"What are you doing!"
Ma Xiaotao's face was filled with anger as she violently shook the iron chains, trying to break free from Xu Cheng's grasp.
"This pattern is quite noticeable. The arms and legs are too easy to discover—only the lower abdomen is most suitable. Of course, if you prefer to have it on your face, I don't mind." Xu Cheng let go of her hand and spoke calmly.
"Hmph, then hurry up..." Ma Xiaotao turned her face away.
Xu Cheng didn't waste time. He lifted the fiery red academy uniform once again, revealing a smooth, fair lower abdomen, and gently pressed his palm against it.
"Mmm~"
Ma Xiaotao bit back a strange sensation. She suddenly felt a warm palm against her stomach, sending a continuous stream of warmth flowing through her bloodstream, spreading to every part of her body.
In the dark prison cell, this was a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.
She let out a soft hum, turning her head away and biting down hard on her silver teeth, refusing to make any more sounds. Yet, a faint blush had already spread to the tips of her ears.
"It's done."
Xu Cheng withdrew his hand.
Looking again, a complex, dark red pattern had already appeared on Ma Xiaotao's lower abdomen.
"Hah..." Ma Xiaotao let out a trembling sigh of relief. "Why did you carve a pattern on my body when the imprint is supposed to be in my spiritual sea?"
"Oh, it wasn't necessary. Just a personal preference." Xu Cheng chuckled.
Ma Xiaotao: ???
Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she glared at Xu Cheng.
"You Fuck-"
But in the next instant, Xu Cheng was already waving with a smile before his figure disappeared from sight.
"Don't struggle, it'll be over soon..."
Nan Gongwan grinned, thinking Ma Xiaotao was still resisting.
As time passed, Ma Xiaotao closed her eyes, pretending to sleep, letting out a slow breath of relief in her heart. That man was despicable, but at least he hadn't lied to her...
"Your Holiness, the Saintess!"
Nan Gongwan calculated that the effects of the drug were about to wear off, so he quickly took a respectful step back and bowed.
"You... where is this place?" Ma Xiaotao looked around with a "confused" expression.
"This is the Holy Spirit Church! You are the Saintess of our Holy Spirit Church!" Nan Gongwan's eyes were filled with joy.
Holy Spirit Church Headquarters
At the deepest part of the lair, where a skeletal dragon coiled, a figure in a black robe sat cross-legged, silently cultivating.
Nan Gongwan's figure slowly emerged as he spoke in an ingratiating tone: "Congratulations, Lord! We have gained another Saintess! Our Holy Spirit Church is unmatched in the world!"
"It worked?" Zhongli Wu slowly opened his eyes.
"It worked! After administering the drug, the Saintess has completely forgotten everything about Shrek and has successfully integrated into our Holy Spirit Church!" Nan Gongwan replied respectfully.
"If that's the case, assign her a task to get some experience." Zhongli Wu said indifferently.
"The Saintess is already eager to accept a mission to the Star Dou Forest and has left..." Nan Gongwan couldn't hide his excitement. This was all thanks to his efforts in brainwashing her.
"By the way, make sure Xu Cheng and the Saintess don't meet!" Zhongli Wu suddenly remembered something and sternly instructed.
"Why is that..." Nan Gongwan was momentarily stunned. But when he glanced up and saw the cold look in Zhongli Wu's eyes, he quickly lowered his head. "Yes, I will strictly follow the Lord's orders!"
After leaving the cave, Nan Gongwan finally let out a breath.
He muttered to himself: "Looks like the Saint Son has already displeased the Patriarch. Based on the Lord's attitude today, a conflict in the future seems inevitable. But both sides are powerful... which one should I side with? Ugh, what a headache..."
On a Mountain Peak
"This spiritual imprint allows me to sense your location and current state. We're all smart people, let's not make things unpleasant..."
Xu Cheng smiled as he spoke.
"Hmph!"
Ma Xiaotao coldly snorted, glaring at Xu Cheng with burning hatred, wishing she could tear a piece of flesh from him.
She was clearly disgusted by his "twisted preferences."
Now, she looked completely different, but she was draped in a black cloak, exposing her fair and delicate face, with her cheeks puffed up in frustration.
"Of course, if you want to contact me, you can also do so through the imprint in your spiritual sea." Xu Cheng waved his hand. "Speaking of which, with this, anyone who tries to control your mind will be immediately noticed by me. You could say it's a blessing in disguise."
"Xu Cheng!!!" Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth.
"Oh, come on, don't blame me." Xu Cheng shrugged. "If Shrek wasn't so weak, would you have been captured so easily?"
Ma Xiaotao instantly fell silent.
Her beautiful eyes glanced toward the distance—toward the direction of Shrek.
When she was captured, she had been right by Sea God Lake! It wasn't long before she would have reached the Sea God Pavilion Headquarters!
Yet, she had been taken so effortlessly.
With the strength of the Sea God Pavilion Elders, there was no way this should have happened...
Could it be... Elder Xuan?!!
A flicker of gloom passed through her amber-like crimson eyes.
Had Shrek already been infiltrated this deeply?
Seeing Ma Xiaotao's changing expression, Xu Cheng grinned.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
Once he met Zhang Lexuan, they could "align their stories."
Elder Xuan... why not just switch sides for real?
"Alright, I'm leaving. Head to Star Dou Forest first and wait for me there." Xu Cheng waved his hand.
"Hey! Aren't you afraid I'll run back to Shrek or leave behind a secret message?" Ma Xiaotao asked softly.
"Don't be silly, girl. Do you think I'm doing charity work here?"
Xu Cheng chuckled and pressed his hands together in a "bye-bye" gesture.
Ma Xiaotao's face turned pale in horror as she suddenly found herself copying his actions involuntarily.
"Now do you understand?"
Xu Cheng smiled, but in Ma Xiaotao's eyes, this annoyingly handsome face looked like that of a terrifying devil...
Tian Dou City
"Wang Dong, are you sure this is safe?"
Xiao Xiao clung nervously to Wang Dong's arm, glancing around anxiously.
Even though the streets were bustling and lively, the young girl still looked uneasy.
"Relax! I'm the heir of the Clear Sky Sect. I specifically sent letters to my two dads, asking them to send strong protectors. Look!"
Wang Dong pointed.
Two towering men instantly appeared, kneeling on one knee. "Young Master!"
"Plus, we have a Titled Douluo protecting us from the shadows. And this is Tian Dou City, the heart of the Tianhun Empire. The Clear Sky Sect still holds some influence here." Wang Dong reassured her.
"Thank you, Wang Dong..."
Xiao Xiao shyly peeked at Wang Dong before lowering her head further.
Wang Dong: ?
Oh no. I forgot about this. I'm doomed!
She looked at Xiao Xiao, then clenched her teeth. Forget it. I'll explain everything properly once we reach the Clear Sky Sect, or this will only get worse...
As the two figures walked farther away, a sneaky, limping figure trailed behind them.
Tang San's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Daughter! My daughter!
I've finally found you!"
He did his best to use Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, but due to his lame leg, he moved in a strangely awkward manner.
He followed them all the way out of Tian Dou City and into a forest.
Just then, Wang Dong's eyes flashed coldly, and she let out a snort. "Who dares sneak around? Speak! Were you sent by that old man Xuan Zi?"
"Oh no!" Tang San, hiding behind a tree, froze.
A terrifying pressure suddenly descended upon him, slamming him into the ground, his face pressed into the dirt, looking utterly miserable.
(End of Chapter)