Chapter 174: Xue Beng's Unexpected Encounter
The promotion tournament was in full swing, but after the first day, Luo Ling hadn't stepped onto the battlefield again.
Many spectators were disappointed, though the other academies breathed sighs of relief.
Given Luo Ling's overwhelming strength, he could crush any of them singlehandedly. No one wished to face a match they were doomed to lose.
Now, walking through the streets of Heaven Dou City, Luo Ling was heading toward Xue Beng's residence.
Under his covert surveillance, Yu Xiaogang and his followers were preparing to attack the Spirit Hall prison.
It was time to fulfill his promise to Qian Renxue.
Turning down an empty alleyway, Luo Ling's figure slowly melted into shadow and vanished.
Inside the royal manor, Xue Beng was leisurely savoring fine wine from the imperial cellar when an unexpected chill swept over him, making him shiver.
"Strange," he muttered, rubbing his arms. The sun was bright and warm outside—why did it suddenly feel cold?
He rose from his chair, about to fetch a blanket, when a flicker of movement behind him made him freeze. He turned—and screamed.
"Ah!"
A dark silhouette loomed before him, shrouded in twisting black mist, its eyes glowing blood‑red in the dim light.
"W‑Who are you?" Xue Beng stammered, stumbling backward until he hit the floor. His hand fumbled across the ground, searching desperately for a weapon.
The shadow stood silently watching him. Then its crimson eyes flared brighter.
"I am the Primordial God," came a deep, commanding voice.
"Become my envoy—and bring me more followers."
As the words echoed, Xue Beng's gaze grew unfocused, his mind slipping into a daze. A thread of red light shot from the shadow's eyes into his pupils, embedding itself within like a seed taking root.
The figure then waved its hand, placing an ancient book upon the nearby table.
A moment later, the shadow vanished as though it had never existed.
Outside, hidden within a dark alley, a faint red gleam flickered in Luo Ling's eyes.
Preparation complete. Just now, through his Crow Shadow Puppet, he had planted a Soul Seed within Xue Beng's mind.
It was his fourth—after Tang Hao, Xiao Wu, and Ah Yin.
With his current rank as a Soul Emperor, he could maintain only six in total.
"This one will rest within you for now," he murmured softly, glancing toward Xue Beng's mansion. "Play your part well."
…
Inside the residence, Xue Beng slowly awoke, disoriented.
The fragments of what he just experienced sent a chill coursing down his spine.
"Did I just see a ghost?" he whispered, horrified.
Then, a voice echoed directly inside his mind.
"So this is the coward who plans to compete for the throne?"
Blinking, Xue Beng jumped to his feet, frantically scanning the room. "Who's there?!"
Silence.
Nothing stirred. Yet he was certain—someone had spoken to him.
"Stop looking around. I'm right here—in your head," the voice sneered.
Xue Beng nearly collapsed from fright. The moment the meaning of those words sank in—in my head?—his panic reached its peak.
"Pathetic. I didn't expect my chosen envoy to be such a spineless fool," the voice continued, laced with disappointment.
"Wh‑Who… what are you?" Xue Beng shouted desperately.
"I? Hmph. Didn't I already tell you? I am the Primordial God."
"God?" he repeated faintly, trembling.
"Yes. A god—and I can grant what you desire most. The throne."
The words struck deep. Xue Beng's fear began to crumble beneath the weight of temptation. "You can… make me emperor?" he asked, voice trembling.
"All you need is power. Enough to sway the monarchy itself."
"That's impossible! How could I ever become that strong?"
"I am a god," the voice replied disdainfully. "Nothing is impossible for me. Look at the table—I've already given you the key."
Xue Beng turned and spotted the book lying where the shadow had left it.
Four crimson characters glared up at him—Blood Demon Ritual.
The words seemed alive, pulsing with a hypnotic allure. His feet moved of their own accord as he picked it up and opened the worn leather cover.
His eyes widened at what he saw—detailed illustrations of sacrificial rites, the method of offering flesh and blood to gain power.
"That is my gift to you," the voice said smoothly.
Xue Beng's hands trembled as he clutched the book. "This… this is forbidden! No spirit master would dare—"
"You fear taboos? Then you'll never achieve greatness. To claim the throne, you must forsake such weakness," the voice coaxed, dripping with dark persuasion.
He hesitated for a long moment, torn between terror and ambition. Then his expression hardened. "I want to become strong!"
"Good," the voice purred approvingly. "Soon, my envoys will attack the Spirit Hall's prison. They'll sacrifice the wretched prisoners to me. When they do, go witness the power of sacrifice yourself."
"Accept my blessing—and spread my ritual. Gather believers in my name."
As the words faded, realization struck Xue Beng.
The recent jailbreaks reported across Heaven Dou, the chaos spanning multiple cities—it had all been building toward this.
He'd thought it was the work of ordinary evil spirit masters. But now he understood—it was orchestrated by a god.
…
In the alley, the red glow in Luo Ling's eyes dimmed.
Once embedded, the Soul Seed allowed him full mental connection—he could speak directly into the target's mind and monitor their every move.
Right now, Xue Beng must be reeling, convinced he'd been chosen by a divine being.
But everything was an illusion.
Once Yu Xiaogang launched his planned prison raid, Luo Ling would use the Soul Seed to guide Xue Beng straight to the Spirit Hall dungeon.
The Blood Demon Ritual was already in his hands. When Yu Xiaogang's crimes were exposed, Xue Beng would fall with him.
Luo Ling would ensure Xue Beng personally performed a sacrifice, tainting himself beyond redemption.
Then, when the time came, Luo Ling would kill him, retrieve the seed—and conveniently frame Yu Xiaogang for the entire affair.
Every piece was in place.
Luo Ling's lips curved into a faint, satisfied smile.
(END CHAPTER)
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