Jiang Jue's eyes moved slightly.
"Ma Xiaotao, Tang Ya… one is the direct disciple of Yan Shaozhe, and the other is the current sect master of the Tang Sect. Yet both are now in our Holy Spirit Church."
Zhongli Wu personally went to Shrek Academy, and he also sent Masked Douluo to Tian Dou City to bring back Tang Ya. All of that had been written in the letter Jiang Jue left for Zhang Peng before departing.
Although there were slight deviations, both of them had still ended up in the Holy Spirit Church.
"The Tang Sect… your sect master is already in my hands. How far do you think you can grow?"
"And this Shrek Academy—evil soul masters keep appearing from there. It's practically a branch of our Holy Spirit Church."
Jiang Jue's thoughts flowed as a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
After all, he clearly remembered that Yan Shaozhe was actually a descendant of the Holy Spirit Church's Supreme Elder Ye Xishui and First Worship Long Xiaoyao.
Even more absurdly, he had been raised and trained as a disciple by Mu En, the man who had every reason to resent them. Now he had even become the current Dean of the Martial Soul Department at Shrek Academy.
Meanwhile, Xuanzi had already ascended to the position of Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, effectively becoming the top authority of Shrek Academy.
Ma Xiaotao and Tang Ya were preparations Jiang Jue had made for dealing with Shrek Academy in the future.
As for Yan Shaozhe and Xuanzi, this pair of "Crouching Dragon and Young Phoenix" would become the two "Level-10 soul tool cannon shells" that would blow up Shrek Academy from within.
If even the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion became an evil soul master, would Shrek Academy still have the ability to resist?
Jiang Jue's eyes flickered. His long hands slipped into the sleeves of his black robe as he walked toward his Saint Son palace.
Although the headquarters of the Holy Spirit Church was located underground, every building was constructed in the form of magnificent palaces. At the very top hung a massive soul-tool lamp that illuminated the entire underground complex.
Returning to his spacious palace, Jiang Jue looked at the familiar surroundings and nodded slightly.
There was not a speck of dust on any item in the room—clearly someone cleaned it regularly.
Soon after, Jiang Jue entered the bath pool to wash up thoroughly. Then he went into his cultivation chamber and began digesting and comprehending the improvements he had gained this time.
The increase in the age of his soul rings had caused all of his soul skills to undergo a major transformation.
…
After Jiang Jue opened the secret chamber, within that mysterious space, the black mist suddenly rippled and churned violently.
"He's quite clever. He must have discovered my presence and even dared to test it a little. His temperament is good… worthy of being the new Child of Destiny nurtured by this plane."
"Since you want it, why shouldn't I give it to you?"
"My remaining strand of divine consciousness won't last much longer anyway…"
As the voice echoed, the surrounding evil black mist surged wildly toward the divine throne standing in the center. On that ancient and mysterious throne, a streak of purple light suddenly flashed.
"Since that matter was caused by my own hands…"
"Then I will repay it myself!"
"With my death, I will drag you down from your divine throne!"
"So that you can also experience Xue'er's pain!"
The voice grew increasingly sharp, increasingly hysterical.
The surrounding black mist rose like raging waves, yet the divine throne in the center stood firm and unmoving.
…
The next day.
"What's going on today? Did something urgent happen in the church? I was summoned back from thousands of miles away."
"How should I know? I was suddenly recalled too. The last time something this unusual happened… was the last time."
"…"
Inside the council palace.
On both sides of the heavy long table sat elders of the Holy Spirit Church dressed in black robes. They discussed among themselves, quite puzzled by Zhongli Wu's sudden emergency meeting.
However, because of the reforms Zhongli Wu had implemented in recent years, everyone had put aside whatever they were doing and rushed back.
Thus, whether it was the Worship Elders or the ordinary elders, every seat was filled.
Among the crowd, two women wearing distinctive robes appeared particularly aloof.
One wore dark blue, the other dark red. Both robes carried three golden patterns, and their seats were even placed above those of the elders.
"Brother Mask, you always have the fastest information. Can you give us a hint in advance?"
One of the worship elders asked Masked Douluo with a friendly expression.
After all, they had witnessed the death of Blood Flame Douluo and how Cloud Douluo had been "disciplined." Because of this, even these worship elders had begun to treat Zhongli Wu, the church leader, with great caution.
At first, in order to protect their own interests, they had even jointly approached the Supreme Elder and First Worship, writing a full complaint letter describing Zhongli Wu's actions.
But the very next day, that letter appeared directly in Zhongli Wu's hands…
From that moment onward, they understood something clearly.
The Holy Spirit Church was a family business.
And leaving the Holy Spirit Church was even less possible. The reason they had joined in the first place was because their martial souls were tied to darkness and evil. Outside the church, who would treat them kindly?
Moreover, Ye Xishui had planted restrictions in their minds.
They didn't want to die.
"Brother?"
Masked Douluo glanced at the man, then turned his head away without responding, silently labeling him as "someone who doesn't understand the rules."
But the next moment, when Masked Douluo discovered a storage ring had appeared in his hand, a smile immediately spread across his face.
"Hehe… see that empty chair over there? This meeting is about deciding who it belongs to."
Masked Douluo pointed toward the seat beside the leader's position on the right.
"Could it be that our Holy Spirit Church has gained another powerful member?"
The worship elder asked, both relieved and confused.
But Masked Douluo said nothing more. The items inside the storage ring were only worth that much information.
The worship elder clearly understood his meaning. While cursing inwardly, he still thanked him.
"Tsk… this is what real profit looks like. Following the Saint Son, resources just fall right into your pockets."
Masked Douluo thought happily.
"Boom!"
The palace doors opened.
Under the shining light, two figures cast long shadows stretching into the meeting hall.
"That's— the Saint Son?!"
At the instant the doors opened, everyone's gaze turned toward the two figures. Upon seeing the familiar yet unfamiliar silhouette, many exclaimed in shock.
"Everyone, long time no see!"
Jiang Jue wore the magnificent black robe exclusive to the Saint Son, adorned with seven golden patterns and intricate ancient designs. His deep gaze swept across the hall, a faint smile hanging on his cold, handsome face.
"Welcome back, Saint Son!"
A voice rang out first.
It was Cloud Douluo who spoke. He immediately stood and bowed.
Masked Douluo froze.
Wait—wasn't that supposed to be his line?!
"Oh, damn that Cloud!"
Soon afterward, the others also stood up and expressed their greetings.
"Alright, take your seats."
Zhongli Wu sat at the main seat, while Jiang Jue sat at his right.
At that moment, the woman in the red robe trembled slightly upon seeing Jiang Jue.
She was the Fire Phoenix Saintess, Ma Xiaotao.
Meanwhile, the woman in the dark blue robe remained completely indifferent, her eyes filled only with cold detachment.
She was the Blue Silver Saintess, Tang Ya.
Except for a few elders who had already known in advance, the rest stared at Jiang Jue with confusion and surprise.
Hadn't Jiang Jue been taken away by the Body Sect? Had the leader rescued him?
"Alright. Today, this leader will only announce one matter."
"From now on, within the Holy Spirit Church, Jiang Jue's authority will be second only to mine. He may mobilize all the church's resources. All elders and disciples must treat Jiang Jue as they would treat me."
"Jiang Jue's orders… are my orders."
"And any command must be obeyed!"
"Anyone who dares to refuse will be treated as a traitor to the church!"
Zhongli Wu's calm voice echoed throughout the entire council hall. His dark eyes swept across the faces of every elder present.
"I've finished speaking."
"Does anyone object?"
(End of Chapter)