Because he had experienced the immense power hidden within Wang Dong'er, when Huo Yuhao sensed a similar force in the black-haired woman before him, his gaze toward her grew deep and probing, as if he wanted to see through her and uncover the nature of that power.
Besides Wang Dong'er's power, Electrolux's divine sense was also similar to the power within this black-haired woman. Huo Yuhao was thus certain she was connected to the gods; otherwise, her aura wouldn't be so similar to Wang Dong'er's and Electrolux's.
"Tch, just say you're interested in her looks. Men are all the same!" Third Enforcer Fei Yan sneered, full of disdain as she sized up the black-haired woman.
Even now, battered and wounded, the woman's beauty was flawless and unblemished. Her noble, mature aura stood out—ethereal and detached from the mundane, leaving a deep impression.
In Fei Yan's view, Huo Yuhao's decision to save this woman was simply because of her beauty. In her experience, men were always like this.
The night was as heavy as ink, pressing down on the Evil Demon Forest.
Ancient trees towered into the sky, their dense branches rustling in the wind, whispering eerily. Under the moonlight, shadows danced like ghosts. A meandering path led deep into the heart of the forest.
Carrying the unconscious black-haired woman, Huo Yuhao walked steadily down this path. The silence pressed in like a heavy curtain, broken only by the echo of his own footsteps, which sent chills through the air.
At the end of the path was the mysterious headquarters of the Holy Spirit Cult—a subterranean city sleeping in the abyss.
The underground city's entrance was a stone archway, ancient glyphs carved on it, untouched by time. As Huo Yuhao entered, a cold wind howled up from the depths, damp and musty.
Torches lined the walls, flickering dimly. Under their glow, the carved faces on the walls seemed lifelike, as if ready to leap out at any moment.
The slick stone floor reflected the torchlight. Each footstep echoed heavily in the stillness.
The corridors of the underground city were like a labyrinth, every turn hiding unknown dangers. Occasionally, patrolling cultists appeared, their sharp eyes scanning every corner for trouble.
Yet, when their gazes landed on Huo Yuhao, they immediately bowed respectfully: "Your Highness, Holy Son." Even seeing him carry a strange woman, none dared ask questions. Such was the Holy Spirit Cult's strict hierarchy and discipline.
At the end of the corridor lay a grand underground palace. The domed ceiling was studded with glowing gems, casting a blue radiance over the vast hall.
At the center altar stood a twisted statue, surrounded by leaping flames that seemed alive, emanating suffocating pressure. Cultists gathered around, performing a ritual. Deep chanting and rhythmic drumming echoed in the palace, creating a soul-stirring atmosphere.
All participants were expressionless and solemn, but fanatic light shone in their eyes. They were utterly lost in a faith beyond ordinary understanding.
This underground city was the true heart of the Holy Spirit Cult's power.
Each night, the Evil Demon Forest echoed with low, mysterious chants.
On the palace's high dais, a middle-aged man in a dark gold robe sat on a magnificent throne. With long dark red hair and a stern face, his eyes were deep and sharp. This was the Cult Leader, Zhongli Wu.
Beside him stood a beautiful woman with long black hair and a seductive figure, exuding charm with every gesture. She was Zhongli Wu's wife, the Cult's vice leader, Evil Phoenix Douluo Feng Ling.
"Yuhao, you're still young. Focus on your cultivation!"
Seeing Huo Yuhao carrying the black-haired woman, Zhongli Wu—already informed by the Third Enforcer—showed no surprise, only calmly admonishing him.
He had high hopes for Huo Yuhao, planning to pass on the position of Cult Leader to him, even at the expense of giving up his own disciple, Yan Feng, whom he had groomed as successor for years. This showed how much he valued Huo Yuhao.
Thus, upon learning Huo Yuhao had rescued a woman, Zhongli Wu waited here.
"Cult Leader, you misunderstand. I just thought she was very unusual, so I wanted to save her," Huo Yuhao replied, shaking his head helplessly.
Zhongli Wu didn't know about his physical condition—how could he think Yuhao acted out of lust?
In the entire Holy Spirit Cult, only Supreme Leader Ye Xishui and Supreme Enforcer Long Xiaoyao knew of his issue, and neither would ever reveal it, not even to Zhongli Wu.
After all, if word got out that the Holy Son was physically flawed, it would damage his prestige and jeopardize his future as leader.
"That's good then. Her injuries are severe; only your mother and Uncle Long may be able to save her." Zhongli Wu remained calm, trusting Huo Yuhao wouldn't be distracted by romance.
He was satisfied with Yuhao's ruthless methods, wisdom, and power, as well as his ability to manage the Cult's youth and even command Tang Ya, the Blue Silver Saintess. Such talent was the perfect candidate for leadership.
Yuhao was unsurprised; he had intended to seek Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao's help.
Ye Xishui's residence was deep within headquarters, accessible only to Zhongli Wu, Feng Ling, and now, Huo Yuhao and Tang Ya.
"Her injuries are grave. I can heal her with our secret technique, but this power…"
Ye Xishui eyed the black-haired woman Yuhao brought, a strange light flashing in her eyes.
She was very pleased with Yuhao—as Mu En's disciple, possessing twin martial souls and the necromancer's demi-plane, he was a natural fit for the evil soul master path. If not for the lack of godhood on Douluo Continent for ten thousand years, Ye Xishui believed Yuhao could become a god.
Because of Mu En, both Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao paid Yuhao special attention, and looked down on Shrek Academy for abandoning him so easily—what a lack of backbone.
"This force is even greater than soul power. The only thing I can think of is divine power!"
Long Xiaoyao, the tall, white-haired Dragon Emperor Douluo, also sensed the higher force within the black-haired woman—far beyond their own soul power.
"Teacher, you mean… she's a god?"
Yuhao's eyes sharpened in shock. He hadn't expected the woman he randomly saved to be a deity.
"She was. But she's gravely wounded. Though still a god in essence, recovering her peak will be near impossible," Long Xiaoyao said gravely.
Even a half-disabled god was an unparalleled treasure to them, offering a glimpse into the realms they longed for.
As Ye Xishui performed the healing ritual, a ten-thousand-year soul beast was brought to the stone platform. Forming seals with her hands, Ye Xishui chanted as a powerful force enveloped the beast, extracting its life force into the black-haired woman.
Wrapped in a blood-red glow, her horrific wounds healed at visible speed.
The Cult's secret technique could absorb the life force of others for healing. While not miraculous enough to regrow limbs, it was effective for severe injuries.
A ten-thousand-year soul beast's vitality was immense—enough to heal her outer wounds and save her life, though not her internal injuries.
After all, divine power within her still stubbornly sustained her life.
Logically, a god's life force should allow self-recovery, but her body contained chaotic spatial forces and a lingering, burning divine power, turning her condition into a mess. Surviving was already a miracle, let alone regaining her peak.
There were no resources on Douluo Continent to restore her. Only draining the Golden Tree at Shrek Academy might give her a chance—but even then, the divine realm was too unfamiliar.