Chapter 105: Soul Parasite
A hundred-thousand-year spirit beast taking human form was, in simple terms, the process of transforming from beast to human.
Such transformed beasts were rejected by their own kind—seen as traitors.
At the same time, to true humans, a transformed beast was nothing more than a walking spirit bone and spirit ring. Once discovered, death was the only outcome.
Luo Ling recalled what he had once read in the Spirit Hall's archives about shapeshifted spirit beasts.
When a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast first took human form, only its flesh became human—the soul within still carried the aura of a beast. That aura was what Spirit Douluo-level experts and above could sense.
As the beast continued to grow stronger, the remnants of that aura would gradually be refined away—until it vanished completely.
Therefore, the beastly aura emanating from Xiao Wu came from the spirit of the beast that resided within her body.
"Her soul…" Luo Ling suddenly lifted his head, realization dawning.
He thought of his newly acquired fifth spirit skill—Soul Parasite.
Plant a seed of the soul within another's spirit… He felt an instinctive certainty. Perhaps…
…
In the haze of night, Luo Ling quietly left his dormitory.
The moment he stepped out, he turned to the shadows nearby.
"Uncle Ghost."
"Your Highness, it's late. What brings you out at this hour?"
The darkness stirred, and Ghost Douluo emerged beside him.
"Follow me," Luo Ling said, offering no further explanation as he led the way toward the girls' dormitory.
When they arrived, Ghost Douluo peered through the window and spotted a girl sleeping inside. The dense aura of a spirit beast confirmed that the figure lying there was not human.
From a treetop above, Luo Ling looked down at Xiao Wu, a faint crimson gleam flickering through his eyes.
The light passed through the window, shooting directly into Xiao Wu's forehead and sinking into her brow.
A faint red mark appeared briefly on her skin before fading away completely.
When he finished, Luo Ling looked to Ghost Douluo beside him.
"Uncle Ghost, can you sense anything different now?" he asked.
Ghost Douluo frowned and focused on the girl again. After a moment, his expression shifted in shock.
The distinct aura of a spirit beast… was gone. It was as though only a normal human girl slept inside that room.
"Your Highness, you—"
"The aura is gone, isn't it?" Luo Ling said, smiling faintly at Ghost Douluo's disbelief.
Ghost Douluo nodded, still stunned, having no idea how Luo Ling had managed it.
"It seems my spirit skill truly does conceal the aura of the soul," Luo Ling said satisfyingly.
"That was your spirit skill, Your Highness?" Ghost Douluo asked in astonishment.
"More or less. I studied the records on shapeshifted beasts. They can't hide their aura because their souls haven't fully completed their human transformation."
"My spirit skill masks the essence of the soul, so I decided to try it," Luo Ling explained casually.
Ghost Douluo nodded slowly in comprehension before asking again, "Your Highness is worried the beast's identity might be exposed?"
"In just a few days, my duel with Shrek will draw many powerful figures. If someone senses a hundred-thousand-year transformed beast among them, it'll be a disaster," Luo Ling said, narrowing his eyes.
He had already given Xiao Wu a choice before—leave, or stay. If she had chosen to leave, he wouldn't have interfered.
But since she had chosen to remain, she would have to serve her purpose.
The Shrek Seven Devils were already incomplete after Dai Mubai's death. If Xiao Wu were to have an accident as well, things could become problematic.
If that happened, they might not even qualify for the Spirit Master Tournament. And Luo Ling fully intended to use that tournament to completely destroy Yu Xiaogang's reputation.
So before that day came, Xiao Wu had to remain safe within Shrek.
After the tournament, however—her soul would likely be fully consumed by the parasite.
…
The next day, Luo Ling saw Xiao Wu again.
She seemed entirely normal, unaware that Luo Ling had done anything to her.
The Soul Seed quietly eroded its host's spirit, marking it from within until the target's soul completely transformed—turning them into a loyal servant.
As Luo Ling's power grew, he could eventually form nine such Soul Seeds—meaning he could command up to nine devoted subordinates.
Xiao Wu was the first.
He could have chosen to enslave Yu Xiaogang, but he dismissed the thought immediately.
The Soul Seed drew from the essence of Luo Ling's own soul.
Its overwhelming power prevented its hosts from harboring any hostility toward him.
Enslaving Yu Xiaogang would yield nothing more than a mindless dog—an obedient wretch devoid of will. Luo Ling wanted something different. He wanted fear. And despair.
…
Time passed, and the day of the Warlock's battle with Shrek finally arrived.
Soto City overflowed with people. Luxurious carriages filled the streets, inns were completely booked, and the city bustled with rare intensity.
In Spirit City, most factions would tread lightly—but here, things were different.
A man capable of fighting an entire team alone was a prize every major power wanted to claim.
Hidden within the crowd, Tang Hao watched the floods of forces arriving in Soto City, his expression grave.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the Star Luo Empire, the Spirit Hall, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan…
Every major power on the continent had come.
He felt unease settle over him.
Tang San was his son—if the boy used the Clear Sky Hammer in battle, he would immediately be recognized.
The Clear Sky Sect had been sealed off from the world for years; the sudden appearance of someone wielding its martial soul would attract every eye.
Tang San's history would surely be investigated in full—and that would lead straight back to him, the murderer of the former Pope.
Tang Hao's face shifted between light and shadow beneath his hood before he finally sighed.
He could only hope Tang San would obey his warning and not use the Clear Sky Hammer.
If the worst came to pass, he would have no choice but to fight his way through and take Tang San away by force.
…
Night fell.
The Great Spirit Arena of Soto City was bursting with people.
Host Dou Dou stood atop the stage, trembling with excitement as she looked out over the endless sea of spectators.
She had never seen so many gathered in one place.
Below, the Shrek Seven Devils waited in the rest area.
Donning their colored masks, they made their way onto the arena floor.
The stands erupted in cheers, though most of the spectators held their applause in anticipation.
After all, many had come not for Shrek—but for one man.
The Warlock.
Amid the roaring crowd, an aura of cold malevolence slowly swept over the arena.
A dark figure materialized on the stage without warning—appearing from nothing, like a living shadow.
(END CHAPTER)
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