Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 395 Assassination Plan

Ji Lin listened calmly to Xu Jiujiu and the others' discussion. He had anticipated the actions of the Sun Moon Empire, but this was also the result of his inaction. Otherwise, if the news had been released in advance, many sects would have made preparations. However, Ji Lin did not do so because it would not benefit him.

Xu Jiujiu and Vina both had grave expressions. As princesses of two great empires, they knew very well what it meant for the Sun Moon Empire to be prepared for war. It meant that they were going to launch an invasion against both the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Star Luo Empire at the same time. This would be a war of enormous scale! And were the three kingdoms that originally belonged to the Douluo Continent really ready?

After taking a deep breath, she knew that the Star Luo Empire was not yet ready. Their trump card was not yet complete, and they still needed excellent soul masters to help them complete the final step.

Fortunately, with Ji Lin around, she didn't need to worry too much. She looked at Ji Lin with gentle eyes for a long time. With Ji Lin around, she felt very safe. No matter how strong the Sun Moon Empire was, she had confidence in Ji Lin. At the same time, she also vaguely sensed Ji Lin's true thoughts, but she pretended not to know and did not mention it to Xu Jiawei. Based on her understanding of her brother, he would not compromise now. Exposing Ji Lin's true thoughts in advance would only cause conflict between the two of them. Ji Lin needed an opportunity.

Xu Jiujiu had a vague feeling that the opportunity was not far off. She and Ji Lin were one, and she would support whatever choice Ji Lin made. As the saying goes, a married daughter is like water spilled from a cup, and Xu Jiujiu fully embodied the meaning of this saying. Although Ji Lin's choice might harm the interests of the Star Crown Sect, she believed in Ji Lin and also believed in her own judgment.

So even though she knew Ji Lin had other ideas, she remained silent and pretended not to know.

Whatever Ji Lin intends to do, the Star Luo Empire is indeed not prepared. Their trump card is still in the planning stage and has not yet materialized. They need time.

So Xu Jiujiu said in a deep voice, "Vina and I have reached an agreement. If we want to break through, we must unite. We are quite familiar with each other, and with Shrek Academy, we will be a force of considerable strength. We have been trying to explore. Mingdu is so big that it is difficult to completely blockade it. If we concentrate our strength and break through from one direction, we have a great chance."

"However, there is still a problem regarding this war. It seems that the Sun Moon Empire is fully prepared, while we are far from being. Therefore, we need to buy ourselves time. So we can't just leave directly. We must strike the Sun Moon Empire hard enough in Mingdu to slow down their offensive, so that we can have more time to prepare."

Ji Lin nodded. Indeed, it wouldn't be good for the Sun Moon Empire to have it too easy.

Zhang Lexuan said, "Our Shrek Academy elders have detected that the Sun Moon Empire has deployed several Soul Master legions to form a defensive line, and each legion has a high-level Soul Master in charge. All the teams that left earlier should be under their control. However, strangely, they did not completely surround Mingdu on all four sides. Instead, they surrounded three sides and left one open, leaving the west side, which is the opposite direction furthest from where we are returning to the academy."

Beibei took out a map, spread it out, and looked at the terrain around Mingdu.

The terrain surrounding Mingdu was excellent, with wide plains on three sides, suitable for farming and even more suitable for military campaigns. Only to the west was a mountain range called the Sun and Moon Mountains.

This mountain range is not very wide; it just happens to block the west side of Mingdu. Although Mingdu itself has no city walls, it is not wrong to say that it was built against the mountain. However, because the other three sides are too open, it is difficult for people who have just arrived in Mingdu to notice the west side.

After examining the map, Mu Xue frowned and said, "Surrounding three sides and leaving one open, is this a gap deliberately left to prevent us from fighting desperately? But logically speaking, the Sun Moon Empire doesn't need to do this at all! Their goal should be to wipe us out in one fell swoop. Why would they leave a way out? Moreover, the mountain terrain is complex, making it ideal for hiding and dodging. Closing off the mountains is much more difficult than setting up an ambush on the plains."

Vina, looking at the map beside Muxue, said, "Moreover, the Sun and Moon Mountains are right next to Mingdu, so they definitely aren't a gathering place for soul beasts. They should be an ordinary mountain range."

A look of doubt appeared in everyone's eyes.

Ji Lin smiled and said, "There must be something fishy going on. The Sun Moon Empire wants us to break out from the west, but we will not do as they wish. We will go in other directions, gather our strength, and we are very confident of breaking out from any direction. There is no need to take risks. The west may be the most dangerous place."

For Ji Lin, the west was more dangerous than any other direction. That place had been opened by the Holy Spirit Cult's sacrifice, and he would never go to the west under any circumstances, as he might encounter people there that he didn't want to meet at this time.

Although the other party may not appear due to dimensional shielding.

He didn't want to gamble even on a one in ten thousand chance, because if he gambled wrong, it would be a situation of no return. It was better to play it safe.

Beibei frowned and said, "But Elder Xuan once personally went to investigate and even surveyed the entire mountain range from the air. Although there are a small number of Sun Moon Empire troops stationed in the Sun Moon Mountain Range, they certainly do not pose a threat to us."

Ji Lin shook his head and said, "Perhaps, but the West is not that simple. Senior Bei Bei, how many people came from the academy this time?"

He didn't want to dwell on the topic any longer; he had already decided not to break out from the west, and he would absolutely not go.

Beibei also saw Ji Lin's determination and seemed to be deep in thought. Ji Lin seemed to be very wary of the West. Was there really something in the Sun and Moon Mountains that even Elder Xuan had not been able to detect?

Thinking of Ji Lin's teacher, Bei Bei understood. That teacher was even stronger than his ancestor. Could it be that His Majesty Chi Yuan had detected something that made Ji Lin so wary of the West?

Although Bei Bei misunderstood, he still answered Ji Lin's question, "There aren't many people from the academy, but they are all strong. Elder Xuan came in person, along with four other elders from the Sea God Pavilion, including the Dean of the Soul Guidance Department, Xian Lin'er. There are a total of six Title Douluos. Adding Sister Le Xuan, that makes seven. Five of them are all Super Douluos."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiujiu and Vina were both shocked. Had Shrek Academy mobilized half of its Title Douluos? Was this the true strength of Shrek Academy?

Xu Jiujiu only brought three Title Douluos and one Super Douluo, while Vina's side was sent by the Body Sect. They must have other purposes. Could it be that Shrek Academy also has its own ideas?

Vina misunderstood. Shrek Academy had no other purpose than to protect the next generation of Shrek Academy. After all, the most outstanding young generation from Shrek Academy had come this time, and Shrek would be heartbroken if they were to perish in the Sun Moon Empire.

Zhang Lexuan said, "Elder Xuan said that whether or not we destroy Mingdu is not important. What is important is to bring us all back. Shrek Academy will not be the first to attack the Sun Moon Empire."

Xu Jiujiu and Vina's expressions changed simultaneously. This was not good news for them. Destroying Mingdu and delaying the Sun Moon Empire's war effort would require more than just the two of them. If Shrek Academy didn't participate, they would be in a difficult situation.

For Shrek Academy, bringing Beibei and the others back to Shrek safely is the top priority; as for destroying the Sun Moon Empire's plan, that is not the most important thing to them.

Seeing that both princesses were somewhat displeased, Ji Lin changed the subject, asking, "Sister Jiu Jiu, what's the plan?"

After exchanging a glance with Vina, Xu Jiujiu said, "The feigned attack on Mingde Hall is actually an assassination attempt on Crown Prince Xu Tianran of the Sun Moon Empire. Xu Tianran has always been a proponent of war, and the Sun Moon Empire's emperor is already in poor health. If Xu Tianran were to rule the Sun Moon Empire, war would break out very soon. Once he dies, the Sun Moon Empire will inevitably experience internal strife, which would delay the war for a while and allow all countries to make full preparations."

Xu Jiujiu had another purpose he didn't mention: to disrupt Mingdu and then take the opportunity to kidnap several high-level Soul Masters and bring them back to the Star Luo Empire.

Ji Lin shook his head and said, "That's probably very difficult. Xu Tianran is now the Regent of the Sun Moon Empire, and he has experts from the Holy Spirit Cult protecting him. It would be very, very difficult to ambush and kill someone like that. Moreover, Xu Tianran lost both legs in an attack back then. With such a painful experience, how could he not be careful about his own safety? The chances of success are probably not high."

Zhang Lexuan nodded and said, "Elder Xuan also considered this aspect, which is why he didn't want to get involved and wanted to lead us away from this place of trouble."

Xu Jiujiu and Vina remained silent. For the safety of both countries, they had to take action. If Shrek Academy didn't participate, their success rate would be even lower. But even so, they would not give up on the assassination.

Ji Lin didn't say much. He told Xu Jiujiu to do whatever she wanted to do. It wasn't like Xu Jiujiu was personally assassinating someone. Ji Lin only needed to protect Xu Jiujiu. As for whether it succeeded or not, he didn't care.

Of course, Xu Tianran surviving would be most beneficial to his plan, but he wouldn't stop Xu Jiujiu. She was not only his fiancée and the deputy sect leader of Zizai Sect, but also a princess of the Xingluo Empire. As long as he didn't go to his death, Ji Lin would let her have her way. With Chi Yuan around, there would be no problem in getting them safely away from Mingdu.

Xu Jiujiu and Vina left disappointed. They had to go back to prepare specific plans, and Vina was very busy with the upcoming competition.

Zhang Lexuan sighed, "The academy isn't planning to get involved this time, so there's nothing I can do to help."

Ji Lin pondered for a moment and said, "Isn't the academy planning to vigorously develop soul tools? Sister Jiu Jiu and the others plan to assassinate Xu Tianran. At that time, Mingdu will definitely be in chaos. The academy can take the opportunity to seize a batch of military soul tools from the Sun Moon Empire. Let Elder Xuan investigate them carefully in the next few days. I think Elder Xuan will not refuse this opportunity to take advantage of the chaos."

Zhang Lexuan looked at Ji Lin with a half-smile and said, "You really dote on your princess! You're going to great lengths to help her!"

Ji Lin chuckled and said, "Is Sister Le Xuan jealous?"

"Ahem!"

Beibei coughed awkwardly, indicating that he was still there. He already knew about Ji Lin and Zhang Lexuan's relationship, and maybe one day he would even call Ji Lin "brother-in-law".

Before passing away, Old Mu did not tell Bei Bei about the contract he made with Zhang Lexuan, so Bei Bei did not know that the sister he once thought of, who was actually his fiancée, was now someone else's.

Of course, even if he knew, he probably wouldn't care. He's different from Ji Lin; he's a pure love war god who only loves Tang Ya.

He might even thank Ji Lin for winning over Zhang Lexuan, thus saving him from embarrassment.

Zhang Lexuan was also a little embarrassed. She had indeed been jealous because Ji Lin had spoiled Xu Jiujiu so much, and hadn't been mindful of the occasion.

She stood up and said calmly, "I will go back and tell Elder Xuan about your suggestion. We'll be leaving now."

After saying that, she turned and left without waiting for Beibei. Beibei gave Ji Lin a thumbs up and followed Zhang Lexuan away.

In the past few days, the atmosphere in Mingdu has been heating up, as the All-Continent Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition is about to enter the semi-finals.

Almost all the teahouses and taverns were filled with discussions about the competition.

The semi-final matchups for the All-Continent Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament.

In the morning, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy faced off against the Snow Demon Sect.

In the afternoon, Zizai Gate faced the Holy Spirit Sect.

These are two highly anticipated matches: the Snow Demon Sect, which has been hiding its strength, versus the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, which defeated Shrek Academy; and the dark horse Zizai Sect versus the mysterious and ruthless Holy Spirit Sect.

The second semi-final match was considered to be the most intense competition of the tournament.

Anyone with eyes can see what kind of existence the Holy Spirit Sect is: evil soul masters, those are evil soul masters! But in terms of public opinion, the Sun Moon Empire has always suppressed discussions about the Holy Spirit Sect with a repressive attitude. The fact that the Sun Moon Empire dared to let the Holy Spirit Sect participate in the competition means that it had already made arrangements.

Therefore, discussing matters related to the Holy Spirit Sect was already taboo in Mingdu.

Even so, everyone has their own standard: how powerful must an evil soul master sect be? If they win the final championship, perhaps the Sun Moon Empire will become a joke. At the very least, it will be an absolute stain on the history of the continent-wide elite soul master competition.

Therefore, even the ruthless Xu Tianran would not allow the Holy Spirit Sect to actually win the championship, as that would not be the result he desired. Although he did not care about any stains, to him, history was written by the victors. As long as he could unify the continent, what stain could not be erased? This was also an important reason why he dared to send the Holy Spirit Sect to fight.

There were indeed dissenting voices within the Sun Moon Empire, and they were quite strong. However, Xu Tianran, who had the support of the Holy Spirit Sect, completely disregarded these dissenting voices. After bloodily suppressing the most vocal opposition, the Holy Spirit Sect completed its initial registration.

Of course, Xu Tianran also made compromises. After all, even the Sun Moon Empire's strongest backer, the Hall of Offerings, had its members who opposed the Holy Spirit Sect winning the championship. This was Xu Tianran's compromise with the Hall of Offerings.

(End of this chapter)