Why was the Holy Spirit Cult viable? Because it had enormous potential. The fallen ones across Douluo Continent had yet to be fully developed, leaving abundant hidden resources. And according to the original story, Spirit Hall, despite its current momentum, was destined to perish. The immense fortune and faith that had originally belonged to it would be released once more.
When that time came, an even greater sect force would need to emerge to meet the needs of the era. In the original story, that force should have been Shrek Academy, an academy with a transcendent status across the continent.
If Shrek Academy could do it, why couldn't the Holy Spirit Cult? Evil Soul Masters killed people, were vicious and cruel, devoid of conscience, and capable of every evil. Then he would use Slaughter City to reform them, use the Asura God's power to purify them, and make them his most loyal believers!
Chen Chu headed toward the academy's rear mountain. He did not go to find Xue Ye first. Instead, he went to find an indispensable key figure.
"Knock, knock knock."
Inside the small courtyard, Xue Beng, the Fourth Prince of Heaven Dou, had just exhausted himself with a senior student. He emerged with an impatient expression, still cursing under his breath. "Who is it? Don't they know I took the afternoon off to rest?"
Xue Beng angrily opened the door and saw a familiar face smiling at him. That gaze seemed to be looking at some priceless treasure.
"Uh, Teacher Chen, what can I do for you?" Xue Beng forced a smile. Wasn't this man a talent his father and elder brother were desperately trying to recruit? Why had he come here?
Chen Chu studied him thoughtfully, a faint smile curling at his lips. "Your Highness Xue Beng, won't you invite me in to sit?"
Xue Beng froze in the doorway. The confusion on his face was instantly replaced by panic. He instinctively shrank back and glanced into the courtyard, as though afraid Chen Chu might see something he should not. Chen Chu's gaze was far too calm, fixed on him so steadily that it made his scalp prickle. He could only force himself to step aside. "Teacher Chen, please come in. I was discourteous."
The courtyard was small, but its interior was lavish. Chen Chu walked straight to the stone table and sat down. Without any further small talk, he asked, "Your Highness took leave today. Are you truly unwell?"
Xue Beng was about to make an excuse, but when he met Chen Chu's eyes, the words reached his lips and went back down. He knew this man would not be easy to fool, so he stopped pretending. "I was just a little tired and wanted to rest. Teacher Chen, you didn't come here to check on me, did you?"
"Of course not." Chen Chu lightly tapped the stone table, his voice turning more solemn. "I came to discuss something concerning Heaven Dou's future."
"Concerning Heaven Dou's future?" Xue Beng raised a brow, his tone carrying a trace of disdain. "My father and Crown Prince brother are the ones who should worry about such matters. Why would it fall to an idle prince like me?"
He had always acted like a playboy precisely because he did not want to get involved in courtly disputes. Yet Chen Chu's words made his heart tighten for no apparent reason.
Chen Chu looked at him and slowly said, "Does Your Highness truly believe you are merely an idle prince? You understand the conflicts within the Heaven Dou Imperial Family better than anyone."
Xue Beng's expression instantly darkened. He was not truly muddleheaded. He saw the undercurrents within the imperial family more clearly than anyone. He had merely kept them hidden, unwilling to become someone else's target.
"What do you mean by that, Teacher Chen?"
"Nothing in particular." Chen Chu picked up the cold tea on the table and took a sip. "I simply think Your Highness is more suited to sit on that Dragon Throne than the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is kindhearted, but he lacks a certain ruthlessness. He cannot handle Spirit Hall's wolfish ambitions, nor can he keep those nobles with hidden agendas in check."
Xue Beng's expression changed sharply. He had not expected this man to dare utter such treasonous words. What was he trying to do?
Could the Crown Prince have sent him to test me? Was the Crown Prince planning to make a move against me?
"Teacher Chen must be joking. How could I possibly have such ability?" Xue Beng's expression was grave as he denied himself again.
"Ability can be cultivated if you lack it." Chen Chu set down his teacup, his gaze sharpening. "As long as Your Highness is willing, I can help you. The force behind me can become the weapon in your hand, helping you seize military authority, win the support of important ministers, and even make Your Majesty change his mind."
Xue Beng stared at Chen Chu, his eyes full of doubt. "Why would Teacher Chen help me? You are someone my father values. Helping the Crown Prince would better serve your interests."
"My interests have never lain within the imperial family's factions, nor in anyone's favor." Chen Chu spoke calmly, then rose and walked over to Xue Beng.
The reason the Heaven Dou Imperial Family had grown weak and impoverished, falling far behind Spirit Hall and Star Luo, had much to do with the imperial family's inherited Martial Soul.
"The Heaven Dou Imperial Family's Swan Martial Soul may seem decent in other people's eyes, but Your Highness knows exactly what it is like. In my eyes, it is nothing more than a low-grade Martial Soul."
"How can a Martial Soul like that bear the burden of an empire?"
"A low-grade Martial Soul?" Xue Beng looked up, shock filling his eyes before it was replaced by humiliation and anger.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Family's Swan Martial Soul might only rank in the middle among Beast Martial Souls, but it had always been praised by outsiders. When had anyone ever so bluntly disparaged it as "low-grade"? He could not help growing angry and demanded, "Teacher Chen, aren't those words too insulting to the imperial family?"
"Whether it is an insult depends on the facts." Chen Chu's tone was calm, without the slightest concession. "The Star Luo Imperial Family's White Tiger Martial Soul possesses both offense and defense, and its inheritance has remained unbroken for a thousand years. Not to mention its stable Martial Soul Fusion Skill with the Zhu family.
Spirit Hall's Six-winged Angel was an elite existence even among those with Innate Full Soul Power. Now look at the Swan Martial Soul. Other than being slightly faster and providing some weak support effects, what else does it have to offer? Beauty? Elegance? What use are those? To put on display for others?"
At that, he paused again, his gaze sweeping over Xue Beng's unpleasant expression. "Has Your Highness ever seen the Crown Prince use the Swan Martial Soul to confront someone head-on? When Your Majesty quelled internal unrest back then, he relied on conceding benefits to the major families in exchange for their support, not on his own strength. A Martial Soul like that cannot support Heaven Dou's future, much less withstand Spirit Hall's iron fist."
Xue Beng opened his mouth, but he could not say a single word, because every word was true. There was nothing he could refute.
Over the years, he had played the part of a wastrel and avoided conflict. Wasn't it because he knew the shortcomings of the imperial family's Martial Soul and knew there were no powerful Soul Masters at his side? Even if he fought for it, he might not achieve any result.
"So what?" Xue Beng took a deep breath, his tone carrying some despondency. "Martial Souls are innate. I cannot change mine, and neither can the imperial family."
"I can." Chen Chu's voice suddenly rang out, firm and forceful.
Xue Beng abruptly looked up, disbelief filling his eyes. "What did you say? How can a Martial Soul possibly be changed?" On Douluo Continent, a Martial Soul was the foundation of a Soul Master. It was determined the moment one awakened it, and no one had ever been able to alter their own Martial Soul.
"Others cannot, but that does not mean I cannot." Chen Chu walked to the stone table and gathered a wisp of pale purple Soul Power at his fingertip. A trace of blood-red pattern faintly coiled within it.
"The force behind me possesses a method for altering Martial Souls. As long as Your Highness is willing to cooperate with me, not only can I help you seize the succession, I can also transform your Swan Martial Soul into a true top-tier Martial Soul capable of supporting an empire."
As always, please keep reading. There have not been many new saves these past few days, and it has mostly been longtime readers supporting me. I am deeply moved. Please keep following the story, and I will continue writing it seriously. If you have suggestions or ideas, feel free to leave more comments.
National Day bonus chapters! The word count of each chapter has increased. Thank you all for your continued support!
Before you continue