"Hahaha, it's nothing, Brother Ma."
Jiang Jue chuckled softly, glancing at Ma Rulong beside him.
Ma Rulong's eyes lit up slightly when he heard Jiang Jue call him that—he knew he was in.
After chatting with Jiang Jue a little more, Ma Rulong slowly left.
Jiang Jue merely shook his head slightly. He knew Ma Rulong was being so cordial not because of who he was, but because of the Holy Spirit Sect behind him.
Only by truly becoming powerful could one gain respect and fear from others.
But sometimes, the power behind someone—wasn't that a form of strength too?
Feeling the breeze brushing past his ears, watching the rising sun, Jiang Jue's heart was calm as still water.
Time passed, and soon the sun was high overhead.
A tall and imposing city appeared in front of the group.
"Everyone prepare to descend. We'll rest in the city ahead for a bit."
At the front of the group, an old and powerful voice rang out. An elder with graying hair looked back at the others.
"Understood!"
Everyone responded in unison.
This man was the official escorting teacher for this trip, and also Ma Rulong's grandfather—Elder Ma, a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse.
The group slowly descended, controlling their flying soul tools. Because these flying tools were bionic soul devices produced by the Mingde Hall, they didn't consume too much soul power, but they were mentally draining, so a short break was necessary.
Elder Ma led Jiang Jue and the others straight to the largest hotel in the city and booked a room for each person—very generous.
Of course, the cost was covered by public funds.
In Jiang Jue's room, a shadowy black figure appeared.
"Young Master!"
The figure gave a respectful bow.
"Elder Zhang, I didn't expect Master to send you this time."
Jiang Jue looked at Zhang Peng in surprise.
"Hahaha, it's all thanks to you, Young Master. With those few snow lotuses, I was able to heal most of my old hidden injuries. Combined with my recent near-death enlightenment, I broke through to Rank 97."
"That's why the Sect Master sent me."
Zhang Peng smiled. It was obvious—his hair had grown darker, the wrinkles on his face had smoothed, and his aura was more restrained and solid than before.
"But I heard from the Sect Master that besides me, someone else was also sent... I just don't know who yet."
"Oh~? That mysterious, huh?"
Jiang Jue's eyes grew thoughtful upon hearing that.
Even Zhang Peng, who had just broken through to Rank 97, didn't know who the other person was. Jiang Jue had a guess forming in his mind.
If it was truly that person, then "invite" would be the more fitting word.
"By the way, Young Master, while I was following from behind, I sensed another Title Douluo in the shadows. But their strength was only at Rank 92, so I didn't act."
"No need to worry—that one was arranged by Hall Master Hongchen."
Jiang Jue thought for a moment and explained.
Before the journey, his Master had already told him that Mingde Hall would send a Rank 9 soul engineer to accompany the group.
"Elder Zhang, there's something I need you to take care of."
"Whatever you need, Young Master."
"It's like this…"
After hearing him out, Zhang Peng looked a bit concerned.
"But if I leave, what about your safety?"
"No worries. Isn't there still that Rank 9 soul engineer following behind? And Elder Nangong is also here. You don't need to worry."
Zhang Peng hesitated, then finally nodded and left.
Jiang Jue pulled open the curtains, gazing at the busy streets below with deep eyes.
"Xuanzi, the Gluttonous Douluo…"
Mingdou Mountain Range.
In a gloomy forest—
On a tall Wenlan tree sat a scruffy old man whose clothes were greasy and hair was as messy as a bird's nest. He was sprawled across a branch.
With a wine gourd in one hand and a greasy chicken leg in the other, he was alternating between bites and sips with great pleasure.
Below the tree, a small cave entrance emitted the sounds of fighting.
"Sigh, even evil soul masters know how to enjoy life, hiding in a grove of Wenlan trees like this."
The unkempt old man was none other than Xuanzi. He took another bite of chicken, leaned back in satisfaction, eyes half-closed, clearly enjoying himself.
"But this evil soul master is really out of luck—to run into me leading the squad."
Xuanzi said smugly and took another gulp of wine.
Who didn't know that he, Xuanzi, was the leader of the Shrek Surveillance Squad—scourge and nemesis of evil soul masters?
Xuanzi could proudly say that no one understood evil soul masters better than him!
With him leading the mission to wipe out an evil soul master, there was no chance anything could go wrong.
Besides, their target this time was just a Soul King, while Shrek's squad included Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yaoheng—two six-ring Soul Emperors—and a group of Soul Kings. These were the elite of Shrek!
Xuanzi figured this would be an easy mission—a walk in the park.
Just as he was about to take another sip of wine, a massive energy surge erupted from the cave below.
"BOOM!"
A huge explosion rang out, and Xuanzi's expression changed instantly.
"Something's wrong!"
He cursed, turning into a streak of light and darting into the cave.
"Kekekeke! How do you like my corpse explosion? No matter how strong you are, you're doomed under my chain corpse bombs. If they don't kill you, the poison will!"
A sinister voice laughed arrogantly.
The speaker was shrouded in a black cloak, his figure skinny and face completely hidden. Only his soul rings could be seen—three yellow and two purple, five in total.
The cave was filled with a heavy stench of blood and a sticky, wet atmosphere. Almost every member of the Shrek squad was drenched in blood and gore.
Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yaoheng had been blasted aside, coughing up blood. Thanks to their soul skills, they'd avoided the poisonous blood—but the others weren't so lucky.
Chen Zifeng had been blown to the side, missing his right leg and screaming in agony as poison ate away at him.
The worst off was Gongyang Mo—his chest, abdomen, and legs were torn and mangled, his body still smoking and already unconscious.
"Bastard!"
A furious roar filled the cave, shaking it violently.
A wave of brilliant white light instantly filled every corner of the cave, evaporating all the corrosive poison blood on contact.
Xuanzi had arrived.
He stared at the carnage before him, stunned—another tragedy, and once again, under his leadership.
A terrifying pressure exploded from Xuanzi's body as nine soul rings appeared—two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red.
"Crap! A Title Douluo!"
The black-cloaked Soul King cried out in alarm.
Xuanzi raised both hands, and a ball of solid white light enveloped the Soul King. But just then, something strange happened.
The Soul King's fifth purple soul ring suddenly lit up, and his body transformed into a wisp of smoke.
But instead of fleeing outright, he shot straight toward Huo Yuhao, then darted down a hidden tunnel.
Xuanzi froze—a Soul King escaped from him?!
And even worse, that Soul King didn't even have the best combination of soul rings!
"DAMN IT!!"
A thunderous roar echoed through the cave.
(End of Chapter)