Jiang Jue looked at the devout Yan Feng below and lightly waved his fingers.
The Six-Faced Ghost Dream Cicada crawled to the back of Yan Feng's neck, extended its forelimbs, and stabbed into his skin.
A drop of blood emerged. Under the cicada's chirping, it transformed into a strange and intricate symbol—the very image of the Six-Faced Ghost Dream Cicada itself.
Yan Feng seemed completely unaware of what had just happened to his neck. He remained prostrate on the ground, his gaze fanatically fervent.
After completing this process, the cicada lightly flapped its wings and returned to Jiang Jue's hand.
Immediately afterward, a wisp of white energy floated out from Yan Feng's head and entered the throne beneath Jiang Jue.
The blood-red and ashen-gray throne trembled slightly before stabilizing once again. Originally somewhat ethereal, the throne became noticeably more solid as the white energy merged into it.
"Looks like my hypothesis was correct—it worked!"
Jiang Jue thought to himself, his gaze deep and unreadable.
Upon obtaining the Boundless Grievance Sea domain and witnessing the unique mutation of the Six-Faced Ghost Dream Cicada, Jiang Jue conceived a bold idea.
He would pull the new generation of the Holy Spirit Church into his illusion and make them his devoted followers—fanatical believers who would swear absolute loyalty.
This way, even if he wasn't physically present within the church, not only would these individuals pose no threat to him, but they would also actively support him.
In the end, the Holy Spirit Church would belong to him, Jiang Jue.
Now, this plan seemed entirely feasible.
"The dream must end now, and the illusion should disperse."
Jiang Jue clapped his hands together.
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
The world trembled violently. The blood moon in the sky shattered, and the ground beneath them cracked apart. The entire realm was collapsing!
"Boom!"
Jiang Jue and Yan Feng's figures vanished simultaneously.
And with that, the illusion faded into nothingness.
On the platform, Jiang Jue looked at the unconscious Yan Feng lying on the ground. With a wave of his hand, the Six-Faced Ghost Dream Cicada ceased its chirping, and the domain withdrew.
But by now, the hues of blood-red and ashen-gray had completely stained Yan Feng.
A moment later, Yan Feng slowly regained consciousness.
However, when he looked at Jiang Jue again, his gaze was filled with utter devotion. He shouted at the top of his lungs:
"I lost!"
"I lost!"
"I have been utterly defeated!"
His face was twisted with manic fervor, his mind seemingly unhinged.
Above the high platform.
"Fourth Brother, is your disciple broken? He looks like a lunatic."
"Should I send you some brains to patch him up?"
Masked Douluo grinned mischievously as he leaned toward Ghostly Nether Douluo.
"Yue Sheng, say one more word, and I'll cut you down."
Ghostly Nether Douluo coldly glared at him, his hand gripping his sword, drawing it out three inches.
"Fine, fine, I won't say anything."
Masked Douluo showed no displeasure and simply turned to Clock Li Wu, the leader of the Holy Spirit Church, saying respectfully:
"Congratulations, Church Master."
"Oh? And what exactly am I being congratulated for?"
Clock Li Wu feigned confusion, but the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth betrayed his true feelings.
"The Holy Son has defeated a Soul King while still being a Soul Sect. Beyond his own diligence and talent, it's also thanks to you, Church Master, for being such a great teacher!"
"Hahaha! Masked Douluo, how have I never noticed how clever you are before?"
Clock Li Wu burst into laughter, patting Masked Douluo's shoulder approvingly.
At the same time, he recalled Jiang Jue's words before the match:
"Seven-three."
It turned out he wasn't talking about win probabilities, but rather that Jiang Jue would take seven minutes, and Yan Feng would surrender three times!
"Tch! This Yue Sheng really knows how to flatter people."
A similar thought crossed the minds of many elders, accompanied by a hint of regret.
Why didn't I think of that just now?
No wonder Masked Douluo has been rising in rank so quickly lately.
Damn Yue Sheng!
"Ah! Boss Yan lost?"
Lu Genggeng exclaimed in shock, unable to believe what he was seeing.
"Cough, cough. What 'Boss Yan'? I only recognize the Holy Son now."
A young man beside him coughed lightly and spoke.
"Huh?"
A master of switching sides?
"Stand up!"
Jiang Jue commanded Yan Feng.
"Yes... As you command, Holy Son!"
Yan Feng climbed to his feet, his eyes burning with zeal as he gazed at Jiang Jue.
"Good! Very good!"
"Disciple, you did not disappoint me."
Clock Li Wu descended from the sky, looking at Jiang Jue with satisfaction.
"I would never dare bring shame to my master."
Jiang Jue responded firmly.
"Fourth Elder, take Yan Feng down to heal his injuries."
Clock Li Wu gestured toward Ghostly Nether Douluo. The elder instantly flashed to Yan Feng's side.
Seeing his disciple still acting a little deranged, Ghostly Nether Douluo raised his hand and gave him a solid slap to the back of the head.
Yan Feng's eyes immediately regained clarity.
"Ow! Master, what was that for?"
"Follow me to get treated."
Ghostly Nether Douluo waved his hand, nodding respectfully at Clock Li Wu. He then looked at Jiang Jue, gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, and left with Yan Feng.
He wasn't upset about losing.
What bothered him was how strange his disciple was acting—he had to get him checked before he embarrassed himself further.
His greatest pride in life was his swordsmanship… and his dignity.
"Disciple, I approve of your request."
Clock Li Wu then turned to several young elites behind him, pointing at Jiang Jue.
"From now on, he is the goal you must strive to catch up to."
"Understood, Church Master! I will follow in the Holy Son's footsteps and obey his orders!"
The same young man from earlier responded first, his eyes brimming with determination.
"Such a perceptive individual?"
Jiang Jue's gaze landed on him.
The youth had broad bones and an unusually large frame. Despite the loose black robes he wore, his skeletal structure was still prominent—he almost resembled a walking skeleton.
"What is your name?"
Upon hearing Jiang Jue address him, the youth's face lit up with joy.
He's acknowledging me!
"Holy Son, my name is Tang Dai!"
"Very good."
Jiang Jue nodded slightly, giving him an approving look.
Tang Dai's face filled with excitement, while the other young elites quickly echoed his declaration of "Following the Holy Son's footsteps!"
Clock Li Wu stood silently at the side, not stopping them.
He was deliberately building momentum for Jiang Jue.
After all, one day, his disciple would succeed him.
And these young elites—who were around Jiang Jue's age—would inevitably become his most trusted subordinates in the future.
Fostering their reverence now could only be beneficial.
"Still, I need to finalize the selection of the people who will escort my disciple."
Clock Li Wu pondered as he observed the shouting youths.
Since he had agreed to let Jiang Jue participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, he wouldn't go back on his word.
But at the same time, he would never allow his disciple to suffer any grievances.
"Xiao Feng, what happened to you just now?"
Ghostly Nether Douluo carried Yan Feng as he flew, asking curiously.
He had chosen Yan Feng as his disciple not just for his talent but for his usually calm and composed nature.
Yet today, he had acted completely out of character.
"I'm fine, Master."
Yan Feng replied, unperturbed.
"Did the Holy Son break your mind?"
Ghostly Nether Douluo muttered, shaking his head.
"Master, do not speak ill of the Holy Son."
"The Holy Son educated me—he helped me see reality. He did not harm me."
A crimson light flashed in Yan Feng's eyes as he spoke solemnly.
Ghostly Nether Douluo suddenly halted midair, his expression frozen in shock.
Had he actually gone insane?!