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Chapter 2448: Threat_1

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Douling Empire!

A hidden base of the Holy Spirit Cult somewhere in the dark!

The masked Ghost Emperor's eyes swept over the hundreds of Evil Soul Masters before him, constantly revealing a palpitation-inducing...

He extended a finger and pointed at an Evil Soul Master kneeling on one knee, saying coldly, "What's the situation with the Demon Emperor recently?"

The latter's body trembled as he pushed through his fear, "Sect Hierarch, Lord of Dark Bell and the Vice Sect Hierarch were personally ordered by the Demon Emperor to capture Tang Wulin, the captain of Shrek Seven Monsters, but the operation failed."

The Ghost Emperor's gaze grew more intent, "Oh? Even with Ming Emperor and Nanali working together they didn't succeed, could it be that Tang Wulin's strength has already reached that of an Ultimate Douluo?"

He was well aware of Ming Emperor's strength, no weaker than his own and in possession of a Divine Artifact, and as for Lord of Dark Bell, he was certainly an Ultimate Douluo!

This Tang Wulin, barely in his twenties, to have eluded them, was truly unbelievable!

When the former heard this, he quickly shook his head, "No, that's not it. According to what we heard, Vice Sect Hierarch and Lord of Dark Bell failed because they encountered the humanized Azure Oxpython and Titan Ape!"

Is this the oppressive power of the Sect Hierarch! It's so dreadful!

The Ghost Emperor was somewhat surprised, "How is that possible! Those two ferocious beasts should have fallen long ago!"

The Evil Soul Master swallowed hard and added, "Sect Hierarch, I heard Vice Sect Hierarch say it himself! There's not a single lie!"

The Ghost Emperor pursed his lips, saying lightly, "Hmm... You've done well, what reward would you like?"

Although it was a question, a careful observer would notice his gaze was like that on the dead, cold and merciless!

Being looked at with such eyes, the Evil Soul Master bowed his head, "No... I dare not, it's an honor to serve you, Hierarch!"

The Ghost Emperor, displeased, "You dare to refuse me?? Very well..."

The former quickly waved his hands in denial, "Sect Hierarch, no... That's not what I meant!"

But before he could finish, the Ghost Emperor pressed his head down and suddenly squeezed, turning him into a Blood Fog...

His body also transformed into a stream of pure power, merging into the Ghost Emperor's body...

Seeing this, the other Evil Soul Masters felt a chill run down their spines, but dared not to rebel...

Afraid of meeting the same end!

Then, the Ghost Emperor glanced at them and spoke unhurriedly, "The emperor of the Douling Empire is impervious to both oil and salt; go remind him well!"

His tone on the last sentence was unmistakably stern...

Understanding his intent, the Evil Soul Masters replied in unison, "As you command, Hierarch!"

Following that, they transformed into dark wraiths and vanished from sight...

It was only then that the Ghost Emperor reached up to remove his mask, revealing his half-flesh, half-bone cheek...

"Xue Yuntian! I hope you are not beyond teaching!"

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Inside the imperial palace!

Just roused from sleep, Xue Yuntian smelled a very strong scent of blood...

After donning his imperial robe, he turned to the shadows in confusion, "What happened today? Why is there such a strong smell of blood in the palace!"

Although he was the emperor, he was also a Soul Master, even if his soul power rank wasn't high!

"Buzz! Buzz!"

The elder who emerged from the shadows spoke gravely, "Your Majesty, I am not sure either, allow me to investigate!"

"Alright!" Xue Yuntian nodded in consent...

Assured, the elder disappeared instantaneously, but minutes later, he returned to the palace...

His expression, however, was exceedingly somber...

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"Your Majesty the Emperor, according to my investigation, all the courtiers who came for an audience have encountered assassination attempts. Preliminary estimates indicate that at least five courtiers have died under unnatural circumstances!"

Xue Yuntian's eyes widened, "What??"

This was the imperial palace, where such assassinations should not occur!

It was a complete disregard for him as the emperor and the Douling Empire!!

He immediately bellowed, "How did they die?"

The elder pondered for a moment and replied, "The deaths of the five courtiers are very strange; their souls were devoured, their necks twisted..."

"However, there is a profoundly evil soul power fluctuation on their bodies. If I'm not mistaken, it must be the work of Evil Soul Masters!"

Xue Yuntian clenched his teeth, "Holy Spirit Cult!!"

Without a doubt, it must be the doing of the Holy Spirit Cult's Evil Soul Masters!

The elder spoke again, "Your Majesty, I believe the Holy Spirit Cult is probably outraged and ready to make a move against you!"

"Should we call other powerhouses to guard the imperial palace?"

Xue Yuntian forced himself to calm down and analyzed, "No, if they wanted to strike at me, they wouldn't target these courtiers!"

"I fear that because I have procrastinated in ordering an attack on Soul Land, it has caused dissatisfaction from the Ghost Emperor, who is deliberately using this method to threaten me!"

"The Holy Spirit Cult, how despicable!"

Nevertheless, the fact that Evil Soul Masters could easily infiltrate the imperial palace also indicates many problems!

The elder asked in confusion, "So, Your Majesty, what are you suggesting?"

Xue Yuntian clenched his fists, "We can't openly turn against the Holy Spirit Cult for the time being, otherwise, they will spare no effort to disrupt the order of the imperial palace!"

After a pause, he turned toward the palace and spoke, "I know you are nearby, tell the Ghost Emperor, I, Xue Yuntian, will keep my promise, but if you dare to lay a hand on my Douling Empire's courtiers again, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

After his words fell, several soul power fluctuations appeared outside the palace but vanished in a flash!

The elder immediately spoke with a solemn tone, "Your Majesty, there was a soul power fluctuation just now; Evil Soul Masters are indeed hiding around us!!"

Even he, as an Ultimate Douluo, couldn't detect anything out of the ordinary with his spiritual power when the Evil Soul Masters did not reveal themselves actively!

Their techniques of concealment were exceptionally clever!

Xue Yuntian withdrew his gaze and spoke in a deep voice, "Hmm, with the Holy Spirit Cult's lowly tactics, they would definitely send someone to monitor me! I just didn't expect their concealment to be so good that even you couldn't detect them!"

The elder immediately bowed, saying with shame, "Your Majesty, it is my incompetence!"

Had he not been protecting the other closely, the Holy Spirit Cult's Evil Soul Masters would have succeeded long ago, given the state of the imperial palace!

Xue Yuntian immediately stood up to help him up, denying, "You have been loyally assisting me for so many years, how could you be incompetent!"

"However... there is still something I need to trouble you with!"

The other said earnestly, "Your Majesty, please speak. As long as it's within my power, I will not refuse!"

To avoid any eavesdropping Evil Soul Masters, Xue Yuntian whispered his plan into the other's ear...

After listening, the elder couldn't help but praise, "Worthy of Your Majesty. By doing so, we can avoid prematurely engaging in war with Soul Land on behalf of the Douling Empire!"

Xue Yuntian, however, turned away, unable to hide the bitterness on his face...

He couldn't help but lament in his heart...

"If it weren't for the Douling Empire's late development compared to other empires, why would I need to be so apprehensive!"

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