"Good!"
Before Mu En could speak, Long Xiaoyao spoke first, his eyes filled with undisguised approval.
Seeing this scene, he seemed to be reminded of his former self.
He truly admired Lu Cheng.
Whether it was talent or this loyalty to love, both struck a chord in his heart.
"My Holy Spirit Cult is willing to take you as a disciple! With your talent, after falling into the demonic path, you might even become the saint!" Long Xiaoyao said with some emotion.
Shrek Academy picks up Zhang Lexuan, and my Holy Spirit Cult takes Lu Cheng—wouldn't that be wonderful?
"I still feel..." Mu En's expression was complex.
"You just think too much. At worst, I'll lend this disciple of mine to your Shrek to study for a bit. How about it?" Long Xiaoyao teased with a smile.
"Fine." Mu En nodded slightly.
"Eh?" Long Xiaoyao was stunned.
"Child, you must return to Shrek Academy with me." Mu En stared intently at Lu Cheng. "Accompany Zhang Lexuan as she grows up, and then defect when the time comes. Over these years, I will gradually present your 'evidence of guilt' before her so it will be more believable and not seem abrupt."
"Remember, you are the Saint of the Holy Spirit Cult, having colluded with them long ago. Today's events were all carried out by the members of the Holy Spirit Cult at your command. The reason is that you were born a demonic monster with a heavy bloodlust. Because the Zhang and Lu families discovered your identity as an Evil Soul Master, you struck them down. If even half the truth is leaked... this girl cannot hide her thoughts."
Lu Cheng sneered inwardly.
Wrong, all wrong. No matter how much you calculate, you could never have guessed that this is... the Love Continent.
Yet, knowing he had to play the part to the end, he lowered his head, hiding his expression in the shadows.
Mu En gave Lu Cheng a meaningful glance, nodded to Long Xiaoyao, and turned to leave.
[Task Completed]
[Reward: twin spirits, Blood Pupils]
Lu Cheng thought to himself that this Martial Soul was top-tier. The only pity was the word "Blood," which spoke of its evil nature; clearly, the way to cultivate it differed from ordinary people...
"Kid, if you just fall into the demonic path, your martial soul might become incomplete... Not every soul master becomes three times stronger after turning dark; they might even have their sanity consumed. Are you sure?"
Long Xiaoyao looked Lu Cheng up and down with interest.
"Senior Long, who said I was going to fall into the demonic path?" A smile tugged at the corner of Lu Cheng's mouth.
"Oh? I'm afraid this Martial Soul of yours won't be accepted by the Holy Spirit Cult... Eh?!!" Long Xiaoyao's pupils suddenly constricted.
"Twin spirits?"
"Correct."
Lu Cheng placed two fingers beside his eyes, feeling his mental force surge violently, enveloping the woods within a diameter of several hundred meters as he chuckled.
His once clear eyes were now stained with a layer of blood-red, looking quite eerie.
"As expected... if I consume Souls, my cultivation speed will skyrocket, somewhat similar to Tang Ya."
Lu Cheng thought to himself.
This reward was quite good; it could be considered a gesture of loyalty to the Holy Spirit Cult.
"Hahaha, what a prodigy of a kid! If I bring back the news of you joining the sect, Xishui will surely be very happy." Long Xiaoyao couldn't hide his smile.
"Forget it."
After a long while, he waved his hand and looked Lu Cheng over.
"Later, I will send someone with some things. Don't refuse them. Since you've chosen to join the Holy Spirit Cult... talent alone isn't enough; you also need a gesture of loyalty."
"Understood."
Lu Cheng remained silent for a long while.
"Hahaha..."
Long Xiaoyao laughed heartily towards the sky as his figure slowly dissipated.
"..."
Lu Cheng finally let out a breath, suddenly feeling his legs go weak. He collapsed to the ground and fell into a deep faint. Although everything was within his plans, confronting two Limit Douluos while having exhausted his Soul Power and suffering severe injuries was too much...
He didn't know how much time had passed, but when he opened his eyes...
He saw a petite figure carrying him on her back, walking slowly through the forest.
"Lexuan..."
A flash of guilt crossed Lu Cheng's eyes.
His throat was dry as he whispered those two words.
"Brother?!!"
A voice filled with surprise rang out.
The girl's bright eyes turned around. Seeing Lu Cheng awake, she hurriedly and carefully placed him on the ground.
"I'll go get you some water! There's a stream nearby."
After saying that, she left in a hurry.
"Is the second chapter this long?"
Actually, it wasn't that it was long, but rather that it was agonizing.
Even though those family members had flashed by quickly in the cutscenes, seeing their corpses last night still brought a painful feeling, as if it had truly happened.
Lu Cheng struggled to sit cross-legged, leaning against an ancient tree. Feeling the chaotic meridians within his body, he felt a bit helpless. Those guys... they struck so hard. His Soul Tool Ring was shattered last night, and the healing herbs he carried with him were naturally gone.
At this rate... it would probably take at least two or three months to heal his injuries through meditation.
Suddenly, a dark shadow appeared; it was one of the three who had been tracking them last night.
Only now, the latter was quite polite, handing over a soul tool ring. "Your Highness Saint, these are the items the Grand Elder ordered me to give you. I am truly sorry for what happened last night..."
"..."
Lu Cheng glanced at him indifferently and nodded slightly.
He feared that all of this would be stored in a recording stone to thoroughly frame him as an evil soul master in the future, but he was willing to cooperate.
"Go."
"As you command!" The Black-Robed Man dissipated like the wind.
"Healing Elixir, a black robe exclusive to the Holy Spirit Cult... Hehe, the Grand Elder is truly thoughtful." Lu Cheng chuckled. Without further hesitation, he swallowed two elixirs and quietly began to circulate his cultivation technique to heal his injuries.
"..."
"Brother, are you okay?"
Zhang Lexuan pursed her lips, observing the color gradually returning to Lu Cheng's face, and forced a smile.
"Do you miss home?"
Lu Cheng stood up, looked at the girl, and spoke softly.
"Wuwuwuwu..."
The girl instantly burst into tears and threw herself into Lu Cheng's arms. The emotions she had suppressed all night long erupted as she sobbed.
"Brother, I don't have a home anymore. Papa, Mama, they all... wuwuwu..."
"It's okay, I'm here."
Lu Cheng closed his eyes and gently patted the girl's back.
After a long while, the girl finally calmed down. It seemed her emotions had been vented. Wiping away her tears, her beautiful eyes, red from crying, gazed at Lu Cheng as she tightly gripped the corner of the boy's clothes.
"Brother, I only have you now. You're not allowed to leave me, not even for a day..."
"Mhm."
Lu Cheng gently stroked the girl's hair like he was petting a cat, his gaze soft.
And the girl, who usually would be somewhat annoyed by such treatment, was exceptionally docile at this moment.
She seemed to be quite reluctant to let go of this rare warmth.
Ding-ling~
Zhang Lexuan pulled a hairpin from her bosom and looked at Lu Cheng expectantly. Last night, fearing the wind chimes would attract pursuers, she had hidden them away early. She spoke softly.
"Brother, can you help me put it on?"
"Sure."
Lu Cheng smiled, took the hairpin, and skillfully tied up her long, black hair.
"Is it pretty?" Zhang Lexuan looked at Lu Cheng, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation.
After a long pause, Lu Cheng nodded.
"It's pretty..."
"Mhm!"
The corners of the girl's lips curled up, and a smile blossomed on her face.
"..."
Notes:
ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
Read advanced chapters at p@atreon/holyangelicdemon