Linhai City

By the time Wang Nan left the souvenir shop, it was already late. After hurriedly finishing dinner, he returned to the hotel.

Early the next morning, Zhang Lexuan returned from the imperial palace.

After she revealed her identity, the Dou Ling Empire's Imperial Family not only told them everything they knew, but also personally escorted Zhang Lexuan back to the hotel. They had even intended to send people to accompany them on the Inspection Mission.

Of course, that was merely courtesy extended because they were Shrek disciples. After all, Wang Nan and the others had come precisely because the Imperial Family was unable to act conveniently.

In the end, Zhang Lexuan declined the Imperial Family's arrangement.

After leaving Lingdou City, the group flew southeast toward Linhai City.

As its name suggested, Linhai City was a city by the sea. There were many villages around it, and the people living there depended on the ocean for their livelihoods. Most of them were ordinary people, and Soul Masters were scarcely seen.

"I didn't expect so many ordinary people to live near the sea." After landing, Ye Xiaosheng looked at the ocean glowing beneath the distant sunset and could not help sighing.

"You don't know this, Junior Brother Ye, but for ordinary people, the seaside is actually safer," Dai Yueheng replied.

"Oh? Why is that? I remember the books saying that the number of Soul Beasts in the sea actually exceeds that on land."

"That is indeed true. Sea Soul Beasts were already numerous to begin with, and once Soul Masters entered the sea, their strength would be greatly reduced. As a result, Sea Soul Beasts were rarely used as sources of Soul Rings, so their overall strength also surpassed that of land-based Soul Beasts."

"Then wouldn't the sea be even more dangerous? Why would so many ordinary people still live along the coast?"

A trace of pride appeared on Dai Yueheng's face. "That is because Ten Thousand Years Ago, Ancestor Tang San of the First Generation Shrek Seven Monsters became the Sea God. By his command, all Sea Soul Beasts entered the deep sea to live and would not easily approach the shore."

"So for ordinary people, the seaside is comparatively safe instead. It is also for this reason that the maritime trade of the major empires stays relatively close to the continent, avoiding contact with Soul Beasts in the deep sea."

"Why would that Sea God issue such an order?" Ye Xiaosheng pressed.

"Um... Naturally, it was to protect the ordinary people living by the sea." Dai Yueheng apparently had not expected Ye Xiaosheng to ask such a question. He paused before answering.

While Wang Nan listened from the side, his thoughts were elsewhere.

The conflict between Soul Masters and Soul Beasts on land was growing increasingly intense. Hunting Sea Soul Beasts was actually a viable alternative, especially now that Soul Tools were continually developing. It was only a matter of time before humans ventured into the ocean.

"Senior Brother Ye, hasn't the Soul Tool Department researched Soul Tools that can be used in the ocean?"

Ye Xiaosheng glanced at Wang Nan. "There's really nothing to hide. I heard that the Sun Moon Empire is already developing a device called an All-Terrain Soul Tool."

"It's a Soul Tool that allows Soul Masters to ride inside it, but it is far too complicated. The academy has never figured out how it was made. If the Sun Moon Empire continues researching in that direction, perhaps before long they will develop Soul Tools capable of venturing deep into the ocean."

"Enough chatting for now. You brought your Shrek Oversight Group uniforms, right? Change into them. It's about time." As night fell, Zhang Lexuan interrupted their conversation. "Senior Sister Han, I'll leave the control to you."

"Alright." Han Ruoruo nodded slightly.

Although the Shrek Oversight Group's missions involved a certain degree of danger, the process was quite simple. Most missions simply required them to follow the information to their destination and eliminate the local Evil Soul Masters.

The Shrek Oversight Group uniforms were dark green. With masks and cloaks included, once they had changed, they could barely tell who was who and could only make rough judgments based on body shape.

"According to the information provided by the Dou Ling Empire, the children who recently disappeared were all little girls around six years old. Someone saw them appear within the city. Our first priority is to confirm the children's location and do everything we can to rescue them."

Zhang Lexuan made the arrangements. "Once you confirm that the targets are Evil Soul Masters, act decisively. Move out."

Though it was called a city, it was truly far too small. There were only two relatively broad streets within it, crossing each other and dividing all of Linhai City into four sections. The city walls were only a dozen meters high. Since they were all Soul Masters, they easily vaulted over them with a slight push.

Unlike Lingdou City, the capital, it had only just become night, yet the entire city was already dark. There were almost no pedestrians on the streets. Occasionally, the loud shouts of drunken men drifted out from some tavern.

Several tall buildings in the distance were still lit. Zhang Lexuan frowned slightly at the sight, because according to the intelligence provided by the Dou Ling Empire's Imperial Family, that was where someone had seen the missing children.

Were these people really this brazen?

Zhang Lexuan was puzzled. After some thought, she said, "Wait here for a moment. I'll go over and check the situation first."

"Wait, Lexuan. Take someone with you. The two of you can watch each other's backs," Han Ruoruo stopped her.

"I'll go with Senior Sister." Wang Nan volunteered. He was also deeply puzzled. Ever since entering the city, the Luminous Orb in his Spiritual Sea had shown no reaction whatsoever. If there truly were Evil Soul Masters in the city, the Luminous Orb should at least flicker faintly.

Zhang Lexuan looked at Wang Nan. Her expression could not be seen through her mask. "Alright. Follow behind me. If there's any danger, retreat immediately. Understood?"

Wang Nan nodded, and the two headed toward those buildings.

As they drew closer, Wang Nan became even more puzzled. No matter how weak the people inside might be, so long as they were Evil Soul Masters, the Luminous Orb should have reacted at this distance.

Could these children's disappearances have nothing to do with Evil Soul Masters at all?

As they advanced, Wang Nan suddenly sensed that the surrounding air had become somewhat more humid than before. This city was by the sea, so its air was naturally more damp than elsewhere. Yet because he had been paying close attention to the environment due to the Luminous Orb's reaction, he caught this subtle change with his Spiritual Power, however insignificant it was.

"Senior Sister, be careful!" Wang Nan said quietly, hurriedly stopping. "I think we've been discovered."

Zhang Lexuan turned back and gave Wang Nan a puzzled look, but she still trusted his judgment. Her Martial Soul activated, and six Soul Rings instantly rose around her. Zhang Lexuan grabbed Wang Nan and rapidly retreated.

The others waiting in the distance saw what was happening and immediately activated their Martial Souls as well. Ma Xiaotao took the lead, charging toward them at high speed.

"Who's there?" A loud shout came from inside the building.