Coalition of Forces

Xu Mingxi stared blankly at the Soul Tool Chen Qingting had taken out.

So Soul Tool technology had already existed ten thousand years ago? Though, come to think of it, Storage Soul Tools were Soul Tools too.

Although Xu Mingxi was not particularly interested in Soul Tools, this proved one thing: the places this Adventure Team had visited truly contained some good treasures.

"Brother Ting, do you have any plans next? Count me in."

Chen Qingting glanced around and, after making sure Chen Rudong and his wife were nowhere in sight, leaned close to Xu Mingxi's ear.

"Brother Mingxi, the place we're going this time is a real treasure trove. There are definitely treasures inside."

Definitely treasures? He was that certain?

Compared to Soul Tools, Xu Mingxi hoped more for something that could increase his strength. Even if there were no Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, a couple of Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones would do. He was not picky.

"Brother Ting, the place you mentioned... it isn't too dangerous, is it?"

"How could it be? There's just a colony of Long-Armed Ape Soul Beasts, and maybe a few small traps."

"Yeah, brother, don't worry. The two of us will watch over you when the time comes."

The moment those words left his mouth, Xu Mingxi immediately felt a murderous aura coming from the direction of the two brothers.

Looking outside, he saw Xue Yun standing by the window with Chen Qinghuang. Xue Yun's face was dark, while Chen Qinghuang stared at her two older brothers as if they were already dead.

Xu Mingxi had no idea what happened afterward. He arranged to meet the two brothers at Qingyin Inn the next day, then hurriedly left.

"Good heavens, that was terrifying."

After returning to the inn, Xu Mingxi began to worry that no one would be willing to bring him into the Adventure Team anymore.

Fortunately, Madam Xue Yun had shown restraint. It hurt, but had not damaged their bones or muscles. The brothers arrived with a bruised black eye each.

Chen Qinghuang came with them as well. She looked at Xu Mingxi resentfully, but did not say anything else.

The night before, Madam Xue Yun had carefully analyzed the pros and cons with her. Chen Qinghuang had her own pride as well; after being rejected so directly, she naturally would not continue pursuing him.

The way they got along seemed to have returned to normal—polite, yet not distant. Xu Mingxi felt much more at ease. There were still more normal people in the world, after all.

"You two are alright, aren't you?"

"Don't worry, Brother Xu. We're absolutely fine. Come on, we'll take you to meet our good brothers."

The Adventure Team formed by the two Chen brothers was called Demon Tiger. Both of them were in their thirties and were the oldest members.

Its members were all children of prominent families from Easternmost City and the surrounding cities, along with their friends, for a total of fifteen people.

As someone personally brought in by the two leaders, Xu Mingxi naturally received a warm welcome.

Yet as Xu Mingxi listened to everyone introduce themselves, the more he listened, the more something felt off. Calling it an Adventure Team was perhaps less fitting than calling it a coalition of several allied families.

Over the past few days in East Peak City, Xu Mingxi had also gathered some basic information. Aside from the City Lord's Mansion, there were five Soul Douluo Families in the city.

The Demon Tiger Chen Family and its allies, the Iron Lock Xiao Family, the Ghost Leopard Mo Family, and the Ghost Vine Zhao Family, which was tied to them by marriage.

Then there was the most unusual one: the neutral Seven Colors Yuan Family. Their Soul Douluo powerhouse was not the family head, but an honored guest.

Xu Mingxi was quite interested in the Yuan Family. Their Seven Colors Deer Martial Soul was similar to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, though its quality was far inferior.

Moreover, before Xu Mingxi had set out, the Third Elder had specifically sought him out and asked him to check on whether Yuan Ting, the Yuan Family's head, had been doing well these years, if possible.

Xu Mingxi had not paid much attention to it at first. The Third Elder had never married, so Xu Mingxi had assumed he admired the Yuan Family head. That was perfectly normal.

Only after arriving in Easternmost City did Xu Mingxi learn that the Yuan Family head had a feminine appearance and was exceptionally handsome—but he was undeniably a man.

Alright, alright, Third Elder. Your brotherly bond truly moved me.

"My name is Xu Mingxi. I come from the southwest. I am a level 55 auxiliary control-type Battle Soul King. I hope to learn from all of you."

Xu Mingxi was not the only one observing the Adventure Team's members; they were observing him as well.

They had assumed he was someone brought in through the Chen brothers' connections. They had not expected his Soul Power Level to be so high.

There were only four Soul Kings in their Adventure Team: the two leaders, Deputy Leader Xiao Rui, and his friend Tong Lin, a genius from a commoner background.

Chen Qinghuang felt the same way. She had thought the gap between them was not that large, only to discover that despite being nearly the same age, they were separated by more than an entire major realm.

After hearing Xu Mingxi's level, everyone present became even more enthusiastic. This was precisely the effect Xu Mingxi had wanted.

Amid the clinking of cups, everyone once again brought up the matter they had long agreed upon: exploring Awakening Cloud Ravine.

Awakening Cloud Ravine was a perilous place outside Easternmost City. A massive colony of Long-Armed Ape Soul Beasts lived within it, making it a small Soul Beast gathering ground.

Because these Long-Armed Ape Soul Beasts never left Awakening Cloud Ravine, and because they were powerful enough that more than one Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast had been discovered among them, Easternmost City had never dealt with them.

The surrounding forces had even turned the place into a hunting ground for Soul Beasts. What the Adventure Team wanted to explore, however, was the depths of Awakening Cloud Ravine, an area that had yet to be developed.

"Has everyone made up their minds? I cannot guarantee everyone's safety on this operation."

"If anyone wants to withdraw, speak up now. This time is truly dangerous. No one will blame you."

Chen Qingting and Xiao Rui spoke at the same time. This exploration was not merely their own decision; it was also their families' decision.

When the time came, each of the two families would send one Soul Saint to accompany them. However, there were many Soul Beasts inside, and the situation was unknown. Even Soul Saints might find themselves unable to manage everything.

They did not want the younger brothers and friends who followed them to die for no reason.

In the end, only the four Soul Kings and two high-level Soul Ancestors participated. Even Chen Qinghuang was sent back home and forbidden from going.

Xu Mingxi had figured it out: this Adventure Team was merely an excuse for forces led by the Chen Family to gather together.

"Brother Xu, how about sitting this one out? It's very dangerous in there."

"Brother Chen, there's no need to worry. I have people protecting me as well."

Sure enough, judging from Xu Mingxi's clothing, manner of speech, and strength, the others present could tell that he was most likely from a major faction. It was hardly strange for him to have a guardian accompanying him.

As for Xu Mingxi, he knew the sect had certainly arranged for at least one Elder to protect him. If they had not, that would have been truly strange.

"Alright, then we'll have to trouble Brother Xu to come with us."

They agreed to meet at the gates of Easternmost City at dawn two days later.

Meanwhile, a conversation was also taking place within the Ghost Leopard Mo Family estate. Several black-clad figures flashed out of the residence and disappeared into the darkness.

If Lingyi had been there, she would definitely have noticed that the Curved Blade Soul Emperor who had once stopped her was among them.

After settling the departure time, Xu Mingxi wandered through the streets, touching this and inspecting that, as though afraid no one would notice him.

Then, while buying snacks and asking for directions, he eventually stopped before a lavish estate.

Xu Mingxi clapped his hands, straightened his clothes and hair, stepped forward, and directly knocked the door knocker.