Chapter 284: 285. Chapter 285: Ye Xishui

285. Chapter 285: Ye Xishui's Plans

"Alright, alright, we'll talk about this later—it's not settled yet…" Bai Zhou gently rubbed Orange's cheek, soothing her in a soft voice.

With Orange reacting so strongly, there was no way they could continue the conversation.

"Then when will it be settled?" Orange glared at Bai Zhou, unwilling to let it go so easily.

She also had to keep a close eye on Bai Zhou, lest he sneak off to get engaged to Meng Hongchen without her.

The world's background was crucial—she once had Xu Tianran as her backing, with high status, making many things easier.

Now that Xu Tianran has fallen, her greatest support has collapsed entirely; she is now alone, with no power at all, far inferior to Meng Hongchen…

Who knows what kind of irresistible offer Jing Hongchen might offer Bai Zhou one day…

The more Orange thought about it, the more frightened and wronged she felt…

"Don't think so much—I'll definitely ask for your opinion on this. Hmm, even if it really happens… you'll still be my big sister." Bai Zhou gave a sheepish smile, unsure how to explain.

"Asshole!"

Enraged, Orange bit Bai Zhou hard again.

The two began wrestling again, soon tumbling onto the soft, large bed…

…

…

Meanwhile.

Holy Spirit Sect headquarters.

Long Xiaoyao had waited for several days before finally seeing Ye Xishui emerge from seclusion.

After all, Ye Xishui was a Soul Tool Master; each research session lasted days, even half a month, and if she hit a tough problem, she might remain in seclusion for half a year without emerging…

"Xishui, you've finally come out." Long Xiaoyao sighed in relief upon seeing Ye Xishui.

He was now burdened with Bai Zhou's "heavy responsibility." Though Bai Zhou hadn't pressed him, he had delayed so long that guilt toward Bai Zhou filled his heart; now that Ye Xishui had emerged, he was naturally anxious.

He silently vowed to himself: no matter what method, he must accomplish what Bai Zhou had ordered—he could not let Bai Zhou down! "Oh? Why are you back so soon? Have you cleared up the matter in Mingdu?" Ye Xishui, seeing Long Xiaoyao, was momentarily surprised.

From Long Xiaoyao's demeanor, it seemed he had returned long ago.

According to her expectations, that mysterious force had hidden so deeply that even Long Xiaoyao would need at least ten days or half a month to uncover results—yet he returned so quickly.

"Yes, it's been clarified, but it won't greatly affect us." Long Xiaoyao nodded.

"Oh? How so?"

Ye Xishui raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

At her level and status, few things could spark her interest; she was mostly in seclusion, ignoring all Holy Spirit Sect affairs, focusing solely on Cultivation and Soul Tool research, hoping to advance further.

Only after the strange deaths of the Crown Prince and Third Prince had this matter significantly disrupted the Holy Spirit Sect's layout in the Sun Moon Empire, prompting Zhongli Wu to report it to her.

Seeing Ye Xishui ask, Long Xiaoyao steadied himself, organized his words slightly, then spoke slowly: "As you suspected, there truly is a mastermind behind this. They are highly secretive; though their overall strength is slightly weaker than the Holy Spirit Sect, they have a mysterious Limit Douluo standing guard—his power equals mine…"

…

Long Xiaoyao recounted everything he knew.

Of course, half-truths—he concealed Bai Zhou's identity and power, and his own enslavement by Bai Zhou…

Most importantly, he conveyed Bai Zhou's intention to cooperate with the Holy Spirit Sect, while also making clear that their ideology and goals did not conflict with the sect's.

"Oh? They have a Limit Douluo? That's interesting—can you identify who he is?" Ye Xishui's interest surged upon hearing this, especially regarding that Limit Douluo.

After all, Limit Douluos alive today are few in number; for one to suddenly appear, she was naturally curious.

A Limit Douluo cannot arise from nowhere—each one was a legendary prodigy in their youth, famed across the Continent.

She was deeply curious: who was this person?

Long Xiaoyao shook his head and said, "I only exchanged a few blows with the other party, so I can't tell their identity. However, I suspect they should be remnants of the previous dynasty, and that faction is the same. The other party has been hiding their name, only now erupting completely. What they want is power and status, which doesn't conflict with our principles—it's nothing more than switching to a different investment target. Therefore, I think cooperating with them wouldn't do us any harm."

Long Xiaoyao shook his head. "I only exchanged a few blows with him—I couldn't identify him. But I suspect he's a remnant of the former dynasty. The force is the same: they've hidden their identities until now, and only recently erupted. They seek power and status—no conflict with our ideology, merely switching their investment target. So I believe cooperating with them brings us no harm."

Long Xiaoyao voiced his speculation and thoughts.

"Hmm, if it's truly as you say, then do as you suggest. If the chance arises, I still wish to meet them." Ye Xishui nodded lightly.

Though curious about their identity, she was not eager—she would find out eventually.

She didn't care who they were, whether they were former dynasty remnants, or what their goals were.

As long as the Holy Spirit Sect could quickly take root in the Sun Moon Empire, everything else was negotiable.

Since becoming Saintess of the Holy Spirit Sect, the burden of expanding the sect had weighed upon her like a mountain, consuming immense energy.

Previously, the Holy Spirit Sect was universally denounced as a heretical cult, struggling to grow.

Now, it has a chance to become a legitimate, lawful religion—the State Religion. Such an opportunity, she would not let slip.

She hadn't really considered it, after all she also knew the essence of the Holy Spirit Sect was that of an evil cult. Becoming the State Religion, coupled with certain restrictions, would actually allow for stable development.

She had never considered it. She knew the Holy Spirit Sect's true nature: a heretical cult. Becoming the State Religion, with some restrictions, could allow stable growth.

But if they seized control of an empire, it would spiral completely out of control, making collapse far more likely—and that was not what she wanted.

"Very well, leave this matter to me." Long Xiaoyao beamed with joy.

"Hmm, you never cared about these affairs before—why are you suddenly so eager?"

Ye Xishui gave Long Xiaoyao a strange look, curious.

Long Xiaoyao had always ignored the Holy Spirit Sect's development; he only acted for the sect when she asked, out of respect for her.

Now his excessive eagerness left her puzzled.

"Ahem, your Holy Spirit Sect is still too dark and sinister—it doesn't suit my Cultivation. I'll stay in Mingdu for now, to better oversee the big picture."

Long Xiaoyao cleared his throat, quickly explaining.

Ye Xishui heard this and gave a slight nod, barely managing to accept Long Xiaoyao's words.

Ye Xishui nodded slightly, reluctantly accepting his excuse.

【61】 Yet a strange feeling lingered in her mind—Long Xiaoyao had changed…

But for a moment she couldn't quite put her finger on what had changed...

PS: The protagonist is a Level 72 Soul Saint. There was an error earlier; it's been corrected. (T^T) (End of this chapter)