Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Gu Wuchen had already declared to the upper echelons of Heaven Dou City that Tang Yuehua was the Gu Clan's social representative in Heaven Dou City, and that her words were equivalent to the Gu Clan's words at all official banquets and noble gatherings.
Suddenly, those nobles who had previously looked down on Tang Yuehua were now vying to curry favor with her.
Before they knew it, it was the day before the opening of the Soul Master Tournament.
A servant rushed in to report, " Young Master Gu, two young ladies are looking for you outside. They say they are Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong."
"Let them in." Gu Wuchen put down the intelligence report in his hand.
Soon, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong followed the servants into the courtyard.
Zhu Zhuqing was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, with a cold expression, Ning Rongrong wore a light blue dress.
Snow Empress and Ice Empress sat on a stone bench to the side, glanced at the two of them, and said nothing.
" Young Master Gu." Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly in greeting.
Ning Rongrong also whispered, " Young Master Gu."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she dared not look directly into Gu Wuchen's eyes.
Gu Wuchen looked at the two of them and asked calmly, "Why did you decide to come looking for me?"
"I just came to see Young Master Gu and wanted to tell you about Tang San," Zhu Zhuqing said bluntly. "He's been training the Shrek students like crazy lately, practicing until late at night every day."
" Yu Xiaogang devised a specific tactic against the Four Elements Academy and even had Tang San prepare all the Hidden Weapon, saying he was determined to defeat them in the competition and avenge their previous defeat."
Ning Rongrong pursed her lips and added softly:
" The Shrek members have all been brainwashed by him; they all believe he's bound to win. Oscar and Ma Hongjun keep saying they'll show you how powerful Tang San is."
She secretly glanced at Gu Wuchen, then quickly lowered her head again.
Gu Wuchen didn't seem to care, and said calmly, "It seems they really want to win, but it won't be easy."
"If we meet during the competition, I won't hold back. Rongrong, you go and rest first. I'll talk to Zhu Zhuqing."
Ning Rongrong nodded and quickly walked to the other side.
Ning Rongrong quickly walked to the other side of the stone table, sat down next to Ice Empress, and occasionally stole a glance at Gu Wuchen.
Snow Empress glanced at her, said nothing, but simply moved aside to make room for her.
Gu Wuchen led Zhu Zhuqing to a locust tree not far away, with their backs to the others.
The dappled shadows of the trees fell on the two of them, and the only sound around them was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
" Zhu Zhuqing, don't forget our promise." Gu Wuchen looked at her cool profile, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable power, "After the Soul Master Tournament, I will help you ascend the throne of the Star Luo Empire."
For so many years, she fled Star Luo Empire and traveled across most of the continent, all to escape that damned fratricidal inheritance system and the fate of being used as a pawn by her family.
She thought that at most she could only escape the control of the Zhu Family in her life, but she never expected that Gu Wuchen would give her a chance to ascend to the throne.
She raised her head, her eyes swirling with emotions suppressed for years, which finally settled into an unwavering light:
"I haven't forgotten. As long as Young Master Gu can help me, I, Zhu Zhuqing, will follow Young Master Gu's lead for the rest of my life. The Star Luo Empire will always be a vassal of the Gu Clan, and I will never have any other intentions."
Gu Wuchen nodded. He had expected Zhu Zhuqing to say that. She was a smart woman and knew exactly which choice would be most beneficial to her.
"But..." Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment before voicing her biggest concern, " Young Master Gu plans to unify the continent, what about the Spirit Hall? Their influence spans the entire continent, and Pope Bibi Dong is unfathomable. They will definitely not stand by and watch the Gu Clan grow stronger; they will surely intervene to stop them."
This was a question that had been lingering in her heart for a long time.
The Spirit Hall's strength is terrifying. Not to mention the current Gu Clan, even the combined strength of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire Empires might not be able to contend with it.
If the Spirit Hall really turns against the Gu Clan, then her dream of the throne will likely be in vain.
Upon hearing this, Gu Wuchen's face remained completely unmoved, as if the Spirit Hall was utterly insignificant in his eyes.
" The Spirit Hall is the Spirit Hall; they are still the same Spirit Hall, and there won't be any conflict."
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned, looking at him with some confusion:
"No conflict? How is that possible? Unifying the continent is such a momentous matter, how could the Spirit Hall possibly sit idly by?"
"Because our goals are different," Gu Wuchen said calmly. " The Spirit Hall wants the prestige of unifying the continent, to have everyone believe in the Spirit Hall, while what I want is actual control of the continent. We each get what we need, and we won't interfere with each other."
He paused, then continued:
" Bibi Dong is a smart woman. She knows that going against me will not do her any good. Rather than both of us suffering losses, it's better to join forces and wait for the right time. The continent will naturally be unified. At that time, the Spirit Hall will manage the faith, Gu Clan will manage the secular affairs. Everyone will be in their proper place."
Even if Bibi Dong wanted to start a war, she would have to see if she could succeed.
Now, the Spirit Hall can have seven elders supporting it.
Even if Bibi Dong had great ambitions, it was useless.
He should just be a Pope; if he has any other ideas, they're impossible to implement anyway.
He still needed to communicate with Qian Renxue so that he could kill Xue Ye and make the entire Heaven Dou Empire submit to the Spirit Hall.
However, I need to think of some solutions. Ordinary communication won't work, so I need to consider Qian Renxue's inner thoughts and dissatisfaction.
It will definitely make things difficult for myself.
Therefore, only Qian Renxue's willingness can be obtained.
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly realized.
It turns out that Gu Wuchen had already reached a tacit agreement with the Spirit Hall.
No wonder he remained so composed, completely disregarding the Spirit Hall.
The last trace of doubt in her heart vanished completely.
She looked at the incomparably handsome man before her, her heart filled with awe.
He seemed to know everything, and everything was under his control.
From helping her escape the Zhu Family to now promising her an empire, he has kept every word he said. Following someone like him is definitely the right choice.
"I understand." Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, her eyes even more determined. "I will perform well in the competition and will not embarrass Young Master Gu."
Gu Wuchen nodded. "Do your best. In the finals, I will personally compete against you. I will be representing the Spirit Hall Team."
"I will try my best."
Although he was not as strong Young Master Gu, he was confident that he could fight to his heart's content.
After their conversation, he and Ning Rongrong immediately left the villa.
After the two left.
After remaining silent for a while, Bo Saixi finally asked, " Chen'er, why are you helping Zhu Zhuqing so much?"
"The goal is to make the Star Luo Empire a vassal state of the Gu Clan. I want to establish a federal system, bringing these forces together, with the Gu Clan at the core of the federation."
Gu Wuchen had already made up his mind.
"A federal system, Sea God Island is also included?" Bo Saixi asked.
"I'll definitely join! How about Auntie gives me Sea God Island?"