A trace of contemplation flashed through Jiang Jue's eyes. He held Shangguan Wei'er's soul flame in his hand—she had not lied.
"Xu Guozhong? Wasn't that old bastard just taught a lesson by the Sect Master not long ago? And he still dares to privately cultivate Angel Martial Soul spirit masters. He's truly courting death."
The Masked Douluo seemed to recall something and spoke indignantly.
Jiang Jue's eyes stirred slightly, his gaze dark and profound.
"If my guess is correct, the true person behind all this should be Xu Tianran."
"Xu Tianran—the current Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire? Isn't he the prince our Holy Spirit Church has placed its bets on? Why would he do this?"
Zhang Peng froze for a moment and asked in confusion.
"Holy Son, I truly didn't deceive you. The one behind the Common Alliance really is Xu Guozhong. As for Xu Tianran, I've never had any contact with him."
Thinking Jiang Jue didn't believe her, Shangguan Wei'er spoke with a hint of urgency.
"I believe you. But did you truly see the real mastermind with your own eyes? How do you know Xu Guozhong is the one behind the scenes?"
Jiang Jue slowly shook his head, speaking with an inexplicable tone. Many things had already deviated from their original course.
The last time he met Xu Tianran, for the first time, Xu Tianran had asked Jiang Jue's master, Zhongli Wu, to teach his own maternal uncle, Xu Guozhong, a lesson.
Jiang Jue had great faith in the Holy Spirit Church's methods. Afterwards, Xu Guozhong indeed joined Xu Tianran's faction.
Logically speaking, Xu Guozhong was now on the same side as the Holy Spirit Church. There was no reason for him to cultivate Angel Martial Soul spirit masters—he would more likely send such spirit masters directly to the Holy Spirit Church.
Yet that was precisely where the problem lay. Xu Tianran was a true hero of ambition. Even though the Holy Spirit Church currently supported him, once he ascended the throne, he certainly wouldn't want to be a puppet emperor.
Once external conflicts disappeared, only internal conflicts would remain.
"Xu Tianran… I really let you live too comfortably."
Jiang Jue thought silently.
Xu Tianran's current forces were far stronger than in the original storyline, and his ambitions would naturally be even greater. Xu Tianran surely knew that cooperating with the Holy Spirit Church was like seeking a tiger's skin—so it wasn't surprising that he had begun preparing early.
Moreover, later on, Xu Tianran truly did move against the Holy Spirit Church. If not for Orange's betrayal at the critical moment, he might actually have become a great ruler of his era.
"Young Master, I think I understand now. This Xu Tianran truly has enormous guts."
After a moment, realization flashed through Zhang Peng's eyes as he spoke in a deep voice.
Clearly, Zhang Peng had also unraveled the relationships involved.
"Holy Son, Zhang Peng, what are you two whispering about? Why can't I understand a thing?"
The Masked Douluo was still rather muddled, his face full of confusion.
"You are what you eat. Eat a bit more brain, and you'll understand."
Zhang Peng glanced at the Masked Douluo and spoke softly—leaving unspoken the latter half: if you lack something, you make up for it.
"Then, Young Master, should I inform the Sect Master?"
Zhang Peng asked next.
"No need to rush. Xu Tianran is merely on guard. Before he truly ascends the throne and makes full preparations, he won't dare make a move."
Jiang Jue slowly shook his head and said calmly.
In truth, if Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao hadn't been injured in the end, Xu Tianran wouldn't have dared act against the Holy Spirit Church either. The mistake lay in Ye Xishui being too unhinged and causing chaos recklessly.
"Alliance Leader Shangguan, after you return this time, everything proceeds as usual. Act as if nothing happened and continue being a good alliance leader."
Jiang Jue instructed Shangguan Wei'er.
"Yes! Holy Son, I will do my best and await your instructions and inspections."
Shangguan Wei'er replied seriously.
As for Xu Tianran, Jiang Jue already had a plan. He remembered that in this exchange between Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Xu Tianran's cousin—He Caitou—was present.
"I believe you two will be very happy to meet."
Jiang Jue's eyes flickered faintly.
"Boy Jiang, this power of faith—you must grasp it well."
At this moment, Elekes, standing beside Jiang Jue, spoke with solemn emphasis.
"Elder Yi, do you have any suggestions?"
Jiang Jue asked humbly.
"You can first spread it on a small scale. Didn't you just subdue this Common Alliance? Let them try."
Elekes spoke with pointed meaning.
"Holy Son, I can do it."
Shangguan Wei'er no longer referred to herself as this concubine—she directly switched to this slave.
"Very well. Alliance Leader Shangguan, select a few trusted confidants first. This matter cannot be rushed."
After careful consideration, Jiang Jue spoke seriously. Elekes's idea aligned perfectly with his own intentions.
At present, he had not been chosen by the gods. The more backup plans he could keep, the better.
"Then, Holy Son, what shall our future force be called? Please give it a name."
Shangguan Wei'er looked at Jiang Jue with expectation in her eyes.
"We are meant to bring peace and goodwill to the entire continent, to save the people from suffering. Let's call it the Great Love Alliance for now."
After a brief moment of thought, Jiang Jue waved his hand decisively and declared aloud.
One continent, four nations—wasn't that a betrayal of the people of Douluo?
"Great Love Alliance is good! Great love—we're all people of great love!"
The Masked Douluo's eyes lit up as he hurriedly echoed.
"Alright. Matters here are concluded. You may all depart. If anything arises, I'll summon you again."
Jiang Jue swept his gaze over them and said in a deep voice.
"Yes, Young Master!"
"Yes, Holy Son!"
The others nodded in response.
"Then, Holy Son, this Ye Guyi…"
Shangguan Wei'er pointed to Ye Guyi in Xiao Zi's arms and asked.
With a wave of Jiang Jue's hand, Ye Guyi was directly taken into the Soul-Refining Banner.
Now that he had the power of faith, Ye Guyi's value was even greater. Her Angel Martial Soul was currently only a Two-Winged Angel. As she continued to grow, it would become a Four-Winged Angel at Soul Sage, and upon reaching Titled Douluo, a Six-Winged Angel.
Ever since the destruction of the Spirit Hall, pure-blooded Angel Martial Souls had become exceedingly rare.
Jiang Jue's figure flashed, disappearing from the courtyard.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
The Masked Douluo walked over to the two evil soul masters he had "killed" earlier and kicked each of them twice.
"Stop sleeping. Get up—follow this elder back to the sect."
Evil soul masters were quite rare. He had merely knocked the two unconscious earlier.
The two evil soul masters slowly came to. Seeing the Masked Douluo before them, they exchanged glances and shouted in unison:
"We've finally found the organization!"
...
Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Deep underground, a hundred meters below, within Mingde Hall.
Huo Yuhao sat alone at a metal worktable, holding a carving knife, slowly and methodically etching a core formation. In his hands was merely a third-level core formation, and his movements appeared somewhat dull.
Yet at this moment, his spiritual power was quietly spreading outward, continuously recording the soul tool crafting processes of the other Mingde Hall students.
"The revival of Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department depends on me, Huo Yuhao!"
Huo Yuhao thought excitedly.
During this period, he had already recorded many advanced soul tool crafting methods—just waiting to transmit them back to Shrek Academy in one go.
He was practically a great benefactor of Shrek Academy!
(End of Chapter)