearing this, a bitter smile appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's father's face.
The Angel Empire queen's guess was absolutely correct.
It was precisely because they saw the Star Crown Sect's formidable strength, coupled with Zhu Zhuyun's refusal to cooperate, that the Zhu Family became a pawn in Dai Mubai and was gradually suppressed.
Although the Zhu Family had a deep foundation, under the combined suppression of the imperial power and several Titled Douluo, they could only retreat step by step and dared not resist directly.
The reason they haven't formed an alliance yet is because of the young girl who is going to marry Dai Mubai as his empress, Xu Hanyan, the young sect leader of the Star Crown Sect.
She was the only person within the sect who held significant influence, inherited the Star Crown Martial Soul, and was qualified to represent the Star Crown Sect.
This young sect leader was exceptionally talented from a young age and had an arrogant attitude, so he naturally looked down on Dai Mubai, a puppet emperor who only ascended the throne with the help of others.
Not to mention, after a brief encounter, Xu Hanyan also discovered that Dai Mubai was a complete good-for-nothing.
This made Mubai even less appealing to her.
That's why it's dragged on until now.
However, thanks to the earnest persuasion of the sect elders, and Tang San's return with the Clear Sky Sect.
With the behemoth that is the Clear Sky Sect by their side, the Star Crown Sect no longer needs to reassess Tang San's strength, Xu Hanyan seems to be showing signs of softening her stance recently.
Lin Mo smiled and said with a hint of teasing, " Tang San is quite the schemer, and his ambitions seem quite grand."
Supporting Dai Mubai to seize the throne and become the emperor of the Star Luo Empire seems to be insufficient for him.
They're even trying to win over the Star Crown Sect and the Clear Sky Sect to their side? Are they trying to directly confront the Angel Empire and the Spirit Hall Empire?
What is he planning to do? Become an uncrowned king in the Star Luo Empire?
"Wishful thinking!" Qian Renxue retorted irritably.
"Even if he manages to win over both the Clear Sky Sect and the Star Crown Sect, so what? If the two sects join forces, they will indeed be a formidable force on the continent."
But what right does Tang San have to seize power? Is it his eight-ring cultivation level, built up by devouring human lives? Or is it Tang Chen's half-dead state?
By the end, Qian Renxue's tone was full of disdain.
"Moreover, the Clear Sky Sect has been in seclusion for so many years, and its sudden emergence to support Tang San is probably because of Tang Chen."
"If Tang Chen, the previous generation's Clear Sky Douluo, weren't still alive, why would those old guys from the Clear Sky Sect so easily come out of seclusion?"
"How do you plan to save Zhu Yun?" Zhu's mother asked earnestly.
Qian Renxue, standing to the side, readily offered her plan:
"Besides rescuing Zhu Zhuyun, we have other matters to attend to in the Star Luo Empire. Therefore, we must split up..."
Qian Renxue paused here, looked around, her gaze sweeping across everyone's faces, finally settling on Huo Wu and the others, and solemnly said:
"You lot should work with your uncle and aunt to rescue Zhu Zhuyun. With your strength, as long as you don't encounter an equal number of Titled Douluo, you should be able to escape unscathed..."
At this point, Qian Renxue paused, her tone becoming unusually serious. "If we encounter an enemy we cannot handle, then we should prioritize preserving ourselves and make a strategic retreat."
Don't fight head-on, and don't be reckless. Wait for Lin Mo and me to come to your aid, understand?
"Understood." Huo Wu nodded without hesitation.
This was the plan they had initially agreed upon.
The rescue operation was still left to those few to carry out; Lin Mo had more important plans to participate in personally and couldn't get away.
Huo Wu and her team were full of confidence in their ability to save lives.
After all, back when their cultivation levels hadn't yet broken through, they had already defeated Titled Douluo despite being above their level, thanks to Ye Lingling's assistance.
Not to mention that now, she, Shui Bing'er, and Feng Xiaotian have all obtained their Eighth Soul Ring, and their strength is no longer what it used to be.
Especially her and Shui Bing'er, whose Eighth Soul Ring are both at the 100,000-year level, the improvement brought by the Soul Ring alone is already quite amazing.
With the Huo Wu from her Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Silver Awakening, Huo Wu is confident she can defeat any ordinary Titled Douluo.
In Single Battle, Shui Bing'er might be slightly inferior to Huo Wu.
However, if Shui Bing'er and her younger sister Shui Yue'er were to join forces to unleash their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, with the combination of Ice and Snow Drifting and the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul True Body, even Huo Wu would have no choice but to temporarily avoid their attacks.
As long as they don't encounter a well-organized team of Titled Douluo, they are absolutely capable of completing the mission perfectly.
Although Ye Lingling wasn't by their side, and their timely medical support was lacking, Ah Yin, a Titled Douluo- level healer, would accompany them.
"And what about you?" Zhu's father couldn't help but ask.
Lin Mo shrugged, his tone relaxed. "I plan to visit my old classmate Tang San; after all, it's been so many years since we last saw each other..."
Upon hearing this, a hint of worry flashed in Zhu's mother's eyes. "Won't there be problems if you have a conflict with Tang San?"
There are quite a few Titled Douluo following Tang San now.
Tang Hao, Tang Chen, and those unnamed Titled Douluo from the Clear Sky Sect, plus the three from the Star Crown Sect...
This lineup would be an extremely terrifying force anywhere.
"Mom, you don't need to worry about Young Master Lin Mo..." Zhu Zhuqing squeezed her mother's hand, her voice more gentle than ever before.
Those clear, cool eyes now shone with a light never before seen—a light of unreserved trust and almost blind adoration.
"Young Master, he is the best in the world. I believe no one in this world can harm him."
In her heart, Lin Mo was the strongest, omnipotent, and no one could rival him... She had witnessed Lin Mo achieve so many things that she no longer doubted him.
Upon hearing Zhu Zhuqing's words, Zhu's mother's mind became momentarily confused.
She still hasn't figured out what kind of relationship Lin Mo, who saved her daughter, has with her daughter.
Is it just a simple maid-young master relationship?
But hearing her own daughter's words, it didn't seem like it at all.
Thinking of this, Zhu's mother subconsciously looked at her husband, but Zhu's father shook his head slightly at her.
He coughed lightly and continued, "If you are confident in your ability to protect yourselves, that would be excellent, and we wouldn't need to worry about you."
"Our Zhu Family still carries considerable weight in the imperial court. We'll have people cooperating with you then. This is why Dai Mubai is wary of us, yet dares not suppress us excessively..."
Because of their generations of marriage alliances with the Dai Family, the Zhu Family's influence in the imperial court was deeply entrenched and layered.
For hundreds of years, the Zhu Family and Dai Family in the Star Luo Empire have been intertwined, making them difficult to completely separate.
Tang San and his companions said they were determined to eliminate the Zhu Family, which was certainly possible, but the consequences would be far too severe.
The court is in turmoil, the military is unstable, and it could even trigger a full-scale civil war in the Star Luo Empire.
Those generals and ministers who had close ties with the Zhu Family would not stand idly by and watch the Zhu Family be wiped out.
The Zhu Family is gone; they'll be next.
Furthermore, the Zhu Family was relatively obedient, and after being suppressed, they did not take any drastic actions, but silently endured it and never openly resisted.
Therefore, the two sides are far from reaching the point of a complete breakdown in relations.
"Don't worry, don't worry, I also have some spies from the Star Luo Empire to cooperate with our operation," Qian Renxue said.
The hidden agents she mentioned, which had been planted in advance, were precisely the pawns that the Spirit Hall had infiltrated into the Star Luo Empire over the years.
But plans can't keep up with changes. Before they could activate these hidden methods and try to replace the Star Luo Empire like they had annexed the Heaven Dou Empire, changes came suddenly.
Tang San's bloody actions came quickly, and Dai Mubai was even more unexpected, almost causing the Spirit Hall's years of efforts to go to waste.
The hidden forces suffered extremely heavy losses, with more than half of them lost.
At this point, Qian Renxue's tone clearly revealed a sense of heartache.
The Spirit Hall's decades of hard work were mostly destroyed in just a few months; anyone would feel heartbroken in that situation.
However, although the remaining spies were few in number, they were all elites among elites, and they were more than capable of coordinating with their actions at this crucial moment.
"Then the plan is settled." Lin Mo made the decision. "Tomorrow, I'll trouble you, Uncle and Aunt, to take Huo Wu and the others to rescue them."
"I won't participate in the rescue. After your operation is over, just come to the Star Luo Empire's palace to meet us. If you're late, you might miss a good show..."
"We will definitely complete the mission," Huo Wu and the others said in unison.
Although Lin Mo has not yet revealed the full scope of his plan to them, based on their understanding of Lin Mo, this operation is absolutely earth-shattering.
Otherwise, given Lin Mo's personality, how could he possibly participate in the film himself?