Chapter 178 - River Land

A few hours passed with the visible sun starting to go down and the night ascending. Everyone was heading towards the inn to celebrate another good day of demanding work and safety.

"They sure are living in the moment." Comment Xu Lizhi in a pleasant surprise as he watches everyone drinking and eating while talking loudly.

"It has been like that, ever since we got here." Mutter Xu Xiaoyu in slight irritation.

He didn't like recalling his reaction and surprise to their joyful mood. As he still recalled the embarrassing expression, he made while staring wide eyes at them. He was expecting people filled with despair and a feeling of technology was he was dispatched here.

One needs to understand, that these people practically suffer severely and lost almost everything. Yet they still had the ability to be joyful and smile in times like these.

Liu Yuxin didn't say anything but there was a faint smile on her face as she also stared at the people ahead. It was only Tang Wulin and Xu Xiaoyan who weren't staring but were thinking deeply or focusing on his food.

It was then Xu Xiaoyan also glances up at the people before letting out a gentle smile. She didn't know why but seeing these people showing such joy at a successful day of construction somehow caused her to feel lighter.

"Big brother, are you guys staying here?" Questioned Xu Xiaoyan after a bit of thought.

"Hm? No, our final destination is Shrek but we're going through all of the cities and checking them out."Said Xu Xiaoyu causing Xu Lizhi to question why.

"Haha. It's because there has been an odd number of evil soul masters popping out and trying to recruit people." Said Liu Yuxin, causing not only Xu Xiaoyan and Xu Lizhi eyes to widen but Tang Wulin to slightly narrow his.

'...They're already on the move I see.' Thought Tang Wulin.

Yun Ming had already told him about the nature of the Evil Soul Masters and their new official organization the Holy Spirit Cult. He mentioned to Wulin that this would be the ideal time for them to strengthen themselves, power and member wise.

As most if not all of the continent was filled with anger even if they were suppressing it at the moment. This means, all the Holy Spirit Cult had to do, is focused on the people's anger and d_e_s_i_r_e to gain new members.

"How bad is it?" Questioned Tang Wulin towards Liu Yuxin.

"I'm not sure but from what I have found out. Some of the people from cities across the whole continent has already decided to join the Holy Spirit Cult."Said Liu Yuxin with a slight frown while sighing.

Xu Lizhi and Xu Xiaoyan were too shocked to respond back. Just the thought of people joining that sinister and corrupt organization was something they couldn't get their heads around.

No one said anything for a while, as they all fell into thought except for Tang Wulin who went back to eating his food.

'...Should I?' Thought Xu Xiaoyan while furrowing her brows a bit before glancing at Tang Wulin and then everyone else.

"I want to travel with you guys." Said Xu Xiaoyan causing everyone in the group eyes to widen except for Tang Wulin who was still enjoying his food. But before they could say anything, Tang Wulin's voice rang out towards Xu Xiaoyan.

"Are you sure?" Questioned Tang Wulin in a light tone and causing everyone to glance towards him

"There will be no reward, benefit or maybe even recognition. In fact, you may just be squandering your valuable cultivating time." Said Tang Wulin with his head still down.

Every second and minute in a soul master life is considered critically important. As it could be the difference between reaching a new rank, gaining insight or surviving. While it would be very important to eliminate the evil soul masters, it would still take a good chunk of time locating them.

Tang Wulin was under no illusion that these soul masters would be dumb enough to come out in open sight. Especially when the higher-ups were agitated and on edge while looking for something to take their anger out on.

"Not only that but you don't have to know these people. Do you still want to help them?"Questioned Tang Wulin once again.

"You're not going to stop me?" Questioned Xu Xiaoyan with her eyes slightly widen after hearing no rebuttal from Tang Wulin.

"Why would I? I see no reason to stop you if you decided on it. You already know the consequence and the effect of your action. Worst comes to worst, we will just up your training and feed you some herb." Said Tang Wulin simply causing Xu Xiaoyan to slightly flinch from the upping the training comment but then she shook her head.

"Yes, I still want to go along." Said Xu Xiaoyan with her eyes burning with determination as he stared at Tang Wulin.

"Hm." Said Tang Wulin before going back to eating his food causing Xu Xiaoyan lips to twitch.

'Rest in peace, sister Xu.' Thought Xu Lihzi before blinking his eyes and recalling he too had to do continuous training with Wulin.

"There it is! I knew you had a passionate side!"Shouted Liu Yuxin with a beaming smile and her eyes sparkling causing Tang Wulin to simply roll his eyes.

"Just why did you pick him." Mutter Xu Xiaoyu towards Xu Xiaoyan causing her to let out a giggle.

Either way, Xu Xiaoyu wasn't against it as this meant he got to spend more time with his sister. He didn't know why, but he felt after this, they won't be seeing each other for a good while.

"Well, I guess it's settled." Said Tang Wulin with everyone nodding their heads with smiles.

After one more hour, everyone got up and went towards their room in the inn. Luckily for Tang Wulin, Xu Lizhi and Xu Xaioyan.

Liu Yuxin was able to get the owner to give them a room even though they had to pay extra. As these rooms were just incased some of the workers were planning to stay here and not at their own home.

Xu Lizhi got his own room, with Xu Xiaoyan and Tang Wulin sharing one. Liu Yuxin rationalizes that this way, they can save some money and room for the others.

Plus it wouldn't be too bad since both Xu Xiaoyan and Tang Wulin were dating each other. Of course, Xu Xiaoyu was unhappy about this and would have thrown a fit, if it wasn't for Xu Xiaoyan threatening him.

After staying for one night, they all began heading out. They all used the car that Tang Wulin and the others brought from the Xu Family. As they wanted to move through to the cities quickly, while not wanting to miss any Evil Soul Masters.

Xu Xiaoyu was the one that was driving, while Tang Wulin was sitting up in the front. Xu Lizhi was sitting at the back of the car, in between both Liu Yuxin and Xu Xiaoyan.

"Big brother, when did you get your license?" Questioned Xu Xiaoyan in surprise as she didn't know her brother was such a good driver.

It has only been an hour but they were already making good time. Xu Lizhi wasn't a bad driver per se, but it was just he barely had time to practice as he was busy cultivating.

"Oh? He didn't tell you? He got it before he left the Xu compound, as none of us knew how to drive and he wanted to show off." Said Liu Yuxin causing Xu Xiaoyu to send a glare at her.

Xu Xiaoyan simply laughs, while Xu Lizhi had a smile as they continued on their way. The time it took to travel from city to city wasn't too long and they used this time to get to know each other more.

Well mostly, Xu Lizhi and Xu Xiaoyan played along with Liu Yuxin whims, Tang Wulin was set on ignoring the witch in the car.

In each of the cities, they came face to face with the true destruction caused by the Calamities. As for most of them, they only heard news about it and only saw the damaged done to Shrek.

The craters, fissures, and gaps in the earth were burned into their minds. As they started to take in the destructive might and other-worldly powers of these beasts. With Liu Yuxin muttering if this was how the Great Tang San and Spirit Hall gods fought.

This questioned caused all of them except Tang Wulin to shiver in fright and fear. Truly the existence of god was something beyond anything in this world, or it used to be.

Similar to Heaven Spirit City, Xu Xiaoyan would routinely go help out the people with her brother and Liu Yuxin helping her out. Xu Lizhi was forced to train with Tang Wulin as every second counted when trying to gain destruction under control.

Xu Xiaoyan didn't mind this, especially after seeing how terrifying and deadly the destruction energy was. Even Liu Yuxin's face turned into a fright at the sight at the energy, with her commenting she feels small in front of it.

Ultimately, it took them about two weeks to reach River Land City. This city was a few kilometers away from Heaven Dou City with it housing its own Soul Master Academy and Spirit Pagoda.

There were reports and news that only part of the Academy was destroyed and with some of the teachers being killed. Alongside most of the city, being reduced rubble, as it was in the way of Fafnir when it made its way toward Shrek.

As they were moving through the City, they caugth the figure of a person moving through the street.

A pure and elegant beauty stood on the stage, long evergreen hair flowing down her back. With a slender figure and bright complexion full of life, she seemed to be in her thirties.

It was none other than, her Highness the Holy Spirit Douluo Yali.

"Master!" Shouted Xu Xiaoyan as she ran towards Yali, whose eyes widen when she looked up and saw Xu Xiaoyan.