Tang Ya's violent assault quickly alerted the Iron Blood Sect disciples. Dozens rushed out immediately, summoning their Martial Souls and preparing for battle.
However, Tang Ya, having embarked on the path of Devouring Life, had undergone a complete transformation. Countless dark purple vines, as thick as an adult's arm, rose from the ground, piercing through the bodies of Iron Blood Sect disciples like ghostly hooks. What followed was strangulation and absorption.
It was as if blood rained down within the Iron Blood Sect. Streaks of blood energy, rich with nutrients, flowed along the Blue Silver Grass—which shifted from blue to purple to black—towards Tang Ya, the perpetrator of it all. Like trickles of water entering a lake, they caused the lake's aura to grow even stronger.
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Dark Blue Silver Grass swirled around her. Tang Ya had killed for the first time, and she did so with the most ruthless and thorough methods, devouring everything from the deceased after a bloody slaughter.
From the moment she used Blue Silver Grass to kill two Iron Blood Sect disciples and absorb all their life force, she had completely transformed into an exceptional Evil Soul Master.
Directly absorbing the life force of human Soul Masters and Soul Beasts for cultivation was much faster than absorbing plant life force. The Tang Sect ancestors certainly had enough to say about that.
In the eyes of Holy Spirit Church Master Zhongli Wu, Tang Ya's potential was no less than that of the Bone Dragon Yan Feng and other Holy Spirit Church young geniuses. She had great hope of becoming the Holy Spirit Church's Holy Maiden, inheriting the glory of the Holy Spirit.
Look at those ruthless killing methods—how enchanting; look at that powerful absorption ability—even more enviable.
The only thing that perplexed Zhongli Wu was how a Martial Soul like Blue Silver Grass could possess a devouring talent that even top-tier plant-type Martial Souls lacked. He, of course, didn't know that if one were to trace back ten thousand years using the current standard of life force absorption, the Tang Sect ancestors were the true kings in this regard.
Scanning his surroundings, Zhongli Wu curled his lips into an intrigued smile.
"Tsk tsk, isn't that old man following our future Holy Maiden the Shrek's Xuan Zi? Haven't seen him in a while, and he's become so useless? Profound Nether Supreme Elder truly was ruthless."
"The Level 94 Titled Douluo following Xuan Zi has a strong aura. This Sect Master recalls he's the manager of Shrek's Beast Arena, named Gong Changlong, right? His Martial Soul is the Blazing Fire Dragon among True Dragons?"
Zhang Peng respectfully replied, "What the Sect Master says is absolutely correct."
As if remembering something, Zhang Peng quickly added, "Sect Master, when the Supreme Elder returned from Shrek last time, he asked the Supreme Sect Master if Xuan Zi was an undercover agent our sect planted in Shrek years ago. Although the Supreme Sect Master didn't confirm it, he also didn't deny it."
Zhongli Wu sharply turned his head, his eyes gleaming. "You mean, Old Long thinks this Xuan Zi might be a senior from our Holy Sect, and Mother didn't deny it either?"
Zhang Peng's expression was peculiar. "Old Long said in the Hall of Worship that Xuan Zi is not much younger than him or the Supreme Sect Master. He might have been an undercover agent arranged into Shrek during the time of the previous-previous Sect Master, meaning your father's era. However, due to the passage of time and the departure of those involved, it's difficult to verify."
"He also said that when we see him, we must treat him cautiously and not accidentally kill him; after all, the number of Shrek geniuses he has ruined over the years… even all of us combined can't compare.
After our investigation, we found that he let an Evil Soul Master Soul King not affiliated with our Holy Sect blow up the Shrek Seven Devils in the Ming Dou Mountain Range, then ran away. If he wasn't an undercover agent, he couldn't have achieved such a feat."
Upon hearing this, Zhongli Wu's face twitched. His gaze towards Xuan Zi immediately shifted from mockery and disdain to surprise and astonishment, then a touch of respect.
As a Level 98 Super Douluo, he knew just how powerful he was. Let alone a Soul King of level 50-something, he could even suppress a Level 95 Super Douluo with one hand, easily molding them as he pleased.
For the Holy Sect, you've suffered, Old Xuan.
Zhang Peng's voice continued, "And from the current situation, this subordinate believes it's too much of a coincidence, isn't it? We'd only been recuperating in the Heavenly Soul Empire for a few days when he brought an Evil Soul Master genius here to cause a massacre. Not only did he not stop it, he even protected them in secret.
If he hadn't stayed put, that Gong Changlong would probably have acted already. Don't you think Old Xuan might have been waiting for us to arrive…"
"Enough! This Sect Master understands everything! Old Xuan has labored diligently as an undercover agent in Shrek for many years. Now, during the Holy Sect's weakened state, he brings top talent to us. This devotion, this heart, heaven and earth can bear witness!"
Zhongli Wu's tone was decisive, his expression becoming incredibly solemn. He ordered Zhang Peng and the others,
"Listen, I will go capture Gong Changlong later. You are to respectfully invite our Holy Sect's future Holy Maiden and the Supreme Elder back. Perhaps he won't recognize you, so just take him to see Mother and Old Long; our sect absolutely cannot allow such a meritorious minister to feel disheartened!"
As he spoke, Zhongli Wu's gaze towards Xuan Zi had transformed into respect mixed with admiration.
Undercover in Shrek for over two hundred years, day after day eliminating Shrek's elite geniuses, instigating a deadly battle between the Xuanming Sect and Shrek that led to Mu En's death, shattering Shrek's ten-thousand-year halo, having his cultivation crippled yet still dragging his broken body to bring a genius and a Titled Douluo back into the Holy Sect's embrace—Zhongli Wu felt that his own contributions barely secured his position as Sect Master.
Hmm, not only is my position as Sect Master unstable, but Old Long's position as Supreme Grand Enshrinement is also a bit inadequate. Old Xuan truly dedicated his entire life to the Holy Sect.
After returning, I must find a way to help you, old man, heal your old injuries. With Mother and Old Long personally acting, plus our sect's secret techniques, even if we can't help you fully recover your cultivation, extending your lifespan will be no problem.
"Yes! We will certainly be prepared to welcome the Supreme Elder and the Holy Maiden back!" Zhang Peng and the others bowed in response, their eyes fervent and respectful.
Although they, Evil Soul Masters, were like street rats, they were always united internally. It was imperative to respect seniors like Old Xuan, who had made immense contributions to the Holy Sect.
Just as the Holy Spirit Church group finalized their plan, the battle within the Iron Blood Sect was also nearing its end.
Tang Ya's strength after her dark transformation had increased by more than several times. The Dark Blue Silver Grass writhed like a chaotic tangle of snakes, piercing through the ground and the bodies of Iron Blood Sect disciples. Her cultivation soared at an unprecedented speed, and the absorbed life force provided her with sustained combat ability. In an instant, she had killed more than half of the Iron Blood Sect's two hundred-plus disciples.
She slaughtered them frantically. Blood mist sprayed across the Iron Blood Sect. The exhilaration of revenge and the intoxication of killing clouded her mind further, leaving only the obsession for vengeance. She no longer worried about the consequences of her actions, no longer worried about the mutation of the Blue Silver Grass. Instead, she embraced this mutation with open arms.
With powerful enemies at their gates, the Iron Blood Sect's Young Sect Master, Four Ring Soul Ancestor Tie Tang, and Sect Master, Six Ring Soul Emperor Tie Li, appeared one after another. Back then, they had bribed the City Defense Army and seized the opportunity to wipe out everyone in the Tang Sect except Tang Ya. They never imagined that the unforeseen trouble they had left behind would return today as their harbinger of death.
"What in the world is this thing? How can it be so sturdy?"
As soon as Tie Tang appeared, an overwhelming surge of Blue Silver Grass came roaring towards him. He tried to use his Soul Skills, but his attacks were like mud oxen entering the sea, stirring not a single ripple.
The disparity between an ordinary Soul Master and an Evil Soul Master left him utterly helpless. His body was quickly enveloped by the mutated Blue Silver Grass and instantly exploded; even Tie Li, with his Soul Emperor cultivation, was too late to save him.
New life force surged into Tang Ya's body. This boost directly raised her Soul Power by more than one level, making her both bizarre and powerful.
"You little beast, you're asking for death!"
The bloody tragedy completely enraged Tie Li. He roared and charged out with two elders, his Soul Power pushed to its limit. His Iron Arm Bear Martial Soul's brute strength tore through swathes of Blue Silver Grass, breaking through the Blue Silver Thorn Array's restraint.
However, the darkened Tang Ya was completely deranged. Although her life-for-life fighting style was broken by Tie Li, she still killed the Iron Blood Sect's last two elders. Even if Tie Li survived, he had very few disciples left.
The rage of seeing his life's work go to waste made Tie Li also attack without regard for consequences. Relying on his strong physique to block Tang Ya's final Hidden Weapons attack, he grinned ferociously and closed in on Tang Ya, delivering a heavy punch.
"Bastard, die!"
Tang Ya closed her eyes in despair and helplessness, a sorrowful smile on her face.
I'm sorry, Bei Bei. I didn't wait for you to find me before I became like this; and Mom and Dad, your Xiao Ya is coming to find you…
To Tang Ya's surprise, Tie Li's fist did not land.
Opening her eyes, she saw Xuan Zi, covered in grime, standing in front of her. His cracked hands gripped Tie Li, his face flushed crimson.
"You won't get away with this!"
"You old beast, you're asking for death too!"
Tie Li was furious. He illuminated his sixth Soul Ring, ready to send these two scoundrels, one old and one young, on their way.
However, before the light from his Soul Ring could fully bloom, an angry shout came from mid-air.
"How dare you! How dare you be disrespectful to this Holy Sect's Supreme Elder!"
Zhang Peng led his team down, carefully controlling his force to slap Tie Li away. Several Evil Soul Masters, all Titled Douluo, took turns slapping him before throwing the half-dead Tie Li towards Xuan Zi and Tang Ya, their faces respectful yet fawning.
"Old Xuan, we'll leave this scoundrel to you and this child. You two can deal with him as you see fit."
Xuan Zi looked bewildered, asking in astonishment, "Who are you? When did I ever have dealings with you?"
Zhang Peng laughed, pointing to himself and introducing, "I'm Scorpion Tiger Douluo Zhang Peng. Back then, Shrek chased me just for absorbing some Soul Beast blood. Light Sacred Dragon Mu En was so imposing. I hadn't killed anyone, yet he wanted to beat me up badly, and in the end, he didn't even apologize, proudly saying he'd let me live."
"He called me an Evil Soul Master, so how could I disappoint him? I simply joined the Holy Sect instead. Only today did I realize there was such an esteemed expert as you in our Holy Sect. I specifically came with the Holy Spirit Church Master to pay my respects and invite you back to the sect."
Saying that, he pointed to another Titled Douluo beside him and introduced, "And this is Crow Douluo Wuyun. He was simply misunderstood because his Martial Soul is dark-attributed, and he was even hunted down as an Evil Soul Master."
"In a fit of rage, he killed all his pursuers and joined our Holy Sect. He also came with me to pay his respects to you, esteemed Elder."
"This junior, Wuyun, greets the Taotie Supreme Elder," Dark Cloud Douluo said, meticulously performing a junior's bow to Xuan Zi, a smile revealing his white teeth.
"You, you're Evil Soul Masters?" Xuan Zi seemed to finally realize their identity. His body tensed into a fighting stance, and he warned,
"You lot, don't talk nonsense. I am a true Shrek person. When did I ever have dealings with you? Leave quickly, or don't blame me for fighting you to the death!"
No sooner had he spoken than a whooshing sound and Zhongli Wu's hearty laughter echoed from the sky behind them.
"Hahahaha, Old Xuan, don't worry about walls having ears. This Titled Douluo from Shrek has already been dealt with by this junior. You can openly return with us now, esteemed Elder."
Xuan Zi turned sharply, only to see Zhongli Wu land, holding the heavily wounded and bleeding Gong Changlong with one hand. He tossed Gong Changlong to Zhang Peng, then clasped his hands and bowed, his head lowered, his expression solemn.
"Zhongli Wu, the current Holy Spirit Church Master, leads his followers to welcome the Holy Sect's Taotie Supreme Elder back to the sect! Two hundred years of undercover work, you've worked hard, esteemed Elder."
Xuan Zi was dumbfounded, Tang Ya was delirious, but Gong Changlong, heavily wounded by Zhongli Wu yet still conscious, had a flash of realization. He pointed at Xuan Zi with immense grief and cursed loudly, his hatred so deep that even three rivers and five seas couldn't wash it away.
"Xuan Zi, you beast! You really were an Evil Soul Master's spy in Shrek! I'll fight you to the death! I won't let you off even as a ghost..."
*Slap!*
Zhang Peng slapped Gong Changlong unconscious. Zhongli Wu nodded in satisfaction and smiled at Xuan Zi.
"This person is only one step away from being a Super Douluo. After some refining back at the sect, he will become a Super Douluo. When that happens, this junior will have this fellow, who offended you, serve you tea and water every day, attending to your every need."
"You..."
Xuan Zi tried to speak again, but Zhongli Wu had already waved his hand, dispersing a mist that enveloped Xuan Zi and Tang Ya. Both immediately closed their eyes and fell unconscious.
"Let's go! With our Holy Spirit Church's Taotie Supreme Elder, Blue Silver Saintess, and the future Fire Dragon Enshrinement, we set off for Dou Ling!"
The group of Evil Soul Masters quickly vanished, Zhongli Wu's demonic and manic laughter occasionally echoing through the void.
"Hahahaha, Old Xuan is truly the greatest contributor to our Holy Spirit Church! Knowing that we lost three Super Douluo in Star Luo City, he led his followers to join us. This is great! Our Holy Sect's losses have all been recouped, hahahaha..."
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