The Wuchang agents had already retreated at the first sign of Ji Yingying's nine soul rings.

They knew well the power of the ghost-fire—best to avoid friendly fire.

The blue fire transformed the cave into a sea of flames, the wails of the ghosts making the dungeon a true hell.

The battle lasted barely ten seconds before silence fell, the blue flames fading away.

When the Wuchang agents re-entered, only Ji Yingying remained.

As for the evil soul masters, their fate was clear.

"Go—go free your parents," Ji Yingying said to a pink-haired girl at the entrance.

The girl was about fourteen or fifteen, with healthy tanned skin—plain but pleasant looking.

"Yes, Lord Yama!" The girl's eyes shone with excitement.

She rushed into the depths of the chamber—her movements practiced, clearly familiar with the place.

Soon, the sound of her sobs drifted out—soft but full of both grief and joy. She must have found her parents' imprisoned souls.

A few minutes later, she reappeared before Ji Yingying, eyes red and cheeks tear-stained.

She dropped to her knees, her voice hoarse with emotion. "Thank you, Lord Yama, for fulfilling my wish! I'm willing to join Impermanence and serve you forever, without a single complaint!"

Her name was Na Na. Since childhood, she'd been in the Holy Church's clutches.

To control her, they'd imprisoned her parents' souls, forcing her to work as their spy at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.

But she'd always hoped to free her parents, even though her strength was insufficient.

Until Wuchang found her and promised to help in exchange for the location of the secret base.

Now, seeing the Holy Church's stronghold destroyed and her parents' souls freed, she had no more attachments.

Driven by hatred for the Holy Church and gratitude to Ji Yingying, she joined Wuchang, vowing loyalty.

She had also discovered, while undercover, that Mingde Hall was secretly colluding with the Holy Church, which made her hate the Academy and the Empire even more.

"Good. From now on, you're a White Wichang." Ji Yingying took a white mask from her pocket and handed it to Na Na.

Lu Jingming had provided Na Na's information, so there was no need for further vetting.

Na Na was talented—if nurtured, she could become a Title Douluo.

Her unique martial soul made her a perfect assassin, and Wuchang's style suited her.

With no more attachments, and out of gratitude, Na Na would now do anything Ji Yingying asked.

At the same time, Ji Yingying learned from Na Na that this Holy Church base had been guarded by the Third Elder, a Level 9 soul engineer nicknamed Ming Lei Douluo, who had already left for Dragon City in the Heavenly Soul Empire.

Lu Jingming, upon hearing this, recalled who the Third Elder was—a diehard admirer of Nan Shuishui, the Earth Dragon Sect master, who was a powerful Soul Douluo with the Rouge Dragon martial soul, able to fight even Title Douluos.

But now she faced both Ming Lei Douluo and You Ming Douluo, two evil Title Douluos—a huge threat.

Unless she stayed inside Dragon City, she'd be in grave danger.

The Third Elder had always wanted to kidnap Nan Shuishui, but the city was guarded by the Sky Dragon Douluo, a Super Douluo, so he never dared act.

But now, with the Holy Church cooperating with the Sun Moon Empire, their elders moved more freely.

This was why Lu Jingming opposed Snow Empress' idea of simply robbing the Mysterious Ice Marrow.

He planned to step in when the Earth Dragon Sect was in crisis, earning their gratitude—and making it easier to request the Mysterious Ice Marrow and Divine Crystal later.

He even considered recruiting the Earth Dragon Sect itself.

Dragon City would eventually fall to the Sun Moon Empire. The Earth Dragon Sect would need a new home—and Haiyuan City seemed perfect.

This way, Lu Jingming could avoid the reputation of a bully, unlike the Body Sect, whose brute force made them widely disliked.

Besides, this roundabout strategy wouldn't take much more time or energy.

With Snow Empress' power and two evil elders, they could easily handle it.

Thus, he could get the treasure, win goodwill, and rid the world of evil—all at once.

"If I remember right, the Sunset Forest is near Dragon City, and the immortal herbs in the Icefire Yin Yang Well should be useful to you, Buer."

Lu Jingming glanced at the blood-red stigmata on the back of his hand, speaking softly.

"I'm not sure, but as you said, absorbing the powers and memories of those herbs should strengthen the World Tree Stigmata," came a gentle, intelligent voice.

A beautiful woman in white appeared behind him—her hair fading from white to green, braided at the ends, her ears pointed like an elf, radiating wisdom and kindness.

"The World Tree isn't just a tree—it's knowledge, memory, wisdom. Its life force comes from that," Lu Jingming explained. "As its avatar, if you absorb those herbs, you should gain their powers and strengthen the Stigmata."

The immortal herbs all had miraculous powers, and in the presence of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, their powers would only nourish her further.