Chapter 142: You're Too Weak!
Not only Yu Xiaogang but even Tang San and the others were utterly shocked as they stared at Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing.
They had relied on the Blood Demon Ritual to reach their current levels of power—so how could the three girls, who never practiced that forbidden technique, have advanced so quickly?
Luo Ling leaned back, watching the scene with quiet amusement. He had to admit—their improvement was indeed astonishing.
In truth, it wasn't just because of the rare herbs provided by the Spirit Hall. Luo Ling had secretly passed on the Xuan Tian Skill to the three girls, accelerating their cultivation immensely.
"Why has your spirit power increased so fast?" Yu Xiaogang blurted out without thinking.
Ning Rongrong pursed her lips and said coldly, "Master, your group seems to be improving just as quickly, aren't you?"
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, at a loss for words.
Tang San and the other men looked conflicted. They had believed that their rapid rise through the forbidden ritual was unmatched, yet Ning Rongrong and the others had caught up—without sacrificing anything.
Tang San's gaze flicked toward Xiao Wu, then shifted to Luo Ling.
If Xiao Wu had grown that strong, just how powerful had Luo Ling become?
Had he already reached the Soul King realm?
A faint heaviness settled over Tang San's heart.
"Luo Ling," Oscar asked, his curiosity breaking the silence, "if they improved that fast under your guidance, doesn't that mean you've become even stronger?"
Luo Ling chuckled lightly. "You'll find out at the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Tournament."
"The tournament?" Oscar blinked, then realization hit him. "Wait—Luo Ling, don't tell me you're competing in the tournament too?"
Luo Ling nodded casually. "That's right. I'm technically a member of the Emperor Battle Team now."
As he spoke, he glanced briefly at Yu Tianheng.
"You joined the Emperor Battle Team?"
Everyone was taken aback—even Ning Rongrong looked surprised; she hadn't known about this either.
"Mm. Yu Tianheng left, so they invited me. I accepted," Luo Ling replied smoothly.
"Then why are you still here at Blue Tyrant Academy?" Yu Tianheng snapped, his tone uneasy under Luo Ling's calm gaze. "Are you… trying to spy on our team's training?"
The others caught on quickly. A similar suspicion flashed in their eyes as they turned toward Luo Ling.
Under all those wary stares, Luo Ling simply smiled faintly and waved his hand.
"I'm not interested in spying on you," he said lightly.
He shot Yu Tianheng an amused look. In truth, Luo Ling had long since learned everything about the Emperor Team back when Yu Tianheng first joined Shrek.
If anyone was unqualified to question him, it was Yu Tianheng.
"Relax," Luo Ling continued leisurely. "I'm here because of Rongrong, not because of you. And even if I wanted to spy, what would I find? You've barely trained together for months."
He paused, his tone sharpening just slightly.
"Unlike some people, I wouldn't betray my old teammates by spilling their secrets to outsiders."
It was a thinly veiled jab—one that landed squarely on Yu Tianheng's past betrayal.
Yu Tianheng's face turned red, then white, but he couldn't muster a defense.
"Hmph! Easy for you to talk," he muttered stiffly. "Who knows if you're telling the truth?"
"Believe me or don't—it's all the same to me." Luo Ling shrugged. "If my presence bothers you, I'll just leave."
And with that, he turned and began walking toward the training ground's exit.
But before leaving, he stopped, looked back over his shoulder, and swept his crimson gaze across the Shrek team.
His voice was calm, but his words cold and cutting:
"To be honest, your strength doesn't concern me. I don't even see you as opponents."
"You're all… far too weak."
With that, he turned and left, not even glancing back.
The Shrek team stood frozen behind him, their faces burning with humiliation and anger.
No one liked being told they were weak.
Sensing the heavy air around his students, Yu Xiaogang cleared his throat and forced a smile.
"Don't take it too seriously," he said. "Luo Ling's strength may be high, but the tournament isn't decided by individual prowess. Teamwork wins battles, and that's where we'll prevail!"
After that brief pep talk, he began leading them through their group exercises, though the mood remained subdued.
…
While Yu Xiaogang trained the Shrek team, Flender and Zhao Wuji had gone far beyond the academy—spreading the faith of the Primordial God.
Rather than starting in Heaven Dou City itself, they ventured into nearby towns, targeting low-talent spirit masters.
Thanks to the terrifyingly effective Blood Demon Ritual, recruitment was easy. In no time, they had gathered a large circle of followers.
Rumors began to spread of a new sect devoted to a mysterious deity.
Its name: The Primordial Church.
…
In the capital, the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
Inside the Crown Prince's mansion, Qian Renxue sat with a furrowed brow, golden hair cascading over her shoulders like sunlight. Her expression was cold and poised as she read over a thick dossier handed to her by Thorn Dolphin Douluo.
"Uncle Thornblood, what exactly is this Primordial Church—and who is this so-called Primordial God?" she asked sternly.
Gods were nearly extinct in the Douluo Continent. Beyond the Angel God of Spirit Hall and the distant Sea God worshipped on Sea God Island, none were known to still answer prayers.
Yet now, a new divine name had surfaced.
The documents she held described the Primordial God's miracles—rituals that could directly empower spirit masters through sacrifice.
Even the Angel God could not bestow blessings so arbitrarily. In fact, the Qian clan hadn't received a true divine oracle from the Angel God in many years.
"This 'Primordial Church' first appeared in Soto City," Thorn Dolphin Douluo explained carefully. "They claim they can help low-talent spirit masters grow stronger."
"Since then, their teachings have spread to nearby cities and only recently reached Heaven Dou City itself."
"Is it true that their ritual actually grants power?" Qian Renxue asked sharply.
"It is," the Douluo confirmed. "Snake Lance personally confirmed it. As long as the offering involves a corpse dead less than twenty-four hours, the participant receives a tangible increase in spirit strength."
Qian Renxue's eyes narrowed. "Have we discovered who's behind it?"
"There are rumors of two 'saints'—one called the Demon Eagle and another, the Giant Bear—and an individual titled the Divine Messenger. But their true identities remain unknown."
Qian Renxue fell silent, deep in thought. After several moments, her voice turned cold and firm. "Uncle Thornblood, keep a close watch on them. The tournament is coming soon, and I suspect the timing of this cult's appearance is no coincidence."
"Yes, Young Master," Thorn Dolphin Douluo replied respectfully.
"And one more thing," Qian Renxue added sharply. "If you uncover their backers, don't act recklessly. If a real god stands behind this 'Primordial Church,' we cannot afford to provoke such power."
As the Angel God's vessel, Qian Renxue knew all too well how terrifyingly vast divine might truly was.
Even gods should not be blasphemed.
(END CHAPTER)
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