Breaking News!

The moment the scream rang out, everyone except Ye Lei jumped in fright.

"What's going on? Did someone get hurt by a soul beast?"

"I don't think so. Those five guys probably got beaten up again."

Hearing Ye Lei say that, everyone nodded in agreement.

After all, judging by their tone, it was obvious this wasn't their first time doing something like this. They spoke as if they were old hands at it. There had probably been several groups before them who had their money stolen this way.

Shadow: Thanks, I guess.

Now that they were all soul masters, a journey that would normally take over an hour to leave Wulin took them less than half an hour.

When they passed the spot where the five men had been beaten, Ye Lei didn't find them. However, he noticed a mess of footprints on the ground. Looking closely, he saw that they were all boot prints of different sizes, as though they had been made by the same person.

Ye Lei paid no attention to the footprints and left Wulin with the others.

At that moment, Ye Lei never could have imagined that those five men would become a tremendous threat in the future.

... Return Journey ...

... Deep within Wulin ...

Shadow lay face-down on the ground with his ass in the air, utterly dead inside. His mouth hung slightly open as he let out strange groans. There was even a hole in his pants, exposing the bright red underwear beneath.

"Beep, beep, beep."

The Military multifunctional communicator on Shadow's left wrist—his military watch—began to ring.

Shadow weakly raised his right hand and pressed it. The face of a middle-aged secretary appeared on the watch screen.

"Report your operation status and the movements of the target."

"Reporting to the Elder's Special Assistant: the covert operation failed. The target has left Wulin. I suffered an unknown attack and sustained severe injuries."

The other end fell silent for a moment before a voice came through.

"Failed? How could an operation possibly fail with your strength? And how did you suffer an unknown attack?! Report the details of the operation, Number!"

Shadow shifted his left hand aside, laboriously raised his neck, and shook his head. Then he said, "The target killed three tiger-type soul beasts, one bird-type soul beast, and two other soul beasts of unknown species in Wulin. While they were resting and recovering, I was suddenly attacked. After that, I lost surveillance of them."

"What type of attack did you suffer? Physical or energy damage?"

Shadow's lips twitched as he slowly uttered three words.

Upon hearing them, the Elder's Special Assistant on the other end instantly fell silent. No sound came through for a long time.

"In that case, return first. I'll send someone else over to replace you! Beep, beep, beep."

The call ended. Shadow weakly rolled over, but the instant his ass touched the ground, he sprang up while clutching it and screamed again.

"Ah!!!"

A miserable cry rang out, sending birds scattering into the air.

... Afternoon ...

After Ye Lei's group got off the highway, they went their separate ways and returned home.

After returning home, Ye Junqing habitually turned on the television to watch a variety show. The family of three sat on the couch watching together. Just as they reached a funny part, the broadcast was interrupted by breaking news.

"Breaking news: At 13:45 this afternoon, a sudden mutation occurred at the large marine life exhibition hall in Jianghe District, Banyan City. All marine life has mutated, and the danger level has risen. Many innocent civilians have been injured. Current statistics show that twenty people have died, with countless others seriously or lightly injured! The exhibition hall has been sealed off, and the military has intervened. Members of the public are advised not to approach the exhibition hall. This concludes this special report."

Ye Lei, who had been slumped on the couch, instantly sat upright and looked at Tang Yunqing with delight.