[Douluo II Period]
Shrek Academy's plaza fell into deathly silence.
Han Ruoruo stared blankly as tears streamed silently down her cheeks.
So... this was it.
All that touching kindness had been nothing but a carefully orchestrated lie!
The students in the plaza who had defended Wang Yan moments ago now stood in deathly silence.
They had just been so adamant in defending Wang Yan.
But now, their words felt like resounding slaps, striking them hard across the face.
"Th-this can't be a lie..."
A female student's voice trembled. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"How... how could he do this..."
"This is terrifying. This man... he has no heart!"
Xu Sanshi, Xiao Xiao, Jiang Nannan, and the other students who had received Wang Yan's "kindness" felt as if they were freezing, as though they had fallen into an icy abyss.
Not a word could escape their lips.
Huo Yuhao's fists clenched with a creak, his face ashen.
He had always regarded Wang Yan as the man who had discovered his talents.
But now that the man's true face had been exposed, he realized he was a demon!
"Why... Teacher Wang... no, Qiangu Wangyan! Why did you do this?!"
He stared fixedly at the figure protected by golden light, his eyes filled with anger and confusion.
Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er, and the other Sea God Pavilion Elders looked as grim as could be.
What a disgrace!
A remnant of Spirit Hall had disguised himself right under their noses for more than a decade!
The scene on the Sky Screen continued.
Wang Yan's cold monologue went on.
[A teacher with mediocre combat ability but extensive theoretical knowledge is perfect for Shrek. They won't be suspicious of me.]
In the scene, Qiangu Wangyan put on his glasses and teacher's uniform, then stepped up to the lectern.
His cold inner monologue rang out.
[A powerful Soul Master is merely a threat to Shrek.]
[But a teacher can destroy generation after generation of their geniuses at the root!]
[I enjoyed the adoring looks from my students, the praise of my colleagues, and, most of all, the trust of the higher-ups.]
[All of it simply made it easier to carry out my plan.]
The scene changed. Wang Yan stood respectfully before Xuanzi, presenting him with various theoretical papers.
Xuanzi nodded repeatedly as he read, his eyes full of approval.
[This Taotie Douluo seems shrewd, but he's actually a fool.]
[I promised to put his name on my theories and make him famous for generations to come.]
[Just as I expected, the old fool took the bait.]
At a Sea God Pavilion meeting, Xuanzi announced to everyone:
["Teacher Wang Yan has made outstanding contributions to Martial Soul Theory. He is a pillar of Shrek!"]
["Today, I shall take you on as an honorary disciple. I hope you will continue to serve the Academy with distinction!"]
In the scene, Qiangu Wangyan was "overcome with emotion," tears in his eyes as he bowed.
[Not long afterward, I was promoted to director of the Martial Soul Research Lab.]
[The plan was going incredibly smoothly.]
[Now, I had access to all kinds of records at Shrek Academy, even some of the Sea God Pavilion's confidential files.]
[But just as I thought everything was under my control, an unexpected turn of events occurred.]
[That night, I was reading through an encrypted file.]
[Suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared behind me like a ghost.]
The figure was extremely tall, but concealed beneath a wide black cloak, its face impossible to make out.
["Teacher Wang Yan, still laboring over the Academy's future at this late hour?"]
The visitor's voice was hoarse and low, carrying an awe-inspiring authority that made one's heart tremble.
Qiangu Wangyan's pupils constricted. He spun around, the Coiling Dragon Staff already in his hand!
[Anyone who could sneak into Shrek's inner sanctum without a sound had to be far stronger than I'd imagined!]
[My mind was in turmoil as I quickly tried to think of a way out.]
The mysterious figure chuckled, a hint of approval in the sound.
["Good composure."]
["But your ambition goes beyond becoming a mere research lab director, doesn't it?"]
Qiangu Wangyan didn't answer. He only stared coldly at the stranger.
The mysterious figure seemed unconcerned and continued speaking as if to himself:
["I know everything you've done."]
["You're clever, and you're ambitious. I know you want to climb higher."]
["And I can give you that opportunity."]
As he spoke, the mysterious figure took out a black jade slip and tossed it over.
["This contains some special cultivation techniques."]
["They can guide Martial Souls with extraordinary potential down a faster path, allowing them to unleash unimaginable power in a short time."]
["Of course, they come with a minor side effect."]
The mysterious figure's voice carried a trace of amusement.
["Those who cultivate them will have a brand planted deep in their souls."]
Qiangu Wangyan took the jade slip and probed it with his Soul Power. His expression changed drastically.
His inner monologue exploded across the Sky Screen!
[This is... an Evil Soul Master technique!]
[A secret technique that can corrupt Soul Masters, warp their Martial Souls, and ultimately turn them into puppets.]
[This frigid aura... there's no mistaking it. It's the Holy Spirit Cult!]
[Who is he?]
[There's a high-ranking member of the Holy Spirit Cult hiding inside Shrek?!]
[He wants to use me to turn Shrek's future geniuses into puppets of the Holy Spirit Cult!]
[Hahahaha! The heavens are on my side!]
[I planned to slowly devour Shrek, but I never expected such an opportunity to fall into my lap!]
[Use him! I have to use him! I'll use the Holy Spirit Cult's power to speed up my revenge!]
[They think they have me under their control, but they don't know that I'm using them too.]
[I'll combine this evil technique with my Martial Soul theories and create an even more perfect poison.]
[I'll make Shrek's most prized geniuses send this Academy plunging into the abyss with their own hands!]
Qiangu Wangyan put away the jade slip and bowed deeply to the mysterious figure.
["This junior... is willing to serve you!"]
The mysterious figure gave a satisfied chuckle. His form slowly faded and vanished, leaving behind only a few words.
["Good. Don't disappoint me."]
The scene on the Sky Screen froze there.
Beyond the Sky Screen, an uproar had already erupted!
[Douluo II Period]
"Holy Spirit Cult!!!"
Xuanzi let out a thunderous roar. A terrifying storm of Soul Power swept across the entire plaza from where he stood!
His eyes were bloodshot, and the phantom of Taotie flickered behind him, as if ready to devour everything!
"There's a high-ranking member of the Holy Spirit Cult hiding inside Shrek!!!"
Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er, and the others were also pale.
They exchanged glances, each seeing the fear in the other's eyes.
The Shrek Inspection Group had hunted Evil Soul Masters across the world.
And yet their own lair had been infiltrated by the Holy Spirit Cult until it was riddled with holes!
This was a colossal joke!
It was like grinding Shrek Academy's face into the dirt again and again!
And that mysterious figure had said he could help Wang Yan, which meant he held a position of great influence within Shrek!
"Who is it? Who could it be?!"
Xuanzi roared, his gaze sweeping over every Sea God Pavilion Elder present.
The suspicion and killing intent in his eyes chilled them all to the bone.
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