In this world, at times, an individual's capabilities are limitless.
"But now isn't the best time. There will be opportunities later."
Jiang Jue thought it over carefully and decided not to alert anyone prematurely.
Ever since he had chosen to put himself on the board as a chess piece, every step of his strategy had been laid out with caution — never once placing his own safety in true jeopardy.
The Body Sect was strong, yes — but…
The bigger the storm, the more valuable the fish!
On the Holy Spirit Sect's side, Jiang Jue had already prepared most of the groundwork. The strongest of the younger generation, Yan Feng, was now his loyal supporter — the kind who wouldn't betray him even with a gun to his head.
As for his master, Zhongli Wu, once Zhang Peng returned, that matter would be handled as well. Once Jiang Jue returned, the Holy Spirit Sect would still be the Holy Spirit Sect.
The only difference might be that there would be two more Saintesses.
"The Holy Spirit Sect operates in the shadows; the Body Sect moves in the light. Both forces must be firmly under control."
Jiang Jue clenched down on this thought. He had entered the game alone, all for the sake of a brilliant future. How could he abandon the plan halfway, or allow his resolve to waver?
Moreover, when the war for continental unification began, many things would be revealed anyway — and by then, Jiang Jue would no longer need to hide the Soul-Refining Banner.
A so-called evil spirit martial soul? Once his strength was great enough, Jiang Jue believed, scholars would naturally arise to defend him with their arguments.
"For now, what I need to do is properly develop the Body Martial Soul. The body itself is the foundation of revolution."
The Body Martial Soul had absurd potential and extremely high upper limits. Jiang Jue had barely explored it before. Some matters, after all, were best left to professionals.
Just as the Holy Spirit Sect had unparalleled knowledge about evil martial souls, the Body Sect's understanding of Body Martial Souls was equally unrivaled.
Throughout history, every Sect Master of the Body Sect had undergone a second awakening of their golden-ranked martial souls. And this second awakening of the Body Martial Soul — that was Jiang Jue's greatest current challenge.
"We're at the exit — climb up!"
Seeing the light ahead growing brighter, Yu Tao shouted, his pace quickening as he carried Jiang Jue on his back.
"This time, when we return, we've really got to level up!"
"Ha, always in a rush, aren't you?"
"This is ours, brother. It won't run away."
Hearing Yu Tao's words, Lang Ya's lips curled into a grin as well.
This time, they had really struck gold.
Fate decreed that the two brothers were due for a rise.
After Lang Ya and Yu Tao emerged from the tunnel, they found Du Bu Si (Poison-Not-Dying) already waiting for them outside.
"Sect Master, we just ran into your friend earlier — he's a really nice guy."
Yu Tao scratched his head and said to Du Bu Si.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Since when did this old man have any friends?"
Du Bu Si froze for a moment. Ever since that one disastrous team-run through the Star Dou Great Forest dungeon that triggered a beast tide, their sect had basically had no friends left on the continent.
And given his own personality, aside from people within the Body Sect, the only one he'd gotten along with reasonably well was Xuan Zi — whom he had just beaten up.
But now was obviously not the time to dwell on this.
"I'll take you away. Don't ask questions!"
With a wave of his large hand, Du Bu Si wrapped the three of them in a shield of dark-green soul power.
Then, without hesitation, he carried them into the sky, rapidly fleeing into the distance.
Just moments earlier, an overwhelming aura had erupted within Star Luo City — Du Bu Si knew instantly that Long Xiaoyao had noticed. That meant escape was now urgent.
Without reaching the extreme, one is still but an ant!
Two days later.
"Extra, extra! Shrek Academy openly sabotages tournament — sore losers?"
"Breaking news! Shrek Academy rumored to be forming the Fifth Nation of the Douluo Continent!"
"Shocking! The Taotie Douluo emerges — reckless disregard for civilian lives, are these the ways of an evil soul master…?"
"Tragedy! The Body Sect appears, abducts a twelve-year-old prodigy — moral collapse or twisted humanity?!"
"The Sun Moon Empire…"
"Hey there, give me a paper."
A black-clad old man paid for a newspaper. As he scanned its contents, the corners of his mouth curled into a pleased smile.
"Not bad, not bad. Best to let professionals handle professional matters. Just one little scratch and the atmosphere erupts beautifully."
"I won't fail the young master's trust. The name 'Pangolin' will surely be gloriously carried forward."
This old man was none other than Cheng Gang. Looking at the storm brewing across the city, he nodded in satisfaction.
"From now on, live under the fear of the Pangolin!"
He turned his head, glanced once more at Star Luo City behind him, took a big bite of the steamed bun he'd just bought, and disappeared from sight.
"Tell me! You all tell me!"
"How did it come to this?! Clearly, it was the Body Sect who abducted someone from the Sun Moon Empire — so why are they here demanding answers from me?!"
"Is there no justice left?! No law of the land?!"
Inside the Star Luo royal palace, civil and military officials stood in two nervous rows, terrified.
Usually calm and composed, Emperor Xu Jiawei was now in a furious rage.
Because the Sun Moon Empire wasn't confronting the Body Sect over the matter — instead, they were here, raising a ruckus with him.
This completely deviated from Xu Jiawei's plan. How could he not be furious?
Worse still, rumors were now circulating that the Star Luo Empire had become a vassal state of Shrek Academy. Whoever spread that — once Xu Jiawei found out — would not live to see another day!
"Prime Minister — speak!"
"Your Majesty… your servant believes the first order of business should be announcing the winner of this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, to redirect public opinion. The Sun Moon Empire's grievances can be delayed temporarily."
The old man in a red robe standing first on the right thought for a moment before speaking.
"Good. I'll leave that matter to you."
"And you, my loyal minister — any good ideas?"
Xu Jiawei turned his gaze to the first official on the left — Dai Hao.
"Your servant believes we should first contact Shrek Academy, have them issue a statement explaining Elder Xuan's actions. After all, what he did that day was truly…"
"Sigh, we'll discuss that later."
Hearing Dai Hao's suggestion, Xu Jiawei raised his right hand to his forehead, exasperated.
So it turned out his earlier guess was wrong. Elder Mu had no deeper plan at all — Elder Xuan's intervention had simply been his own decision.
"How can someone be this unreliable…"
Xuan Zi's impulsive act hadn't just affected Shrek Academy — it had implicated the Star Luo Empire as well.
The Heaven Dou Empire's royal palace.
Inside an elegant palace hall.
"Weina, have you truly decided?"
A dignified man looked solemnly at the young girl before him.
The girl had a cold, elegant face. She was slightly tall, with long black hair tied neatly into a ponytail. Her beautiful eyes rippled like clear jade-green water, her fair skin flushed faintly with red.
She wore a long white down robe, wrapping her graceful figure within, her entire being emanating a special, refined nobility.
In her gentle eyes shone a hint of firm resolve. She softly parted her lips.
"Father Emperor, I have decided. Tomorrow, I will go to the Body Sect to cultivate."
"Alas, this is my fault — I've brought this hardship upon you."
The dignified man sighed, wanting to say more, but in the end, no words came. He simply gave the girl a silent look, turned, and left.
Listening to the sound of the door closing, the girl gazed at a few snow lotuses blooming in the cold pond outside the window, and whispered softly:
"The nation is weak — how dare I indulge in carefree peace…"
(End of Chapter)