Jiang Jue forced himself to stay calm. His brain raced, searching for a way to handle the situation. Just as he was about to say something—
The spirit master removed the black robe covering his head, revealing a fat face. His bloodshot eyes gleamed with excitement, and his entire face was flushed red, as if he had just injected a powerful stimulant.
"Bloodthirsty Rat, Possession!"
Four spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, and purple—rose from under his feet, circling his body.
A nauseating stench of blood filled the air. Three long whiskers grew from the corners of the spirit master's mouth, accompanied by two protruding yellow teeth. Combined with his round face, he looked somewhat like a comical oversized rat.
A Spirit Ancestor?! Jiang Jue's pupils contracted in shock.
Previous awakenings in the village were always conducted by Grand Spirit Masters. How was it possible that this time a Spirit Ancestor had come?
The second century-old spirit ring on Zhou Ping's body glowed brightly. A cloud of blood-red mist spread outward from his body.
"Second Spirit Ability, Blood Rat Perception!"
"Ah, I've caught the scent of a kindred spirit."
"Little one, don't be afraid. Come, let uncle take a look at your other martial soul."
Zhou Ping softened his voice as much as possible, fearing that he might scare Jiang Jue.
Jiang Jue stared at the four spirit rings revolving around Zhou Ping, extinguishing all the wild ideas in his mind.
He had no illusion that his newly awakened martial soul could help him escape from the grasp of a Spirit Ancestor.
Moreover, judging by the foul stench and malevolent aura surrounding Zhou Ping, Jiang Jue suspected this man was no ordinary person.
More likely, he was an Evil Spirit Master!
"Don't suppress it. Slowly release your power."
Zhou Ping's tone was patient as he urged Jiang Jue, clearly trying his best to remain amicable.
Jiang Jue gritted his teeth. Since Zhou Ping had already noticed, there was no point in hiding it further. Observing Zhou Ping carefully, he realized this person might even be an ally.
He decided to stop suppressing the dark power within him. Extending his left hand, a black and purple flagpole materialized in his grip.
The flag was covered in intricate crimson patterns that seemed to wriggle as if alive. On the tops of both sides of the flagpole sat two ash-white skulls, their eye sockets flickering with eerie ghostly flames. The entire flag radiated a faint spiritual energy.
The moment it appeared, cold winds rose from all directions. The flag extended, black air swirling from it and enveloping Jiang Jue.
Under the influence of this aura, Jiang Jue's eyes turned a dull gray. His delicate face gained an air of aloof majesty, exuding pure malevolence that starkly contrasted with Zhou Ping's chaotic bloody aura.
To put it simply, Jiang Jue's malevolence was so perfectly sinister that it appeared almost righteous.
"This... what is this?"
Zhou Ping's face changed drastically when he saw the flag. His own martial soul trembled instinctively—not out of fear, but a natural suppression from a superior force.
This indicated the extraordinary quality of Jiang Jue's martial soul. After all, any martial soul that could coexist with a primary martial soul was bound to be exceptional.
"Refining Soul Banner!"
Jiang Jue's voice was low and steady. This flag was exactly the same as the one he had touched in his past life—the very one that had transported him to this world. Now it seemed to have revealed its true form.
"Quick, test your spirit power!"
Zhou Ping excitedly walked up to Jiang Jue, holding out a blue crystal ball expectantly, though he already knew the result in his heart.
Jiang Jue calmly placed his hand on the crystal ball.
In an instant, brilliant blue light erupted from a single point, spreading rapidly to fill the entire crystal ball with dazzling radiance.
"Excellent! As expected, Innate Full Spirit Power!"
"Truly a blessing for our Holy Sect!"
Zhou Ping's eyes were filled with fanaticism as he looked at Jiang Jue as if the boy were a priceless treasure.
Holy Sect? Could it be the one I'm thinking of? Jiang Jue wondered, though he finally let out a breath of relief.
"The future Holy Son, please allow me to escort you back to the Holy Sect!" Zhou Ping spoke excitedly. His cultivation might not be top-notch, but his judgment was excellent. A genius like Jiang Jue, possessing both a top-tier primary martial soul and an extraordinary evil martial soul, would surely be crowned as the Holy Son.
For Zhou Ping, being the one to recruit Jiang Jue into the sect would undoubtedly bring countless rewards.
Jiang Jue was speechless.
I haven't even said anything, and I'm already one of their people?
"Uncle, what is your Holy Sect?" Jiang Jue asked, putting away the Refining Soul Banner. With his current spirit power, he couldn't sustain its use for long. Furthermore, activating it caused a faint stabbing pain in his mind.
After the banner disappeared, Jiang Jue's gray eyes returned to normal. A black-purple mark resembling the banner's reduced form appeared on the back of his left hand.
"You may call me Zhou Ping," Zhou Ping humbly said before continuing, "Our sect will one day rule the entire continent, standing above all spirit masters—the Supreme Holy Spirit Sect!"
As expected!
It was indeed the same Holy Spirit Sect, jokingly referred to by netizens in his past life as the Holy Spirit Training Institute.
The Holy Spirit Sect had an obsessive desire to recruit spirit masters with high-quality evil martial souls, much like the Body Sect sought out those with body-based martial souls.
In the past, when Mu En was alive, the Holy Spirit Sect had dared to confront Shrek Academy just to capture Ma Xiaotao. Even after losing a Title Douluo, they still insisted on taking her away—albeit in a somewhat underhanded manner.
Later, in their infamous "Saintess Training Camp," they thoroughly developed the talents of both Ma Xiaotao and Tang Ya, providing them with ten-thousand-year spirit rings and evolving Tang Ya's rings to seven black and one red.
They were practically the Shrek Academy of the evil spirit master world.
The strength of the Holy Spirit Sect was beyond doubt. Setting aside the four great empires and a certain hammer-wielding sect, it was indisputably one of the most powerful forces.
They boasted two Limit Douluo, no fewer than five Super Douluo, and numerous regular Title Douluo.
Joining the Holy Spirit Sect wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It could even help Jiang Jue grow quickly in the early stages.
Moreover, the sect was genuinely kind to talented evil spirit masters.
For a commoner like Jiang Jue, seeking better resources meant either fighting alone or joining a powerful faction.
Since he would eventually have to choose a faction, why not join a strong one?
Additionally, his evil martial soul was a huge hidden danger before he matured.
And lastly, Jiang Jue realized he didn't really have a choice right now.
Despite Zhou Ping's polite and humble demeanor, if Jiang Jue refused, he was sure Zhou Ping wouldn't hesitate to knock him out and take him away. The villagers might suffer too.
Evil spirit masters weren't known for being merciful.
With these thoughts in mind, Jiang Jue decided to join the Holy Spirit Sect for now and plan for the future later.
"By the way, what should I call you?" Zhou Ping asked.
"Just call me Jiang Jue," he replied.
Zhou Ping, now calmer, spoke thoughtfully.
"You don't need to feel uneasy about your other martial soul. In the future, you'll surely take pride in it."
Jiang Jue was momentarily stunned but soon understood Zhou Ping's misunderstanding.
The man likely assumed Jiang Jue felt uncomfortable revealing his second martial soul because of its nature.
After all, who would believe a six-year-old child could think so deeply?
Jiang Jue had no intention of correcting this misunderstanding—it was advantageous for him.
"Do you have any family? Would you like to bring them with you to the sect?" Zhou Ping inquired.
"I have no parents," Jiang Jue said quietly, shaking his head. Since awakening in this life, the first person he'd seen was Old Lake. He knew nothing about his biological parents.
Old Lake rarely spoke about them, and Jiang Jue never asked.
"Orphaned, huh? Even better…" Zhou Ping muttered under his breath.
Jiang Jue's sharp hearing caught it, making his face darken.
You're so presumptuous!
"But I need to speak with my grandfather first," Jiang Jue said. "Uncle Zhou, do you have any spirit coins?"
"Of course."
Zhou Ping quickly took out a pouch from his spatial ring and handed it to Jiang Jue.
The pouch contained about fifty gold spirit coins and a dozen silver ones, but no copper coins.
A single gold spirit coin was enough to support an ordinary family for months. This amount would allow Old Lake to live comfortably for the rest of his life.
"Thank you, Uncle," Jiang Jue said.
"It's nothing at all," Zhou Ping waved dismissively, eyes gleaming with cunning wisdom.
He hoped Jiang Jue would rely on him more, building a sense of gratitude. With Jiang Jue's talent, he was destined to become powerful.
I'm so clever, Zhou Ping thought smugly.
Jiang Jue nodded and walked toward the door, pushing it open and stepping outside with Zhou Ping following closely.
"How did it go, Little Jue?" Old Lake asked kindly.
Seeing the kindness in the old man's eyes, Jiang Jue's heart softened.
In this life, Old Lake was the only person he couldn't let go of.
"Grandpa, the Spirit Master said I awakened an amazing martial soul and even have spirit power," Jiang Jue smiled, handing over the pouch.
Old Lake opened it, his expression changing as he hurriedly said, "Quick, return this to the Spirit Master!"
"Please don't worry, sir," Zhou Ping interjected smoothly. "This is a gift from our Saint… uh, Saint Spirit Master Academy, as a token of appreciation for nurturing such a fine young talent."
Old Lake was stunned. "What does that mean?"
"It means I'm here to take Jiang Jue to our academy for training."
There was a brief silence before Old Lake's face lit up with excitement.
"Our Valan Village finally has its own spirit master!"
"Ten years! Ten whole years! We've finally made it!"
"Little Jue, go pack your things. Follow the Spirit Master to that academy."
Jiang Jue's lips twitched. So much for my sentimentality…
Half an hour later, Jiang Jue and Zhou Ping stood at the village entrance. Old Lake stood behind them, giving final words of advice.
"Take care of yourself, Grandpa," Jiang Jue said, holding the old man's large, calloused hand.
The rain had stopped, and sunlight broke through the clouds, shining on Jiang Jue's determined face.
He turned back for one last look at the village where he had lived for six years, then strode forward without hesitation.
He didn't know when he would return, but he knew he had to leave—there was a vast world waiting for him.
Old Laike stood hunched at the village entrance, watching Jiang Jue walk farther and farther away until he could no longer be seen…