First Time

"Of course, becoming a member of the Oversight Group also meant that you would very likely face mortal danger." Sun He's tone shifted, and his expression turned serious.

"Evil Soul Masters had all manner of unpredictable methods. Although the academy ensured each time that the students sent out were stronger than the Evil Soul Masters, many outstanding Inner Courtyard Disciples had still perished to strange attacks."

"Moreover, Oversight Group members received no additional compensation. You can still choose to refuse now. The academy will not make things difficult for you, nor will it revoke your Core Disciple benefits. However, once you graduate from the Outer Courtyard, you will have to leave Shrek Academy."

Though Sun He spoke of danger, Wang Nan knew that the world beyond the academy held far more dangers than this.

Douluo Continent was, after all, a world where people could cultivate. Battles between Soul Masters, between Soul Masters and Soul Beasts, occurred every day. For Soul Masters without backing, even obtaining a Soul Ring was an adventure with only the slimmest chance of survival.

Perhaps some Soul Masters occasionally encountered fortuitous opportunities, but they did not know that the ownership of those top-tier resources had long since been decided in secret.

On one side was leaving the academy's protection to compete with Soul Masters across the entire continent for those illusory opportunities. On the other was dealing with just a few Evil Soul Masters in exchange for enjoying the resources of the continent's number one Soul Master Academy. Wang Nan naturally preferred to remain at Shrek.

Besides, dealing with Evil Soul Masters was not necessarily a bad thing for him.

A Soul Master's Spiritual Power affected the eventual formation of their Soul Core. Yet on Douluo Continent, most Soul Masters could only let their Spiritual Power increase naturally along with their Soul Power. Wang Nan also lacked a secret method capable of improving Spiritual Power like the Purple Demon Eyes, so sooner or later, he would have to seek out Evil Soul Masters to increase it.

Now that the academy would gather information on Evil Soul Masters for him, and other Inner Courtyard Disciples would assist him in dealing with them when the time came, it was much more convenient than searching for them one by one on his own.

"Teacher Sun, what will I have to do after joining the Oversight Group?"

Looking at Wang Nan, Sun He resumed his usual smiling expression. "I know what you're worried about. Don't worry. The academy does not want to lose any Inner Courtyard Disciple, so we won't send you on excessively dangerous missions."

"The academy has information sources across the entire continent. Dedicated Inner Courtyard teachers sort that information according to the Evil Soul Masters' strength and scale, then assign suitable Inner Courtyard Disciples to deal with them."

"As for reserves like you, the academy will not arrange for you to complete missions alone. Generally, you will be responsible for assisting other Inner Courtyard Disciples."

"Then I choose to join." Wang Nan nodded, having made his decision.

"Good. I have some things to give you as well." As he spoke, Sun He took out a ring from his Storage Soul Tool. "This is the emblem of the Shrek Oversight Group. You need to drip a drop of blood onto it before you can use it."

"It can verify your identity, and it is also a Storage Soul Tool. Inside are the Oversight Group's specialized clothes, masks, cloaks, and most importantly, signal flares. If you encounter danger, release one immediately. Nearby Shrek students will rush over at once."

Wang Nan accepted the silver-white ring and dripped a drop of blood onto its emerald-green gemstone. An immediate sense of blood connection arose within him, and he could vaguely sense an aura pointing toward Sun He in front of him.

"When there is no mission, this ring generally should not be taken out. I only wanted you to experience its function. All right, put it away and listen to your first mission."

"There's already a mission so soon?"

"Don't worry. If it were truly a dangerous mission, we teachers would at least be standing in front of you. This mission is only meant to familiarize you with the process and show you how Oversight Group members carry out their missions."

At this point, Sun He's expression became somewhat strange. He looked Wang Nan over before saying, "I don't know the specifics either. But after you return, prepare a few extra sets of clothes and bring some food. Gather at the academy gate tomorrow morning. Someone will take you to complete the mission then."

Wang Nan put away the ring and returned to his dormitory. He vaguely felt that the peaceful life he had enjoyed last year was about to leave him.

Just as he was packing his luggage, Gongyang Mo pushed the door open. Like Wang Nan, he had passed the Promotion Assessment early, so today was also part of his break.

"You came at the right time. I have something to do tomorrow and will be heading out. I might not be around for the next few days."

"What a coincidence. I'm heading out soon too." Gongyang Mo gave him a knowing look.

"You're leaving tomorrow too?"

Gongyang Mo nodded.

The night passed quickly. Early the next morning, Wang Nan and Gongyang Mo arrived at the academy gate as agreed. To their surprise, quite a few people were already there. One of them was Yu Chenyu, who was in the same year as them. They had not seen the others very often, but judging from the colors of their School Uniforms, it was not difficult to guess that they were all third-year students.

One of them had shoulder-length blonde hair and double pupils. Though he had not introduced himself, Wang Nan had already guessed who he was.

"Are all the three-ring Core Disciples here?" A voice suddenly rang out from the academy gate.

Before anyone came into view, the scent of alcohol drifted over first.

Everyone turned and saw an old man staggering toward them. He wore clothes riddled with tears, went barefoot, and had a head of messy hair. As he spoke, he even let out an alcoholic belch.

The newcomer was none other than Xuan Zi, a rank ninety-eight Super Douluo.

"Not bad. There are even three little second-years." Xuan Zi took another swig of wine and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "I'll be leading your first Inspection Mission. Come, gather closer."

The group exchanged glances, but none of them moved.

Their circumstances were similar to Wang Nan's. Nearly all of them had merely been told that someone would lead them on their first mission today. No one had told them it would be such a scruffy old man.

Seeing that the students did not move, Xuan Zi said nothing more. With a wave of his right hand, those standing in place felt a powerful wave of Soul Power rush toward them and envelop them. Then their bodies grew light, and they floated into the air.

"You walk too slowly. Hic~ I'll take you there."

Immediately afterward, the group could only watch as the academy gate grew farther and farther away.

Although Xuan Zi's Soul Power protected them from the surrounding airflow, the sheer speed still left several disciples looking rather ill.

Two hours passed. Just as two of the disciples were turning pale, Xuan Zi finally stopped. There was no longer any sign of trees around them, only a desolate plain. In the distance was a vague black shadow that looked like a village.

"All right, rest here for a while. Make sure you fill your stomachs." Xuan Zi said meaningfully.