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

The scene shifts to a suite in a seaside hotel.

Holding a piece of intelligence, Yu Ying Douluo recounted the events of three years ago to Yue Zhengyin, Yue Zhengyu, and Ning Peiya with a blank expression. "According to reliable sources, those eight Shrek Academy members allegedly broke into a military base near Tianhai City, where they were discovered and brutally murdered by the guards."

Le Zhengyu frowned and said, "Aunt Ying, no matter how domineering Shrek Academy is, it can't tolerate its students trespassing on an official military base. Does the Sea God Pavilion expect us to seek justice for such unreasonable people?"

"Since everyone here is on our side, I'll be frank," Jade Shadow Douluo said solemnly. "We suspect that a large intelligence agency is hidden within the Heavenly Sea Alliance. This agency is not affiliated with the Sun Moon Empire or the Spirit Pagoda, but rather is a third-party force positioned between us and the Sun Moon Empire!"

"The scandal involving the Yuanen family is a closely guarded secret between the Sea God Pavilion and the Tang Sect. Very few people know the details of this incident. Under these circumstances, a third-party force actually used an image crystal to recreate the entire event. What do you think about that?"

Le Zhengyin tentatively asked, "Is there a third-party spy among the high-ranking members of the Sea God Pavilion and the Tang Sect? Or perhaps... a third-party force offered a sufficient price to bribe a high-ranking member of either of the two forces?"

Jade Shadow Douluo nodded.

"If that's the case, then what's the point of our investigation?" Le Zhengyu said aggressively. "Even the higher-ups of the Sea God Pavilion couldn't do it, and now they're asking our younger generation to investigate? Even if we find nothing, fine, but if we do uncover something, what will become of us?"

Jade Shadow Douluo chuckled, "No, quite the opposite. The Sea God Pavilion isn't asking you to investigate the cause of death of those eight members, but rather to let you have a good time in Tianhai City."

"Play?"

The three of them looked at each other, their eyes filled with doubt.

Play? Or play to your heart's content? What kind of mission is this?

Yu Ying Douluo showed no intention of explaining to the three of them. She hurriedly left the room, walked through a long corridor, and arrived at the area where the official delegation of the Sun Moon Empire was located.

dong dong dong...

Jade Shadow Douluo knocked on the door of a room.

Soon, the door opened, and the image of a green-haired woman came into Yu Ying Douluo's view.

Bing Muxue didn't seem too surprised by Yu Ying Douluo's sudden visit. She simply waved her hand and turned around to sit down on the sofa in the living room.

"Senior Ice Emperor, regarding the matter I raised... has His Majesty the Emperor responded?"

Yu Ying Douluo stood in front of the coffee table and gave a slight junior's bow to Bing Muxue.

Bing Muxue said calmly, "His Majesty said... How can one allow others to sleep soundly beside one's bed? If there really is an intelligence agency capable of overturning the entire Douluo Continent hiding in Tianhai City, the imperial high command will definitely spare no effort to wipe it out."

"Everyone has their own selfish motives. Your Sea God Pavilion wants to become the supreme ruler of the entire Soul Master world, the Spirit Pagoda wants to become the second Spirit Hall, while our Sun Moon Empire wants to establish a positive and progressive order. Right now, the two camps are locked in a power struggle, and the existence of a third party... is destined to be unacceptable to both of us."

Jade Shadow Douluo nodded. As a messenger, after hearing the answer he wanted, he immediately stood up and took his leave.

As she watched Jade Shadow Douluo gradually disappear into the distance, Bing Muxue's gaze grew increasingly profound. She couldn't understand where the Sea God Pavilion got its confidence to seek cooperation with the higher-ups of their empire.

So far, the actions of that third-party force have all been directed at the Sea God Pavilion, and have not shown any malice towards the Sun Moon Empire. Would the Empire really take action against someone who is suspected of being an ally?

Of course, that force hasn't shown any malice towards the Sun Moon Empire's official authorities yet, but that doesn't mean it won't in the future. An investigation is definitely in order, and if there's any possibility of winning them over, His Majesty the Emperor wouldn't mind finding a rival for the Spirit Pagoda.

……

On the other side, after a brief discussion, Yue Zhengyin, Yue Zhengyu, and Ning Peiya invited all the younger members of the Shrek Academy delegation to go on a team-building trip. Since it was all paid for by the Sea God Pavilion and they were on a mission, they didn't mind using the money to benefit the Buddha.

Their first stop was the most famous arcade in Tianhai City.

The moment they stepped into the arcade, they were instantly impressed by the owner's grand vision.

They naturally recognized the items displayed in the store, which were exactly the same as the equipment on the Ascension Platform.

"Welcome, distinguished guests from Shrek Academy, to the Holographic Experience Center. I am Yan Wangshu, the person in charge."

A tall, middle-aged woman walked up to Shrek and his group, leaned forward slightly, and performed a very standard courtly etiquette.

Seeing this, Yue Zhengyin, Yue Zhengyu, and Ning Peiya exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief. This holographic experience center... was probably an asset under that third-party force.

Should we try to get in touch with this woman named Yan Wangshu... and try to get information out of her?

No, that won't work. That would be too obvious, and anyone would notice something amiss. Jade Shadow Douluo didn't assign them any investigations, so there's no need to do anything unnecessary.

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

"Um... Steward Yan, I have a question for you." Huo Yuhao suddenly raised his small hand, looking puzzled, and asked, "Excuse me, is the so-called holographic technology... the same as the training we did at the Spirit Ascension Platform?"

Yan Wangshu replied, "There are some similarities. Well... to put it this way, the experience our holographic experience center provides to customers is far from as realistic as the Spirit Ascension Platform. We can't truly make you feel like you're there. After all... we're a small business and don't have the scale of the Spirit Transmission Tower."

"Since this is your first time visiting, I highly recommend that you try our signature attraction – the Haunted House. It's known as the Haunted House of Tianhai City, and even gods would be scared to tears!"

A haunted house? Even a god would be scared to tears?

Shrek and his friends were becoming increasingly curious.

They had absolute confidence in themselves. They had seen all sorts of bizarre soul beasts on the Spirit Ascension Platform. Even if their families were destroyed and they became prisoners, they wouldn't be scared to tears, right?

And so, led by Yan Wangshu, Shrek and his group arrived at an exquisite door with the three gilded characters "Haunted House" on the door.

"Who wants to go first?"

Yan Wangshu turned her head and glanced at the Shrek group behind her.

"I'll go first."

Ning Peiya quickly stepped forward, pushed open the door, and entered the house. (End of Chapter)