In Douluo Continent, I am the mastermind behind the scenes.

Thinking of this, Xiao Zhankui clenched his fists, and the aura emanating from his body became increasingly chaotic, showing signs of being possessed by a demon... no, according to the terminology of this world, he should be showing signs of becoming a corrupted evil spirit.

Seeing this, Lan Feng and the other two were utterly speechless. Xiao Zhan Kui, who usually prides himself on being the embodiment of justice, was tricked without even realizing it. Wu Qing Shuang was clearly an undercover agent who deliberately provoked him.

Despite their thoughts, Lan Feng and the other two made no attempt to offer any warnings. "Better to sacrifice a friend than myself," they thought. "The evil consequences sown by the Heavenly Soul Empire... you, Nether Thunder Douluo Xiao Zhan Kui, will bear them all."

And so, the three of them left the Xiao residence without a sound. The moment they stepped out of the Xiao residence gate, countless bolts of lightning descended from the sky, engulfing the entire Xiao residence.

Lan Feng and the other two were immediately shocked. That beast Xiao Zhankui... actually chose to wipe out his entire family!

……

The perspective shifts back to Maple Leaf City.

After two hours of bombardment, Xiao Shan left with the Imperial Academy team under the pretext of returning to Tiandou City to fetch reinforcements. Under the persuasion of his two deputy generals, Commandant Liu Dian chose to open the city gates and surrender.

There's no way he can escape. Even if a mere Soul Douluo manages to escape from the Deep Sea Legion, once he returns to Jialing Pass, the Sea God Pavilion's retired emperor, who came to help defend the city, will definitely not spare him.

The defending general deserted his post. Hmph, if this gets blown out of proportion, Liu Dian won't escape the punishment of being slowly sliced ​​to death.

"They...surrendered?"

Seeing the white flag fluttering in the wind on the city wall, Yin Hongchen said with a strange expression, "General, if I'm not mistaken, in these two hours, the number of casualties among the Maple Leaf City garrison should not exceed four hundred. The casualties rate is less than half a percent. They surrendered so easily? Isn't that absurd?"

Hearing this, Zhu Ningyu curled her lip and said irritably, "Half a percent is already a lot. Don't forget, the cultivation level of each of these Soul Masters participating in the city defense battle is no less than that of a Soul Venerable. Cultivation is not easy. Apart from those high-level Soul Masters who want to seek benefits through war, who the hell wants to fight?"

As she spoke, Zhu Ningyu's gaze fell on Lan Fuzi. "Little Lan, pass down the order: the Deep Sea Army will move into Maple Leaf City and escort all the original garrison troops to the drill ground. I have something to say to them."

"Vice Hall Master Yin, the Deep Sea Legion will only stay in Maple Leaf City for one night. Tomorrow morning, I will lead these 32,000 men northward, heading straight for Jialing Pass. Your Sun Moon Empire needs to occupy the southern provinces of the Heavenly Soul Empire as quickly as possible. Can you do that?"

Yin Hongchen hurriedly said, "Please rest assured, General. I just received a message from my father that the vanguard of the Canglang Legion will arrive in Maple Leaf City in two hours. My father, Jing Hongchen, will be in charge. As long as those old bastards from the Sea God Pavilion don't personally intervene, there is absolutely no need to worry about the risk of our retreat being cut off."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ningyu nodded, then returned to her tent, changed into a light pink flowing dress with wide sleeves, just like Zhu Ningyun's, before stepping through the gates of Maple Leaf City.

In the Maple Leaf City training ground, more than 7,000 prisoners stood motionless, their eyes blank, already mentally prepared to be driven to the front of Jialing Pass to serve as cannon fodder.

Zhu Ningyu stood on the high platform, looking down at the group of prisoners, her powerful voice resounding throughout the training ground.

"Before we begin, let me introduce myself. My name is Zhu Ningyu. Three years ago... Zhu Ningyun, who died at the hands of the Asura Goddess Xiao Wu, was my older sister."

"My sister spread this legacy throughout the Douluo Continent in order to create a world where the weak are not afraid, the strong are not arrogant, the powerful are not haughty, and the kind are rewarded."

"In the eyes of us sisters, there may be differences in our cultivation levels, but we are all equal in terms of personality. Everyone is playing their own role. Whether you are a courtesan or a lowly soldier, you are all my brothers and sisters, and I, Zhu Ningyu, treat everyone equally."

"You're fighting tooth and nail on the front lines, while those old fogies from the Sea God Pavilion are reaping the benefits in Shrek City. Is that fair? Even if we win this battle, what will you all get?"

"Rebellion has never been about opposing the emperor or the gods; it's about survival and living a better life."

"This is a right given to everyone by God!"

"As human beings, we should live like human beings!"

"Why must a martial soul be awakened later in life? Why is the quality of a martial soul used to measure the upper limit of each soul master? Why?"

"Tang San was a vegetable, but he became a God King by some kind of chance. He was afraid of being surpassed by others, so he suppressed all the Soul Masters in Douluo Continent."

"The village's array still stands, but the one who drew it is nowhere to be seen. The Seven Eccentrics have grown into a dream, their spirits no longer those of the students!"

"Everyone in the Douluo Continent should be born with the right to cultivate and the qualification to become a god, instead of having the path to godhood controlled by a single person or family!"

"If I could become the ruler of this world, I would completely remove this restriction. Becoming a Blue Silver Douluo, a Rolling Pin Douluo, or a Hoe Douluo would no longer be a pipe dream!"

"After me, rebellion is justified and inherently righteous."

"If I, Zhu Ningyu, were to live like Tang San, you could rebel against me just as I rebelled against Tang San today."

"Becoming a god is the dream of every Soul Master, and no one has the right to stop someone from pursuing their dream..."

Just then, a female general suddenly knelt down, making a vow gesture with her right hand, "I, Xu Ruoqing, swear by my martial spirit that I will follow Shen Ningyu for the rest of my life. If I break this vow, may my martial spirit shatter and I die!"

Once there's a first, there's a second.

Many soldiers in the drill ground secretly wiped away their tears, some even crying out in anguish.

Should the descendants of those old men who shut up their lamps at the Sea God Pavilion live, while they themselves should die?

They want to live, to live like a human being, and they believe that hard work will bring rewards.

Zhu Ningyu's voice echoed in the sky above Maple Leaf City, and even Yin Hongchen knelt down, worshipping the god she believed in.

Who would refuse to be an upright person?

She... also wanted a chance to become a god. Zhu Ningyu was right. This was Yin Hongchen's right, and it shouldn't be taken away by the Sea God Tang San!

At this moment, Qin Yi could sense that Zhu Ningyu's clone's cultivation level had begun to weaken, and it was not far from reaching level 100.

"Is this... the power of faith?"

Feeling the energy ripples surrounding her body, Zhu Ningyu was filled with mixed emotions.

This is for the best; it allows Zhu Ningyu to become the savior of the world, which is a fitting conclusion.

Since they've already collected enough faith points, there's no need to stir up trouble on the continent anymore; they're already in an invincible position. (End of Chapter)