Thus, for this infiltration, You Chen continued with his previous style, maintaining his spiritual power within a few meters around him, primarily relying on his five senses to gather information.
Compared to his last visit, You Chen's physical abilities had reached an inhuman level.
Hearing in all directions and seeing in all directions was now something he could literally do.
Before long, one of his Starlight Avatars had found a target.
"Di Wan, it's been a while. How come you've fallen so low?"
You Chen leaned against the windowsill of Di Wan's house, looking at the somewhat dejected Di Wan, and couldn't help but tease him.
Di Wan was startled, quickly looking up and rubbing his eyes in disbelief: "You... You Chen? You didn't actually go and get that plastic surgery you mentioned, did you?"
You Chen was well aware of his current appearance, which was so striking it could turn heads and make enemies into friends.
Seeing Di Wan's shocked expression, he smiled slightly: "The real deal."
"Not only has your appearance evolved, but your aura is completely different too."
Di Wan looked You Chen up and down, unable to help but marvel: "I always knew you were a closet show-off. Now, it's clear as day."
You Chen, who had been posing, darkened his expression and quickly changed the subject: "You haven't told me yet, my old friend. What's going on with you? Why are you so down on your luck?"
He glanced at Di Wan's residence and said, "This dump doesn't suit your status."
"It's all because of you!"
Di Wan rolled his eyes upon hearing this.
"Me?"
You Chen nodded thoughtfully, as if he had some idea.
Di Wan didn't think You Chen was putting on an act. Years of friendship had made him familiar with and aware of his old friend's keen insight and terrifying analytical skills.
After saying this, You Chen had probably already listed numerous possibilities in his mind and had a guess closest to the truth.
But to save some unnecessary communication time, Di Wan decided to just tell the truth.
"Although it may not be directly related to my current situation, I'll start from the beginning. It was about five or six years ago, a few months after you left Spirit Hall City. I remember I was in the middle of my cultivation when the Enforcement Team suddenly barged in, accusing me of killing a high-ranking officer named Bai Hu from the Execution Department. They took me away, focusing on my whereabouts during that time and... whether I had any contact with you during that period."
Di Wan glanced at You Chen: "I immediately thought of you."
This sentence, when expanded, would mean "I immediately thought the killer was you."
You Chen didn't refute it.
He just found it somewhat surprising.
He had originally thought that Bibidong hadn't conducted any investigation into Bai Hu's death, but it turned out that wasn't the case.
It seemed Bibidong didn't believe he had the capability to do such a thing, so she directly suspected his old friends.
You Chen said with near certainty: "So, it wasn't just you who was taken in for questioning, right?"
Di Wan, seeing You Chen almost admitting that he was the one who killed Bai Hu, and seeing him guess the follow-up so quickly, gave him a "as expected of you" look and sighed: "Kainekis, Orge, those are the two I know. The rest, I heard some of your old school friends were also involved. But... it was just routine questioning, nothing serious."
Even so, You Chen's gaze turned slightly cold.
It was obvious that this was Bibidong's doing.
His school friends were naturally Ye Han, Jiang Liu, and others.
As for Kainekis and Orge, these two were the strongest among those You Chen had "invested" in and still kept in touch with.
Eagle King Di Wan, Lion King Kainekis, Wolf King Orge... even among Soul Douluo, they were renowned experts.
Seeing You Chen not hiding his emotions, his sharpness on full display, Di Wan couldn't help but laugh: "Indeed, indeed, you're different now! You Chen, I always believed you were the hidden dragon in the abyss! Now, just the aura you're emitting is making me shiver! You, in just these few years, how strong have you become!?"
You Chen immediately reined in the aura he had inadvertently released, raised an eyebrow, and smiled: "Titled Douluo, I can crush them with a snap of my fingers."
Di Wan's pupils contracted, his mouth opening slightly. Even though he had tried to think as high as possible, he still couldn't believe it: "You're kidding, right?"
You Chen didn't explain, instead pressing on: "Then what? If it was just about Bai Hu, you shouldn't have ended up in this state, right?"
You Chen changed the subject, and Di Wan, knowing the urgency, didn't press further, nodding: "Although I became a bit more cautious due to her suspicions, I never cared much about the power of Spirit Hall, nor did I hold any positions there, so it didn't affect me much. However... after that incident, the Pope's mental state seemed to become unstable.
You know, although I'm a free spirit, Kainekis and Orge are different. One is in the Enforcement Team, the other in the Execution Department, both in high positions. The higher you are, the more you're targeted. Although they were cleared of suspicion in the previous incident, it seems the Pope wasn't satisfied with the outcome, so they naturally became her scapegoats, heavily targeted. So, I just stood up for them a bit..."
"And then you got caught?"
You Chen rolled his eyes: "What does that have to do with me? Isn't that your own problem?"
Even as he said this, You Chen secretly added another mark against Bibidong in his mental ledger.
To avoid implicating his old friends, You Chen had never used their intelligence network during his assassination missions, yet they still got dragged into it.
He could imagine that the treatment they received was far from as mild as Di Wan made it sound.
Di Wan didn't mention it, but You Chen guessed that his departure from Notting City might have made Bibidong more convinced of his connection to the Heaven-Rank Assassin. Otherwise, with so many affairs and the influence of Rakshasa God Power on her mind, it would have been hard for her to recall these minor figures after such a long time.
Di Wan looked at You Chen with a deep gaze: "Her targeting us, it's all connected to you, isn't it? At the very least... the root of this matter can't be separated from the Bai Hu incident five or six years ago."
Then, Di Wan narrowed his eyes and suddenly grinned: "And, You Chen, if I'm not mistaken, that 'Heaven-Rank Assassin' is you, right? Driving the Pope to madness, and you say the suffering we've endured has nothing to do with you?"
You Chen didn't show any surprise.
Combined with the aura he had inadvertently released earlier, his statement of "Titled Douluo, I can crush them with a snap of my fingers," and the Heaven-Rank Assassin's familiarity with Spirit Hall City, everything pointed to this conclusion.
Others might not think of it, but Di Wan, with his strong faith in You Chen, had deduced from Bai Hu's death that You Chen's strength had made a huge leap, so it wasn't surprising he reached this conclusion.
"Di Wan, join my organization?"
You Chen extended his hand to Di Wan, speaking sincerely: "It's an organization I founded, called the 'Beast Soul Alliance.' I need your strength."
"Are you asking me to betray Spirit Hall?" Di Wan countered seriously.
You Chen knew Di Wan's question was very serious.
Just as You Chen had deep feelings for Spirit Hall, Di Wan also saw Spirit Hall as his home and belonging.
Even with all its flaws, and even though he had suffered from power struggles and persecution here, that wouldn't change.
There were many like Di Wan in Spirit Hall.
The deeply rooted clans were a small part; more were orphans raised by Spirit Hall.
They were born here, grew up here.
This was their country.
Why did Bibidong, with a single call, establish an empire, and countless Spirit Hall members immediately responded?
Bibidong's prestige as the Pope was only one reason; more importantly, they had this belief in their hearts.
So You Chen shook his head: "This isn't betrayal."
You Chen's expression was firm, his tone resolute, as if he completely believed what he was saying was the truth: "Spirit Hall has become corrupt. Under the control of Bibidong, who has inherited the Evil God Position, it is doomed to destruction. Di Wan... we are saving Spirit Hall!"
You Chen naturally knew what Di Wan was thinking.
It was like if a childhood friend who had been abroad for many years suddenly returned and asked you to join him in betraying the country. Your first reaction wouldn't be to agree, but to dissuade him, or if your patriotic feelings were strong, you might even choose to report him!
So You Chen had to tell Di Wan that he wasn't betraying.
Not because Di Wan's current strength was so necessary to him, but because he didn't want to lose this old friend.
If Jiang Liu was You Chen's old classmate, Ye Han was his acquaintance, then Di Wan and the others, who had always stood by him, were his true friends in You Chen's heart!
"Evil God? What are you talking about?"
The term "god" was no longer completely a legend for Soul Masters of Di Wan's level, but it was still enough to shock them profoundly.
You Chen said indifferently: "The realm of gods is no longer an elusive illusion for me now. So-called gods are just stronger Soul Masters. But that's not the focus of what I want to say today. You haven't forgotten about the incident where the previous Pope, Qianxunji, was killed by Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo, have you?"
Di Wan's expression darkened, and he nodded: "That was Spirit Hall's shame."
For Tang Hao, the vast majority of Spirit Hall members couldn't have any favorable feelings.
They didn't know what foolish things Qianxunji had done; to them, the Pope was like the leader of the country.
And who would kill the leader of the country? Of course, it would be a terrorist.
Except for some rebellious countries, which country's people would have any favorable feelings for such a terrorist?
Di Wan raised an eyebrow: "Are you saying there's more to this story?"
You Chen nodded and began to recount the events of that year: "Qianxunji clashed with Tang Hao in order to hunt a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring for Bibidong. And that hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast was Tang Hao's wife, whose true form was a Blue Silver Emperor. And now, the body of that Blue Silver Emperor after her sacrifice is in my hands."
Di Wan was shocked once again, and he didn't know how many times he had been shocked today.
"You Chen, you know all this so clearly, doesn't that mean..."
"I already know Tang Hao's whereabouts. But that's not the point. The point is, I had previously advised Qianxunji not to be swayed by Bibidong and risk antagonizing the Clear Sky Clan to hunt that hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast. He had already been persuaded by me, but the result, as you know."
Di Wan frowned, a flash of doubt in his eyes: "Are you saying that the current Pope plotted to cause the death of the previous Pope? But why would he be persuaded by Bibidong? I believe, You Chen, with your persuasive skills, if you had already persuaded him, how could he still agree to Bibidong's request?"
"Because of guilt."
"Guilt?"
"What I'm about to say involves Spirit Hall's biggest scandal. Once you know, there's no turning back."
Di Wan sighed softly upon hearing this: "You Chen, you've already said this much. Do I still have the option not to listen?"
You Chen couldn't help but smile slightly upon hearing this, then quickly regained his composure and said seriously: "Because Bibidong fell in love with the waste Yu Xiaogang from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Qianxunji, in order to keep Bibidong, raped her and forced her to bear a child. Her name is Qian Renxue, and she is my first true disciple."
Di Wan's eyes flickered, and after a long silence, he finally smiled bitterly: "So, those rumors were actually pieced together from the truth? But if that's the case, everything makes sense. I always wondered why mere slander and rumors could cause the Pope's mental state to seem to deteriorate. If it wasn't anger from the rumors but pain from the truth, everything fits."
Seeing Di Wan's expression of finally understanding the truth, You Chen continued to drop a bombshell: "In fact, Tang Hao didn't kill Qianxunji at all; that was just Spirit Hall's official statement. Even your imagined death from severe injuries is wrong. The truth is that Bibidong took advantage of Qianxunji's severe injuries and directly killed him. By killing a Titled Douluo with an Angel Spirit, she activated a Godhood Trial of a god opposed to the Angel God. However, the nature of this god is as you can imagine, and Bibidong, due to her connection with him, along with the hatred from being raped and forced to bear a child, naturally became increasingly insane. The incident that caused countless people in Spirit Hall City to faint that day was a manifestation of her Divine Power going out of control."
The You Chen of the past wouldn't have directly associated it with Divine Power, but now that he had been researching Divine Power for so long, it wasn't hard for him to connect the dots.
This finally shocked Di Wan once again.
But he still couldn't help but feel puzzled. He looked deeply at You Chen and said, "What you're saying does make logical sense, but the biggest question is... You Chen, where did you get all this information? You know far too many details!"
"I can't explain it."
You Chen didn't hide it; he just said seriously: "You can even take everything I've said as pure imagination and speculation, or you can think that I just want to usurp Bibidong's position. That's not a problem. If one day you feel that what I'm doing will destroy Spirit Hall, you can leave my organization, or... even stop me."
With things having reached this point, what else could Di Wan do?
He sighed deeply, took You Chen's hand, and said helplessly: "Anyway, I can't beat you now. You're stronger, so you're right."
But after accepting this fact, his expression quickly calmed down, and he asked, "Since you've invited me, what about those two? I know you wouldn't leave them out, right?"
You Chen smiled without words, and with a flash of starlight, an identical avatar appeared beside him.
Di Wan looked left and right, unable to tell the difference, and could only say...
"You're amazing."
Among the three Beast Kings, if Di Wan was the most carefree, then Kainekis was the most arrogant, unable to tolerate any injustice, while Orge was the most loyal, always remembering You Chen's kindness and seeing him as his most important benefactor.
So Kainekis joined the Enforcement Team, while Orge joined the Execution Department, which often required working at the grassroots level. One was like a special forces officer, the other like a city administrator.
Orge, needless to say.
He would do anything You Chen asked.
If Di Wan hadn't been able to fly and was more convenient for tasks, You Chen would have probably entrusted a lot of the tasks he gave Di Wan to Orge instead.
"Since you need my help, I'll do my best."
Orge, the seemingly handsome and cold but actually simple and kind black-haired man, as always, chose to agree immediately after You Chen extended the invitation.
As for Kainekis... You Chen had known from the start that inviting this guy wouldn't be as smooth as with the other two.
This guy, to put it nicely, was a tsundere; to put it bluntly, he was self-centered.
If Orge was a loyal dog who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and Di Wan was a carefree friend, both of whom could be relied upon and asked for help, Kainekis was different.
Kainekis was a strength supremacist; he always looked down on the weak.
Even though he was grateful for You Chen's guidance in his heart, he would never follow You Chen's orders or accept his requests.
But on the other hand, when You Chen was in danger or being slandered, this guy would stand up and support him.
The three had different personalities, but the common point was that they all had deep feelings for You Chen.
For Kainekis's personality, You Chen thought that with his understanding of him, it wouldn't be hard to complete the invitation after showing absolute strength.
However, the reason it didn't go smoothly wasn't due to strength, but Kainekis's inability to tolerate any injustice.
"You say the Pope will harm Spirit Hall? Where's the evidence? Hmph! You Chen, you're really going downhill! In my eyes, the rumors you spread yourself can't possibly be evidence! If I weren't weaker than you, I'd arrest you right now!"
This man with a wild mane of red hair like a lion's, a rough and majestic face, and a tall, strong build, even under You Chen's aura, could still look at You Chen with disdain and mock him.
Even though he said he was weaker, he was still full of confidence, not backing down in the slightest.
Looking at the unyielding Kainekis, You Chen had a headache and held his forehead, already making a decision.
...
At the same time, You Chen's other two avatars, one had already completed the marking of Hu Liena's "Mermaid's Protection."
The other had quietly completed the hypnosis of Yan, who was in the middle of training, making him walk to a secluded corner.
Snap.
You Chen casually snapped his fingers, and Yan instantly woke up.
His first reaction was to be on guard, but upon noticing the face and aura of the person in front of him, he immediately showed surprise and called out: "Teacher!? Why are you here? Am I dreaming?"
"Of course not. Yan, I came specifically to find you."
You Chen smiled and rubbed Yan's head.
Although this "specifically" was divided into five parts, could you say he didn't come specifically to find his good disciple?
So You Chen spoke these words with complete sincerity.
Upon hearing this, Yan was naturally deeply moved. Though five or six years had passed since they last met, and he had grown into a robust young man, he still felt on the verge of tears.
"Teacher, after the second letter, I never received any more replies from you! I even took time off to go to Notting City to look for you, only to find out you had left the city long, long ago! Teacher, I've missed you so much! And..."
Yan rambled on incoherently, while You Chen simply listened with a quiet smile.
After a while, Yan finally vented his emotions and asked with intense curiosity, "Teacher, where have you been all this time? Why have you suddenly appeared here now?"
You Chen shook his head and spoke in a gentle yet firm tone, "Yan, it's not that I didn't want to see you, but that I couldn't. Even appearing here today carries great risk. Though you may not be the most brilliant, you're not truly foolish either. Perhaps you've already started to guess and think about it, haven't you?
The truth is, I've always been at odds with the current system of the Martial Soul Hall. The current Pope, Bibidong, has been targeting and suppressing me for certain reasons. It's inevitable that we'll clash one day... You don't need to give me an answer now. If you intend to stand by my side, give me your answer when we meet again at the Soul Master Tournament."
"Teacher—" Yan's eyes widened, the sheer volume of information causing his brain to momentarily short-circuit.
You Chen didn't give Yan time to regain his composure. Instead, he tossed a storage ring to him and said, "Inside this ring is an Immortal Herb I specially selected for you, called the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. It can greatly enhance your aptitude and control over fire. I've confirmed that this place won't attract attention for a while, so stay here and absorb it. Train well. No matter what, no matter what choice you make, you will always be my disciple."
"Teacher!!!"
Yan reached out to stop him, but all he managed to grasp was the ring. You Chen himself was merely an avatar, which immediately dissipated into starlight.
"I still have so much I wanted to say to you..."
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