Chapter 575: Ripping Off the Mask

The Holy Soul Wizards all had slightly changed expressions.

Duke Hong Shi is unruly and unbridled, and his dealings with others are very domineering, which everyone knows; however, he restrains himself before the Holy Soul Wizards, as the Supreme Council is not a place where he can lose his temper.

Now that Augulevi Master is dead, his attitude has become overbearing.

Such a shift from arrogance to humility makes people suspect that his earlier modesty was merely temporary restraint; now that he possesses Thirty-level or higher strength, he dares to contend with the other two titans, believing no one can suppress him, and thus bares his fangs.

Anxiwodasi let out a cold laugh, but offered no comment.

Several Holy Soul Wizards also wore displeased faces.

Duke Hong Shi smiled lightly, as if it were nothing, and then said, "Everyone, Augulevi Master has passed, and now there are two matters we need to decide."

He raised two fingers.

"First, the ownership of the Naiser Fu Kong Cheng; second, whether to disclose Augulevi Master's fall to the Empire's citizens."

Before the Holy Soul Wizards could respond, Duke Hong Shi's mouth curled into a smile, and he said, "I forgot to tell you all: when I went to Nuosiruier to obtain the Soul Box, I also made a trip to the Naiser Fu Kong Cheng and rescued several Naiser Elders who had been imprisoned by a Lich."

"The Naiser Elders' council has unanimously agreed that I shall act as the steward of the Fu Kong Cheng!"

Duke Hong Shi's words were as shocking as a stone breaking the heavens, causing the Holy Soul Wizards to pause, then many shouted in unison, "No!"

"This cannot be decided by you."

The Naiser Fu Kong Cheng is of utmost importance; it hovers year-round above the Empire's capital Nuosiruier, and controlling it is tantamount to controlling the capital, thereby seizing the Empire's political center and pinnacle of power.

Moreover, Naiser is the Empire's first Fu Kong Cheng, and the Naiser Sect's doctrine is also named after it, giving it symbolic significance far beyond the city itself.

Taking charge of the Naiser Fu Kong Cheng is equivalent to becoming the leader of the Naiser Sect.

Even if we step back ten thousand paces and ignore those empty titles, the value of a Fu Kong Cheng itself is incalculable; after all, the Empire has only seven Fu Kong Cheng.

Duke Silver Star has exhausted all efforts to amass wealth, yet still owns not a single Fu Kong Cheng; how could she be willing to watch Duke Hong Shi possess two Fu Kong Cheng? She exclaimed angrily, "The Naiser Fu Kong Cheng belongs only to Naiser Wizards; what right do you have to touch it?"

"What's wrong with that?" Duke Hong Shi replied dismissively, "I may not be Augulevi Master's direct disciple, but before my Holy Soul Ascension I was already part of Naiser, having studied there for over forty years. Many Naiser Elders are old friends of mine, and they all recognize me."

That is indeed the truth.

It is widely known that Duke Hong Shi was discovered at eight by a legendary Naiser Wizard for his astonishing talent, taken as a disciple, and at ten underwent his first Soul Transformation ceremony, becoming a Wizard; to this day he holds the record as the youngest Wizard.

That legendary Wizard was obscure, soon surpassed by his own student, and later died during an expedition, never reaching the Mid-stage of legend in his lifetime.

But this did not hinder Duke Hong Shi's rise; at that time his reputation in the Empire was already soaring.

Before establishing his own Fu Kong Cheng, Duke Hong Shi always acted as a Naiser Wizard, but over the past three hundred years he has become a lone powerhouse, and many have forgotten this.

Duke Silver Star was momentarily at a loss for words.

Lei En felt a sudden clarity; many things now made sense.

After discovering Augulevi Master's fall, Duke Hong Shi conducted covert investigations without exposing him, not solely to locate the Soul Box, but largely to seize opportunities for personal gain.

His true target is the Naiser Fu Kong Cheng!

Previously, Duke Hong Shi himself had said that over the years, while covertly investigating Augulevi Master, he had privately contacted many Naiser Elders. Clearly the investigation was a cover; in reality he colluded with the Naiser Elders, threatening or controlling them, all in preparation for today.

With Augulevi Master's death, he can take his place.

Otherwise, how could he, in such a short time, obtain the Soul Box, rescue the Naiser Elders, coerce the council into a unanimous decision, and accomplish all these deeds?

Everything was preplanned; Duke Hong Shi's ambition is laid bare.

However, what Lei En does not understand is that Duke Hong Shi seems to have become smug too early; he can see it, so how could the Holy Soul Wizards not understand?

The Holy Soul Wizards will never let him have his way.

Sure enough, TimKainanMaster shook his bald head and said, "The ownership of Naiser is not decided by the Naiser Elders' council; only the Supreme Council has that authority."

Anxiwodasi nodded in agreement.

Duke Hong Shi's aura suddenly stalled, and he argued on principle, "The Supreme Council should not strip Naiser Wizards of the right to decide their own fate; I have already secured the Naiser Elders' support and am the most suitable candidate."

"Your words don't count."

"Kailston, since when do the weak have the right to decide their own destiny?" Silver Star Duke mocked, opposing Duke Hong Shi at every turn.

Duke Hong Shi did not get angry; he merely gave Silver Star Duke a cold glance and said, "Then let's vote."

He shouted, "I propose to the Supreme Council a vote on the ownership of the Naiser Fu Kong Cheng."

The Holy Soul Wizards fell silent for a moment.

Duke Hong Shi's behavior was somewhat abnormal and inscrutable. Anxiwodasi and Tim*Kenan exchanged a glance, quickly reaching an unspoken agreement that they would not let the vote pass.

The Supreme Council has a rule that a rejected proposal cannot be resubmitted within ten years.

Having rejected Duke Hong Shi this time, he will have no further chance.

Tim*Kenan nodded slightly and said, "Kailston, you initiate the proposal yourself."

"Fine!" Duke Hong Shi clapped his hands, eager, and said quickly, "In the name of the Goddess, under the Goddess's witness, I propose to the Supreme Council that I, Kailston*Karser, shall act as the steward of the Naiser Fu Kong Cheng…"

As he spoke, Lei En's Soul Eye saw a flood of confidence, starkly opposite to his outward hesitation and anger, and he silently thought, "This is not good."

Duke Hong Shi came prepared!

This is a trap!

Lei En didn't have time to think through cause and effect; Duke Hong Shi had already spoken most of his speech, and he couldn't stay low-key, so he hurriedly shouted, "Wait!"

At the same time he instantly cast a Thunderclap technique, attempting to interrupt Duke Hong Shi.

Lei En's abnormal action drew the Holy Soul Wizards' attention, but Duke Hong Shi was clearly prepared; while continuing to speak, he raised his hand upward, and an invisible spiritual energy arrived ahead of time, dispelling the sky's lightning and forming a vacuum force field that enveloped everyone inside.

The half-muted thunderclap faded without a trace, its thunder and shockwave blocked by the vacuum force field, causing no ripple at all.

"... Those who agree, please raise your hand," Duke Hong Shi smoothly completed the proposal.

When his words ended, he was the first to raise his hand, while coldly staring at Lei En, his eyes flashing with dangerous light, and scolded, "You have no right to speak here; if it happens again, I will act on behalf of Master Anxiwodasi to punish you, so you learn what rules are."

The Soul Eye saw clearly that Duke Hong Shi's soul color shifted from white to red, indicating deep hostility!

He is a man who will avenge any insult.

Lei En knew he had severely offended him; feigning humility was useless, so he retorted, "Even Augulevi Master couldn't kill me; who do you think you are? A self‑aggrandizing petty man, how dare you talk about rules?"

If it were other Holy Soul Wizards it would be fine; he considered himself not a match.

There's no need to worry so much about the Hong Shi Duke.

The Hong Shi Duke's greatest strength lies in his spiritual energy spells, most of which target mind and soul; Lei En possesses the Truth Willpower, granting immunity and making him the bane of all spiritual energy users.

Once the spiritual energy is ineffective, the Hong Shi Duke's threat is reduced by more than half.

Even though he also practices elemental arts, mastering wind and thunder spells, Lei En is unafraid; he himself has lightning affinity, extremely high resistance, and the remaining wind element relies more on area spells and control than single‑target damage, reducing the threat to him by another third.

Because of these restraining factors, his relationship with the Hong Shi Duke cannot be good.

The two are natural enemies; they cannot become friends.

Lei En can also feel that the Hong Shi Duke has disliked him from the start, and now has merely torn off his façade.

Sure enough, the Hong Shi Duke's expression darkened.

Everyone was astonished by Lei En's audacity, daring to call a Thirty-level‑or‑above Holy Soul Wizard a "villain", which is a grave insult.

Anxiwodasi, to be safe, flashed forward to block Lei En, retorting sharply: "Kai'ersitong, my student is not yet yours to reprimand."

Unexpectedly, the Hong Shi Duke's expression remained grim, and in the end he held back.

He kept his hand raised, gently urging: "Anxiwodasi, and all of you, please commence the voting now."

The Holy Soul Wizards' faces were hesitant.

Lei En spoke up to interrupt, making them realize something was amiss, but the proposal had already been submitted and could not be abandoned; a vote had to proceed.

Then, three people raised their hands.

KangJieladeGreatSage, Black Robe Duke, PurpleFlameDuke.

Anxiwodasi's gaze shifted; the GrandSage and Black Robe Duke agreed to the proposal, which was understandable. They had originally been supporters of the Naiser faction, previously backing Augulevi Master; now the Naiser faction needed a leader, and the Hong Shi Duke, being above Thirty-level, qualified to become the faction's head.

Moreover, the Hong Shi Duke must have already negotiated with them beforehand.

What was puzzling was the PurpleFlameDuke.

Tim*Kenan's brow twitched, and he asked aloud: "Lady Magna?"

"Kenan, I'm sorry. The Supreme Council must maintain balance, but not the kind of balance you seek," a cold female voice emerged from the PurpleFlameDuke's hood, crisp as ice colliding, and after speaking she stood beside the Hong Shi Duke.

Her words and her actions both carried deeper meaning.

The PurpleFlameDuke defected.

She joined the Naiser faction.

The Hong Shi Duke had clearly anticipated all this, flashing a smile toward the PurpleFlameDuke, but the PurpleFlameDuke ignored him, leaving him somewhat embarrassed.

The Naiser faction was back to four members, holding four votes for the proposal, still far from the seven votes needed to pass the resolution.

Anxiwodasi was calculating when suddenly two more hands were raised.

Ouroin Master, Wan Tu Si Rui*Howai Master.

They did not stand beside the Hong Shi Duke; their hand‑raising was slow and hesitant, but in the end they still raised their hands.

"You!"

Tim*Kenan's eyes bulged like copper bells, his chest nearly exploded from the pressure, and he shouted angrily: "What's wrong with you?"

He had originally thought that his greatest future opponent in the Supreme Council would be Anxiwodasi, upholding the balance theory and never allowing any faction to dominate. All along, he had merely observed the Mo Du faction's and Naiser faction's struggles, treating it as entertainment.

He never imagined that while watching others' excitement, his own house would suddenly disappear.

Among the Balance faction's four members, three are double agents!

"I once owed him a favor; this time I must repay it," Ouroin Master said helplessly.

"I also have my own reasons," Howai Master said with a gloomy face.

Even though Tim*Kenan had lived over a thousand years, he couldn't help but feel frantic and helpless; fortunately the two masters only had this one mishap and did not, like the PurpleFlameDuke, defect, so the Balance faction still had three members, still able to influence the Empire's landscape.

Anxiwodasi's expression also turned sour.

The Hong Shi Duke already had six votes.

This is dangerous!

If just one more person agrees, the vote will pass.

He glanced back at his allies—the Storm Queen, Silver Star Duke, Prophet Medif, and Sabbath Dean—none of whom could support the opposite side. Tim*Kenan, kept in the dark, had already calmed his anger; if he agreed, it would be a slap in the face.

Anxiwodasi slightly relaxed, realizing that six votes were still insufficient; one more vote was still needed.

At that moment, someone beside him slowly raised a hand, causing the Mo Du faction members, Tim*Kenan, and Lei En's expressions to freeze.

The two missing chapters are finally added, ha!

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In the final hour, I cast the monthly tickets, ha, hoping to reach 3000; the February guaranteed monthly tickets are also fine, hehe…

(End of Chapter)