Beneath Mingdu.
In the dim and deep underground caverns, twisted stone walls were lined with hidden doors. Beyond the innermost one—
Zhongli Wu sat at a table, his expression dark, rhythmically tapping the surface as though lost in deep thought.
Surrounding him were several offerings (senior members) and elders of the Holy Spirit Cult.
Everyone looked dispirited, as if they had already foreseen their fate.
Ever since Xu Cheng ascended the throne a year ago, the Holy Spirit Cult's survival space had been shrinking. For an organization already weakened by the inability to devour souls, this was a devastating blow. Many elders and disciples who relied on soul devouring had already been suffering, and now things had only worsened.
Why?
Because on the second day after ascending the throne, Xu Cheng rapidly enacted a series of laws.
And what kind of organization is the Holy Spirit Cult?
A criminal, soul-murdering, evil group of Spirit Masters. Murder, arson, human trafficking—if it was despicable, they did it.
You weren't even considered a real member unless you had blood on your hands. So when these rigid laws came down, Zhongli Wu nearly burst a blood vessel, eyes red with rage. He personally went to confront Xu Cheng—only to find the sly boy had vanished, not even in the imperial palace, and hadn't shown himself once in the past year.
He had promised to make the Holy Spirit Cult the official religion of the Sun-Moon Empire. Strength should not stagnate. After all, under Zhongli Wu's command were true evil Spirit Masters—people who felt itchy and restless if they didn't break the law. If they weren't committing crimes, they couldn't grow stronger.
So Zhongli Wu instructed the second elder, Nangong Wan, to continue operating their underground businesses.
And not long after—
Nangong Wan was politely invited by a fully armed Fire Phoenix mecha squad to spend a few days in the imperial prison. When he returned, he was… not quite right.
Every Holy Spirit Cult member involved—whether meditating in the headquarters' underground base or trafficking in the black market—was captured by the Sun-Moon military and executed. Heads were displayed in the underground city of Mingdu for days.
Zhongli Wu, once smug and confident, was now completely stunned.
From top to bottom, the entire Holy Spirit Cult was now trembling.
They weren't just raided by a squad—they were hit by an entire soul-guided battalion under the Fire Phoenix, the Hand of the Nation. All members were second-generation mecha users, over a hundred of them, all with Soul Douluo-level power. Their commander? One of the Sun-Moon Empire's Level 9 Soul Engineers.
But more importantly—
They were backed by the entire Sun-Moon Empire!
So no matter how angry he was, Zhongli Wu could only watch helplessly as this "group of bandits" walked right in and took his disciples. He knew, from that moment, his authority in the eyes of his followers had taken a serious blow…
His martial soul was the Death Demon Puppet, inherited from his mother.
It had ties to controlling the souls of spirit beasts.
One of his trump cards, the Bone Dragon King, was a soul beast he had collected from a secret realm. But even that beast's devoured souls had begun to dissipate!
No matter how hard he tried—even seeking his mother's aid—it was all in vain.
"If this continues, the Holy Spirit Cult might really become... 'Holy'!" Zhongli Wu sneered coldly.
"...Lord Cult Leader," said Nangong Wan miserably, "with Mingdu banning human trafficking and soul tool trade, the Xi Shui Alliance's channels are completely frozen. Even Shrek Academy has cut ties with us…"
"..."
The Xi Shui Alliance had once ruled Mingdu's underworld thanks to the protection of the Holy Spirit Cult. The Sun-Moon Empire's stance had always been ambiguous—so long as they didn't cause too much trouble, things were allowed to slide. But now…
With Xu Cheng's open opposition, all revenue was cut off.
The Holy Spirit Cult was hemorrhaging resources.
"This can't go on!"
Zhongli Wu slammed the table, eyes cold and sharp.
"I always knew that brat had bad intentions. And now, while Mother still lives, he's already making his move. Uncle Long, I need your help!"
"…"
Long Xiaoyao was silent for a moment. "What do you intend?"
"The old switcheroo!" Zhongli Wu let out a chilling laugh."Invite Xu Cheng to the Holy Spirit Cult for a 'talk', then ambush and imprison him. We'll find an elder skilled in transformation to impersonate him. After three years, even if he's supernaturally talented, he might've only just reached the threshold of Titled Douluo. We'll have Mother issue the invitation herself, under the guise of inheritance discussions—he won't suspect a thing…"
"And with you here, Uncle Long, keeping him contained will be easy!"
Long Xiaoyao frowned slightly."But…"
"I support Wu'er," came a weak voice.
All eyes turned.
From the shadows emerged a frail, white-haired old woman, walking unsteadily like she might collapse at any moment.
"Xi Shui."
Long Xiaoyao's expression changed, and he rushed to support her.
His eyes were full of confusion.
Just three years ago, Ye Xi Shui had still been bold and carefree. But as her life force waned, her temper worsened. Even Long Xiaoyao, who had been by her side for years, no longer understood her.
"He caused all this," Ye Xi Shui said bitterly.
If it had been fate, she could have accepted it.
She wouldn't have complained if gods were involved.
But the issue—the reason souls could no longer be devoured, and instead entered a strange state—seemed to originate with Xu Cheng!
Once, in despair, she had attempted self-dissolution.
But as her soul left her body, she had a bizarre experience.
She was guided by an unknown force, drifting with other souls into a foggy realm. She sensed that if she went deeper, her soul would be purified and enter the cycle of reincarnation—becoming a new life on this planet.
Due to her soul's strength, she glimpsed a high being above the mist.
Even a single glance left a lasting impression.
And next to that being… stood a familiar figure—Xu Cheng!
Fortunately—
Long Xiaoyao forcibly dragged her back.
Now, looking around, she finally revealed this deeply buried secret, her eyes full of rage.
It was Xu Cheng who ruined all her plans!Now, she wanted answers. And if she could cut off reincarnation, her injuries could be healed! Her otherwise fatal wounds would no longer threaten her life!
As an Ultimate Douluo, how could she be willing to start over, abandoning her power, cultivation, and the empire she built—the Holy Spirit Cult?
"So that's what happened!"
"Damn it—I treated him like a Holy Son, and he cut off our brothers' path!"
"Support the Cult Leader! Kill him!"
The entire chamber erupted with excitement.
Everyone's eyes lit up with eagerness.
Yes, it was risky.
But their side was far from weak.
Two Ultimate Douluo, Zhongli Wu at Rank 98, multiple high-level offerings, and eight great elders…
With such a lineup, if they caught Xu Cheng off guard, they might even topple the entire Mingdu, let alone just one "Holy Son."
PS:The space project is a top-secret initiative by the Sun-Moon Empire. Xu Cheng, Zhang Lexuan, Xiao Hongchen, and others spent most of the past three years in the Temple of Destruction, training and growing. Besides Kong Deming, Jing Hongchen, and Elder Cheng, almost no one knows their current status.
"Invite the prey into the trap!" shouted Nangong Wan, thrilled.
Ever since the Holy Spirit Cult was driven underground like stray dogs three years ago, it had split into two factions:
One led by Zhongli Wu, representing the old ways and the evil core of the Holy Spirit Cult.
The other, by Xu Cheng, stood for the so-called good side.
Their ideological divide had grown irreconcilable.
Worse, Xu Cheng's faction, backed by the Sun-Moon Empire, enjoyed luxury and status. Even some former Soul Douluo dared act smug in front of him. As one of the Eight Elders, Nangong Wan couldn't tolerate it.
Of course, he'd never admit that he once tried to defect to Nana, only to be humiliated and thrown out.
Now that he had a chance to fan the flames, he was more than willing.
With even his elder brother agreeing, the rest of the elders dared not object. They quickly voiced support.
"Then let's begin the planning…" Zhongli Wu suppressed his excitement and began laying out the operation.
Elsewhere—
"Teacher, do you think this signal axe looks cool?"
Wang Dong'er playfully toyed with her new martial soul.
"Cool," Lu Cheng replied, face calm.
Even though… it felt kind of weird to him.
"Buzz—"
Suddenly, with a tremor in space—
A squad of mecha-clad soldiers appeared all around them.
"Emperor!"
These mechas were adorned with crimson patterns, and on their arms was a motif resembling a phoenix about to take flight.
Xu Cheng nodded slightly, unsurprised by the title they addressed him with—it was something he had grown used to.
Indeed, he had asked for it himself.
In the world of Douluo Dalu, there were many similarities to the "Emperor" worlds.
Behind the façade of a power fantasy story, there was a harsh and cruel undertone.
Humanity was by no means the protagonist of this universe.
What people called the Divine Realm was merely a tiny corner of the cosmos, ruled by so-called "powerhouses" of a certain region—by no means the peak of existence.
In the vastness of the universe, many terrifyingly powerful races existed.
Just as it was said in The Three-Body Problem:
"Chaos and disorder are the norm. The destruction of a civilization is the norm, not its continued survival."
For example, the Divine Realm being swept away by a spatial storm.
Or the Abyss Plane setting its sights on Douluo Continent—even without interference from God-King Tang San, Douluo Star might not have escaped the covetous eyes of other abyssal worlds.
Let alone the real boss behind the Abyss Plane—the Mother of Crimson.
She was a being at the half-step God-King level.
That's why, only by looking to the cosmos, could one begin to comprehend their own insignificance.
Human civilization was far from being the eternal ruler of the universe. It was merely a lucky participant standing briefly on the stage of cosmic history.
And Xu Cheng's mission—
Was to etch the name of humanity into every planet across the stars.
Under the name of "Emperor."
But this was destined to be a grueling journey.
After all, the unknowns of the universe were too vast. The races hidden in its chaos too many. For humanity to rise above this savage battlefield and emerge victorious—becoming a God-King wasn't even the end goal. It was merely the starting line.
Several soldiers from the Fire Phoenix Legion pounded their chests in salute.
"The Commander asked us to deliver a message—"
The squad leader stepped forward and respectfully handed Xu Cheng a letter.
"The Holy Spirit Cult's plot…"
Xu Cheng chuckled.
He had already torn the Holy Spirit Cult full of holes.
They really thought they were meeting in secret?
Though, he was mildly surprised that Zhongli Wu had endured for so long.
As for Ye Xishui… she truly lived up to being the soul of an Ultimate Douluo, having been forcefully pulled back from death by Long Xiaoyao.
Xu Cheng mused quietly.
Elder Yi's Netherworld, when it came to souls of this caliber, still lacked sufficient control. Of course, Elder Yi hadn't intervened directly—had he done so, even a semi-divine soul would've been forced to obediently walk the path of death and reincarnation.
"Emperor... the title of the human ruler, huh..."
Wang Dong'er bit her red lips gently, trying to draw attention.
"That's right."
Xu Cheng nodded again.
"Help me forge something."
"What is it?" Wang Dong'er's beautiful eyes lit up.
"The Rakshasa Demon Scythe!"
As Xu Cheng spoke, a purple silhouette appeared beside him, carrying on her back a massive scythe completely mismatched to her delicate figure.
"She is…" Wang Dong'er's smile froze on her face.
Someone who could emerge from Teacher's spiritual sea—
Clearly had to be someone very close to him.
Not only was her appearance breathtaking—on par with her own—but her strength was unfathomable. Even as a Titled Douluo, Wang Dong'er couldn't read her depth.
Damn it!Who the hell was this woman taking over her teacher?!
"What are you thinking?! She's the divine sense of the Rakshasa God."Xu Cheng knocked her on the head, annoyed.
Over time, the Rakshasa Divine Sense had already reached the semi-divine level.
But the strength of that divine sense was tied to the Rakshasa Demon Scythe itself. Since the scythe had been shattered and then patched by the lingering will of Bibi Dong, it still had faint cracks and was not fully restored.
Now that Wang Dong'er had become a Level 9 Spirit Forger,It was the perfect chance to test her.
If she could fully repair it, then the Rakshasa Divine Sense's power ceiling would soar. Restoring its Level 1 God strength would no longer be a dream.
"The Rakshasa Demon Scythe. A super divine weapon of a Level 1 God. Try repairing it. If you can't, don't force it." Xu Cheng took the scythe from the purple-dressed girl and handed it to Wang Dong'er.
"Oh... okay..." Wang Dong'er scratched her head, eyes lingering on the purple-clad girl, her gaze carrying a hint of grievance.
The latter noticed, and shot back a proud glance, leaning in beside Xu Cheng.Xu Cheng absentmindedly ran his fingers through her silky purple hair.
Wang Dong'er: "…"
Even more aggrieved.
She bit her lip.
Unwilling.
Right now, Sister Lexuan, Sister Xiaotao—they had all gotten what they wanted.
Only she was still left behind!
Damn it!
"But Teacher…"
Wang Dong'er's eyes flickered, suddenly finding her counterattack.
"Hmm?" Xu Cheng looked at her in surprise.
"I need to borrow her for a while!" Wang Dong'er pointed at the Rakshasa Divine Sense, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
Let's see how you like being taken!
Rakshasa Divine Sense: ???
Revenge… came so fast?!
"Alright, let her go with you for now," Xu Cheng nodded lightly.
"Yay!" Wang Dong'er cheered, a victorious smile blooming on her face.
Meanwhile, the Rakshasa Divine Sense looked like she had lost the will to live…
(End of Chapter)