Holy Spirit Cult headquarters, deep within the dark hall.
The Demon Empress reclined languidly upon her throne, her fingertips tapping the armrest intermittently. The crisp sounds echoed through the empty hall.
"Demon Empress, the Qiangu Family has agreed to our conditions."
A black-robed evil soul master knelt on one knee, his voice especially sinister in the dim light.
A cold smile curved the Demon Empress's lips: "How ironic. Qiangu Dongfeng, who was once so invincible, now actually bows his head to us for help."
"Demon Empress, then shall we support the Qiangu Family as agreed?" The evil soul master carefully pressed further.
"Go, naturally we will go."
The Demon Empress chuckled lightly, a cunning light flashing in her eyes, "However... as everyone knows, we evil soul masters have never kept our promises."
"If Qiangu Dongfeng truly believes us, hehe, then he can only blame himself... for being too naive."
"Your subordinate understands." The evil soul master comprehended implicitly, bowing his head deeply.
The Demon Empress waved her hand casually, "Summon the One Emperor and Two Kings."
Before long, three figures appeared in the hall.
Underworld Emperor Ha Luosa, Nana Li, and Leng Yulai.
The Demon Empress's gaze swept across the three, finally settling on Leng Yulai: "Red, the Qiangu Family has taken the bait."
Leng Yulai smiled slightly: "That's good. If not for Green needing the Qiangu lineage's spirit soul technology."
"But..."
Underworld Emperor Ha Luosa hesitated, "Regarding Fang Yang..."
He was truly afraid that Fang Yang would go on a killing spree, saying something like "once an evil soul master, always an evil soul master."
"That... Purple will tell Fang Yang." The Demon Empress spoke lightly.
"Uh."
The three looked at each other upon hearing this, momentarily not knowing how to respond.
Red was Leng Yulai, Orange was the Demon Empress, and as for Underworld Emperor Ha Luosa, he was originally the Son of Fortune.
Na Nali was someone Leng Yulai found interesting, so she casually turned her.
In other words, apart from the deceased Ghost Emperor, Blood Demon, and Hummingbird, all the other high-level members of the Holy Spirit Cult were traitors.
"Pass the Qiangu Family's spirit soul technology to Green, perfect the spirit soul system."
The Demon Empress slowly rose, her black robe moving without wind, "The Heaven-Slaying Plan, everything proceeds according to Purple's plan."
"Yes!"
The three responded in unison.
"Go."
The Demon Empress sat back on her throne, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, "Let us properly act out this play."
The three figures slowly withdrew from the hall.
...
Spirit Pagoda headquarters, Heavenly Spirit Pagoda.
Qiangu Dieting looked down at the prosperous city below, yet his heart was shrouded in an ominous premonition.
He pondered for a long time, then turned to Qiangu Zhangting behind him and said: "Zhangting, when the Holy Spirit Cult arrives, find an opportunity to leave."
"Great-grandfather..."
Qiangu Zhangting's face showed worry.
"As a precaution, you are the last bloodline of my Qiangu Family." Qiangu Dieting's voice carried unquestionable resolve.
"Alright... I understand."
Qiangu Zhangting lowered his head, his hands unconsciously tightening.
"Zhangting, don't be sad. I'm also doing this just in case." Qiangu Dieting patted his great-grandson's shoulder, his tone softening somewhat.
"Great-grandfather, I know."
Qiangu Zhangting nodded, a flash of determination passing through his eyes.
"Zhangting, go ask your grandfather if there's any response from the Holy Spirit Cult side." Qiangu Dieting instructed.
"Alright."
Qiangu Zhangting departed in response.
Qiangu Dieting contemplated for a moment, then took out a specially made spirit-guided communicator.
He hesitated, but ultimately dialed an encrypted communication.
"Qiangu Dieting, what do you want?" A deep voice came from the other end of the communicator.
"Chen Xinjie, long time no see." Qiangu Dieting spoke.
"Hmph, if not for the divine artifact Sea God Helmet bestowed by my ancestor the Sea God, I would have nearly died that day." Chen Xinjie's voice carried suppressed rage.
That day, Xu Jinghuang personally led his subordinates to the Battle God Hall, intending to take Chen Xinjie down on charges of colluding with the Holy Spirit Cult.
If not for the divine artifact Sea God Helmet, he would have already lost his life.
Afterward, Xu Jinghuang swiftly appointed Guan Yue as the new Battle God Hall Master.
The Sea God Legion also changed commanders, and the entire Sea God Family suffered the calamity of extermination.
Qiangu Dieting fell silent for a long time upon hearing this.
"Old fellow, speak. What is it?" Chen Xinjie broke the silence.
"You know my Qiangu Family's current situation, right?" Qiangu Dieting's voice carried some weariness.
"Of course I know. You want me to help you?" Chen Xinjie sneered.
"No."
Qiangu Dieting spoke in a deep voice, "I hope you can take my great-grandson Qiangu Zhangting away."
"I'm now a Federation wanted criminal. Why should I help you? I get no benefit." Chen Xinjie's tone was cold.
"Take my great-grandson away, and I will leave the divine artifact to him." Qiangu Dieting said word by word.
"You..."
Chen Xinjie instantly understood Qiangu Dieting's profound meaning.
This was entrusting his descendant, and at the cost of a divine artifact, preserving the last bloodline for the Qiangu Family.
"Alright, I agree." Chen Xinjie finally said.
"Then thank you."
Qiangu Dieting let out a long breath, slowly cutting off the communication.
He looked at the scene outside the window, a flash of resolve passing through his eyes.
In this move, he must bet everything.
As for the Qiangu Family's plight, the various factions within the Spirit Pagoda remained silent one after another.
Su Tao asked: "Purple, should we deal with that Chen Xinjie fellow?"
"No... there's no need. Fang Yang will handle it." Liu Yang answered calmly.
"Alright, I understand." Su Tao nodded slightly.
"What we need to do now is make preparations."
Liu Yang looked up toward the distance, "Wait for Fang Yang to unify the Douluo Continent. When that happens, Tang Hao won't sit by and watch this situation occur."
He continued: "Blue, how are Yellow's preparations on that side coming along?"
"Eternal Heavenly Kingdom, and the last God-Slaying Fixed Spirit-Guided Shell are ready." A flash of fanaticism passed through Su Tao's eyes.
"Mm, let these be our greeting gifts to Tang Hao." Liu Yang's tone was calm, as if speaking of an insignificant matter.
Su Tao chuckled upon hearing this.
"Right, tell Fang Yang that the high-level members of the Holy Spirit Cult are all our people." Liu Yang suddenly remembered something and hurriedly added.
"Alright, I'll have Qian Zhenzang and the others tell him." Su Tao nodded.
"Then that's all."
Liu Yang spoke.
...
Mingdu, top-floor office of the Federal Parliament Building.
Fang Yang set down the spirit-guided communicator. The message just transmitted by Qian Zhenzang caused him to fall into contemplation.
"The high-level members of the Holy Spirit Cult are all our people?" Gu Yuena said softly.
"Yes."
Fang Yang's gaze was profound: "The Plane Avatar's schemes run deeper than I imagined."
"What do we do next?" Gu Yuena asked.
"Proceed according to the original plan."
Fang Yang spoke calmly, "Since the high-level members of the Holy Spirit Cult are all our people, then we will accompany the Qiangu Family in acting out this play to the end."
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)