Thank you to our new Patrons: DeathClan1980, Leroy, Drake Blazer, Mridk, Jose, Destin Woods, Isaiah, Soren Britt, AbsoluteZero and Oprea Andrei George! Your support means the world to me <3 We are up to Chapter 300: Xu Yuan's Trump Card on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! It's called 'Douluo: Martial Soul White Tiger, I Am the White Emperor of Heaven!' As always, Patrons will have unrestricted access to all of my stories including futures ones!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Evil soul masters?" Xu Yuan's tone wavered slightly, but overall, he remained calm.
Seeing Xu Yuan's reaction, Leng Yaozhu was somewhat surprised.
He didn't react as strongly as expected?
Did he already have some suspicions?
Where did he get his information?
Could it be Xu Shengqun?
Leng Yaozhu's brows furrowed slightly before relaxing again.
"Do you know about this?"
Xu Yuan shook his head.
"I wasn't certain until you told me just now. Now I am."
"Do you know why he was investigating evil soul masters?"
"Because Qiangu Dongfeng colluded with evil soul masters?" Xu Yuan asked indifferently.
Leng Yaozhu shook her head.
She looked at Xu Yuan, a faint smile in her eyes.
"The answer will definitely surprise you. He investigated evil soul masters purely for research purposes. No one knows what he discovered about them, but it's said that he even took two evil soul masters who were being suppressed by the Spirit Pagoda and tortured them to the brink of death."
Not because he suspected Qiangu Dongfeng's ties with evil soul masters, but for his own research?
Xu Yuan was astonished.
So, his father stumbled upon something by accident?
Xu Yuan had many speculations, but the truth could only be confirmed after further investigation.
"Thank you, Douluo, for informing me of all this today." Xu Yuan bowed in gratitude and left Leng Yaozhu's office.
Leng Yaozhu watched Xu Yuan leave without stopping him.
As she gazed at his retreating figure, she sighed.
"In your pride, you're so much like your father. In your aloofness, you're so much like your teacher."
After leaving the Spirit Pagoda, Xu Yuan returned to Shrek Academy and headed straight for the Sea God Island.
Though Leng Yaozhu hadn't provided him with substantial intelligence, she had reminded him of the collusion between evil soul masters and Qiangu Dongfeng.
The first thing Xu Yuan thought of was the Godslayer Missile.
He had warned Yun Ming about it before, but after such a long time, Xu Yuan wasn't sure how far the Sea God Pavilion's investigation had progressed. The lack of any changes in the Federation clearly indicated no results.
"Teacher."
"Hmm, how did the assessment go?"
"Everything went smoothly. My two thousand-year soul spirits have reached their limits. Once I find the right opportunity, they can break through to the ten-thousand-year level."
"Hmm." Yun Ming looked at Xu Yuan, puzzled by his disciple's apparent restlessness.
"Is something on your mind?"
Xu Yuan nodded.
"The vice-tower master of the Spirit Pagoda, Heavenly Phoenix Douluo, contacted me."
"Leng Yaozhu?"
"Leng Yaozhu?"
The moment Yun Ming's voice of confusion rang out, another gentle, surprised voice followed closely.
Ya Li appeared at some point, her elegant and dignified demeanor now accompanied by a smile. She looked at Yun Ming, her eyes reflecting curiosity, silently asking what had happened.
Yun Ming's lips twitched slightly.
Why so sensitive?
"What did she say to you?" Yun Ming asked Xu Yuan.
"Heavenly Phoenix Douluo told me that my father was actively investigating evil soul masters before he was killed."
"Evil soul masters?" Yun Ming's gaze turned sharp.
Investigating evil soul masters and then getting into trouble?
And Xu Yuan's father, Xu Zhi, had been personally dealt with by Qiangu Dongfeng!
"Do you suspect Qiangu Dongfeng colluded with evil soul masters?"
Xu Yuan nodded.
His expression was filled with worry.
Ya Li stepped forward, gently patting Xu Yuan's shoulder and softly comforting him. "Xiao Yuan, don't worry. We'll help you investigate your father's case. The truth from those days cannot be completely erased by Qiangu Dongfeng. If he really colluded with evil soul masters, even as the tower master of the Spirit Pagoda, he won't escape punishment."
Xu Yuan forced a weak smile.
"Teacher's wife, that's not what worries me. I'm confident that I won't be weaker than Qiangu Dongfeng in the future, and I can demand answers myself. What concerns me is that if Qiangu Dongfeng, the tower master of the Spirit Pagoda, colluded with evil soul masters, what terrible conspiracy might he be planning?"
Yun Ming's eyes flickered.
Qiangu Dongfeng, evil soul masters, conspiracy.
A catastrophic disaster.
At this moment, he seemed to grasp something.
After deeply observing his disciple, Yun Ming didn't reveal anything but calmly said, "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, the Holy Spirit Sect won't cause any trouble."
"Go prepare yourself. Next semester, I'll arrange for you to visit the Star Luo Continent for an exchange. There will be opportunities there."
After Xu Yuan left, Yun Ming's expression grew grave.
"Brother Ming, what's wrong?" Ya Li still hadn't realized the severity of the situation.
"Ya Li, what would we do if the Godslayer Missile fell into the hands of evil soul masters?" Yun Ming suddenly asked.
"Impossible!"
Ya Li abruptly stood up, her face incredulous.
"Who could possibly have enough power to secretly move the Godslayer Missile without anyone knowing?" Yun Ming countered. "Aside from Qiangu Dongfeng, who else could do it? There aren't many people with that kind of capability, and Qiangu Dongfeng is one of them. And who would have a need for the Godslayer Missile? Besides the Holy Spirit Sect, how many others? Among those who could secretly obtain the Godslayer Missile, how likely is it that they collaborated?"
Yun Ming's tone was calm, as if he had almost confirmed his suspicions.
"Brother Ming, haven't we yet determined the status of the Godslayer Missile?" Ya Li forced a strained smile.
She still didn't want to think about the consequences of the Godslayer Missile falling into the hands of the Holy Spirit Sect.
Yun Ming shook his head.
"The Godslayer Missile is located deep within the Federation. We've sent multiple people to secretly investigate, but even those who can access that level of classified information can't personally verify the missile's location."
"But I have a premonition. The Godslayer Missile will be launched, and it will pose a threat to Shrek."
"That alone is enough to raise suspicions."
Yun Ming turned and headed toward the Sea God Pavilion.
"Brother Ming, where are you going?"
"I'm going to see Sister Yue."
---
Sea God Pavilion
"Sister Yue, this is how things stand. The possibility of an issue with the Godslayer Missile is very high, so I beg of you," Yun Ming said, his expression helpless as he made his request.
"You don't need to personally intervene. Just allow me to act in your name and meet with Chen Xinjie." Yun Ming quickly added, seeing Long Yueyue hesitating.
With Long Yueyue's tacit approval, Yun Ming left the Sea God Pavilion and even departed from Shrek Academy alone.
---
Above the Ocean
Two figures faced each other.
"Yun Ming? Why are you here? Where is she?" Chen Xinjie looked at Yun Ming, clearly displeased.
"I needed to confirm something with you. To ensure you'd show up, I had to use Sister Yue's name." Yun Ming replied.
"You!" Chen Xinjie was visibly angered.
As the leader of the Federation's military and the head of the War God Hall, he had to remain loyal to the Federation. Meeting privately with the leader of Shrek Academy, the independent Sea God Pavilion Master, would inevitably raise suspicions within the Federation.
To avoid trouble, he absolutely wouldn't discuss anything privately with Yun Ming.
But Yun Ming had disregarded martial ethics and used Long Yueyue's name to summon him.
------------------------------------------------------
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed.