Chapter 403 Zhongliwu: Is this your plan?
Zhongli Wu watched the retreating Title Douluos with a gloomy expression. To cooperate with Xu Tianran's plan, their Holy Sect had mobilized more than one-fifth of its mid-level forces, and almost all of its high-level personnel had come out. How could he be willing to accept this?
"Uncle Long, why don't you press your advantage!" Zhongli Wu forced back his anger as he looked at Long Xiaoyao, who had returned to his original form.
"There are two powerful individuals outside Mingdu, whose strength is no less than mine, watching over us. Let them go; we can't stop them." Long Xiaoyao shook his head expressionlessly.
Upon hearing this, Zhongli Wu's impulse to chase after them vanished instantly. He sighed helplessly; the foundation of the original Douluo Three Kingdoms was ultimately beyond the reach of their single evil soul master sect. Cooperating with the Sun Moon Empire was indeed the most correct step.
At this moment, Xu Tianran, who had fallen into a coma, had already been sent away for treatment by the royal physician Douluo, who was exclusive to the Sun Moon Royal Family. Kong Deming, who had appeared, did not make a move against Wu Xuan and the others, naturally because he did not want to break the final rules.
In the world of Soul Masters, there is an unwritten rule: whenever a Title Douluo-level expert gets involved in worldly conflicts, to avoid widespread bloodshed, the sky is their battlefield. Only the victor has the right to attack anyone below the Title Douluo level on the opposing side. As long as the opposing team still has one Title Douluo remaining, these Title Douluo-level experts cannot participate in worldly battles.
As a titled Douluo, Kong Deming's act of rescuing Xu Tianran was already pushing the boundaries of the rules, but as long as he didn't actually intervene, it wasn't considered a violation.
Of course, rules are one part of the reason, but another part is naturally due to his fear of Elder Xuan and the others' strength. If such a large number of Title Douluos were to break the rules and run rampant in Mingdu, even he would not be able to completely stop them.
Although the assassination attempt was fraught with twists and turns, the outcome was ultimately acceptable. The titled Douluo powerhouses from the Body Sect, Heavenly Soul, Star Luo, and Shrek Academy quickly rushed into the streets and joined Princess Vina, who was heading to attack Mingde Hall, according to the predetermined route.
"Grandpa, is it done?" Princess Vina asked eagerly.
Poison Undying said in a deep voice, "It's only half done. Not only was that shameless old man Long Xiaoyao involved in this operation, but the Sun and Moon Imperial Palace also set up a net. If it weren't for that little guy Wu Xuan stepping forward and severely injuring Xu Tianran, we would probably have suffered heavy losses in this operation."
"We didn't achieve much on our side either. Mingde Hall's defenses are far superior to what they used to be, but fortunately, we still gained something. Mingde Hall's losses this time were not small either," Vina nodded slightly.
"Well, as long as we've made some progress, that's good. With Xu Tianran seriously injured, the Sun Moon Empire will likely be in turmoil for some time to come. We've achieved our initial goal." Poison Undying grinned.
As the group was talking, more than a dozen figures suddenly gathered there. It was Wu Xuan and his group. No one in the elite squad had died, though injuries were inevitable.
When Elder Xuan and the other elders saw Wu Xuan return, they hurriedly went to greet him. Only after confirming that Wu Xuan and his group of five were completely safe and sound did they finally feel relieved.
Since the old man from the Sun Moon Empire dared to save Xu Tianran, they were genuinely afraid that he would then intercept and kill the entire Sharp Knife Squad.
Elder Xuan picked up the wine gourd at his waist and took a swig of fine wine: "Alright, you old poisoner, this operation is over. We'll stay together forever. Until we meet again. Shrek Academy's western breakout."
"West of the city? Xuanzi, do you really think it's easy to pass just because there are no defenses on the west side?" Du Busi couldn't help but shout.
Upon hearing this, Elder Xuan chuckled and said, "Strange things may happen in the west, but we have our own plans."
After saying this, Elder Xuan led the group to speed up again, heading directly west with Wu Xuan and the others.
Poison Immortal was slightly taken aback, but at this moment, he wisely chose to trust Elder Xuan. With a wave of his hand, he led his men and the powerful figures of the Star Luo Empire swiftly in another direction.
Sun and Moon Palace!
Upon receiving the summary of the casualties, Zhongli Wu felt as if his heart was bleeding. These were the foundation and future of the Holy Sect, and now they had died so miserably in the Sun and Moon Palace, in the plans of incompetent people.
The more Zhongli Wu thought about it, the angrier he became. He led Feng Ling and Zhang Peng to force their way into Xu Tianran's heavily guarded palace. At this time, all of Xu Tianran's confidants had been recalled by Jing Hongchen.
Even so, it still couldn't stop Zhongli Wu, the Holy Spirit Cult Leader, who kicked open the door to Xu Tianran's bedroom.
"Who goes there? This is His Highness the Crown Prince's palace!" Jing Hongchen, who was waiting nearby, was about to reprimand the newcomer, but she stopped herself when she saw Zhongli Wu's extremely gloomy expression.
"Seven Soul Saints and above, along with dozens of followers of my Holy Sect, have all perished. Is this your so-called plan?" Zhongli Wu stared intently at Jing Hongchen, as if he were about to devour him at any moment.
"The plan went a little wrong. We didn't expect Wu Xuan's strength to be so extraordinary," Jing Hongchen sighed.
"Didn't expect that? Didn't expect that it was also part of your plan?" Zhongli Wu glared angrily.
"Grand Preceptor, don't make false accusations!" Jing Hongchen retorted.
"Slanderous accusations? Ha! Where are your reinforcements? Why aren't they here to help? Are those five level-eight soul masters dead?" Zhongli Wu roared.
"Grand Preceptor, I truly have no idea. To this day, all three level-nine Soul Masters, including Xu Guozhong, and the five level-eight Soul Masters have lost contact with us. There's not a single piece of news about them," Jing Hongchen explained truthfully.
"Unaware? You say you were unaware? Does that mean my men died in vain?" Zhongli Wu roared, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Grand Preceptor, I respect you, but that doesn't mean I can let you bully me. It was your subordinates who couldn't defeat Wu Xuan, so they tried to take their anger out on us afterwards!" Jing Hongchen's tone suddenly turned cold.
"My men can't beat them? But your men can? Four Soul Douluo level experts, that's the foundation of our Holy Sect! And now they're dying here in such a humiliating way!" Zhongli Wu almost lost control of himself as he finished speaking.
Since he took over the Holy Spirit Sect, its strength has declined sharply; in just a few years, countless powerful figures have mysteriously disappeared. Now he's wondering whether cooperating with the Sun Moon Empire was the right or wrong move!
"Imperial Preceptor... cough cough, Imperial Preceptor!" A soft call came from the bedside. At this moment, Xu Tianran felt as if needles were pricking his mind.
"Your Highness, you're awake!!" Jing Hongchen exclaimed in surprise. Xu Tianran was now his last resort. If Xu Tianran hadn't made it and had died, he would have been prepared to betray him.
"Clan Chief Hongchen, how is the Crown Princess now!" The first thing Xu Tianran did upon opening his eyes was to inquire about Ju Zi's condition.
"Your Highness, the Crown Princess only suffered minor external injuries and is now fine," Jing Hongchen said.
"That's good, that's good!" Xu Tianran finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Regardless of whether he loved her or not, he deeply admired Ju Zi's leadership and command abilities, and now that she was alright, he was finally at ease.
"Your Highness, even now you still have the mind to talk about love! Shouldn't you give this national advisor an explanation for this plan?" Zhongli Wu said with a gloomy expression.
"Handing over 20,000 people to the Holy Church for disposal, does the Grand Preceptor think that's enough? Ah~!" Xu Tianran had barely finished speaking when his head began to throb violently, and his screams continued incessantly.
"Your Highness, your mental strength is currently damaged, and you are unable to think deeply about problems!" Jing Hongchen hurriedly said.
"Clan Chief Hongchen! Imperial Advisor, the rest of the plan remains unchanged. Anyone who dares to harbor disloyalty will be beheaded on the spot." Xu Tianran ordered with a twisted expression, before Huo Luo fainted from the pain.
"Yes!" Jing Hongchen replied respectfully.
Zhongli Wu, who had received a satisfactory answer, nodded slightly and then took his leave. Twenty thousand people, regardless of their quality, were more than enough to compensate for some of their losses this time.
(End of chapter)