22: Chapter 22 The Holy Spirit Cult's Conspiracy and Future Plans

Mu En's tone was full of gloom.

"Three days ago, an urgent report came from the border of the Star Luo Empire."

"Three Spirit Master teams encountered an attack by Evil Soul Masters while gathering spiritual herbs; in the end, only one person survived."

"The rest of the Spirit Masters all died from having their Soul Power sucked dry."

Sucked dry of Soul Power!

These words made Su Chen's eyelids twitch.

This was not a good sign.

"According to the survivor's description, those Evil Soul Masters could manipulate sinister energy."

"Wherever they passed, vegetation withered, water sources became turbid, and even the land became barren."

"Their methods are even more ruthless than the Evil Soul Masters from ten years ago, and they act with extreme coordination—they are definitely not a disorganized group."

Mu En paused for a moment, a bone-chilling coldness flashing through his clouded eyes.

"Our academy's intelligence department has been investigating for many days. Judging from intercepted codes and the sinister marks left at the scene..."

"There is a unified organization coordinating these Evil Soul Masters from behind the scenes."

"This organization is very likely the Holy Spirit Cult, which disappeared nearly twenty years ago."

The Holy Spirit Cult!

He was familiar with this name; it was the professional villain organization from the Douluo Continent series, practically the 'mudslide' of the Spirit Master world—they showed up everywhere.

The plot that was meant to come has finally arrived.

Mu En didn't seem to notice his reaction and continued.

"Back then, they were heavily damaged for attempting to use sinister energy to pollute the source of the plane."

"Now, after being silent for many years, they have suddenly appeared. I fear they intend to make a comeback and continue to stir up trouble!"

Su Chen fell silent.

As a transmigrator, he knew the historical direction of this world better than anyone.

The Holy Spirit Cult was a bunch of true lunatics.

They would use any means necessary for power.

"Your Chaos Qi is the primordial power from the beginning of heaven and earth."

"It can harmonize the five elements and purify sinister energy."

"Your Spirit is even more supremely Yang and rigid; you are a natural nemesis to those Evil Soul Masters."

At this point, Mu En's tone became incredibly serious.

"In the future, you will likely have to personally lead the academy's disciples to those places where spiritual energy converges to stop the Holy Spirit Cult from polluting the source."

"This is not only the mission of the holy son of the sea gods pavilion."

"It is also your responsibility!"

Hearing this, Su Chen felt the Chaos Qi within his body instantly boil over.

It was as if it were responding to some kind of call.

In his meridians, a violent yet orderly power surged, creating a strong resonance with his Spirit.

With a thought, Su Chen quickly calmed this power down, then stood up and gave a deep bow to Mu En.

"This disciple understands!"

"I carry the Chaos Source and am the holy son of the sea gods pavilion. Protecting Shrek and protecting the continent is my duty; I will never back down!"

The moment his voice fell.

A faint shimmer actually appeared around Su Chen's body.

Five streams of light of different colors appeared out of thin air, slowly circulating around his body.

Pale purple lightning arcs intertwined and leaped between the five-colored lights, outlining a determined figure under the cold moonlight.

Mu En nodded with gratification, chatted with Su Chen for a few more moments about the academy's recent affairs, and then let him go back to rest.

Su Chen bowed and took his leave, turning to depart from the Sea Gods Pavilion.

The night was as dark as ink, and the moonlight was cold.

He walked along the forest path back to the dormitory, still calculating matters regarding the Holy Spirit Cult in his mind.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the man-high grass nearby.

Then, a head poked out, looking around stealthily.

Su Chen looked closely—good heavens, wasn't that Huo Yuhao?

Not sleeping in the middle of the night and crawling through the grass here... performance art?

As if sensing Su Chen's gaze, the figure visibly stiffened.

After seeing that the newcomer was Su Chen, Huo Yuhao breathed a sigh of relief and climbed out of the grass somewhat embarrassedly.

"Brother Su Chen."

"Mm." Su Chen nodded and teased, "Yuhao, it's so late and you're not sleeping. Are you waiting here for a Spirit Beast to deliver itself to your door?"

"No... no."

Huo Yuhao's face instantly turned red, and he hurriedly waved his hands.

After confirming there was no one else around, he lowered his voice and leaned in with a nervous expression.

"Brother, I... I need to leave the academy for a while."

"Oh?" Su Chen raised an eyebrow. "Where to?"

A flash of determination appeared in Huo Yuhao's eyes, as if he had made a monumental decision.

"The Extreme North Land."

After saying that, as if afraid Su Chen wouldn't believe him, he added another sentence.

"Someone appeared in my dreams and told me that something there is calling to me, something that can make me stronger."

"I want to become strong. I don't want to be like before, always being bullied by others."

The Extreme North Land?

The Heavenly Dream Iceworm was already tricking him into looking for the Ice Empress at this point?

As a transmigrator, Su Chen was all too familiar with this part of the plot.

He remained calm on the surface, but he already understood everything in his heart.

Looking at the stubborn and slightly insecure youth before him, Su Chen thought for a moment and pulled out a warm jade slip from his robes.

"Take this. It can help you block a fatal attack at a critical moment."

Huo Yuhao was stunned.

Before he could react, Su Chen pulled out a roll of parchment.

"This is a map of the Extreme North Land. I've marked the safe routes and several supply points on it. Consider it something I drew for fun when I was bored."

Huo Yuhao held the two items in his hands, completely dazed.

The jade slip emitted a soft glow; it was clearly no ordinary item.

The map was even more frighteningly detailed, even drawing which ice caves might have snow rabbits.

Su Chen stuffed the things into his hands, patted his shoulder, and smiled mysteriously.

"Preparation leads to success, while lack of it leads to failure."

"You don't need to worry about the academy. I'll have a word with Elder Yan and Elder Qian; you can go with peace of mind."

"Come back early, and don't miss the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament."

Listening to Su Chen's nonchalant words, Huo Yuhao only felt a warm current surge into his heart, and his eyes instantly turned red.

Since coming to Shrek, this was the first time he had felt such unreserved care and support.

He didn't say anything more, only nodding vigorously as he carefully tucked the jade slip and map into his robes.

"Thank you, Brother Su Chen."

"Mm, go and return quickly."

"Okay!"

After saying that, he gave Su Chen a deep bow and then turned, disappearing into the night without hesitation.

Watching Huo Yuhao's disappearing back, Su Chen finally withdrew his gaze, put his hands behind his head, and slowly continued walking toward the dormitory.

Holy Son, oh Holy Son.

Su Chen sighed softly.

This identity sounds pretty impressive, but from now on, whatever I do will likely be watched.

It probably won't be so easy to wander around as freely as before.

But well, everything has two sides.

With higher status, the resources I can mobilize have also increased.

Many things I wanted to do before but didn't dare to can now be arranged in advance.

Thinking of this, the corners of Su Chen's mouth curled up slightly.

This isn't a bad deal!

Since I can plan ahead, the most important thing right now is to map out my future path.

Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Star Dou Great Forest, Yin Yang Love Inquiry Valley...

These treasure lands from the original work flashed through his mind one by one.

Especially the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—the good things there are just too many; it's practically a beginner village exclusive for cheaters.

Su Chen looked up at the cold moon, having found his answer.