Douluo Jueshi: Who let him join Shrek!

Chapter 818 A Terrible Move! Regretful Jing Hongchen

When Jing Hongchen saw Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Huo Yuhao, and the others at the Tang Sect, he was not surprised at all, after all, these people were the ones who represented the Tang Sect in the competition in Mingdu.

But seeing Xuan Ziwen here was something he never expected!

Before resigning from Mingde Hall, Xuan Ziwen was the chief researcher of Mingde Hall! Even after Xuan Ziwen resigned from Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen thought that Xuan Ziwen would go to other places in Mingdu, after all, the Sun Moon Empire was the best place for the development of soul tools and the best place for soul masters.

But now, Xuan Ziwen has actually appeared here!
They appeared at the Tang Sect!

This is simply...
"Hall Master?"

Xuan Ziwen turned around, saw Jing Hongchen, and subconsciously called out "Hall Master".

Then he saw Jiang Ming standing next to Jing Hongchen, blinked, and suddenly realized!

"Hall Master, you're here too? Are you going to join the Tang Sect? If you do, I'll give you the position of Hall Master of the Tang Sect Soul Guidance Hall."

Xuan Ziwen had absolute confidence in his soul tool skills, but compared to Jing Hongchen, a top-tier level nine soul tool master, he was still far behind.

Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen's lips twitched slightly.

Who cares about the position of the head of the Tang Sect's Soul Guidance Hall? He is at least the head of the Mingde Hall. Even though his power is restricted now, it is still much better than this so-called position of the head of the Tang Sect's Soul Guidance Hall.

He asked in a deep voice, "Xuan Ziwen, what are you doing here at Tang Clan? Did you resign from Mingde Hall just to come here?"

If Xuan Ziwen were to become the dean or vice dean of the Soul Guidance Department at Shrek Academy, he wouldn't say anything, because that would indeed be a promising future.

Even though the Tang Clan achieved a top-three ranking in the competition, they are still just a small force!
Everyone else's phoenix perches on the parasol tree, but yours is just a phoenix perching on a chicken
Xuan Ziwen responded, "Hall Master, I think this place is quite good. Jiang Ming recommended me here before, and I saw that the Tang Sect mechanisms used by Huo Yuhao and the others can provide excellent assistance to soul tools. As the Hall Master of the Soul Tool Hall, I can research whatever I want, with the full financial support of the Ming Le Chamber of Commerce."

Xuan Ziwen isn't stupid. The position of chief researcher at Mingdetang is indeed very good, but the restrictions are too great.

His initial motivation for joining Mingde Hall as a researcher was to develop more innovative soul tools and more civilian soul tools to improve people's lives.

However, Mingdetang has been a huge disappointment in recent years.

As the highest research center for soul tools in the Sun Moon Empire, it has been researching war-type soul tools for many years. Research plans for various offensive and defensive soul tools are approved and funded immediately upon submission.

However, his submitted designs for civilian soul guide devices were repeatedly rejected.

This was no longer the Mingde Hall he wanted to stay in.

Even though his soul tool technology was at the forefront of research on war-type soul tools, this was not the atmosphere he wanted.

So, on the recommendation of his friend Mingjiang—no, Jiang Ming—and on the recommendation of his student Huo Yuhao, he came to Shrek City.

Just as the Tang Clan was about to make a comeback in Shrek City, and the Ming Le Chamber of Commerce had provided ample investment funds, he could fully unleash his potential!

More importantly, as the head of the Soul Guidance Hall in the Tang Sect, he has complete freedom to research soul tools!

Having already broken through the Title Douluo barrier through the blessings of the Goddess of Life and some special means, he has now been promoted from an eighth-level Soul Master to a ninth-level Soul Master.

As the only level nine soul master in the Tang Sect, his authority is absolutely extensive. As for other issues, most of them can be resolved directly with the substantial financial support from the Ming Le Chamber of Commerce.

This is the most comfortable environment for him.

He could even occasionally take time to visit Shrek Academy and exchange ideas with Qian Duoduo and Fan Yu, two level nine soul masters of the same rank. However, Jiang Ming hadn't been focusing on soul tools lately, otherwise, as level nine soul masters both taught by Kong Deming, they would have had a lot in common.

This is also why he chose to stay in the Tang Sect instead of going to Shrek Academy.

Shrek Academy already has three level-nine Soul Masters: Qian Duoduo, Fan Yu, and Jiang Ming. The best offer the Soul Guidance Department can give is simply the position of Vice Dean of the Soul Guidance Department.

Moreover, Shrek Academy's Soul Guidance Department is already a mature system. If he were to force his way in, the situation wouldn't be much better than that of Mingde Hall.

But in the Tang Clan, he is the boss and can lead his own team from scratch, which is very important to Xuan Ziwen!
Jing Hongchen remained silent for a few seconds after hearing Xuan Ziwen's words.

From the perspective of the Sun Moon Empire and Mingde Hall, Xuan Ziwen's behavior is utterly shameful!
But from Xuan Ziwen's own perspective, joining the Tang Sect is indeed a very good choice.

"Ugh"

After a long while, Jing Hongchen could only sigh helplessly.

Xuan Ziwen left his job to come to Tangmen, and he has a lot of responsibility to bear.

After all, he was blinded by war and power, gradually turning Mingde Hall's scientific research mission into the research of war-type soul tools, and step by step driving Xuan Ziwen away.

"Hall Master, you haven't left Mingde Hall? I thought so. Well, I could resign and leave, but you are, after all, one of the top level nine soul masters in the Sun Moon Empire. Xu Tianran would never let you leave."

Xuan Ziwen belatedly realized what was happening.

He could leave, because when he left, even though he was the chief researcher of Mingde Hall, he was only an eighth-level soul master.

Level 9 Soul Masters are the pillars of the Sun Moon Empire, but Level 8 Soul Masters are plentiful in the Sun Moon Empire.

The Sun Moon Empire, which has more than 20 level 9 Soul Masters, has at least more than 50 level 8 Soul Masters!
In this situation, it's okay if he leaves.

But it's impossible for Jing Hongchen.

Even if Jing Hongchen were still the head of Mingde Hall, Xu Tianran would never have allowed a level nine soul master like Jing Hongchen to leave, even if he had been dismissed before.

"Xuan Ziwen, you're a level nine Soul Master now, right? Hmm, that's good. Keep up the good work at Tang Sect."

Jing Hongchen didn't talk much about this topic.

The Sun Moon Empire is indeed going through a turbulent time, and the atmosphere in Mingde Hall is no longer the same as before, making it less suitable for calmly studying soul tools.

Xuan Ziwen nodded.

Then, Jing Hongchen glanced at Huo Yuhao and Caitou beside him.

When they were exchange students, these two were the most dazzling among their batch of students at Shrek Academy!

"It's been a long time since I've seen Master Hongchen."

When Huo Yuhao saw Jing Hongchen looking over, he greeted her calmly, showing no embarrassment at having tricked Jing Hongchen out of a sum of rare metals.

After all, after he obtained that rare metal, the Dragon Emperor Douluo came after him, didn't he?

He Caitou nodded slightly. Jing Hongchen looked at the two of them and said, "During the competition, you were a level six Soul Master and a level seven Soul Master, respectively. Now, three years have passed, you should both have advanced one level?"

He didn't have much in common with the two of them, and in fact, they were sworn enemies, so their conversations were limited to things related to the Soul Master.

Huo Yuhao and Cai Tou exchanged a glance but did not give a direct response.

The strength of a Soul Master is not like that of a Soul Spirit Master; once a Martial Soul is released and its Soul Rings appear, it is basically impossible to hide.

Since Jing Hongchen is not one of their own, they naturally try to conceal their abilities in this area.

However, Jing Hongchen was right.

Three years have passed since the competition. Huo Yuhao and Cai Tou have both improved their soul power cultivation by a level. With the help of Xuan Ziwen, a master soul master, and the teachers in the soul guidance department, it is normal for their soul master cultivation to improve. In fact, it is even beyond Jing Hongchen's imagination!

After a brief chat, Jiang Ming had Huo Yuhao show him and Jing Hongchen around the Tang Sect.

The two brothers exchanged a glance and communicated telepathically, and Huo Yuhao immediately understood Jiang Ming's intention.

The secret of the Tang Sect's ability to manufacture soul tools must not be revealed to Jing Hongchen, but Jing Hongchen should still be shown some of the Tang Sect's strengths and unique features.

This way, they can put some pressure on Jing Hongchen, and then let Jing Hongchen pass that pressure on to Xu Tianran.

Perhaps, it might even shake Jing Hongchen's heart a little.

There's no rush to poach people, especially a top-tier level nine soul master like Jing Hongchen. You have to swing the hoe slowly and loosen the soil gradually!
After touring the Tang Sect, Jing Hongchen's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

why?
Because with his discerning eye, he could tell at a glance that almost 70% of the soul tools were made using the craftsmanship of Mingdetang!

The remaining 30% was the fusion of those Tang Clan hidden weapons that he didn't quite understand.

what does this mean?
This means that the rise of the Tang Clan can be said to have been supported by the Mingde Hall!

More importantly, because he incorporated the techniques of the Tang Sect's mechanical expansion, Jing Hongchen could sense that the quality of those soul tools had caught up with, and even surpassed, the soul tools of the same level manufactured by their Mingde Hall!

Perhaps the Tang Sect is not yet able to fuse high-end soul tools, such as level seven and above, since the complexity of soul tools after level seven increases significantly.

But that's terrifying enough already!
It's important to understand that war isn't fought over high-end soul tools, but rather against organized armies! If the Tang Sect surpasses us in low-to-mid-level soul tools, then...
The consequences could be disastrous!

Jing Hongchen felt a chill run down his spine, and even felt that coming to Shrek Academy to do some exchange student cooperation was the most foolish decision ever!
Where did Tangmen get its Mingdetang craftsmanship from?
Without a doubt, it was Huo Yuhao and Cai Tou who brought them here, along with Xuan Ziwen who had been abducted!

this.
In fact, there were no level nine soul masters among the original three great empires of Douluo Continent.

Now, however, the Tang Sect possesses Xuan Ziwen, a ninth-level Soul Master who is well-versed in the craftsmanship of Mingde Hall.
Terrible move!

Jing Hongchen felt that the move she made back then was truly a terrible one!

Although Xiao Hongchen and his sister also benefited greatly from Shrek Academy's inner courtyard and their Soul Master cultivation improved, it was nothing compared to the benefits they gained from Shrek Academy and Tang Sect!
"Master Hongchen, now that you've finished touring the Tang Sect, I'll take you back to your hotel to rest. Tomorrow, I'll take you to visit the Soul Guidance Department of our Shrek Academy so we can have a good exchange and I can give you some guidance."

Jiang Ming smiled and escorted Jing Hongchen back to her hotel, then returned to the lakeside cottage on Poseidon Island.

By the time this whole process was completed, it was already past midnight.

When Jiang Ming returned to the lakeside cottage, the lights were still on in the living room on the second floor.

Zhang Lexuan was sitting on the sofa in the living room on the second floor. When Jiang Ming came in, he saw her alone.

Seeing Jiang Ming return, Zhang Lexuan got up and patted the slightly wrinkled clothes on Jiang Ming's body, without asking any questions.

"Are they all resting?"

Jiang Ming asked softly.

Zhang Lexuan said, "They were originally waiting here, but I saw that you hadn't come back until late at night, so I let them go back to their rooms to rest."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ming smiled and said, "Then why are you still waiting here?"

Zhang Lexuan raised her head slightly, rolled her eyes at Zhang Lexuan, and said, "You want to sleep on the sofa?"

"Alright, it's late, let's not bother Liya and Qiu'er anymore, come to my room."

With that, Zhang Lexuan walked towards her room.

Jiang Ming naturally followed.

After handing over the grain, Zhang Lexuan rested her head on Jiang Ming's arm and whispered, "Do you have a scheme against Jing Hongchen?"

Based on her understanding of Jiang Ming, even if Jing Hongchen and Jiang Ming had a close relationship, Jiang Ming's decision to keep Jing Hongchen here and treat her in this way meant that Jiang Ming definitely had some ulterior motive.

Jiang Ming smiled and said, "Sister Le Xuan knows me so well? Indeed, I have some plans for Jing Hongchen. I want to poach him from the Sun Moon Empire."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lexuan frowned slightly.

"Digging up Mirror Red Dust? Mirror Red Dust is the head of the Mingde Hall, he..."

Jiang Ming said softly, "Indeed, it's difficult to dig them out now. After all, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen should be under Xu Tianran's surveillance in Mingdu right now, but that may not be the case after a while."

His eyes gleamed with a deep light.

"After a while."

Zhang Lexuan thought for a moment and realized that the only thing that could possibly shake the power of the Mingde Hall's main Mirror of Mortal Affairs was...
Her eyes narrowed: "You're going to take action against the Sun Moon Empire and Xu Tianran?!"

Jiang Ming nodded slightly and said, "Xu Tianran has tried to kill me time and time again, but I haven't had the time before. Now, he has to pay some price."

He was not a magnanimous person. Xu Tianran had repeatedly mobilized the entire nation to kill him. How could he not retaliate?

In fact, with his current strength, he could easily storm into the Sun Moon Empire's palace and kill Xu Tianran.

However, he doesn't do that because it would cause some potential problems.

Moreover, he had already devised a plan that would not only allow Xu Tianran to enjoy the pleasure of falling step by step into the abyss, but also render the Sun Moon Empire incapable of waging war for a century!

(End of this chapter)