Chapter 234: Undercurrents Stirring
"Is everything ready?" asked the middle-aged man with a stern, authoritative demeanor and an indifferent tone. He spoke to a black-robed person standing respectfully before him.
"Reporting to the sect leader, all preparations are complete. The deputy leader will also attend the finals in person," replied the black-robed individual.
"Good, Second Elder, this time the responsibility for the underground market competition is yours. Make sure to acquire more rare metals for our Holy Sect," the middle-aged man nodded with satisfaction.
"You may leave."
"Yes."
These two individuals were none other than Zhong Liwu, the leader of the Holy Spirit Sect, and Nangong Wan, the Second Elder of the sect. This year's Soul Fighting Contest, despite Xu Tianran's ban on gambling under the pretext of disliking it, was still a gathering of many powerful forces from the Douluo Continent. Opportunities to make money were everywhere.
The underground soul master competition held alongside the official contest in Mingdu went ahead as usual. This event was not only a money-making opportunity for the royal family but also for the Holy Spirit Sect. Rare metals, a strategic resource, were coveted by all, and the Xi Shui Alliance under the sect's command was one of the three main organizers of the underground soul master competition.
Zhong Liwu was, of course, keeping a close eye on this event. Unlike Ye Xishui, who could afford to be hands-off, many of the sect's decisions required his approval.
It was hard to believe that as the leader of a sect of evil soul masters, Zhong Liwu didn't exude the repellent aura typical of his kind. Without using his martial soul, he seemed more like a dignified executive than anything else. Only his silver-white hair and the somewhat sinister look in his eyes hinted at his true nature.
"War is likely starting soon, heh, Xu Tianran, that fool. He pretends to respect me as a teacher and calls me the national master of the Sun Moon Empire, but in reality, he just wants to use the power of our Holy Spirit Sect to contain the powerhouses of the Three Douluo Empires," Zhong Liwu sneered coldly, reflecting on Xu Tianran's fluctuating attitudes towards him.
Xu Tianran's change in attitude had started after the destruction of Shrek Academy. For the Sun Moon Empire, the biggest obstacle to unifying the continent had always been Shrek Academy. As the former top academy of the continent, it was Shrek that had led the Three Douluo Empires to victory over the Sun Moon Empire in the great war four thousand years ago.
Xu Tianran had always been wary of Shrek. This had driven him to the desperate measure of collaborating with evil soul masters, attempting to use their power to combat the experts of Shrek Academy.
Now that Shrek Academy had been destroyed, removing the greatest barrier to the unification of the continent under the Sun Moon Empire, the existence of the Holy Spirit Sect had become particularly thorny.
Ambitious and having lost his dignity as a man, Xu Tianran valued power and reputation above all else. His greatest wish was to unify the continent under his rule and inscribe his name in the most glorious page of history. No longer interested in women, his focus on power and fame was apparent, leaving no room for others to manipulate him.
Initially forced to rely on the Holy Spirit Sect's power, Xu Tianran was now plotting how to eradicate this "cancer."
In his view, the entire Douluo Continent was his territory in the future. He would not tolerate the existence of evil soul masters within his lands.
Zhong Liwu, ever cunning, had understood Xu Tianran's intentions from the beginning and knew instantly what Xu Tianran's attitude would be when he heard of Shrek's destruction.
But he was unconcerned.
While Xu Tianran plotted how to remove the Holy Spirit Sect, Zhong Liwu was plotting how, after Xu Tianran unified the continent, to replace him and elevate the Holy Spirit Sect to the supreme power on the Douluo Continent.
"Let them fight! The more people die, the stronger the Holy Spirit Sect will become."
"You naive boy, while you plot how to use the Holy Spirit Sect, have you considered that we might be planning to use you to our advantage?"
"Ha ha ha ha…"
Xu Tianran would never guess that the headquarters of the Holy Spirit Sect, deep in the Evil Demon Forest, had even allied with the Demon Emperor and the Tyrant Evil Eye Sovereign!
From the beginning, Xu Tianran had no chance of fully eradicating the Holy Spirit Sect.
Zhong Liwu was not mistaken. At that very moment, Xu Tianran was in the Sun Moon Imperial Palace, quietly reading a confidential report.
The report naturally included Meng Hongchen's interactions with Du Qianjue, detailing some of their public exchanges during the last Soul Fighting Contest.
"It seems Jue Hongchen is also unwilling to be left out," Xu Tianran mused, his eyes narrowing slightly in scorn.
Although the theft of the Mingde Hall and the royal armory had forced Jue Hongchen to side with him, Jue Hongchen hadn't fully committed himself to Xu Tianran's cause and had plenty of schemes of his own.
How could Xu Tianran not have studied such a cunning old fox?
Even Oran, his closest confidant, hadn't fully earned Xu Tianran's trust, let alone Jue Hongchen, who had merely been compelled to take sides.
His long fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair, his expression serene but his eyes flickering with contemplation.
The old emperor of the Sun Moon Empire—his father—was on his deathbed, and Xu Tianran, acting as the regent, wielded the emperor's powers, though not without some inconvenience.
Especially considering his plans for the future, he needed complete control. Only then could he confidently initiate the war against the Three Douluo Empires.
Should he… take this opportunity to dispose of him?
A subtle murderous intent flashed through Xu Tianran's lowered eyes. He had almost no affection for his father and would hardly hesitate to plunge a knife into his chest if necessary.
Soon, Xu Tianran made his decision. It wouldn't be appropriate to kill the old emperor during the contest, as all eyes were currently on Mingdu, and any mishap could arise.
Once the contest was over, however, he could consider relieving his father of his duties. After clinging to the throne for so long, it was time for him to step down...
"My dear father, you have maintained what was handed to you but lacked initiative. Continuing to hold the throne would only hinder the development of the Sun Moon Empire. For the empire's everlasting supremacy…"
"I must ask you to die..."
Sunlight bathed Xu Tianran, his golden dragon robe exceptionally rebellious yet fitting seamlessly on him.
The regent wearing the emperor's robe—Xu Tianran's ambitions were clear to all.