To be honest, Jing Hongchen was quite familiar with Evil Soul Masters. Shrek Academy might not know about the Holy Spirit Cult's presence in Sun Moon Empire, given the vast distance between them.
But as a Rank 9 Soul Engineer and Dean of Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen was well aware of so Holy Spirit Cult mbers. Otherwise, how else could he have leaked the whereabouts of Saintess Ma Xiaotao to them in the original tiline?
Although Jing Hongchen didn't have a high opinion of Evil Soul Masters, for the current Sun Moon Emperor, their power was necessary. According to the emperor's vision, when Sun Moon Empire eventually launched a war against the Three Douluo Nations, the Holy Spirit Cult would be a powerful asset.
However, Jing Hongchen still refused to let Evil Soul Masters infiltrate the academy and manipulate its students. After all, most of them would join the imperial army in the future. The Holy Spirit Cult and Sun Moon's military were essentially two competing factions.
"Huo Yuhao, are you certain that an Evil Soul Master is controlling Na Na?" Jing Hongchen suppressed the anger in his heart.
If there was truly an Evil Soul Master controlling Na Na, that would an the Holy Spirit Cult had no respect for the Royal Academy at all.
"I'm sure. As long as we follow her, we'll find their base of operations," Huo Yuhao said with absolute confidence.
After all, when you already know the answers, it's impossible to get the questions wrong.
Jing Hongchen was about to ask how he was so certain, but then he recalled that Huo Yuhao had received fate sensing abilities after his attribute fusion with the Auspicious Beast.
Suppressing his doubts, Jing Hongchen nodded.
"Then we'll track her imdiately. We must root out these Evil Soul Masters. They will pay the price for infiltrating my academy!"
To Jing Hongchen, Na Na was an exceptional student. In his estimation, she had the potential to beco a Soul Douluo in the future.
In Sun Moon Empire, Titled Douluo were rare, so even reaching Soul Douluo rank was a huge accomplishnt.
If a student like her could be so easily controlled, then what would stop the Holy Spirit Cult from secretly manipulating the military itself?
That would be a catastrophic hidden danger for Sun Moon Empire.
The more he thought about it, the heavier his mood beca.
"Understood, Dean. I think the sa way," Huo Yuhao responded.
With that, the two silently tailed Na Na.
With her current strength, Na Na stood no chance of detecting the two flying above her, watching her every move.
Na Na moved through the city, eventually arriving at an inconspicuous building.
Mingdu was enormous, and buildings like this were everywhere, making it the perfect hiding place.
She raised her hand and knocked on the door five tis in a specific rhythm three short, two long.
It was a code.
If she got it wrong, the people inside wouldn't open the door.
Soon, the door swung open, and soone led her inside.
After following her guide for a while, Na Na finally entered a black do shaped building and stepped into a room.
Inside, two white robed figures awaited her.
Even though their status in the Holy Spirit Cult was below hers, she still had to strictly follow their verification process.
Na Na handed over a pitch black token.
The token had two circular skulls carved into it, exuding an eerie aura.
Then, she spoke the passphrase:
"Eternal life to the Holy Emperor."
Since the Holy Spirit Cult operated in secrecy, they were highly cautious when verifying identities.
One white robed person glanced at the token and replied:
"Eternal life to the Holy Emperor."
The other repeated the phrase.
Then, one of them handed her a new wooden token and smiled.
"Lady Zhunling, our code phrase has changed."
Na Na furrowed her brows.
"Changed? Why?"
"Because we have welcod back the Saintess! This is a trendous occasion worth celebrating!"
"The Great Saint Spirit was just praying for her, declaring that our Holy Spirit Cult will rise to new heights!"
"From now on, our code phrase is 'Eternal life to the Holy Emperor, everlasting grace to the Saintess.'"
Na Na was stunned.
"The Holy Spirit Cult has a Saintess?"
She had always assud the Saint Son and Saintess were just titles nothing more than internal cult rhetoric.
"If they find a Saint Son next, are they going to make the passphrase even longer?"
Still, she played along.
"I see. That is indeed a joyous event. Blessings upon our Holy Spirit Cult."
One of the white robed figures gestured toward a doorway.
"Lady Zhunling, please proceed. The Great Saint Spirit has been expecting you.
Now that you are a Soul King, you will likely soon be promoted to a full Saint Spirit!"
A 'Zhunling' or 'Prospective Spirit' was soone on the verge of becoming a full fledged Saint Spirit.
Strictly speaking, Na Na was still just a Holy Servant.
In the Holy Spirit Cult's hierarchy, Holy Servants were outer mbers.
Only upon reaching Soul Emperor rank would she qualify as a Saint Spirit, an official mber of the cult.
For Na Na, breaking through to Soul Emperor wasn't difficult.
By age 17, she was already a Soul King.
Of course, pills and elixirs played a big part, but in Sun Moon Empire, consuming dicine to boost cultivation was completely normal.
Na Na nodded and entered the inner chamber, where several Saint Spirits awaited her.
She imdiately bowed in respect.
"Saint Spirits!"
The Second Saint Spirit nodded.
"Holy Servant Number Six, go cultivate."
Na Na hesitated.
"Great Saint Spirit… may I see my parents?"
Her parents' souls were still imprisoned by the Holy Spirit Cult her only reason for joining them in the first place.
If she refused, they would torture her parents' souls.
The Second Saint Spirit sneered.
"See your parents? Holy Servant Number Six, have I been too lenient with you?"
"I seem to recall that I already allowed you to see their souls not long ago."
"One must know their place. Do not overstep your bounds."
Na Na's face paled.
Still, she tried again.
"But… Second Saint Spir "
Before she could finish, the Second Saint Spirit waved dismissively, cutting her off.
"Enough! No more begging.
Train well, and if you perform well, I might allow you another visit one month from now.
Holy Servant Number Six, surely you don't want to torture their souls, do you?"
Na Na trembled and imdiately bowed.
"Second Saint Spirit, please don't! I will work hard and strive to beco a full Saint Spirit as soon as possible!"
The Second Saint Spirit smiled coldly.
"Good.
Beco one of us, and their souls will be set free."
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