"The Wonderful Sound Pavilion is ubiquitous..."
"Could there be any spies from the Myriad Sounds Pavilion among these seven people?"
The thought had barely crossed her mind when Poseidon forcibly suppressed it.
"No!"
"Absolutely impossible!"
"They are the most faithful followers of the sea god, how could they possibly betray us?"
Poseidon kept reassuring herself, but the seed of doubt had already been quietly planted in her heart.
...
Sea Moon Empire.
This is a vast empire built on the sea, with highly advanced technology and soul tools, completely different from the traditional style of Douluo Continent.
Deep within the palace, in a luxurious bedroom.
Zhu Zhuqing wore a black, tight-fitting leather outfit that accentuated her stunning curves.
But at this moment, the usually aloof and proud catwoman was shocked, her beautiful eyes filled with horror.
Her chest heaved violently, clearly indicating that she had suffered a great shock.
"Sixth on the power ranking, Miaoyin Pavilion..."
"What kind of force is this?"
"With eyes and ears all over the continent, infiltrating all major powers... How can there be such a terrifying organization in this world?"
Zhu Zhuqing's voice trembled slightly.
She grew up in the royal family of the Star Luo Empire, where she was accustomed to deceit and treachery, and knew the importance of intelligence.
An intelligence network capable of infiltrating the royal family is like a sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of all rulers.
"And that mastermind behind it all..."
"Just who is this person?"
Beside Zhu Zhuqing sat a woman wearing a light blue dress.
She possessed unparalleled beauty and a cool, aloof demeanor, and was none other than the Empress of the Haiyue Empire, Haiyue.
Compared to Zhu Zhuqing's panic, Haiyue appeared much calmer.
She frowned slightly, her glassy eyes gazing thoughtfully at the sky.
"Only sixth place?"
Haiyue murmured softly, seemingly dissatisfied with the ranking.
"It seems there is another force ahead of us."
"When I video chatted with Brother Qianyu last time, he seemed to have mentioned it briefly."
Haiyue stretched out her slender fingers and gently tapped the table, recalling the scene from that time.
Thinking of this, Haiyue's lips curled into a faint smile.
That's the tenderness that comes when you think of your beloved.
She turned her head and glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, who was still in a daze, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes.
"Okay, stop spacing out."
"Although the Miaoyin Pavilion is powerful, it has nothing to do with us."
Haiyue stood up, stretched, and revealed her graceful figure.
Instead of worrying about this, you should think about how to please Brother Qianyu.
She pulled a strangely shaped metal disc from her bosom.
A faint glow of soul power flowed around it; it was the latest soul-guided communicator developed by Mo Zi, the genius mechanic from Mo Family City.
"Perfect timing, I'm going to take a bath."
Haiyue blinked, her tone laced with a hint of teasing and boldness.
"I'll send a video to Brother Qianyu when I take a shower later."
"While you're at it, ask him about the Star Dou Great Forest."
"besides..."
Haiyue's gaze fell on Zhu Zhuqing, scrutinizing her from head to toe as if she were looking at a commodity waiting to be sold.
"We should also ask him what he plans to do with you, you little wildcat."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's pretty face instantly turned bright red.
Inside the imperial palace of the Haiyue Empire, a faint scent of ambergris permeated the air.
Haiyue stretched lazily, her pale blue dress swaying gently with her movements, like a delicate orchid blooming in the deep sea.
She toyed with the metal disc in her hand, her fingertips gently tracing the intricate patterns on it.
This is the masterpiece of Mozi, the grandmaster of mechanical arts in Mo Family City, and also the bond that connects everyone in Jixia Academy.
Zhu Zhuqing stood to the side, her face flushed, clearly quite shocked by Haiyue's bold remarks.
Haiyue turned her head and looked at Zhu Zhuqing's uneasy appearance, her smile deepening.
"What? Are you shy?"
Haiyue's voice was soft, yet it carried a languid and playful quality characteristic of those in positions of power.
"Sister Zhuqing, you must know that in this world, if you want to gain the protection of the strong, you always have to pay a price."
She slowly stood up, her bare feet stepping onto the soft carpet, and walked step by step toward the huge floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside the window is the vast and boundless sea, with waves crashing against the rocks, creating a thunderous roar.
"By the way, ask about the Star Dou Great Forest and how Zhu Zhuqing will be dealt with."
Haiyue muttered to herself, seemingly seriously considering the feasibility of the suggestion.
She wasn't joking.
For these students of Jixia Academy, the soul-guided communicator designed by Mozi meant that distance was no longer an obstacle.
Every now and then, that special group would become incredibly lively.
Or it could be a group meeting to discuss the general situation of the world.
Or they could have a private video chat and pour out their hearts to each other.
What seemed like a miracle to others on the Douluo Continent was nothing more than an everyday occurrence to them.
Haiyue turned around, casually tossed the metal disc in her hand, and her gaze fell on Zhu Zhuqing again.
"Before that, you should also go and freshen up."
"If Brother Qianyu is really interested in you, I wouldn't mind sending you over there."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing bit her lower lip lightly and lowered her head even further.
But in her eyes, besides shame and indignation, there seemed to be a faint, almost imperceptible expectation.
...
Outside Jialing Pass.
A fierce wind howled, whipping up clouds of yellow sand.
This is the front line where the two great empires clashed, and a chilling atmosphere permeates every inch of the space.
In front of the central command tent at Shrek's headquarters.
Three figures stood in the wind, their robes fluttering in the breeze.
Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, his stiff face filled with anxiety.
He would occasionally raise his head and look towards the distant Jialing Pass, as if waiting for something.
Beside him stood Tang Hao, dressed in simple clothes, his figure towering like a mountain, but his cloudy old eyes held a hint of solemnity.
Ning Fengzhi remained as refined as ever, but his tightly furrowed brows betrayed his inner turmoil.
Time passed by, second by second.
As the sun gradually set in the west, it cast long shadows of the three people.
Yu Xiaogang finally couldn't hold back any longer. He paced back and forth in place, his steps appearing somewhat disordered.
"According to the agreed time, Bibi Dong should have come to find me. Why hasn't she come yet?"
His voice was hoarse, with a hint of barely concealed impatience.
This was his first formal meeting with Bibi Dong after their falling out at the Spirit Hall.
Although it was nominally a negotiation between the two armies, in Yu Xiaogang's heart it felt more like a long-awaited reunion.
He was confident that Bibi Dong still harbored feelings for him.
He was also certain that as long as he spoke, Bibi Dong, even as the Pope, would give him some face.
Logically speaking, Bibi Dong would never break her promise.
Could something have changed?
Or is there something happening inside the Spirit Hall that he doesn't know about?
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(End of chapter)