Chapter 535, He Knew My Plan
Looking at the jade stone in his hand, Wu Heng raised an eyebrow.
Naturally formed artifacts were a rare and unique category of items.
Their effects were special, but they didn't usually have severe side effects.
According to the description, it could create a formation by allowing light to pass through the jade stone, extracting the residual souls of living beings or corpses.
This helped Wu Heng understand how the necromancer from the Destiny Sect had been able to summon so many fierce and terrifying spectral spirits.
"He must have relied on this artifact. This guy sure had some luck getting his hands on something like this."
Thinking back, this necromancer had many ordinary spectral spirits, but none as unique as Xiaoxiao or Glenda, who retained their sentience from their previous lives.
Having fully developed intelligence and communication skills was crucial for both spectral spirits and undead followers.
Wu Heng reread the artifact's description.
It could extract residual souls from both living beings and corpses.
"Do zombies count? They should. If they can be turned into skeletons, they should count as corpses."
If zombies did count, he would have a constant supply of residual souls.
Even if residual souls weren't as complete as regular spectral spirits, the sheer quantity would be sufficient.
This encounter with the necromancer from the Destiny Sect had taught him an important lesson.
Low-level spectral spirits were easily devoured by stronger ones belonging to other necromancers.
During the entire battle, Wu Heng hadn't dared to summon Xiaoxiao or let Glenda stray too far from him.
Upgrading his spectral spirits would be one of his next priorities.
Moreover, the necromancer's ability to release a large number of spirits and control others in the vicinity seemed like a valuable Spell to study.
He made a mental note to explore it further.
Wu Heng then continued pulling items out of the space ring.
There were money pouches, daily necessities, some armor and weapons—likely prepared for the necromancer's undead minions.
Additionally, there were some tools, badges, and a skill book.
Strangely, there wasn't even a single potion.
That made sense, though. As a ghoul, the necromancer's body no longer functioned like a living being, making potions useless.
Wu Heng examined the tools he had taken out, which were mostly used to enhance necromantic skills.
Compared to his own gear, these were quite inferior.
His robes and belt, for example, were high-tier guild rewards.
A newly established, hiding-in-the-shadows grand knight couldn't possibly compete.
Still, they could be donated to the guild or sold through certain channels to make some money.
Wu Heng's gaze fell on the skill book.
It was the only one, and it looked somewhat old and worn.
[Earthen Coffin Spell]
(Description: Forms an earthen coffin that encases the body and sinks underground. While underground, it slowly restores health and mental energy, though oxygen is limited.)
The earthen coffin encases the body and sinks it into the ground.
It seemed to be the Spell the necromancer had used earlier.
Was this part of the necromantic discipline?
After becoming a ghoul, his body was modified by necromantic energy, limiting him to learning only necromantic spells. Other disciplines were beyond his reach.
Since coffins were involved, it fit the necromantic theme perfectly.
Wu Heng skimmed through the book without delving too deeply.
He would take a closer look later and unlock the skill as needed.
Whether it was useful or not, learning it couldn't hurt.
The last item was a badge.
Judging by its design, it had a religious motif.
"It's probably the Destiny Sect's emblem. The church isn't well-known, but at least I have their emblem now."
He inspected each item and tossed anything useless into a nearby trash bin.
The rest, he stored away.
At least the space ring was decent, offering 20 cubic meters of storage.
Such rings were rare in the outside world.
Knock knock knock~!
After resting in the study for a while, there was a soft knock on the door.
A staff member peeked in and, upon seeing Wu Heng, said, "Island Master, the steward requests your presence at the morgue."
"Alright, thank you."
The staff member smiled. "Just doing my job."
Wu Heng stood and followed him out.
...…
Following the stone stairs down—
He exited the staircase and saw Sheila Grey standing nearby with two guild investigators.
Wu Heng approached and asked, "How's Shiyali doing?"
"Much better. She was really shaken up, though. After all, she's new here and hasn't experienced anything like this before. A few days of rest should help," Sheila Grey replied directly.
"Good. As long as she's fine. Over the next few days, write a report to the guild about the spectral spirit issue. Ask if they have any items to counter them, either by transferring some to us or allowing us to purchase them."
"Got it. I'll include it in the report," Sheila Grey said, turning her attention to the corpses. "Let's start questioning them. We'll worry about the spectral spirits later."
Necromancers couldn't be trusted, after all.
Questioning the spirits was unlimited, but there was no guarantee they would tell the truth.
Corpse interrogation was different—it drew on the memories from when the person was alive, and unless they had been fed false information beforehand, they wouldn't lie or fabricate facts.
"You're the steward. You decide. Which corpse should we start with?"
"This one."
Wu Heng cast [Speak with Dead], and the corpse sat up.
Its cloudy eyes fixed on the group.
Wu Heng signaled Sheila Grey to proceed. She took a step forward and asked, "Do you have any accomplices outside?"
The corpse replied, "There are some rotting corpses left at last night's hideout."
Rotting corpses?
It seemed they hadn't anticipated being exposed today.
With the necromancer dead, any rotting corpses or skeleton minions would also cease to exist.
"What was your purpose for coming to the island?"
"To kill guild members in revenge for the cultists who died earlier. Also, because we were angry about the guild's wanted notices."
Their response aligned with the guild's suspicions.
The most direct reason for their arrival was the guild's disruption of their previous plans and the increased bounty notices against the Destiny Sect.
Sheila Grey thought for a moment before asking, "Will more of your people come later?"
"I don't know."
"What's the name of your bishop? I want their real name."
"I don't know."
"Where was your previous base of operations?"
"Sarovina Port, in a fishing village on the eastern side."
After answering five questions, the corpse collapsed back onto the floor with a thud.
Sheila Grey signaled for the next corpse, and Wu Heng cast [Speak with Dead] again.
Sheila Grey asked, "Where is your bishop located?"
"I don't know."
"Give me a general location or where they were last seen."
The corpse hesitated before answering, "In the eastern region of the Ekow Kingdom."
Sheila Grey nodded and waited briefly for the investigators to record the information.
Once they finished, she continued, "Tell me about the Destiny Sect's key members. Name everyone you know."
Time slowly passed.
Wu Heng continued casting [Speak with Dead] while Sheila Grey interrogated the corpses.
Compared to any previous interrogation, this one was the most thorough and meticulous.
It was clear Sheila Grey was determined to root out the Destiny Sect—not just its ordinary members, but the entire organization.
Based on the gathered information—
The Destiny Sect had entered the Ekow Kingdom during a period of political instability.
They recruited followers and sought high-level Professionals to join their ranks.
The bishop was currently their most powerful member, though their level and profession were unknown.
There were two grand knights, including the now-dead necromancer.
Five guardians protected the church, each around level 15 or close to it.
These were their core members; the rest were ordinary followers.
The exact number of followers couldn't be determined.
After finishing the interrogation, Sheila Grey asked, "Did you get all that down?"
The investigator nodded. "Yes, we did."
"Compile it and send it to my office. I'll report this to headquarters within the next two days," Sheila Grey instructed as she turned to leave.
"Understood, Steward," the two investigators responded, following her out.
Wu Heng didn't leave.
Instead, he found an empty morgue and retrieved the necromancer's corpse from his space ring.
Placed on the empty ground in the center.
The corpse, riddled with holes and already a dried-up husk, looked like a pile of rotting meat.
He directly cast [Raise Skeleton] to attempt the transformation.
Necromantic energy wrapped around the corpse as its flesh began to peel off, but the skeleton failed to stand.
Instead, it mixed with the falling flesh into a heap.
"Just as expected, it won't work."
According to records in the Necromancer's Codex, ghouls underwent a ritual that transformed their bodies into a state similar to undead.
They no longer died and couldn't feel pain.
Their bodies became more like vessels—vessels that wouldn't deteriorate over time.
Such a body couldn't be transformed again since it had already undergone one transformation.
Still, given that it was an 18th-tier corpse, Wu Heng was a bit unwilling to give up, but the result proved futile.
"After all this, the biggest gain is the Soul-Extracting Jade."
He instructed the skeletons to clean up the corpse and throw it out.
Wu Heng left the morgue, greeted Sheila Grey, and returned to his residence.
...…
Island Master's Manor.
Wu Heng adjusted the placement of the skeleton guards, spreading them out to better protect the estate.
Then, he cast [Mordenkainen's Mansion], causing the rift and stone door to appear.
The scenery beyond was revealed.
Inside the room, a combination of a luxurious bedroom and grassy hot spring area.
Andviel, Milison, and Annette sat chatting on a sofa, their faces filled with joy.
Nearby, Minnie, Robe, and Philipa were splashing around in the hot spring.
They were wearing adorable swimsuits, their giggles echoing throughout the room.
As the door opened, they all paused, turning their heads.
When they saw Wu Heng, their faces lit up with joy.
Wu Heng clapped his hands, "Time to go home!"
"Yay! Home time!"
"It's over? I knew Wu Heng would be fine."
Minnie and Philipa were the first to rush over and hug him tightly.
The other maids followed soon after.
Andviel asked, "Master, is everything resolved?"
The others also looked up at him.
Sending them into hiding had indicated the enemy was formidable, but things had wrapped up faster than expected.
Just one day, and it was over.
"He's dead. We killed him near the guild entrance. The steward's assistant barely survived," Wu Heng said softly.
"Ah! That sounds so dangerous," Minnie gasped.
Andviel's expression also turned serious.
She had worked as an assistant before.
Assistants usually weren't exposed to such danger.
Targeting the assistant first suggested a revenge-driven motive, which explained why they had been hidden away.
"Pirates?" Philipa asked curiously.
"A cult," Wu Heng said, tapping the maids' heads before deactivating [Mordenkainen's Mansion]. "Go prepare dinner. Milison and Philipa, you'll head back tomorrow once things settle down."
"Yes, sir," Milison replied with a bow.
Philipa called out, "Minnie, want to race me in swimming?"
"I have to help prepare dinner. Unlike you, I'm not a child."
"Oh, come on! You weren't acting like this earlier."
...…
After dinner—
The maids continued chatting in the living room.
Wu Heng went upstairs to his study.
Turning on the air conditioner, he sat in his chair.
He summoned Xiaoxiao and Glenda.
"It's all over?" Glenda asked.
"Yes, it's over. Everyone who came to the island is dead. The remaining hidden corpses collapsed after the necromancer died," Wu Heng explained.
"Good to hear!"
Xiaoxiao, eyes wide, flitted back and forth. "What are you talking about? What corpses? Who died? Why don't I know about this?"
Wu Heng smiled and explained, "A necromancer arrived on the island. His spectral spirits were powerful and fierce, so I didn't summon you. Your Aunt Glenda took care of things."
Xiaoxiao froze for a moment before flying closer, staring him in the eye. "Uncle, you don't trust me."
She then flew over to Glenda. "He's playing favorites."
Glenda chuckled, "It was dangerous at the time. There were terrifying wraiths, scarier than the horror movies you watch. The sky was filled with them, like swarms of insects."
Xiaoxiao shivered. "So, was he stronger than you, Uncle?"
"How could he be? I killed him. How can someone I killed be stronger than me?"
"But he had more spectral spirits. You only have the two of us."
"His spirits weren't as smart or as beautiful as you."
Glenda chuckled.
Xiaoxiao fidgeted before saying, "You're right. There's nothing to worry about. I'll go watch TV now."
"Go ahead."
"Mm-hmm," Xiaoxiao replied, flying off to the side.
Glenda picked up a book and began reading.
...…
Wu Heng remained seated at his desk.
His mind replayed the recent events.
Although the Destiny Sect's operation on the island had been dealt with, there was no guarantee that a new group—like the Earth Church or Land Church—wouldn't show up next.
The island's intelligence network was lacking.
Milison's tavern could gather information from merchants and guests staying there.
But it wasn't comprehensive, and during emergencies, it failed to provide actionable intelligence.
The old Wooden Barrel Tavern had been more reliable.
Its six-armed woman owner wasn't exactly upright, but she hadn't committed any notable crimes.
Otherwise, Yimiro would have taken her down back then.
To control the port's intelligence—
Information on dangerous individuals and goods—she was the more experienced option.
"If she could return and work for the Island Master's estate, that would be ideal."
Wu Heng pondered for a moment.
He took out the artifact [Passionate Feather Pen] and a bottle of ink mixed with the blood of a living being.
After thinking over the wording,
he began writing on the letter.
When the letter was filled with red script,
he sealed it in an envelope and held it in his palm.
He visualized the image and name of Wooden Barrel's leader, Macintosh. In the next moment, the envelope vanished from his hand.
It had been sent.
Wu Heng looked at his empty palm and raised an eyebrow.
"So she faked her death and escaped after all."
...…
Bakangke City, a place where humans and the Berwela race coexisted.
On the third floor of a tavern called the Wooden Barrel—
Macintosh, dressed in deep purple sleepwear, suddenly awoke from her slumber.
Sitting up in bed, she turned to look beside her pillow.
Staring at the blank envelope,
her pupils instantly widened.
A wave of dread, as if her most guarded secret had been exposed, gripped her heart.
"How is this possible?"