Word Count: 2,752 Words
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"Congratulations, Cult Leader! Congratulations, Worship Death Abyss!"
The Holy Spirit Cult's Evil Douluo offered their congratulations in unison. Zhongli Wu's gesture was clearly intended to establish Death Abyss Douluo's prestige. From this day forward, he would be the Holy Cult's fifth most powerful figure, his status second only to the two Limit Douluo and the Cult Leader and Deputy.
"Worship Death Abyss's reputation resounds throughout the land. Only today do I see the legends were no exaggeration!"
"Indeed, indeed!"
At these words, everyone chimed in with agreement. One particular Evil Douluo began recounting Death Abyss Douluo's glorious exploits with passionate fervor:
"Punching Taotie, kicking the Body Sect, pillaging Illustrious Virtue Hall!
Copping a feel and a sniff from the Star Luo Princess!
Making eighty-year-old Heavenly Soul grannies bawl their eyes out!
Leaving Dou Spirit sows squealing in the middle of the night!
Across all four empires, everyone knows Death Abyss Douluo has no morals at all. At the mere mention of his name, kids all over the continent don't dare cry at night!"
One moment earlier, Ling Bai: Jie Jie!
The next moment, Ling Bai: Not Jie Jie!
Who!
Who the hell is dumping this pot of crap on my head!
Except for the Star Luo Princess bit, the rest is all slander!
A cross-shaped vein bulged on Ling Bai's forehead. He raised his head to look at the speaker, offering a genial smile as he asked, "And this brother would be?"
"Holy Cult Worship, Blood Demon."
Blood Demon Douluo, thinking he had earned Death Abyss Douluo's favor, introduced himself with a beaming smile.
"Worship Blood Demon, I'll remember you.
Since we'll be colleagues from now on, we must certainly become better acquainted!"
Ling Bai patted Blood Demon Douluo's shoulder through gritted teeth. Blood Demon Douluo was delighted, even taking the initiative to invite Ling Bai to join him in slaughtering Spirit Masters in a few days.
Seeing Ling Bai chatting so amiably with Blood Demon Douluo, Nangong Wan immediately grew anxious and rushed over to compete for his attention:
"Brother Death Abyss should visit our Duskwater Alliance more often. We've just taken over quite a few women trained by the Common Alliance. Every one of them is a rare beauty. I guarantee your satisfaction!"
Death Abyss Douluo was Cult Leader Zhongli Wu's newly appointed Worship, the Holy Spirit Cult's rising star. Moreover, everyone could clearly sense the vigorous life force emanating from his body, proof that he was young and possessed limitless potential!
Dragon Emperor and Death God, the two Limit Douluo, had entered their twilight years, and Zhongli Wu and Feng Ling were no longer young. The Holy Cult's next generation of leadership would very likely fall to this Ultimate Death Super Evil Douluo!
Every Evil Douluo here was an old fox who had survived a century or more. They all knew to plan ahead. The Holy Spirit Cult distributed enormous resources, and whoever got in good with Death Abyss Douluo would receive the most precious souls and flesh.
"The Common Alliance is nothing but a nest of venomous women. There's no pleasure in that. Besides..."
Blood Demon Douluo cast Nangong Wan a meaningful glance. "Has the Second Elder forgotten what sort of monster is entrenched in Mingdu right now?"
At these words, everyone's bodies trembled violently. To Evil Spirit Masters, the 'monster' could only refer to the Seraphim at the Sun Moon Imperial Academy—one man, one sword, who had slain five of the Holy Spirit Cult's Titled Douluo!
"It's one thing if the Second Elder dies alone, but don't drag Worship Death Abyss into muddy waters!"
Nangong Wan flushed red and argued, "The Seraphim is powerful, true, but we can simply avoid the Sun Moon Imperial Academy. He's not from the Sun Moon Empire anyway. Sooner or later, he'll return to the Douluo Continent."
"Brother Nangong is mistaken..."
Ling Bai's voice was quiet, but an evil glint shone in his eyes as he swept his gaze over each of the Holy Spirit Cult's top experts. He spread his arms wide, his voice booming:
"Evil Spirit Masters have always done as they pleased, unconstrained by anything! It is others who fear and avoid us! Since when have Evil Spirit Masters ever hidden from anyone!
I once stormed Illustrious Virtue Hall single-handedly. Why didn't that Seraphim dare show himself and fight me!"
A surge of excitement swept through the Evil Douluo, and one after another, they raised their arms and shouted:
"I say the Seraphim fears Worship Death Abyss!"
"Both Worship Death Abyss and that whelp possess ultimate attributes! The Seraphim would die the instant he showed his face!"
Ling Bai waved his hand grandly, killing intent overflowing, fully displaying the absolute domineering aura of a demon lord of his generation:
"The world slanders us, and the Seraphim joins the jeering crowd? Then we'll fight!
We'll fight until the world dares not speak, fight until the angel bloodline is extinguished!
I swear in the name of Death Abyss Douluo!
In this life, in this world!
Justice and I cannot share the same sky!"
The Evil Spirit Masters roared in unison, "Justice and we cannot share the same sky!!!"
"Brave and fearless Evil Spirit Masters, follow me as we storm the Sun Moon Imperial Academy, capture the Seraphim alive, and refine him into human oil for sky lanterns!"
Just as Ling Bai was about to lead the Holy Spirit Cult's Evil Spirit Masters in an assault on the Sun Moon Imperial Academy, Zhongli Wu finally could not sit still. He hastily intervened with a wry smile:
"Worship Death Abyss, don't be hasty. Your intentions are admirable, but the Sun Moon Imperial Academy and our Holy Cult are allies. We must consider the bigger picture.
Set aside the Seraphim matter for now. I've already contacted Worship Dragon Emperor. The Supreme Leader's refinement of the Death God Pagoda proceeds smoothly. Next comes fully mastering the Death God Pagoda, which no longer requires Worship Dragon Emperor's protection. In a little over a year, he'll return to the Holy Cult for a time to help me resolve certain troubles.
I intend to request he eliminate the Seraphim. Worship Death Abyss can join forces with Worship Dragon Emperor then."
Ling Bai felt slightly disappointed. He had almost succeeded in tricking these Evil Spirit Masters into storming the Sun Moon Imperial Academy. Still, it was not without gain. His speech had clearly struck deep. Those burning eyes told him that in their hearts, Death Abyss Douluo had become a hero willing to bleed and die for the Holy Cult!
"Everything is as the Cult Leader decides."
Ling Bai promptly quit while he was ahead and even feigned an apologetic tone. "Since the Holy Cult and Sun Moon Imperial Academy are allies, I didn't cause trouble last time, did I? Should I visit Jing Hongchen to explain?"
"We're merely giving him face. Worship Death Abyss, don't let it happen again. No one will pursue past friction."
Zhongli Wu soothed Ling Bai on the surface, but inwardly he thought: If you don't put a blade to Jing Hongchen's neck, it'll only be because that old fool is too fat to have one. How could I dare let you go!
"Feng Er, take Scorpion Tiger to the Holy Spirit Treasury and let him select some powerful beast souls."
Zhongli Wu then changed the subject. Zhang Peng's challenge had been his arrangement, so he would not blame Ling Bai for being heavy-handed. After all, the legendary Death Abyss Douluo was known for his vicious temperament and would never tolerate provocation.
Neither would he let Zhang Peng's loss of beast souls go uncompensated. Instead, he would offer generous compensation to win hearts and minds.
"Thank you, Cult Leader."
Zhang Peng saluted with clasped fists. Catching sight of Ling Bai from the corner of his eye, he immediately looked away with lingering fear.
Soul Devouring and Death Lock had left an indelible impression. The beast souls he had tempered for years had been as fragile as rag dolls in Ling Bai's hands. Zhang Peng resolved to keep a respectful distance from Ling Bai, never wanting to stand as his enemy for the rest of his life.
"Everyone disperse. This Cult Leader and Worship Death Abyss have important matters to discuss."
Zhongli Wu dismissed the Elders and Worships, then led Ling Bai alone toward the depths of the Holy Spirit Cult's underground headquarters.
Noticing Ling Bai looking around, he coughed forcefully to draw his attention. "Worship Death Abyss, now that you've joined the Holy Cult, you must naturally abide by the Holy Rules we've established.
The Holy Cult's Titled Douluo are divided into Elders and Worships. There is no distinction of high or low status between them; all are pillars the Holy Cult relies upon. The difference is that Elders are Evil Spirit Masters nurtured and supported by the Holy Cult from the beginning, while Worships are mostly external powerhouses recruited by the Holy Cult, such as yourself. Some aren't even Evil Spirit Masters, like Scorpion Tiger.
Titled Douluo are irreplaceable assets. The Holy Cult values each of you and provides monthly blood food based on your cultivation and special abilities.
The Holy Cult's attitude toward Titled Douluo is relatively relaxed, especially for Worships.
Daily headquarters duties are handled by Elders. Worships may pursue their own interests, but when the Holy Cult summons, all Titled Douluo must return within three days without exception. Otherwise, the Holy Cult will consider it betrayal, resulting in expulsion and a kill order."
Ling Bai nodded slightly. Zhongli Wu smiled with satisfaction and handed over a Spirit Guidance Device. "These twin-linked devices are how the Holy Cult summons you."
Ling Bai recognized it. It was the same kind of dual device he and Xu Jiujiu had used to send messages, a common recall tool for major factions.
Zhongli Wu continued, "Let me explain the Holy Cult's general situation to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
The Holy Cult has formed a pact with Sun Moon Empire Crown Prince Xu Tianran. Once Xu Tianran ascends the throne, the Holy Cult becomes the Sun Moon Empire's Guardian Sect. Don't rashly attack forces under Xu Tianran, including the Sun Moon Imperial Academy.
Illustrious Virtue Hall is the Sun Moon Empire's technological development center. Whichever prince ascends needs Jing Hongchen's support. Now, to conceal the Illustrious Virtue Hall theft, he's gradually leaning toward Xu Tianran, partly thanks to you.
Next is the Evil Eye clan of Evildemon Forest. Only after Worship Dragon Emperor and the Supreme Leader personally negotiated could the Holy Cult cooperate with the Evil Emperor and build our headquarters beneath Evildemon Forest.
The conditions are that Holy Cult Evil Spirit Masters must not harm the Evil Eye clan and must provide a fixed amount of blood food to help the Evil Emperor break through realms.
Apart from the Sun Moon Imperial Academy and Evil Eye clan, the likes of Shrek Academy and Body Sect will be enemies sooner or later. Kill them as you please, the Holy Cult will back you!"
"The Cult Leader is wise."
Ling Bai offered a sincere-sounding compliment. Well said! Now I can just pass the buck!
Shortly after, Zhongli Wu led Ling Bai to the underground's deepest level. All other expressions vanished from his face, leaving only solemnity as he said:
"Death Abyss, I have a personal matter requiring your full assistance."
"Please speak, Cult Leader."
Zhongli Wu chanted an incantation. A deep vortex suddenly materialized in the underground space, from which emerged a massive shadow.
It was unmistakably a dragon head, pitch-black as ink, with a pair of dragon eyes dancing with evil green ghostly flames. Sinister winds echoed through the air as the dragon head rose from the ground.
A dragon claw extended out, followed by the entire dragon body. This giant dragon had neither scales nor flesh, composed entirely of pitch-black bones, yet the terrifying aura it emanated was no less than that of a living dragon-type spirit beast.
Bone Dragon King!
"The Cult Leader is truly a person of great fortune. This bone dragon should have been at the Limit rank when alive..."
Understanding flashed through Ling Bai's eyes. He now knew why Zhongli Wu had ordered Nangong Wan to find him. Death Abyss Douluo's strength was one aspect, but more importantly, he could remedy the Bone Dragon King's defect!
Zhongli Wu stroked the Bone Dragon King's thick bones and said nostalgically, "I discovered the Bone Dragon King in an ancient ruin. Legend says that in the primordial era, the Dragon God split into two great Dragon Kings: the Golden Dragon King and the Silver Dragon King.
The Golden Dragon King possessed the Dragon God's physical body, naturally endowed with the world's most Ultimate Strength. The Silver Dragon King controlled elements, manipulating nine types of ultimate attributes.
The Bone Dragon King received the Silver Dragon King's blessing, so its dragon soul is immortal, and it also possesses the Silver Dragon King's wind and fire elemental abilities.
Back then, I spent a full ten years to completely subdue it. Fortunately, it was all worthwhile. Its power allowed me to break through from Spirit Douluo to Super Douluo. The Supreme Leader felt confident entrusting the Holy Spirit Cult Leader position to me while she and Worship Dragon Emperor pursued higher levels of power together."
Zhongli Wu turned to face Ling Bai and sighed. "Though my Bone Dragon King possesses Limit Douluo strength, its own dragon bloodline isn't powerful enough. When using its elemental abilities, it must waste time adjusting and gradually adapting to the elemental changes. Only after a warm-up can it display its true combat power.
Over these years, I've fed it countless spirit beast souls, yet still cannot eliminate the lengthy warm-up phase.
Death Abyss, you possess a Bone Dragon Martial Spirit and are the Douluo Continent's only Ultimate Death attribute in ten thousand years. Regarding bone dragons, you're the undisputed number one under heaven. I wonder if you have methods to assist me?"
"Warm-up is indeed troublesome. Anyone possessing the Bone Dragon King would want to solve this problem..."
Ling Bai seemed to share Zhongli Wu's thoughts at this moment. He reached forward to touch the Bone Dragon King, sending a thread of spirit power into the dragon bones. Using the Divine Bone Dragon Transformation secret technique passed down by Bone Douluo, he sensed the Bone Dragon King's condition while simultaneously sinking his consciousness into his Spiritual Sea to communicate with Electrolux.
After a long while, Ling Bai gently lowered his hand. Under Zhongli Wu's extremely hopeful gaze, he slowly but firmly nodded.
"Death Abyss... you truly have a method!"
Zhongli Wu could barely suppress his inner excitement.
"I do. The prerequisite is that it will consume a large amount of resources, and I will also be weakened for a period of time..."
"Ask for whatever you need! The Holy Cult will provide everything! All resources, the Holy Cult will provide!
Once it's done, you may select any one treasure from the countless supreme items in the Holy Spirit Treasury!"
Zhongli Wu agreed without a second thought. The Bone Dragon King was his life-bound beast soul and had already become a part of his Death God Demon Puppet Martial Spirit.
He was stuck at Rank 98, and one important reason was being limited by the Bone Dragon King!
The Holy Spirit Treasury contained the countless treasures accumulated by the Holy Spirit Cult, including even 100,000-year spirit bones!
No one could resist the temptation of becoming a Limit Douluo. Zhongli Wu would rather bleed resources than miss having Ling Bai serve him wholeheartedly!
"Good. Since the Cult Leader is this determined, I'll speak plainly. Soul Nurturing Flower, Spirit Moistening Grass, Dragon Blood Nine Leaves, Immortal Spirit Saliva..."
Ling Bai's eyes gleamed as he performed a silver-tongued 'recitation of the menu' for Zhongli Wu.
Half for actual use, half as commission.
Zhongli Wu's old face grew darker as he listened, the corner of his mouth twitching with what looked like a case of Parkinson's. Clutching his bleeding heart, he said:
"You start working first. I'll go find..."
His departing figure actually seemed to be fleeing, as if afraid Ling Bai would recite another hundred treasures.
Ling Bai chuckled to himself. Zhongli Wu had left him alone with the Bone Dragon King.
How was this different from Sun Wukong being assigned to guard the Immortal Peach Garden?
A classic case of putting the fox in charge of the henhouse!
"Elder Yi, time to get to work!"