The Killing God's imagination ran wild.
Ultimately, he concluded that this cooperation was also highly valuable for the Demon Plane's Lord. In a sense, the two sides were a match made in heaven.
Originally, when he'd learned the Ghost Emperor planned to cooperate with the Demon Plane, he'd considered using the Demon Plane's resources to advance further. Now, it seemed unnecessary.
The other side had both the strength and the willingness to cooperate—so they'd make use of them first.
As for what happened later... heh, when the Abyss invaded, the Demon Plane would only become fuel.
For the Killing God, cooperation with the Demon Plane was clearly never sincere.
And for Elder Electrolux, it was merely his disciple's assignment.
Their side's goal had never been godhood or life energy—it was simply to ensure the Demon Plane successfully allied with the Holy Spirit Cult. No matter how the Holy Spirit Cult persuaded or what conditions they offered, he would ultimately agree.
Now, proactively revealing his needs gave the Holy Spirit Cult the illusion that they'd grasped his objective.
Cooperation was no longer a one-sided request, but a mutually beneficial exchange of interests. This would put the Holy Spirit Cult somewhat at ease and let him complete his disciple's task more quickly.
As expected, the Demon Empress and the others showed a faint, barely noticeable flicker of delight upon hearing his demands.
They didn't fear Electrolux having demands—they feared him having none.
At this point, the Killing God also transmitted to the Demon Empress and Ghost Emperor that Electrolux's strength was comparable to a deity's, but he wasn't a true deity. This gave them a sense of relief and bolstered their confidence.
"It seems both our sides are willing to cooperate. This is a good start."
The Ghost Emperor smiled. "But what exactly do you mean by participating in our godhood plan?"
"Exactly what I said. I want to know your plans for achieving godhood—including the steps and details."
"Is that so?"
The Ghost Emperor stroked his chin. "I should warn you, our godhood plan involves a certain formation. While you can participate, if your goal is the formation's blueprints, that will only be given to you as compensation after you've fought alongside us against the Douluo Federation."
The Holy Spirit Cult's surface-level godhood plan was to use the Blood River God-Slaying Grand Array to help the Demon Empress become a deity.
As for what came after—each of the Holy Spirit Cult's higher-ups had their own plans and hidden agendas.
There was no need to elaborate on their individual plans; the Ghost Emperor couldn't very well announce his own scheme on the spot.
As for the Blood River God-Slaying Grand Array's construction method, the Ghost Emperor saw it as a bargaining chip to win over the Demon Plane. But obviously, he couldn't give it away for free—he had to ensure the Demon Plane joined their anti-Federation campaign first.
Hearing this, Elder Electrolux nodded. "That's a reasonable request. But since what I value most will only come after the war, I won't yield on other interests."
"Naturally. The Demon Plane can still harvest the Douluo Continent's life energy as it pleases. We can discuss other profit distribution now."
The Ghost Emperor paused, then smiled. "Then, cooperation is sealed."
"Cooperation is sealed."
After a moment, having agreed on the general terms and exchanged contact methods, Electrolux's gaze shifted to Ye Hui behind him. The Holy Spirit Cult members' eyes also turned to this Fallen Angel soul master.
The Ghost Emperor spoke first, his tone probing: "Since you've summoned your army to the Douluo Plane with her help, have you considered how to place her? If needed, the Holy Spirit Cult could take care of her."
Elder Electrolux chuckled lightly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "No need. Cooperation is one thing, but I never entrust vital matters to others."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved. Ye Hui vanished instantly, sent into the Demon Plane.
With that, Ye Hui's mission was complete. She had gloriously retired.
Electrolux withdrew his hand and said flatly, "From today onward, I will remain on the Douluo Continent. I'll keep the passage to the Demon Plane open. Contact me directly if anything arises."
The Holy Spirit Cult members found this unsurprising.
The Fallen Angel was clearly a double-edged sword. The Demon Plane could use it to attack the Douluo Plane, and the Douluo Plane could use it to enter the Demon Plane. Since the Demon Plane didn't trust them, they obviously wouldn't hand over such a vulnerability.
"Then what do you plan to do next?"
The Ghost Emperor's gaze turned to the demon army behind Electrolux. "I don't recommend provoking the Douluo Federation or harvesting life energy just yet. That would only alert the enemy and expose you to the Federation's view."
"The Holy Spirit Cult is currently far overseas and can't support you in time."
Electrolux's expression remained unchanged. "I have no intention of acting now. The Demon Plane has waited many years—it can wait a little longer."
The Ghost Emperor breathed a sigh of relief, then continued, "In that case, you'll need a place to station your three thousand troops and any future demon armies. Mingdu has too many eyes and ears—the Federation's recon soul tools run day and night. Hiding in the wilderness will eventually be discovered."
He paused, tentatively looking at Electrolux.
"The Holy Spirit Cult has operated in Xingluo and Douling for years, with many secret bases. We have teleportation formations and supplies there capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands. If you don't mind, you could temporarily station your forces there."
From a strategic perspective, this wasn't wrong—the demon army did need a place to station. If they waited until wartime to open the planar passage and summon troops on the fly, they'd be sitting ducks. Better to summon and station them in advance.
Electrolux didn't answer immediately. His gaze rested heavily on the Ghost Emperor, his starlike eyes betraying no emotion.
The Ghost Emperor felt uncomfortable under that stare but didn't dare look away.
After a moment, Electrolux finally spoke, his voice flat: "I'll trouble you for nothing on that front for now. I'll take my guards on a tour of this plane and find a temporary base myself."
With that, Electrolux raised his hand. A dark gold light spread from the artifact in his palm, like an invisible net enveloping the three thousand demon troops behind him. Space trembled violently, and the demons' forms warped and shrank within the light, as if being sucked into a vortex—disappearing in an instant.
The artifact capable of containing tens of thousands was something he'd made in his spare time. His past Tower of Eternity had possessed such abilities—making this was no challenge.
Having done this, Elder Electrolux cast one last glance at the Demon Empress, then vanished, leaving only a parting remark: "In six months, I'll come to the Xingluo Continent to meet with you all and discuss our great plan. Until then."
Watching Electrolux disappear, the Ghost Emperor smiled wryly. "This one truly doesn't trust us."
"Do we trust him?"
The Killing God's tone was cold. "We're just using each other. If he wants to gather intelligence on the Douluo Continent, let him. The Demon Plane's background ensures he can only cooperate with us—the Douluo Federation will never trust the Demon Plane."
The Ghost Emperor nodded inwardly.
The Demon Plane was infamous—comparable to their Holy Spirit Cult and the Abyss Plane. The probability of this Electrolux seeking cooperation with the Douluo Federation was as low as their Demon Empress defecting to the enemy.
No one would trust a pack of demons.
Still, the Ghost Emperor felt some precautions were necessary. Electrolux might not cooperate with the Federation, but he might not hesitate to backstab the Holy Spirit Cult either.
From now on, it was a game of wits—who would have the last laugh.
Thinking of his own Divine Kingdom plan, the Ghost Emperor took a deep breath and turned to the Demon Empress, who had remained silent, frowning deeply.
"Are you upset that Electrolux took Ye Hui? There's nothing we can do. We never anticipated the Demon Plane having a divine-level expert."
If the Demon Plane's strongest was merely a Limit Douluo, the Holy Spirit Cult had plenty of ways to control them. Even cooperation would have been led by the Holy Spirit Cult. They could have held Ye Hui hostage, forcing the Demon Plane onto their war chariot—even using it as a retreat.
But with a divine-level expert in the picture, everything changed.
They could no longer easily manipulate the Demon Plane. Whether they could keep Ye Hui dependent on Electrolux's approval.
And such a vulnerability was clearly something the Demon Plane wouldn't leave to them.
In a sense, their operation to capture Ye Hui had been a catastrophic loss.
Though Electrolux and the Demon Plane were powerful allies, they weren't easy to control—and they'd taken Ye Hui too. As the operation's executor, the Demon Empress's displeasure was natural.
Snapping back to the present, the Demon Empress glanced at the Ghost Emperor without answering. She bowed to the Killing God, then turned and left.
Her pace was neither hurried nor slow. Her silhouette lengthened in the twilight, soon merging with the darkness. The Ghost Emperor stood in place, watching her go, a slight frown on his face. Something about her tonight seemed off, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Alone in the wilderness, the Demon Empress walked as the night wind brought the autumn chill. Electrolux's parting words echoed in her mind: Your body is quite a fine vessel.
What did that mean?
A vessel? Whose vessel?
Was the Demon Lord hinting at something? Or sowing discord?
The Demon Empress couldn't tell.
She took a deep breath, suppressing her turbulent thoughts.
No matter what, becoming a deity, taking revenge on the Douluo Continent, and resurrecting her husband were goals she would pursue until death. A few words wouldn't shake her resolve!
But the words stayed with her.
After the Demon Empress left, the Ghost Emperor's and Killing God's projections rapidly dissipated, and the Holy Spirit Cult members quickly withdrew.
The night wind howled, stirring up gravel and dust.
On the distant horizon, the last traces of twilight were swallowed by darkness.
The rocky hills returned to their desolate silence, only the cracked stones and deep footprints remaining as proof of the secret meeting that had taken place.
Undercurrents surged. Each side harbored its own agenda.
This alliance was destined to be turbulent from the start.
Mingdu. Watching the returning Elder Electrolux and Ye Hui, brought back from the Demon Plane, Huo Yuhao said, "Elder, Lady Ye Hui, you've worked hard."
Ye Hui shook her head. "If not for your help, I'd still be suffering from my martial soul. This is nothing."
Elder Electrolux waved his hand, his aged face revealing no emotion, merely saying flatly, "I just played a role for you. Hardly a labor."
Outwardly, he said this, but inwardly he transmitted, "You little brat, what was with all that fanfare?"
Though he'd taken the opportunity to deliver his signature line, the spectacle had actually made him somewhat embarrassed.
After all, it was too showy.
Huo Yuhao kept a straight face but transmitted back with a hint of amusement: "Elder, wasn't this to boost your image? This is your first public appearance on the Douluo Continent. A small display would be unworthy of your reputation as the Undead Calamity, the Necromancer Saint."
"Do I need my image boosted? What do you think I look like in your eyes?"
"Um... old in age but young at heart?"
Or perhaps a terminal case of chuunibyou—the incurable kind.
Huo Yuhao thought privately.
"Enough with the cheek. Don't do that again."
Elder Electrolux withdrew his gaze and ceased the transmission.
Huo Yuhao wisely dropped the topic, turning to Ye Hui with a quickly composed serious expression.
"After this, you can't appear on the Douluo Continent publicly. You'll be recorded as missing. I'm sorry for the trouble."
Ye Hui smiled. "I've lived like that before. It's nothing."
Just a bit of wind and frost.
After a few more exchanges, Ye Hui left. Only then did Elder Electrolux say to Huo Yuhao, "Yuhao, I've used the Demon Plane's name to buy us half a year. During that time, they should stay quiet. You can focus on improving your strength."
"Mm. Once the Yuanen matter is settled, I'll go to the God-Imprint Throne to condense my third soul core."
Huo Yuhao nodded, looking out at the Federation building beyond the window.
The review of Yuanen Zhentian and Yuanen Tiandang began quickly.
When Yuanen Zhentian openly admitted that his contact with Shrek's remnants was limited to a few days of shelter at their ancestor's request, the Federation Council Chairman internally leaned toward leniency.
After all, the situation wasn't as serious as feared.
But there was a condition: they had to completely cut ties with the Titan Giant Ape and Shrek.
The Council Chairman had expected this to be difficult for the two, but they agreed immediately and swore solemn oaths. Their resolve and proficiency—as if they'd rehearsed it many times—nearly threw the Federation off balance.
Just then, news arrived: Ye Hui had disappeared, and Yuanen Yehui had been attacked by evil soul masters but rescued by a passing expert. The Council Chairman immediately understood the Holy Spirit Cult was behind it.
What he hadn't expected was that the Holy Spirit Cult's target was actually the Fallen Angel martial soul wielders, Ye Hui and her daughter.
Council Chairman's Office. The Chairman frowned at Yu Guanzhi. "Still no trace of Ye Hui?"
"No. She's likely been taken by the Holy Spirit Cult—"
Yu Guanzhi stopped mid-sentence and sighed. "This was our oversight. What are you planning to do about Yuanen Zhentian and his son?"
The Chairman was silent for a moment, then said, "Their attitude in admitting fault has been good. And Ye Hui's disappearance during their review period is partly our responsibility. For both practical and ethical reasons, we shouldn't continue to punish them."
"We'll restore their positions when the time comes and pin those 'rumors' smearing them on the Holy Spirit Cult."
He paused, his expression sharpening. "And as for those who took advantage of this chaos for power struggles, it's time for a purge.
***
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