When Jiang Shengyu saw the figure standing atop the massive blood-red puppet, his heart sank. His brows furrowed as he spoke coldly:
"Leader of the Holy Spirit Cult—Zhongli Wu!"
"The Holy Spirit Cult? The same one that set up a branch in Mingdu and enslaved countless souls—that organization of evil soul masters?" Hearing Jiang Shengyu's words, Xiao Hongchen's expression grew grim.
From atop the puppet's head, Zhongli Wu looked down upon them and chuckled softly. "To think you actually know this old man's name… It seems you are quite familiar with my cult. Good. That saves me the trouble of introductions."
Jiang Shengyu immediately turned to Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. "Go! He's here for us!"
"They won't be able to leave." Zhongli Wu's voice was calm, yet filled with menace. At his words, countless black-clad figures appeared from all directions, encircling the skies. They weren't relying on flying soul tools—each was at least at the Soul Sage level!
Several among them radiated the oppressive aura of Title Douluo, and even Super Douluo.
What is this…?
Had the Holy Spirit Cult mobilized their entire force?
Without hesitation, Jiang Shengyu prepared to activate Old Moon.
But Zhongli Wu, watching his tense expression, remained composed. "For this day, my cult has prepared long in advance, sparing no cost in resources. Your ninth-tier soul tools will be of no use here. Come obediently with this old man and become the Holy Son and Holy Daughter of the cult."
After all, the Holy Spirit Cult was not lacking in ninth-tier soul engineers. Especially after their cooperation with Xu Tiannan, they had obtained no small amount of information on the Mingde Hall's ninth-tier creations.
As his words fell, beams of violet light suddenly erupted from eight points around them, forming a barrier-like formation that sealed the skies.
Jiang Shengyu's expression darkened, and he immediately drew out Ditian's reverse scale.
But just as he was about to summon Ditian, a cold voice drifted across the air:
"Thinking of calling Ditian for help, are you?"
At that chilling tone, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen both shivered uncontrollably. Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong raised their heads.
Behind Zhongli Wu, a figure slowly stepped forth from the sky—Ye Xishui!
Her appearance did not surprise Jiang Shengyu; if the Holy Spirit Cult had mobilized everything, then her presence was inevitable.
But how did she know about Ditian?
Ye Xishui regarded Jiang Shengyu's shocked expression, walking forward until she stood above Zhongli Wu. Looking down at him, she said:
"The Battle of Yuming Pass… I saw everything."
At that, Jiang Shengyu understood. So that's it… She was watching in secret at that time.
"Even if you summon Ditian, with me here, he cannot free himself to aid you. And with your soul tools sealed, what will you use to resist Zhongli Wu and the Titled Douluo of the Holy Spirit Cult?"
Her gaze swept over Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong, finally settling on Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. Her voice softened, but the cruelty behind it remained:
"Join the Holy Spirit Cult, and I will spare them."
Meng Hongchen's voice trembled. "Shengyu… who is she?"
Jiang Shengyu's brow tightened. "The Death God Douluo, Ye Xishui—an Ultimate Douluo of the Holy Spirit Cult."
Ultimate Douluo!
The moment he spoke those words, even the confident Xiao Hongchen's face went ashen. To escape from an Ultimate Douluo's grasp was impossible. And with so many Title Douluo surrounding them, hope was nearly nonexistent.
Jiang Qingtong took a step forward. "Senior… did you not say before that you had time to wait?"
"Yes," Ye Xishui replied evenly, "but now I no longer wish to wait."
Her tone was calm, yet resolute. Ever since the backlash she suffered probing Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong's souls during the Soul Master Tournament, her patience had been worn thin.
She addressed them both: "You have ten breaths. Come willingly with me, or I will kill those two, then take you regardless. Choose."
Even standing at the peak of power, Ye Xishui still offered two choices. To her, this was more satisfying—forcing others to bow before her on their own. With Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's lives at stake, she was certain Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong would not refuse.
As she finished, Jiang Shengyu's mind raced desperately for a solution.
Besides Ditian, he still held the Silver Dragon King as a final trump card. Yet to avoid attracting the gods' notice, she could lend only the aura of the Soul Beast Monarch—a power that meant little before a human Ultimate Douluo like Ye Xishui.
To bring all four out alive… seemed almost impossible.
Ye Xishui watched him leisurely, unhurried, as though savoring his struggle. The more she saw his expression shift, the more her amusement grew.
"Ten… nine… eight…"
She even began to count down.
Just then, Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong suddenly heard a distant voice, as if carried from another realm:
"Mirror's Flower, Water's Moon… have you forgotten? Your martial souls were always one. Now… release destiny. Release your true power…"
At the words, Jiang Shengyu froze, then cursed inwardly: At a time like this, you're still pretending to be a mystic!
"Haha, isn't the atmosphere a little too tense? Thought I'd lighten it up." The voice of Fate chuckled.
"What effect does our Martial Soul Fusion Skill have?" Jiang Shengyu asked urgently.
"It will awaken your true strength," Fate replied.
Meanwhile, Ye Xishui, who had been calmly counting down, suddenly noticed the change in his demeanor—the steadiness in his expression. Her eyes narrowed coldly.
Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong, however, began removing all their ninth-tier soul tools, thrusting them into Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's arms.
"Hey, hey! Don't joke around! Let's think of a plan together—don't sacrifice yourselves just to save us!" Xiao Hongchen protested, his face pale as he clutched the soul tools. Meng Hongchen looked equally distraught, tears brimming in her eyes.
Jiang Shengyu's face was stern. "Take them! Once the battle begins, we won't be able to protect you."
At those words, Xiao Hongchen's eyes lit with a spark of hope. "So… you have a plan?"
"Call it a desperate gamble." Jiang Shengyu shot him a look, stuffing the soul tools into his hands.
He then grasped the black scale tightly, transmitting the situation to Ditian.
Ye Xishui saw this and, without hesitation, raised her hand. Her palm struck out, unleashing a torrent of soul power that compressed the very air. Space itself fractured beneath her Ultimate Douluo might.
Before Jiang Shengyu, a spatial rift split open. From within, a massive dragon claw extended forth, clashing with Ye Xishui's strike. In an instant, that section of space collapsed into nothingness, and the heavens roared as though torn apart.
Ditian had arrived, fully stepping through the spatial passage. His brow furrowed tightly as his gaze locked on Ye Xishui.
"You brat… what kind of trouble have you stirred up this time?"
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