Xiao Hongchen, You Little Punk, You Set Me Up

The room fell silent instantly.

Jing Hongchen's expression turned extremely ugly.

Of course he knew about those books, and he also knew about the existence of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

That is one of the three great treasure troves of the Douluo Continent, and a treasure land that countless Soul Master dream of.

The Immortal Herb within it surpass even the top-ranked Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring on the original Soul Master's Dream List, making it a treasure coveted by all Soul Master.

But more importantly, there's the Sea God Tang San that Bao Liang mentioned—who, after ascending to godhood, repeatedly used the excuse of "Divine Realm Sea God Tang San" to prevent geniuses from the lower realms from passing the Divine Trial, and even secretly suppressed potential gods who might threaten his position.

"So... for ten thousand years, it's not that there haven't been geniuses on the Douluo Continent, but that Tang San suppressed those geniuses in the lower realms for various reasons, deliberately letting them die of old age?" Ye Yulin's voice trembled slightly.

Bao Liang nodded. "That's right."

The Divine Trial is a mechanism for gods to select their successors, but the Divine Realm Core is now in Tang San's hands.

If he so desired, he could completely conceal any god he didn't want to see.

Furthermore, if the deity who selects his successor is related to Tang San, and the successor is at odds with Tang San or may threaten his rule, he could even have that deity directly modify the content of the Divine Trial, causing those geniuses to 'accidentally' perish during the Divine Trial.

"So this time you passed the Divine Trial..." Jing Hongchen frowned.

"This time is different." Bao Liang's lips curled into a cold smile. "I have gained the approval of the Destruction God King, Destruction God King has always been at odds with the Sea God Tang San."

However, among the Five Great God Kings of the Divine Realm, apart from the Goddess of Life, who is the wife of the God of Destruction and maintains neutrality for the stability of the Divine Realm, the other two newly appointed God King have a good impression of Tang San.

Fortunately, the other two God King were no match for the Destruction God King, and the fact that the Destruction God King dared to unleash Divine Trial meant he was well-prepared.

"Of course, that's not the most important thing," Bao Liang continued, "The most important thing is, just like it's written in those books, Tang San has already taken over the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

I can guarantee that Tang San has left a backup plan there.

"I'm willing to risk my life like this so that I'll have a powerful backer to ensure our safety when we go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. I also want to give the guy behind me some records of Tang San's misconduct so he can cause Tang San some trouble."

As soon as he finished speaking, Bao Liang brushed a strand of hair from his forehead.

Three purple lightning bolt marks suddenly lit up on his forehead, surging and pulsating beneath his skin like living things, emanating a terrifying aura of Destruction.

Although that aura was fleeting, it sent chills down the spines of everyone present—it was a power that no human could possess.

"This is the mark of the Destruction Divine Trial." Bao Liang reached out and touched his forehead. "Once I complete all nine trials, it will be time for me to ascend to godhood."

However, the problem now is...

He frowned. "This can't be hidden."

My current mental strength is insufficient to suppress its aura for long, and because of my Martial Soul, I am even less able to conceal it.

If someone with ulterior motives notices, it could lead to unnecessary trouble.

Jing Hongchen immediately said, "I'll figure something out."

"Mingde Hall has some Soul Tool that can conceal mental fluctuations. If all else fails, I'll have Teacher Kong customize a Soul Tool specifically for you to cover up this mark."

Bao Liang nodded, then his expression turned serious. "By the way, Grandpa Jing, now is not the time to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to pick Immortal Herb."

That place has been occupied by Tang San for countless years, and the hidden dangers within are definitely beyond our current capabilities.

The reason I risked everything to try and pass the Divine Trial was to find myself a powerful backer—with the Destruction Divine Trial, even if Tang San wanted to attack me, he would have to think twice about the consequences.

Jing Hongchen remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

He understood Bao Liang's actions.

After all, no one dares to gamble on what someone they don't know, or even a god, is thinking.

Given Tang San's hypocritical and extremely double-standard behavior, who can guarantee that he wouldn't ruthlessly kill a young man from the Sun Moon Empire?

Jing Hongchen gave Bao Liang a deep look, and finally sighed, "You child, you think further ahead than us old folks."

At this point, Jing Hongchen's gaze suddenly turned to Ye Yulin.

Ye Yulin and Jing Hongchen were longtime friends, so she naturally knew what he was worried about.

What I have heard today are all earth-shattering secrets that could shake the very fabric of the continent— the Divine Trial, Tang San's conspiracy, and the truth about the Ice and Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. If any one of them were to be leaked, it would bring utter destruction to Bao Liang and the Hongchen Clan.

Without saying a word, Ye Yulin raised his right hand, his five fingers pointing to the sky. "I, Ye Yulin, swear by my Martial Soul that before Jing Hongchen and the others obtain the Immortal Herb and cure Meng Hongchen's cold poison, I will absolutely not reveal anything about what I saw and heard today to the outside world, not even Teacher Kong."

If I violate this rule, my Martial Soul and Soul Tool Technology will never improve again in this lifetime.

The moment the oath was sworn, an indescribable feeling rose from Ye Yulin's body, only to vanish in an instant— the Martial Soul Oath had been made and could not be broken.

Jing Hongchen looked at Ye Yulin, remained silent for a long time, and finally whispered, "... I'm sorry, Old Ye."

Ye Yulin waved her hand. "There's nothing to apologize for. If I were you, I would have done the same."

The situation is truly beyond the reach of any further surprises. Otherwise, even if you die, you would be letting this child down.

He paused, his tone softening slightly. "I have no descendants, but now I have Meng Hongchen as my disciple, and I've long regarded her as my closest relative."

Like I said before, that child's affairs are my affairs.

Jing Hongchen nodded, said no more, and began to discuss the follow-up arrangements with Ye Yulin in a low voice.

The fact that Bao Liang was nearing the end of his life definitely needed to be mentioned—otherwise, the royal family would eventually notice something amiss.

But the matter of the External Soul Bone the heart must never be mentioned.

As for what happens next, they'll have to figure out how to come up with a foolproof reason to deceive Crown Prince Xu Tianran.

It's easy to talk to Teacher Kong, but it's a different story with Xu Tianran. That Crown Prince is cunning and ruthless. If they can't come up with a reason that he can't find fault with, they will inevitably be dealt with by that Crown Prince in the future.

Thinking this, the two looked at each other and saw the same worry in each other's eyes.

It's time to start preparing some backup plans.

Seeing that the two grandfathers had started chatting as if no one else was around, Bao Liang turned and approached Xiao Hongchen.

He looked around and asked in a low voice, "Xiao, where's Sister Meng?"

Xiao Hongchen glanced at the communication Soul Tool at his waist, then looked up at Bao Liang.

In Xiao Hongchen's glance, Bao Liang saw three parts indifference, three parts mockery, and four parts amusement.

"The dream... will arrive soon."

Hehe. (Laughing, comical face, watching the show, worldly affairs.)

Bao Liang's mind immediately went into high alert.

Just then, everyone inside the room suddenly felt a biting cold wind.

That wasn't ordinary cold; it was an extreme chill that surged from the depths of the soul, enough to freeze the blood.

The Soul Guidance Lamp in the treatment room seemed to dim slightly, and a thin layer of frost even condensed on the walls.

Everyone turned their heads at the same time and looked towards the door.

Having already completed the Martial Soul Possession, Meng Hongchen walked step by step into the house.

Her eyes had turned crimson, her long silver hair fluttered without wind, and the chill emanating from her body was almost tangible, causing her clothes and hair to rustle in the wind.

That face, which was always smiling, now wore a forced, insincere smile; the slight upward curve of its lips resembled the smile of death itself.

"I'm back."

Those four seemingly innocuous words made Bao Liang as if a thousand swords were about to slowly slice him to pieces, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably.

"Haha... Sister Meng, you're back..."

"Um... have you eaten?" Bao Liang chuckled dryly, his voice trembling.

Meng Hongchen didn't look at him, but turned to Xiao Hongchen and said, "Xiao, you go out with the grandfathers, I want to talk to Little Baozi about something."

"Okay."

Xiao Hongchen decisively started to nourish the body—after all, his two grandfathers had already slipped away when they sensed something was wrong, and now only he was left.

He strode towards the door, but paused briefly as he passed Bao Liang.

Bao Liang stared longingly at Xiao Hongchen, his eyes filled with the words "Save me!"

But Xiao Hongchen simply turned around and gave him a thumbs up.

"A real man with cute big breasts."

"!!!"

"Damn it! You bastard, you tricked me!!!"

"Wait, Sister Meng, I can explain! Wait! Don't hit my face! Wait! That won't do! Aaaaaah--!!!"

"Bang--"

The door was slammed shut, shutting everything out inside.

Xiao Hongchen leaned against the door frame, listening to the screams coming from inside, clasped his hands together, and made the sign of the cross on his chest.

May Bao Liang soon reach the Sea of Suffering, Amen.

"... Laugh, you've really gone astray like Bao Liang."