Above the Sky Screen, the image of White World continues to scroll on the right.
Time flies, and several months have passed since the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament ended.
[ Bright Capital, Holy Spirit Cult Bright Capital branch.
[ Elder will Ma Xiaotao] Black Phoenix After Spirit's message was reported to headquarters, the higher-ups of Holy Spirit Cult were shaken. Black Phoenix —that was the legendary attribute of ultimate darkness, practically a divinely granted Holy Maiden for Holy Spirit Cult, which was primarily composed of Evil Soul Masters.
["Is the information accurate?" the cult leader personally inquired.]
Bright Capital Branch Elder vouched for it with his life. " Furthermore, Mingde Hall is also willing to cooperate. Jing Hongchen has agreed to personally go to Shrek Academy to verify the information's authenticity."
[" Jing Hongchen …" The cult leader pondered for a moment, ""Tell him that after this is done, Holy Spirit Cult will owe him a favor."]
...
Beyond the Sky Screen, in the Black World, on the Douluo Continent.
Inside the tavern, the people looked at the Sky Screen on the right and discussed it amongst themselves.
" Holy Spirit Cult has its eye on Ma Xiaotao? She's one of Shrek's people, would they dare to make a move against her?"
"What wouldn't I dare to do? What wouldn't an Evil Soul Master do?"
" Jing Hongchen got involved too? He's from the Sun Moon Empire?" The fact that the head of Mingde Hall is colluding with Holy Spirit Cult —doesn't that equate to the Sun Moon Empire conspiring with the Evil Soul Master?
"Things in that world are different from ours. The Sun Moon Empire in that world has already unified the continent, and the Holy Spirit Cult may just be a pawn they can use."
Someone whispered, "Poor Ma Xiaotao. In our world, she was just a Spirit out of control. In that world, she was directly targeted by the Evil Soul Master."
...
Outside of Sky Screen, White World, Sun Moon Empire, Bright Capital.
The people looked at the Sky Screen with varying expressions.
" Jing Hongchen is collaborating with Holy Spirit Cult? Isn't that like asking a tiger for its skin?"
"So what? The Holy Spirit Cult in our world has long been transformed by Venerable Ming; it's no longer the Evil Soul Master organization it used to be. Jing Hongchen might even benefit from cooperating with them."
"But that was ten years ago. Venerable Ming hadn't even started modifying Holy Spirit Cult back then."
"So what exactly did Jing Hongchen do on that trip?"
...
[ Jing Hongchen from Shrek City visited under the guise of "academic exchange."]
[He spent three days at Shrek Academy, ostensibly visiting the Soul Tool Department, but actually secretly gathering information about Ma Xiaotao. He saw Ma Xiaotao sealed on an ice bed in the Sea Gods Pavilion — the flames of the Black Phoenix surged within the seal, emanating a chilling aura of darkness.]
"It truly is the ultimate darkness," Jing Hongchen thought to himself with secret delight. As he left, he casually touched the seal. Ma Xiaotao's icy bed secretly left a miniature spirit tool deep within the seal. The spirit tool, only the size of a fingernail and shaped like an insect, silently burrowed into the seal. Even the Dragon God Douluo... Even Mu En didn't notice this subtle movement.
"Enough." Jing Hongchen withdrew his hand and calmly left the Sea Gods Pavilion. No one knew what Dao had done, not even Dao himself knew when Dao's miniature spirit tool would be triggered. But he knew Dao that once the Holy Spirit Cult acted, the spirit tool would tear Seal apart from the inside, causing Ma Xiaotao to lose control.
...
Beyond the Sky Screen, in the Black World, on the Douluo Continent.
Inside the tavern, the people looked at the Sky Screen with varying expressions.
" Jing Hongchen tampered with the seal? Even Mu En didn't notice?"
"What kind of spirit tool is that? Something like an insect? And it can even burrow into Seal?"
"The methods of a Level 9 Soul Engineer are beyond our imagination."
" Shrek is likely to suffer a great loss this time."
...
Black World, Shrek City, Inner Court.
Xuan Zi stared at the Sky Screen, his face ashen.
He never imagined that Ma Xiaotao from another world was also taken away by Holy Spirit Cult because of Jing Hongchen.
That year, Jing Hongchen came to Shrek for "academic exchange," and he personally received him.
He thought it was just an ordinary visit, but little did he know that it was a meticulously planned conspiracy.
"Old fox," he muttered under his breath, cursing Dao.
Yan Shaozhe sighed, "Elder Xuan, who could have imagined what happened back then? Jing Hongchen's acting was superb."
Qian Duoduo shook his head: "It's not that he's a good actor, it's that we trusted Sun Moon Empire too much. Back then, who could have imagined they would collaborate with Holy Spirit Cult?"
"Also, that Huo Yuhao from that World actually personally relayed Xiao Tao's information to Holy Spirit Cult. I never expected that!"
...
Outside of Sky Screen, White World, Sun Moon Empire, Bright Capital.
The people were talking about it.
" Jing Hongchen's move was too underhanded. He made it seem like an academic exchange on the surface, but secretly planted spies behind the scenes."
" What is that miniature spirit tool? Can it break through Mu En's seal?"
" We don't understand the methods of a Level 9 Soul Engineer. But Shrek is definitely going to suffer this time."
...
[A few days later, Holy Spirit Cult headquarters dispatched nearly ten Titled Douluos to secretly infiltrate Shrek City.]
[As night fell, a violent burst of black light erupted from the Seal. The miniature spirit tool left behind by Jing Hongchen was activated, tearing the Seal apart from within. Ma Xiaotao's Black Phoenix flames shot into the sky, illuminating the entire night.]
"Attack!" The Titled Douluo of Holy Spirit Cult swarmed in, engaging Shrek's guards in fierce combat.
[The battle raged all night. Holy Spirit Cult suffered heavy losses—several Titled Douluo perished, but Mu En, the lord of Sea Gods Pavilion, forcibly activated his remaining Lifespans during the battle. Although he repelled the enemy, he was also exhausted, with few Lifespans left. Ma Xiaotao was taken away by members of Holy Spirit Cult.]
" Holy Maiden, welcome home." The Holy Spirit Cult leader personally greeted Ma Xiaotao, his eyes filled with fanaticism as he looked at Ma Xiaotao, whose body was engulfed in black flames.
[ Ma Xiaotao's eyes had lost all reason, filled only with a pure desire for destruction. She didn't know where she was, or who the person in front of her was; she simply followed the call of darkness instinctively.]
[In this battle, the Holy Spirit Cult also paid a heavy price. Several Titled Douluo fell, and countless others were wounded. But they all felt—it was worth it.]
"With Holy Maiden, the future of Holy Spirit Cult is limitless," the cult leader chuckled softly.
...
[Meanwhile, at Bright Capital, Huo Yuhao's influence was quietly growing.]
Most of the resources allocated by Holy Spirit Cult headquarters were sent to Huo Yuhao. He used these resources to cultivate, research spirit tools, and train personnel. The remainder remained at the branch offices for daily operations.
[ Nana has improved the most. Her Spirit ability is naturally suited for assassination and reconnaissance, and with Electrolux's Necromancy, her skills have advanced by leaps and bounds. She has now broken through the Fifth Ring and become the second-in-command at Bright Capital, second only to Elder.]
"Master, this is the branch's income and expenditure details for this month." Nana respectfully handed a file to Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao took it, quickly glanced through it, and nodded: "Well done. Nana, you've improved very quickly."
[ Nana lowered her head: "It's all thanks to Master's excellent guidance."]
"Not entirely," Huo Yuhao shook his head. "It's all thanks to your own hard work. Keep cultivating, and when you reach the sixth ring, I'll teach you something deeper."
[ A look of surprise flashed in Nana's eyes: "Yes!"]
...
Beyond the Sky Screen, in the Black World, on the Douluo Continent.
Inside the tavern, the people looked at the Sky Screen with complicated expressions.
" Nana from that World is already at the fifth ring (of the Communist Party). How old is she?"
"He's a few years older than Huo Yuhao, right? Fifteen or sixteen? He's from the Fifth Ring Road, which is considered a Genius around here."
"But she's just Huo Yuhao's subordinate. Huo Yuhao in that world already has fifth-ring powerhouses under his command. Our Huo Yuhao here is still fighting desperately."
Some people lamented Dao: "This is the difference. One is building up its influence, while the other is fighting alone."
...
Black World, Shrek City, Inner Court.
Yan Shaozhe stared at the Sky Screen, and after a moment of silence, said, "That child, only thirteen years old, has already started building his own team."
Xuan Zi nodded: "He's not cultivating himself, he's laying the groundwork for the future. This Heart-Nature is more terrifying than his talent."
Qian Duoduo sighed, " When will Huo Yuhao on our side have this kind of vision? It seems like he only started training him formally during the second Soul Battle Tournament! And he didn't even provide him with resources!"
...
Inside the Tang Sect, Nana from the Black World watched everything unfolding on the Sky Screen with a complex expression, but quickly regained her composure.
She was saved by Huo Yuhao of this world. Although her cultivation level was not as high as her counterpart in the other world, she did not regret it.
...
[At the start of the new semester, Huo Yuhao skipped directly to sixth grade.]
"Level 5 Soul Engineer, Level 34 Spirit Power." Xuan Ziwen looked at his report card and nodded in satisfaction. "The sixth-year courses won't be difficult for you. Once you break through Level 6, I'll get you into Mingde Hall no matter what. No one can stop me."
Huo Yuhao smiled slightly: "Thank you, teacher."
The sixth-grade curriculum is more in-depth than the lower grades, involving the design and construction of more advanced spirit tools. Huo Yuhao thrives in this environment, excelling in every subject. His Spiritual Detection has a natural advantage in spirit tool creation —he can accurately perceive the internal structure of materials and capture the most subtle energy fluctuations.
"This kid was born for this," a sixth-grade teacher remarked privately.
...
Outside of Sky Screen, White World, Sun Moon Empire, Bright Capital.
The people looked at the Sky Screen with pride on their faces.
" Venerable Ming skipped a grade! Sixth grade! A thirteen-year-old sixth-grade student!"
"Once he breaks through to level six Soul Engineer, he can enter Mingde Hall. At that time, who can stop him?"
" So what if they're from Star Luo Empire? A capable person can go anywhere and be stopped."
" Shrek of that World is still racking his brains over Ma Xiaotao's matter. On our side, Venerable Ming is already moving forward."
...
[Shortly after the start of the semester, Elder from Bright Capital's branch brought a message.]
"Master, I've found Ye Guyi, the one you mentioned." Elder handed a file to Huo Yuhao. " Ye Guyi, eighteen years old, studying at an ordinary high-level Soul Engineer academy in the Sun Moon Empire. His Soul Engineer talent is average, and his spirit power cultivation is only at the Fourth Ring. But—"
He paused, then lowered his voice: "Her Spirit is an angel."
Huo Yuhao took the file and glanced at it. The girl in the photo had delicate features, with a hint of stubbornness in her eyes. The information showed that her parents had died early, and she lived alone, supporting her studies with the college's scholarship.
"Have you found her...?" Huo Yuhao pondered. "Does she know about the special nature of her Spirit?"
"She probably doesn't know Dao," Elder shook his head. "In the Sun Moon Empire, the Evil Soul Master wouldn't dare appear openly; she probably just considers her Spirit as an ordinary Light Spirit."
Huo Yuhao paused for a moment, then nodded: "Bring her back. Don't force her; let her choose for herself."
Elder accepted the order and departed.
[A few days later, Nana personally contacted Ye Guyi. She didn't reveal her identity as Holy Spirit Cult, but instead invited Ye Guyi to join "a mysterious organization."]
"Who are you people?" Ye Guyi asked warily.
"A place that makes you stronger," Nana said calmly to Dao. "Your Spirit is an angel. Do you know what that means, Dao?"
[ Ye Guyi shakes his head. ]
"That means you're a natural nemesis of Evil Soul Masters," Nana said, looking at her. "But your current strength is too weak. If you encounter a true Evil Soul Master, you won't even have the power to fight back. Join us, and we can help you become stronger."
Ye Guyi hesitated for a long time. Finally, she nodded—not out of trust, but out of curiosity.
...
Beyond the Sky Screen, in the Black World, on the Douluo Continent.
Inside the tavern, the people watched the Sky Screen and discussed it animatedly.
" Spirit the Angel? Isn't that the legendary Spirit?"
"In our world, there was also the Legacy of the Angel Spirit ten thousand years ago. I never imagined that there was one in that other world too!"
"It exists in both Worlds, but their fates are different. The owner of the angel Spirit in that World was recruited by Huo Yuhao."
Some people exclaimed, "That World's Huo Yuhao, his reach is really far. Ma Xiaotao, Nana, Ye Guyi... just how many people does he want to recruit?"
"He is laying the groundwork for the future. When he becomes a god, these people will be his core group."
...
[ Upon arriving at the Bright Capital branch, Ye Guyi did not immediately meet Huo Yuhao. Nana first showed her around and explained the branch's culturing methods.]
"You...aren't Evil Soul Masters?" Ye Guyi stared in astonishment at the Spirit Masters who had once been called Evil Soul Masters. Their cultivation methods were no different from ordinary Spirit Masters, even more peaceful, completely lacking the bloodthirsty aura characteristic of Evil Soul Masters.
"That was true before," Nana said without hiding anything, "but our master taught us a new method of Cultivate. We can become stronger without harming living beings."
["Owner?"]
"You'll see him later," Nana said without further explanation.
After spending a few days at the branch, Ye Guyi gradually lowered her guard. The Spirit Masters there were all very friendly towards her.
...…
[ After spending a few days at the branch, Ye Guyi gradually lowered her guard. The Spirit Masters here were all very friendly to her, and no one forced her to do anything. The Cultivate was well-resourced and the guidance was patient, making it more than ten times better than her original academy.]
"Why?" she couldn't help but ask Nana, "Why are you all so good to me?"
"Because your master needs you," Nana said calmly. "Your angel Spirit will play a significant role in the future, but not now. Right now, you just need to become stronger."
Ye Guyi remained silent for a long time before finally nodding.
[A few days later, Huo Yuhao personally visited the branch and met with Ye Guyi.]
"You're Ye Guyi?" He looked at the pretty young woman before him, his gaze calm.
Ye Guyi nodded, curiously sizing him up. This boy was several years younger than her, yet he possessed an aura that commanded respect.
"Your Spirit is an angel, but you're only using it to assist in creating spirit tools right now, which is a waste." Huo Yuhao didn't mince words. "The true power of the angelic Spirit is light. It's purification. It's the suppression of all darkness."
"What you need to do is not learn spirit tools, but tap into the power of your Spirit itself. I'll show you a path— cultivate your Light Spirit Ability, strengthen your Spirit. When you reach the seventh ring, your angelic Spirit will complete its awakening. At that time, you will become the most feared being by the Evil Soul Master."
[ As Ye Guyi listened, a light gradually shone in his eyes.]
"Why are you helping me?" she asked.
Huo Yuhao looked at her and said calmly, "Because I need you for the future."
Ye Guyi was stunned. She looked at the boy before her; his eyes were calm as still water, yet they inspired an involuntary desire to trust him.
"Okay." She nodded. "I'll go with you."