The masked Douluo beside them cast a deep glance at Jiang Jue.
He knew that what Jiang Jue had revealed was not the full extent of the power of the Evil Spirit Tide.
In his view, the most formidable and unique feature of this soul skill was not just the damage caused by the black mist entering the enemy's body. The mist also devoured the enemy's soul power, blood vitality, and mental energy.
Imagine if, during a battle, inhaling this black mist constantly drained one's energy while simultaneously replenishing Jiang Jue's strength. Wouldn't that make Jiang Jue grow stronger the longer the fight went on?
The stronger the enemy, the weaker they would become—how could one continue fighting under such circumstances?
While the masked Douluo had powerful cultivation that allowed him to block the black mist, what about those at the same level as Jiang Jue?
And what if it were a group battle?
The masked Douluo narrowed his eyes slightly and stopped letting his thoughts wander. He cast another deep glance at Jiang Jue.
He did not voice these thoughts. After all, didn't everyone have their own little secrets?
"Let's go."
Zhang Peng beckoned with a gesture, taking the lead this time.
The three walked through the gloomy, dark Evil Demon Forest for more than ten minutes before arriving at a clearing devoid of trees.
Zhang Peng stood at the center of the clearing, channeling his soul power into the ground using a special technique.
"Crack!"
A heavy sound echoed as a downward-sloping passageway appeared on the ground. The tunnel walls were lined with soul tools that provided illumination, defying Jiang Jue's expectation of a sinister, foreboding atmosphere.
"Consecrator Zhang, Elder Yue."
"Lord Sect Master is already waiting in the council hall. He said you two should head directly there upon return."
Two black-robed soul masters emerged from the tunnel, bowing respectfully to Zhang Peng and Elder Yue.
"Hahaha, it seems the Sect Master is getting impatient."
Zhang Peng laughed heartily. He lifted Jiang Jue with soul power and swiftly shot toward the depths of the passageway.
At first, the tunnel was narrow, but it gradually widened as they descended. When Jiang Jue landed on the ground, a grand architectural complex came into view.
Unexpectedly, an underground palace-like structure appeared. Covering an area exceeding a thousand acres, it was built entirely from solid granite, with lavish decorations everywhere.
It was unimaginable how much manpower and resources had been required to construct such a magnificent structure.
Black-robed evil soul masters were constantly moving about within the complex.
No wonder there were fewer evil soul masters on the continent. So they were all hiding here, Jiang Jue thought to himself.
Zhang Peng led Jiang Jue into the largest palace, which was even more luxurious inside.
As soon as they entered, a wave of warmth like spring greeted them. The floor was covered with a blood-red carpet, and sharp, ominous fangs from unknown soul beasts adorned the walls on either side, emanating a faint aura of ferocity.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the palace ceiling, radiating brilliant light. In the center stood a long, heavy conference table.
At the front of the table was a dark red chair. On the right side were ten black chairs with golden patterns, while the left side had only eight chairs adorned with crimson patterns.
Seven individuals were seated in the black chairs on the right, while the crimson chairs on the left were short by one occupant.
"You're here. Please take your seats."
A deep voice broke the silence of the hall.
The speaker was the man seated at the head of the table.
Jiang Jue looked toward the source of the voice and saw a man with silver short hair, sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, a straight nose, and a defined mouth. His deep purple eyes exuded an air of profundity, and his appearance was unexpectedly handsome.
This man was none other than Zhongli Wu, the Sect Master of the Holy Spirit Sect, and a rank 98 Super Douluo.
Judging by his appearance alone, one would never suspect that he was an evil soul master.
Hearing Zhongli Wu's words, Zhang Peng directly chose one of the three empty seats on the right, while the single empty chair on the left was clearly reserved for the masked Douluo.
For a moment, only Jiang Jue remained standing before the table as everyone cast scrutinizing glances at him.
Jiang Jue, meanwhile, examined these individuals and was slightly astonished.
Those seated here were all titled Douluos!
The Holy Spirit Sect was truly filled with talent and flourishing prosperity, Jiang Jue thought wryly.
After contemplating for a while, he realized that only these two phrases seemed fitting.
The fact that the evil soul masters had developed to this extent wasn't without reason.
First, when the Snow Swan Kiss unleashed by Tang San thousands of years ago destroyed the City of Slaughter, the evil soul masters had fled and passed on their bloodlines with evil martial souls.
Then came the collision between the Sun-Moon Continent and the Douluo Continent, which had brought numerous evil soul masters from the former.
Lastly, Jiang Jue believed an essential factor was the disappearance of the pure angel martial soul. During the events of Douluo II, only a few hybrids of the angel martial soul appeared, posing no threat to the evil soul masters.
Moreover, the Holy Spirit Sect's attitude toward angel martial souls was akin to how ordinary soul masters viewed evil soul masters—eliminate them on sight.
The evil soul masters hunted down angel martial soul users, a complete reversal of natural order.
"Sect Master, what's the reason for gathering us this time?"
Those seated on the right wore the same golden-threaded black robes as Zhang Peng, evidently the Consecrator Elders of the Holy Spirit Sect, while those on the left, including the masked Douluo, were internal elders.
The speaker was a Consecrator seated on the right.
"Xiao Jiang, come here," Zhongli Wu gestured to Jiang Jue.
Jiang Jue wasn't sure what Zhongli Wu intended but obediently walked over.
Zhongli Wu ruffled Jiang Jue's hair and said in a calm voice, "There's only one purpose for this meeting: I intend to take Jiang Jue as my final disciple."
Jiang Jue's expression changed as he looked at Zhongli Wu in disbelief.
The title of final disciple implied being the last student, inheriting the master's teachings after their passing.
Though Jiang Jue had anticipated a significant status in the Holy Spirit Sect due to his talent, he hadn't expected such rapid advancement.
Truly deserving of the reputation as the "Holy Spirit Training Institution."
"Is it this little guy? Congratulations, Sect Master, on gaining a cherished disciple."
The elders on both sides offered their congratulations to Zhongli Wu.
"I haven't finished yet."
"Moreover, I intend to make him the Holy Son of our sect."
"What? Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
A Consecrator seated on the right spoke up.
This man, who appeared to be in his forties, was named Wu Yun. He held considerable status in the Consecrator Hall. However, his journey had been rather unfortunate.
Initially, Wu Yun wasn't a pure evil soul master; his martial soul was merely dark-attribute. But he was frequently mistaken for an evil soul master and relentlessly hunted.
In a fit of rage, he killed all those who pursued him and joined the evil soul master community, eventually becoming a true evil soul master and significantly enhancing his strength.
"It's not hasty at all. There's no other reason than his exceptional talent," Zhongli Wu said calmly, looking at Wu Yun.
These Consecrators were powerful experts recruited by the Holy Spirit Sect, wielding considerable authority and freedom. They typically had little conflict with Zhongli Wu as Sect Master.
However, Wu Yun, having recently become a Consecrator, was somewhat unruly. Zhongli Wu saw this as a perfect opportunity to assert authority while accepting a disciple.
Feeding him while letting him cause trouble was unacceptable to Zhongli Wu.
If not for the fact that the sect's grand plan was still incomplete and they lacked top experts, Zhongli Wu would have already refined Wu Yun.
"A mere claim of great talent is hardly convincing. After all, every one of us here was once a prodigy in our youth," Wu Yun retorted.
His words elicited no verbal response but drew faintly satisfied expressions from those present.
Indeed, if they had become titled Douluos, their talent was unquestionably outstanding.
So what made this young Jiang Jue special?
(End of Chapter)