Word Count: 3,007 Words
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"Brother Death Abyss, what use is a contract? You should be fleecing this Heavenly Soul Princess for a few hundred million at least!"
Nangong Wan couldn't contain himself and sent a voice transmission.
The Seraphim was already a must-kill target for the Holy Spirit Cult. Taking Wei Na's commission was pure freeloading. If they didn't open the lion's mouth now and demand an astronomical price, they'd be squandering however many spirit gold coins they could have scammed out of her.
Death Abyss Douluo couldn't be bothered to reply. He watched Wei Na with detached indifference as she wrestled with her internal conflict.
Though long painted as the continent's number one Evil Spirit Master, Death Abyss Douluo had actually made relatively few enemies: essentially the Illustrious Virtue Hall, Shrek Academy, and the Body Sect.
The conflict with the Illustrious Virtue Hall was primarily financial. Death Abyss Douluo had plundered numerous Class 9 Spirit Guidance Device blueprints, and with Crown Prince Xu Tianran already bound to the Holy Spirit Cult by formal pact, Jing Hongchen had pinched his nose and swallowed the loss.
As for Shrek Academy, Elder Xuan's cultivation had been beaten down to Rank 97, but everyone else had escaped unscathed. Death Abyss Douluo's only true life-and-death enemy was the Body Sect, who had suffered devastating casualties during that battle at the Illustrious Virtue Hall.
The Body Sect's Young Master had been killed that very morning. By nightfall, someone had come to an underground organization with Evil Spirit Master ties to commission an assassination. How could Death Abyss Douluo not suspect the Body Sect?
The disguise effect of an ordinary Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device was mediocre at best. It was essentially decorative. Anyone paying the slightest attention could spot something amiss. Once stripped away, the hate-consumed Heavenly Soul Princess Wei Na was revealed beneath.
Wei Na had come to Qingse Hotel alone. Death Abyss Douluo had ten thousand ways to make her disappear silently into the night. But compared to killing a minor Spirit Emperor, the hidden benefits her identity offered were far more enticing.
A contract signed with Death Abyss Douluo in the name of the Heavenly Soul Imperial Family and a Body Sect disciple.
What kind of contract was this? It was clearly evidence of collusion with Evil Spirit Masters!
Wei Na glanced at Death Abyss Douluo, who sat steady as a fisherman on a riverbank, firmly in control. Her pearly teeth sank deep into her crimson lip. This man was also an enemy of the Body Sect. As long as he helped avenge her husband's murder, she could overlook their past enmity.
Her reason for choosing to cooperate with Evil Spirit Masters was simple. By the natural order of things, Evil Spirit Masters would hunt the Seraphim without question. Almost no one would suspect the Body Sect or the Heavenly Soul Imperial Family.
After a prolonged silence, Wei Na finally spoke:
"Death Abyss Douluo, I cannot represent the Heavenly Soul Empire or the Body Sect. I can only ally with you in my personal capacity."
She had no idea what Death Abyss Douluo's true objective was, only that he definitely had designs on both great powers. She wanted to avenge Long Aotian while keeping the Heavenly Soul Imperial Family and the Body Sect as far from the fire as possible.
By allying in her personal capacity, should her cooperation with Evil Spirit Masters ever come to light, both factions could immediately disavow all knowledge and place the blame squarely on her. At worst, she would atone with her death and follow Long Aotian into the afterlife. Life alone in this world held little meaning for her now anyway.
"Accepted."
Death Abyss Douluo nodded, his expression utterly unperturbed. What he wanted was a legitimate pretext to make his move.
The tension drained from Wei Na's body the moment this Super Evil Douluo agreed. She took up a pen to draft the contract, filling each line with lavish praise and flattery for Death Abyss Douluo, and at the end imprinted it with the unique mark of the Heavenly Soul Princess.
She presented the document to Death Abyss Douluo with both hands and whispered, "I want to hear news of the Seraphim's fall immediately after this tournament ends."
"Don't be hasty, Your Highness."
A faint smile played across Death Abyss Douluo's face. "The contract is merely the prerequisite for assassinating the Seraphim. We haven't discussed compensation yet.
The Seraphim has Jianmu Douluo guarding him. We'll need to invite Dragon Emperor Douluo to step in and pin him down.
As you know, Limit Douluo treat money like dirt. Only personal connections can move them... I won't beat around the bush. I want this amount."
"Five hundred million?!"
The moment he spread all five fingers, Wei Na's face went deathly pale. The funds she carried didn't come anywhere close to that figure. She didn't even have half!
Evil Spirit Masters truly were demons who devoured people without spitting out the bones!
Wei Na rose and offered a deep formal curtsy. Steeling herself, she managed, "Death... Death Abyss Douluo, may I pay one hundred million as a deposit? Please allow me to return to the Heavenly Soul Empire to raise the remainder..."
"Very well. We Evil Spirit Masters are sentimental folk, after all. For the sake of your sincerity, once the deed is done, I'll personally pay a visit to the Princess's Manor..."
"Many thanks, Death Abyss Douluo!"
Wei Na finally exhaled in relief. She produced a glittering gold card. Before their departure, the Heavenly Soul Emperor had given her a massive sum to purchase rare metals and Sun Moon Spirit Guidance Devices. She had also set her sights on the Tang Sect's Godly Zhuge Crossbow Cannons.
After being thoroughly fleeced by Death Abyss Douluo, not only would her shopping list shrink dramatically, but the order for those Godly Zhuge Crossbow Cannons would have to be shelved for the time being...
The stone in her heart finally settled. Wei Na bade Death Abyss Douluo farewell and took her leave. She harbored no doubts whatsoever about the Evil Spirit Masters following through. Holy and Evil had been locked in mortal opposition since time immemorial. These fiends would undoubtedly hunt the Seraphim to the ends of the earth!
Aotian, I've avenged you!
"Brother Nangong, I just remembered the Cult Leader assigned me a task I haven't finished. I'll return to support the Duskwater Alliance during the finals of the Mingdu Spirit Guidance Tournament."
Death Abyss Douluo sensed something and casually tossed out an excuse before departing.
"By all means, Brother Death Abyss!"
Nangong Wan suspected nothing. His wrinkled face bloomed into a grin wider than a chrysanthemum.
…
Wei Na returned to the Bright Moon Hotel to find the Body Sect members sitting with grim expressions, the room a mess of scattered luggage and debris. Puzzled, she asked:
"What's going on? Weren't we leaving the Sun Moon Empire tonight?"
The Bright Moon Hotel did not accommodate losers. Most teams from the three Douluo continent empires that had lost their matches chose to depart the Sun Moon Empire without delay. They already harbored deep antipathy toward it, were unwilling to linger, and feared the Sun Moon Empire might harbor ill intentions toward them.
The Body Sect was even more on edge. Enemies lurked everywhere within the Sun Moon Empire: Jianmu Douluo watched them like a tiger stalking prey, the Illustrious Virtue Hall was champing at the bit, and Shrek Academy's stance remained unclear.
Long Aotian had met a gruesome end in the Spirit Master tournament. Du Busi himself didn't dare remain behind and face Jianmu Douluo in a death match. Fortunately, Jianmu Douluo feared Dragon Emperor Douluo and other Sun Moon powerhouses might play oriole to his mantis and had abandoned the pursuit. Only then did Du Busi seize the chance to gather the Body Sect and flee.
"Wei Na, we can't get out."
Du Busi released a heavy sigh. His direct disciple had fallen and the Body Sect faced dire straits. The Rank 98 Titled Douluo looked as though he had aged ten years in a single day.
"To the east, south, and north, the Sun Moon Empire has deployed several Spirit Guidance Legions, carrying at least five Class 9 Stationary Spirit Cannon shells.
Beyond that, I've sensed a massive aura from each of those three directions. One is Long Xiaoyao. The other two belong to unfamiliar Evil Spirit Masters.
If we force our way through any of those sides, death is all that awaits us..."
"What about the west, Sect Master?" Wei Na's brows knitted tight.
"There are Spirit Guidance Legions there as well, but their numbers and strength can't compare to the east, south, and north."
"Surround three, leave one open..."
Wei Na murmured, catching the faint scent of conspiracy.
The Sun Moon Empire had cast an inescapable net. Why deliberately leave a gap? Death Abyss Douluo could easily have held the western approach, rendering all four walls impregnable.
Extending that line of reasoning, could something even more terrifying than Dragon Emperor Douluo be lying in ambush to the west?
Then again, perhaps the Sun Moon Empire simply wanted to avoid mutual destruction, intentionally allowing some of the three empires' strongest Spirit Masters to slip away and reducing casualties among their own forces.
Two paths lay before the Body Sect. One: push west. Two: force through the eastern, southern, or northern blockade.
The west meant venturing into the unknown. One misstep, and the entire game was lost. As for the east, south, and north...
Five Class 9 Stationary Spirit Cannon shells detonating simultaneously would blast even Du Busi to pieces. Small fry like Wei Na would spiral straight to heaven.
Two bottles of poison. The Body Sect had no idea which to drink.
'No. I need to sound out Shrek Academy and Xu Jiujiu!'
Wei Na recognized the urgency. She pushed through the door and headed straight for the neighboring suite.
All eight quarterfinal teams were housed on the Bright Moon Hotel's top floor. Though Shrek Academy had already been eliminated, the sky villas offered numerous rooms. They shared accommodations with the Tang Sect, making it convenient for Shrek's powerhouses to stand guard.
Zhang Lexuan opened the door and invited her inside. Wei Na had barely crossed the threshold before her pretty face darkened. There in the room, plain as day, sat Ling Bai, leaning close against Han Ruoruo, while Jianmu Douluo Zhou Jiren, Taotie Douluo Elder Xuan, and other Titled Douluo discussed weighty matters.
"Princess Wei Na, the Sun Moon Empire has surrounded three sides and left one open. Every direction bristles with danger. Our Shrek Academy has decided to join forces with Senior Jianmu. Would the Body Sect care to join us?" Zhang Lexuan asked amiably.
"No, thank you."
Long Aotian's bones weren't yet cold. Wei Na would have to be out of her mind to act alongside Ling Bai. She turned on her heel, face like frost, and walked straight out of the Shrek sky villa.
Zhang Lexuan could only smile helplessly. She turned around to find Han Ruoruo thoughtfully skewering a piece of fruit and feeding it into Ling Bai's mouth. A cross-shaped vein instantly bulged at her temple.
"You two, enough already! Would it kill you to consider other people's feelings once in a while!"
The pair pretended not to hear. Ling Bai continued basking in Han Ruoruo's gentle attention.
BOOM—
Wei Na stomped furiously in the corridor, venting her frustration. Shrek Academy and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had forged bonds ten thousand years ago and had always coexisted in peace.
The Body Sect, by contrast, had triggered a Beast Tide to entrap Shrek, Du Bisi had crippled Mu En's spine, and Du Busi had forced his way onto Sea God Island...
One was a notorious enemy sect. The other, an ancient friend with ten millennia of shared history. Factor in Jianmu Douluo's recent ascension to Limit Douluo and Ling Bai's blazing romance with Ma Xiaotao, and Shrek had chosen the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan without a moment's hesitation.
Left with no alternatives, Wei Na enacted her backup plan and knocked on the Star Luo Imperial Academy's door.
An old woman opened it.
"Senior Star Cloud, I have urgent matters to discuss with Sister Jiujiu," Wei Na said at once.
"Princess Wei Na, our Princess has already invited a guest. Please come back tomorrow."
Star Cloud Douluo Yi Man blocked the doorway with unmistakable vigilance. Wei Na's eyes widened in disbelief.
What guest could possibly be more important than the Heavenly Soul Princess!
What's more, Star Cloud Douluo's face bore a look of absolute resolve, as though she would sooner die than let her through!
Who on earth was Xu Jiujiu meeting?!
Inside the room, Xu Jiujiu sat across from a devilishly charming figure and cut straight to the point:
"Surround three, leave one open. What have your people arranged to the west of Mingdu?"
"You used the Twin Spirit Guidance Device to contact me just for this?" Death Abyss Douluo yawned.
"What else!"
Xu Jiujiu stared at him without blinking, her heart half panicked, half relieved.
Panicked, because the fangs the Sun Moon Empire had bared proved far sharper than anticipated. The three great empires teetered on the brink. Relieved, because their fateful encounter in the Luminous Mystic Forest years ago had forged a close relationship with Death Abyss Douluo, giving her the chance to obtain first-hand intelligence.
"Each of the east, south, and north has a Limit Douluo, along with Spirit Guidance Legions and Class 9 Stationary Spirit Cannon shells.
The west is a land of death. No matter what you choose, every path leads to doom." Death Abyss Douluo's tone was idle, as though none of it concerned him.
Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao. Death God Douluo Ye Xishui. Holy Spirit Cult Leader Zhongli Wu, who commanded the Limit Bone Dragon King. For the Star Luo Empire, these three formed insurmountable peaks.
Xu Jiujiu sucked in a sharp breath. She moved closer to Death Abyss Douluo and clasped his hand in both of hers, her star-like eyes brimming with entreaty:
"Ning Bai, the Sun Moon Empire's wolfish ambition couldn't be more transparent!
For the sake of what we've shared, won't you help the Star Luo Empire just this once? Name whatever compensation you wish..."
Death Abyss Douluo considered for a moment, then said, "Break out from the west on the eve of the tournament finals. The power in that land of death has its limits. I'd wager by then, he should be preoccupied with dealing with... and won't have attention to spare for your Star Luo Empire."
"You're the best! I knew you were different from other Evil Spirit Masters!"
Xu Jiujiu was so elated she lunged forward and planted a kiss on Death Abyss Douluo's cheek. The Scarlet Soul blueprints he had provided before had been an enormous boon to the Star Luo Empire, granting it the first mass-produced Spirit Cannons and dramatically strengthening its spirit guidance defense network. Now he had revealed the weakness in the Sun Moon Empire's encirclement.
Every one of these was a debt of gratitude owed to Death Abyss Douluo!
"Honestly, are you really not interested in going clean and becoming our Star Luo Prince Consort?" Xu Jiujiu pressed, unwilling to let the matter drop.
Death Abyss Douluo wiped the bright red lip print from his cheek and joked, "Not interested. But the future stretches long before us... Who knows? Maybe one day I'll change my mind."
Xu Jiujiu replied with utmost sincerity: "The Star Luo Empire and the Princess's Manor will always have a place waiting for you!"
...
After the great battles concluded, the Continental Youth Elite Spirit Master Grand Tournament revealed its final four:
Angelic Sanctuary, Tang Sect, Sun Moon Imperial Academy, and Heavenly Dragon Sect.
This was the first tournament to include sects as participants, elevating its prestige far above previous years. To emerge from over a hundred teams and claim a place among the final four was undeniable proof of these four squads' formidable strength.
Once the last quarterfinal match ended, the semi-final draw took place. Since teams from the same group could only meet again in the finals, the Sun Moon Imperial Academy was excluded from the selection pool, leaving the choice between the Tang Sect and the Heavenly Dragon Sect. Ling Qiuxi did not disappoint Ling Bai. With a deft hand, she drew the Tang Sect.
Semi-finals, first match: Angelic Sanctuary VS Tang Sect.
After consecutive days of overcast skies and rainfall, Mingdu's weather had finally turned for the better. Brilliant sunlight poured down, and the continent's foremost city, its metal-clad surfaces far surpassing any other's, glittered with magnificent splendor.
The entire arena fell silent. Every gaze fixed on the competition stage, mouths going dry. The men especially stared without blinking, unwilling to look away for even half a second.
For standing face-to-face on the competition platform were two peerless beauties. One stood icy and proud, her golden hair billowing like a banner. The other appeared lively and exquisite, radiating a fresh, ethereal beauty in shades of pink and blue.
"Angelic Sanctuary, Ling Qiuxi."
They exchanged names. Ling Qiuxi's eyes narrowed slightly as she regarded the pink-blue silhouette opposite her.
It felt like the invisible hand of fate at work. She simply didn't like this woman, always sensing that the girl was covertly watching something from the shadows. And lately, she had seemed like an entirely different person, inexplicably going out of her way to make her presence felt around Ling Bai.
"Wang Dong Er. I come from Shrek Academy, from the Tang Sect!"
Wang Dong Er held her head high with unconcealed pride. Her voice, laced with spirit power, rang out across the entire venue, declaring to all that Shrek Academy had not been eliminated. Shrek's glory endured. They were Shrek's other team!
Unbreakable Douluo Zheng Zhan once again served as referee. He raised his right hand and commanded:
"Both sides, prepare. Match, begin!"