Chapter 1348: Each Harboring Their Own Schemes
Luo Yao himself wasn't entirely confident whether he could break the grand array before its new wave of attacks arrived. The defensive power of the formation barrier released by this grand array was simply too strong; if he didn't resort to some special methods, he had no confidence in breaching the grand array before the next assault.
Although he didn't have much confidence, he wouldn't abandon this excellent opportunity to attack the grand array's formation barrier. Whether it would work or not, he would only know by trying.
His three Soul Armaments once again launched a fierce assault against the formation barrier released by the grand array. As Luo Yao controlled his three Soul Armaments, his mind raced through all the events that had transpired today.
Who had lured him here? What was their purpose in doing so? Why choose today to make their move? Why merely trap him within the grand array yet make no move themselves?
Combining all these details, and after a careful analysis, Luo Yao arrived at a nascent conclusion: it seemed the opponent's main objective was merely to trap him. The reason this conclusion was 'nascent' was because it still lacked strong evidence.
As for why the opponent wanted to trap him in this grand array today, he remembered what day it was.
Today was the wedding day of Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing. On this special day, he had been lured here and trapped within this grand array. What was the purpose?
A possibility suddenly struck Luo Yao. Perhaps the opponent's objective was to target Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing, or rather, to target Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing's wedding!
“If my guess is correct, Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing are likely in trouble. Their wedding today certainly won't be able to proceed as planned! ”
So thought Luo Yao in his heart. The power fluctuations emanating from his body suddenly intensified significantly at this moment, and his assault on the formation barrier grew even fiercer. This change occurred because he wanted to quickly break through the grand array and then rush to Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing's wedding venue.
If the truth was indeed as he suspected, that the opponent's main goal was to disrupt Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing's wedding, then if he could arrive in time, his status as an Emperor would naturally allow him to preside over the situation and minimize the impact as much as possible.
Furthermore, with him presiding at the wedding venue, everyone would be far more restrained. Even those who harbored intentions to cause trouble wouldn't dare to make a move.
As for why he cared so much about Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing's wedding, it was because both Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing were confidants he had personally groomed. If any mishap befell either Yang Haoran or Xu Meijing, it would not be a favorable outcome for him.
As Luo Yao fully activated his three Soul Armaments, intent on breaking through the formation barrier in the shortest possible time, his every move was being observed by two individuals through a certain special method. One of these two was the Tong Continent Great Emperor, and the other was, surprisingly, Huo Laoban, one of Luo Yao's nine Guardians.
At this moment, the two were in a luxuriously decorated hall. Before them, on a table, rested a spherical orb the size of an adult's head. This orb was transparent, held aloft by a skeletal hand devoid of flesh and blood, acting as a stand. The scene within the orb was precisely Luo Yao fully activating his three Soul Armaments to attack the formation barrier.
Luo Yao was in a shadowy place, while the Tong Continent Great Emperor and Huo Laoban were in a lavish hall. From this point, and from their composed demeanor, it was evident that they were not in the same region as Luo Yao.
“Great Emperor, with this grand array in place, why don't we try to kill him directly? ”
Huo Laoban stood behind the Tong Continent Great Emperor, a faint smile on his face, as he asked the question with a chuckle.
“Luring him into this grand array and successfully trapping him was originally your idea. According to your plan, merely trapping him for a period of time would suffice. You never mentioned slaying him. ”
The Tong Continent Great Emperor turned to look at Huo Laoban behind him, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth as he spoke with profound meaning.
“Hehe, this subordinate previously did not know that the grand array set up by Great Emperor was so formidable. That is why I thought merely trapping Luo Yao for a period would suffice. If this subordinate had known from the start, then the plan might have changed. After all, by directly killing Luo Yao, the problem would be solved at its root, and there would be no need to take additional steps or employ other methods. ”
Huo Laoban spoke with a faint smile. As his words reached the Tong Continent Great Emperor's ears, the cold sneer on the Great Emperor's face couldn't help but deepen.
“I recall you were a Guardian promoted by Luo Yao, and one of his confidants at that. If he knew you were hoping for his early demise like this, his expression would surely be quite a sight. ”
The Tong Continent Great Emperor spoke with a cold sneer. Huo Laoban listened, but his facial expression showed no change; he still maintained his faint smile.
“It's true that I was promoted by Luo Yao as a Guardian, but his exceptional promotion of me back then was merely a transaction. When he successfully ascended to the position of Emperor, my Soul Armament played a crucial role. So, my becoming a Guardian was simply him fulfilling his promise. Am I supposed to be grateful to him? ”
After these words, Huo Laoban's voice paused slightly, then he continued with a smile.
“As for the claim that I am his trusted confidant, hehe. Nowadays, all nine Guardians of the Jingling Continent Yin Division are his people. All nine can be said to be his trusted confidants. I am but a minor figure; compared to Yang Haoran, my standing in his eyes is still somewhat lacking. Rather than calling me his confidant, it’s more accurate to call me his pawn. He uses me for benefit, and I use him for benefit. Since the ultimate goal is benefit, whatever course of action maximizes my benefit, that is naturally what I will do, and I would not feel any guilt even if it meant taking his life. ”
After these words were spoken, Huo Laoban remained silent. The Tong Continent Great Emperor's expression had not changed from beginning to end, making it impossible to discern his inner emotional state from his facial features.
Perhaps his emotions had changed but remained unexpressed, or perhaps his inner emotions had not changed at all; it was unknown.
“Luo Yao is not that easy to kill. No Emperor of our Yin Division is easy to slay. Although the grand array trapping him is strong in both defense and offense, it's definitely impossible to slay him relying solely on this grand array. Even if both you and I were to get involved, he might still find a chance to escape. Moreover, the repercussions of an Emperor's death are simply too great; it might even alert the Death God. If the Death God were to investigate this matter thoroughly then, I might very well be implicated. Therefore, without complete preparation, I will not deliver a killing blow to him. ”
Facing Huo Laoban's query, the Tong Continent Great Emperor had previously answered irrelevantly, even counter-questioning Huo Laoban. Now, he finally provided a direct answer to Huo Laoban's question.
At this point, the Tong Continent Great Emperor's voice paused slightly. He turned back to look at the scene in the orb, then continued to speak.
“What I want at present is to fully suppress the power of the Jingling Continent Yin Division, ideally by sidelining Luo Yao. This will prove that he is incapable of holding the position of Jingling Great Emperor. At that time, I can replace him with someone else, and I believe you are a good candidate. As long as you are willing to follow me wholeheartedly, I can also make a deal with you, just as Luo Yao did back then. I can try every possible way to help you ascend to the throne of Jingling Great Emperor, but you must pledge eternal loyalty to me. ”
As the Tong Continent Great Emperor spoke these words to Huo Laoban, his gaze remained fixed on the scene within the orb, never looking at Huo Laoban. His tone was unhurried and appeared very nonchalant, as if he were discussing a trivial matter.
After these words, the Tong Continent Great Emperor remained silent, seemingly waiting for Huo Laoban's reply.
“Hehe, I am already yours, Great Emperor. I have been from the moment I agreed to cooperate with you, Great Emperor. Since I am the Great Emperor's man, no matter what position I ascend to, I will naturally be your man. No one can change that. ”
Without even thinking, Huo Laoban immediately gave the Tong Continent Great Emperor an affirmative reply. As the Tong Continent Great Emperor listened, with his back still to Huo Laoban, a sneer appeared on his face.
“Good, your answer satisfies me greatly! ”
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