"Cult Leader, Cult Leader—"
"Alright, that should be about enough."
In the far north, Lin Xiao tilted his head back, gazing at the Eternal Tower before him.
Over the past few months, he had spent most of his time here, only occasionally returning to the Tongming Cult.
Finally, under the design of the Dark Lightning, the interior of the Eternal Tower had been completely transformed into something entirely different.
Now, all that remained was to release the true "bait."
"Cult Leader—"
Another voice called out. Lin Xiao turned to look behind him and saw Abomination flying toward him, wrapped in thick layers of clothing.
Even as a Titled Douluo, in the very core of the extreme north, his body could not stop trembling uncontrollably.
"Cult Leader." Abomination gave Lin Xiao a strange look and spoke once more.
Though it was not the first time, every time he saw Lin Xiao in the far north, appearing completely unaffected by the cold, his inner evaluation of him quietly rose another notch.
"I heard your voice from far away. More disciples have arrived?"
"No, Cult Leader. This time, it's a group of refugees," Abomination shook his head.
"Refugees?" Lin Xiao's expression changed slightly. "Ever since the Sun Moon Empire captured the northern territories of Heavenly Soul and Dou Ling, the front-line forces have been stretched thin, and large-scale battles have not occurred for a long time."
"Has war broken out somewhere again?"
"Yes." Abomination nodded repeatedly. "According to the refugees, the three great empires somehow learned of the news that Sun Moon Empire Emperor Xu Tianran had been assassinated and died. Taking advantage of the chaos within the Sun Moon Empire, they are now launching a counterattack."
"Battles have erupted simultaneously in multiple locations across the Heavenly Soul and Dou Ling Empires, and quite a few cities have already been recaptured by the three great empires."
"What?" Lin Xiao frowned slightly. He had originally thought the Sun Moon Empire had made another breakthrough in soul tool technology, which was why they took the initiative to attack. He never expected the three great empires to strike during the turmoil.
But Xu Tianran's assassination had happened months ago; why was the news only spreading now?
By his calculations, Xu Tianran's "prince" should not have been born yet, so there shouldn't be any need to keep hiding it.
Since Kong Deming had concealed it for so long, he shouldn't have let the information leak at such a critical moment.
Moreover, he hadn't expected that, despite the high-altitude surveillance soul tools, the three great empires had still found a way to infiltrate Mingdu and obtain information again.
It seemed that since the start of the continental war, the three great empires had never been idle.
"No matter what, let's head back first. The preparations here are more or less complete. It's time to bring some disciples here for 'training.'"
He glanced back at the Eternal Tower once more, then flew toward the Tongming Cult ahead of Abomination.
"Training?" Abomination asked curiously as he followed.
"It's nothing." Lin Xiao shook his head, but a cold glint flashed through his eyes. "Just giving some of the cult's disciples a place where they can vent to their heart's content. I'm sure they'll enjoy it."
"But even I can't stay here for long periods. If disciples with insufficient cultivation come here…" Abomination hadn't caught the deeper meaning in Lin Xiao's words.
"I think it's just right. Only in this way will they obediently stay inside the tower."
For some reason, Abomination suddenly shivered upon hearing this.
He was about to ask more when he looked up and saw Lin Xiao's expression change abruptly.
"Cult Leader, what happened?"
Even someone as slow as Abomination could now sense the shift in Lin Xiao's demeanor.
"I have something to attend to and will be away for a while." Lin Xiao glanced back at Abomination. "Since the war has reignited, something unexpected might happen here."
"During this time, discuss cult matters with Wu Yun and Wu Yu. If any Holy Spirit Cult disciples or refugees come seeking refuge, accept them all."
"Accept them all?" Abomination seemed to think of something and asked again.
"Yes. I have my own plans. Just have Wu Yun make the arrangements."
Lin Xiao looked ahead, thoughts surging in his mind. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he turned back to Abomination. "By the way, with the war causing chaos during this period, if we need people to purchase supplies for us again, remember to secretly send disciples to protect them."
"Understood." Abomination nodded. The two soon arrived at the Tongming Cult.
After giving Wu Yun a few more instructions, Lin Xiao left the Tongming Cult and headed west. His gray cloak reappeared, concealing his figure once more.
In the Mingdu Imperial Palace, Ju Zi's abdomen was already prominently swollen, and the day of delivery was not far off.
Supported by a maid, she half-reclined on the bed and took a memorial from another maid's hands, flipping through it.
"Madam, you have been working day and night recently. Your health should come first…"
A nearby palace servant spoke softly, full of concern. But before he could finish, Ju Zi glanced up at him.
With just that one look, the rest of his words caught in his throat, unable to come out. A layer of fine sweat had already appeared on his back.
Over the past few months, Ju Zi had changed from how she was at the beginning. Though her cultivation was not high, her presence had grown increasingly imposing. A mere gesture or movement was enough to make the palace servants and maids bow their heads.
"Madam, this is also His Majesty's arrangement. Seeing you work day and night tirelessly, His Majesty could not bear it, so…"
"Enough. You may rise." Ju Zi did not make things too difficult for the palace servant before her. They were merely following orders and did not know whether the one issuing the commands was truly Xu Tianran.
She lowered her head to look at the memorial in her hand—it was an urgent report sent from Tianming City in the south.
Reading the battle report, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Ju Zi's lips before quickly vanishing.
Her brows furrowed. Ju Zi suddenly slapped the memorial aside. "Quickly, summon all the ministers to the palace for a discussion."
"Yes."
Watching the guard hurry away, Ju Zi shifted slightly to make herself more comfortable.
At that moment, a maid rushed into Ju Zi's chamber without even announcing herself and stood beside her.
"Madam…"
Seeing who it was, Ju Zi's expression changed slightly. She glanced left and right, then lowered her voice.
"Was it successful?"
"Reporting to Madam, everything has been prepared."
Ju Zi closed her eyes and let out a long breath, her hand unconsciously resting on her abdomen.
"I understand. Go prepare."
"Yes, Madam."
In the study, the various ministers had already gathered. Though they had not directly received the front-line battle reports, they all had their own sources of information and had heard some rumors.
At this moment, each of them wore anxious expressions, awaiting Ju Zi's arrival.
"Madam has arrived—"
The sharp voice of a palace servant rang out. Soon, supported by two maids, Ju Zi entered the room.
"You must have all heard the rumors by now." Before even sitting down, Ju Zi spoke. "The three great empires have spread such falsehoods, truly detestable. This palace wishes she could personally go to the front lines."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master 40 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon 40 Advance chapters."
[email protected]/facficmax10--------(@→a)