Undercurrents in Suotuo City

After defeating the Berserk Team, the Shrek Seven Devils rose to fame at the Suo Tuo Great Soul Arena. More and more people began paying attention to this team of young people, especially the Control System Spirit Master who used Blue Silver Grass yet always managed to win through unexpected means, and the Spirit System girl who could always disrupt their opponents at crucial moments.

That day, just as the seven of them exited the Soul Fighting Arena, a well-dressed middle-aged man blocked their path.

"Please wait." The man bowed slightly and handed over a gilded invitation. "My master would like to invite you all to his residence tomorrow for a talk."

Dai Mubai accepted the invitation, glanced at it, and raised his brows slightly. "The Suo Tuo City Lord? What does he want with us?"

The middle-aged man maintained his smile. "My master merely admires your talents and wishes to befriend you. A modest banquet will be prepared at the manor tomorrow at noon. We hope you will honor us with your presence."

After the man left, Oscar leaned closer. "The Suo Tuo City Lord? Why would someone that important be looking for us?"

Ning Rongrong pondered, "The Suo Tuo City Lord has always valued talent. Perhaps he has taken notice of our potential."

Xiao Wu said excitedly, "The City Lord is treating us? There'll definitely be lots of delicious food!"

Tang San frowned slightly. "Unsolicited favors usually hide ulterior motives. We should be cautious."

Xiao Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement. "Tang San is right. We're only Soul Grandmasters right now. It is indeed strange for someone like the City Lord to suddenly invite us."

Dai Mubai's evil eyes gleamed. "There's no harm in taking a look. In Suotuo City, no one would dare lay a hand on people from Shrek."

At noon the next day, the seven arrived at the City Lord's Manor on time. The residence was grand and imposing, with heavily guarded entrances, forming a stark contrast to the shabby Shrek Academy.

The Suo Tuo City Lord was a plump middle-aged man with a smile on his face, looking thoroughly amiable. The banquet was indeed lavish, filled with every kind of delicacy, and Xiao Wu and Oscar ate until their mouths were slick with grease.

After several rounds of wine, the City Lord finally got to the point. "You are all outstanding young talents, and your performances in the Soul Fighting Arena have been astonishing. Would you be interested in serving the City Lord's Manor? As for compensation, I guarantee you will all be satisfied."

Dai Mubai set down his wine cup and said calmly, "Thank you for your favor, City Lord, but we are students of Shrek Academy. For now, we only wish to focus on cultivation."

The City Lord's smile did not change. "Shrek Academy? I hear its conditions are quite harsh. If you are willing, the City Lord's Manor can provide the finest cultivation resources. We could even help you obtain spirit bones."

The words "spirit bones" made everyone except Tang San catch their breath. Spirit bones were treasures every Spirit Master dreamed of obtaining!

Tang San said calmly, "We appreciate the City Lord's kindness. But although Shrek's conditions are harsh, it is the place best suited for us."

A trace of displeasure flashed through the City Lord's eyes, but he quickly concealed it. "In that case, I will not force you. However..." His tone shifted. "Suotuo City has not been peaceful lately. A group of mysterious Spirit Masters has been specifically attacking young geniuses. You should all be careful."

The banquet ended in a somewhat awkward atmosphere. On the way back to the academy, everyone remained silent.

Suddenly, Tang San stopped walking and said in a low voice, "Someone is following us."

The seven immediately became alert. A cold glint flashed through Dai Mubai's evil eyes. "Looks like the City Lord's banquet was no friendly feast."

When they turned into an alley, five masked men were indeed blocking their way. The leader sneered. "Shrek's little monsters? Today, we'll turn you into dead monsters!"

Battle erupted at once. All five were Soul Elders, and their coordination was flawless, their attacks fierce.

"Xiaoxiao, disrupt that Control System one!" Tang San remained calm as he directed them in battle.

Xiao Xiaoxiao immediately focused her mind and interfered with the opposing Control System Spirit Master's casting. Yet the enemy seemed prepared. One of them suddenly pulled out a strange Bell and shook it. The piercing chime made Xiao Xiaoxiao dizzy, interrupting her interference.

"A Soul Tool specifically meant to counter Spirit System abilities?" Tang San's gaze turned cold as he unleashed Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and instantly closed in on the man ringing the bell.

Just then, another masked man suddenly sprang out of the shadows and lunged straight for Xiao Xiaoxiao. "Take care of this troublesome Spirit System first!"

He was so fast that no one had time to react.

Xiao Xiaoxiao only felt a sharp killing intent lock onto her, making even movement difficult. At that critical moment, she felt someone shove her hard and heard a muffled groan.

It was Tang San! He had used his own body to block the attack for her!

"Tang San!" Xiao Xiaoxiao cried out. Blood streamed down Tang San's shoulder, but his gaze remained calm.

"I'm fine." Tang San gritted his teeth. Several black spheres suddenly appeared in his hand, and he violently hurled them at the ground.

Boom! Smoke billowed out, obscuring their vision.

"Go!" Tang San grabbed Xiao Xiaoxiao and rapidly retreated with the other five.

With Tang San's strange Hidden Weapons and smoke bombs, the seven finally escaped their pursuers and fled back to the academy in a sorry state.

"How are you?" Xiao Xiaoxiao anxiously examined Tang San's wound, tears welling in her eyes.

Tang San shook his head. "It's just a flesh wound. It's nothing. Are you hurt?"

Xiao Xiaoxiao shook her head. Looking at his bleeding shoulder, she felt both moved and guilty. He had protected her again.

Dai Mubai's expression was grim. "Those people were clearly prepared. They specifically targeted the unique traits of our abilities."

Ning Rongrong thought aloud, "Could it be the City Lord..."

Oscar jumped to his feet. "It must be that smiling tiger! He invited us to dinner in public, then struck at us in secret!"

Zhu Zhuqing said coldly, "There is no evidence."

Xiao Wu said angrily, "Who else could it be? We haven't even been in Suotuo City that long. Where would we have made enemies?"

After bandaging his wound, Tang San fell into thought. "It may not have been the City Lord. Those people were well-trained and coordinated perfectly. They did not seem like ordinary Spirit Masters. And..." A thoughtful look flashed through his eyes. "They seemed to know our abilities very well."

Xiao Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered something. "That Bell... it specifically countered Mental Interference. How did they know the characteristics of my martial spirit?"

Everyone fell silent. Indeed, their opponents seemed to know their abilities inside and out. That was highly unusual.

"Starting tomorrow, everyone must travel in groups when going out," Dai Mubai decided. "I'll report this matter to the headmaster."

Late that night, Xiao Xiaoxiao could not sleep. She quietly went into the courtyard and found Tang San sitting on a stone stool, gazing up at the stars.

"Your injury..." She approached softly.

Tang San turned around. In the moonlight, the side of his face looked especially clear. "It's fine now. Why aren't you asleep?"

"I can't sleep." Xiao Xiaoxiao sat down beside him. "You saved me again today. Thank you..."

Tang San was silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "Your Spiritual Power is strong, but your defenses are insufficient. I want to teach you a simple method of mental defense. Do you want to learn?"

Xiao Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up. "Really? I do!"

In the days that followed, Tang San began teaching Xiao Xiaoxiao techniques for mental defense. These methods seemed to be his own creation, simple yet practical. Xiao Xiaoxiao studied earnestly, and she could feel her Spiritual Power becoming more condensed and controllable under Tang San's guidance.

At the same time, the seven trained even harder. The appearance of those mysterious attackers had made them realize the importance of strength.

After training ended one day, Flender called the seven into his office. "The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament will begin in one year. I've decided that Shrek Academy will form a team to participate."

Everyone revealed excited expressions. The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was the stage every young Spirit Master dreamed of!

"However," Flender said, pushing up his glasses, "with your current strength, you would only make fools of yourselves. Starting tomorrow, your training load will double. I'll invite several old friends to give you special training."

Sure enough, the days that followed became even more difficult. Flender invited several strange teachers: an old man skilled with poison, an Agility Attack System Soul Sage with extreme speed, and a female Spirit Master with a powerful presence.

The special training covered all kinds of things: poison resistance training, extreme-speed evasion, resisting oppressive pressure... Every day left the seven wishing they were dead, but their strength also improved at a rapid pace.

Under Tang San's guidance, Xiao Xiaoxiao's Spiritual Power advanced swiftly. She could now initially construct a Spirit Barrier capable of defending against most mental attacks.

That day, during combat training, Xiao Xiaoxiao successfully blocked the female Spirit Master's mental pressure. Though it lasted only three seconds, it was already tremendous progress.

"Not bad." The female Spirit Master rarely showed approval in her eyes. "You have talent, little girl. Your martial spirit is... the Phantom Moon Fox? That is rather rare."

After training, the female Spirit Master sought out Xiao Xiaoxiao alone. "Your martial spirit has great potential, but your path of development has gone somewhat astray. A Spirit System Spirit Master should not focus solely on interference and control."

Xiao Xiaoxiao asked curiously, "Then what else should I focus on?"

The female Spirit Master smiled faintly. "Creation. Use Spiritual Power to create illusions and influence reality. That is where the true strength of a Spirit System Spirit Master lies."

She handed Xiao Xiaoxiao a thin notebook. "These are some of my insights. Perhaps they will be useful to you."

Xiao Xiaoxiao accepted the notebook as if it were a priceless treasure. "Thank you, Senior!"

The female Spirit Master waved a hand. "If you want to thank someone, thank Xiao Gang. He was the one who asked me to guide you."

Master? Xiao Xiaoxiao froze. So Tang San had gone to Master, and Master had invited this senior to guide her...

Warmth rose in her heart. Xiao Xiaoxiao clenched the notebook and silently vowed that she would not disappoint them.

That night, she studied the notebook by moonlight. The methods of using Spiritual Power recorded within opened her eyes. So Spiritual Power could be used like this...

"What are you reading?" Tang San's voice suddenly came from behind her.

Xiao Xiaoxiao jumped in fright and hurriedly closed the notebook. "It's the insights that senior gave me. Tang San... thank you."

Tang San was slightly startled. "What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for asking Master to help me..." Xiao Xiaoxiao said softly.

Tang San fell silent for a moment. "If your abilities become stronger, it will benefit the team as well." His tone was still calm, but Xiao Xiaoxiao could hear the concern within it.

Gathering her courage, she looked up at Tang San. "I'll become stronger. Strong enough that I won't need you to protect me all the time."

Under the moonlight, the girl's gaze was firm and bright, filled with unquestionable determination.

Tang San looked at her for a long time, then nodded gently. "I believe you."

Those simple words made Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart skip a beat. It was his acknowledgment of her, and it made her happier than any praise could.

"Um..." Xiao Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered something. "The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament... you'll be participating, right?"

"Mm." Tang San nodded.

"Then... can we be on the same team?" Xiao Xiaoxiao asked hopefully.

Tang San looked into her expectant eyes. After a moment of silence, he said, "If your strength is sufficient by then."

Though it was not a definite answer, it still sent Xiao Xiaoxiao into wild delight. "I'll definitely work hard! When the time comes, we'll win the championship together!"

Seeing her radiant smile, the corners of Tang San's lips also lifted unconsciously.

Under the night sky, the hearts of the two young people seemed to draw a little closer without either of them realizing it. The road ahead was full of challenges, but it was also filled with endless possibilities.