Douluo Dalu 2: I got Kidnapped into Holy Spirit Cult

Xiao Hongchen's body suddenly seemed to melt away, transforming into a mass of dark golden liquid that dripped toward the ground.

As the liquid fell, traces of black liquid were diluted and left behind—this black substance was the condensed form of the dark mist that had invaded Xiao Hongchen's body.

"A soul skill similar to elemental body transformation," Jiang Jue observed indifferently through the mist, showing no surprise.

Xiao Hongchen's ten-thousand-year soul ring wasn't obtained from an ordinary soul beast that had just crossed the ten-thousand-year threshold. Instead, it came from a rare thirty-thousand-year-old soul beast.

To capture that soul beast alive, the Mingde Hall had mobilized three Level 8 Soul Engineers. During Xiao Hongchen's soul ring fusion, special medicinal enhancements were also used to amplify his body, granting him this powerful soul skill.

The dark golden liquid that Xiao Hongchen had transformed into quickly flowed beyond the black mist's range. This time, Jiang Jue did not command the mist to continue attacking but allowed Xiao Hongchen to escape its grasp.

Victory was already assured.

When the liquid reformed into Xiao Hongchen's body, he appeared pale and weak, collapsing to the ground.

Shrouded by the black mist, Jiang Jue slowly walked toward Xiao Hongchen, stopping in front of him and looking down.

"I lost."

Xiao Hongchen clutched his chest, his eyes dim and lifeless.

After using his fifth soul skill, his soul power was completely exhausted—he was now as vulnerable as a lamb to the slaughter.

He never imagined that, as a Soul King, he would be defeated by a mere Soul Elder. His confidence wavered.

At that moment, a slender hand reached out toward him.

"Get up," Jiang Jue said.

He still needed the support of Mingde Hall in the future—shattering the mental state of Jing Hongchen's grandson now would be counterproductive.

"You… you…"

Xiao Hongchen stared in disbelief. He had expected mockery, but instead, he was met with kindness.

"I said, get up!"

Jiang Jue pulled Xiao Hongchen to his feet and then turned toward the center of the arena.

A deafening cheer erupted from the stands.

The crowd's shock and admiration surged like a wave, with Jiang Jue standing as the focal point of it all.

Xiao Hongchen blankly watched Jiang Jue's departing figure, a spark returning to his eyes.

"Damn it… I'll let you off the hook next time," he muttered to himself. Rising unsteadily, he exited the arena—he was not accustomed to being anyone's stepping stone.

The arena buzzed with excitement, and the spectators looked at Jiang Jue with newfound respect.

Soul Masters admired the strong. Jiang Jue, a mere Soul Elder, had not only fought his way through a crowd of Soul Ancestors but had even defeated a Soul King.

Standing in the center of the arena, Jiang Jue remained composed. He constantly reminded himself to stay humble and cautious.

"Alright, quiet down!"

The enthusiastic uproar lasted for three minutes before Lin Jiayi flew to the center and amplified his voice with soul power to restore order.

Gradually, the noise subsided.

"Next, our Hall Master Jing Hongchen will present the award to the champion—Jiang Jue."

From the elevated VIP platform, Jing Hongchen stepped down, landing gracefully beside Jiang Jue.

"Little Jiang, I thank you on behalf of Xiao Hongchen," Jing Hongchen said, using soul power to deliver his words directly to Jiang Jue's ears.

As a Title Douluo, he had been observing the match closely. Although the black mist obscured vision, it could not block his perception.

Jing Hongchen understood his grandson's personality. Jiang Jue's gesture of pulling Xiao Hongchen to his feet not only lifted his body but also restored his shaken spirit.

It was for this reason that Jing Hongchen expressed his gratitude.

A flash of red light appeared in Jing Hongchen's hand, revealing a silver spear.

The spear was adorned with intricate dragon patterns, its polished surface gleaming. The spearhead exuded a cold, sharp aura, and a black bone fragment was embedded in the middle of the shaft, faintly radiating soul power.

"This spear is called 'Falling White.' It is your reward for winning the battle royale. Take it."

With a smile, Jing Hongchen handed the spear to Jiang Jue.

The moment Jiang Jue grasped the spear, he felt a devouring force emanating from the black bone fragment embedded in the shaft.

"As a gesture of gratitude for helping my grandson, I'm upgrading your reward to an eighth-level close-combat soul tool," Jing Hongchen explained. "The spear is fused with a thousand-year Devouring Dragon's right arm bone, giving it a slight devouring attribute. It's quite valuable—use it well."

Jiang Jue examined the spear briefly before storing it in his spatial ring.

"Thank you, Hall Master Hongchen!"

Jing Hongchen nodded and, after offering some words of encouragement to the gathered students, ascended back into the sky and disappeared.

Thus, the battle royale came to an end.

However, Jiang Jue's name spread throughout the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy—even the students and faculty of Mingde Hall took notice of him.

This was precisely Jiang Jue's goal—to establish himself within the academy.

Time flew by like a fleeting shadow, and four months passed quietly.

In the Third Laboratory—

"Mr. Xuan, we're heading out!"

Ke Ke called out as she packed her belongings, linking arms with Juzi as they bid farewell to Xuan Ziwen.

With the semester drawing to a close, their final class had just ended, marking the start of their vacation.

"Be careful during the break, and don't neglect your soul engineering practice," Xuan Ziwen reminded them with a smile.

"Got it, got it—bye-bye!"

Ke Ke cheerfully dragged Juzi out the door. Before leaving, Juzi turned and gently waved to Jiang Jue, who was still etching core formations.

"See you next semester, Jiang," she said softly.

Jiang Jue paused his engraving to return the wave.

Since the battle royale, Juzi's attitude toward him had changed—she had grown warmer, though Jiang Jue maintained a polite distance.

Once outside, Ke Ke nudged Juzi's shoulder teasingly.

"Juzi, you like Jiang Jue, don't you? Go for it!"

Juzi's fair cheeks flushed red, and she swatted at Ke Ke playfully.

"Stop teasing me!"

"If you like him, you should make a move—he's worth it," Ke Ke insisted, though a trace of sadness flickered in her eyes.

"You're asking for a beating."

"Juzi, if you like him, go for it boldly. I don't think you're any worse than Meng Hongchen."

Keke dodged Juzi's playful swipe with a teasing tone, though a trace of sadness flashed through her eyes.

How could she not want to "go for it" herself? What she said to Juzi was also what she wished she had the courage to tell herself.

Since the battle royale ended, Meng Hongchen had frequently visited their lab to find Jiang Jue. Jiang Jue never refused her company—in fact, they often ate and chatted together. This made Keke feel like her world was falling apart.

"Aiya, let's go! I'm treating you to beef offal stew."

"Alright, you said it!"

The two girls giggled and strolled out of the lab, though only they knew the true feelings hidden in their hearts.

Behind them, Zimu walked in silence with a sorrowful expression. It felt like his goddess already had someone else in her heart. As he watched the snowflakes drifting down outside, his heart felt cold and heavy.

Not long after they left, a figure entered the lab—it was none other than Meng Hongchen.

She seemed unusually cheerful today, and even her steps were light and bouncy.

Upon entering, she softly called out Jiang Jue's name.

Seeing that Jiang Jue was still focused on engraving a core formation, she quietly walked over and sat beside him, cupping her delicate face with her hands as she gazed at him in silence.

Half an hour later.

Jiang Jue finished the core formation in his hands and combined it with several others to complete a soul tool.

"Teacher Xuan, here you go."

Over the past four months, Jiang Jue had become a quasi-level-four soul engineer. As soon as his soul power reached the Soul Ancestor level, he could officially apply for the assessment.

His cultivation had also advanced to level 36. With the continuous enhancement from the Life Gold, his soul power had been growing steadily.

"Alright, Jiang Jue, you should go home and rest too."

During these months, Jiang Jue had been integrating technologies from his previous life with soul tools, gradually fulfilling the ambitious promises he had made to Xuan Ziwen. In return, Xuan Ziwen had officially joined the "Evening Water Alliance" under the Holy Spirit Sect. Once Jiang Jue entered the Mingde Hall, Xuan Ziwen would resign from the academy.

"Miss Meng, didn't you say you wouldn't be coming today?"

Jiang Jue looked at Meng Hongchen beside him with a hint of confusion in his voice.

Of course, he understood the stirrings of a young girl's heart.

"Jiang Jue, it's snowing outside, and today is the Lantern Festival. Will you go for a walk with me?"

Meng Hongchen's ice-blue eyes sparkled softly as she gazed at him. This boy, younger than herself, had already found a place deep within her heart.

"Mm… alright."

Jiang Jue agreed. Since today marked the last day of the semester, he figured he could take a break and relax a little.

"Yay! Let's go!"

Meng Hongchen beamed and, without hesitation, reached out to grab Jiang Jue's hand, pulling him along as they left the lab.

Watching the two of them walk away, Xuan Ziwen showed a rare smile—an expression of nostalgic amusement as memories of his own youth surfaced.

Behind the Mingde Hall, a small lake shimmered under the falling snow. The area was already bustling with people.

Everyone held glowing lanterns in their hands, chatting and laughing in small groups.

Despite the technological advancements of the Sun Moon Empire, certain traditions still held significance. The Lantern Festival was one of the most cherished holidays.

On this day, most people would light lanterns and either release them into the sky or set them afloat on the water, carrying their hopes and wishes for the future.

Meng Hongchen led Jiang Jue to a small bridge arching over the lake. Her steps gradually slowed, and her gaze became uncertain.

She frequently stole glances at the boy beside her, her fingers unconsciously tightening their grip on his hand. As the lake's surface twinkled with the gentle glow of countless lanterns, it seemed as if she had made up her mind about something.

(End of Chapter)