Recruitment

The others' jaws dropped. "You're still the Head Flamen of Haishen Island?"

Ru Shenqi nodded. "That's right."

Tang San strategized, "Hmm, since you're still the Head Flamen, and technically an Ocean spirit master at that, the spirit masters in Vast Sea City should listen to you."

Gu Xingyun rested a hand on his beloved's shoulder. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Fang Youyou, Ming Yong, and Liao Suyin stepped forward, concern flashing in their eyes. "We can come too."

She smiled gratefully but shook her head. "My past is something that I must face alone. It's time I faced Ai Yonggan and her ditzy friends on my own. I'm the Goddess of Souls after all. They can't bully me anymore."

"Are you sure, Xiao Shen?" Xiao Wu asked softly. "Sometimes, taking some friends along isn't so bad."

But, Ru Shenqi didn't budge. "I can't leave the troops here at Liuying Gorge without some extra power. Should Hu Liena get up to something while I'm gone, there will be four Gods here to defend the joint army's camp. Don't forget, Laoshi, I'm a Quasi-God King. I can handle myself. Plus, I've already died once. I don't plan on doing so again just yet."

"If Xiao Shen thinks it'll be alright, just let her go," Yu Xiaogang advised.

Finally, everyone else present agreed. Her friends cried, "Xiao Shen, jiayou!"

She nodded and teleported away. Ru Shenqi reappeared in Haishen Hall. She turned and faced the Head Flamen's throne, bowing in respect.

If I don't want to scare the Ocean spirit masters, I cannot just appear before them.

After having worshipped the Sea God, she turned and headed for the tall double doors. They opened inwards as she approached. Alerted to a presence, the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians rushed over. When they landed on the flat ground just in front of Haishen Hall, they were stunned to see Ru Shenqi.

Recovering from their shock, they bowed respectfully. "Master Ru Shenqi."

She motioned for them to straighten. "I've come back just to check on things. The war at Liuying Gorge is still raging on. But if we want to finally defeat Spirit Empire once and for all, we're going to need an advantage."

Ou Ya stepped forward. "Master, what do you have in mind?"

"I, obviously, cannot leave Haishen Island completely unguarded. But if Sea Dragon Douluo and Sea Fantasy Douluo are willing to come with me to Douluo Continent, then two more powerful Douluos on our side might be able to tip the scales."

Sea Dragon Douluo frowned. "The Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians have never left their post before."

Sea Witch Douluo cut in, "But neither has the Head Flamen. And yet, Master Ru Shenqi has gone and come back."

Realizing she had a point, Sea Fantasy Douluo mused. "You want us for our domains, is that right?"

Ru Shenqi nodded. "Sea Dragon Douluo can break any domain. And Sea Fantasy Douluo can trap anyone within his domain, slowly seeping their lifeforce if their willpower isn't strong enough. These two domains are very powerful and can greatly hinder the Golden Generation and Spirit Empire's Elders and Flamens. The Fourth Flamen of Spirit Empire, Xiang Yuezu, has a scary domain. If it can be broken, that's all the better."

"Aren't you a Goddess, like Lord Tang San? With both of you, can't Spirit Empire be dealt with? Plus, we're Ocean spirit masters. Our skills won't be as strong on land as they are in the sea," Sea Lance Douluo spoke up.

"We have five Gods already, and there's a spring of water at the bottom of the gorge. I already have the Hall of Medicine disciples from Tang Sect breaking the earth to get to it. Once it floods the gorge, there will be plenty of water for Ocean spirit masters to draw on."

Sea Dragon Douluo caught her words. "Ocean spirit masters?"

"Yes. I was going to recruit Ocean spirit masters from Vast Sea City to help us out. They've been attacked by Spirit Empire's troops. They should be able to avenge themselves. And on top of that, some of them are quite powerful. Right now, our people at Liuying Gorge are spread thin. We have teams going out to destroy the supply route and stopping reinforcements from being able to come. As such, we need more manpower at the gorge."

But Sea Star Douluo shook his head. "We cannot afford to risk losing a Sacred Pillar Guardian. We can give you some spirit masters of purple and yellow rank to go back and fight, but there's too much risk in the guardians leaving their post."

"I understand that's the concern. But what if I said that I can guarantee your survival?"

The seven looked at her doubtfully. She smirked, and her original eight red spirit rings descended. "I assume you all aren't fully aware of what's happened back on Douluo Continent. As the Goddess of Nine Stars, I obtained a third divine ring. Its skill was called Eightfold Samsara. I could resurrect a person who had died in under a day's time. But in order for Xingyun to become a God, I gave up my life."

The Seven Sea Titled Douluos' eyes bugged. "What?! You died?! Then, how are you here?!"

"Because I was granted another God seat. Now, I sit as a Quasi-God King, the Goddess of Souls of the Douluo Divine Realm."

With that, she released her eight divine rings one-by-one until there was a total of eight icy blue spirit rings with silver streaks in them. The seven couldn't believe what they were seeing.

"Eight! Eight divine rings!"

Ru Shenqi nodded. "My fourth divine skill is basically the same as the third divine skill I had obtained as the Goddess of Nine Stars. It's just called Eightfold Soul Samsara now. But, I can still resurrect a person."

Sea Dragon Douluo lowered his head, thinking. Finally, he said, "Haishen Island can't afford to give up two Sacred Pillar Guardians. Master Ru Shenqi, I'll go with you, but leave Sea Fantasy Douluo here to help defend the island."

Knowing this was as good of a compromise as she could get, she nodded in agreement. "Alright."

He launched his seventh spirit skill, releasing his sea dragon form. "Master, hop on. We'll get to Vast Sea City much faster this way."

Ru Shenqi smirked. I can teleport right there, and he thinks flying will be faster?

But, she acquiesced. She leapt up and landed on the Sea Dragon's head next to the Sacred Pillar Guardian. "Sea Dragon Douluo, thank you."

He waved it off, and they set out.

<><><>

Back at Liuying Gorge, Yang Wudi and his disciples summoned their spirits. With their Soul-Breaking Spears and strength, it was easy for them to cut away at the hardened earth. For a while, Ning Fengzhi supervised, granting them support when he needed to. After a week of breaking into the gorge's wall, they finally could hear the gushing of water.

Yang Wudi leapt up to report to Tang San. "Sect Leader."

"Hmm?"

"Xiao Shen was right. There really is a spring. We're almost to it."

"Alright, bring your disciples up. I'll open the spring. That way, I won't risk anyone's lives."

Yang Wudi bowed, and left to go gather his disciples. Once they were all up above, Tang San jumped down. He summoned his Sea God's Trident, and took one swipe at the indentation. Suddenly, the wall caved in, and spring exploded out. His Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone activated, and he flew up above the raging water.

Xiao Shen was smart. If she can bring over some Ocean spirit masters, then with the flowing water from this spring, we can turn the tide of this war.

He flew up and landed on the edge of the gorge. The other Devils ran over.

Dai Mubai asked, "Xiao San, how is it?"

"Everything's ready. Now, we just need to hope Xiao Shen can recruit some Ocean spirit masters."

<><><>

Ru Shenqi and Sea Dragon Douluo descended upon Vast Sea City. People from all over came out to see what the commotion was. Bing Dadao, Can Huaban, Qing Qiangda, and the Five Terrors approached. When they saw the Titled Douluo with her, they were apprehensive.

"Xiao Shen," Bing Dadao began. "This is..."

"This is Sea Dragon Douluo, the strongest of the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians on Haishen Island."

Their eyes widened, and they bowed respectfully. Sea Dragon Douluo turned towards her.

"Master Ru Shenqi, we shouldn't dally here."

"Master?" Ai Yonggan scoffed. "You're just a freak. How can this esteemed Titled Douluo call you Master?"

Ru Shenqi glanced at her, a coldness seeping into her gaze. "Because... I'm the Head Flamen of Haishen Island and the Quasi-God King, Goddess of Souls."

The Five Terrors choked. "Head Flamen?! Goddess of Souls?!"

But then Li Zhonghe remembered something. "Wait... Xiao Shen, weren't you the Goddess of Nine Stars?"

She shrugged. "Yeah, then I died."

"What?"

"But then I was chosen was as a successor to the Goddess of Souls. So now, I'm even stronger than I was before." She turned towards her former teachers. "Headmaster Bing, Teacher Can, Respected Senior, the joint armies and the Shrek Seven Devils need help at Liuying Gorge. Could Vast Sea City spare some Ocean spirit masters to come and help us fight the Golden Generation?"

Bing Dadao sighed. "Most of us are Ocean spirit masters. How can we help you at Liuying Gorge?"

"Because there's a spring. It should be opened by now. With it, Ocean spirit masters can still draw on water. Plus, with Sect Leader's Light of the God of the Ocean, Ocean spirit masters will get a boost in power and attributes. Right now, we need more spirit masters before Spirit Empire can get reinforcements."

The two from Vast Sea City Primary Academy shared a look. Finally, they agreed. Qing Qiangda agreed to come as well. With them on board, Ru Shenqi went to gather Ocean spirit masters. Once she had gathered over two hundred, they met up at the entrance of Vast Sea City.

Just then, a scout from the Speed Hall appeared. "Goddess, Hu Liena has made her move! Sect Leader needs you there, now."

"Alright. We'll be there in a moment."

She waved her arm, preparing to teleport everyone over to Liuying Gorge when Li Zhonghe ran up. "Xiao Shen!"

"What?"

"Let me come with you."

Bo Xuanqi, Ai Yonggan, Sikong Yao, and Gan Qingqing approached just after him. "For the Ocean spirit masters and Vast Sea City, we'll go too."

Ru Shenqi nodded and teleported them all over to Liuying Gorge. When they appeared, Tang San and Xiao Wu were already in their Coexistence of Two Gods spirit fusion skill. One Hell White Tiger attacked. Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda rose up into the air as she entered her spirit avatar state. Ming Yong's Melody and Harmony Domain echoed across the gorge. Gu Xingyun's Barrage of Storms rained down over Spirit Empire's troops.

Just then, Ru Shenqi noticed the Flamens. She saw Xiang Yuezu summon her Arcane Harp and knew. She shot into the air and summoned her Requiem Flute.

"Sixth divine skill, Requiem of Souls!"

She began to play her tune, hoping to cancel out Arcana Douluo's sprit skills. When she had, the other Tyrants called out, "Xiao Shen!"

Her eyes sharpened. Fourth divine skill, Soul Replication.

Her fourth icy blue divine ring lit up. No one had seen her use this skill before, and she hadn't explained her skills to anyone beyond the exhibition match with the Shrek Seven Devils. Everyone waited to see what this skill was.

Soon, the Seven Kill Sword appeared in her hand. "Sixth spirit skill of the Seven Kill Sword: Myriad Sword Returning Tribe!"

One thought crossed everyone's minds as a flurry of swords came raining down. She can still duplicate others' spirits and spirit skills?! What kind of tyranny is this?!