Beast Taming: Slaughter Atlas-Chapter 557 - 501: Conditions

Zhao Qingzhu saw the change in Chu Chen’s expression and hastily explained, "The Cult of Pursuing Deities is different from the Blood God Sect. Please don’t misunderstand."

Upon hearing this, Chu Chen’s expression remained unchanged, but he asked in a deep voice, "How is it different?"

Zhao Qingzhu pondered briefly before explaining, "Firstly, the Cult of Pursuing Deities does not beguile people like the Blood God Sect does. Secondly, it is a very loose organization, it doesn’t restrain anyone or force them to do anything. Lastly, our doctrine is only to pursue the path of becoming a deity, and we do not involve ourselves in any conflicts."

Upon hearing this, Chu Chen’s expression improved somewhat, but he still remained extremely guarded against the woman before him.

"How many people are there in the Cult of Pursuing Deities, and why did you choose me to be the Sect Leader?" Chu Chen asked in a deep voice.

Zhao Qingzhu organized her thoughts before speaking with a smile, "There are a total of fifty-three people in the Cult of Pursuing Deities. As for why we chose you as the Sect Leader, it is naturally because you have the qualification to become a deity. After all, you are the most extraordinary prodigy I have ever seen."

Hearing these words, Chu Chen said in surprise, "Only fifty-three people?"

Zhao Qingzhu nodded and said, "That’s right, indeed only fifty-three people. After all, not just anyone can join the Cult of Pursuing Deities."

"Oh? Are there any conditions to join the Cult of Pursuing Deities?"

"Of course. Our Cult only recruits three kinds of people: first, scholars who have certain research about deities; second, Emperor-level powerhouses; and third, exceptional prodigies."

Chu Chen nodded thoughtfully. Considering these three conditions, it was extraordinary enough that the Cult of Pursuing Deities had recruited fifty-three people.

As for the invitation to become the Sect Leader, Chu Chen did not believe it for a second.

However, he was quite curious why such a mysterious organization didn’t have a Sect Leader, which seemed quite illogical.

Immediately, Chu Chen voiced all his doubts.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingzhu sighed and said, "The previous Sect Leader disappeared ten years ago while exploring some ruins."

"Ten years? Isn’t there anyone within your Cult coveting the position of Sect Leader, and can the role be decided by just a word from you?"

Hearing Chu Chen’s inquiry, Zhao Qingzhu’s expression darkened significantly.

After a brief silence, she replied in a deep voice, "With the Sect Leader missing, there are naturally some restless individuals within the Cult. However, the remaining influence of the old Sect Leader still lingers, so they don’t dare to go too far. As for me, I am the Saintess of the Cult of Pursuing Deities, so with my recommendation, the elders in the Cult should not trouble you."

Chu Chen rubbed his chin in deep thought. The other party seemed to be using him as a shield. Judging from her words, those vying for the position of Sect Leader were probably not easy to deal with. Moreover, those who could join the Cult were either deeply obsessed or madmen. Both types were not easy to provoke, as Sun Wenshan belonged to such a category.

Setting aside the matter of the Sect Leader for now, it was necessary to understand their true purpose.

"Why are you here?" Chu Chen asked coldly.

Zhao Qingzhu did not hide the reason but responded openly, "It’s not much of a secret, so I can tell you. The Soul Suppressing Abyss is quite special. I read in an ancient text that there should be a relic here. I’m here to verify that statement."

Hearing this, Chu Chen couldn’t help but furrow his brows. These people were definitely insane, venturing into the Soul Suppressing Abyss to confirm if there were relics here.

"Oh, have you found anything?" Chu Chen asked curiously.

Zhao Qingzhu hesitated slightly before answering in a low voice, "There’s a bit of a clue, but I can’t summon my Guardian Beast, so I’m still not certain."

Chu Chen nodded, "Alright, since we’re on the topic, I’ll accompany you to take a look." Saying this, he took Zhao Qingzhu and leaped onto Unyielding’s head.

"Unyielding, return to outside the Soul Suppressing Abyss."

Unyielding received the order, twisted its body, and vanished into the space.

When it reappeared, they were already outside the Soul Suppressing Abyss.

Zhao Qingzhu felt a long-lost wave of Soul Power and couldn’t hide her joy. She raised her hand and summoned her Guardian Beast.

Judging by the Soul Power fluctuations Zhao Qingzhu emitted, her Realm had already reached the Emperor-level Peak.

And she had stayed in this Soul Suppressing Abyss for five years. With her talent, five years were enough to reach the Emperor Level.

The actions of the Cult of Pursuing Deities members suggested they were all madmen.

Zhao Qingzhu removed the pendant from her chest, took out a lot of food and medicine from it, and fed her Guardian Beast, clearly having planned in advance.

Chu Chen was curious if she had any backup plan if he didn’t rescue her.

Without concealing his curiosity, Chu Chen asked directly.

"Of course, there was a plan. If you didn’t fulfill your promise, the Cult of Pursuing Deities would come for me in half a month."

Chu Chen wasn’t surprised, as Wang Chengyu and Leng Junfeng weren’t the only ones with outside connections.

She only needed to pay some price to bribe other guards to do her bidding.

At that moment, Shi Feng, Elder Bai, and others arrived one after another.

"Milord."

...

They all greeted in unison.

Chu Chen nodded, "Brother Wang, take your people and bring out everyone on the list. If they are willing to follow me, then recruit them. If not, let them leave as they wish, but make sure they won’t pose a threat to the city before releasing them."

Wang Chengyu saluted and said, "Don’t worry, my lord, I will handle it to the best of my capability." With that, he led a group of guards towards the Soul Suppressing Abyss.

Zhao Qingzhu was somewhat surprised, "You’re just recruiting them?"

Chu Chen merely smiled and didn’t intend to explain.

Zhao Qingzhu saw this and didn’t pursue the matter further but continued to play with her Guardian Beast.

"What’s in the relic in the Soul Suppressing Abyss?" Chu Chen asked gravely.

To have the Cult of Pursuing Deities’ Saintess dedicate five years to seek it, it must not be ordinary.

Zhao Qingzhu shook her head, "I can’t be sure. The ancient texts only record its existence here."

"What is it?"

Zhao Qingzhu blinked mischievously, "I can tell you, but only the Sect Leader can know this information."

Chu Chen frowned, "You want me to be a shield, but an elusive treasure is not enough."

Zhao Qingzhu was overjoyed. She wasn’t afraid of Chu Chen setting conditions, just afraid that he might not care.

"Being the Sect Leader of our Cult of Pursuing Deities comes with various benefits. You can freely access the ancient texts we collect and use the treasures we gather."

Chu Chen shook his head, "I have no interest in those ancient texts. As for the treasures you mentioned, I lack none. If the conditions don’t tempt me, let’s not discuss this further."

Zhao Qingzhu fell silent for a moment before asking in a deep voice, "Are you interested in the methods of becoming a deity?"

Chu Chen furrowed his brows, "Nonsense. If there were deities in this world, how could the Star Beasts run rampant?"

Zhao Qingzhu’s expression turned cold, and she stared at Chu Chen, saying coldly, "Deities indeed existed, though not in our realm. The ancient texts and Meditation Techniques we obtained originated from another civilization where deities truly existed."

Hearing this, Chu Chen fell into deep thought. Previously, after Lei Yao burned his Essence Blood, a shadow mentioned the Blood God inheritance, suggesting the other party’s words might be credible.