Chapter 60: SIlver Dragon Scales

From the moment he started learning forging, Xia Yi's goal had always been to reach Heavenly Forging.

The target that Gu Yue set for him was to become a God Forger, and with Xia Yi's talent in forging, as long as his cultivation increased, reaching Saint Forging would be no problem.

What he needed to learn the most was Heavenly Forging.

There was no real need for him to join the Tianhai City Forging Masters Association.

"Since that's the case, I look forward to the day you become a God Forger," Duan Xuan said, looking at Xia Yi before turning and leaving. It was clear to him that Xia Yi had intentionally rejected him, and with his status and position, being rejected meant he wouldn't insist.

"I thought you'd agree and then scam him for some money," Gu Yue said after Duan Xuan disappeared from sight.

"Is that how you see me?" Xia Yi gave her a big eye roll.

"Do you really not know what kind of person you are?" Gu Yue rolled her eyes back at him.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this," Gu Yue waved her hand, and a black car appeared from the distance, stopping in front of them.

"Get in the car," she said, opening the door and pulling Xia Yi inside.

Once inside, Xia Yi realized that the driver was Zi Ji, and there were also Di Tian and Bi Ji in the car.

"Have you found out what I asked you to investigate?" Gu Yue asked in a low voice.

"I've confirmed through some clues that Leng Yulai has indeed joined the Holy Spirit Cult," Di Tian said in a deep voice.

"And?" Gu Yue pressed.

"I don't know anything more. I tracked the Holy Spirit Cult's movements, but I sensed an extremely powerful aura. To avoid exposure, I had to stop the investigation," Di Tian said, his tone serious.

"An extremely powerful aura?" Gu Yue frowned slightly. For Di Tian to describe it as powerful, it must have been at least a semi-god level figure.

"Yes," Di Tian nodded, after thinking for a moment, he added, "And her aura doesn't seem human."

"Not human? Then it must be a soul beast," Gu Yue's brow furrowed, "On the continent, there are only a handful of powerful soul beasts. Besides you, who else could have semi-god-level cultivation?"

"I don't know," Di Tian shook his head.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Yue turned to Xia Yi and said seriously, "With a powerful being like the Dark Phoenix missing, the Holy Sprit Cult will undoubtedly do whatever it takes to figure out what happened. Yesterday, you used the Dark Phoenix's power during the match, so sooner or later, the Holy Spirit Cult will trace it back to you."

Originally, the Tianhai League competition, being a lower-level event, would have been of no interest to the Holy Spirit Cult. However, Xia Yi's victory over Ye Xinglan, combined with the media hype created by the federal government, meant that within just one day, videos of his battle with Ye Xinglan had spread online.

It was impossible for the Holy Spirit Cult not to notice.

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Xia Yi asked calmly.

"I want you to join the Holy Spirit Cult and help me figure out who the powerful soul beast within their ranks is. Also, see if you can use this opportunity to gain control of the Holy Spirit Cult," Gu Yue said in a serious tone.

"This suggestion isn't just because the Holy Spirit Cult might notice me due to my actions, is it?" Xia Yi asked seriously.

Back on the soul-guided bus to Tianhai City, Gu Yue had specifically asked him if he would consider joining a sect.

At the time, Xia Yi had rejected her without much thought.

Now, Xia Yi finally understood that Gu Yue had wanted him to join the Holy Spirit Cult all along.

To be precise, Gu Yue must have decided to ask him to join after seeing the Dark Phoenix tattoo on his arm.

After all, the power of the Holy Spirit Cult was evident. If Xia Yi could control the Holy Spirit Cult, the benefits would be obvious.

That was why she had sent Di Tian to investigate the Cult's forces in advance.

"That's right. I want you to use the Dark Phoenix's power to join the cult. Di Tian will help you disguise the tattoo on your arm as a second martial soul. Since Leng Yulai is trapped inside you, no one will expose your identity," Gu Yue admitted directly. She knew she couldn't deceive Xia Yi, so it was better to be honest.

"This is the information I've gathered on the Holy Spirit Cult," Di Tian said, handing Xia Yi an envelope filled with documents.

Xia Yi took the envelope, flipping through it as he said, "According to your logic, the Cult will eventually trace everything back to me. In that case, I'll wait for them to come to me."

"That works too," Gu Yue nodded, then turned to Di Tian, "Start now."

"Got it," Di Tian replied, then turned to Xia Yi, "Give me your right arm."

Xia Yi nodded slightly, extending his right arm, which was covered in the Dark Phoenix tattoo, to Di Tian.

Di Tian took a deep breath, and black dragon scales appeared in his hand. He grabbed Xia Yi's arm, and the sharp dragon scales in his palm instantly cut into Xia Yi's skin.

In the next moment, terrifying dark power erupted from Di Tian's palm and slowly seeped into Xia Yi's body through the wound.

With a sharp pain, Xia Yi felt as though the dark power was linking the flesh of his arm to the Dark Phoenix tattoo.

He even had the strange sensation that the tattoo had almost grown out of his flesh.

"Alright, now the Dark Phoenix tattoo on your arm is no different from a martial soul, except it can't attach a soul ring," Di Tian said as he released Xia Yi's arm. The tattoo on Xia Yi's arm was now fully embedded in his flesh.

It was completely invisible to the naked eye and would only appear when Xia Yi activated it.

"We'll be keeping an eye on anyone who deliberately approaches you over the next few days. If any Holy Spirit Cult members get close, we'll notify you immediately," Di Tian said in a low voice.

"Good!" Xia Yi nodded, not rejecting the idea. Ever since he encountered Leng Yulai, he had already been tied to the Holy Spirit Cult.

Joining the Holy Spirit Cult seemed to be the best option for him.

[T/N: Finally an MC who joins the Holy Spirit cult in DD3]

Even if he didn't join, the cult would eventually find a way to capture him and investigate his connection with Leng Yulai.

If the Holy Spirit Cult decided to act against Xia Yi, even with Di Tian and the others hiding in the shadows, Xia Yi would find it difficult to escape their clutches.

After all, this was the human world, and Di Tian and the others could only stay hidden in the shadows. While they might prevent a one-time attack, they couldn't prevent the Holy Spirit Cult forever.

Rather than run, Xia Yi thought it was better to face things head-on.

"This is for you," Gu Yue said, handing Xia Yi a piece of silver dragon scale, the size of a pigeon egg.

"What's this?" Xia Yi took the silver dragon scale and examined it closely. He noticed it wasn't a perfect ellipse. One side was oval, while the other side was slightly curved upward, giving it a shield-like appearance. The scale had four layers of intricate patterns, overlapping and giving it a three-dimensional feel.

The tail of the patterns bent upward slightly, and when light hit the scale, the reflection created a three-dimensional effect.

Xia Yi instinctively rotated the scale, and the reflected light formed a small dragon shape on the wall, which was quite remarkable.

"Once you join the Cult, Zi Ji won't always be able to protect you from the shadows. Be careful in the future," Gu Yue didn't explain what the silver dragon scale was or what it could do. She simply gave Xia Yi a glance, her eyes filled with concern.

She had dealt with powerful beings from the Spirit Pagoda before. The relationships and power struggles there were complex, and if it weren't for her being a disciple of Leng Yaozhu, she might not have been able to stay in the Spirit Pagoda.

However, the Spirit Sect was a hundred times more dangerous than the Spirit Pagoda.

If something went wrong, it wouldn't just be a matter of death—it would be much worse.

If you died in the Cult, your soul would most likely be turned into a vengeful spirit.

It would be even worse than having your soul scattered.

If it weren't so important for her to control the Holy Spirit Cult, Gu Yue really wouldn't want Xia Yi to take this risk.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine," Xia Yi said, putting the silver dragon scale away. When the time comes, he would handle it.

Some things were unavoidable, and instead of avoiding them, it was better to face them head-on.

"I'm glad you have confidence," Gu Yue nodded.

(End of Chapter)