Electrolux never imagined that the very gem he once used to restore his own spirit would become his greatest weakness.

"Grandpa Yi, I've always known how strong you are. I know you'd never agree with me, so just keep sleeping."

The blood-eyed Huo Yuhao bowed respectfully.

He was Huo Yuhao, after all, and knew Electrolux and the Skydream Iceworm inside and out. Of course he'd prepare thoroughly before making his move.

He had been quietly lurking within the gem all along, waiting for the moment when the Ice Empress was separated and the main personality was at its weakest, to seize control and overpower the Skydream Iceworm.

Because Electrolux had used the gem to restore his spirit, he became vulnerable to the blood-eyed self's power.

Otherwise, with Electrolux's help, he'd have no chance of victory.

As Electrolux's consciousness faded, Huo Yuhao lost consciousness, falling into darkness. Yet, as the main personality, he could faintly sense what was happening.

In the outside world, Huo Yuhao collapsed, his body glowing with a sinister dark red light.

The glow radiated mental waves, frightening off all nearby animals, who scattered in terror.

Yet, while this evil power drove away animals, it attracted an unexpected guest.

"So this is the place!" With a deep whistle from the sky, a massive emerald bird descended from above.

Its wings spanned several meters, feathers gleaming like jade in the sunlight.

On its broad back sat a gothic-looking girl, around twelve or thirteen years old.

She held an ornate parasol, legs swinging playfully. She was cute, but radiated an indescribable evil aura.

The girl had long dark red hair in twin ponytails, and striking blood-red eyes.

She looked at the unconscious Huo Yuhao below with interest, a sly smile on her lips. "Interesting. Such wicked spiritual waves—a good seedling indeed."

With a flick of her finger, a faint blood-red thread flashed in the air.

The jade bird's eyes turned dull, and it obediently landed, stretching its giant beak to pick up Huo Yuhao.

But just as the beak neared him, the air turned freezing cold. Gray mist spread rapidly.

A planar gate opened, emitting a chilling aura.

A giant skeletal dragon's head poked through, green fire burning in its eye sockets, spewing a blast of icy breath.

The blast instantly froze the jade bird into a beautiful ice sculpture.

"Huh, undead?" The gothic girl's face darkened, but as she eyed the skeletal dragon and the wave of undead pouring from the portal, her interest grew.

She calmly stood in mid-air, watching with idle curiosity.

At that moment, Huo Yuhao opened his eyes, now clouded and blood-red, looking at the girl in the sky with a sullen expression.

He cursed inwardly: after all the effort to seize control of his body and subdue Electrolux and the Skydream Iceworm, he immediately ran into a Title Douluo.

What rotten luck!

He could dominate in his own mind, using the gem's power, but in the real world, his soul power was only at the Soul Elder level. No matter how strong his spirit, he was no match for a Title Douluo.

Helpless, he released the undead from Electrolux's demi-plane, hoping to create chaos and escape.

"Interesting, little one. Want to join us?"

The gothic girl laughed sweetly, but her laughter sent chills down Huo Yuhao's spine.

She revealed her nine soul rings—three purple, five black, one red.

Such a terrifying combination made Huo Yuhao's pupils contract sharply.

A powerful pressure descended, no less than that released by Xuan Zi. Countless blood-red threads fell like rain, precisely attaching to the summoned undead.

To his shock, Huo Yuhao found his control over the undead instantly wrested away.

Even worse, blood-red threads silently wound around his own body, binding him completely.

"When did this happen?" Huo Yuhao's face darkened, the blood in his eyes growing fiercer.

He couldn't figure out when she had made her move.

"Why, right when you tried to run!" The gothic girl flashed before Huo Yuhao.

She tipped his chin with a delicate finger, wearing a proud smile.

"I'm Scarlet Nightmare, Title: Crimson. The Holy Spirit Hall's Third Consecrator. Little one, want to join us? We're the same kind, you know!"

Her voice was soft, tinged with temptation.

"Holy Spirit Hall? Never heard of it!" Bound tightly, Huo Yuhao could still use his spiritual power.

He stealthily gathered power, sending a dark red glow into Scarlet Nightmare's mind.

"Hmph!" She snorted. Huo Yuhao felt as if his head had been struck by a hammer, blood pouring from every orifice.

"Bold little one! Your spirit is strong, but I'm a ninety-seventh-level Title Douluo. The gap between us is immense. If not for your interesting abilities and potential, I'd have killed you a hundred times for that stunt!"

A murderous glint flashed in her eye. If not for his talent and the evil power she appreciated, Huo Yuhao would already be a lifeless puppet.

"What do I get if I join?" Huo Yuhao gritted his teeth, enduring the pain.

He was filled with helplessness, but his desire for survival and power forced him to swallow his pride.

"I'll make you the Holy Son, how about that?" Scarlet Nightmare was delighted—if he would submit, everything would be easy.

Bringing such an outstanding talent back would surely please the Supreme Master.

"Deal!" Huo Yuhao squeezed out the word.

He no longer wanted to return to Shrek Academy. He had no better options. The Holy Spirit Hall, with a Third Consecrator this powerful, was clearly a hidden powerhouse.

He wanted revenge and strength. In these circumstances, finding a strong backer was the best choice.

He had thought about joining the Body Sect, but now, there was no other choice.

Refuse, and Scarlet Nightmare would kill him on the spot. He didn't want to die so easily.

"Excellent!" Scarlet Nightmare smiled in satisfaction. She had been drawn here by the fierce battle in Shrek City, but found an unexpected treasure instead.

"Come, I'll take you to the Hall!" She grabbed Huo Yuhao by the collar as if he weighed nothing.

She released her control over the undead, not even glancing at the jade bird, her former mount.

Huo Yuhao hurriedly recalled the undead to the demi-plane before leaving.

…

In the God Realm, Tang San hurried back to the Sea God Hall from the Forbidden Land, immediately using the divine sense left on Wang Dong to observe the lower world.

Within moments, his expression turned grave.

Huo Yuhao had left Shrek Academy, disrupting all his plans.

With Huo Yuhao separated from Wang Dong, even as a God King, Tang San briefly lost track of him.

He could have found him by other means, but the God of Destruction was watching his every move, forcing him to be cautious and patient.