The damp and cold underground chamber.
Ma Xiaotao's hands were each bound by an iron chain, suspending her in mid-air. Her head hung low, as if she had fallen into a deep slumber. Strange patterns adorned the chains—products of the Sun-Moon Empire's Mingde Hall, specifically designed to seal soul power.
Ever since she had opened her eyes again a few days ago, she had been trapped here. She had initially wanted to use her evil fire to burn through this dark and filthy underground chamber, but to her horror, she discovered that she couldn't mobilize even a trace of her soul power!
After that, the one referred to as "Cult Master" by those around her—the very person who had abducted her—came several times to persuade her to join the Holy Spirit Cult and become their Saintess. However, as a proud member of Shrek, how could she ever lower herself to associate with these vile rats lurking in the shadows? She had decisively refused…
"Bang!"
With the sound of an old wooden door being pushed open—
In the dimly lit chamber, a black-robed figure appeared before Ma Xiaotao.
She remained motionless, her head still hanging as if she were unconscious.
The black-robed figure gently lifted his hood, revealing an elderly face. He gazed at Ma Xiaotao, a faint smile forming on his lips. "Saintess, since you are unwilling to become our Holy Spirit Cult's Saintess, our Cult Master has run out of patience. He has sent me to employ some 'special methods.' I hope you can understand…"
"What are you going to do?!!" Ma Xiaotao suddenly raised her head, her delicate face filled with rage.
"I already said—it's just a little trick. Hehe, sleep now. When you wake up, everything will be fine…" The old man's face contorted into an eerie smile. From his storage soul tool, he retrieved a syringe and a small vial. The cloudy liquid inside the vial was drawn into the syringe, and he slowly stepped forward.
"I'll join your Holy Spirit Cult! Go back and tell your Cult Master—I am willing to join!"
Ma Xiaotao's expression turned to one of horror. She struggled desperately against the chains, but it was futile. The once-powerful and domineering flame demon now appeared as delicate as an ordinary woman.
She had heard rumors about the Holy Spirit Cult's methods of controlling souls and manipulating minds—techniques said to be effective even against Soul Douluo and even Titled Douluo, let alone her, whose soul power was sealed…
She didn't want to become a mindless puppet!
"Hehe, Saintess, there's no need to use such petty tricks to deceive me. You must be thinking of feigning surrender and waiting for the right opportunity to escape, aren't you?" The old man's eyes glowed with amusement. Originally, he had intended to give her the chance to 'see the light and abandon the darkness,' but for some reason, the Cult Master had suddenly lost patience and ordered him to proceed. She no longer had a choice…
"Shrek won't let you get away with this! You wretched vermin! Despicable scum!"
Ma Xiaotao struggled furiously, but her resistance gradually turned to terror as she watched the sharp needle approach her neck. She shut her eyes in despair, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
"Kekekeke, what can that weak Shrek do? We abducted you right from beside Sea God Lake in broad daylight. If they have the guts, they should come knocking on our door!"
The sinister laughter of the elder, named Nangong Wan, echoed.
Goodbye, Shrek…
Goodbye, everyone…
Yet, moments passed, and she felt no pain—no prick of a needle against her skin.
Suspicious, Ma Xiaotao slowly opened her eyes, and her pupils suddenly contracted.
She saw an eerie scene.
It was as if time itself had frozen—the sharp needle still hovered just before her neck, only a hair's breadth away from piercing her skin. The old man stood not far away, still wearing that eerie smile, yet he remained completely motionless…
Wait!
She dared not move a muscle, slowly shifting her gaze to the side.
"Xu Cheng! It's you!"
"Tsk… You actually recognized me? I guess you really aren't just a brainless beauty."
A short distance away, an unfamiliar yet unmistakably handsome figure had appeared at some point. His face was so striking that it was almost demonic. Xu Cheng casually lifted his hood and patted the dust off his sleeves, gazing at Ma Xiaotao with amusement.
She was still clad in the dark red uniform of Shrek Academy's inner court, though it was now somewhat tattered. Despite her pale complexion, her stunning beauty remained undeniable. Her curvaceous figure—suspended in mid-air by the chains—only made her appear more alluring…
Xu Cheng clicked his tongue.
No wonder the original work emphasized her figure. Like a perfectly ripe peach, there truly weren't many girls who could surpass her.
"What do you want?!"
Ma Xiaotao was on high alert.
Facing Xu Cheng, she felt as though she had no secrets, as if even her undergarments had been laid bare before him…
She tried to make her voice sound stern, but to Xu Cheng, it was no different from a coquettish protest.
"Come with me."
Xu Cheng smirked. "Of course, you can also choose to be injected. This liquid is the Holy Spirit Cult's so-called 'Holy Water.' Once it enters your veins, even a Soul Emperor or a Soul Sage will be forced into absolute obedience…"
"You… came to rescue me?"
Ma Xiaotao's mind momentarily went blank. She stared at Xu Cheng in disbelief.
You, the Holy Spirit Cult's Holy Son, came to rescue me?
Are you out of your mind?
"Who said I'm rescuing you?"
Xu Cheng cast her a sidelong glance and chuckled. "If I let you return to Shrek without permission, that would be a major crime. We've only met a few times—why would I take such a risk for you?"
"You have two choices.
One, stay here and become a mindless puppet.
Two, serve me. I will ensure you retain your consciousness."
"Choose."
"Serve you? Slaughter innocent civilians? Bring disaster upon the world? How is that any different from becoming an evil soul master?"
Ma Xiaotao scoffed and turned her head away, exposing her pale, slender neck.
"I knew you had ulterior motives. Hmph. Well, you're all just a bunch of vermin—what difference does it make?"
"Serving me won't require you to harm ordinary people, nor will you have to kill or help the wicked."
Xu Cheng smiled faintly. "But if you refuse, I won't force you."
With that, he turned and made to leave.
"Wait! I… I accept!"
Ma Xiaotao hesitated before speaking.
Though she didn't know what internal conflicts existed within the Holy Spirit Cult, there were clearly deeper secrets at play. Regardless, she absolutely refused to become a mindless puppet.
Her choice had already been made long ago…
"Good. Soon, he will still inject you with the drug, but you won't be brainwashed. When it's over, remember to act dull and emotionless—like you've lost your memories."
Xu Cheng smiled as if he had expected this outcome.
"Since you've chosen to work for me, it's only fair that you show some sincerity, right?"
"What do you mean?"
Ma Xiaotao's eyes narrowed.
"Naturally, I'll leave a mark on your spirit—to make sure you don't try to escape at the first opportunity."
Xu Cheng's gaze swept over her, as if picking the perfect spot.
"You… you…"
Ma Xiaotao stammered.
"You can refuse. I don't like forcing people."
Xu Cheng sighed. "But from your expression, one would think I'm the one bullying you."
"Fine! Just do it already! Stop dawdling!"
Ma Xiaotao snorted coldly.