"Grandpa, this blood mist—it wasn't created by that Ignaz, was it?"
Dugu Bo didn't immediately reply to Dugu Yan, instead glancing around. Only after confirming that Ignaz was nowhere to be seen did he acknowledge that this terrifying blood mist was indeed created by him.
"Yanyan, even I can't clearly see what's happening inside the blood mist. You absolutely must not get close."
Dugu Bo stayed protectively by Dugu Yan's side.
He stared intently at the red mist ahead, concerned that Ignaz might have consumed some overly potent immortal herb that had amplified his spirit defects. If he truly succumbed to killing intent, Dugu Bo would have no choice but to eliminate him early.
A child consumed by bloodlust was no different from the fallen Spirit Masters.
At that moment, Ignaz sat cross-legged as his once-black hair gradually turned into a holy snow-white shade. His appearance became even more striking as every cell in his body, nourished by blood energy, divided, was destroyed, and reorganized.
Thanks to the immortal herb's effects, Ignaz felt no pain.
The Blood Thunder War Spear, transformed by the Beautiful Silk Tulip, had its innate dao patterns on the shaft shift from black to red, with bloody lightning swirling around it.
A four-toed, horned, and remarkably lifelike blood dragon phantom spiraled upward along the war spear's surface, forming a distinctive dragon-shaped mark on the handle.
As the blood mist stabilized, Ignaz slowly opened his eyes and stood up, gripping the Blood Thunder War Spear in his right hand.
"Withdraw!"
With his loud command, the towering blood mist was largely devoured and absorbed into the Blood Thunder War Spear. As the blood energy converged, Ignaz looked down at his clothes—torn apart by his enhanced physique—and changed into a fresh set of black robes.
Seeing the white-haired, breathtakingly handsome figure emerge from the blood mist, Dugu Yan stared in stunned amazement.
"This... this is way too gorgeous!"
"He's walking over, he's walking over!"
As Ignaz approached Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, hiding behind, covered her flushed cheeks with both hands, clearly smitten.
"Senior, you've arrived!"
When Ignaz greeted Dugu Bo, he noticed Dugu Yan hiding behind him, too shy to come forward.
"Miss Dugu, are you afraid of me?"
Reflecting on his state during spirit evolution, Ignaz realized it must have been frightening. Perhaps he had traumatized her.
"No, I'm here to evolve my spirit!"
Hearing Ignaz's voice, Dugu Yan immediately stepped out from behind Dugu Bo, maintaining her confident, big-sister-like demeanor.
"You liar! That commotion you caused earlier almost scared me to death. But I have to admit, you look pretty handsome now. How about becoming my little brother? If anyone tries to mess with you, Sister Yan will protect you!"
Despite her teasing, Dugu Yan's evasive eyes betrayed her deeper thoughts:
Lingling, as your matchmaker, I absolutely must vet him first—just to make sure you don't get fooled by some scumbag.
But I have to say, this Ignaz really caught my eye!
"Ahem—"
Unable to bear his granddaughter's expression any longer, Dugu Bo interrupted:
"Yanyan, you can chat later. Your spirit evolution is what matters now!"
"Okay, Grandpa!"
As Dugu Yan walked toward the house, she reluctantly turned back to look at Ignaz, who stood by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, practicing with his war spear.
...
Ten thousand meters above the ground, space tore open as several eyes peered down—only to see a hazy mist concealing the source of the chilling killing intent.
Sea God Island
At the summit of Sea God Mountain, within the Sea God Temple.
A stunning woman in a starry ocean crown and magnificent high priestess robes—Poseidon Bo Saixi—stood with her white hair flowing to the floor. Eyes closed, hands clasped, she prayed devoutly within the temple.
"May the merciful and mighty Sea God continue to protect your countless children upon the ocean, so that all sea creatures may live in peace and no longer engage in senseless slaughter."
Suddenly, golden light shot into the temple, illuminating Bo Saixi. Her gem-like eyes slowly opened.
"Are you telling me that the sea's future will have a new master, and that the destined one I've awaited is about to appear?"
Bo Saixi gripped her high priestess staff and gave it a gentle shake. A profound spiritual power, like the ocean itself, spread across Sea God Island.
The seven great worshippers of Sea God Island, summoned by Bo Saixi's spiritual power, appeared before her. Among them, Sea Spear Douluo kept sneezing.
"Sea Spear, what's wrong with you lately? Are you sick?" teased the Sea Witch, who held a sea flute.
"Not at all. This started just recently—I've been feeling uneasy."
"Ah! Could it be the Sea God's will coming to punish you?"
Sea Spear: "..."
He hadn't neglected his duties in years—why would the Sea God punish him?
Bo Saixi looked down at the seven worshippers, her red lips moving slightly as she gave her divine decree:
"By the Sea God's divine will, the sea's future master has appeared. The wheels of fate have begun to turn. The mission we've long awaited is finally upon us. The children of the sea must remember this."
The seven great worshippers listened in astonishment.
Just what kind of Spirit Master could earn the Sea God's favor and become the sea's new master?
"We respectfully follow the Sea God's will!"
"Achoo."
...
While Sea God Island stirred, another place felt the impact.
Within the City of Slaughter, countless black-armored knights rode through the blood-soaked, chaotic streets, proclaiming:
"By the Slaughter King's decree, whoever can kill a thousand people within one year will be granted the title of City of Slaughter Elder—becoming his first subordinate with free passage in and out of the city."
The leader continued down the next street to repeat the command. As the knights passed, the fallen Spirit Masters grew even more frenzied.
"Kill a thousand people? I don't even need a year!"
"For the Slaughter King—and for freedom!"
The street descended further into chaos as blood flowed freely and fear gripped every heart.
Meanwhile, in the Angel Temple of Spirit City—
Grand Worshipper Qian Daoliu prayed before the Angel God statue when suddenly it radiated brilliant light.
Even Qian Daoliu was startled. The last time such light appeared was during his granddaughter's spirit awakening.
"Angel God, what are you trying to tell me? Has another god's successor emerged—or has a new calamity arrived?"
...
Elsewhere, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, hidden in an unknown location, abruptly stopped its hunt. Its body trembled inexplicably as its fierce eyes looked toward the Heaven Dou Empire—then it resumed hunting.