"What must come will eventually come. Elder Yi, although the probability is slim, if the negotiation falls apart in a moment, please lend your assistance to help me escape this place," Feng Piaoling sighed inwardly.
"Very well."
Pushing open the door and entering the room, Feng Piaoling retrieved a set of casual clothes from his soul tool to change into, presenting the appearance of someone preparing to take a bath. Suddenly, the soul tool lamps within the dormitory began to flicker erratically.
Feng Piaoling's brow furrowed slightly. Covering his chest with his left hand, he prepared himself to use Earth Escape at any moment, while his right hand patted the upgraded Four Elements Coiling Dragon Belt at his waist.
In an instant, eighteen emerald-green metal longswords, each about three feet long with faint golden electric arcs swirling across their surfaces, shot out from within.
These were precisely the Bamboo Bee Cloud Swords that Feng Piaoling had replicated.
These longswords spun rapidly around his form, arranging themselves into three inner layers and three outer layers. They formed a defensive sword circle that enveloped and protected him in the center.
"Clap, clap—"
In the next moment, the sound of clapping echoed within the room. Feng Piaoling turned his head sharply, only to find that a young man had appeared before the desk in the corner of his room at some unknown point.
He possessed long, blood-red hair that exuded an inherently sinister aura, which transitioned into silver hair on the outside. He wore an inner skeletal facial armor and held a scythe-like staff. At the core of the staff was a heart-shaped object that pulsed as if it possessed actual vitality. Who else could this be but Zhongli Wu, the Sovereign of the Holy Spirit Cult?
"Not a bad soul tool. Though it is only Class 5, if they can be unleashed simultaneously, its might would likely not fall short compared to a Class 7 soul tool."
Looking at the eighteen longswords swirling around Feng Piaoling, Zhongli Wu expressed admiration while an unmasked look of greed surfaced within his eyes.
This greed was directed at Feng Piaoling.
"So it is Sovereign Zhongli. I wonder what wind blew you to my humble abode," Feng Piaoling remarked as he put away the Bamboo Bee Cloud Swords, feigning shock.
"Whether it is your innate talent as a soul engineer or your twin martial souls, both are well worth a personal visit from this Sovereign," Zhongli Wu stated coldly.
"I see. Then it is truly my immense honor," Feng Piaoling replied with a smile.
"Humph, stop beating around the bush. A year ago, you approached my Holy Cult to request the Class 9 soul tool, the Spiritual Barrier. The condition was that you would deliver a Holy Daughter to my Holy Cult within a year. If you failed, you would personally join my Holy Cult. The time has come to fulfill your promise."
As Zhongli Wu spoke, he stood up and walked toward Feng Piaoling step by step.
"Allow me to correct you. It was not 'deliver,' but 'scout.'" Feng Piaoling tapped the Four Elements Coiling Dragon Belt at his waist, and a piece of paper bearing the likeness of Ma Xiaotao drifted toward Zhongli Wu, propelled by his soul power.
Zhongli Wu looked at Ma Xiaotao's portrait, falling into deep thought. He then heard Feng Piaoling say, "Ma Xiaotao, nineteen years old, martial soul Evil Fire Phoenix, Rank 67 soul power. She only requires a minor amount of guidance to evolve her martial soul into the Dark Phoenix. I wonder if Sovereign Zhongli is satisfied with this?"
"Dark Phoenix?" Zhongli Wu's eyes lit up, and an undeniable expression of interest surfaced within his gaze.
Immediately after, he cast another greedy glance at Feng Piaoling, stating reluctantly, "She does indeed meet the conditions of my Holy Cult. However, Shrek possesses an Ultimate Douluo. My Holy Cult has absolutely no way to lay our hands on her, so this Phoenix Holy Daughter does not count."
Heh, he is already calling her the Phoenix Holy Daughter, yet this old ghost still refuses to give up on me... Feng Piaoling sneered inwardly, though his countenance remained entirely impassive on the surface.
"Then that is perfect. In two months, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament will begin, and the location is Star Luo City. When the time comes, Sovereign Zhongli will have plenty of opportunities."
At this point, Feng Piaoling's expression suddenly grew serious. He drew the Azure Moon Token from his chest. "Or does Sovereign Zhongli intend to take everything for himself, playing a game of double-crossing with me? If so, Sovereign Zhongli will have to weigh the consequences carefully."
"After all, I belong to His Highness the Crown Prince. Not long ago, I also established a connection with Elder Kong, the Master of the Imperial Consecration Hall. Elder Kong personally handed his Azure Moon Token to me, entrusting me with a matter that involves his sole direct descendant."
"If I were to join your Cult, I would have no way to repay His Highness the Crown Prince for his favor of recognition. Furthermore, regarding Elder Kong's side, surely Sovereign Zhongli does not wish to stand in opposition to His Highness, the Imperial Consecration Hall, and the entire Empire?"
Zhongli Wu glanced at the Azure Moon Token in Feng Piaoling's hand. Seeing that it was genuine, a profound look of wariness immediately flashed across his eyes.
After weighing the pros and cons, he spoke in a deep voice, "Since the Phoenix Holy Daughter will be leaving Shrek, then this transaction can be considered complete."
"Now that is a true ally of His Highness the Crown Prince, and the future Guardian Cult of our Sun Moon Empire," Feng Piaoling remarked with a bright smile. "Since we have finished discussing our private matters, it is time to address the official business entrusted by His Highness. However, before we discuss that, I would like to engage in another transaction with Sovereign Zhongli."
"What transaction?" Having just been handled by a junior, Zhongli Wu was highly displeased, so his tone was rather unpleasant.
Feng Piaoling stated, "A Blue Silver Grass soul master who possesses the Devouring ability and can evolve into the Dark Blue Silver Grass at any moment. I wonder if Sovereign Zhongli is interested?"
"What do you want?" These words were equivalent to Zhongli Wu's agreement.
After all, although the Dark Blue Silver Grass could not compare to the Dark Phoenix, it was more than sufficient to become a Holy Daughter of their Holy Spirit Cult and cultivate a powerful combat asset for them.
Feng Piaoling replied, "During our last meeting, a female disciple named Na Na from your Cult's stronghold was present. She is currently at our Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, and I have taken a liking to her. As long as Sovereign Zhongli is willing to hand over the souls of her parents, I will provide your Cult with another Blue Silver Holy Daughter. What does Sovereign Zhongli think of this?"
"Very well."
Zhongli Wu carefully recalled Na Na. Thinking that while her talent was decent, her martial soul lacked significant combat power, he agreed to the term.
Feng Piaoling stated, "Then I shall await the good news from Sovereign Zhongli. The moment the souls of Na Na's parents reach my hands, I will immediately inform your Cult of the Blue Silver Holy Daughter's location."
Next, the two began to discuss official business.
The so-called official business was naturally the plan to 'Destroy Shrek Academy' that Feng Piaoling had previously described to Xu Tianran.
At that time, Xu Tianran's reaction had been quite indifferent. Zhongli Wu was different; he truly desired the destruction of Shrek Academy.
After listening to Feng Piaoling's plan, his gaze locked onto Feng Piaoling greedily once more, his voice raspy as he said, "With your talent and intelligence, it is truly a pity that you do not join my Holy Cult."
Feng Piaoling replied with a superficial smile, "The Holy Spirit Cult is indeed exceptional, but staying by His Highness the Crown Prince's side allows me to soar even higher. After all, we are both serving the Sun Moon Empire."
Having sent Zhongli Wu away, Feng Piaoling exhaled a long breath. He inquired within his mind, "Elder Yi, has that old ghost departed just now?"
"He has already left."
Feng Piaoling nodded. "That is good. Next, the grand show is about to begin. By the way, Elder Yi, regarding the concept of Soul Spirits that I mentioned to you previously, how is your research progressing?"
"The research is complete. However, the prerequisite for transforming a soul beast into a Soul Spirit is that the soul beast must be entirely willing. This is by no means an easy feat to achieve."
"No matter. Very soon, a willing soul beast will deliver itself right to our door." Feng Piaoling thought of that Golden Terrapin in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Perhaps that would be an excellent choice.
-----------------------------------------------
I handpick only the finest and most captivating novels for you. Don't forget to check out my other novels!
p@treon HongMengZi