The sisters spent the entire afternoon exchanging information with everyone. By evening, they returned to the shrine to complete the next phase of their trials.
Ten days later, Feng Xiaotian successfully absorbed a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, bringing his soul ring configuration to seven black rings and one red ring.
During these ten days, Ning Tianchen had already learned from the stone golem the location of a nearby teleportation array used by the Holy Spirit Sect.
As soon as Feng Xiaotian finished absorbing the soul ring, he immediately inquired about the sisters' situation. Upon learning that they would remain on the Sun and Moon Continent, he not only didn't object but even expressed strong support.
"There's no such thing as an eternal feast. After the Soul Master Tournament ended, didn't we all part ways for five years? This separation might last longer, but when we meet again, we'll all be standing at the pinnacle of the continent."
After a pause, Feng Xiaotian suggested, "Before we leave, let's each write a letter to leave for them. In the future, it can serve as a keepsake for them on this continent."
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up as she added, "I know how to draw. Why don't we also paint a group portrait to leave as a memento?"
Both suggestions were accepted. First, everyone wrote their letters, then lined up while Ning Rongrong sketched their portrait.
Ning Rongrong's position in the lineup was left empty. Once she finished sketching the others, she returned to her spot, and Zhu Zhuqing completed her likeness.
After finishing everything, they placed the portrait and letters into an iron box, entrusting it to the stone golem. It would be handed to the sisters once they emerged from the shrine.
…
In the Evil Demon Forest.
Following the stone golem's directions, Ning Tianchen searched for the location of the teleportation array.
"Tianchen, how will we get out afterward?" Ning Rongrong couldn't help but ask.
Ning Tianchen shrugged. "We'll head north. Without Lone Wolf to guide us, continuing south might lead us into the core area of the Evil Demon Forest, where we could encounter unimaginable dangers."
Moreover, heading north toward the Radiant Sun Empire was significantly shorter than traveling south into the Crescent Empire.
In an unfamiliar place like the Evil Demon Forest, the less time spent there, the better.
With the map gifted to him by Cang Jinghong, Ning Tianchen wouldn't get lost on the way from the cities within the Radiant Sun Empire to Binhai City.
The teleportation array wasn't hard to find. Following the route provided by the stone golem, they located it within half a day.
It was an open clearing with a stone platform at its center. Based on Hunter's earlier statements, Ning Tianchen was certain this was the teleportation array.
Ning Tianchen stopped walking and gestured for everyone to stay alert. "The Holy Spirit Sect has left this teleportation array out in the open. I'm sure they've taken every precaution to protect it."
Ning Rongrong offered a different perspective. "Tianchen, is it possible that the Holy Spirit Sect assumes outsiders won't know how to use the teleportation array even if they find it, let alone reach their headquarters?"
"Which means they likely haven't set up any ambushes here."
In her view, the Holy Spirit Sect probably didn't pay much attention to the teleportation array. Ning Tianchen's caution seemed excessive.
Feng Xiaotian shook his head. "Regardless of the situation, vigilance is essential."
After a pause, he shared his thoughts. "I think we might as well pretend to join the Holy Spirit Sect. Once we thoroughly understand their internal structure, we can gradually dismantle them from within!"
"Great idea," Ning Tianchen nodded.
Directly attacking would likely result in losses, but dismantling them from within would minimize casualties.
As they spoke, the group stepped onto the teleportation platform.
Seeing no immediate danger around them, Ning Tianchen finally relaxed a little.
The incantation Hunter had written down was recorded in Feng Xiaotian's notebook. At this moment, he handed the notebook to Ning Tianchen. "Your strength is the highest among us. It's likely only you can activate the incantation."
Ning Tianchen didn't refuse, but he didn't rush to recite the incantation either.
He didn't fully trust Hunter. The incantation might be incorrect, and reciting it wrong could lead to unnecessary trouble.
Hunter was no young man. To have survived so long and secured a decent position within the Holy Spirit Sect, he must possess some cunning.
For Hunter, even if Ning Tianchen's group discovered the incantation was wrong, he could easily blame it on nervousness causing a slip of the tongue.
On the other hand, if Ning Tianchen's group decided to betray him after using him, he could still take the opportunity to exact revenge.
At the center of the stone platform stood a metallic pillar, seemingly some kind of mechanism. Ning Tianchen slowly placed his palm on it and used subtle vibrations from his fingertips to sense its internal workings.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing his actions, the others curiously examined the metallic pillar.
Ning Tianchen didn't respond. He slightly increased the soul power released from his fingertips, causing the entire stone platform to begin shaking violently.
Soon after, the metallic pillar emitted a crimson glow, enveloping everyone.
"Spatial fluctuations!" Feng Xiaotian exclaimed.
Ning Tianchen said gravely, "Perhaps the incantation isn't necessary at all. This metallic pillar might be the key to the teleportation array. Hold on tight—don't fall off."
It was pointless to dwell on whether Hunter had lied. If something went wrong during the spatial teleportation, they'd be swept into a spatial vortex and tossed who-knows-where.
The space around the stone platform became blurry, then turned gray-black, plunging everyone into darkness.
After a dazzling series of transformations, the spatial fluctuations around the stone platform gradually subsided, and the surrounding environment began to take shape.
At this moment, they found themselves inside a grand hall—the headquarters of the Holy Spirit Sect.
Not far ahead of them stood a figure clad in a black robe, facing away from them.
Sensing the spatial fluctuations, the robed figure asked, "Cooper, have you completed the mission my lord assigned to you?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the spatial fluctuations behind him disappeared, exposing the presence of Ning Tianchen and the others.
The robed figure's expression changed drastically as he turned around sharply. "Who are you?"
As his words fell, a team of ten people emerged in the hall, surrounding Ning Tianchen's group.
The soul power emanating from these ten individuals was no lower than that of a Soul Sage. Their configurations were similar to Cooper's subordinates, suggesting that the person in the black robe was also a priest of the Holy Spirit Sect.
Whether this was Grand Priest Hurhan or one of the other two priests remained unknown.
"Don't be alarmed," Ning Tianchen said with a smile, raising his hands. "We mean no harm."
"I know you're curious about how we found the teleportation array and arrived here."
The robed figure sneered. "If you're willing to explain, I'm all ears."
Ning Tianchen glanced around. "Is this how you treat your guests?"
The figure waved his hand, and the ten evil soul masters immediately retreated.
This was the Holy Spirit Sect's headquarters. Non-core members couldn't find this place. For Ning Tianchen's group to arrive here, they must have received guidance from someone in a high position.
Moreover, even if the intruders came with hostile intent, this was their territory—they could eliminate them at will.
"Now, can you explain?"
Ning Tianchen chuckled and responded, "We owe our arrival here to Priest Cooper."
"Unfortunately, Cooper failed to see the situation clearly. My strength surpasses his, yet he wanted me to become his subordinate. Don't you think he deserved to die?"
Underneath the black robe, the man's expression darkened.
Based on Ning Tianchen's words, it was clear that Cooper had been killed by them. Otherwise, those recruited by Cooper shouldn't have arrived at the sect's headquarters alone.
After all, Cooper had been his long-time colleague and friend. Now that he was dead, the man felt some resentment.
But Ning Tianchen's next words completely dispelled his dissatisfaction.
"I believe the sect doesn't need someone as useless as him. You should understand—my ability to kill Cooper and my companions' ability to annihilate his squad is proof enough of our sincerity."
"How can you prove it?" the robed figure asked.
Ning Tianchen reached into his pocket and pulled out Cooper's soul tool, shaking it in his hand.
The black-robed man's attitude shifted. "The church indeed has no use for waste, but I need you to submit a new token of allegiance."
"There's a small border town in the Radiant Sun Empire. Recently, several members of our church were brutally killed by that town's lord. Slaughter the town, and you will become official members of the church."
"And you," he continued, "will take over Cooper's position as a priest."
Ning Tianchen's heart sank.
The way the man spoke of slaughtering an entire city so casually made it clear these scum were utterly unforgivable! However, Ning Tianchen didn't show any displeasure on his face. Instead, he asked, "Can you make that decision?"
The black-robed man sneered. "Since you were able to kill Cooper, how could he not have told you about my identity?"
In the Holy Spirit Sect headquarters, only one person held such status and authority—Grand Priest Hurhan.
Ning Tianchen smiled and gave a respectful bow. "Greetings, Grand Priest."
Hurhan nodded in satisfaction.
At least in his view, the fact that Cooper had shared such confidential information with Ning Tianchen and his group meant he must have intended to recruit them as core members.
Unfortunately, Cooper was foolish enough to think he could recruit such powerful individuals as subordinates. His death was well-deserved.
Because of the Killing God Domain, Ning Tianchen's body contained an endless amount of killing intent. Even a slight release made him resemble a ruthless murderer who slaughtered without hesitation.
For this reason, Hurhan never doubted his motives.
After all, such villains would surely be hunted down by everyone on the continent. The Holy Spirit Sect was their only refuge.
"Go ahead and complete the task quickly, and you'll soon enjoy the corresponding status within the church."
Ning Tianchen scratched his ear, feigning dissatisfaction. "We came to join the church, not to work ourselves to death for it!"
"Of course, if you want us to risk our lives, you'll have to offer us some benefits. Heh, you can't expect something for nothing."
Feng Xiaotian added, "What if we complete the task and you don't keep your promise? Without any proof or token, how can we trust you?"
With these words, Hurhan completely dropped his guard against them.
Ning Tianchen's group's behavior aligned perfectly with his perception of "villains."
Without benefits, why would they do such trivial tasks?
After a pause, Hurhan responded, "Our church has a method to increase strength called blood sacrifice. That small town was originally my target, but since you're sincerely joining, I'll let you have it."
"The object of the blood sacrifice can be humans, spirit beasts, or wild animals—as long as they have blood, it works. But let me remind you, the strength gained from human blood is dozens of times greater than that from spirit beasts or wild animals."
"Since you were able to kill Cooper, your strength must already be at the Title Douluo level. If you use the blood of everyone in that small town for the blood sacrifice, your soul power will increase by at least two or three levels."
"Isn't this proof enough of our sincerity?"
Ning Tianchen nodded indifferently. "The sincerity is there, but we don't know how to perform this blood sacrifice technique. Even if we drained the blood of everyone in the city, what then? Just stand around staring blankly?"
Hurhan chuckled. "That's my oversight. Since you're sincerely joining the church, come with me. Only with Lord Cassius's approval can you learn the blood sacrifice technique."
After all, Cassius was a god. If Ning Tianchen's group harbored any ill intentions, they wouldn't pass the final test.
It wasn't surprising that Hurhan agreed so readily.
…
Cassius's statue was in another grand hall. Following behind Hurhan, Feng Xiaotian and the others couldn't help but feel uneasy.
They weren't true followers of the evil god. Wouldn't their deception be exposed when they met Cassius?
Even if they had the strength to resist Hurhan and the other evil soul masters, they were unfamiliar with the area and had nowhere to escape to.
Noticing their unease, Ning Tianchen discreetly gestured for them to relax, his hands clasped behind his back.
At the same time, he attempted to communicate with the Asura God in his mind.
With the Asura God's strength pressuring Cassius, the latter would undoubtedly comply.
Moreover, these lesser gods were among the Asura God's key targets for elimination. There was no reason for him to ignore them.
Ning Tianchen cautiously called out a few times in his mind and sure enough received a response from the Asura God.
"You are my inheritor. Why are you helping the inheritors of other gods?"
"Because he is my companion, my beloved friend and family," Ning Tianchen mentally replied.
The Asura God snorted, his tone growing stern. "Either he does as you say, or I'll come over myself!"
How domineering!
Receiving this assurance, Ning Tianchen felt more confident, and his walking pace unconsciously quickened slightly.
At the same time, this indirectly confirmed his suspicions—Cassius was just a minor, unknown god. Supporting the Holy Spirit Sect was likely just a way to gain faith power and strengthen himself.
About three minutes later, under Hurhan's guidance, Ning Tianchen's group arrived in front of a metal door.
Hurhan stopped and solemnly warned them, "When you meet Lord Cassius, you must remain pious and respectful. This will determine whether you can join the church."
"Of course, let me remind you—all those who have ever challenged Lord Cassius's authority or shown disrespect have vanished into the annals of history, without exception."
Ning Tianchen's group outwardly agreed and put on an appearance of piety.
Satisfied with their performance, Hurhan pushed open the metal door.
The hinges creaked loudly as the statue in the grand hall gradually came into view.
After entering, Hurhan knelt before the statue and kowtowed, speaking devoutly, "My lord, today several strong individuals wish to become your devout followers."
"If you are willing to accept them, please bathe them in holy light to cleanse them of their worldly impurities."
After finishing his prayer, he kowtowed again and then turned to signal Ning Tianchen's group.
Ning Tianchen's group reluctantly stepped forward, slightly bowing toward the statue. "Respected deity, we are willing to join the church and contribute our humble efforts to your great revival."
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