Beginning

Without a doubt, this chicken was the Holy Spirit Cult.

Because the Holy Spirit Cult itself was notorious, even when it preached, it first hid behind the façade of other religions, using them to select talented individuals with evil martial souls or recruit ordinary people as informants. Mu Feng could simply copy this approach.

The only difference was that his own plan was entirely a double-agent scheme. His explanation to Zhongli Wu was that he intended to develop the Holy Spirit Cult's influence within the three great empires. He could first use the Angel Holy Church as a cover, secretly select suitable talents and turn them into believers, then use the Holy Spirit Cult's resources to rapidly build his own power.

All he needed to do was remain at the center and coordinate the overall situation. Zhongli Wu believed that Mu Feng, whose life was in the Holy Spirit Cult's hands, would never betray them. Therefore, the harder Mu Feng worked to spread the so-called Angel Holy Church, the more Zhongli Wu would subconsciously believe that Mu Feng was doing his utmost for the Holy Spirit Cult.

Moreover, Zhongli Wu could not possibly enter the core territories of the three great empires in person. Thus, even if Mu Feng made some covert moves and paid lip service while acting otherwise, Zhongli Wu, unable to be there himself, would have no way of noticing.

After one or two hours of discussion, the old man and the young man finally settled this insidious and cunning plan within a dazzling golden sea of spirit.

The first step was naturally to write Zhongli Wu a letter "brimming with sincerity." First, he would report on his progress as a spy, conscientiously detailing every recent major event at Shrek Academy. Only at the end would he explain his own intentions.

He also wrote separate letters to Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao. Of the three letters, including the one to Zhongli Wu, only Long Xiaoyao's contained a little human warmth.

Long Xiaoyao could be considered Mu Feng's only half-friend in the Holy Spirit Cult, so his letter also mentioned a few amusing campus anecdotes.

After sealing the three letters separately, Mu Feng lay back down on the hospital bed.

With the help of his storage ring, Mu Feng did not need to lug around bags of luggage when leaving the hospital. After putting away all his personal belongings, he completed the discharge procedures.

Mu Feng first went to the office to find Mu Jin. Mu Jin was delighted to see him fully recovered; Mu Feng was her trump card for the freshmen examinations.

Having learned his lesson from the battle against the Burning Heaven Sacred Radiance Luan, Mu Feng had been especially diligent in theory classes these past few days. Not only had he learned much about soul beasts, but he had also gained some understanding of certain special martial souls.

During breaks from his studies, Mu Feng also took the time to send the three letters back to headquarters through the Holy Spirit Cult's exclusive communication channel. However, the dozens of believers he had recruited last time could not wait for an entire month.

For the first two days, he had personally ordered Black and White Impermanence to deliver supplies from village to village. But fruits, vegetables, and other foods could not be stored for long. In urgent circumstances, Mu Feng decided to act ahead of schedule.

Disguised, Mu Feng sat in a private room of an inn. Five or six people sat below him, ranging from their fifties or sixties to their twenties or thirties. These people were the entire core leadership of the Holy Spirit Cult around Shrek City and the borders of the three great empires.

Mu Feng could now conceal the sacred aura leaking from his martial soul very well. No matter how hard these people racked their brains, they could never have imagined that the owner of the Six-Winged Angel martial soul, who had caused such a stir at Shrek Academy, was actually the Holy Spirit Cult's Holy Son seated at the head of the room.

Mu Feng had already briefly introduced the plan. Sitting upright with a stern expression, he said, "The people sent over must not exploit or harm the villagers. If any of you are discovered—"

Mu Feng sneered. "You all know the methods of the cult. This operation concerns the Holy Spirit Cult's development plan for the next hundred years. Anyone who disobeys orders or acts on their own will suffer the same fate."

Of course, Mu Feng knew that intimidation alone could not lead a team well. He continued, "Every month, I will send two envoys to inspect the performance of each village in turn. Anyone who meets expectations or performs exceptionally will receive rewards from the cult."

A short, pot-bellied middle-aged man who looked like a stone stump clapped his hands and said with a bitter smile, "Your Highness, the Holy Son, you know that the cult's foundation here is extremely weak, and the resources invested are scarce."

He narrowed his eyes, rubbed his hands together, and forced a smile. "It's hard to get anything done without money, you see."

Mu Feng had indeed considered this problem. He had not yet received a reply from Zhongli Wu and had not obtained any substantial support from the Holy Spirit Cult. With only one thousand Gold Soul Coins in hand, making it through the month would be quite difficult.

The best solution he could think of was to first gather the resources of all the branch altars, consolidate them, and distribute them himself. But seeing that fleshy, smiling face, Mu Feng felt that this plan would likely come to nothing.

The Holy Spirit Cult was itself a group of evil soul masters. Deep down, they lacked a sense of belonging to the sect and had little discipline. If Mu Feng forcibly requisitioned their resources, and they merely pretended to comply while secretly obstructing him, his fragile foundation would not withstand their meddling.

With a wave of his right hand, Mu Feng placed one thousand Gold Soul Coins neatly on the table. "Take this money and use it first. If you keep expenses low, it should last until the end of the month."

After giving it some thought, Mu Feng continued, "For now, maintain the existing believers. We can discuss expansion after the main altar sends people over."

The people below stared at the one thousand Gold Soul Coins on the table, their eyelids twitching. The private funds of any one person present far exceeded what Mu Feng had taken out.

Mu Feng noticed their strange expressions and said, "I did not bring much money when I left. This is all I have now."

The fat man had originally spoken to seek some benefits. Now that he had gained nothing, Mu Feng's act of taking out his entire fortune seemed rather sincere. If he still failed to show appreciation, he would be truly ungrateful.

"Very well, I will not go into further detail on the remaining matters." Mu Feng took out a small booklet and slapped it onto the table. "Anyone selected to become a priest must memorize the doctrines and tenets in this book. It also states what must be done during worship."

Before leaving, Mu Feng gave everyone a meaningful look and said, "If this plan succeeds, none of you present will be treated unfairly. I hope everyone will work together and do their utmost for the cult's development."

"As for supervision, that duty will fall to these two." Mu Feng pointed at Black and White Impermanence standing nearby, then said, "I trust you all know their strength. There is no need for me to say more."

The highest cultivation among the Holy Spirit Cult members present was merely that of a level sixty-three Soul Emperor, while most were Soul Kings. Faced with two Soul Sages, the pressure was self-evident.

Everyone nodded in succession. Several of them had been sent by the cult specifically to manage its communication outposts and knew the Holy Spirit Cult's strength well. Since the Holy Son had made himself so clear, none of those present who had become altar masters were fools. They all understood Mu Feng's unspoken meaning, and naturally, no one raised further objections.

Mu Feng's figure gradually vanished into the dark corridor. With his back to the others, his gaze grew increasingly solemn. Only now had his Apotheosis Plan truly begun.