Chapter 214: Hu Liena's Suggestion
Chapter 214: Hu Liena's Suggestion
Ghost Douluo initially believed his mission would be a simple one. Snake Spear and Porcupinefish Douluo, despite their reluctance to offend Qian Daoliu and Qian Renxue, also wouldn't dare act against a Titled Douluo dispatched by the Pope herself. Otherwise, they wouldn't have reported the matter to both the Elder Hall and the Pope's Hall simultaneously.
These two fence-sitters would likely remain bystanders. As for the stand-in, she was merely a Soul Sect with four rings, handpicked from Spirit Hall due to her resemblance to Xue Qinghe and sent to the royal palace as a contingency plan. What tricks could she possibly pull against him?
But to Ghost Douluo's shock, before he even reached the prince's quarters in the Heaven Dou Palace, he encountered a Titled Douluo he had never heard of before.
This mysterious figure was none other than Egeon, a Super Douluo with a soul power of rank 97, stationed by Xiao Yu to protect the stand-in.
Ghost Douluo, with his rank 95 soul power, stood no chance against Egeon. If not for his unique martial soul and Egeon's desire to avoid drawing attention from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan or the royal protectors, he wouldn't have escaped alive.
"Were you able to identify that Titled Douluo?" Bibi Dong asked coldly, her gaze piercing as she glanced at Ghost Douluo.
Ghost Douluo shook his head. "I've never heard of him before, but his strength is immense. During our encounter, he didn't even need to use his martial soul. The only thing I could discern is that his martial soul likely contains a powerful lightning attribute."
"Foolish! You still have the audacity to speak after failing so miserably? You're a Titled Douluo, yet you couldn't even gather basic information about your opponent. Do you think I want to hear about how strong he is?"
Bibi Dong's flawless face was twisted in anger. If Spirit Hall weren't in desperate need of manpower, she might have torn this useless subordinate apart and offered him as a sacrifice to the Rakshasa God.
"Teacher, please calm down!"
Unlike in the original story, Hu Liena had not ventured to the Slaughter City for training and was instead serving at Bibi Dong's side.
In this timeline, Spirit Hall's Golden Generation had lost not to the comparatively weaker Shrek Academy but to the Nine Star Battle Team, whose members each possessed Soul King-level strength. Losing to such a formidable team was understandable.
Similarly, since she had lost to far stronger opponents, Hu Liena had no thoughts of seeking training in the Slaughter City. Instead, she focused on improving her soul power within Spirit Hall.
Seeing Bibi Dong in a fit of rage, Hu Liena quickly stepped forward to console her. "Sister Xue is traveling with Xiao Yu for training. That Titled Douluo protecting her stand-in must be from the Nine Star Hall. Their strength is unfathomable, and Elder Ghost simply suffered an unexpected setback."
Hu Liena was Bibi Dong's most beloved disciple, perhaps even dearer to her than her own daughter, Qian Renxue. After their defeat in the Spirit Master Tournament, Bibi Dong had even given Hu Liena a high-quality Charm Head Soul Bone, comparable to the Spirit Condensing Wisdom Head Bone, as a gift.
Under her disciple's soft reassurances, Bibi Dong's anger subsided. She waved her hand, signaling for Ghost Douluo to withdraw. If Qian Renxue had witnessed this scene, she might have been so furious as to want to hack Hu Liena to pieces.
Once Ghost Douluo had left, Bibi Dong turned to Hu Liena and asked, "Liena, what's your opinion on this matter?"
Hu Liena replied, "Teacher, I suspect the Nine Star Hall has also set their sights on the Heaven Dou Empire's million-strong army. They likely have a plan similar to ours: to bide their time until Emperor Xue Ye's death and then install Xue Qinghe on the throne."
"That unfilial girl! Spirit Hall's twenty years of careful planning, ruined by her betrayal!"
Bibi Dong slammed her armrest in fury. "If I'm gone, that ungrateful girl will hand over Spirit Hall to the Nine Star Hall as her dowry!"
Hu Liena remained silent. Although Bibi Dong often claimed to treat her like a daughter, Hu Liena knew better than to involve herself in the Pope's family matters. No matter how much Bibi Dong doted on her, Qian Renxue was still her biological daughter. Even if Bibi Dong didn't mind her interference, the respected elders of the Elder Hall certainly would. There were boundaries she dared not cross.
Seeing Hu Liena's silence, Bibi Dong understood her disciple's reservations and changed the topic. "Liena, given the current situation, should the Nine Star Hall also become a target of our Soul Hunting Plan?"
The Soul Hunting Plan had been proposed by Bibi Dong shortly after she assumed her position as Pope. However, at the time, her strength was insufficient, and the plan was forcibly shelved by the Elder Hall.
However, Bibi Dong had never abandoned the plan. As her most trusted disciple, Hu Liena was well aware that Bibi Dong had been working in secret for years to push forward the Soul Hunting Operation. She had even participated in improving the plan.
At this moment, Hu Liena lowered her head in thought for a moment before speaking slowly: "Teacher, I think we can include the Nine Star Hall's branch in the Sunset Forest as a target for the Soul Hunting Operation. However, I don't think their headquarters should be included for now."
Bibi Dong's eyes flickered with approval. "Explain your reasoning."
Hu Liena confidently elaborated: "The Nine Star Hall's headquarters is located in West Sylvie City, the capital of the Kingdom of Sylvia. It is a distant location that requires crossing over half of the Heaven Dou Empire. This makes it incredibly difficult to maintain operational secrecy. If the Soul Hunting Operation loses its element of stealth, not only will the attack on the Nine Star Hall be futile, but even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will have time to prepare."
"The infiltration plan is critical to our efforts to control the Heaven Dou Empire's million-strong army and cannot afford any setbacks. Thus, we must remove the Nine Star Hall's branch in Heaven Dou City. Doing so will temporarily prevent the Nine Star Hall from making any moves in Heaven Dou City, giving us ample time to realign the infiltration plan."
"Well said, Liena. It seems you've developed a strong sense of leadership and strategic vision. I'm very pleased!"
After listening to Hu Liena's reasoning, Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction. This was the heir she had personally chosen, far superior to that unfilial daughter.
If Bibi Dong had known what Hu Liena would eventually do in the original timeline, she might have regretted her decision so deeply that she would have gouged out her own eyes.
Meanwhile, in a remote mountain valley outside Holy Soul Village.
A majestic waterfall poured down from the sky, its mist filling the air. Below, a figure continuously spun and swung a black hammer beneath the roaring torrent.
"Not enough, it's still not enough! I need more power!"
Amid the water's cascading veil, Tang San's eyes were blood-red. The Clear Sky Hammer in his hand pounded against the rushing waterfall, sending deafening booms reverberating through the valley.
The death of his father had left Tang San's heart incapable of true peace. His thirst for power had grown to a point of near madness.
(End of Chapter)
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