Xu Tianran spoke politely:
"Cult Master Zhongli Wu, I sincerely hope…"
But before he could finish, Zhongli Wu interrupted harshly:
"Xu Tianran, a deposed Crown Prince like you has no qualifications to cooperate with my Holy Spirit Cult!"
As Zhongli Wu looked at the crippled Xu Tianran sitting in a wheelchair, a trace of frustration flashed in his eyes.
He had already persuaded his mother, yet who could have expected such a sudden, dramatic reversal?
By the time he had traveled all the way from the Holy Spirit Cult's underground headquarters in the Demonic Forest to Mingdu, Xu Tianran's position as Crown Prince had already been stripped away.
Worse, Xu Tianran had lost his ability to reproduce, cutting off any hope of ascending the throne. That meant Zhongli Wu's carefully laid plans had gone up in smoke.
Originally, his plan was simple:
Help Xu Tianran consolidate the Crown Prince's seat, and when Xu Tianran ascended as Emperor, elevate the Holy Spirit Cult to the status of State Religion.
Once they became the State Religion, the Holy Spirit Cult could operate openly, with the legal right to spread across the entire Sun and Moon Empire.
That would allow them to recruit vast numbers of talented individuals into the ranks of Evil Soul Masters, rapidly expanding their strength.
Next, they would push the Empire to launch wars against the Three Douluo Kingdoms. As war brought slaughter and death, the Holy Spirit Cult would feast—devouring souls and lives, raising the power of their Evil Soul Masters by several tiers.
With manpower and strength secured, they would betray the Sun and Moon Empire itself, destroy it, and then unify the entire world—founding a mighty kingdom of Evil Soul Masters.
In that future, every Evil Soul Master would rise like a dragon, no longer skulking in shadows like gutter rats, hunted by so-called righteous soul masters.
Instead, the entire world's population would be their livestock, ready to be butchered at any moment to fuel cultivation.
The very thought of it made Zhongli Wu's blood stir with desire, his pulse quickening.
But before even the first step of the plan could begin, Xu Tianran had been deposed. The foundation collapsed, leaving nothing.
The bitterness of wasted planning weighed heavily on Zhongli Wu, and so he had no patience for Xu Tianran now.
Yet Xu Tianran didn't get angry at the interruption. After enduring countless trials—crippling wounds, near-death experiences, endless suffering of both body and mind—he had forged a will as immovable as a mountain.
Compared to all he had suffered, Zhongli Wu's coldness was nothing more than a breeze against his cheek.
Maintaining his smile, Xu Tianran said:
"Cult Master Zhongli Wu, please, hear me out. If, after I finish, you still have no interest, then leave. I will not say another word."
Zhongli Wu paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Speak."
Xu Tianran said:
"Though my title as Crown Prince has been stripped, as the saying goes, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. I still command considerable influence.
I plan to select a weak, indecisive, incompetent prince—one who craves indulgence and pleasure. With the Holy Spirit Cult's secret support, I have absolute confidence in securing his ascension."
Zhongli Wu sneered:
"Then why should I help you elevate some useless waste to the throne? My Holy Spirit Cult could just as easily back the Second Prince or Third Prince. Wouldn't that be simpler?"
Xu Tianran's lips curled upward, his tone low and deliberate:
"Cult Master Zhongli Wu, you're right—supporting the Second or Third Prince would indeed be easy.
But after they seize the throne, what would they truly give you?
They already believe their victory is assured. With or without the Holy Spirit Cult, they think they can take the crown. So once they succeed, they won't be grateful—they'll fear you.
Like my father, Emperor Xu Jing. He used your Holy Spirit Cult when it suited him, gave you scraps of benefit, and then suppressed you—fearing your strength might one day threaten his rule."
At these words, Zhongli Wu's expression grew heavy. Xu Tianran's argument was biased, but not false.
Indeed, after Emperor Xu Jing had exploited the Holy Spirit Cult, he had begun to secretly restrain them, wary of their growing influence.
Seeing Zhongli Wu's serious demeanor, Xu Tianran let out a quiet sigh of relief. Pressing the advantage, he continued:
"Cult Master Zhongli Wu, as the saying goes, greater risks bring greater rewards.
If you and I support a weakling prince, it may be harder, it may cost more. But the rewards will be beyond imagination.
Such an emperor would be our puppet. We could strip him of all authority, dividing power between us as we please.
What the Second or Third Prince could offer you, I can offer. And what they cannot give, I still can.
Even half the empire of the Sun and Moon—I can grant to the Holy Spirit Cult.
Tell me, Cult Master Zhongli Wu, is that not sincerity enough?"
At this point, Xu Tianran no longer held back. With nothing left to lose, he made promises as grand as the sky.
The larger the promise, the better. What mattered most was ensnaring Zhongli Wu.
As for whether he'd keep his word in the future—well, that could be decided with a few words at the time.
Zhongli Wu was shaken. The promise was enormous, irresistible even. For a moment, he nearly agreed outright.
But as Cult Master, he was not so easily deceived. Others might not know, but he understood clearly who stood behind the Sun and Moon royal family—figures so formidable that even his mother dreaded them.
Emperor Xu Jing himself was no ordinary man either. Xu Tianran's plan sounded enticing, but the reality would be perilously difficult.
Still, Zhongli Wu was tempted. Supporting a useless emperor truly promised greater rewards.
After a long silence, Zhongli Wu said:
"This matter is too significant. Give me three days to consider."
With that, his figure flickered and vanished.
Xu Tianran clenched his fists as he watched him leave. This was his last chance.
Without the Holy Spirit Cult's support, he had no hope of elevating a weakling prince to the throne.
Raising his head, Xu Tianran prayed:
Heaven above, I beg you—grant me this one blessing!