Douluo Jueshi: Who let him join Shrek!

Chapter 656 Haha, I almost fell for someone's trick again!
Xu Tianran looked at the smile on Jiang Ming's lips and felt a little confused.

Why is this guy smiling so happily even though he won't accept my offer?
As someone skilled at analyzing psychology, Xu Tianran subconsciously sensed that something was wrong.

In the current situation, Jiang Ming is his enemy, and a formidable one at that!
The enemy is laughing, which means something bad has happened to us!
But now, the Ming capital is peaceful.

Xu Tianran looked towards the Mingdu city area. There was nothing unusual there, and if there were, someone would definitely come to report to him.

Suppressing his doubts, Xu Tianran looked at Jiang Ming again and said in a deep voice, "Jiang Ming, I hope you will reconsider. If you are willing to serve me, I may be able to preserve Shrek Academy when I unify the continent in the future."

The meaning of this statement is very clear: Jiang Ming has pledged allegiance to the Sun Moon Empire, and Shrek Academy will only be preserved when Xu Tianran unifies the continent.

If we don't pledge our allegiance, the day the Sun Moon Empire unifies the continent will be the day Shrek Academy is destroyed!
Neither Xu Tianran himself nor the various classes of the Sun Moon Empire would allow Shrek Academy to continue to exist.

Thousands of years ago, their Sun Moon Empire failed to defeat the three original empires of Douluo Continent and turn Douluo Continent into Sun Moon Continent. Shrek Academy was a major factor in this!
Xu Tianran would never allow such a force that could threaten the empire's rule to exist.

"Hehe, Your Highness, you're overthinking things. As I said, at this stage, at least under your control, while you're colluding with those evil soul masters of the Holy Spirit Cult, it's impossible for the Sun Moon Empire to unify the entire continent!"

Jiang Ming spoke slowly, his eyes gleaming with a pale golden light.

"Then, let's wait and see!"

Xu Tianran's eyes were filled with determination. Unifying the continent was his lifelong dream, and he was determined to achieve it at all costs!
"Well, let's wait and see."

Jiang Ming nodded and was about to stand up and leave.

Xiao Kong and Xiao Huang are working quite fast; they've almost emptied all the marked locations in Mingdu's underground area.

Now that everything has been moved out, there's no need to waste time talking to Xu Tianran.

His conversation with Xu Tianran seemed to concern the overall situation of the world, but both of them actually knew that this conversation could not change anything.

In fact, Jiang Ming also had some doubts.

Xu Tianran couldn't possibly be unaware that this conversation was destined to end inconclusively, yet he still sent someone to invite him, and it was even the Crown Princess, Ju Zi, who went.

What exactly does he want? Does he really just want to talk to him?
At least, Jiang Ming didn't think Xu Tianran would do something so meaningless.

"Jiang Ming."

When Xu Tianran saw Jiang Ming stand up, his eyes immediately turned cold.

"Does Your Highness have anything else to say?"

Jiang Ming raised an eyebrow, and his soul power began to surge within him.

If he were to take action, now would be the best time to kill Xu Tianran, but when he had this thought, he could sense a threat.

It was a strange premonition, but Jiang Ming chose to believe it.

Jiang Ming knew that Xu Tianran, the crown prince who had been assassinated and whose lower body had been paralyzed, could not possibly face him alone, an enemy who had already demonstrated his formidable strength.

He must have something to rely on.

He simply couldn't imagine who else in Mingdu could pose such a threat to him.

Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao?

Death God Douluo Ye Xishui?
These two Limit Douluo might be able to protect Xu Tianran and stop him, but they wouldn't make him feel a strong threat.

Who could it be? Could there be some unknown powerful figure in Mingdu?
"Since you have made your choice, I, the Crown Prince, will naturally not stop you. But if you want to leave, shouldn't you get rid of this thing?"

Xu Tianran said in a deep voice.

His gaze fell on the collar around Orange's neck.

This ring looks so glaring!

Hearing this, Jiang Ming blinked and then smiled, "I almost forgot."

He used his soul power to remove the collar from Ju Zi's neck from a distance, saying, "Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. This level eight soul tool isn't cheap."

As he spoke, Jiang Ming glanced very subtly to the west.

The movements were so subtle and stealthy that they were almost imperceptible unless one was watching closely.

After removing the collar, Jiang Ming's figure vanished instantly.

"Hoo~ho!"

After the collar around her neck was removed, Orange seemed to be startled and gasped for breath.

"Orange, thank you for your hard work."

Xu Tianran looked at the orange, a hint of apology in his eyes.

Having an eighth-level soul tool that could explode at any moment around your neck—the feeling of being on the brink of life and death is unimaginably unbearable.

But if it weren't for Ju Zi going, Jiang Ming might not have come.

In that case, he would have no way to place that wisp of aura that could have killed Jiang Ming on Jiang Ming's body.

After calming down, Ju Zi walked behind Xu Tianran again and pushed his wheelchair to get down.

The conversation is over; returning to the palace as soon as possible will ensure the best protection.

Relying on these unorthodox methods still doesn't give people peace of mind.

As Ju Zi pushed the wheelchair, Xu Tianran suddenly said, "Ju Zi, this is the western suburbs. The finals of the Mingdu Soul Master Competition are being held here. Would you like to go and take a look?"

Orange shook her head and said, "Your Highness, Orange only wants to stay by your side. Besides, it's safest for you to return to the palace now."

Xu Tianran smiled; he was very satisfied with Ju Zi's answer.

“You’re thoughtful. But, Orange, did you notice that when Jiang Ming took that collar back just now, he glanced to the west?”

Orange frowned slightly and said, "You glanced to the west? Could it be that those people from Shrek Academy are planning to break through to the west?"

Xu Tianran shook his head and said, "No, the west is not only the escape route I left for them. Tonight, the final of the Mingdu Soul Master Competition is not far to the west. Moreover, Mingjiang is representing the Aodu Chamber of Commerce in the final of the competition."

Upon hearing this, Orange's eyes widened in disbelief, and she said:
"Mingjiang? He participated in the Mingdu Soul Master Competition?! But isn't he already a level nine Soul Master?"

Xu Tianran smiled and said, "The Mingdu Soul Master Competition only requires Soul Masters to be under thirty years old, and it doesn't specify the level of Soul Masters. Don't forget, Mingjiang is only twenty-five years old now. His participation is not a violation of the rules."

Orange still didn't understand: "But why would he participate in the Mingdu Soul Master Competition? And if Orange remembers correctly, Your Highness, you probably wanted to use the Xishui Alliance to control the share of smuggled rare metals in this competition, right? Why would Mingjiang go to the Aodu Chamber of Commerce? Also, the three major underground forces probably wouldn't allow Mingjiang to participate, would they? If a level nine Soul Master like Mingjiang participates, what's the point of the competition? Who can beat him?"

Even though Orange is good at analyzing things, she still couldn't understand what was going on.

This is totally unreasonable.

Xu Tianran leaned his head against the wheelchair, a hint of helplessness on his face.

"It's actually a coincidence that Mingjiang will participate in the Mingdu Soul Master Competition," said the Red Dust Hall Master.

As he pushed the wheelchair, Xu Tianran recounted Mingjiang's participation in the Mingdu Soul Master Competition, even detailing Mingjiang's performance in the Aodu Chamber of Commerce.

Clearly, Xu Tianran also had people in the Aodu Chamber of Commerce, an organization backed by the military.

"I see. It really is a coincidence. But in that case, Your Highness, your plans are in vain."

Mingjiang's move definitely disrupted Xu Tianran's plans. At least with Mingjiang in the Aodu Chamber of Commerce, it was impossible for them to lose.

"It's alright. It doesn't matter if the Aodu Chamber of Commerce wins. Mingjiang is my man, and all the major powers in Mingdu know that. Since Mingjiang is representing the Aodu Chamber of Commerce in the competition, we can just take the opportunity to bring the Aodu Chamber of Commerce under our control as well."

Xu Tianran was not angry that his plans had been disrupted.

A person who is truly good at managing a situation is one who can make the most correct judgments and decisions as things constantly change.

Since Mingjiang went to the Aodu Chamber of Commerce, then we can use Mingjiang to bring the Aodu Chamber of Commerce and even the military forces behind it under our control.

Perfect timing, those evil soul masters of the Evening Water Alliance also need someone to keep them in check.

On the surface, the Xishui Alliance is giving face to the royal family, but what the royal family wants is not face, but control!

"only."

Xu Tianran's tone shifted, and he said in a deep voice, "Just now, Jiang Mingchao glanced westward, and there was that collar-shaped soul tool. The Fire Phoenix Douluo said that the soul tool was made using Mingde Hall's technology. If this collar-shaped soul tool was made by Mingjiang..."

As he spoke, Xu Tianran's gaze suddenly darkened.

Jing Hongchen also mentioned that the level-seven flying soul tool used by Wang Qiu'er of Shrek Academy was based on the technology of Mingde Hall.

Someone from Mingde Hall is supplying Shrek Academy with soul tools! And they're high-level soul tools, like level seven or eight!
And that glance Jiang Ming just gave me.
"Your Highness means that Mingjiang is a Shrek Academy spy infiltrated into Mingde Hall? But Mingjiang and Jiang Ming are sworn enemies, which is something many people know."

Orange frowned, feeling her thoughts becoming increasingly chaotic.

Xu Tianran sneered and said, "Even irreconcilable hatred can be faked!"

After saying this, Xu Tianran's eyes suddenly narrowed.

"It's an act. Could it be..."

Xu Tianran closed his eyes and recalled the look Jiang Ming had given him when he looked west, that look in his eyes, and how it was deliberately given when he retrieved the level eight soul tool.
That feeling was like a reminder that this level-eight soul tool was related to the west!
Jiang Ming wanted to make him suspect Ming Jiang!
Jiang Ming wanted to use someone else to do his dirty work!
That's right, otherwise why would those people from Shrek Academy openly display these things in front of him!

The level-seven flying soul tool used by Wang Qiu'er of Shrek Academy, as well as this level-eight soul tool, were immediately recognizable by the advanced soul masters around her as products of Mingde Hall technology.

If Mingjiang were truly a traitor within Shrek Academy, then Shrek Academy would never have presented something so obvious. Wouldn't this be blatantly admitting that there's something wrong with Mingde Hall?
The purpose of taking this out was to let him, and the people of Mingdetang, see it and let him know that there was a traitor inside Mingdetang!

Therefore, his first suspect would definitely be Mingjiang, who came from Shrek Academy from the very beginning!
In other words, if Mingjiang were truly an internal traitor, there would be no need for him to adopt a Shrek Academy identity. This would only make it difficult for him to move an inch in Mingdu and increase suspicion.

"This Jiang Ming. This Shrek Academy."

Xu Tianran suddenly laughed.

"Haha, I almost fell for your trick!"

Xu Tianran, who thought he understood all of Shrek Academy and Jiang Ming's plans, breathed a sigh of relief, but Ju Zi behind him was still somewhat confused.

While Xu Tianran was out there battling wits with himself, not far in the western suburbs, the three-hour time allotted for making the soul tool was nearing its end.

Some contestants have already stopped carving, and in order not to exceed the time limit, the other contestants certainly won't rush to finish their work.

But Mingjiang did it under tight deadlines.

Even in the last minute, Mingjiang was still carving.

With the final stroke completed, Mingjiang swiftly installed the core magic array into the armor set.

Hearty!

The only word to describe it is "exhilarating." This thrilling feeling was not only for Mingjiang, but also for the seven referees on the referee's table.

"Time's up. Everyone stop."

"Alright, everyone has finished making their soul tools. The production time is over."

From this moment forward, in the upcoming matches, you may only use the soul tool you created yourself; you may not use any other soul tools.

Ye Yulin said in a deep voice.

As he said this, the other contestants were all looking at the armor-shaped soul tool on Mingjiang's table.

They were all focused on making their own soul tools, since three hours was a bit short for them and they had to concentrate.

Aside from when Mingjiang took out five soul bones, which attracted their attention, they spent the rest of the time focused on making their own soul tools.

Only now did they have time to look at the armor-like soul tool that Mingjiang had made.

Putting everything else aside, just in terms of form, it can be summed up in one word.

Handsome!
With gold as the main color and silver patterns as embellishments, the overall image looks dazzling and extremely noble.

Because it contains five soul bones, this armor set is extremely attractive to all soul masters!

And for some reason, when everyone looked at this armor set, they felt as if they were facing their emperor.

It's amazing that a mere suit of armor soul tools could evoke such feelings in them!
"Cough cough!"

As all eyes were fixed on the exceptionally luxurious armor, Ye Yulin coughed lightly.

The competition must continue; this is not the time to watch.

Anyway, Mingjiang is the Crown Prince's man, and he happens to be on the Crown Prince's side, so he thinks there will definitely be many opportunities in the future!
Now, he was even more eager to see just how powerful the soul tool set of armor made by Mingjiang really was!
(End of this chapter)