Chapter 221: Emperor Xue Ye's Invitation to Join the Cult
"I don't understand why you're so fixated on Luo Ling," Emperor Xue Ye said, his tone calm but firm. "Yes, he's talented, but at the end of the day, he's just a Spirit Emperor."
"And he belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. That sect and the royal family have always been friendly toward each other."
"I'm even considering whether to share the secret of the Blood Demon Ritual with the Glazed Tile Sect. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Glazed Tile Sect are both of the Upper Three Sects—they aren't enemies."
"Master Yu, remember—our true enemy is Spirit Hall."
Every word the emperor spoke was justified in his mind.
To him, neither Luo Ling nor the Glazed Tile Sect posed a threat.
Yes, the Blood Demon Ritual was taboo, but the rapid, addiction-like surge of power it brought, free of side effects—what spirit master could ever resist such temptation?
He believed that once the Glazed Tile Sect experienced it, they would join willingly in keeping the secret.
The Spirit Master World might condemn the ritual, but secrecy would protect them.
And if Heaven Dou's royal house, the Blue Lightning Clan, and the Glazed Tile Sect stood united, they could crush Spirit Hall and rule the continent as they pleased.
As for the Clear Sky Sect? Tang Hao's son was already a follower of the Primordial God—naturally, the Clear Sky Clan would fall in line.
"No! Absolutely not!" Yu Xiaogang exploded, his voice shaking with panic.
He couldn't let the Blood Demon Ritual fall into Luo Ling's hands.
That cursed name still haunted him. He could never forget what Luo Ling had done to him at the tournament—and Tang San would never forgive or forget either.
The Blood Demon Ritual was their only weapon of revenge. If Luo Ling gained it too, their chance would vanish entirely.
Emperor Xue Ye sneered faintly at Yu Xiaogang's flustered expression.
After the tournament, he had already seen through this so-called "master."
A useless, hypocritical fool.
If not for his contribution of the Blood Demon Ritual—and the clan ties through the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragons—Xue Ye would never have tolerated his presence.
Tang San was born a twin-spirit prodigy, yet under this man's guidance, he'd become a failure.
The memory of the so-called "Blue Silver Core Theories," ridiculed by that strange "Evil Spirit Master" Luo Ling, still made the emperor scoff inwardly.
"The matter of allying with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect," Xue Ye said coldly, "I'll discuss personally with your clan's patriarch. But as for halting the soul master hunts—absolutely not."
His tone turned icy. "If Heaven Dou City draws too much attention, then move elsewhere. I don't care how—it's simple. I want to see more blood and spirit flesh."
Yu Xiaogang's expression hardened. He didn't respond—just turned away in silence, his escort, Yu Tianheng, following.
Fury twisted in his heart.
The emperor's arrogance disgusted him. And the clan's attitude wasn't much better.
Ever since he had shared the Blood Demon Ritual with them, their respect for him had dwindled.
If not for his title as the "Messenger of the Primordial God," both the emperor and the Blue Lightning Clan might have discarded him entirely.
It had been more than two years since he last heard the divine voice of the Primordial God.
If this went on, even his position within the faith might collapse.
…
While tension brewed in Heaven Dou's dark corridors, Luo Ling had already left the capital.
Together with Qian Renxue and the others, he was heading deep into the Star Dou Forest.
He had reached level seventy long ago, back in the City of Slaughter—only a spirit ring stood between him and the Spirit Saint realm.
It wasn't his first time entering the Star Dou Forest. The group flew straight toward its core.
The seventh spirit ring differed from the others. It determined the Martial Spirit's true form—its manifestation.
The power of that form depended greatly on the quality and age of the spirit ring chosen.
Luo Ling's goal was a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast—or something even older.
He knew such beasts were rare. Though some near-mythical creatures dwelled in the forest's deepest depths, they were beyond his reach for now.
As for the Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape…
Killing them was out of the question—it would shatter his fragile relationship with Xiao Wu forever.
"Xiao Ling, what kind of spirit beast are we hunting?" Hu Liena asked, walking close behind him.
"A dark or spiritual-type beast, around a hundred thousand years," Luo Ling said without hesitation.
The words made the escorts—Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo—exchange horrified glances.
"Your Highness… you mean to hunt a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast?" Snake Lance stammered.
"Is there a problem?" Luo Ling asked coolly, his red eyes flicking toward them.
The two Titled Douluos exchanged awkward smiles.
"With all due respect, Your Highness," said the Porcupinefish Douluo carefully, "a beast of that age is far beyond our ability. Shouldn't we first seek the Supreme Pontiff's guidance?"
Luo Ling just chuckled softly. "Relax. I said that was ideal—but even a beast of eighty or ninety thousand years will do."
That didn't comfort them much—either option was terrifying.
But before they could protest again, Luo Ling's expression turned amused.
"You needn't worry," he said lightly. "We won't necessarily have to kill it ourselves."
His gaze shifted toward the forest depths, a faint smile curving his lips.
The Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python were Xiao Wu's companions. He had helped reunite her with her mother, even if only as a spirit fragment. They wouldn't refuse him a favor.
Requesting their help in finding a suitable beast—or even acting as his enforcers—wasn't much to ask.
Hu Liena looked at him curiously, but said nothing.
Hours later, after soaring through the endless canopy, they reached the Lake of Life.
Even before they saw the water, the overwhelming aura hit them—the pressure of an ancient, terrible presence.
"That's… a hundred-thousand-year beast's energy!" both Titled Douluos said at once, their faces tightening.
Spirit Douluos and such beasts might share a realm of strength, but few could ever hope to win against one.
Only those with exceptional Martial Spirits—or Super Douluos above rank ninety-five—could stand as equals to such monsters.
"Your Highness, you don't really mean to fight that, do you?" Porcupinefish Douluo asked nervously.
"Just watch," Luo Ling said simply, flying straight toward the lake.
His calmness chilled them more than any beast could.
"Who dares trespass in this sacred land!"
A thunderous roar burst from the center of the lake, shaking the forest for miles.
A colossal ape burst from the trees, golden eyes blazing with fury as it fixed on Luo Ling.
Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo immediately took defensive stances, spirit power surging—ready for battle if necessary.
(END CHAPTER)
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