Truths Revealed

Just as the Shrek Five Tyrants exited their tent, Yu Xiaogang and Flender walked over. Tang San and his family also approached. Realizing they were the reason for Ru Shenqi's upsetness, her friends shifted to block her from them.

"Xiao Shen," Yu Xiaogang began. "Hu Liena's set up her troops six li into the forest. They're currently in tents."

"Just let them be for a bit. I need to figure out why exactly they had my parents killed. Until that happens, the Golden Generation cannot be allowed to die."

Gu Xingyun frowned, concerned by his beloved's sudden change in attitude. "Xiao Shen, I thought you, of all people, would want them dead the most."

"Oh, I do." Then, she added quietly, "But when Sea Dragon Douluo and I were in Vast Sea City to recruit spirit masters, I snuck away for a few minutes to go check out my old home. Turns out, I was born in Spirit City. My name was registered in Spirit Empire's books. As of when I was born, my mother was still working for Spirit Empire. She must've approached my father to seduce him and garner information from him. I don't know when she switched sides... or if she ever really did."

Ming Yong, Liao Suyin, Gu Xingyun, and Fang Youyou were stunned. Tang San, with his enhanced hearing, also heard this. He frowned.

"Xiao Wu, Xiao Shen, Laoshi, come with me."

They all followed him over to the edge of the camp, away from prying eyes and ears. Tang San released his Blue Silver Majesty Domain to ensure no one heard their conversation.

"Ge, what is it?"

"Xiao San, is something the matter?"

Tang San encouraged, "Xiao Shen, repeat to them what you said to your friends just now."

She nodded slowly. After she had finished, Xiao Wu glanced at her husband. Yu Xiaogang looked pensive.

"If Ru Zuanshi never switched over, or if she played both sides, then this could mean very dangerous things. We don't know what Spirit Empire is aware of. If Xiao Shen was originally registered under Spirit Empire, then technically, she doesn't belong to either Imperial Empires or Haishen Island but Spirit Empire. Which means... there may be a reason as to why Ru Zuanshi gave up her God seat. And that could be the catalyst for their deaths. I'll talk to Tianheng and see if he can sneak into Supreme Pontiff Palace and look for information."

Ru Shenqi's eyes narrowed. "No need to risk his life, Grandmaster. I'll go myself. It's time I learned why my parents died. And why Spirit Empire was after me."

"Xiao Shen, it'll be too dangerous!" Xiao Wu protested.

"Laoshi, I've already died once. It'll be hard for mortals to kill a Quasi-God King. Don't worry, I'll be careful. But I need to go."

"Let her go," Tang San said. "Xiao Shen is right. If she wants to find out what really happened to her parents and stop Spirit Empire once and for all, then she needs to go to Spirit City and Supreme Pontiff Palace."

Finally, Xiao Wu and Yu Xiaogang acquiesced. Bidding them farewell, Ru Shenqi teleported away. She reappeared just outside of Supreme Pontiff Palace. Her Divine Soul Armor granted her an invisible ability that lasted as long as she wore the armor. When she summoned it, she immediately faded away to transparency, allowing her to sneak into the building undetected.

She made her way over to the palace archives where the records of Spirit Empire, and the former Spirit Hall, were stored. Once inside, she immediately began to search for the books from that year. Ru Shenqi scoured the shelves. Her fingers grazed along the leather spines of the record books.

Mom, Dad, what really happened back then?

When she finally came across the books from the year of her birth, she pulled them all out. Hands shaking, she carried them over to the nearby table and set them down. She opened the first book and started to read. After she had finished going through all of the records, she stumbled backwards, deeply shaken. Ru Shenqi waved her arm, sending all six books back to their respective places on the shelf.

"Impossible," she breathed quietly. "No wonder Hu Liena accepted me as her mentor back then and was so quick to welcome me back."

"So, you finally know."

Whipping around, her eyes widened as Xie Yue stood there, resting his Moon Blades over his shoulders. He tilted his head at her.

"Holy Maiden, you've betrayed Spirit Empire. As a member of Spirit Empire, you should be punished according to our rules."

"Elder Xie Yue, what makes you think you can kill me?"

"No matter if you're a God or not, can you escape the onslaught of my self-created skill, Full Moon?"

She raised an eyebrow, challenging him. "Try me."

He started to spin in a whirlwind. His blades turned outwards, sharp points rotating towards her. She scoffed and launched her Divine Soul Armor. As it appeared over her body, she not only turned invisible but also ethereal, just like Tang San's Nothingness skill and Shu Jiaxiang's Shadow Cheetah Ether. Realizing this, Xie Yue growled.

"Ru Shenqi, are you really such a coward?"

But, he got no response.

The moment she had protected herself, she took the opportunity to teleport away from Spirit City. When she reappeared at the joint camp, her friends, Seniors, and teachers came over.

"Xiao Shen, you're back!"

She nodded slowly. "Laoshi, Sect Leader, Grandmaster, can we talk?"

They agreed and walked away from the rest of the group. After they were a distance away, Tang San released his Blue Silver Majesty Domain. Once it had engulfed them, Ru Shenqi swallowed.

"I- I found what I was looking for."

"Xiao Shen, what did you find out?" Yu Xiaogang inquired.

She started to shake. "Mom... Mom snuck into Jialing Pass back then in disguise. She approached His Majesty, Xue Beng, first. But when that didn't work, she chose a different target: my dad. After Sect Leader killed Bibi Dong, Dad brought Mom back to Heaven Dou City. All the while, she reported back to the Golden Generation and Qian Renxue. And when Mom found out she was pregnant with me, she made a deal with Hu Liena. She promised to give me over so I could be raised and trained by the succeeding Supreme Pontiff. She took a secret trip to Spirit City, and I was declared Spirit Empire's Holy Maiden upon my birth. But after seeing me, my mother had a change of heart. She convinced my dad to move us to Vast Sea City and even stopped all correspondence with Spirit City. After that... Spirit Empire kept sending people to steal me away. Mom and Dad stopped them. And when I was four... they lured Spirit Empire's Elite team out onto the ocean under the pretense of hunting for my dad's eighth spirit ring. But in reality, it was all done to protect me. My parents died so I couldn't be tracked any longer."

Pain flickered in her eyes. "Spirit Empire didn't have it in their record books, but I assume Mom passed me her God seat so that I could protect myself in the future from Hu Liena. But the problem is, I'm registered as Spirit Empire's Holy Maiden. I was always meant to be the successor of Spirit Empire."

Xiao Wu frowned. "Xiao Shen, you're not thinking of going back?"

"I ran into Elder Xie Yue in the Supreme Pontiff Palace's archives. He called me Holy Maiden. I'm not sure if it was tauntingly or if it's because I'm still technically their Holy Maiden. But if I do go back... and you all can kill the Golden Generation, I will succeed Hu Liena as the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Empire. My word will be law. I can dismantle the Empire from the inside out."

"I think it's too risky," Tang San said as he shook his head. "We don't know if the Golden Generation will let you back. Also, think about your friends, Xiao Shen. Can you really bear to have them believe you've betrayed them again?"

"If I can end Spirit Empire, then I can bear it. At this point, Sect Leader, all I want is to avenge my parents. I don't care how I go about doing it."

The three sighed. Yu Xiaogang looked at his only Direct Disciple.

"Xiao San, it's your call."

"Ge, is this really the best idea?"

"Sect Leader, please let me avenge my parents."

Tang San finally nodded. "Alright. You can go approach Hu Liena. But just be careful, Xiao Shen."

She bowed. "Yes, Sect Leader."

Turning, Ru Shenqi shot away towards Spirit Empire's encampment. Using her Divine Soul Armor, she snuck in undetected. When she saw Hu Liena enter a tent, she walked over and waited outside to eavesdrop.

"Nana, where's Xie Yue?" Yan asked.

"I sent him back to Spirit City."

"Why?"

"You dare to question me?"

"No matter what, he is your older brother."

"I just sent him to intercept someone."

"Who?"

"The Goddess of Ghosts wants to know what really happened back then. I sent him to stop her."

At that moment, Ru Shenqi entered. "Unfortunately, Elder Xie Yue was still a little too late. I know everything, Your Majesty. I know I'm registered under Spirit Empire and not Heaven Dou Empire. I know I was designated as Holy Maiden upon my birth. I know the deal my mom made with you."

"Hmm, so what are you doing here, Ru Shenqi?"

"Since my mom gave me over, how can I refuse her wishes? It'd be unfilial of me."

Yan pushed Hu Liena behind him. "You-! What tricks are you playing? Do you really think we'll believe you a second time?"

"Trust me, Elder Yan, I have no actual desire to be here or to be Spirit Empire's Holy Maiden. I'd much rather be the Head Flamen of Haishen Island. I'm only standing before you both now because of duty and filial piety." Ru Shenqi continued, "My mom made me the Goddess of Nine Stars so that when I grew up and was strong enough to hold the power, Spirit Empire's Holy Maiden would be unstoppable. Unfortunately, that God seat is destroyed. But now, I'm the Goddess of Souls."

"Goddess of Souls?"

"Oh, yeah, I lied earlier. I am known in the Douluo Divine Realm as the Goddess of Souls, not Ghosts, and sit at the Great Circle of Gods as a Quasi-God King."

Hu Liena and Yan's eyes bugged. "Quasi-God King?!"

"That's right. I'm a Quasi-God King at the one hundred and forty-third rank."