The two guards at the entrance didn't immediately grasp what Lin Xiao meant by "good," but they followed him into the cave regardless.
As soon as they stepped inside, a foul stench mixed with the smell of blood assaulted their noses. Lin Xiao's brows furrowed slightly beneath his mask, and he glanced at the two beside him.
The two seemed unfazed, clearly accustomed to the odor. The one who had spoken earlier eagerly began explaining the recent events inside the cave.
"Not long ago, the Great Holy Spirit led us to conduct some of our usual business. We managed to secure a batch of high-quality materials. The Great Holy Spirit was planning to report to the Holy Spirit Church soon, but we didn't expect Lord Holy Envoy to arrive so quickly."
Though he didn't say it outright, Lin Xiao knew exactly what this "business" entailed.
Most of the soul masters in this branch altar weren't evil soul masters. They were originally just a band of thieves hiding out here, taken under the wing of the Holy Spirit Church and given the title of a branch altar. These people were happy to have protection and, in return, helped the church collect "cultivation materials."
Their so-called "business" was likely another round of looting and plundering somewhere.
No further explanation was needed. Soon enough, Lin Xiao saw the "materials" they had gathered with his own eyes.
The cave entrance led to a spacious cavern. A few worn-out soul lamps, scavenged from who-knows-where, were embedded in the walls, their dim light barely illuminating the blurry figures of the people inside, even for a soul master's keen eyesight.
Stone tables and benches were arranged in a circle on the ground. At the head sat a burly man nearly two meters tall, his upper body bare, muscles bulging prominently in the open air.
In a corner, several naked corpses were piled up, covered in filthy marks. Lin Xiao quickly realized the source of the stench he'd smelled earlier. What had happened here was all too clear.
"So it's Lord Holy Envoy gracing us with his presence."
The commotion of their entrance alerted the burly man at the head. His rugged face broke into a fawning smile, and he cupped his hands toward Lin Xiao in greeting.
This was the Great Holy Spirit Lin Xiao had come to find.
"Lord Holy Envoy, visiting so late at night—has the church issued any decrees?" the Great Holy Spirit asked, approaching Lin Xiao as he spoke.
"You've been too reckless lately, drawing a lot of attention. The church's orders are for you to keep a low profile for now," Lin Xiao said, taking a couple of steps forward.
"Rest assured, Lord Holy Envoy, and please reassure the other lords in the church as well. I have experience in this. I've already given orders that no one is to leave carelessly during this time to avoid exposing our tracks."
"So, everyone's here?" Lin Xiao asked.
The Great Holy Spirit glanced around the cavern before nodding confidently.
"Rest assured, Lord Holy Envoy, no one has slipped out."
"Good," Lin Xiao said, slightly raising his right hand.
The Great Holy Spirit waited for him to continue, but in the next moment, five soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—rose around Lin Xiao.
The first soul ring glowed brightly, illuminating the dim cavern and revealing the shock on the Great Holy Spirit's face.
"You're not the Holy Envoy! Who are you?"
Though he didn't know why Lin Xiao had suddenly acted, the Great Holy Spirit, who had managed to hide in a place like this for so long, was no pushover. His body reacted instinctively, five soul rings—three yellow, two purple—appearing around him. A layer of steel-like bristles sprouted from his skin.
Something seemed to be blocked by the bristles, falling to the ground. Upon closer inspection, they appeared to be dark red seeds the size of a fingertip. But at such close range, several streaks of dark red light still burrowed into the Great Holy Spirit's skin.
"Roar—"
The Great Holy Spirit roared in pain, his already massive frame growing even larger. His fist shot toward Lin Xiao's neck like a gust of wind.
Lin Xiao tapped his foot, retreating swiftly. He opened his right palm, revealing a dark red seed spinning in his hand.
In the next instant, his second soul ring flickered. The seed in his palm visibly sprouted and grew branches, forming leaves in mere moments.
The Great Holy Spirit's movements halted abruptly. Strange bulges appeared under his skin, writhing as if alive.
"Pfft—"
"Pfft—"
"Pfft—"
Like thick leather being pierced, several sounds rang out in succession. The things under the Great Holy Spirit's skin burst forth, revealing their true form—branches identical to those in Lin Xiao's hand.
They spread along the Great Holy Spirit's body, tightly binding his limbs and greedily sapping his strength. Within moments, he could no longer support himself. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees.
"Big Brother!"
From the crowd, an unremarkable figure finally spoke up. Lin Xiao spared a glance and saw a man crouching, a furry tail protruding from his back, his mouth and nose elongated like a fox or dog—clearly in a state of martial soul possession.
Though he had only four soul rings, he was the second strongest here after the
Great Holy Spirit, likely the Second Holy Spirit.
Unlike the Great Holy Spirit, the Second Holy Spirit immediately recognized that Lin Xiao must be from the Holy Spirit Church. Such a method of devouring a soul master's flesh and blood could only belong to an evil soul master.
As for why he had attacked, the Second Holy Spirit could guess. Lin Xiao hadn't come to warn them to be cautious but to silence them before their actions exposed the Holy Spirit Church.
In a chaotic border region like this, people like them—thieves and bandits—were a dime a dozen. How much value did they hold in the eyes of the Holy Spirit Church? But to think the church would send just a Soul King to wipe them all out—wasn't that underestimating them too much?
"Attack!"
With a shout, the cavern lit up with soul rings of various colors. The Second Holy Spirit led the charge, his agile figure darting left and right, quickly circling behind Lin Xiao and aiming for his back.
Lin Xiao's movements were no slower. He pulled with his right hand, and the Great Holy Spirit, entangled in branches, was yanked toward him. As soon as he was close, Lin Xiao kicked the Great Holy Spirit's body away.
Seeing a dark figure hurtling toward him, the Second Holy Spirit knew this wasn't the time for brotherly loyalty. He dodged slightly, letting the Great Holy Spirit's body crash behind him.
Looking back at Lin Xiao, a purple glow surrounded him. His third soul ring, radiating the light of a thousand-year soul ring, shone brightly. At the tip of the branches in his palm, a vivid red suddenly appeared, transforming in an instant into a bewitching flower in full bloom.
The slender petals curled backward, tinged with an eerie red, as if stained with blood—a flower that grew on the boundary between life and death.
A faint, elegant fragrance spread, masking the cavern's foul stench. The Second Holy Spirit felt as though something terrifying had appeared behind him, but before he could turn, a loud explosion robbed him of consciousness.