Zhongli Wu harbored true killing intent toward Qian Ran.
Ever since learning about the results of the exchange match between Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and Qian Ran, Zhongli Wu had been eager to eliminate him.
For one, he deeply feared the Six-Winged Angel martial soul's legendary power. Seeing Qian Ran exhibit such terrifying combat prowess at such a young age only heightened his concerns. Qian Ran had already demonstrated his overwhelming strength against soul masters and soul engineers who weren't directly countered by his martial soul. What if he faced evil soul masters? Even a Titled Douluo-level evil soul master might struggle against him.
And Qian Ran was only a Soul Emperor. If allowed to continue cultivating, who knew how strong he might become?
Moreover, Zhongli Wu suspected that Qian Ran must have had some extraordinary fortune. Not even the Six-Winged Angels of millennia past, nor the legendary Qian Renxue, had displayed such overwhelming power at his age.
Perhaps Qian Ran possessed something that could help Zhongli Wu break through to the pinnacle of cultivation—Level 99 Limit Douluo.
Many in the Sun Moon Empire wanted Qian Ran dead, hoping to uncover the secrets he held. Zhongli Wu was no exception.
If the Empire got to him first, Zhongli Wu might never learn those secrets.
Still, Zhongli Wu couldn't afford to kill Qian Ran outright within Xu Tianran's estate. He didn't want to jeopardize his alliance with Xu Tianran, as the Holy Spirit Cult depended on the Empire's resources to eradicate the powerful threat of Spirit Hall.
But taking some action against Qian Ran—subtly weakening him—was within his reach.
As an evil soul master, Zhongli Wu specialized in silent, lethal methods. At Level 98, he doubted anyone, even a Shrek Academy Titled Douluo, could detect his handiwork.
After leaving Xu Tianran's estate, Zhongli Wu locked his spiritual sense onto Qian Ran.
"This boy's aura is remarkably solid. His soul power is condensed to an astonishing degree, and his vitality is unusually vigorous," Zhongli Wu mused, envious of Qian Ran's nearly perfect physique.
It was no wonder Qian Ran interacted with so many women—his yang energy was so intense it could rival a hundred healthy men. His body was like a furnace, overflowing with yang energy. Without a steady supply of pure yin women to balance him, he'd likely have burned himself out long ago.
"A natural-born genius for cultivation."
Zhongli Wu couldn't help but feel envious.
Even without considering other factors, Qian Ran's physique alone made him a rarity. Physical aptitude was deeply tied to cultivation potential, and Qian Ran's body was the kind others could only dream of.
Zhongli Wu condensed a small, needle-like cluster of dark energy and sent it flying into Qian Ran's body.
The process was seamless, leaving no trace. Zhongli Wu smirked wickedly, satisfied with his work.
Zhongli Wu's title was "Reaper," and his martial soul, Death God Marionette, was a variant of his mother Ye Xishui's Blood Soul Puppet. As a true Reaper Douluo, he had always drawn intrigue for his parentage—being the son of Ye Xishui and Zhongli Laogui.
But what fascinated Qian Ran more was Zhongli Wu's wife, Feng Ling.
Feng Ling's martial soul, Evil Phoenix, was unrelated to Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire Phoenix but equally unique. Before joining the Holy Spirit Cult, Feng Ling had dated Yan Shaozhe for three months during her martial soul's awakening. In a burst of evil energy, she attempted to devour Yan Shaozhe's martial soul, leading to a fierce battle before her disappearance and eventual recruitment by the Cult.
Given that Yan Shaozhe and Zhongli Wu shared the same mother, their relationship was complicated, to say the least.
These tangled relationships among top-tier powerhouses often gave Qian Ran a headache. Sometimes he wondered if the author had been inspired by convoluted dramas like Princess Pearl when writing this story.
Despite Zhongli Wu's precision, every move he made was under Qian Ran's watchful eye.
Qian Ran carried the mark of Qian Renxue's divine intervention, and Zhongli Wu's malicious energy posed no real threat. In fact, Qian Ran could have easily absorbed and nullified the dark energy, but he chose not to bother—there was simply no need.
After carefully observing Qian Ran for any reaction and finding none, Zhongli Wu quietly prepared to leave.
But just as he was about to slip away, a sudden and familiar surge of overwhelming power descended upon him, sending chills down his spine.
"Mother."
Zhongli Wu's voice trembled, and he froze in place.
Ye Xishui rarely intervened in Holy Spirit Cult affairs, leaving those responsibilities to Zhongli Wu and his wife, Feng Ling. Her sudden appearance left him both startled and uneasy.
"What are you doing here?" Ye Xishui asked coldly, her expression darkening.
He wouldn't have dared harm Qian Ran, would he?
Ye Xishui's spiritual energy spread outward, sweeping over Qian Ran. Seeing him unharmed, she finally relaxed.
"Did you try to harm Qian Ran?" she asked, her tone sharp.
Initially, Ye Xishui had been as hostile toward the Six-Winged Angel as Zhongli Wu, dreading its reappearance. But her perspective had shifted. Qian Ran had spoken of the impossibility of achieving godhood in this era, only to later suggest new possibilities.
Her sole desire now was to ascend to godhood. She had no interest in expanding the Holy Spirit Cult unless divinity was unattainable.
With even a sliver of hope, Ye Xishui had begun distancing herself from the Cult, ready to abandon its burdensome affairs.
This shift had placed Ye Xishui at odds with Zhongli Wu and the Cult. While the Cult pursued mortal power, she sought divine strength. Until she achieved her goal, she wouldn't allow anyone to threaten Qian Ran.
"Mother?" Zhongli Wu's voice softened, his usual cold demeanor melting as he gazed at the youthful and serene Ye Xishui emerging from a spatial rift. Memories of his childhood came rushing back, leaving him dazed.
"I asked you a question. Can't you hear me?" Ye Xishui snapped impatiently, striking Zhongli Wu with a sharp slap.
She had only recently learned of a potential path to godhood. How could she let such a chance slip away because of her own son's recklessness?
(End of Chapter)