The Belated Inspection Mission

Running into Tang Ya and Xu Sanshi was just a minor interlude. Wang Nan's life at the academy soon settled back onto its proper track.

As his grade level rose, his classes changed as well. The theory courses had basically all ended, replaced by more training and practical combat.

Sun He's teaching style had never changed. In every practical combat class, he personally sparred with each student, helping them make up for their shortcomings.

However, as the students grew stronger, he had no choice but to show some real skill during practical combat classes.

"Clatter—"

Accompanied by that familiar sound, Sun He's abacus beads scattered all over the ground again.

"Alright, we'll stop here for today." Sun He put away his Martial Soul and looked at the students before him. "Wang Nan and Ling Luochen, stay behind. The rest of you may leave. When you get back, remember to reflect carefully on what I taught you. Don't stumble in the same place twice."

After watching the students leave the Soul Fighting Zone, Sun He called Wang Nan and Ling Luochen over.

"I called you two over because this concerns the Soul Fighting Competition." Seeing their puzzled expressions, Sun He explained, "I know it has been a year since the Soul Fighting Competition ended, but there is still something you haven't completed."

"In fact, whenever reserve contestants for the Soul Fighting Competition are selected, the academy arranges an Inspection Mission. On one hand, it lets the reserve members understand the duties of Shrek Academy's Inner Courtyard Disciples and the role of the Oversight Group. On the other, it gives you an initial opportunity to train your teamwork."

"However, due to special circumstances last year, your team was incomplete." As Sun He spoke, he glanced at Wang Nan. "And there isn't an Inspection Mission suitable for your level every year, so the academy postponed your mission until now."

"Come on. I'll take you to meet two official members of the Shrek Oversight Group. They'll tell you the specifics of the mission."

Seeing Ling Luochen nod, Sun He spoke again. "I know you don't like talking much, but just as I told you before, a Control Type Soul Master must not only control enemies, but also control their teammates."

"You are the brain of a team and are responsible for coordinating your teammates. Since you chose to become a Control Type Soul Master, you must at least learn to communicate with your teammates."

"I-I understand."

"Good. Let's go. One of the two official members leading this mission is a Control Type Soul Master, so you can learn from her and see just how far a true Control Type Soul Master can go."

The three talked as they hurried along, and before long, they arrived by Seagod Lake. Three Inner Courtyard Disciples were standing there, one of whom was Ma Xiaotao. The other two were girls as well. One of them looked somewhat familiar, but Wang Nan had already forgotten where he had seen her. Ling Luochen's gaze shifted slightly beside him, however, so she apparently knew her.

"Alright, I'll leave you here." Sun He stopped and looked at Wang Nan and Ling Luochen. "No Soul Master's growth is ever smooth sailing. The path of a Soul Master is destined to be accompanied by battle and danger. But as your teacher, I hope that in this mission and every mission that follows, you can protect yourselves."

With that, Sun He gave the two Inner Courtyard Disciples a slight nod before leaving.

"Senior Sister." Ling Luochen rarely took the initiative to speak.

"Luochen, come over." The Inner Courtyard Disciple whom Ling Luochen called Senior Sister nodded slightly, then looked at Wang Nan. "You're Wang Nan, right? We should have met much earlier, but you missed the Soul Fighting Competition."

"My name is Zhang Lexuan. This is Han Ruoruo."

Wang Nan looked at the two senior sisters, his gaze lingering on Han Ruoruo for half a second. To him, neither of them was truly a "stranger" anymore. One of them might even become part of his family.

As for Zhang Lexuan, he remembered where he had seen her. Two years ago, after he passed the second-year assessment, Mu En had taught him some methods for using Spiritual Power. At the time, Zhang Lexuan had been supporting Mu En as they returned to Sea God Island, and Wang Nan had met her then.

However, Wang Nan had changed too much over the past two years, so Zhang Lexuan did not recognize him.

"Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister Han." Wang Nan greeted them and briefly introduced himself. Soon, the other reserve members arrived as well.

"Senior Sister Zhang."

Last year, Zhang Lexuan had led Shrek Academy to victory in the Soul Fighting Competition and displayed astonishing strength during the tournament. The reserve members present all held her in considerable admiration.

"Everyone knows each other, so I won't waste words. I gathered you here this time for an Inspection Mission of the Shrek Oversight Group."

At those words, the expressions of the reserve members turned serious.

"This Inspection Mission came from the Dou Ling Empire. There is a city called Linhai City in the southeastern part of the Dou Ling Empire. In recent years, cases of missing children have appeared in the city, increasing year by year. Although the city is within the territory of the Dou Ling Empire, it is more often governed by the surrounding sects. Therefore, the Imperial Family of the Dou Ling Empire finds it inconvenient to intervene and has asked the academy for help."

"Although it has not been fully confirmed that Evil Soul Masters are responsible, whether it is a person or a Soul Beast, as long as they threaten ordinary people, they fall within our scope of inspection. This will be your first mission."

"No objections to me leading this mission?"

The seven reserve members all shook their heads.

"Good. You may not know the person beside me. This is Han Ruoruo, one of the previous generation's Shrek Seven Monsters. If combat breaks out during this mission, Senior Sister Han will take primary control. Alright, we'll dismiss for today. Go back and make your preparations. We leave together tomorrow."

After explaining everything, Zhang Lexuan and Han Ruoruo flew toward Sea God Island. Ma Xiaotao glanced at Wang Nan, then spread the wings behind her back and turned to follow them.

That night, Wang Nan did not meditate. Instead, he lay on his bed, preparing to get some sleep. After all, they were setting out on an Inspection Mission tomorrow. There was no telling what they would encounter along the way, and there likely would not be much time to sleep.

"Xiao Nan, are you asleep?" Gongyang Mo's voice was unusually serious.

"Not yet. Why aren't you asleep either?"

"I can't really sleep." Gongyang Mo simply rolled over and sat up. "Before, I only thought about entering Shrek Academy's Inner Courtyard. I never expected that the Inner Courtyard would have to undertake such important Inspection Missions. Thinking about setting out tomorrow makes me a little excited. Of course, I'm a little nervous too."

Wang Nan fell silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "You're a Support Type Soul Master, so don't rush too far ahead when the time comes. Also, some Evil Soul Masters have extremely bizarre abilities, and their methods of attack are impossible to guard against. They may even launch further attacks after becoming corpses. You absolutely cannot let your guard down."

No matter what, they had eaten and lived together for three years. The Gongyang Mo before Wang Nan was no longer just cold words from his Past Life Memories, but a living, righteous person. He did not want what happened in those memories to happen again.

"Thanks for worrying about me, Xiao Nan. I'll protect myself." Gongyang Mo blinked. "You need to protect yourself too."