The group from Spirit Hall stepped into the clearing, led by a man whose face was twisted with rage. Behind him stood six Spirit Emperors, all looking grim and humiliated. Some were still fumbling with their belts, their faces red with shame after the strange "accident" Ye Yin had caused.
These men wore the official robes of Spirit Masters, but the symbol on their chests made Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuyun turn pale.
"Spirit Hall?!" Ning Rongrong gasped.
The leader, a powerful Spirit Saint, glared at Ye Yin with eyes full of hate. "Ye Yin! I knew it was you!" he growled. He had heard stories about Ye Yin's strange, unpredictable powers, and now he had experienced them firsthand.
Ye Yin didn't look scared at all. He kept a calm, friendly smile on his face. "Well, look who it is. My friends from Spirit Hall," he said playfully. "I didn't know Spirit Hall started hiring forest cleaners. You guys seem to be working very hard." He pointed at their messy clothes and messed-up robes.
Xiao Wu couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing. Even the serious Zhu Zhuqing had to hide a smile. The men from Spirit Hall turned even redder, wishing they could disappear.
"Stop playing games!" the Spirit Saint yelled, his veins popping out on his forehead. "You've gotten in our way too many times. Today, you die!"
Dai Mubai stepped forward, his eyes cold. "What are you doing? Attacking the Crown Prince of Star Luo? Are you trying to start a war between the two Empires?"
The Spirit Saint gave a fake, shallow bow. "Your Highness, don't be so dramatic. I'm not here for war. I'm here for... cooperation." He looked at Dai Mubai, then at Ye Yin, his eyes showing a mix of fear and greed.
"Cooperation?" Dai Mubai snorted. "I have nothing to say to Spirit Hall."
"I think you're wrong," the Spirit Saint replied smoothly. "You might be the Crown Prince, but not everyone in Star Luo likes you. Many of Davis's old followers are still out there, and some of your own family members aren't happy. Spirit Hall is willing to help you get rid of these enemies and make your throne safe. In return, you just need to agree to a few small things."
He listed the demands: Spirit Hall's branches would have more power, the Empire's resources would go to them first, and Star Luo would have to follow Spirit Hall's lead on important matters. Every "small thing" he mentioned was a way to steal the Empire's freedom.
"Are you threatening me?" Dai Mubai asked, his face darkening.
"It's just a suggestion," the Spirit Saint said, though his voice was full of menace. "But if you refuse, those 'unstable factors' might get very busy. Your throne might not be so safe after all." He looked over at Tang San and Dugu Yan, who were still busy absorbing their spirit rings. "And in a place as dangerous as this forest, accidents happen all the time, don't they?"
It was a clear threat. If Dai Mubai didn't give in, they would kill his friends right here.
"In your dreams!" Dai Mubai shouted, his voice shaking the trees. "Star Luo will never bow to anyone! We are not your puppets! Even if I die here today, I will never agree to your disgusting demands!"
Behind him, his royal guards prepared for battle, their spirit rings glowing brightly.
"Fine then!" the Spirit Saint screamed, his fake smile disappearing. "If you want to do this the hard way, so be it! Kill them all! Except for Dai Mubai... we need him alive!"
The seven Spirit Hall experts unleashed their power, making the air heavy with pressure. The situation looked terrible. Tang San and Dugu Yan were stuck in their meditation and couldn't fight. Only Ye Yin, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and the three Zhu sisters—six people in total—could defend themselves against a Spirit Saint and six Spirit Emperors. The royal guards were brave, but they were no match for these experts.
"Rongrong, give us support!" Ye Yin commanded, his voice steady. "Zhuqing, Zhuyun, attack from the sides and keep them away from Tang San and Yanzi! Xiao Wu, you're with me! Zhuyu, stay safe!"
Ye Yin pulled out his silver Presence Adjuster and twisted it, making himself seem almost invisible to the enemies' senses. Then, he pulled out a few pieces of special bubblegum and flicked them at two of the Spirit Emperors who were yelling the loudest. The gum stuck to their hands instantly.
The two men were confused, but before they could act, Ye Yin shouted at the Spirit Saint: "Hey! Leader! Your zipper is open!"
"Liar!" the Spirit Saint roared. "I'm wearing a robe! There are no zippers on these!"
But as soon as he spoke, the bubblegum took effect. The two Spirit Emperors it had stuck to suddenly looked very serious.
One of them pointed at the Spirit Saint's lap and yelled, "Captain! He's right! You forgot to zip up! Your hair is showing! It's black!"
The other man added with a very straight face, "And it's waving in the wind! I see at least three strands!"
The Spirit Saint froze in shock. The rest of the Spirit Hall members stared in silence. Even Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong stopped their attacks, looking completely baffled.
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