If it were before, the Demon Emperor would never have considered letting Lan Fozi join the Star Dou Forest.
But after witnessing Xia Yi's terrifying talent, coupled with the fate energy surrounding Gu Yue, and the invitations from Di Tian and Bi Ji, she began to entertain the idea.
As for herself, she still had no plans to join the Star Dou Forest.
The Demon Emperor looked up at Chen Xinjie. At this moment, Chen Xinjie had already collected the corpse of the Demonic Octopus King. In his right hand, a deep blue light orb appeared, within which a semi-transparent octopus struggled incessantly.
It was none other than the Demonic Octopus King's soul.
At the same time, his left hand held a soul bone—undoubtedly, the most valuable torso soul bone.
Chen Xinjie then spoke, "The Demonic Octopus King has caused immense damage to both continents and the diplomatic mission. I have personally requested the Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda to extract and convert its soul into a spirit soul. Along with its soul bone, these will serve as compensation for the victims. However, as there are too many victims while there is only one soul ring and one soul bone, and since I heard that the Star Luo Empire is planning to host the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament, I have decided that the Demonic Octopus King's spirit soul and soul bone will be awarded to the champions of the youth division's two-on-two tournament."
The moment Chen Xinjie said this, the atmosphere of the scene instantly turned fervent and heated.
This was a fierce beast's spirit soul and soul bone.
Who wouldn't be tempted?
Even the Demon Emperor's eyes flickered with astonishment.
She subconsciously looked at Xia Yi and Gu Yue.
Wasn't this basically a gift?
From what she knew, the Star Luo Empire's youth division of the tournament had an age limit of under twenty.
Did Chen Xinjie really believe that someone among the Star Luo Empire's young generation or within the Douluo Continent's delegation could defeat Xia Yi and Gu Yue?
No!
Chen Xinjie's motives were definitely not simple—he wanted to stir chaos in the Star Luo Empire.
"Since things are already chaotic, the Holy Spirit Cult doesn't mind adding fuel to the fire," the Demon Emperor chuckled.
As the Demon Emperor's gaze subconsciously rested on Xia Yi and Gu Yue, others soon caught on.
The people of the Star Luo Empire might not be fully aware, but in the Douluo Continent, Xia Yi was recognized as the second strongest of the younger generation.
And the strongest? That person was absent.
Among those under twenty, who could defeat Xia Yi?
In an instant, many older generation experts began to calculate as they looked at Xia Yi and Gu Yue.
A fierce beast's spirit soul and soul bone were treasures that could be passed down through generations.
For a chance at an astronomical leap in power, they wouldn't hesitate to take risks.
"If you think stirring the waters will leave me flustered, then you're underestimating me," Xia Yi shook his head indifferently.
The people from Douluo Continent immediately thought of Xia Yi. However, the people from the Star Luo Empire first thought of the monster from Monster Academy.
During their time in Douluo Continent, they had heard of Xia Yi's reputation to some extent. However, Xia Yi and Gu Yue were both under fifteen years old, and their cultivation levels were only at the Soul Ancestor rank.
No matter how talented they were, could they really compete with the monstrous genius of Monster Academy, who was five years older than them?
Likewise, some among the older generation in the Star Luo Empire also harbored sinister thoughts.
Again, for the sake of a fierce beast's spirit soul and soul bone, any risk was worth it.
Chen Xinjie's single announcement instantly cast a strange atmosphere over both delegations.
Those without the ability debated enthusiastically, praising Chen Xinjie for his selflessness.
Not only had he avenged the victims, but he was also offering the Demonic Octopus King's spirit soul and soul bone as compensation.
But for those who were truly strong, their minds were racing.
The moment the ships Star Luo and Far Ocean docked, a flood of soul communication transmissions began pouring out.
Regular soul transmissions couldn't travel across the sea.
In an instant, the long-range communication points within the coastal city were flooded with people.
Not only were messages being sent to the Douluo Continent, but even to the Dou Spirit Continent.
Anyone connected to the Dou Spirit Continent immediately notified their contacts.
Even the Green Skull Organization of the Star Luo Empire received the message at once.
Xia Yi and Gu Yue also took some time to visit the Spirit Pagoda branch in the coastal city, using their long-distance soul communication system to contact Leng Yaozhu.
Although Xia Yi trusted Leng Yaozhu's abilities, she was facing three Ultimate Douluo alone in the Blood God Legion. He needed to check in to feel reassured.
The Blood God Legion had a communication schedule based on rank.
Someone like Leng Yaozhu could contact the outside world at any time.
Seeing a soul transmission from the Star Luo Empire, she immediately knew Xia Yi and Gu Yue had arrived there.
Hearing from Xia Yi as soon as he landed, Leng Yaozhu was delighted. After updating him on recent events, she said, "Focus on your cultivation, don't overthink. With the Huangdi Neijing, none of them are a match for me if it really comes to a fight. If not for the fact that the Blood God Legion can't afford internal strife while the Abyssal Creatures could attack at any time, I would have already challenged Emotionless Douluo and taken the Blood One position myself."
"The timing of this Abyssal attack is too much of a coincidence—someone is orchestrating it. These people cannot be trusted, so you must be careful," Xia Yi cautioned.
"Don't worry, I'm not foolish. I've already figured that out. You and Gu Yue must also be cautious on the Douluo Continent. While Yali can control the people within Shrek Academy, there are plenty of others—including those in Tang Sect—who mean you harm. On the surface, they won't dare act against you, but they may resort to underhanded tactics. If necessary, have Yulai make an appearance now and then. If something happens, I'll handle it," Leng Yaozhu said gravely.
After this incident, she finally realized just how ruthless people like Dragon Moon Douluo were when it came to eliminating Xia Yi.
Keeping Leng Yulai in the shadows had its advantages, but it lacked deterrence.
If Leng Yulai were to be revealed, anyone planning to make a move would have to first confirm her whereabouts.
Yet Leng Yulai usually resided within Xia Yi's spiritual world.
They wouldn't be able to track her every move.
However, doing so meant addressing Leng Yulai's past as an evil soul master.
Previously, Leng Yaozhu would have hesitated, but now, she no longer cared.
"Alright," Xia Yi nodded. He wasn't afraid of those plotting against him.
Besides Leng Yulai, he also had fierce beasts secretly protecting him.
Not to mention, the Demon Emperor had yet to leave.
Even if Chen Xinjie personally attacked, he wouldn't be able to harm him.
Xia Yi was more concerned about Leng Yulai's future.
She couldn't stay in the shadows forever.
While the Demon Emperor still had a favorable view of them, it was time to be upfront about Leng Yulai.
As long as she could keep the Holy Spirit Cult in check, everything else would be manageable.
Apart from them, the only person who knew about Leng Yulai's past was Qian Gu Dongfeng.
As for Zhen Hua, as long as she didn't reveal her abilities, he wouldn't recognize her.
Which meant that if Xia Yi could handle Qian Gu Dongfeng and the Demon Emperor, Leng Yulai could step into the light.
Qian Gu Dongfeng was already in his grasp.
And as for the Demon Emperor, Xia Yi now had complete confidence in winning her over.
While Xia Yi and Leng Yaozhu were conversing, in a remote location on the Star Luo Continent, the leader of the Green Skull Organization personally issued an order:
"Send out the most talented young individuals. No matter the cost, secure the fierce beast's spirit soul and soul bone. This mission will be led by Sky Chief Douluo, with Flowing Moon Douluo and Ghost Wood Douluo assisting. Flowing Moon Douluo will be responsible for secretly identifying any potential threats, such as the geniuses from Monster Academy. Ghost Wood Douluo will lead a team to eliminate those threats in the shadows.
From now on, all other missions are suspended. Everyone must fully cooperate with Sky Chief Douluo. Understood?"
The entire Green Skull Organization was filled with excitement.
A fierce beast's spirit soul and soul bone—if used wisely, they could create an incredibly powerful Ultimate Douluo.
The Green Skull Organization had long been suppressed by the Star Luo Empire. Wasn't it precisely because the empire had Ultimate Douluo to safeguard it while the Green Skull Organization had none?
If they could produce their own Ultimate Douluo, perhaps they could finally rival the Star Luo Empire.
Originally, the Green Skull Organization had planned to attack the Douluo Continent's diplomatic delegation, aiming to provoke a war between the two continents while they reaped the benefits.
But now, for the sake of the fierce beast's spirit soul and soul bone, they decisively abandoned their original plan.
"Heh, do they really think a fierce beast's spirit soul and soul bone are so easy to claim?"
The leader of the Star Luo Empire's Tang Sect branch, Smiling Face Douluo Hu Jie, sneered coldly. He looked up at the sky and said,
"Xia Yi, huh? The disgrace the Douluo Continent's headquarters suffered because of you—I, the Star Luo Empire's branch, will reclaim it with absolute strength.
Even if you are fated to die, you'll have to taste defeat first."
In the imperial palace of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Tianling also received the news immediately.
"Strengthen the capital's defenses at all costs.
Conduct thorough background checks on all tournament participants."
Dai Tianling felt a headache coming on.
He knew that chaos was about to descend upon the Star Luo Empire.
And that chaos would start from the imperial capital itself.