Holy Spirit Cult headquarters, within the dim council chamber.
Zhongli Wu sat high in the seat of honor, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. Below him, an Evil Soul Master knelt trembling, his forehead pressed to the floor.
"Is the information you brought... truly accurate?"
The Evil Soul Master raised his head, his face full of ingratiating smiles. "Reporting to you, my lord, it is absolutely true! I saw it with my own eyes. Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Martial Soul is definitely the Holy Maiden we have been searching for!"
Zhongli Wu narrowed his eyes.
The Holy Maiden they had searched so desperately for...
At last, she had been found.
He rose and walked to the window, looking into the distance.
In the direction of Shrek.
"An Inner Academy student of Shrek, with a Fire Phoenix Martial Soul and evil fire within her..." he murmured. A faint smile slowly curled across his lips. "Interesting."
The Evil Soul Master hurriedly said, "My lord, Shrek just lost nine students. They are in a state of panic right now. Though Ma Xiaotao survived, she was injured. This is precisely when she is at her weakest!"
Zhongli Wu did not turn around.
After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke.
"I will make the trip myself."
The Evil Soul Master was overjoyed. "My lord is wise!"
Zhongli Wu waved a hand, and the Evil Soul Master hurriedly withdrew.
Only Zhongli Wu remained in the council chamber.
He gazed at the night beyond the window, the smile on his lips growing deeper and deeper.
"The Phoenix Holy Maiden... Heaven truly favors me."
At the back mountain.
Long Xiaoyao stood at the edge of a cliff, watching the sea of clouds roll in the distance. Soft footsteps sounded behind him as Ye Xishui came to stand