In just a few moments, Zhong-Li Wu made a decision: he had to find a way to eliminate the "Purification Device" and every being who knew how to make it!
The manufacturing method of the "Purification Device" must never be allowed to spread!
Zhong-Li Wu's expression was slightly dark, and an idea immediately formed in his mind.
Calming his thoughts, Zhong-Li Wu looked toward Huo Yuhao: "Regarding this matter, the Holy Spirit Douluo has truly done my Holy Cult a massive favor... I heard from the Second Elder, Nan-Gong Wan, that you wished to join our Holy Cult. I wonder if that offer still stands?"
"Naturally."
Huo Yuhao replied with a smile.
"Splendid!"
Zhong-Li Wu beamed. Putting the "Purification Device" aside for a moment, he had—at the very least—successfully recruited a Level 97 Super Douluo!
"Then, please accompany me to our Holy Cult's headquarters, Holy Spirit Douluo! It's the perfect time to introduce you to everyone!"
Zhong-Li Wu's expression was fervent. As for suspicion...
Other factions might worry about spies or undercover agents, but they were Evil Soul Masters!
Though they shouted "Holy Cult" this and "Holy Cult" that, Zhong-Li Wu knew exactly what the Holy Spirit Cult was at its core: nothing more than a group of rats in a gutter huddling together for warmth!
If the outside world learned of the Holy Spirit Cult's existence, the only outcome would be a combined assault from every soul master on the continent!
After all, Evil Soul Masters were beings that everyone wanted to beat down.
In the eyes of others, any Evil Soul Master was an evil, terrifying existence that deserved to be eradicated!
And what about the Holy Spirit Douluo before him? That aura of death and darkness was as Evil Soul Master as it could possibly get!
A textbook "evil genius!"
Aside from the Holy Spirit Cult, what other faction would dare take in such an existence?
A domain of emotion spread out silently, bit by bit deepening Zhong-Li Wu's trust in the identity of the "Holy Spirit Douluo."
Of course, Zhong-Li Wu didn't entirely lower his guard against Huo Yuhao, but on the surface, the two acted like dear friends who regretted not meeting sooner.
After a bout of friendly conversation, Zhong-Li Wu naturally invited Huo Yuhao to the Holy Spirit Cult headquarters, and Huo Yuhao readily accepted.
Subsequently, under Zhong-Li Wu's guidance, Huo Yuhao met several "familiar old friends" in succession.
Well... "familiar" in the sense that they were the Evil Soul Masters he had killed in his previous life.
After a brief introduction, Zhong-Li Wu had Huo Yuhao release his Level 97 Super Douluo aura and declared him one of the enshrinements of the Holy Spirit Cult, formally confirming his status.
Naturally, to avoid suspicion and unnecessary trouble, Huo Yuhao took the initiative to request a transfer to Radiant City to take over the Evening Water Alliance.
The other Elders and Enshrinements at the Holy Spirit Cult headquarters were very pleased. They had initially feared this Holy Spirit Douluo would come to seize power, but he clearly had no such intentions.
Zhong-Li Wu was also very happy because Huo Yuhao's attitude gave him plenty of face and saved him from any awkwardness.
As for Nan-Gong Wan, whose position had been usurped, he was moved to tears, looking incredibly touched. It could be said that everyone in the Holy Spirit Cult had a "bright future."
Silently placing a marker on every single Evil Soul Master present, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but reveal a truly sincere smile.
Evil Soul Masters could basically be divided into two categories:
First, those with "Evil Martial Souls." These were soul masters whose martial souls were inherently special, but after being judged as Evil Soul Masters by certain standards, they were forced into depravity.
For these, Huo Yuhao acknowledged their tragedy, but not their innocence. Forced or not, depravity was still depravity, and they fell within his scope of "cleanup." Of course, if they were like the Wraith Nana from his previous life, they could be spared.
Second, those with "Acquired Evil Martial Souls" who chose depravity voluntarily. There was nothing to say about these; their human rights were stripped away immediately. Their only remaining label was "high-quality materials."
As for the first group, he would find an opportunity later to forbid the killing. After all, with either "Blood Essence Body Cultivation" or "Energy Storage Ring Magic Cultivation," it wasn't difficult to make a martial soul evolve selectively and shed its evil nature.
As for the "Acquired" ones...
Under his disguise, Huo Yuhao's grey eyes swept over the surrounding Evil Soul Masters. Terrifying killing intent lay hidden beneath his calm gaze.
The cultivation of the Dark Blue Silver King would still take some time, but Huo Yuhao had basically mastered the method of converting heaven-and-earth primordial energy into life force, as well as the cultivation of Blue Silver Grass containing excessive life force.
Regardless of which category these Evil Soul Masters belonged to, many had talents similar to "bloodthirst," allowing them to devour energy from blood and convert it into soul power to level up.
This talent, in essence, was the consumption of massive amounts of life force to increase one's rank.
Therefore, theoretically, letting this group of Evil Soul Masters "eat grass" would also allow them to level up!
Most of those at the Holy Spirit Cult headquarters were Evil Soul Masters at the Soul Emperor level or above. To reach such a level as an Evil Soul Master, every single one of them had the lives of innocents on their hands; they were by no means innocent!
Of course, Huo Yuhao wasn't a "good person" either; he simply felt these Evil Soul Masters could be put to perfect use!
He would find an opportunity to pack them all up and take them away, then make them eat grass every day. Once their cultivation naturally reached the Titled Douluo level, he would kill them to fill his Holy Spirit Soul Core with energy!
Waste utilization, after all~
...
After a simple welcome banquet, Huo Yuhao and Nan-Gong Wan headed straight back to Radiant City.
Following Huo Yuhao's departure, the banquet naturally concluded. As the crowd dispersed, the smile maintained on Zhong-Li Wu's face gradually faded.
After giving a few brief instructions to Feng Ling, Zhong-Li Wu left the Holy Spirit Cult headquarters and headed to another secret location within the Fiendish Spirit Forest.
This secret location was the secluded cultivation dwelling of Ye Xishui!
A moment later, Zhong-Li Wu arrived at an unremarkable patch of open ground. Without hesitation, he revealed his aura. Soon, a secret door abruptly appeared to one side.
Entering the door and walking underground for some distance, he reached a vast subterranean space. Zhong-Li Wu came to a sudden halt and spoke:
"Mother."
A moment later, a somewhat somber female voice responded to him.
"Wu'er, what is the matter?"
"It is like this, Mother..."
Without much hesitation, Zhong-Li Wu directly disclosed everything regarding the Spirit Transmission Pagoda and the "Purification Device."
He wasn't stupid. The distance between the Spirit Transmission Pagoda headquarters and Shrek Academy was less than a thousand meters, and the Pagoda Master was also the Dean of Shrek's Soul Tool Department.
The Holy Spirit Cult was strong, yes, but they weren't suited for a grand, public appearance. Furthermore, Shrek Academy also had a Limit Douluo standing guard. It would be inappropriate for him to lead an attack himself.
Therefore, Zhong-Li Wu naturally sought help from his mother, Ye Xishui.