Since Jiang Jue became the Holy Son, he had transferred Zhou Ping from the Heavenly Soul Empire to the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City.
With Jiang Jue's resources, Zhou Ping successfully advanced to the Soul King level, which could be considered Jiang Jue's way of repaying a favor.
Another reason Jiang Jue stationed Zhou Ping in Star Luo City was to keep an eye on the White Tiger Duke's Mansion from afar. The moment Huo Yuhao left the mansion, Zhou Ping was to send a letter to him.
That letter was written by Zhou Ping the day before yesterday, and today it had reached Jiang Jue's hands.
"In the original story, it took Huo Yuhao six days to reach the Great Star Dou Forest. I have enough time to prepare."
Jiang Jue changed into a black robe embroidered with dark golden patterns, giving off an air of nobility.
Over the years, Jiang Jue had matured in appearance. His once delicate features had become more defined—sharp eyebrows, bright eyes—and combined with a faintly discernible air of wickedness, he appeared quite unique.
After adjusting his attire, Jiang Jue stepped out of his room.
As soon as the door opened, the Holy Spirit Cult followers standing guard on either side quickly bowed in greeting.
"Go summon Zhongli Tian, Zhongli Di, and Zhongli Ren."
"Yes, Holy Son."
Before long, there was a knock on Jiang Jue's door.
"Enter."
As Jiang Jue's words fell, the door opened, and three figures stepped inside.
They were three elderly men, each over seventy years old. What was striking was that the three looked identical: all had hooked noses, thin lips, and even dressed the same in gray robes.
Each of them leaned on a dark staff, which was embedded with a gray gemstone.
"Greeting to the Holy Son."
The three moved in perfect unison, bowing and saluting in sync.
"No need for formalities. Since I called you here, you should already know why."
"The Cult Master has already instructed us that after you break through, we are to protect you as you go to the Great Star Dou Forest to obtain your third spirit ring."
The eldest of the three, Zhongli Tian, replied.
"Good. Now that I have broken through to Rank 30, we shall set off this afternoon. Go make your preparations."
Zhongli Tian and his brothers were from the same clan as Zhongli Wu, though their branch was a collateral line.
A month ago, Jiang Jue had already discussed with Zhongli Wu that once he reached Rank 30, he would personally go to the Great Star Dou Forest to acquire his spirit ring.
Due to the intensifying power struggle within the Sun-Moon Empire's royal family in recent years, the Holy Spirit Cult had successfully infiltrated the fight for the throne, backing Xu Tiannan with the intent to claim a share of the spoils.
Because of this, Zhongli Wu was often away from the cult, gradually loosening his supervision over Jiang Jue.
Besides, a master can only lead the way—cultivation ultimately depends on oneself. Zhongli Wu had already taught Jiang Jue everything he needed; the rest was up to Jiang Jue's own efforts.
Thus, when Jiang Jue proposed going to the Great Star Dou Forest himself to obtain his third spirit ring, Zhongli Wu agreed without hesitation. He also wished for Jiang Jue to gain real-world experience.
However, to ensure Jiang Jue's safety, he had summoned the Zhongli Tian brothers—three seasoned warriors familiar with the Great Star Dou Forest. Each of them was an eight-ringed Soul Douluo.
"Go make your preparations, then."
"Yes, Holy Son."
The three once again moved in perfect sync, walking out in parallel. Their eerily synchronized actions made the corner of Jiang Jue's mouth twitch.
There really weren't many normal people in the Holy Spirit Cult.
After spending over four years here, Jiang Jue realized that among them, Mask seemed relatively normal.
Once the three had left, Jiang Jue retrieved the Soul-Refining Banner and took out the Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife. A surge of rich life energy instantly spread out.
Gently caressing the emerald-green engraving knife, Jiang Jue murmured,
"This time, whether or not I can snatch Old Yi depends on you."
His trip to the Great Star Dou Forest wasn't just about obtaining his third spirit ring. His real goal was Electrolux—the Necromantic Holy Mage, the Calamity of the Undead.
This was a man who single-handedly laid waste to half a dimension.
That legendary line, 'I am merely someone who does not wish to become a god.'—it still captivated Jiang Jue to this day.
Only by obtaining Old Yi could Jiang Jue gradually transition from being just another pawn on the "God King's" grand chessboard into a player himself.
In Jiang Jue's view, of all the advantages Huo Yuhao had, Electrolux was the greatest.
Electrolux not only granted Huo Yuhao a third martial soul and necromancer magic, but more importantly, he shaped Huo Yuhao's worldview.
However, what the Tang God King wanted was not a Huo Yuhao with independent thought—he wanted the completely obedient "Dai Yuhao."
That was why, just when everything in Huo Yuhao's life seemed to be going well, Wang Dong conveniently invited him to the Haotian Sect, where there just so happened to be a ten-thousand-year-old Cold Ice Jade Essence Bed, and coincidentally, Snow Empress's core essence encountered an accident.
Everything was perfectly orchestrated—either by sheer coincidence or by meticulous design.
To save Huo Yuhao, Electrolux was forced to burn away his divine consciousness. From that moment on, Huo Yuhao had no chance of escaping the Tang God King's millennia-long plan and was utterly manipulated.
If Skydream Iceworm determined Huo Yuhao's lower limit, then Old Yi determined his upper limit.
Thus, Jiang Jue had to snatch Old Yi!
Four Days Later Outer Region of the Great Star Dou Forest
Zhongli Tian and his brothers stood in a protective triangular formation around Jiang Jue, completely encircling him.
"How am I supposed to shake off these three?"
Jiang Jue racked his brain. Ever since they entered the Great Star Dou Forest two days ago, the three had stayed glued to him, unwilling to let him suffer even the slightest harm.
"Holy Son, shall we return to the mixed zone? The outer region only has ordinary spirit beasts, and there are no mental-attribute ones. Their cultivation years are also generally too low."
Zhongli Tian spoke in a pleading tone.
"You do realize we are in the outer region, right? There aren't any powerful soul beasts here. So can you guys step back a little?"
Jiang Jue said helplessly.
Originally, they had gone to the mixed zone. However, Electrolux didn't appear there—his location was in the outer region.
So Jiang Jue led them back here.
"No, the Cult Master ordered that you must not be harmed."
Oh, now they listen.
"But if you keep guarding me like this, I won't be able to gain any real combat experience."
"If that happens, how will you explain it to the Cult Master when we return?"
"You wouldn't want me to tell Master that I didn't get any training, would you…?"
Jiang Jue said slowly, his tone meaningful.
"Uh…"
Zhongli Tian was momentarily speechless. He turned to look at Zhongli Di and Zhongli Ren, both of whom wore bitter smiles.
Zhongli Tian glared at Zhongli Ren, signaling him to speak.
Reluctantly, Zhongli Ren asked,
"Then, Holy Son, what do you propose?"
"I happen to have a plan. You three head to the mixed zone and capture a suitable soul beast for me while I train here in the outer region. How about that?"
Jiang Jue suggested slowly.
"Big Brother, that actually sounds reasonable. There's hardly any danger in the outer region."
Zhongli Di looked at Zhongli Tian. Having spent a lot of time in the Great Star Dou Forest hunting spirit beasts and refining beast souls, they knew this area well.
Most creatures here were hundred- or thousand-year-old soul beasts—Jiang Jue could handle them easily.
"I think the Holy Son's plan is viable."
Zhongli Ren added.
(End of Chapter)