Chapter 260: The Evil Soul Master's Deity Tang San's Manifestation!
"Shrek Academy became the number one soul master academy because talented individuals chose to study there. If there were no prodigies, then no matter how glorious the original Seven Monsters' reputation was, Shrek Academy could never have become the continent's top institution.
Take the original Seven Monsters for example what made them successful wasn't Shrek Academy's environment, but their own talent.
Back then, Shrek Academy was a tiny, insignificant school, nowhere near as prestigious as other academies. Even in terms of cultivation resources, it was far inferior to the Spirit Hall Academy at the time.
In my opinion, Shrek Academy played a role in their success, but it was a minor one. If they had chosen a better training environment, they would have achieved greatness even faster."
"Also, I once saw Shrek Academy's motto: 'There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters.' But is that really true?
Shrek students are all naturally gifted because the admission requirements are ridiculously high. How could an academy that only accepts geniuses possibly train weak soul masters?
And those with weak martial souls? Even if they're recruited under special exceptions, they're quickly expelled.
So in most cases, a useless martial soul means a useless soul master. Of course, that doesn't mean they'd be a useless soul engineer that's an important distinction."
After hearing Xiao Hongchen's 'heretical' views, Wang Yan remained silent for a moment.
He had to admit, Xiao Hongchen had a point.
It wasn't an earth shattering revelation, but it did make him realize some overlooked flaws in Shrek Academy.
For years, he had stood by Shrek, convincing himself that everything was fine and because of that, he had ignored these issues.
"Xiao Hongchen, you and I see things differently, which is why we've come to opposing conclusions.
But I still believe there are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters."
Wang Yan wasn't ready to back down.
He had feelings for Shrek Academy, and as its professor, he had a duty to defend its legacy.
Besides, he still worked here how could he criticize Shrek Academy in front of an outsider like Xiao Hongchen?
Did he want to lose his job?
Xiao Hongchen sighed.
*"Professor Wang, stop deceiving yourself.
If you truly believe that motto is correct, then please find real world examples that support it.*
Regardless of whether you succeed, I'd like to discuss soul master group battle strategies with you.
We can meet at my residence anytime if you're interested. Lin Xi and I will be heading back first."
A Holy Site of the Holy Spirit Cult
Tang Ya, the Blue Silver Saintess, led a group of Holy Spirit Cult elders and elite disciples into a towering pavilion.
Inside, enshrined at the center of the chamber, was the most revered entity of the Holy Spirit Cult the Sacred Emperor.
The so called Sacred Emperor was the deity worshiped by the cult's evil soul masters.
Whether this god actually existed or not didn't matter.
What mattered was that every evil soul master publicly professed their faith, swearing that the Sacred Emperor truly watched over them.
According to the first cult leader, evil soul masters possessed exceptionally powerful martial souls and could battle far beyond their level.
There had to be a reason for this.
And what could that reason be?
It could only be the Sacred Emperor's divine gift the power of evil martial souls.
Thus, every evil soul master was a chosen one.
The Holy Spirit Cult taught that the Sacred Emperor was a deity, the ancestor of all evil soul masters.
Every cult leader, despite their title, was actually akin to Spirit Hall's Supreme Pontiff, granted divine authority by the Sacred Emperor.
Meanwhile, the Saint Son and Saintess were the Sacred Emperor's devoted servants, chosen to guide the cult toward even greater power.
To show their utmost reverence, even their secret greeting included the phrase 'May the Sacred Emperor's reign be eternal.'
Soon, they arrived before a large wall, where a table stood.
Atop the table sat a jet black idol a statue of the Sacred Emperor, holding an ancient looking trident in its hands.
Tang Ya spoke solemnly.
"Everyone, let us pray together, seeking the Sacred Emperor's divine blessing.
May the Sacred Emperor's reign be eternal, and may he watch over the Holy Spirit Cult forever."
Then, she began to recite a sacred hymn.
"Praise be to the Sacred Emperor…"
The elders and disciples followed in unison, their loud voices echoing through the pavilion.
Each of them wore expressions of devout piety, seemingly offering their hearts and souls to the Sacred Emperor.
Of course, their actual faith was questionable.
Unlike those who worshiped real deities, evil soul masters were only superficially devoted.
After all, faith in the Sacred Emperor didn't bring immediate benefits and if there was no benefit, there was no motivation.
For ruthless evil soul masters, merely pretending to be devout for the sake of ritualistic tradition was the best anyone could expect.
Beyond the Douluo Planet
Tang San stood outside the planet, frowning as he gazed at a cloud covered region below.
He had heard strange voices calling out to him, but they weren't calling him Sea God.
Instead, they called him… Sacred Emperor?
*"Sea God is my divine title!
These people should be calling me Sea God, not Sacred Emperor!"*
Tang San was instantly irritated.
He had already learned about this 'Sacred Emperor' while spying on Douluo Star.
The so called ancestor of all evil soul masters was the polar opposite of a righteous deity like himself.
"Are these people mistaking me for him?"
Tang San clenched his fist.
"It seems I'll have to shower them in the Sea God's light and teach them their place providing me with their faith in the process."
Before he lost the Divine Realm's Core, his demand for faith energy wasn't that urgent.
After all, with the Divine Realm's Core, he could secretly siphon faith from the Divine Realm itself.
He had perfected a flawless method stealing tiny amounts daily, carefully rotating between different areas, ensuring no one would ever notice.
Since the Divine Realm was constantly absorbing faith, any small discrepancies would be instantly covered up.
Honestly, stealing divine faith reminded him of his past life in Tang Sect, secretly learning the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.
Those weren't fond memories, but they left a lasting impression.
"If I had another chance, I'd be even more careful, making sure Tang Sect elders never caught me."
*"These evil soul masters might provide me with faith… and serve my purposes.
I need to act quickly."*
Previously, he never had to personally investigate Douluo Star, but these evil soul masters didn't pray daily and their rituals weren't grand enough for him to sense them clearly.
But today…
Tang San saw an opportunity.
Back at the Holy Spirit Cult, as the prayer concluded, the members prepared to leave.
Suddenly, a shocked voice rang out
"The statue… it moved!"
Tang Ya's eyes widened in shock.
She turned toward the Sacred Emperor's idol
Sure enough, the statue was raising its trident.
(End of chapter.)
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