The Ghost Emperor quickly finished reading the preceding content and moved to the section about Ye Hui's situation:
Based on recent observations, Ye Hui's Fallen Angel martial soul still has problems. She lives in a remote area. She carries a soul tool that restricts spirit power on her person at all times, with not a trace of spirit power on her.
Seeing this, the Ghost Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. If restrictions were still needed, it meant the martial soul's problem hadn't been completely solved.
However, as far as he knew, once the Fallen Angel martial soul was cultivated to the Title level, restricting spirit power was no longer effective. How exactly had Ye Hui suppressed the Fallen Angel martial soul? And what had she been doing all these years?
With these thoughts, the Ghost Emperor couldn't help but feel anticipation, hoping Lan Fozi had investigated all of this thoroughly. To his disappointment, Lan Fozi hadn't obtained specific details about Ye Hui, only some clues and speculation.
But what delighted the Ghost Emperor was that Lan Fozi's speculation had great value and was highly likely!
The message read as follows:
Because I have no deep relationship with Ye Hui, and there is a Limit Douluo by her side, I cannot conduct in-depth investigations into her whereabouts over the years. Attempts to contact her daughter, Yuanen Yehui, using my Spirit Transmission Tower identity also yielded little valuable information. In the end, I only obtained a vague answer—it seems related to the Yuanen clan's ancestors.
However, regarding the Yuanen clan's ancestral information, Yuanen Yehui didn't reveal anything. Fortunately, the recent emergence of the reclusive Limit Douluo Yuanen Zhentian has drawn attention from some keen observers, and information about the Yuanen clan's ancestors has been dug up.
The Yuanen clan descends from a human girl and a Titan Giant Ape from the past. The human girl reported to the Federation that the Titan Giant Ape had abandoned her, causing quite a stir at the time.
That Titan Giant Ape doesn't seem to be a spirit beast from the Star Dou Great Forest, because the Spirit Transmission Tower couldn't find the Titan Giant Ape that abandoned the girl at the time, and the matter eventually faded away. Therefore, I suspect that Titan Giant Ape and the true deity Titan Giant Ape who previously helped Shrek are the same existence!
When the Ghost Emperor reached this part, his emotions were extremely stirred.
When Huo Yuhao had confronted Er Ming, he had publicly revealed Er Ming's identity as a Titan Giant Ape. Many in the Federation knew this, and at that time, the Possession Demons were still lurking in the Federation! If the Federation knew this, it meant the Holy Spirit Cult knew it too.
And Lan Fozi's speculation—that Er Ming was the Yuanen clan's ancestor—seemed very possible in the Ghost Emperor's view.
After all, even Yun Ming couldn't solve the Fallen Angel martial soul's problem. So who else could?
A deity, of course!
If the Yuanen clan's ancestor was the true deity Er Ming, then Ye Hui's ability to suppress the Fallen Angel martial soul made perfect sense. As an ancestor, seeing his descendant troubled by the Fallen Angel martial soul and offering help was only natural.
This also explained why Ye Hui had been missing for all these years. She had likely been taken by Er Ming to a demiplane!
Of course, there were still some things that didn't add up. For instance, why hadn't Er Ming, as a true deity, completely solved Ye Hui's martial soul problem? And why had Ye Hui faked her death before? However, since these questions didn't disprove that Ye Hui's suppressed martial soul was unrelated to Er Ming, the Ghost Emperor didn't dwell on them.
After all, if it wasn't Er Ming, who else could have helped Ye Hui? The Spirit Transmission Tower?
Although Emperor Tian was very strong, before the Shrek Battle no one knew he had means to erupt with divine-level strength. As for Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuena, and the others—they hadn't even appeared yet at that time, so they were clearly impossible.
Comparatively, Lan Fozi's speculation was the most likely.
"If that's truly the case, there's a lot we can work with."
The Ghost Emperor's eyes gleamed as his thoughts raced.
If the Yuanen clan's ancestor was that Titan Giant Ape, then the Yuanen clan was connected to Shrek's remnants.
Using this intelligence well might allow them to stir up chaos within the Federation.
After all, he had heard that Yuanen Zhentian had just been entrusted with an important position by the Federation.
"Unfortunately, there are no Possession Demons left in the Federation now. If they were still there to fan the flames, executing such a plan would be much easier—perhaps we could even replicate the Shrek Battle. Now, the effect will be greatly diminished."
The Ghost Emperor sighed helplessly and read the last line of Lan Fozi's message.
The Dark Department and others have had extensive contact with Yuanen Yehui and her group. The Federation may also have designs on the Demon Plane.
The Ghost Emperor frowned.
"The Federation has designs on the Demon Plane too? The Federation does need resources, so turning its gaze to other planes is normal. But this means we need to prepare to capture Ye Hui as soon as possible. If the Demon Plane is destroyed by the Douluo Federation, all the time spent gathering this intelligence will have been wasted."
A sense of urgency rose in the Ghost Emperor's heart, but he didn't lose his composure.
Although the previous operation to steal the Eternal Heaven from the Douluo Continent had succeeded, the circumstances had been special.
At the time, the Federation's attention had been entirely on the Federation diplomatic mission. To protect the delegation's safety, they had dispatched many experts as escorts. Add to that the War Temple's inherent rule loopholes, and the Possession Demons and numerous Federation officials who had been swept up in the frenzy covering up the news—they had barely succeeded by luck.
One could say that timing, location, and people had all been on their side.
But this time was different.
Now, they had only a few secret lines in Mingdu, with Lan Fozi holding the highest position. They were nearly blind to the situation in Mingdu. After all, Lan Fozi wasn't a Spirit Transmission Tower higher-up; there were certainly things he didn't know.
And the Federation selection had just ended. Who knew how many experts had gathered in Mingdu?
There were probably no fewer than ten Limit Douluo in Mingdu now, possibly even divine-level existences. Rushing in to snatch someone would be foolish. If they alerted those beings and made the Federation vigilant, they would lose their chance.
They needed to find the right timing.
While mentally planning various strategies, the Ghost Emperor couldn't help but feel some admiration.
Although Lan Fozi's intelligence wasn't top secret, and it was mostly speculation—not at all like the rigorous work of a qualified intelligence agent—he had to admit, it was incredibly useful.
These seemingly scattered clues and deductions had somehow allowed him to piece together a clear picture.
Demon Empress, the daughter you raised is truly useful.
Mingdu, Spirit Transmission Tower.
Lan Fozi received the Holy Spirit Cult's reply and quickly reported it to Huo Yuhao.
"Sir, the Holy Spirit Cult wants me to keep an eye on Ye Hui's movements. It seems they don't intend to act against her just yet."
"It seems the Holy Spirit Cult hasn't been blinded by greed," Huo Yuhao said with some regret, then continued, "For now, follow the Holy Spirit Cult's instructions and report Ye Hui's movements to them from time to time. I have matters to attend to recently. If there are signs of the Holy Spirit Cult acting soon, relay it to Na'er."
What the Holy Spirit Cult wanted was simply the right timing. He would give it to them.
But not now. If a suitable opportunity appeared right after they'd just received news of Ye Hui, it would arouse the Holy Spirit Cult's suspicions.
"Yes, I understand."
Lan Fozi nodded and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and turned back. "By the way, Sir, the Holy Spirit Cult previously sent two Sea Spirit Beasts to serve as my subordinates. They wanted me to arrange identities for them and rebuild their intelligence network. What do you think about this?"
A glint of sharpness flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Since the Holy Spirit Cult is being so thoughtful, let's accept them. Arrange identities for them and let them start operating."
Lan Fozi was slightly taken aback. "Sir, you mean... actually let them build an intelligence network?"
"Of course. With them around, any information we want the Holy Spirit Cult to know in the future can be passed through them. And when the Holy Spirit Cult suffers setbacks, they'll take the blame. They'll handle the work and serve as shields for you, my little mole. Why not?"
Lan Fozi: "..."
He hadn't expected the Sir to be like this.
But having two scapegoats was indeed a good thing.
After finishing the discussion with Lan Fozi about the Ye Hui matter, Huo Yuhao finally relaxed, feeling a sense of lightness, as if nothing was weighing on him.
But he didn't dwell in that feeling for long. His attention quickly shifted to forging his Lifebound Soul Tool.
"I'll head to the Soul Tool Research Institute first."
With that thought, Huo Yuhao made his way to the Spirit Transmission Tower's Soul Tool Research Institute and sought out Ling Zichen.
"You're here?" The girl, who had been recording research data, noticed him and her eyes lit up, but then she pouted. "You're always busy when you show up. What's the important matter this time?"
Although there were rumors that Huo Yuhao was a deity, in Ling Zichen's view, nothing except soul tool research mattered that much. So she felt no pressure when facing him.
"I'm here to make use of your completed results."
Huo Yuhao smiled and looked toward a certain research lab—the core area of the Spirit Transmission Tower's Soul Tool Research Institute, where the Monomer Forward Cycle Source Core was developed.
This Douluo version of "controlled nuclear fusion" technology had been completed quietly, and even earlier than in the original story, without sacrificing Ling Zichen's parents. Fortunately.
Following Huo Yuhao's gaze, Ling Zichen immediately understood his intention and raised an eyebrow. "The Monomer Forward Cycle Source Core technology wasn't completed by us alone. The technology and concepts you provided were key. If you want to use our equipment to forge a Source Core, naturally we have no objection. Given your status, the higher-ups likely won't object either."
"However, you've also participated in this research. You should know that the current Monomer Forward Cycle Source Core technology is only preliminary. Its stability needs improvement. Rash use might carry risks."
She paused, remembering something. "Right, you're a deity. A little risk shouldn't matter to you. I'm overthinking it."
Without waiting for Huo Yuhao's response, she shook her head and turned to lead the way toward the research lab.
Huo Yuhao watched her back and followed.
They passed through several security doors and entered a spacious research lab. The room was filled with various precision soul tool instruments. Several large display screens were embedded in the walls, currently idle.
"No one's using this lab. Feel free to use it."
With that, Ling Zichen was about to leave, but finally couldn't resist her curiosity and asked, "You're forging a Source Core. It must be for making some kind of soul tool, right? Can you tell me what it is?"
The energy of a Source Core was immense and could serve as a power source for a starship. She was genuinely curious about what Huo Yuhao planned to make with it.
"A Lifebound Soul Tool."
Huo Yuhao answered casually, without hiding it.
"Lifebound...Soul Tool?"
Ling Zichen's gaze toward Huo Yuhao turned somewhat strange, her thoughts churning.
Actually, when she had learned that Huo Yuhao might be a reincarnated deity, she hadn't found it surprising.
After all, Ling Zichen considered herself a genius in soul tool research. Suddenly having someone appear who surpassed her in cultivation, combat ability, and research skills felt unreal to her.
If Huo Yuhao wasn't from this era but a reincarnated expert, then it wasn't strange at all.
However, Huo Yuhao understood soul tools far too well. Which deified existence on the Douluo Continent was this knowledgeable about soul tools?
None. The few who had clearly become deities on the Douluo Continent didn't have such abilities.
But their Spirit Transmission Tower's legendary, non-deified ancestor—the Spirit-Ice Douluo—did have such abilities.
After realizing this, Ling Zichen had begun to suspect Huo Yuhao's identity, but she had never dared to confirm it.
And Huo Yuhao's plan to make a Lifebound Soul Tool—such an obscure thing—only deepened her suspicion.
After all, the representative figures and era of Lifebound Soul Tools were both from ten thousand years ago.
Ling Zichen opened her mouth, but ultimately didn't ask.
If it turned out to be false, she would have unnecessarily claimed an "ancestor." If it turned out true, she wouldn't even know how to face him—should she bow and pay respects? Or should she apologize timidly for her past impudence and listen to his teachings?
Just thinking about it was awkward.
Ling Zichen decisively decided: for now, pretend she knew nothing.
She could ignore a deity, but she couldn't remain calm before that legend.
Taking a deep breath, Ling Zichen focused her attention on the soul tool.
"A Lifebound Soul Tool is connected to the martial soul's very being. Although the Source Core is controllable, the energy it contains is immense. If it goes out of control, the consequences would be unpredictable. Isn't it too dangerous to incorporate a Monomer Forward Cycle Source Core during the forging process?"
"Besides, a Lifebound Soul Tool should be able to evolve. But a Source Core, refined and fused from a Metal Source, probably can't evolve. It might hinder the Lifebound Soul Tool's future growth."
"It's fine. Besides soul tool methods, I have other ways to stabilize the Source Core. It won't go out of control on my watch."
Huo Yuhao first answered the first question, then continued, "And Source Cores can evolve. After becoming part of a Lifebound Soul Tool, they'll only evolve faster."
"They can evolve?" Ling Zichen was startled.
Huo Yuhao nodded. "That's right."
Source Cores could evolve. Nurturing one was similar to a soul master nurturing a weapon, or a deity nurturing a divine artifact.
And at a At certain level, a Source Core could even autonomously absorb the world's vital energy to replenish its power, endlessly.
An energy source comparable to controlled nuclear fusion, capable of continuous improvement, with mystical abilities like absorbing the world's vital energy to sustain itself—and later, when used in weapons, capable of wounding even a God King. Just thinking about it was absurd.
But Source Cores were themselves made from metal. Starting from Spirit Forging, metal gained spirituality and began to gestate life. From that perspective, it wasn't so strange.
It was simply metal becoming sentient.
A Source Core made from divine-level metal could even possess various emotions and consciousness.
***
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