On the way back to the palace.
Xue Chen quietly pushed the wheelchair, looking at Xu Tiannan with his eyes lightly closed. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke.
"Your Highness, that Jing Hongchen is clearly using your hand to draw the hatred of Shrek Academy. Why did you still—"
"Why did I still step right into the trap on my own, right?"
Xu Tiannan replied softly when he heard this.
Xue Chen nodded slightly.
"Elder Xue, you must understand—there is no free lunch in this world. If you want to gain something, you must pay something in return."
"On the surface, it looks like I'm attracting the hatred of Shrek Academy, but at the same time, I can also get a slice of the pie from this affair. What's more, it gives me the chance to move one step closer to Jing Hongchen."
"As for Shrek Academy's hatred? What is that, really? Since Shrek Academy is destined to be an enemy of our Sun Moon Empire, there's no need to show them mercy. If we're going to act, then we act decisively—completely!"
As he said this, a trace of cold light flashed through Xu Tiannan's eyes, his tone calm and composed.
Xue Chen nodded in agreement. There was a hint of anticipation in his gaze as he looked at Xu Tiannan.
He knew very well the methods of the prince he served. Back then, the Second Prince had attempted to assassinate Xu Tiannan but failed to finish the job, only leaving him disabled. Xu Tiannan endured in silence for a period of time before erupting all at once, sweeping away the Second Prince and all the forces under his control in one decisive move.
In the end, the Second Prince died a miserable death, while Xu Tiannan, despite his disability, firmly held onto the position of Crown Prince. From that day on, Xue Chen gave him his unwavering loyalty.
"Elder Xue, rest assured. When I ascend to the supreme throne one day, I won't forget you."
"Right now, I am already firmly established in court. As for my brothers, they're nothing more than beasts making a desperate last stand. And I also have the support of the Holy Spirit Church."
"Ever since my imperial uncle came under my command, those 'Truths' in the strategic reserve vault have also fallen into my hands. The Common Alliance he controlled is now entirely mine as well. Those days bathed in sunlight are not far off…"
"I, who walked on thin ice through the first half of my life, will eventually sit upon that throne and conquer the world!"
Facing Xue Chen, who had accompanied him all the way, Xu Tiannan's long-suppressed ambition surged forth, and he could not help but envision his bright future.
"Oh right, Elder Xue—how has Juzi been lately?"
Xu Tiannan suddenly seemed to remember something and asked.
"Since Miss Juzi entered the military camp three months ago, she has continuously distinguished herself with her extraordinary military talent. She has already been promoted two ranks in succession."
Xue Chen replied softly.
"Very good. Very good indeed. Juzi will surely become my right-hand pillar in the future."
Xu Tiannan said with a smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Juzi was someone he had taken in. Back then, her happy family had been destroyed by the army of the Star Luo Empire. From that moment on, Juzi made revenge her goal, studying military law and strategy. Perhaps favored by heaven, her military talent was truly outstanding.
Thus, when Juzi wanted to enter the army and climb her way up from the bottom, tempering herself through experience, Xu Tiannan agreed.
"Let's go. Back to the palace."
Xu Tiannan's eyes flickered as he spoke softly.
"Shrek Academy… Shrek Academy—the place that has produced gods. Could there be a way there to restore my dignity as a man?"
"I hope it won't disappoint me…"
…
Inside Meng Hongchen's room.
Jiang Jue sat cross-legged, his knees folded. Behind him, the Golden Wheel of Fortune continuously erupted with dazzling golden light. The area that had originally lit up only thirty percent now gradually spread to cover half of the entire wheel.
Within the Soul-Refining Banner, strands of strange golden light kept flowing into the Golden Wheel. That golden light was none other than the power of fortune.
All of this fortune power originated from the 250,000-year spiritual essence of the Heavenly Dream Iceworm.
The Heavenly Dream Iceworm was the starting point of Huo Yuhao's life as the Child of Destiny. When its spiritual essence was plundered, the fortune it carried gradually tilted and gathered toward Jiang Jue.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
With Jiang Jue's eyes tightly closed, thunder-like sounds rang out from his heart. His entire body was bathed in golden light, his posture upright and dignified, resembling a god descended to the mortal world.
The Snow Empress stood beside Jiang Jue, sensing the changes in him. In her originally calm and beautiful eyes, brilliant colors flickered.
"Perhaps he truly can become a god and reverse the current state of soul beasts."
As a spirit of heaven and earth, the Snow Empress could sense Jiang Jue's state more clearly than anyone. He was being favored and cherished by the entire world itself—like a beloved child of heaven.
"Buzz—buzz—buzz!"
The Golden Wheel of Fortune behind Jiang Jue trembled continuously, while the golden light emitted from the Soul-Refining Banner suddenly accelerated. With a sharp crack, the illuminated portion of the Golden Wheel expanded to sixty percent.
"Pop!"
A crisp sound rang out as Jiang Jue slowly opened his eyes. The Eye of Destiny suddenly appeared between his brows, radiating an eerie and wondrous light. Behind him, the Golden Wheel of Fortune burst into brilliance, as if linking together with the Eye of Destiny.
Jiang Jue gently clenched his fingers, feeling the changes in his body. Every movement felt perfectly natural, as though born of heaven itself.
He could sense that every corner of this world was releasing goodwill toward him, and soul power surged toward him in waves.
There was a feeling of wishes coming true—perhaps if he were to fall off a cliff right now, he really might pick up an unparalleled secret manual or a hundred-thousand-year soul bone.
In other words, he was now truly favored by destiny!
"The spiritual essence of the Heavenly Dream Iceworm has already been stored in the Soul-Refining Banner. From now on, all the way up to Titled Douluo, I won't have to worry about cultivation resources."
And his current cultivation had already reached Level 67.
"However, when I was refining the Heavenly Dream Iceworm's essence just now, why did the Golden Wheel of Fortune suddenly tremble—and why did I hear a strange voice?"
"That voice asked me to go save him? Who is 'he'?"
Jiang Jue pondered silently.
He could sense that the voice seemed to come from this very world itself. It did not belong to any specific god, but rather to a kind of will.
"Could it be the will of the Douluo Plane?"
Suddenly, Jiang Jue's brows lifted as he seemed to realize something.
"If that's the case, doesn't that mean Tang San is fighting with the will of the Douluo Plane for ownership of the plane itself?"
As his thoughts flowed, Jiang Jue felt this possibility was extremely high. The timing also matched. Huo Yuhao might have been the method by which the will of the Douluo Plane resisted—but unfortunately, he was ultimately shackled by God King Tang.
Now that Jiang Jue had replaced Huo Yuhao and become the new Child of Destiny, it was only natural for the will of the Douluo Plane to seek him out.
"Since I've accepted your favor, if there's a chance in the future, I'll help you break free."
Jiang Jue's eyes grew deep and profound. Sooner or later, he would stand against Tang San. If he could kill Tang San and deal with Tang Hao along the way, it would merely be a matter of convenience.
"Since Tang Hao has descended to the Douluo Plane, does that mean A Yin is already within the Golden Tree?"
At this thought, a sharp gleam flashed in Jiang Jue's eyes. If that were the case, then he would have one more method at his disposal…
(End of Chapter)