"But I think it's worth a try."
Xiao Yan changed tack. "My spiritual power far surpasses that of Soul Masters at my level. If the power within the embryo fluctuates, I can detect it immediately and react in time, so staying alive shouldn't be a major problem."
What Xiao Yan had said was nine parts truth and one part falsehood.
The presence of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm and the Ice Empress, his two great Soul Spirits, not only made his spiritual power far greater than that of Soul Masters at his level, but also gave him a mastery of Ultimate Ice unmatched across the entire continent.
On the continent, only the Snow Empress's understanding of Ultimate Ice surpassed his, but she was still inside the embryo.
Kong Deming saw the soaring fighting spirit in Xiao Yan's eyes and made up his mind. "Since you're so confident, how could I, your master, hold you back?"
"Even so, you must make every possible preparation. Once the absorption begins, you won't be able to stop halfway."
"I'll be sure to prepare."
Xiao Yan gave a slight nod.
"I've already prepared a sealed research chamber beneath Mingde Hall for you, one intended specifically for high-risk Soul Guidance experiments."
"The original defense system was built for research into high-level Soul Guidance cores, but I've personally converted the place into a secluded cultivation chamber."
"While you're in seclusion, no one but me will be able to enter. At the same time, I'll watch over your absorption from the observation room on the other side. If anything goes wrong, I'll intervene in time..."
With that, Kong Deming looked at Xiao Yan and made a solemn promise:
"Only three people know that you're going to absorb the embryo this time, so you can rest easy. If anyone leaks the information and tries to bring harm to my disciple, I will never let them off lightly!"
Hearing this, Xiao Yan understood what his master meant.
His master, Kong Deming, was himself a pillar of the empire. If striking at Xiao Yan could weaken this father of the empire, many factions would surely flock to do it.
So this absorption would be anything but peaceful.
Absorption carried risks, and they were his to bear. If he was afraid, he could still refuse now.
"I understand, Master," Xiao Yan said without hesitation.
Compared to what he stood to gain, what did this little risk amount to?
"Very good." Kong Deming patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and straightened his collar. "From tomorrow onward, be ready at all times."
"Thank you, Master!" Xiao Yan bowed solemnly.
Kong Deming looked at him, a trace of gratification flashing in his eyes.
"You became a Level 6 Soul Engineer at fifteen, and in cultivation you've left everyone in the dust, reaching level seventy. Such talent stands above the entire age. If you weren't my disciple, even I would never tolerate your existence. As the saying goes, the tree that towers above the forest is the first to be battered by the wind."
"The storm is coming, but it will also be the wind that sends you soaring to the heavens!"
Xiao Yan nodded earnestly. "I won't let you down, Master."
After seeing his master out of the research chamber, Xiao Yan stood in the corridor, leaning against the railing as he gazed into the distance at the complex of buildings beneath the metal dome.
His master had gone so far as to say all that. Clearly, this was about more than just safety.
The matter of the embryo was entangled with other things.
Moreover, according to the original story's progression, it was about time for the Body Sect to attack Mingde Hall and seize the hundred-thousand-year embryo.
Besides the Body Sect, there was also the Holy Spirit Cult, but what worried Xiao Yan more was Crown Prince Xu Tianran.
He was a man who would stop at nothing for power.
As Kong Deming's true disciple, Xiao Yan had probably long since become a thorn in his eye and a splinter in his flesh!
Meanwhile.
Mingdu, the imperial palace.
Night shrouded the magnificent palace. Several Soul Guidance Lamps cast a cold white light, lending the empty corridors an especially solemn air.
In a secret chamber deep within the palace, Xu Tianran sat in his wheelchair, the intelligence that had just arrived laid out before him.
He did not hurry to read it. Instead, he raised his head and looked at the man standing in the shadows.
"You're saying Kong Deming has already taken the embryo?"
Xu Tianran's tone was calm.
Yet the calmer it was, the more the emotion it contained resembled the stillness before a storm, and the more oppressive it felt.
The man in the shadows bowed slightly.
"According to the informants we've planted inside Mingde Hall, Kong Deming recently requisitioned a batch of high-grade protective Soul Guidance equipment and personally ordered part of the underground high-risk testing area sealed off."
"As for the exact reason, we haven't obtained any definite information yet."
Xu Tianran picked up the report. When he saw Xiao Yan's name, a strange look appeared in his eyes, and he gave a soft laugh.
"He really is extraordinarily gifted..."
Xu Tianran put the report back on the table and asked, seemingly in passing, "Why do you think Kong Deming values him so highly?"
"I wouldn't dare speculate."
"Speak."
"Perhaps it's because he has exceptional talent with Soul Tools, or perhaps Consecrator Kong wants to train an heir to carry on his legacy."
Xu Tianran pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "What would happen if he died?"
As his words fell, even the air in the secret chamber seemed to freeze.
The trusted subordinate hurriedly lowered his head. "Consecrator Kong would surely be furious, and he would certainly investigate to the very end."
"Investigating to the very end is exactly what I want."
Xu Tianran nodded with a cold smile, as though passing judgment. "So he has to die, and his death has to be connected to me."
In his eyes, no matter how talented Xiao Yan was, he was merely a Soul Emperor.
The one he truly cared about was Kong Deming.
This pillar that held up the heavens of the Sun Moon Empire possessed strength and prestige enough to influence the empire's affairs.
If he could use an accident to get rid of Xiao Yan, he could both strike a blow at Kong Deming and bind him more tightly to the empire.
More importantly, once Kong Deming turned his attention to tracking down the killer, certain plans that had previously been difficult to advance might gain an opening.
Besides that, perhaps some twisted, perverse impulse was also at work.
A vicious light flickered in Xu Tianran's eyes. "How are things with the Holy Spirit Cult?"
His subordinate's expression turned solemn. "The Holy Spirit Cult is willing to send experts to cooperate in the operation, but they have conditions."
"What conditions?"
"They want the empire to relax its restrictions on Evil Soul Masters in certain areas, and to let them take away a batch of special experimental materials after the operation."
Xu Tianran sneered. "They have quite the appetite. Aren't they afraid they'll eat themselves to death?"
The Holy Spirit Cult was a bunch of lunatics.
But they had their own interests and ambitions.
As it happened, so did Xu Tianran.
"Tell them I can agree to some of their conditions, but their operation must succeed."
"Yes."
The subordinate acknowledged the order, but did not immediately withdraw.
Xu Tianran looked up and glanced at him. "What else?"
"Your Highness, besides the Holy Spirit Cult, we also have people in contact with the Body Sect..."
A puzzled look appeared on Xu Tianran's face. "The Body Sect?"
"Yes. They hinted that, as long as the terms were right, the Body Sect could also send people to take action."
Xu Tianran fell into thought in the secret chamber.
What is the Holy Spirit Cult doing?
They've been exposed before the operation has even begun? What can those muscleheads accomplish?
And a sect like that would never risk their lives for them for no reason.
Xu Tianran narrowed his eyes. "What do they want?"
"They want to obtain some of Mingde Hall's research data, as well as the technology behind certain high-level Soul Tools."
"Research data..."
The corners of Xu Tianran's mouth rose slightly.
So that's it.
It seemed their interests could overlap for the time being.
"Tell them that as long as the operation succeeds, I'll provide some technical data from the semi-public level."
Xu Tianran paused, a cold glint passing through his eyes.
"As for core technology, that's absolutely out of the question."
"If they want anything else, they can show their sincerity first."
"Understood."
The subordinate lowered his head and accepted the order.
"Xiao Yan..."
Xu Tianran picked up the report on the table again, his gaze settling on Xiao Yan's name.
He didn't need to know what secrets Xiao Yan was hiding, or whether he was going to attempt to absorb the embryo.
None of that mattered.
All he needed was to use this matter to create a big enough disturbance to advance his plans.