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A black-robed figure suddenly appeared, cackling strangely, the voice sharp and cold.

Ye Xishui’s blood-red eyes narrowed slightly. “What’s your idea?”

After tasting the thrill of her rapidly increasing power, she was eager to advance even further.

Whether it was Mu Wu, Hai Bodong, or the Ice God Palace.

Sooner or later, they would all pay the price.

“The method is simple. You alone don't have enough strength, but you can find helpers, hehe.”

The black-robed figure laughed eerily.

Ye Xishui frowned. “The Holy Spirit Church is indeed a good tool, but it was scattered that day.”

“To rebuild a force with enough weight will take a long time.”

Thinking of this, Ye Xishui’s heart seethed with hatred.

The Holy Spirit Church had not grown to this point overnight.

As a result, all those years of effort were destroyed by the Ice God Palace in an instant.

Not only did the Super Douluos die or get wounded, but even her son was killed by Su Yu.

Remembering this, her bloodthirsty killing intent became uncontrollable.

If it weren’t for Hai Bodong’s overwhelming strength—so strong that even at her current level, she had no confidence in victory—she would’ve already made a move.

“Hehehe, so what if the Holy Spirit Church is gone? How many people did it have?”

“Can that compare to an entire empire?”

“With a nation’s power in your hands, everything you want to do becomes much easier.”

“Ye Xishui, becoming a god is not so easy. What you need is not just blood.”

“You also need the resentment of all beings, bloodthirsty evil energy, and even the essence, energy, and spirit of countless strong people.”

“Becoming a god isn’t as simple as just talking about it.”

“And if you don’t hurry, that Su Yu might surpass you. His path is much smoother than yours.”

Ye Xishui's expression changed instantly, and she said harshly, “He can dream!”

Her expression flickered. Su Yu only needed to undergo a trial to receive his inheritance.

Unlike her, she had far more to consider.

These days, she’d slaughtered everywhere, leaving countless tragedies in her wake.

Was it easy for her?

The gains had been considerable, but godhood was still a distant dream.

Without reaching godhood, how could she defeat Hai Bodong and wash away her shame?

Ye Xishui said coldly, “We’ll do as you say. We’ll start with the Sun Moon Empire.”

The original three Douluo nations were Ice God Palace’s territory.

For now, it was unsuitable to show themselves before the Ice God Palace.

Their only feasible target was the Sun Moon Empire.

With the Sun Moon Empire causing trouble out front, they could also use it as cover.

And, what could be better than war for gathering bloodthirsty energy?

Once war breaks out, that energy would be in endless supply.

Moreover, the Sun Moon Empire had always coveted the three Douluo nations. Starting a war was only reasonable.

Although Ye Xishui was in a frenzied state, her mind was still clear.

She understood the benefits involved.

But to manipulate the Sun Moon Empire, there were only a handful of suitable candidates.

Ye Xishui’s blood-red eyes flashed as she made up her mind.

She glanced in a direction and said flatly, “Xiaoyao, it’s time we moved on.”

Whoosh!

A figure instantly appeared—a tall, imposing man in black robes.

It was Dragon Emperor Douluo, Long Xiaoyao.

However, Long Xiaoyao was now very different from before.

Where once his aura was pure, unadulterated darkness, now it was murky and obscure, tinged faintly with crimson.

Perhaps he should no longer be called the Dark Holy Dragon, but rather the Dark Evil Dragon.

“Let’s go!”

As Ye Xishui spoke, she set off first.

Long Xiaoyao said nothing; with a flash of light, he vanished as well.

…

Radiant City, Crown Prince’s Mansion.

Once bustling with visitors, the Prince’s Mansion was now deserted.

Inside the study.

Xu Tiannan sat in a wheelchair, hair disheveled, his twisted expression and bloodshot eyes making him look terrifying.

He hadn’t had an easy time lately.

His brothers took advantage of his misfortune, Jing Hongchen had betrayed him—he was steadily losing any hope of claiming the throne.

The Sun Moon Emperor’s health was already poor; in a few years, he might pass away.

When the new emperor took over, what awaited Xu Tiannan would likely be destruction.

Naturally, Xu Tiannan was unwilling to accept such an ending. He still had too many ambitions left unrealized.

He dreamed of ascending the highest throne, unifying the entire Douluo Continent, and becoming a true emperor for the ages.

But fate had cut him down before his dream was achieved.

How could Xu Tiannan accept that?

He’d tried everything; after all, struggling to the last was in his nature.

But now, he couldn’t see a way out.

No hope for a comeback.

What hurt most was that even Juzi had betrayed him.

She was supposed to be his most trusted aide, personally cultivated.

He had even intended, after becoming emperor, to make Juzi his empress.

But at the most critical moment, she abandoned him.

Every time he thought of the note Su Yu had left, Xu Tiannan’s face twisted with rage.

He wanted to skin Su Yu alive, to tear Juzi limb from limb.

He wanted the world to know what happened to those who crossed Xu Tiannan.

But it was all just fantasy.

Neither Su Yu nor the Ice God Palace behind him were people he could contend with now.

All he could do was rage in impotence.

“Ahhhhh!”

Xu Tiannan screamed in breakdown. This scheming overlord, faced with ruin, was even more pathetic than ordinary people.

“Tsk tsk, barking like a mad dog, Xu Tiannan, you are pitiful.”

A cold female voice sounded in the study, cutting off Xu Tiannan’s screams. His bloodshot eyes filled with wariness.

“Who’s there?”

Xu Tiannan looked around, and suddenly, two figures appeared out of thin air in the study.

Xu Tiannan was startled. When he saw who it was, his expression changed drastically.

“It’s… it’s you?”

He couldn’t help but be shocked—he was quite familiar with these two.

“Death God Douluo, Dragon Emperor Douluo… I never thought I’d see you again.”

Xu Tiannan’s eyes flickered. He hadn’t expected the two heads of the Holy Spirit Church to appear together in his study.

Xu Tiannan wasn’t stupid. His mind started working instantly.

Perhaps, this was an opportunity.

Cornered, Xu Tiannan’s first instinct was to grab any lifeline he could.

“Your Highness, you seem to be having a rough time.”

Ye Xishui said blandly.

The man before her, haggard and mentally twisted, was a far cry from the elegant, gentle noble he once was.

“Are you here to laugh at me, Death God Douluo?”

Xu Tiannan replied coldly.

He could accept humiliation if he had to.

But now, twisted and sensitive, his mental state was very unstable.

“On the contrary, I’m here to help you.”

Ye Xishui said calmly.

“Help me?”

Xu Tiannan’s dead heart stirred again, though his face remained impassive.

“The Holy Spirit Church has been smashed to pieces. You’re barely able to protect yourselves—how can you help me?”

Xu Tiannan asked.

Ye Xishui responded coldly, “Even without the Holy Spirit Church, Xiaoyao and I can still roam the world as we please.”

“You should know what two Ultimate Douluos mean.”

Xu Tiannan fell silent.

It was true—even if the Holy Spirit Church had been crushed, Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui were still the top powerhouses on the continent.

Their presence alone could intimidate a nation.

They had been chased off by Hai Bodong and Mu Wu, but that didn’t mean they weren’t powerful.

On the contrary, two Ultimate Douluos standing together would make even the Sun Moon Empire cautious.

Xu Tiannan said gravely, “What do you want?”

“I’m just a fallen crown prince now. I can’t help you.”

Ye Xishui shook her head. “As long as you’re still the Sun Moon Empire’s crown prince, that’s enough.”

Xu Tiannan’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, Death God Douluo?”

“When the emperor dies, the crown prince inherits. That’s only natural, isn’t it?”

Xu Tiannan’s gaze turned cold. He barked, “Death God Douluo, do you realize what you’re saying?”

“That’s treason!”

“I’ll pretend I never heard this. Death God Douluo, watch your mouth.”

Ye Xishui sneered. “Xu Tiannan, it’s one thing to fool others, but don’t fool yourself.”

“Do you think you’re some filial son?”

“Others may not know you, but I see your ambition.”

“Don’t forget, you have no other options.”

“Refuse?”

“If you do, only death awaits you.”

“It’s either them or you.”

“To achieve greatness, even kin can be sacrificed. Xu Tiannan, you were born for big things.”

“You don’t want to live out your days in mediocrity and self-pity, do you?”

“Oh right, you probably won’t even live that long. When your useless old man can’t hold on, your life ends too.”

“Are you going to just wait for the knife to fall? That’s not your style.”

“Besides, don’t you want revenge?”

“I heard even your most trusted maid has thrown herself into Su Yu’s arms?”

“Xu Tiannan, you are a failure, tsk tsk.”

Every word from Ye Xishui stabbed at Xu Tiannan’s heart.

No matter how much he could endure, Xu Tiannan couldn’t hold back.

“Enough!”

Xu Tiannan shouted, “What do you want?”

“I don’t believe in free lunches.”

To believe Ye Xishui had no agenda would be as naive as a pig climbing a tree.

Xu Tiannan was not so childish.