Word Count: 2,741 Words
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Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. Deep within the Holy Spirit Cult's underground headquarters, Zhongli Wu gazed at Ling Bai and the Bone Dragon King with barely contained anticipation, his fists clenched unconsciously tight.
A dazzling array of exotic herbs and rare flowers lay piled beside the Bone Dragon King. Electrolux's gray spirit ring shimmered with shifting light as the medicinal herbs suddenly ignited with deathly gray flames. Drop by drop, their essence merged into the Bone Dragon King.
"ROAR—"
The Bone Dragon King released a passionate dragon cry. These herbs were all supreme treasures for nourishing souls, and the brilliance radiating from its spectral green eyes grew ever more intense.
Zhongli Wu watched expectantly. His connection with his life-bound beast soul told him everything. The Bone Dragon King had transformed, becoming stronger and more vibrant than ever before!
As the gray flames extinguished, a perfectly calculated trace of exhaustion crossed Ling Bai's face. He spoke weakly:
"Mission accomplished. My Bone... the Cult Leader's Bone Dragon King will no longer be troubled by warm-up issues."
No sooner had he finished than his body swayed slightly. Zhongli Wu rushed forward and steadied him with a firm grip on his shoulder.
Their eyes met, and Zhongli Wu thought he glimpsed in those pitch-black pupils the satisfaction of a man who had poured his heart and soul into serving the Cult Leader and the Holy Spirit Cult. He murmured with emotion:
"Death Abyss, you've worked hard these past six months.
Rest assured, the Holy Cult will never fail you!"
"The Cult Leader is too kind."
Ling Bai's face remained pale. "Quickly, test your reborn Bone Dragon King."
"Wind, come!"
Zhongli Wu needed no further prompting. With his thunderous command, the Bone Dragon King's jet-black bones instantly transformed, taking on a brilliant cyan hue. Fierce winds howled as that azure light illuminated the entire underground space.
"Good, good, good!"
Zhongli Wu threw back his head and laughed, repeating the word three times. The Bone Dragon King was like an old bicycle that had finally been oiled. Its chain whirred smoothly, and it handled beautifully!
"Fire, come!"
The air grew wild with heat. The cyan winds vanished, replaced by scorching flames. The Bone Dragon King turned completely crimson, its massive wings beating like those of a savage fire dragon.
Firelight danced across both their faces. Zhongli Wu nodded repeatedly, satisfied beyond measure. One Death Abyss Douluo was worth ten ordinary Evil Douluo!
Recruiting Death Abyss Douluo had truly been the wisest decision of his life!
Meanwhile, Ling Bai silently inquired within his mind:
"Elder Yi, is this guaranteed to work?"
In his Spiritual Sea, Electrolux immediately bristled at the question, his beard quivering with indignation as he felt gravely insulted. His necromancer staff struck the ground sharply:
"This old man was manipulating souls when his ancestors' ancestors hadn't even been born!
If not for the Bone Dragon King's soul being linked to Zhongli Wu, where excessive tampering would ruin everything, this old man wouldn't have needed half a year!
Through my necromantic transformation, only the outer shell of the Bone Dragon King's soul remains original. The core has been replaced with half of the Death Abyss Bone Dragon's dragon soul. This way, nothing seems amiss, yet the Bone Dragon King will now answer to you.
With those soul-nourishing herbs, the Death Abyss Bone Dragon's half-soul will flourish and gradually develop into a complete soul. When that time comes, you can peel away the outer layer connected to Zhongli Wu whenever you please!"
The older the ginger, the spicier it was. When it came to matters of the soul, Electrolux was the continent's undisputed foremost expert. He was capable of performing a perfect switcheroo right under the nose of a Rank 98 Titled Douluo.
Prior to this, Ling Bai had even cunningly requested double the herbs from Zhongli Wu, exactly enough for both the Bone Dragon King and Death Abyss Bone Dragon to fully recover.
Still, Ling Bai could not shake the bizarre feeling of having split a child's soul in two.
Oh no! God King Tang turns out to be myself!
Testing complete, Zhongli Wu recalled the Bone Dragon King, blissfully unaware his precious treasure now bore the surname Ling. He chuckled with satisfaction:
"The Holy Cult keeps its word. Death Abyss, I'll take you to the Holy Spirit Treasury. Choose any one treasure from our countless collection!"
Zhongli Wu released needle-like threads of spirit power to trigger a hidden mechanism. The Holy Spirit Treasury was located right here in this underground chamber! The ground rumbled and split open, revealing a passageway before Ling Bai.
The two men walked into the corridor, which was lined with bright yellow Spirit Guidance Lamps. After about fifty meters, a massive gate appeared before them.
It slowly opened with a series of metallic creaks, and the first thing that wafted out was a heavy metallic scent.
Though the Holy Spirit Treasury sounded impressive by name, it was actually an enormous warehouse stretching beyond sight. Large boxes were meticulously categorized and arranged in different sections, with the metallic smell emanating from within them.
"Rare metals..."
Ling Bai's eyes narrowed slightly. The Holy Spirit Cult had operated in the Sun Moon Empire for many years, naturally accumulating its specialty product.
The Holy Spirit Treasury stored over ten thousand tons of various rare metals. Beyond the sheer quantity, many were extraordinarily precious specimens. Having spent time around the Class 5 Spirit Guidance Master Ning Tian and blacksmith Wu Feng, Ling Bai had absorbed considerable knowledge about metals through osmosis.
The rare metals in the Holy Spirit Treasury alone represented a nation-rivaling fortune. The wealth accumulated by the Holy Spirit Cult was in no way inferior to that of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan or Illustrious Virtue Hall!
Looking past the rare metals into the distance, Ling Bai saw entire chests filled with Spirit Guidance Devices, neatly arranged Stationary Spirit Cannon shells, and mountains of spirit gold coins. Countless treasures, fine silks, and other valuables were stacked throughout the space.
Ling Bai felt a twinge in his heart. What a tragedy!
All this wealth plundered from the common people by Evil Spirit Masters!
Purify!
It must all be purified!
"I imagine you wouldn't be interested in these trinkets. Let me show you something truly extraordinary!"
Most Evil Spirit Masters in the Holy Cult were pure Spirit Masters. In Zhongli Wu's eyes, rare metals, Spirit Guidance Devices, and spirit gold coins held little distinction. He never imagined these materials could arm five fully-equipped Spirit Guidance Legions to the teeth. He decisively led Ling Bai to what he considered the most precious area: the spirit bone section.
Except for external spirit bones, the six conventional types of spirit bones could be inherited after a Spirit Master's death, meaning their numbers gradually increased over time.
Although top-tier 10,000-year and 100,000-year spirit bones remained rare, ordinary 10,000-year spirit bones were no longer particularly precious to super-factions like Shrek Academy and the Holy Spirit Cult.
The Holy Spirit Cult had a thousand-year history, and Evil Spirit Masters were enthusiastic killers. They had extracted countless spirit bones from the corpses of both Spirit Masters and spirit beasts. Over twenty ten-thousand-year spirit bones now floated above crystal platforms, radiating colorful light and overflowing spirit power.
Zhongli Wu knew that someone of Death Abyss Douluo's caliber wouldn't be interested in mere 10,000-year spirit bones. He pointed toward three particularly dazzling spirit bones at the center of the crystal platforms and introduced them with a smile:
"Icefield Direwolf Right Arm Bone, Thunder Beast Left Leg Bone, and Cyclops Skull Bone. These three 100,000-year spirit bones come from our Holy Cult's elders of past generations. The Cyclops Skull was left by my father after his death.
Myself, Feng'er, the Supreme Leader, and Worship Dragon Emperor either have incompatible attributes or have already absorbed spirit bones for these positions, which is why these three remain.
The Holy Cult does possess spirit bones, true, but few Elders and Worships qualify to receive them. One must make extraordinary contributions to the Holy Cult. By solving my urgent crisis, you certainly deserve a 100,000-year spirit bone as reward."
Zhongli Wu paused, then joked, "I seem to recall you have three 100,000-year spirit rings. Surely your spirit bones don't already occupy these exact three positions?"
"I'm not as unlucky as the Cult Leader suggests. I haven't absorbed a skull spirit bone yet."
Zhongli Wu immediately and decisively retrieved the Cyclops spirit bone. "That 100,000-year Cyclops was a mutated spiritual-attribute variant. Its skull bone is truly exceptional. Today I present it to you, and I hope Worship Death Abyss will continue contributing greatly to the Holy Cult."
"Many thanks, Cult Leader."
Ling Bai accepted the Cyclops skull spirit bone. Of course, he had no intention of absorbing it. He simply recognized it as the most valuable of the three 100,000-year spirit bones. Better to secure it first and decide later.
As the two were preparing to leave the Holy Spirit Treasury, Ling Bai's attention was suddenly drawn to a flash of silver-white light. Nine open brocade boxes sat nearby, each containing a single short knife.
Zhongli Wu noticed his interest and stopped. After studying the knives for a moment, recognition dawned:
"Ah, Leaderboard Carving Knives. Spirit Guidance Masters use them to carve core arrays. Few in the Holy Cult appreciate these. I believe only Old Three and his apprentice each took one.
Death Abyss, are you also interested in Spirit Guidance Devices?"
Ling Bai nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on a silver-white carving knife. It resembled a silver moon hanging in the night sky. It was ethereal and pure. It carried the cool, biting chill of ice and snow.
The handle was engraved with exquisite patterns that seemed to have been crafted by nature's own miraculous hand. Every detail exuded elegance and nobility. The blade remained as sharp as the day it was forged, flashing a cold, dazzling light.
"This carving knife appears quite extraordinary."
Zhongli Wu laughed heartily. "Death Abyss has a discerning eye. This knife is indeed famous throughout the Douluo Continent.
It's the second-ranked carving knife on the leaderboard: Heaven's Moon.
The old Sun Moon Emperor originally bestowed it upon Xu Tianran during his crown prince investiture ceremony. Later, when Xu Tianran allied with our Holy Cult, he offered it to me as a gift.
Legend says that eight thousand years ago, a peak Class 9 Spirit Guidance Master of the Sun Moon Imperial Family's Silver Moon bloodline carved it from a crescent-shaped meteorite as a gift for his beloved. That's why the people of the Sun Moon Empire call Heaven's Moon the name of deep love."
Ling Bai sighed softly, lifting the Cyclops Skull Bone with apparent regret. "Cult Leader, it seems I have no fate with this 100,000-year spirit bone. I'd rather have this Heaven's Moon instead."
"Oh?"
Zhongli Wu looked slightly taken aback, then his expression shifted to one of genuine surprise. "Death Abyss, you actually..."
He was not shocked that Death Abyss Douluo had a woman. Evil Spirit Masters were typically even greedier for money and women than ordinary Spirit Masters. What amazed Zhongli Wu was that a Super Evil Douluo of his generation would invest such sentiment in a woman. It was practically miraculous.
Zhongli Wu shook his head with a sigh. "I must offer you some advice. In matters between men and women, you should learn from Old Seven, Masquerade. Taking concubines to satisfy your desires is one thing, but never become emotionally involved. Throughout history, countless powerful figures have been ruined by that single word: love."
"The Cult Leader speaks wisely."
"Here, take it."
Zhongli Wu closed the brocade box containing Heaven's Moon and pressed it into Ling Bai's hands, along with the 100,000-year Cyclops spirit bone.
"Consider this Cult Leader's blessing upon you both. Bring her to the Holy Cult headquarters someday. Having her always live outside probably isn't appropriate."
A calculating light flickered in Zhongli Wu's eyes. What is a woman? A woman is a weakness!
That woman was clearly very important to Death Abyss Douluo. If she came to the Holy Spirit Cult, he could use her to control Death Abyss Douluo in the future!
At this moment, Zhongli Wu both admired and felt wary of Ling Bai. Learning that he might be a man driven by love actually pleased him greatly.
The two left the Holy Spirit Treasury laughing and chatting, returning to the headquarters' surface level. Every Evil Spirit Master they encountered lowered their heads, respectfully greeting the Cult Leader and Worship Death Abyss.
"Zhongli."
A cool, clear voice called from a distance. It was Zhongli Wu's wife, Evil Phoenix Douluo Feng Ling, with a young woman at her side.
"What is it, Feng'er?" Zhongli Wu asked.
"Look after the Blue Silver Saintess for a few days. I'm taking a group to the Valley of Life to hunt blood food for her," Feng Ling said.
The Blue Silver Saintess was most suited for devouring plant-type spirit beasts, making the Valley of Life her natural feeding ground.
Ling Bai recognized the Blue Silver Saintess. She once had another name: Tang Ya.
Since enrolling at Shrek's Inner Courtyard, he had seen her only a handful of times; the bond they had formed in Star Dou Forest had vanished without a trace.
After years apart, Tang Ya's face remained unchanged, but the color of her large, lively eyes had shifted. They now held a touch of dark blue, making her appear cold and emotionless, devoid of vitality.
In this timeline, Ma Xiaotao's fate had changed. She had avoided transformation into the Fire Phoenix Saintess and now struggled at Shrek Academy to inherit the position of Sea God Pavilion Master. But Tang Ya had followed her predetermined path, controlled by evil arts and potent poison, reduced to serving as the Holy Spirit Cult's Blue Silver Saintess.
"Alright, go ahead."
Zhongli Wu beckoned to Tang Ya, his kind smile making it seem as if he were looking at his own daughter.
She walked over silently. Ling Bai said nothing, showing no intention of greeting her. But Tang Ya suddenly halted, her dark blue eyes fixed directly on Ling Bai's face as she coldly uttered three words:
"Who are you?"
"Holy Cult Worship, Death Abyss."
Ling Bai replied with a calm and unruffled smile.
Tang Ya frowned slightly. "You don't seem as disgusting as those other guys."
"Remarkable, Death Abyss!"
Zhongli Wu seemed to have discovered a new continent. "The Blue Silver Saintess equally despises everyone in the Holy Cult. Feng'er and I spent enormous effort to make her trust us. This is the first time she's ever shown goodwill toward anyone!
Perhaps you should take over her training and help her integrate into the Holy Cult more quickly?"
Hssss—
Ling Bai sucked in a cold breath. His relationship with Bei Bei had long since faded, but he wasn't about to steal the man's girlfriend. He forced a bitter smile:
"The Cult Leader must be joking. I've been stuck underground for half a year. I need to get out for some fresh air."
Before Zhongli Wu could speak, Ling Bai transformed into a streak of black light and fled this NTR-inducing den.
…
He found a secluded spot in the Evildemon Forest and summoned the Death Abyss Spider Emperor. As his fifth spirit ring blazed with light, his body trembled slightly, and the surrounding light twisted and warped.
A figure identical to Ling Bai in every detail silently materialized before him.
Death Abyss Spider Emperor's Fifth Spirit Ring, Second Skill: Spider Emperor Clone.
The clone inherited all the Death Abyss Spider Emperor's spirit skills and would remain until its spirit power was exhausted. However, it lacked self-awareness and required Ling Bai to divert half his spiritual power to control it.
Ling Bai removed the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance, now upgraded to a Class 9 Spirit Guidance Device, and placed it on the Spider Emperor Clone's face, disguising it as Death Abyss Douluo.
Death Abyss Douluo's combat style relied on the Death Abyss Bone Dragon, and with his status in the Holy Spirit Cult, no one would dare provoke the clone. It would never need to fight or expend spirit power.
After commanding the clone to return to the Holy Cult and dispel any suspicions, Ling Bai turned toward the Valley of Life and murmured:
"Hunting time..."