Chapter 86: I have a Way

If you asked Na'er who she hated the most right now, the answer would undoubtedly be Xia Yi and Gu Yue.

Especially Xia Yi.

Ever since she returned from East Sea Academy last time, she had been plagued by nightmares for an entire month.

Every time, in her dreams, she was ruthlessly tormented by Xia Yi.

This made her want to tear him apart and devour him alive.

And now, they wanted her to bow to Xia Yi?

Not in a million years.

"Sister Yali, my little martial niece here isn't very well-behaved," Xia Yi said with a smile, looking at Yali.

"Do you have no shame?" Yali asked, her face darkening.

For a brief moment, she felt that Xia Yi was even more detestable than Leng Yaozhu.

At least Leng Yaozhu wouldn't push things this far.

"If I cared about my dignity, how would I ever get my hands on Heavenly Forged metal?" Xia Yi retorted with a grin.

Seeing Yali's face grow darker by the second, Yun Ming finally spoke again. He shot Xia Yi a fierce glare. "If you dare say another useless word, I'll throw you out myself."

"Whatever makes you happy." Xia Yi pouted.

"This matter ends here." Yun Ming sighed and turned to Leng Yaozhu, his voice steady. "Your Excellency Heavenly Phoenix, what stance does Spirit Pagoda take regarding this recent move by the Evil Soul Masters?"

Yun Ming and Yali had come to greet Leng Yaozhu not only to support Yali but also to gauge Spirit Pagoda's position before the upcoming Sea God's Pavilion meeting.

Now that Yun Ming had shifted to serious matters, Leng Yaozhu also dropped her playful demeanor and responded solemnly, "Early this morning, we held an internal meeting at Spirit Pagoda. The consensus was that we must fight the Evil Soul Masters to the bitter end, no matter the cost."

"I expected as much. The Federal Government also claims it will stop at nothing to oppose the Evil Soul Masters, but many among them are simply looking for a way to profit from this crisis. Especially the hawks in the military—they are refusing to deploy troops on the grounds of a 'lack of funding.' According to intelligence from Tang Sect, they aren't actually unwilling to send troops; rather, they're using this as leverage to demand twenty percent of Shrek City's tax revenue." Yun Ming's voice was laced with anger.

Shrek City's tax revenue had always been controlled by Shrek Academy.

Although Spirit Pagoda and Tang Sect were also based in Shrek City, neither had any claim over its tax revenue.

On the contrary, they even had to pay taxes to Shrek Academy.

Aside from work-study students, all of Shrek Academy's students attended for free.

Unlike Spirit Pagoda, which profited from soul spirits and ascension platforms, or Tang Sect, which sold weapons across the globe, Shrek Academy relied heavily on the city's tax revenue.

Without it, Shrek Academy would lack the resources to train so many students.

Losing twenty percent of Shrek City's tax revenue would be a devastating blow.

Yun Ming had sent the Light-Dark Douluo to persuade Chen Xinjie, hoping he would side with Shrek Academy this time.

As for meeting with Leng Yaozhu, he and Yali had the same goal.

If Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy could stand together, with Tang Sect by their side, even the Federal Government wouldn't dare make such outrageous demands.

"The Evil Soul Masters have gone too far in desecrating the legacy of the Ice Spirit Douluo. No matter what, I will fight them to the death and will never take advantage of this situation for personal gain. As for our Pagoda Master's true thoughts… I don't know. He has become increasingly enigmatic, and I can no longer read his intentions." Leng Yaozhu shook her head.

"I see." Yun Ming sighed helplessly.

Leng Yaozhu's words made it clear—Qian Gu Dongfeng would definitely make some underhanded moves.

But she had no proof and couldn't say it outright.

Yun Ming and Yali both hesitated, opening their mouths but stopping before speaking.

Leng Yaozhu's heart tensed, but she maintained a calm facade. "If Your Excellency Skycovering Douluo needs any assistance, just say the word. To uphold the honor of the God of Emotions, I, Leng Yaozhu, will not hesitate."

She already had a feeling about what they wanted to ask.

They wanted her to persuade Qian Gu Dongfeng.

Qian Gu Dongfeng had been pursuing her for a long time.

If she was willing to make a personal sacrifice, she would have a good chance of convincing him.

But neither Yun Ming nor Yali could bring themselves to ask her outright.

After all, Leng Yaozhu and Qian Gu Dongfeng were not Long Yeyue and Chen Xinjie.

They knew her true feelings.

Asking her to sacrifice herself just to persuade Qian Gu Dongfeng was not only too cruel but would also make them seem heartless.

"Just having Your Excellency Heavenly Phoenix here is already a great blessing to Shrek Academy. How could we ask for more?" Yali shook her head, unable to voice the request.

"Alright then." Leng Yaozhu nodded. "But I stand by my words—if there's anything I can do, just say the word."

"In that case, thank you, Your Excellency Heavenly. Now, please follow me to the Sea God's Pavilion," Yun Ming said in a serious tone.

"Alright!" Leng Yaozhu nodded, then turned to Xia Yi and Gu Yue. "Go explore Shrek Academy and experience its grandeur. I'll take you with me after the Sea God's Pavilion meeting is over."

"Na'er, you know them. Show them around," Yali said.

"Hmph, if they want to look around, they can do it themselves. No way I'm guiding them." Na'er snorted and shot a glare at Xia Yi. "Unless he beats me in a fight."

Ever since Xia Yi tricked Tang Wulin into beating her up at East Sea Academy, she had been itching for revenge.

Now that Xia Yi had nothing to threaten her with, this was her chance.

She wasn't about to let it slip by.

"Na'er, stop fooling around," Yun Ming scolded in a low voice. Normally, he wouldn't mind letting her challenge Xia Yi to a fair fight.

But now, he had much bigger concerns.

Representatives from the Federal Government and various major sects were arriving.

As Shrek Academy was the one seeking help this time, Yun Ming couldn't afford to act high and mighty.

"I don't get it. Why make such a big fuss over something so minor? Calling a Sea God's Pavilion meeting for this? Isn't that a bit excessive?" Xia Yi muttered under his breath.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Leng Yaozhu glared at him.

Though Xia Yi spoke softly, there was no way she, a Limit Douluo, wouldn't hear him.

"I'm saying I have a way to help Shrek Academy resolve this crisis," Xia Yi said firmly.

"You have a way?"

Not just Leng Yaozhu, but Yun Ming, Yali, Gu Yue, and Na'er all turned to stare at him.

The Holy Spirit Cult had gone too far this time, leaving Shrek Academy completely at a loss.

Gu Yue had thought about it from every angle, but if she were in Shrek Academy's position, she wouldn't be able to come up with a solution either.

"Hah! Acting all high and mighty." Na'er snorted. She didn't believe for a second that a mere "hundred-thousand-year spirit beast" could have a solution.

Despite being tricked by Xia Yi before, she still refused to acknowledge him.

"Stop talking nonsense. This is beyond us," Gu Yue immediately pulled Xia Yi behind her.

Others might not believe Xia Yi had a solution.

But she did.

First, Xia Yi excelled at the unexpected.

Second, he was the mastermind behind the Holy Spirit Cult's actions this time.

If anyone could come up with a solution, it was undoubtedly him.

And Gu Yue had no intention of making it easy for humanity's higher-ups to escape this crisis.

(End of Chapter)