Chapter 517: Huo Yuhao's Plan
At this moment, in Sunrise City, He Caitou was leading a group of Dilong Sect hostages out of a courtyard.
Beside him stood Ming Lei Douluo, clad in a black robe, and Huo Yuhao, also wearing a black robe and a mask.
He Caitou had only been able to locate these Dilong Sect hostages thanks to Ming Lei Douluo's assistance.
After all, Ming Lei Douluo was a clever man.
Since he already knew that Huo Yuhao intended to release the hostages back to the Three Empires, he had no reason to oppose him especially since his own life was still in Huo Yuhao's hands.
So, even before Huo Yuhao needed to ask, Ming Lei Douluo had proactively taken action.
Once Elder Song split up from He Caitou to retrieve Tang Ya, Ming Lei Douluo immediately led Huo Yuhao and He Caitou to the courtyard where he had been keeping the Dilong Sect hostages well fed and unharmed.
Suddenly, He Caitou halted in his tracks.
A gentle voice rang in his mind it was Elder Song.
"He Caitou, Tang Ya is in my hands. For now, my identity remains undiscovered. I am 'holding' Tang Ya hostage and using her as leverage to make the Holy Spirit Cult's evil soul masters and the Sun Moon Empire's soul engineer legions escort me to the empire's border.
You don't need to worry about my safety. Tang Ya is still the Holy Spirit Cult's Saintess. As long as they lack absolute certainty, they won't dare to attack me.
So gather the other students and take the hostages to Haiyue City. From there, set out toward the Sun Moon Sea. Cross the ocean and head to Xingluo Empire's southern coast. Return to the Academy as quickly as possible."
He Caitou stood frozen for a moment, his expression turning complicated.
Truthfully, he hadn't expected Elder Song to make such a move.
Her plan was undoubtedly beneficial to the students and hostages it provided them with an easier escape route.
However, this also meant Elder Song would be drawing all attention to herself, placing herself in extreme danger.
Even though Tang Ya's presence served as a protective buffer, that protection was far from foolproof.
Huo Yuhao noticed He Caitou's tense expression and immediately asked, "What's wrong?"
He Caitou let out a deep sigh.
Without hesitation, he activated a soundproof soul barrier, enveloping both himself and Huo Yuhao.
Then, he relayed Elder Song's entire message to Huo Yuhao.
After all, he was still technically Huo Yuhao's informant within Shrek Academy.
Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao fell into deep thought.
To him, Elder Song taking Tang Ya back to Shrek was actually a good thing.
Why?
Because the Holy Spirit Cult would never take this lying down.
Their conflict with Shrek Academy would inevitably escalate further.
From what he knew of the original timeline, the Saintess of the Holy Spirit Cult was the designated successor to the Cult Leader.
For example, Ye Xishui back in Zhongli Yaozi's era had once held the title of Saintess before eventually bearing Zhongli Wu's child and inheriting the cult.
Huo Yuhao noted the eerie parallels between Ye Xishui's situation and Bibi Dong's tragic past.
Both had been Saintesses, and both had been forced to bear children against their will.
In the original timeline, both Tang Ya and Ma Xiaotao were designated as Saintesses, giving Zhongli Wu multiple successors to choose from.
However, in this altered reality, only Tang Ya remained.
She was the only successor the future right hand of the Holy Spirit Cult Leader.
Now, with Shrek Academy taking her away, Zhongli Wu would never let this slide.
The greater the hostility between Shrek and the Holy Spirit Cult, the better it was for Huo Yuhao.
With this in mind, he said, "He Caitou, just follow her instructions. I will speak with Elder Kong and ensure she successfully brings Tang Ya back to Shrek Academy."
He Caitou visibly relaxed and nodded.
"Thank you, Huo Yuhao. You're a good person. Working with you has been the best decision of my life."
Huo Yuhao's expression barely twitched as he was unexpectedly handed a 'good person card'.
Still, he understood He Caitou's sentiment.
From what he had observed, He Caitou held no deep resentment toward Shrek Academy.
In fact, he felt a sense of gratitude toward the academy.
Though that gratitude wasn't so overwhelming that he would sacrifice himself for Shrek, he genuinely wanted to help whenever possible.
Huo Yuhao smiled.
"It's nothing. Just don't forget our deal.
As long as you continue working for me, one day, I will help you take revenge on Xu Tianran."
At the mention of Xu Tianran, He Caitou's eyes burned with hatred.
After all, his grudge against Xu Tianran's family ran deep.
He nodded.
"You have my word. I will keep helping you for as long as it takes to kill Xu Tianran!"
At that moment, Ming Lei Douluo approached the soundproof barrier.
His face looked anxious, as if he had urgent news.
He Caitou, noticing this, quickly dispelled the barrier.
Ming Lei Douluo immediately transmitted a mental message to Huo Yuhao.
"Huo Yuhao, I just received a report from Youming
The Saintess has been captured alive and is now a hostage.
The one holding her is demanding an escort to the Sun Moon Empire's border.
Youming wants me to find the cult's top powerhouses and request their aid in rescuing her.
What are your orders?"
Huo Yuhao's lips curled into a slight smirk.
He responded via mental transmission:
"Follow his instructions.
However, take your time. There's no need to rush.
And while you're delivering the message, make sure to heavily emphasize that the hostages' rescue and the Saintess's abduction were orchestrated by Shrek Academy."
Ming Lei Douluo was slightly surprised but quickly nodded.
"Understood. I'll depart now and relay the message exactly as you instructed."
Near Mingdu, on the outskirts of the Evil Forest
Beneath the surface lay a massive underground palace, carved entirely out of granite.
It spanned over a thousand acres and was lavishly decorated.
Had it been above ground, it would have immediately drawn attention.
This was the headquarters of the Holy Spirit Cult.
Only a handful of individuals knew of its existence.
At that moment, Zhongli Wu emerged from the palace, gazing toward the heart of the Evil Forest with greedy eyes.
Truthfully, he had long coveted the Evil Eyed Tyrant Master.
If he could slay the Tyrant Master, he would be able to turn it into a powerful undead servant.
Unfortunately, he was nowhere near strong enough to challenge it.
So, for now, he suppressed his ambitions.
Suddenly, a figure flew up to meet him.
It was Nangong Wan.
"Cult Leader, this year's offering for the Tyrant Master is prepared."
Nangong Wan bowed respectfully.
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