A New Sect Mission? Running into Shrek Again?

After receiving the summons, Liu Yuan quickly made his way to the Sect Master Hall as well.

However, when he arrived at the Sect Master Hall, he happened to see Vina standing in the center of the hall.

"Long time no see, Vina."

Somewhat surprised, he nodded to Vina. After all, it had been quite some time since they had last met.

Vina looked at the approaching Liu Yuan, the admiration in her eyes undisguised.

She spoke first. "Liu Yuan, congratulations. I heard from Chen Lü and the others that you are now the strongest of Body Sect's younger generation."

Liu Yuan calmly shook his head. "I was merely fortunate enough to gain an advantage in my choice of soul rings. When it comes to Martial Soul application and combat experience, I still have much to learn from my fellow disciples."

Vina smiled. "You are as humble as ever."

At that moment, Du Busi, seated at the head of the hall, gave a light cough, and the conversations in the hall immediately ceased.

He swept his gaze over the seven people below—Liu Yuan, Long Aotian, Chen Lü, Wang Yanfeng, Gu Tong, Vina, and Mu Xue—his tone grave.

"I summoned you this time to send you on a combat mission." Du Busi slowly descended the steps.

"According to intelligence Vina brought from the royal family, a Five-Ring Soul King-level Evil Soul Master has recently appeared near Yaluo City, the place you visited last time."

"This person is elusive and has already slaughtered quite a few civilians. The royal family hopes that our Body Sect will handle the matter. I have decided to assign this mission to you."

The moment those words were spoken, the hall fell into brief dead silence.

Wang Yanfeng frowned deeply and could not help speaking up. "Sect Master, that is a Five-Ring Evil Soul Master."

"Evil Soul Masters are already far stranger and more formidable than ordinary soul masters. There is not even a single Soul King in our team right now. Is sending us there not too risky?"

Although Chen Lü and Vina said nothing, the shock in their eyes revealed their unease.

Crossing an entire major realm to hunt down an Evil Soul Master was rare even in past mission records.

Du Busi snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping across them. "There is only one enemy, while you have seven people. As core disciples of the Body Sect, do you not even have this much courage?"

"Besides, you know full well what Liu Yuan and Long Aotian are capable of. With the two of them there, as long as you cooperate properly, a mere Soul King Evil Soul Master will not be able to turn the sky upside down."

Du Busi paused, then announced in an unquestionable tone, "For this operation, Liu Yuan will serve as captain, and Long Aotian as vice-captain. All of you will obey their commands. Long Aotian, do you have any objections?"

Long Aotian stepped forward and answered in a deep voice, "This disciple obeys. I will do everything in my power to assist my junior brother and complete the mission."

Long Aotian's attitude was exceedingly proper. Since his previous defeat, he had fully acknowledged Liu Yuan's position as leader.

Feeling the heavy responsibility settle onto his shoulders, Liu Yuan cupped his hands toward Du Busi. "Rest assured, Master. This disciple will bring everyone back safely."

Under Du Busi's urging, the seven-person team did not delay any longer. After making simple preparations, they left the sect and headed at full speed toward Yaluo City.

However, less than half an hour after Liu Yuan's group departed, Elder Chen, having learned the news, rushed anxiously into the Sect Master Hall.

"Sect Master! I heard you sent Liu Yuan and the others to hunt down a Five-Ring Evil Soul Master?" Elder Chen's voice was urgent, his face filled with worry.

"This is far too dangerous! Evil Soul Masters use vicious and sinister methods. Those children have yet to reach the Soul King realm. If anything goes wrong, it will be a tremendous loss for the sect!"

Du Busi returned to his seat of honor, lifted his teacup, and took a sip, his expression calm. "Of course I know it is dangerous. But jade must be carved before it can become a useful vessel. Liu Yuan and Long Aotian have too much potential. Ordinary sparring and missions can no longer make them feel any sense of urgency."

"Liu Yuan in particular. In the Extreme North, he killed a twenty-thousand-year soul beast in a one-on-one fight. Do you think his combat strength can be measured by that of an ordinary Three-Ring?"

Elder Chen froze, his voice rising several pitches. "He killed a twenty-thousand-year soul beast alone? Liu Yuan has already become this strong?"

"Correct." Du Busi set down his teacup, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.

"However, you are right as well. Evil Soul Masters truly are wicked."

"Therefore, I intend for you to follow them in secret. Unless it becomes absolutely necessary, you are not to intervene. Only when they truly face a threat to their lives are you to reveal yourself and clean house."

At those words, Elder Chen finally relaxed. He immediately accepted the order. "Since Sect Master has already made arrangements, I will set out at once. I will not let anything happen to those children."

With that, Elder Chen flashed away, turning into a blurred shadow as he pursued them into the distance.

Meanwhile, in the Sea God Pavilion far away at Shrek Academy.

Xuan Zi sat before a table, gnawing irritably on a chicken leg. Looking at the intelligence officer before him, he asked with dissatisfaction, "Has there been any progress on Ling Luochen's side? Have you found that genius yet?"

Ever since Ling Luochen had reported encountering that genius in the Heaven Dou Empire, Xuan Zi had been unable to let go of the talent they had missed.

He had always wanted to recruit him into Shrek, because a genius of that caliber should have belonged to Shrek Academy in the first place.

The staff member lowered his head and answered nervously, "Reporting to Elder Xuan, Senior Ling has led people in searching many locations, but... there is still no definite information."

"Useless!" Xuan Zi slammed his hand on the table and rose to his feet, his beard trembling. "If she had been smarter back then and recruited him directly into Shrek, would there be so much trouble now? If he were at Shrek now, he would probably have already joined the Inspection Team and received focused training!"

The more Xuan Zi thought about it, the angrier he became. He waved his hand. "Bring Ling Luochen here."

A short while later, Ling Luochen entered the Sea God Pavilion.

She looked somewhat exhausted. Clearly, the frequent search missions of late had placed considerable pressure on her.

"Luochen, put the search aside for now." Xuan Zi's tone softened slightly.

"There is a more urgent task that requires you to lead a team and handle it. The Heaven Dou Empire authorities have sent a commission. A Five-Ring Soul King-level Evil Soul Master has appeared around Yaluo City, and his methods are exceptionally cruel."

"You have carried out missions there before and are familiar with the area. Go there immediately and make sure to eliminate him."

Ling Luochen's expression sharpened, and she nodded. "Yes, Elder Xuan. I will depart at once."

Watching Ling Luochen's departing figure, Xuan Zi sighed.

He did not realize that the genius he called "unfindable" was leading a Body Sect team toward the very same destination.

Two forces were about to meet in a new clash at the crossroads known as Yaluo City.