Large-Scale Battle Mission

After Ye Han returned to the academy, he kept up his previous training routine, only adding time each day to cultivate his Purple Demon Eyes.

Seeing a group of people on the roof early every morning was still rather strange.

On the other side, Zhao Lei returned covered in dust and immediately sought out Ye Han, claiming that he wanted to spar with him. In truth, he just wanted to vent his anger at Ye Han for leaving him behind alone.

However, because Zhao Lei returned late, he had instead learned some news: Shrek had gone to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, only to be driven out again.

This time, the person Xue Beng had brought with him was a level 91 Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall. Yet this Titled Douluo had not made things difficult for Tang San.

He had merely asked whether the Shrek Seven Devils were willing to join Spirit Hall.

Given the relationship between Grandmaster and Spirit Hall, along with Tang San's grudge, that was completely impossible. The Titled Douluo then said that if they were unwilling to join, then so be it.

Ye Han was stunned when he heard this. Shouldn't the villain have gotten furious at this point, then arranged an ambush to kill Tang San and the others on the road? How could he just let it go?

In the end, Shrek continued on because of Liu Erlong's presence.

Other than Tang San and the others failing to find the Immortal Herbs, everything else had remained unchanged, even though Ye Han had altered quite a few plot points.

Ye Han was now beginning to suspect that Tang San would find Immortal Herbs somewhere else after a while.

"Han Gege! I've run out of herbs again! Could you help me buy some this afternoon?" Honjou Kaede's voice rang out beside Ye Han, carrying a trace of ingratiation.

This was not the first time Honjou Kaede had been like this. Ye Han had asked why she was unwilling to buy them herself, and her answer had been simple and unadorned.

Because she was a shut-in who was not very good at dealing with merchants, and she wanted to avoid being cheated.

"Sure! I'll go take a look this afternoon!" Ye Han agreed, then headed straight toward the center of the training ground. "Anyone want to visit the town by the Star Dou Great Forest this afternoon and pick up some herbs for Xiao Feng while we're at it? Todo excluded!"

It was not that Ye Han did not want to bring Todo. Todo's methods were simply far too wild.

There was a huge flow of people coming and going from the Star Dou Great Forest every day. Todo would ask every person he met what type of woman they liked. Ye Han standing beside him had been utterly embarrassed.

Worst of all, he had actually found a like-minded brother. Though the man was not a Soul Master, he was a blacksmith. The two had hit it off immediately, lamenting that they had not met sooner and nearly swearing brotherhood on the spot.

"I'll pass! I've been researching my Zanpakuto's Bankai lately!" Although Yoruichi also wanted to go out, she was truly at a critical juncture.

"Me too! I need to train!" Without even looking, Ye Han knew that had been Esdeath.

"My, my. Is Xiao Han so pitiful that no one will accompany him when he goes out? I'll go with you." Kurumi had somehow already appeared behind Ye Han.

The old Ye Han might have been a little nervous, but now he felt nothing at all. It was always the same routine, and Ye Han had gotten used to it.

"Me, me, me! Me too! It's been so long since I went out and ate something good!" Lia raised her hand as well.

Ye Han did not mind. "Okay, then Lia, Kurumi, and I will go together!"

After lunch, the three of them set off at once and soon arrived at the town at the entrance to the Star Dou Great Forest. But today, the town seemed somewhat deserted.

"Xiao Han, something feels off here!" Lia said sharply.

Ye Han nodded and looked around. Nothing seemed to have changed, but there were indeed far fewer merchants, and even the shopkeepers whose stores were open wore worried expressions.

This made Ye Han feel that something was even more wrong. "Boss, I'm back to buy herbs! Do you have any left?"

Hearing Ye Han's voice, the boss looked up and calmly replied, "Oh, it's Xiao Han. The herbs have all been bought out! And I've been planning to move away soon."

Ye Han's heart stirred, and he smiled as he asked, "What's this, Boss Zhang? Did you strike it rich and plan to go home to enjoy life?"

Boss Zhang sighed at Ye Han's words. "Looks like you still don't know. Just a few days ago, every entrance to the Star Dou Great Forest was attacked by Soul Beasts! I sold my herbs to Heaven Dou's army!"

Ye Han's pupils contracted. This was no small piece of news. Although their academy was in a remote location with few people or Soul Beasts nearby, it was still situated beside the Star Dou Great Forest.

"When did this happen? Why would Soul Beasts attack?" Ye Han asked in confusion.

Boss Zhang shook his head. "I don't know either! I've worked here for ten years, but I'm preparing to leave for the sake of my life! The Heaven Dou Imperial Family has already sent people over! You can go take a look ahead—the areas close to the Star Dou Great Forest have already been completely destroyed!"

Ye Han nodded to show that he understood, then turned and left. "Thanks, Boss!"

As he continued forward, Ye Han saw a large number of Heaven Dou Imperial Family troops stationed ahead. The surroundings were full of ruins, along with some corpses.

The sight made Ye Han sink into thought. Something like this didn't seem to happen in the original story! Then again, this is a real world now. Anything could happen!

Ye Han continued walking forward, and the surrounding soldiers did not stop him.

"Young man! It's best not to enter the Star Dou Great Forest anytime soon!" one soldier kindly reminded him.

Ye Han nodded and asked with a smile, "Big Brother Soldier, what exactly happened here?"

The soldier said that he was not too sure either. The higher-ups had merely received news and sent people to station here. Soul Masters would also be arriving shortly to help.

Large-Scale Battle Mission Triggered: Defend

Mission Description: A massive Beast Tide is coming. Protect your own territory and ensure that Second Dimension Academy suffers no damage.

Mission Reward: Soul Bone Release Device, can be fused with the Soul Ring Release Device.

Optional Mission: The Cause of the Beast Tide

Mission Description: There is always a reason for a Beast Tide. Find the cause.

Mission Reward: Secret Realm Tree of Life

Ye Han was completely stunned when he saw the mission. After all, the system had labeled it a large-scale battle, which proved that this Beast Tide was anything but ordinary.

"Kurumi, Lia, let's get back quickly!" Ye Han turned and left with a grave expression. "Big Brother Soldier, you should leave this place too! It will become very dangerous after a while!"

On the way back, Ye Han posted the mission directly in the Guild Chat, instantly alarming everyone.

Ye Han: "Sister Yoruichi, notify everyone at the academy. I'll be back in ten minutes. Prepare for a strategy meeting!"

Yoruichi, who had been cultivating at the academy, vanished from where she stood in an instant.

Ye Han soon arrived at the academy entrance, where everyone was waiting for him.

"Say, Ye Han, aren't you being too nervous? Beast Tides occur in the Star Dou Great Forest every year. It's only a matter of scale! The Heaven Dou Empire will deal with it when the time comes!" Dugu Bo looked at Ye Han and asked in confusion.

Ye Han neither agreed nor disagreed, but he knew that the system would never make baseless claims.

"This isn't simple. Something major may have happened inside the Star Dou Great Forest, and the Beast Tide could be unprecedentedly powerful! Senior Dugu, Uncle Zhao, your task is simple: hold the academy!" Ye Han explained calmly.

Seeing Ye Han speak so seriously, Dugu Bo naturally believed him. After knowing Ye Han for so long, he knew that Ye Han was always quite casual when nothing major was happening.

"Fine! But with the two of us Titled Douluo, plus so many Soul Saints, Soul Douluos, and Soul Emperors, isn't this making a mountain out of a molehill?" Zhao Lei asked doubtfully.

Ye Han merely shook his head. "We'll do it this way. Sometimes quantity cannot defeat quality, but when the quantity becomes too great, that is another matter!"

Ye Han had considered many things regarding the Beast Tide as a whole. Zhao Lei, Dugu Bo, and the others might be able to hold Second Dimension Academy, but there would likely be refugees coming to the academy.

The academy naturally would not stand by and do nothing then. However, if anyone came to cause trouble, Ye Han believed that Dugu Bo would not show mercy.

"I'll leave the academy to you. I'm heading deep into the Star Dou Great Forest to see what exactly happened!" Ye Han said solemnly.

"My, what an interesting matter. Aren't you taking me along?"

"Best Friend! Count me in!"

"Han Gege, I'm the defense-type Soul Master of our team!"

"I can handle scouting! You know how fast I am!"

"I won't give up such an interesting moment of battle!"

"This time, I'll definitely protect all of you!"

As he watched his companions voice their intentions one after another, Ye Han smiled faintly.

Zhao Lei, however, could not remain calm. "Hey, hey, hey! Are all of you going? Isn't a group of level 39s being a little too arrogant? Why not let me go and see what's happening?"

"No need! We have ways to escape, but you don't! Don't worry, we'll come back if anything goes wrong!" Ye Han was someone who cherished his life.

Zhao Lei wanted to say something else, but Ye Han interrupted him again. "Uncle Zhao, write an anonymous letter to Spirit Hall, as well as the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire! We can't save that many people. Tell them to prepare early!"

Afterward, Ye Han and the others returned directly to their own rooms to prepare. Entering the Star Dou Great Forest this time was no joke. One careless mistake could cost them their lives.

Ye Han naturally had his own confidence: his Third Soul Skill, True Name Release. If things truly went wrong, he could unleash Lia's Caliburn once. With Kurumi there, they might be severely injured at most, but they would not die.

Because of the importance of this mission, no one wore their school uniforms again. Instead, they put on their own combat attire.