"Alright, I understand."
Jiang Jue replied softly, then got up from the bed.
After tidying himself up, he took Lang Ya and Yu Tao with him to the small courtyard that housed the entrance to the underground passage.
As Jiang Jue entered the courtyard, his gaze swept over the scene, and his eyebrows rose involuntarily.
"So many people were brought this time? Are we planning to wipe out Mingde Hall completely?"
The once rather quiet courtyard was now filled with more than a dozen Body Sect disciples. And that wasn't all—when Jiang Jue stepped into the spacious house, the number of people inside was more than four times that outside.
All of these Body Sect disciples were at least at the Soul Saint level, and every one of them was a Body Soul Master capable of a second awakening of their body martial soul.
As Jiang Jue and the other two entered, the disciples' gazes converged on the trio—most of them focusing on Jiang Jue.
There was no shortage of curiosity and astonishment in those looks. The two-year wager between Jiang Jue and Long Aotian was already common knowledge within the Body Sect.
Moreover, during his time in the Body Sect, Jiang Jue had mostly trained in the wooden hut and with Lei Ming. Many disciples knew of him, but few truly understood his actual situation.
"Little Jiang, you're here. The Sect Master asked this old man to take you down."
At that moment, Elder Xu's voice rang out. He floated up from the depths of the underground passage and spoke to Jiang Jue and the others.
"Alright, Elder Xu."
Jiang Jue's eyes flickered slightly as he nodded, then descended into the depths of the passage together with Lang Ya and Yu Tao.
"Tsk, looks like our young sect master is about to change."
After Jiang Jue left, discussions immediately broke out inside the room.
"So young, yet already a Soul Emperor? Is that even human? Cough, cough… I misspoke."
"The original young sect master wasn't weak either. We should have confidence in him."
"Then why did you add the word 'original' before 'young sect master'?"
"Because I don't have confidence in him."
"…"
"Alright, what's the point of saying all this? The wager will be settled in half a year. What's the rush?"
"Besides, we should focus on improving our own cultivation. We can't even attend the meeting down below right now. Hurry up and reach the Soul Douluo level."
"Exactly! Exactly!"
"But just now, Jiang Jue seemed to be called down by the Sect Master…"
"…"
The group exchanged glances, staring at one another in silence.
At the same time, their expectations for Long Aotian dropped a little further.
…
"Since the Jiang lad is here, sit down and listen as well."
At the bottom of the underground passage stood a massive metal table. Poison Undying, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, sat at the head seat. On both sides of the table sat a total of eleven elders of the Body Sect—every single one of them a Titled Douluo.
Behind these elders stood a group of Body Sect disciples at the Soul Douluo level, roughly no fewer than twenty.
Although they were still inferior to the Holy Spirit Cult, this kind of foundation was certainly worthy of being one of the three greatest forces on the Douluo Continent.
When Poison Undying saw Jiang Jue, his eyes lit up. He pointed to the seat at the end of the table on his right and said to Jiang Jue,
"Thank you, Sect Master."
Jiang Jue didn't stand on ceremony. He walked over casually and sat down directly.
The elders on both sides also showed friendly smiles toward Jiang Jue.
They were not fools. Anyone who had made it this far was no fool. What was happening within the sect was crystal clear to them.
Besides, a smile was the cheapest gesture—and also the easiest way to bring people closer.
"Since everyone is here, let's begin. This sect master will briefly lay out the action plan. You can add to it afterward."
As Poison Undying's voice rang out, everyone straightened their expressions and listened attentively.
After all, their target this time was Mingde Hall's main headquarters, located in the capital of the Sun Moon Empire. Even with ample confidence and strength, caution was still necessary.
"Once the operation begins, this sect master will lead the main force to attack Mingde Hall's core area, creating chaos and drawing out the hall master, Jing Hongchen, along with their other experts."
Poison Undying spoke calmly. As sect master, he had to take the lead himself, holding back Mingde Hall's four level-nine soul engineers, including Jing Hongchen.
"Then another group will head to the Earth-Core Secret Chamber of Mingde Hall to search for that hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo and retrieve it. Finally, a separate group will remain at the exit to secure it and provide support. Everyone understands, right?"
Poison Undying's gaze swept across the crowd, finally resting on Jiang Jue.
"Jiang lad, when the time comes, you won't need to follow this sect master. You'll take Lang Ya and Yu Tao to assist in locating that hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo."
"After all, it may be related to you in the future…"
The last sentence was transmitted privately to Jiang Jue via voice transmission.
Hearing this, Jiang Jue's eyes flickered as thoughts raced through his mind.
"Although I don't know how Poison Undying broke through to become an Ultimate Douluo, it's obvious he no longer has use for that hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo. If he says it might be related to me…"
In an instant, Jiang Jue understood Poison Undying's meaning. That embryo would very likely end up in his hands in the future.
"Then, Sect Master, when do we begin the operation?"
An elder spoke up to ask.
"The operation will begin tomorrow! This mission allows only success—no failure!"
Poison Undying said in a deep voice.
"I see the gradual decline of Shrek Academy, and I laugh at Mingde Hall for relying solely on soul tools."
"Tomorrow—yes, tomorrow! Our Body Sect will ascend to the throne as the number one power on the continent!"
Dragon-Arm Douluo said eagerly, rubbing his fists together.
"If there are no questions or additions, then go prepare. Tomorrow afternoon at four o'clock, we act on schedule. Remember—our commotion in the core area must be large enough to buy time for the other group!"
Poison Undying reminded them once more.
"Yes, Sect Master!"
Everyone responded in unison.
"Jiang lad, stay behind for a moment."
Just as Jiang Jue was about to stand and leave, Poison Undying called him over.
"Tomorrow, you must ensure your own safety. If you encounter danger, retreat immediately."
Poison Undying looked at Jiang Jue before him, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
"Don't worry, Sect Master."
Jiang Jue nodded slightly. In truth, he knew very well that Mingde Hall's top-tier combat power would all be drawn to the core area by Poison Undying and the others. The secret chamber would essentially pose no danger.
This was Poison Undying's concern for him, and it also aligned with Jiang Jue's own thoughts.
If nothing unexpected happened, he would likely encounter Lao Huo and the "Tianmeng-brand spiritual power power bank"…
"Oh right, Jiang lad—because of you, when we attack Mingde Hall tomorrow, this old man will pay attention to reducing casualties."
Poison Undying patted Jiang Jue on the shoulder and said softly.
He said this mainly because before joining the Body Sect, Jiang Jue had been a student of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. Doing so was also a courtesy to Jiang Jue.
Moreover, now that he had broken through to become an Ultimate Douluo, he had more than enough confidence to say such words.
"Thank you, Sect Master."
Jiang Jue's gaze shifted slightly as he nodded. He understood why Poison Undying said this.
Where there is battle, there will be casualties—this is unavoidable.
"This is nothing. We're just seeking wealth, not killing for the sake of killing."
Poison Undying shook his head, his eyes glinting.
"Have a good rest tonight. The operation begins tomorrow."
With that, Poison Undying clasped his hands behind his back and vanished in a flash.
"Hall Master Hongchen, you really ought to thank me properly for this."
Jiang Jue's eyes grew ever deeper as he murmured to himself.
If it weren't for him, Poison Undying wouldn't have been so restrained when striking against Mingde Hall. The destructive power of an Ultimate Douluo was truly catastrophic.
"I won't be greedy—when the time comes, I'll just take Mingde Hall as part of Dream's dowry…"
(End of chapter)