The Bearing of a Great General, Both Brave and Wise!

After several days of arduous travel, the seven-member Body Sect team led by Liu Yuan once again set foot on the land of the Heaven Dou Empire, arriving in the wilderness outside Yaluo City.

Returning to this familiar city, Liu Yuan appeared exceptionally calm.

Rather than leading his teammates straight toward the Evil Soul Master hideout mentioned in the intelligence, he signaled everyone to stop.

As the wind rustled through the forest, Liu Yuan's clothes fluttered in the breeze. Standing atop a towering boulder, he gazed into the distance at Yaluo City's outline.

"Don't rush into the campaign yet." Liu Yuan turned around and swept his gaze across his fellow sect members, his voice steady and firm.

He had not become blindly confident because his strength had increased.

On the contrary, he showed an exceptionally strong sense of responsibility toward every bit of authority in his hands.

As the captain, he had to ensure that everyone returned safely.

Thus, Liu Yuan said to them, "The most terrifying thing about Evil Soul Masters is not the level of their Soul Power, but their bizarre and unpredictable sinister methods."

"Some Evil Soul Masters clearly possess only Five-Ring cultivation, yet if a Soul Master is careless, even Six-Ring or Seven-Ring powerhouses may fall into their hands."

"Such cases were far from rare in the continent's historical records."

Liu Yuan paused, and his tone became even more solemn.

"Since I am serving as captain this time, and we have confirmed that we will be facing a Five-Ring Evil Soul Master, I must prepare everything thoroughly and grasp every detail before launching the final campaign."

"We only have one chance. We absolutely cannot alert him."

Long Aotian stood nearby. Although his Soul Power Level had reached forty-eight, far surpassing Liu Yuan's, he showed none of an older brother's arrogance.

As he looked at Liu Yuan, his eyes were filled with approval.

Ever since their battle in the arena, he had been completely won over by Liu Yuan's combat intelligence.

It was not just him. Chen Lü, Wang Yanfeng, Gu Tong, as well as the royal-born Vina and Mu Xue, all quietly listened to Liu Yuan's arrangements. No one raised any objection.

"Now, everyone listen to my orders. Split up immediately."

"We will not enter the city and conduct a conspicuous search. Instead, we will infiltrate the villages, towns, markets, and refugee gathering places near Yaluo City, collecting every piece of intelligence we can about this Evil Soul Master."

"Whether it is the details of his attacks, his methods of killing, or his living habits, record every single word without omission."

At Liu Yuan's command, the seven-person team instantly turned into several streaks of light and vanished into the forest.

For an entire day, the team members acted separately.

Only when night fell and stars filled the sky did everyone return one after another to meet in the designated woods.

A bonfire had already been lit. Liu Yuan sat beside it, using a dead branch to sketch a terrain map on the ground.

Chen Lü was the first to step forward. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he lowered his voice and reported the information he had gathered in the city's black market. "Senior Brother, I found something out."

"This Evil Soul Master is well known locally by a codename. They call him the 'Blood King.' His Martial Soul is an extremely rare kind of bat, and he is exceptionally skilled at controlling blood."

Long Aotian followed close behind, bringing back information that was even more specific and dangerous. "The intelligence I collected shows that half a month ago, he engaged in a fierce battle with a Soul King-level Soul Master."

"The result of that battle was that the Soul King died on the spot. According to survivors who watched from afar, that Evil Soul Master displayed an ability called 'Blood Explosion.'"

"He could detonate large quantities of nearby blood and even corpses, creating explosions of tremendous power. He used that move to severely injure and instantly blow that Soul King to death."

Vina also stepped forward at this point. Her face was somewhat pale, clearly sickened by the information she had uncovered.

"I found important intelligence too."

"That man seemed capable of increasing his cultivation speed by consuming massive amounts of human blood. Moreover, it seemed that some bold Soul Masters had previously sneaked into his hideout."

"It was said that he had built enormous blood pools there. Those pools normally supported his cultivation, but in actual combat, they could greatly enhance his fighting ability."

"Because most of his soul skills require blood as a medium. If someone attacks his territory, he can directly manipulate the blood stored in those pools to defend and counterattack."

After hearing everyone's reports, Liu Yuan dragged the dead branch heavily across the ground.

Using the intelligence gathered by the others, he rapidly constructed a combat model of this Evil Soul Master in his mind.

"Skilled at controlling blood, possesses a powerful Blood Explosion skill, and has accumulated a huge reserve of blood in his nest." Liu Yuan analyzed quietly, his mind racing.

"This means that hideout is his absolute domain."

"In that environment, with ample blood available, the power of his soul skills will multiply. And since he can detonate blood, every corner may contain deadly traps."

"If we launch a direct assault, he may very well drag us down with him."

Liu Yuan raised his head. His Double Pupil emitted an eerie, cold gleam under the firelight.

"Therefore, the best way to deal with him is to lure him out of his lair."

"Without the support of the blood pools, he will not be able to unleash large-scale Blood Explosions without restraint, and his battlefield consumption will not be replenished. We must make him lose his greatest support."

Liu Yuan spread out a more detailed map, his finger pointing at an abandoned gorge north of Yaluo City.

"This is my strategy."

"Look here. This gorge has treacherous terrain and a narrow exit, making it ideal for an ambush. When the time comes, the six of you will lie in wait at these marked points."

"And I will personally head to his lair and find a way to lure him out."

"You'll be the bait?" Wang Yanfeng was startled and could not help speaking up. "Senior Brother Liu, that is too dangerous. That is the hideout of a Five-Ring Evil Soul Master."

Liu Yuan shook his head, his tone brooking no doubt. "I have the Qilin Precious Technique, so I am the fastest. And my Undying Body gives me a greater margin for error when facing sudden explosions. Only I can lure him out while ensuring I escape unscathed."

"Once I lead him into this gorge, you will immediately encircle him. We must kill him in an instant and give him no chance to flee back to the blood pools or launch large-scale destruction."

Everyone looked at the tactical deployment on the map, then at Liu Yuan's resolute expression, and nodded in agreement.

This meticulous arrangement eased their previously taut nerves somewhat, replacing them with soaring fighting spirit.

While Liu Yuan was devising the strategy, Elder Chen floated like a ghost in the shadows of the trees a hundred meters away.

He had perfectly blended his aura into the wind, snow, and darkness. Even Liu Yuan's Double Pupil would have found it difficult to detect him without deliberately searching.

Elder Chen had been following behind Liu Yuan and the others all along, secretly carrying out his duty of protection.

At this moment, he took in Liu Yuan's every action and arrangement.

"Gather intelligence first, then determine the strategy. He does not underestimate the enemy because there is only one of him, nor does he shrink back because the enemy's level is higher." Elder Chen silently praised him in his heart.

Seeing that Liu Yuan had not blindly led everyone into battle, but instead calmly analyzed the advantages and disadvantages and formulated tactics based on the enemy's Martial Soul characteristics, the satisfaction in Elder Chen's eyes deepened.

"This child is truly outstanding, both brave and wise."

"The calmness and command ability he has displayed on the eve of battle are completely worthy of a great general."

"The Sect Master had him lead the team this time because he truly intends to cultivate him as a future leader. With this temperament, combined with that terrifying combat strength, the future of the Body Sect is truly limitless."

Elder Chen shifted slightly and silently made his way toward the gorge.

He still decided not to intervene unless it became a matter of life and death.

He wanted to see with his own eyes how these children, under Liu Yuan's command, would cross the gap in cultivation and hunt that sinister Blood King.