Huo Yuhao let out a long breath and slowly stood up.
"I know. Let's keep watching."
As he spoke, he once again activated Spiritual Detection and Spiritual Sharing, projecting the image of the arena to the rest of the team.
Ever since his last battle on stage, where he experienced the honor of representing Shrek Academy, Huo Yuhao's sense of belonging to the academy had grown stronger and stronger without him even realizing it. He would not allow Shrek's glory to be tarnished in his hands.
As he used his two soul skills, a sudden thought crossed his mind: If I use Spiritual Detection and Sharing offstage to assist our team on stage, wouldn't our odds of winning increase dramatically?
This idea caused a glint of light to flash across his eyes.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in brilliant hues.
The day's matches had concluded, and many staff were already repairing the damaged arena.
Jiang Jue and the others returned to the Xinghuang Grand Hotel.
"Jiang Jue, you really had us all fooled! I can't believe how deeply you hid it from us!"Xiao Hongchen walked beside Jiang Jue, lamenting with exaggerated grief.
He had believed that with diligent cultivation, he could eventually surpass Jiang Jue and reclaim everything he'd lost.
But now? Jiang Jue had revealed himself to be one of the incredibly rare Twin Martial Soul holders. How could that possibly be fair? With just one punch and one claw, he'd defeated not only Wang Ye but also shattered Xiao Hongchen's dream of revenge.
Seeing Jiang Jue holding Meng Hongchen's hand made Xiao Hongchen feel even worse. But then his eyes flickered with thought: If Jiang Jue really does end up with my sister… wouldn't that make me higher ranked than him in the family?
"Hehe… maybe that's not so bad."
As Jiang Jue and the others ascended the stairs, a slender figure appeared—Wang Dong.
At this moment, Wang Dong looked quite upset. Head lowered, brows slightly furrowed, his steps quickened.
Why do I feel disgusted every time I hear about soul tools? I've never even used them before…
He was reflecting on the incident earlier. When Wang Yan returned, he had taken the Shrek team to an auction to buy soul tools in preparation for upcoming matches.
But Wang Dong had felt an inexplicable aversion toward them, so he left on his own.
Huh?
Wang Dong looked up and saw that he had run into the Shrek team's rival, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. He quickly hurried up the stairs ahead of Jiang Jue's group to avoid them.
Yet that strange feeling from last time surged again. Unsettled, Wang Dong used his soul power to dash all the way back to his room. Only once he arrived did he finally calm down.
Why is this happening? Why do I always feel this way when I encounter that Jiang Jue?
Leaning against the door, his eyes were lost in confusion. Between his brows, the golden trident mark faintly glowed.
Inside Jiang Jue's room
"Jiang brat, that little girl who just passed you—she's not ordinary at all."
A flash of gray light, and Electrolux's figure appeared, his tone unusually solemn.
"Old Yi?"Jiang Jue was a bit surprised. Electrolux rarely appeared on his own unless Jiang Jue called on him; normally, he just stayed in the Life Spirit Gold to heal and strengthen his spiritual sense.
"You can sense something?"
"She carries a power on the same level as mine—something beyond what mortals can possess."
Jiang Jue's eyes lit up. Due to the differing cultivation systems between the Divine Throne world and Douluo Dalu, he had never fully understood Electrolux's current strength.
But if Electrolux could sense the seal Tang San had placed on Wang Dong, then he must be formidable indeed.
This made Jiang Jue's future plans all the more solid.
"Thank you, Old Yi, for your insight."
"Be careful around her for now. Don't get involved too deeply. Wait for me a bit longer."
Electrolux gave Jiang Jue a deep look, then turned into gray light and returned to the Life Spirit Gold.
Just as Electrolux disappeared, a black mist floated through the window and reformed into an old man—Zhang Peng, whom Jiang Jue had sent out earlier.
"Young Master, I've acquired the item and completed the task."
Zhang Peng handed over a glowing orb of spiritual essence, radiating golden light.
"Thank you, Elder Zhang."Jiang Jue gently took the essence, which was ten-thousand-years in quality—exactly what he needed.
Summoning the Soul Refining Banner, he immediately tossed the orb in.
Right now, his need for spiritual essence was immense, and this came just in time.
Whoosh!
A black, ominous energy was expelled by the banner and instantly vanished into the air.
"Young Master, what was that?"
Zhang Peng frowned. Even with his strength, he couldn't perceive the nature of that black mist.
"Don't worry about it," Jiang Jue waved his hand. That aura likely comes from a god-king level being. Better not to speak of it—might bring misfortune.
"Tell me about the other task."
This referred to a secret assignment Jiang Jue had given Zhang Peng to isolate Shrek Academy.
"Yes, Young Master. You truly are a master strategist. I reached the Yao family before Shrek did and threw a soul-recording device into the house.""Later, when Xuanzi arrived, he left with a grim expression. Clearly, things didn't go well."
Jiang Jue's eyes glimmered coldly. The Yao family was no joke, and Yao Haoxuan was their direct heir.
If Yao Haoxuan ended up like that, and there was a recording to prove it, the Yao family would surely turn hostile toward Shrek.
"This is only the beginning."
In a grand, luxurious room…
Xu Jiawei was reviewing memorials when suddenly the door knocked.
"I said no one is to disturb me while I'm working."
His voice was stern, brows furrowed.
"Brother, it's me."
A clear female voice replied from outside.
"Ah, Jiujiao? Come in."
Xu Jiawei put down his documents and relaxed slightly.
A girl in a red dress stepped into the room. She looked about seventeen or eighteen, beautiful and graceful.
The crimson gauze dress accentuated her snow-white skin, giving her an almost ethereal beauty.
"Brother, I found out who Jiang Jue is."
"Oh? Tell me."
Xu Jiawei sipped his tea, watching her with interest.
Xu Jiujiao was his younger sister. Despite being a woman, she had a strong interest in politics, though Xu Jiawei didn't mind—she always listened to him.
"I found out from our spies in the Sun Moon Empire that Jiang Jue not only has an ultimate elemental Martial Soul, but also used to wield a light-type soul called the Human Emperor Banner."
Her voice grew more excited as she continued.
"Go on."
Xu Jiawei smiled. He already knew this, but let her speak.
"This proves he's likely not a native of the Sun Moon Empire. They've never had a Twin Martial Soul genius like this, especially one not even twelve years old! He must be from one of the original three empires!"
"We could try to win him over—get him to join Star Luo Empire. If we succeed, we'd have a century of peace!"
"How do you plan to recruit him?"
Xu Jiawei asked calmly.
"I'm willing to go personally, if you approve."
Xu Jiujiao straightened her back, full of confidence.
"Very well. You have my permission."
Xu Jiujiao beamed with joy and quickly took her leave.
After she left, the room was quiet once more.
Sigh… I just hope this teaches her a bit of realism.
Xu Jiawei sighed. He knew far more than she did.
Jiang Jue's life story was too perfect—and that was the most suspicious part.
Even the Sun Moon Empire's top officials didn't know his true background. That meant the force backing him was no small matter.
There was no way he'd be won over.
Still, Xu Jiawei hoped this would be a valuable lesson for his sister.
But Jiang Jue's Martial Soul might be able to provoke conflict between the Body Sect and Mingde Hall… with that "item" too, the plan should be foolproof…
Knock knock knock!
Back at the Xinghuang Grand Hotel, someone knocked on Jiang Jue's door.
Inside, Jiang Jue gave Zhang Peng a glance, and the latter dissolved into black mist.
Jiang Jue's spiritual sense revealed that the visitor was a girl—with a powerful presence hidden in the shadows nearby.
"They're here. Who is it?"
He opened the door.
It was Xu Jiujiao. This time, she was even more stunning—wearing a radiant red dress that showed off her legs, a dazzling necklace on her snow-white neck, light makeup accentuating her beauty.
"Hello. May I come in for a chat?"
Her eyes lit up as she looked at Jiang Jue, hesitating slightly before gesturing toward his room.
Jiang Jue frowned and stepped back coldly.
"Sorry. I don't entertain escorts. Please leave."
Xu Jiujiao froze.
Escort? Her? A princess?
Her face flushed instantly.
(End of Chapter)