Chapter 312: The Demon Empress "Walking Into the Tiger's Den"
Half a month passed.
On the surface, Douluo Continent remained peaceful. Soul masters trained as usual within every great city.
Yet those standing at the peak of power could clearly feel it—the killing intent hidden beneath the calm grew more suffocating by the day.
…
Deep within Shrek Academy, in the Sea God Pavilion.
Mu En sat in the main seat, his frail fingers rhythmically tapping the table, his aged but sharp eyes gleaming.
Beside him sat Xuan Zi, Yan Shaozhe, and Qian Duoduo.
The faint fluctuations of soul power surrounding them betrayed their unrest.
"When this next auction ends, we act—no matter what."
Mu En's voice carried absolute authority. "The energy corrupting the plane's core grows stronger by the day. If we keep waiting, the entire continent might collapse."
Elder Xuan nodded grimly. "I've confirmed it—the source truly stems from the Human Altar."
"The faith power it channels is corroding the plane through some twisted process. If this continues…"
He stopped mid‑sentence, but everyone understood the unspoken danger.
Qian Duoduo inhaled deeply before speaking. "Elder Mu, there's something I've been puzzling over."
"Speak," said Mu En.
"The Human Altar came from the Star Auction Pavilion. It's now the medium of corruption—could they really be unaware of that? With their strength, it's impossible they didn't notice something. What if…"
He hesitated, forcing the words out, "What if someone else is pulling the strings? If this truly is an enemy targeting all of Douluo Continent, even we may have no means to stop them."
"And if the Star Auction Pavilion knows but chooses not to act, that's one thing. But if the being behind this corruption has escaped even their awareness, then we may be facing an entity far beyond our realm."
Silence filled the pavilion.
Zhang Lexuan frowned. "Elder Mu, maybe someone is simply exploiting the altar. The Pavilion might not be involved."
"Or perhaps they know but prefer not to interfere. After all, they've never disrupted Douluo Continent's balance. Maybe they're aware of the pollution yet unwilling to intervene, leaving it for us to handle."
Mu En pondered briefly before nodding. "You make a fair point. The Pavilion's ways may be mysterious, but they've never shown greed for the plane's core. Compared to them, the hidden hand manipulating all this concerns me more."
He knocked on the table, tone deep. "Regardless, the immediate task is locating the source of corruption."
"Once this auction concludes, we start from the altar—follow the trail and find whoever hides behind it."
"And this time, we must acquire several powerful items. Only then will we have a real chance."
Everyone nodded firmly.
Most of them still trusted the Pavilion, for its power was simply too immense.
If it truly wanted harm, it wouldn't need tricks—it could crush the continent outright.
…
At the far eastern edge of the world, in a hidden cavern.
The Demon Empress sat cross‑legged amid swirling gray currents—corrupted faith energy.
In just two weeks, her power had soared past the divine threshold. Her aura now pressed against an even higher barrier.
"The Star Auction Pavilion is hosting another auction."
Her eyes opened, wavering with indecision.
Across from her, the Blood Demon's skeletal head turned, his rasping voice mocking.
"What? Planning to die? Have you forgotten the aura of that being from half a month ago? The Pavilion is their domain. Going there is the same as walking into a tiger's den."
The Demon Empress clenched her fists. "I must go. My power has grown, but I still fall short of Tang San."
"The auction might offer something to break through again. Only then will I have even a sliver of a chance."
"'Chance?'"
The Blood Demon sneered. "Even if you become a God King, could you defeat the Divine Realm? Don't forget—you are merely my pawn. Do not overestimate yourself."
Her gaze turned icy. "A pawn has its own plans. You use me to seize the plane core—I use you to gain power. We both take what we need."
"As for Tang San… even if I burn away with him, he will die for killing my husband."
Her voice rang with unshakable resolve; she had already accepted her fate.
Seeing her determination, the Blood Demon didn't argue further. The red glow in his eye sockets flickered. "Fine. But heed this—if the Pavilion's people discover you, I will not save you."
His tone then shifted to urgency. "Besides, I must begin absorbing the plane's essence now. That gaze on me grows stronger by the day. If I delay any longer, we'll both be doomed."
A chill flashed across her features.
She could sense his unease wasn't feigned. The purple‑gold figure they had sensed earlier had clearly left a deep fear even on this so‑called Demon from another world.
Without hesitation, she vanished from the cavern, flying straight toward the Star Auction Pavilion.
…
The Blood Demon watched her departing back, cruel light glinting in his eyes.
He raised his hands into a seal.
Deep within the cave, an immense suction erupted. The plane's essence itself was drawn inward as he began devouring it furiously.
…
At that same moment, atop the Pavilion of Stars, Jiang Li stood at the highest balcony, his gaze fixed toward the entrance below.
There, a cloaked figure strode slowly inside. Though her aura was suppressed, the moment she crossed the threshold it could no longer be hidden.
"The Demon Empress… peak of the hundredth level—already brushing the limits of one hundred‑and‑ten."
A faint smirk tugged at Jiang Li's lips. "It seems the faith energy worked even better than expected."
Behind him, the Soul Heaven Emperor bowed. "Shall I eliminate her?"
"No need," Jiang Li replied, shaking his head. "Let her enter. Tang San's patience is almost gone. One more piece on the board makes the game more entertaining."
The Soul Heaven Emperor withdrew silently.
…
Inside the vast auction hall, every seat was filled.
Shrek Academy's representatives—Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, and others—sat in the front rows, exchanging quiet words.
Across the hall, members of the Holy Spirit Cult watched warily, sharp gazes scanning the crowd.
Leaders of every major sect were present, all awaiting the event's beginning.
When the cloaked Demon Empress slipped into a back‑row corner seat, countless eyes flicked her way—but none dared question her.
Within the Star Auction Pavilion, anonymity was customary. As long as one followed the rules, no one pried.
…
The sound of a bell resonated through the hall.
Linyun walked gracefully onto the stage, clad in her familiar emerald dress, a warm smile gracing her face.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Star Auction Pavilion. The event officially begins now."
With a wave of her hand, a pitch‑black soul bone appeared before her on the platform.
At once, the hall filled with sharp gasps of astonishment.
(END CHAPTER)
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