"Her name is Ye Guyi. She's a level fifty-nine Soul King, currently affiliated with the Ordinary Alliance, and residing in an estate on the outskirts of Mingdu."
"From my guess, this is very likely someone cultivated by the Sun Moon imperial family to guard against our Holy Spirit Cult."
"And the Ordinary Alliance even specially captures wild evil soul masters to help Ye Guyi raise her cultivation. They've truly already set foot on the path to death."
Zhang Peng spoke in a deep voice, a trace of cold light flashing through his eyes.
An Angel Martial Soul—this was something the Holy Spirit Cult could not afford to ignore. Evil soul masters strengthened themselves through slaughter, while Angel Martial Soul users grew stronger by killing evil soul masters.
It was like big fish eating small fish, and small fish eating shrimp. The Angel Martial Soul possessed sacred attributes and had an innate suppression against evil soul masters. When facing them, fighting above one's level was hardly a problem at all.
"The Ordinary Alliance… a shadow of the Sun Moon imperial family."
Jiang Jue frowned slightly, a contemplative look appearing in his eyes.
"Ye Guyi's first appearance was during the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament in the future."
"At that time, Xu Tianran hadn't yet ascended the throne, and in the end, Ye Guyi was taken away by Huo Yuhao after being exposed. She may have been connected to the Sun Moon imperial family, but that plan probably fell apart."
His thoughts shifted, and Jiang Jue slowly shook his head.
"Whether she's connected to the Sun Moon imperial family or not no longer matters—because she's about to become one of ours."
Hearing this, a flash of joy passed through Zhang Peng's eyes. He knew well the young master's unfathomable methods. Since the young master said so, there was nothing to worry about.
"Young master, then when do we make our move?"
"I remember the Ordinary Alliance is extremely profitable, right?"
Jiang Jue lightly tapped the tabletop with his fingers and asked softly.
"Yes. In Mingdu, most entertainment venues are owned by the Ordinary Alliance, and all of them cater specifically to soul masters. You could say they rake in money by the bucketful every day."
After some deliberation, Zhang Peng replied solemnly.
In the Sun Moon Empire, most soul masters were also soul engineers, and soul engineers generally weren't short on money.
"Elder Zhang, I feel that this Ordinary Alliance has begun to affect our Xishui Alliance. What do you think?"
Jiang Jue's eyes flickered as he spoke meaningfully.
"Huh?"
Zhang Peng froze for a moment, the corner of his mouth twitching violently.
Among the three major underground forces of Mingdu, boundaries were delineated every year. The Xishui Alliance smuggled rare metals, the Aodu Chamber of Commerce sold goods to the former Three Great Empires, and the Ordinary Alliance controlled the entertainment industry.
Although there were frictions behind the scenes, on the surface everything remained calm, each keeping to their own territory.
Jiang Jue saying this clearly meant he wanted to make a move against the Ordinary Alliance.
"I think so too!"
"One Mingdu, three forces—how could that ever truly be harmonious? Young master, eliminating the Ordinary Alliance is simply an act of great benevolence!"
Meeting Jiang Jue's gaze, Zhang Peng's expression became incomparably solemn as he spoke with utmost seriousness.
Seeing this, Jiang Jue nodded in satisfaction.
"Once we control Mingdu's underground forces, it'll be much easier to change dynasties in the future. The Sun Moon Empire has been surnamed Xu for far too long…"
Jiang Jue thought to himself.
What's more, in the chaotic world of underground forces, there were no evergreen trees—everything was simply a product of competition.
"Elder Zhang, it was the Ordinary Alliance that struck at us first. Those dead evil soul masters were all from our Holy Spirit Cult—we were merely forced to retaliate."
"Don't you agree?"
Jiang Jue asked with a smile.
"I think the same. Then, young master, when do we strike?"
Zhang Peng nodded heavily and asked.
As for whether those dead evil soul masters truly belonged to the Holy Spirit Cult—no one would care. A dead man couldn't speak anyway.
"Three days from now. We'll start with Ye Guyi. Elder Zhang, secretly inform the Ordinary Alliance's leader, Shangguan Weier, and lure her out. Then we'll take the Ordinary Alliance under our banner in one fell swoop."
Light flickered in Jiang Jue's eyes, his face wearing a gentle smile as he spoke solemnly.
He had no intention of slaughtering the Ordinary Alliance completely. Once one Ordinary Alliance fell, the Sun Moon imperial family would simply push out more like it.
As long as the Sun Moon imperial family still existed, this would never end.
Compared to that, controlling the alliance's leader directly was far more efficient.
"We'll follow the young master's orders in all things!"
Zhang Peng said respectfully.
"Oh right, people from the Body Sect have also arrived in Mingdu this time. One of them is a Titled Douluo known as Dragon Arm—an elder of one of my competitors within the Body Sect…"
Jiang Jue added. Over the past year, through Lang Ya and Yu Tao, he had already gained a basic understanding of the Body Sect's internal situation.
The only small obstacle to him ascending to the position of Young Master of the Body Sect was this Dragon Arm Douluo.
"What? Could this person pose a threat to you, young master? Then I'll go take care of him tonight!"
Zhang Peng's eyes flashed with ruthlessness as he made a throat-slitting gesture.
"No rush. Even dead people have their uses. Elder Zhang, we must learn to conserve resources."
Jiang Jue said softly, his gaze flickering.
"Yes, young master—you're absolutely right."
Zhang Peng replied with a smile.
"During the year I was away, did anything major happen within the cult?"
Jiang Jue asked.
"Nothing major. After you left, Yan Feng—the one most capable of threatening your position—didn't make any moves. Instead, he's been spreading word of your talent within the cult, claiming he'll wait indefinitely for your return."
"As for the younger generation, seeing even Yan Feng act this way, no one else dares gossip recklessly."
Zhang Peng shook his head and smiled.
"The only thing that could be considered major is that two more Saintesses have appeared within the cult. One is the Fire Phoenix Saintess, and the other is the Blue Silver Saintess."
Jiang Jue nodded slightly, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.
These two would be powerful tools for dealing with Shrek Academy in the future.
"Very well. Elder Zhang, go back and make preparations. In three days, we depart. This might be useful to you—take it as well."
Jiang Jue stood up, took out a storage ring, and handed it to Zhang Peng.
"Young master, this… this is far too valuable. I can't accept it."
Zhang Peng took it in confusion and probed inside with his spiritual power. Within the storage ring lay the massive body of the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
In an instant, his martial soul trembled—a feeling of awe mixed with overwhelming desire.
"Elder Zhang, you were the one who brought me into the Holy Spirit Cult. You helped me ascend to the position of Holy Son. In the Extreme North, you even dared to risk your life to block the Ice Empress for me. How could this little thing be worth mentioning?"
"I say you deserve it—so you deserve it!"
Seeing Zhang Peng hesitate, Jiang Jue pushed his hand back firmly and said in a deep voice.
"Young master… I won't say much more. From this day on, this old life of mine belongs to you."
Zhang Peng was deeply shaken, waves surging in his heart as though something had filled it completely. With trembling hands, he tightly gripped the storage ring and spoke respectfully to Jiang Jue, his tone unwavering.
"No need for that. Go back and prepare early."
Jiang Jue smiled faintly and patted the little tiger beside him.
"Then this old man will take his leave."
"Oh, there's one more thing. Young master, should we also convert the Masked Douluo to our side?"
Just before leaving, Zhang Peng seemed to recall something and turned back to ask.
"The Masked Douluo—Elder Yue Sheng? What about him?"
Jiang Jue frowned slightly and asked in confusion.
"Ever since you left, the Masked Douluo has been praying to your portrait every day, praying for your safe return. He even holds it while eating brains—short of writing the word 'loyalty' to you right on his forehead."
Hearing this, the corner of Jiang Jue's mouth twitched twice.
This Masked Douluo really was… truly his loyal subject.
"Alright then. In the operation three days from now, Elder Zhang, bring the Masked Douluo along as well. We can't let loyal subjects feel neglected."
After some thought, Jiang Jue said slowly.
"Yes, young master!"
Zhang Peng nodded, replied, and then vanished from Jiang Jue's room.
Jiang Jue walked to the window, looking out at the brilliantly lit, flourishing Mingdu. He patted the little tiger's head, his eyes shimmering faintly.
"Mingdu at night is the best Mingdu."
"Of course, it'd be even better if it changed its surname…"
(End of chapter)