Brother, You're All I Have...

"Good!"

Before Mu En could speak, Long Xiaoyao spoke first, undisguised approval in his eyes.

Seeing this, he seemed to remember his former self.

He truly admired Lu Cheng.

Both his talent and his steadfast devotion to love struck a chord in his heart.

"Our Holy Spirit Cult is willing to take you as a disciple! With your talent, after falling into demonhood, you might even become the Holy Son!" Long Xiaoyao said with some feeling.

Shrek Academy would pick up Zhang Lexuan, and his Holy Spirit Cult would take Lu Cheng. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

"I still think..." Mu En's expression was complicated.

"You just think too much. At worst, I'll lend this disciple of mine to your Shrek to study for a while. How about that?" Long Xiaoyao smiled and teased him.

"Agreed." Mu En nodded slightly.

"Huh?" Long Xiaoyao was stunned.

"Child, you'll need to come back to Shrek Academy with me." Mu En stared fixedly at Lu Cheng. "Grow up alongside Zhang Lexuan, then defect when the time comes. Over these years, I'll present your 'evidence of guilt' to her bit by bit. That will make it more believable, rather than abrupt."

"Remember, you are the Holy Spirit Cult's Holy Son, and you colluded with the Holy Spirit Cult long ago. Everything today was done by cult members you summoned. The reason was that you were born a demonic fiend with an extremely murderous nature. You slaughtered the Zhang Clan and Lu Clan because they discovered your identity as an Evil Soul Master. If even a fraction of the truth leaks out... this girl can't keep things hidden in her heart."

Lu Cheng sneered inwardly.

Wrong, wrong. Even with all your intricate schemes, you could never have calculated that this was... the Continent of Romance.

But he knew full well that he had to play his part to the end, so he lowered his head, hiding his expression in shadow.

Mu En gave Lu Cheng a meaningful glance, nodded to Long Xiaoyao, then turned and left.

[Mission complete]

[Reward: Twin Martial Souls, Blood Pupils]

Lu Cheng thought to himself that this Martial Soul could be considered top-tier. The only pity was that the word "blood" laid bare its evil nature. Clearly, its method of cultivation differed from that of ordinary people...

"Boy, if you simply fall into demonhood, your Martial Soul might end up damaged... not every Soul Master grows stronger after turning dark. Your mind might even be devoured. Are you certain?"

Long Xiaoyao studied Lu Cheng with interest.

"Senior Long, who said I was going to fall into demonhood?" A smile curled at the corners of Lu Cheng's mouth.

"Oh? That Martial Soul of yours probably won't be accepted in the Holy Spirit Cult... hmm?!!" Long Xiaoyao's pupils abruptly contracted.

"Twin Martial Souls?"

"That's right."

Lu Cheng placed two fingers beside his eyes. Feeling his spiritual power surge, enveloping a stretch of forest several hundred meters across, he chuckled.

His once-clear eyes were now tinged with blood-red, looking rather uncanny.

As expected... devouring souls will cause my cultivation speed to soar. It's somewhat similar to Tang Ya's.

Lu Cheng thought to himself.

This reward was quite good. It also served as a pledge of allegiance to the Holy Spirit Cult.

"Hahahaha, what a monstrous brat. If I bring back word that you've joined the sect, Xishui will surely be delighted." Long Xiaoyao could not hide his smile.

"Very well."

After a long while, he waved a hand and studied Lu Cheng.

"Later, I'll send someone to deliver a few things. Don't refuse them. Since you've chosen to join the Holy Spirit Cult... talent alone isn't enough. You'll also need a pledge of allegiance."

"Understood."

Lu Cheng fell silent for a while.

"Hahahaha..."

Long Xiaoyao threw his head back and laughed, his figure slowly dissipating.

"..."

Lu Cheng finally deflated as well. His legs suddenly went weak, and he collapsed to the ground, sinking into unconsciousness. Although everything had been part of his plan, he had faced two Limit Douluos while his Soul Power was already exhausted and he was gravely wounded...

He did not know how much time had passed before he opened his eyes.

He saw a petite figure carrying him on her back, walking slowly through the forest.

"Lexuan..."

A trace of guilt flashed through Lu Cheng's eyes.

His throat was dry, and he murmured her name.

"Brother?!!"

A delighted voice rang out.

The girl's bright eyes turned toward him. Seeing that Lu Cheng had awakened, she hurriedly lowered him carefully to the ground. "I'll get you some water! There's a stream nearby."

With that, she hurried away.

Is the second chapter this long?

Actually, it was not so much long as agonizing.

Even though those family members had only flashed by in the cutscene, seeing their corpses last night had still left him feeling awful, as though it had really happened.

Lu Cheng struggled to sit cross-legged, leaning against an ancient tree. Sensing the disordered meridians inside his body, he felt somewhat helpless. Those bastards... they had struck so viciously. His storage diamond ring had been shattered last night, and naturally, the medicinal herbs he carried inside it for treating injuries were gone too.

At this rate... relying on meditation to heal his injuries would probably take at least two or three months.

Suddenly, a dark figure appeared. It was one of the three who had pursued them last night.

At this moment, however, the man was quite courteous, offering him a soul tool diamond ring. "Your Highness the Holy Son, the supreme elder ordered me to deliver this to you. I am truly sorry for what happened last night..."

"..."

Lu Cheng gave him an indifferent look and nodded slightly.

All of this would probably be stored in an image-recording stone, to nail him firmly to the identity of an Evil Soul Master in the future. Still, he was willing to cooperate.

"Go."

"As you command!" The black-robed man vanished from the spot like the wind.

"Healing pills, the Holy Spirit Cult's exclusive black robes. Heh, the supreme elder really has thought of everything." Lu Cheng chuckled. Without further hesitation, he simply swallowed two pills and quietly circulated the cultivation technique he practiced, beginning to heal his injuries.

"..."

"Brother, are you all right now?"

Zhang Lexuan pressed her lips together. Watching the color gradually return to Lu Cheng's face, she forced a smile.

"Do you miss home?"

Lu Cheng stood up, looking at the girl as he asked softly.

"Waaah..."

Tears instantly poured down the girl's face like rain. She threw herself into Lu Cheng's arms, the emotions she had suppressed all night bursting forth as she sobbed, "Brother, I don't have a home anymore. Dad and Mom, they're all... waaah..."

"It's all right. I'm here."

Lu Cheng closed his eyes and gently patted the girl's back.

Only after a long time did the girl quiet down, seemingly having vented all her emotions. She wiped her tears and looked at Lu Cheng with reddened eyes, clutching the hem of his clothes tightly. "Brother, you're all I have. You can't leave me, not even for a day..."

"All right."

As though petting a cat, Lu Cheng gently stroked the girl's hair, his gaze soft.

The girl, who would usually become a little annoyed when treated like this, was exceptionally docile now.

She seemed quite reluctant to let go of this rare warmth.

Jingle~

Zhang Lexuan took a hairpin from inside her clothes and looked at Lu Cheng imploringly. Last night, she had hidden it away early for fear that the wind chimes would draw their pursuers. She spoke softly.

"Brother, can you put it on for me?"

"Of course."

Lu Cheng smiled, took the hairpin, and deftly pinned up her long, glossy black hair.

"Is it pretty?" Zhang Lexuan looked at Lu Cheng, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

"Pretty..."

After a long while, Lu Cheng finally nodded as he spoke.

"Mm!"

The corners of the girl's lips lifted, and a smile bloomed across her face.

"..."