Evil Soul Master

The scene abruptly shifted.

What entered his sight was the familiar Star Dou Great Forest Outskirts—the day he would never forget.

The young Yue Ling looked at his parents before him, his tone incomparably firm this time. "Dad, Mom! I'm going with you! If we die, we die together!"

His mother froze for a moment, then looked at him with tenderness and grief. "All right, Ling'er. In our next life, we'll still be a family."

"Mm!"

Within the illusion, the Evil Soul Master who had slaughtered Hundred Flowers Village appeared. Five Spirit Rings lit up as he threw back his head and laughed maniacally.

"All of you, go die! Hahaha! Fifth Soul Skill, Bat Wing Thousand Strike Slash!"

Blood-red slashes swept across the sky, becoming a rain of blood that crashed ruthlessly down upon the family of three.

His father and mother closed their eyes, calmly accepting death.

The young Yue Ling stood frozen in place, trembling uncontrollably from head to toe.

Watching the blood-red slashes descend from the sky, watching his parents close their eyes and await death, a bone-deep helplessness instantly drowned him.

He was afraid. He was truly afraid.

He was only a child. He had no strength, and there was nothing he could do.

But as he watched his loved ones about to die before his eyes, after the utmost terror came only overwhelming hatred and unwillingness.

Why?

Why did his family have to suffer such a disaster for no reason?

Why could evil people slaughter as they pleased while they could only wait to die?

He refused to accept it! He absolutely refused!

Even if he could only be of the slightest use, even if he could not stop it at all, he could not just watch his parents die!

The obsession in his heart completely exploded. His small body instinctively tensed to its limit, Soul Power surging wildly out of control. His eyes reddened as he screamed with all his strength!

"Third Soul Skill, Golden Stamen Piercing Ray Strike!"

Crystalline petals shot into the sky, forcefully breaking through the blood-red slashes as they charged straight at the Evil Soul Master!

At the instant the attack struck, the entire illusion abruptly froze.

The rain of blood stopped in midair, and everything came to a complete standstill.

Yue Ling stared blankly at the scene before him. The sense of danger in his heart grew stronger and stronger, while a piercing chill rose from the depths of his soul.

Outside the arena.

Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe flashed forward at the same time, instantly descending from the high platform to the edge of the arena.

Xuan Zi's brows were tightly furrowed, his spiritual sense spread out with all his might, and his expression was incomparably grave.

In that instant just now, he had clearly caught a wisp of an extremely cold, pure Evil Soul Master soul aura.

Yet in the blink of an eye, the aura had completely vanished, leaving not the slightest trace to detect.

"Yan Shaozhe, did you sense that aura just now?"

Yan Shaozhe's expression was solemn as he nodded heavily. "I sensed it long ago. It flashed by just now, and that power was the soul fluctuation unique to Evil Soul Masters." He frowned and released his spiritual sense. "But if I sense again now, there's nothing."

The two exchanged a glance, their hearts heavy with confusion and vigilance.

"That was definitely the aura of an Evil Soul Master. This old man has dealt with them countless times—I can't possibly mistake it!"

"But why would that aura be inside Yue Ling?"

"When I brought him back to Sea God Pavilion back then, he even met Mu En. His Martial Soul is the Radiant Sacred Dragon. When it comes to sensing evil, nothing can hide from him."

"Even he couldn't detect it... Yan Shaozhe, should we stop the match?"

Yan Shaozhe frowned deeply. His Martial Soul was the Radiant Phoenix, making him equally sensitive to evil power.

Just now, under his perception, neither these two Soul Grandmasters' Martial Souls nor their Martial Soul Fusion Skill possessed the sinister aura unique to Evil Soul Masters. Their Soul Power was also extremely pure, without even a trace of the bloodlust unique to Evil Soul Masters.

But that aura...

That was right. It truly was the aura of an Evil Soul Master. He and Xuan Zi had both sensed it, and it had come from Yue Ling!

"Xuan Zi, don't panic yet. Let the children finish their match first. With us here, he can't get away."

Xuan Zi's expression was complicated as he stared intently at the disciple in the arena.

Ah, let's hope nothing goes wrong.

At this moment, Yue Ling was seated cross-legged on the ground. Cold sweat had already soaked his back, and his body trembled faintly.

The protective effect of his first Soul Skill enveloped the domain, leaving the opposing girl helpless. Her attacks struck the shield with clanging sounds, but did no real damage.

She gritted her teeth tightly and did not surrender, holding on until a thin sheen of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Hmph, I refuse to believe he can withstand the power of the Nightmare Cage!

Yue Ling stared blankly at the motionless blood-red sky in the illusion, the hatred buried in his heart for years surging wildly upward.

This was the pain he had desperately buried in his heart for four whole years, never daring to touch.

But now, within the illusion of the Nightmare Cage, all his suppressed emotions were torn completely open and erupted at once.

A cold, crazed laugh suddenly rang out from deep within his soul.

"Hahaha, that's it..."

"Hatred was yours to begin with. Why have you been forcing yourself to suppress it?"

"Let it go! Release it all!"

If Yue Ling had been conscious at this moment, he likely would have been utterly crushed by everything before him.

At last, he clearly saw the existence lurking inside his body—

An Evil Soul Master... a Titled Douluo!

This sinister Remnant Soul hidden deep within his soul was using the power of the illusion to stir wildly, repeatedly washing away his remaining kindness and reason with endless malice, slaughterous intent, and savagery.

Yue Ling's expression was vacant. He clutched his head tightly with both hands, his teeth grinding audibly.

Utmost pain, despair, and hatred densely covered his entire face. Every inch of his nerves was being stabbed by agonizing pain.

Seeing him on the verge of collapse, the Titled Douluo's voice became ever more crazed and cruel.

"Face your emotions, little one!"

"How could you forget me? The one who slaughtered your entire village and personally sent your parents to their graves—that was me!"

Those words were like the sharpest blade, plunging viciously into the softest part of Yue Ling's heart.

He covered his ears desperately, his mind filled with demonic whispers echoing over and over.

"No... Don't...!"

Within the illusion, he hurt so badly that he was nearly breaking down.

But in the real arena, Yue Ling's body slowly and stiffly rose to its feet.

The towering resentment and hatred accumulated over four years became an invisible shockwave, instantly blasting the last remaining girl fiercely out of the arena. The proctor caught her securely and carried her away.

The match had been decided. Yue Ling had won.

Yet there was not the slightest cheer or joy throughout the venue.

Everyone's hearts rose to their throats. Their expressions were grave as they stared fixedly at the strange, upright figure within the black mist.

Yue Ling's figure kept changing.

At times, he became someone else; then he changed back... until... his face finally settled into Yue Ling's own!

The next second!

Spirit Rings began rising one by one beneath his feet.

They were no longer the original clean and ordinary one yellow and two purple.

On top of his original Spirit Rings, six black Spirit Rings emerged in layers—dark, gloomy, and filled with sinister baleful energy!

Yellow, purple, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black!

Nine Spirit Rings hung around him, and evil energy soared into the heavens!

Everyone was utterly shocked, unable to understand what was happening.

Below the stands, Xuan Zi's pupils abruptly contracted, his face full of shock. Then it turned into bone-deep, overwhelming fury!

He was far too familiar with this aura.

Xuan Zi nearly roared, "No! My disciple! You are... a Titled Douluo! No, there's another power as well? Why are you hiding inside him!"

The instant his words fell, Xuan Zi's aura underwent a dramatic change.

"Get out here, all of you!"

Xuan Zi's formerly lazy and casual aura vanished without a trace. A terrifying pressure, ancient, heavy, and capable of devouring all things, exploded forth and swept across the entire Shrek arena!

His body instantly straightened, without the slightest trace of old age remaining.

A colossal phantom of a Godly Taotie Bull that blotted out the sky slowly emerged behind him. The giant beast's eyes were dark and profound, its huge mouth slightly open. A low, muffled beastly roar faintly shook the air, making everyone's souls tremble.

Nine Spirit Rings lit up in sequence!

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red!

The true power of a Rank 98 Super Douluo erupted completely, without the slightest reservation!

Almost at the same instant Xuan Zi's Martial Soul erupted, Yan Shaozhe's expression beside him suddenly turned cold.

The refined and gentle air he had carried vanished at once, and scorching heat exploded outward in all directions.

"Buzzz—!"

Dazzling golden-red flames shot into the heavens. Nine Spirit Rings slowly rose beneath his feet, circling his body in neat, orderly motion.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black!

The terrifying pressure unique to a Titled Douluo instantly blanketed the entire arena!

Behind Yan Shaozhe, an enormous and incomparably noble phantom of a Radiant Phoenix slowly spread its wings. Layer upon layer of feathers burned with raging flames, while tiny sparks continuously drifted down. The surrounding air warped faintly beneath the searing heat.

The Radiant Phoenix lifted its head high and released a clear, domineering cry that resounded throughout the entire competition hall.

Two Titled Douluo simultaneously summoned their complete Martial Souls atop the final arena!

The entire venue fell silent. The spectator stands, which had been buzzing with discussion moments earlier, the other participating students, and the instructors all froze in place. Even their breathing grew unconsciously lighter, and no one dared make a sound.

No one had expected a freshman assessment final to force two of the academy's strongest experts into a full Martial Soul confrontation.

A heavy, majestic pressure firmly enveloped the entire arena.

"Evil Soul Master? You dare cause trouble in Shrek? What nerve!"

Within the black mist, Yue Ling's slender figure carried an indescribable strangeness, his aura completely tilted toward the coldness of an Evil Soul Master.

He stood quietly in the center of the arena, his head slightly lowered. Orange-yellow long hair draped down, concealing his eyes.

Yellow, purple, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black.

Nine Spirit Rings slowly rose and fell beneath his feet, circulating as dense evil energy constantly spilled outward, making everyone's hearts tighten.

The one controlling this body at this moment was precisely the Remnant Soul of an Evil Soul Master Titled Douluo.

His wild, crazed laughter came from Yue Ling's throat.

"Hahaha! Xuanzi, Yan Shaozhe!?"

"Of course you don't know me, but I know you two! Hahaha!"

Controlling Yue Ling's body, the Evil Soul Master brushed back his hair and raised his head arrogantly to look at the two of them, his face full of smugness.

"You never imagined it, did you? That genius disciple you treasure so dearly had already been discovered by us, and we planted the seed long ago!"

"The junior you protect with all your strength will sooner or later destroy all of Shrek with his own hands!"

"Hahaha!"

His voice was cold and hoarse, carrying undisguised madness and malice as it echoed through the silent arena.

Below the stage, Ma Xiaotao's body suddenly stiffened, her pupils shrinking violently out of control.

"What is this... Yue Ling, you...!"

Gongyang Mo clenched his fists tightly, his face pale without the slightest trace of blood, his heart filled with deep regret.

He had noticed long ago that something was wrong, yet he had clung to luck and said nothing.

Coveting the improvements brought by the three Spirit Bones, he had watched helplessly as Yue Ling fell step by step into such a desperate situation, enduring unimaginable torment.

Scalding tears silently slid down from the corners of his eyes.

Even now, Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo still could not believe it.

The teammate who had fought alongside them and entrusted them with all his trust not long ago had a Titled Douluo-level Evil Soul Master Remnant Soul hidden within his body!

Xuan Zi's chest heaved violently. His overwhelming fury nearly crushed his reason, while the huge Taotie phantom behind him became increasingly violent, faintly releasing deep growls.

"Evil Soul Master... How dare you!!"

Yan Shaozhe's gaze was icy. The phoenix flames around him burned ever more fiercely, and his hands had already begun gathering power in secret, ready at any moment to purify the black mist and suppress the figure in the arena.

Yet neither of them dared act rashly.

Yue Ling's consciousness was still trapped inside that body.

If they launched a forceful attack, the first one to suffer devastating harm would be the disciple they were desperately trying to protect.

The two Titled Douluo were caught in an impossible dilemma.

On one side was an Evil Soul Master remnant, a scourge upon the continent with hands stained in blood.

On the other was an innocent youth trapped in torment, struggling desperately.

The oppressive atmosphere within the arena was nearly suffocating.

The black mist churned and shook endlessly as the Evil Soul Master Titled Douluo's sinister energy bit by bit eroded and suppressed Yue Ling's already precarious consciousness.

Before long, the one standing before everyone would no longer be Shrek's genius student, Yue Ling.

Instead, it would be the Evil Soul Master Titled Douluo, reborn by taking over his body!

A flash of realization struck Xuan Zi's mind, and he instantly understood the entire sequence of events.

"No wonder... no wonder when I went to Hundred Flowers Village to investigate back then, I couldn't find a single Evil Soul Master."

"So you had set your sights on this child long ago!"

Before the Evil Soul Master Remnant Soul could respond, Xuan Zi flashed forward and instantly appeared before him. He reached out with one hand and seized the throat of the Evil Soul Master occupying Yue Ling's body.

He used himself to restrain the Evil Soul Master within Yue Ling, preventing him from doing anything further.

But the Evil Soul Master controlling Yue Ling was not panicked in the slightest. Instead, he looked at Xuan Zi with provocation in his eyes.

"Hehahaha... The throat you're holding belongs to your most prized disciple. If you have the nerve, kill him outright! Hahaha!!"

Hearing the Remnant Soul's arrogant laughter, Xuan Zi was furious beyond measure, yet utterly helpless. He did not dare increase the strength in his hand.

Within Yue Ling's body, the hatred and resentment accumulated over four years were amplified many times over by this Evil Soul Master.

The black mist churned endlessly, while evil thoughts surged like a tide, madly battering against and eroding Yue Ling's soul.

He used the sixth soul skill of hatred and the blood-deep vendetta Yue Ling had buried in his heart for years to slowly gnaw away at the remnants of his consciousness, attempting to completely seize this body.

"Give up struggling... Your hatred, your pain, your despair, even your soul—they are all nourishment for me!"

"From this day onward, you are me, and I am you!"

One bewitching whisper after another washed over Yue Ling's tottering Spirit Sea and soul.

His consciousness grew heavier and heavier, nearly sinking into complete oblivion.

Countless scenes flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.

"No... I can't... My parents gave their lives so I could live on... My teacher, my teammates—they're still waiting for me. I absolutely can't just disappear here...!"

"Kill them. Turn everyone into nourishment to make us stronger!"

"Let us... become one!"

Everyone below the stage had their hearts in their throats. Xuan Zi clenched his fists, every breath unusually heavy.

Just as the Evil Soul Master's Remnant Soul was about to completely take control of Yue Ling's body—

Deep within Yue Ling's Spirit Sea, a crystalline, pure, dazzling crimson radiance suddenly flared to life!

His second Martial Soul: Lovesick Heartbreak Red!

The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum domain instantly vanished, replaced by a domain belonging solely to Lovesick Heartbreak Red.

Lovesick heartbreak; love and hate began with fate, while affection and enmity ended with fate.

There was no overwhelming aura, only a faint floral fragrance that gradually spread across the entire arena, carrying an indescribable desolation.

Within this domain,

The colors around them slowly faded away, leaving only crimson petals drifting lazily through the air.

The floral fragrance was not sharp or piercing, yet the loneliness and sorrow that reached deep into the soul truly shrouded the entire arena.

This was the unique domain of Lovesick Heartbreak Red.