Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

Joining the Holy Spirit Cult did not necessarily mean being a ruthless killer steeped in blood.

There were also people like Zhang Peng and Wu Yun—individuals who simply enjoyed eating mao xue wang (a spicy Sichuan dish made with duck blood) a few times, or those who had been cast out by society, betrayed, and left with nowhere else to go.

The eight elders of the cult were a bunch of vile and despicable individuals, none of whom were worth trusting. Their strength was weak, so Xu Cheng had never even bothered to recruit them over the years. Besides, even if he did, that Second Elder, Nangong Wan, was nothing but a fence-sitter who would likely betray him the moment he got the chance.

Thus, Xu Cheng had only set his sights on the twelve worshippers.

As of now, at least five of them had already been swayed.

Xu Cheng's proposed plans were simply too enticing—a series of grand, history-making schemes that could ignite one's passion just by hearing them.

Furthermore, a portion of the Holy Spirit Cult's evil soul masters treated slaughter and destruction as mere entertainment. Although the worshippers rarely voiced their opinions, deep down, they had no interest in associating with such lunatics.

This was why they agreed to serve as worshippers, taking on some assigned tasks while maintaining their independence.

None of them truly believed in the Holy Spirit Cult. After all, who in their right mind would willingly live among a bunch of maniacs whose entire existence revolved around betrayal, conspiracy, deception, and bloodshed?

Were it not for the two towering figures above them, they would have left long ago to seek a different path.

—

Inside a private room—

A tall figure stood by the window, his hood pushed back, revealing a strikingly handsome face. His black-and-white hair added an eerie touch to his presence. With his hands clasped behind his back, he gazed through the window at the streets below the hotel.

This was the Third Worshipper, Ye Cheng—Spirit: Fallen Angel, Rank 98 Super Douluo.

Originally from the Star Luo Empire, Ye Cheng hailed from a declining noble family. However, when he awakened his martial soul at the age of six, it mutated into a Fallen Angel. That day, dark energy surged into the skies, countless evil spirits circled around him, and ominous bells rang throughout the ceremony. He was immediately labeled as an evil soul master.

At the time, his father had invited two close family friends to witness the awakening. Even though he begged them not to spread the news, the very next day, city guards surrounded their home.

His parents were slaughtered, and he was only able to escape because his father activated a teleportation formation at the last moment.

For years, he wandered the continent, eventually encountering Long Xiaoyao, who invited him to join the Holy Spirit Cult.

"No matter. I wish to find a child with an Angel martial soul and protect them so that the bloodline may continue. Whatever plans Your Highness has, I will follow."

Ye Cheng's voice was calm and steady.

Xu Cheng nodded.

This elderly worshipper was a formidable force. As the Third Worshipper, his strength ranked among the top three within the Holy Spirit Cult. Yet, his only personal ambition was to pass on the Angel martial soul to the next generation.

He held no deep loyalty to the Holy Spirit Cult. If not for Long Xiaoyao's invitation, he would have continued wandering the continent.

Had he intervened in the original timeline, he could have easily caused massive chaos when the Holy Spirit Cult was destroyed.

—

"My only wish… is to kill that woman!"

Another elderly man with white hair and beard narrowed his eyes coldly.

"Rest assured, Elder Mu. I will personally see to her end."

Xu Cheng nodded slightly.

This old man was named Qi Mu, known as the Evil Spirit Sword Douluo. Martial Soul: Evil Spirit Sword, Rank 96. He was the Fifth Worshipper.

Originally, his martial soul was called the Jade Spirit Sword, one of the top-tier sword martial souls on the continent. Some even claimed he was a descendant of the Seven Kill Sword bloodline from ten thousand years ago.

But for reasons unknown, his entire sect was slaughtered by Ye Xishui in a sacrificial ritual. When he discovered the truth, his hair turned white overnight, and his martial soul mutated into the Evil Spirit Sword.

He altered his identity and infiltrated the Holy Spirit Cult, waiting for the perfect opportunity to avenge his sect.

—

Ye Xishui.

Xu Cheng had never met her in person.

But he knew all too well—she was the mastermind behind everything.

The way the original story tried to "redeem" her utterly disgusted him. How could they whitewash a woman drenched in blood, the founder of the most vile force on the continent, who sacrificed hundreds of thousands of innocent souls in Mingdu for her Death God Tower?

And then they added a tragic love story on top of it, trying to make it seem like her actions were justified by her past?

Utter nonsense.

She was just another version of Bibi Dong—a woman whose personal suffering led her to seek revenge on the entire world. The only victims were the innocent.

—

"I'm fine with whatever," another figure shrouded in dark mist yawned lazily. "The Holy Spirit Cult is full of lunatics. Finding people who are actually sane here is rare. If you guys have a plan, I'll lend a hand."

"Much appreciated," Xu Cheng replied with a smile.

This man was Zhang Cheng—Martial Soul: Mutant Octopus, Rank 95 Super Douluo, the Tenth Worshipper.

Originally from the coastal regions of the Sun-Moon Empire, he joined the Holy Spirit Cult for unknown reasons and never spoke of his past.

But regardless of their backgrounds, it was clear—these worshippers were all tangled in a web of grievances and personal struggles.

None of them were naive or foolish.

But that was fine.

Xu Cheng only cared about the results.

—

"Now that we're all here, Zhang Peng, you've been by the Cult Leader's side the longest. What's your take on the situation?"

Xu Cheng looked around at the gathered worshippers.

"The Cult Leader's dissatisfaction with you is growing," Zhang Peng said solemnly.

Xu Cheng chuckled. "As expected."

"He has openly complained several times, saying that you are obstructing his plans. Most of the Holy Spirit Cult's elders and evil soul masters rely on devouring souls and flesh to evolve. You have prevented him from slaughtering civilians, and he doesn't dare target the nobility, so naturally…"

Wu Yun nodded in agreement.

Xu Cheng closed his eyes.

He had always known the Holy Spirit Cult was a double-edged sword. That was why he had been secretly recruiting the worshippers.

Initially, the cult had helped him secure his position as the Fourth Prince. That was the advantage of using them.

But now, the blade was turning against him.

And Xu Cheng had strong suspicions—Ye Xishui was behind this manipulation.

After all, Zhongli Wu might be called the "Cult Leader," but he was nothing more than a puppet.

—

"Your Highness must make preparations soon," Wu Yun advised.

"But overthrowing the Holy Spirit Cult… is an extraordinarily difficult task," Ye Cheng furrowed his brows. "Forget Ye Xishui—I suspect she has already reached Rank 99 as an Ultimate Douluo. But even just Long Xiaoyao alone is beyond our reach. Although I am Rank 98, the gap between us is like an impassable chasm."

"Long Xiaoyao once roamed the continent as a free spirit. Why is he so devoted to that woman?"

The Evil Sword Douluo, Qi Mu, scowled.

Two Ultimate Douluos—two colossal mountains looming over them.

"Who knows?" Zhang Peng shrugged.

Everyone exchanged looks, struggling to hold back laughter.

They nearly blurted out the word simp.

But out of respect for Long Xiaoyao's former reputation, they refrained.

—

"Overthrowing the Holy Spirit Cult is not an immediate priority."

Xu Cheng did have a method—he could launch a missile packed with dozens of Rank 9 soul-guided bombs. The original series had already proven that even Ultimate Douluos couldn't withstand such an attack.

But the moment he fired it, war would be inevitable.

And if they survived… then he'd be the one in trouble.

For now, he needed to strengthen his own "hard" power.

Once he had a true trump card, then… he would strike.

(End of Chapter)