While Zhao Wuji waited expectantly, a travel-worn figure had already skirted the border between the Balak Kingdom and the Star Luo Empire from the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, arriving in Suotuo City without a sound.
Of course, only the young man thought he had arrived without a sound. In reality, he had already attracted the attention of various merchants in Suotuo City. One secret report after another was sent to a smithy in the city, then consolidated and forwarded to Shrek Academy.
This person was none other than the Star Luo Empire's Third Prince, Dai Mubai, who possessed the White Tiger Martial Soul!
"Actually, I already pointed you in the right direction. Plant-type Martial Souls possess extremely strong vitality, and vitality also means stamina.
"One way to strengthen your strengths is to choose a Soul Skill that doesn't consume much Soul Power and can be used repeatedly in a short time.
"Such Soul Skills usually come from vine-, bamboo-, or moss-type Soul Beasts.
"Also, Blue Silver Grass's extraordinary vitality lets it break through bluestone and grow toward the sun. That's a form of power born from vitality.
"To complement it, bamboo-type Soul Beasts can make up for Blue Silver Grass's lack of rigidity. It can be used like a spear, thrown like an anchor, or made into ground spikes—all effective ways to attack enemies.
"Vine-type Soul Beasts can make up for Blue Silver Grass's lack of resilience. They can be used as whips to lash enemies, made into ropes, or woven into nets to ensnare them.
"Considering how versatile Blue Silver Grass already is, vines would be the better choice. They also grow longer, so inheriting their traits would increase the Soul Master's attack range.
"Therefore, I recommend choosing a vine-type Soul Beast for your First Soul Ring."
Oscar explained at length, and everything he said was reasonable. Compared with his suggestion, the Mandala Snake Grandmaster had chosen...
"Not bad, Xiao Ao! I knew you had it in you from the start. That Grandmaster isn't even fit to tie your shoes."
Zhao Wuji got to his feet and laughed heartily, giving Oscar a hearty slap on the shoulder.
"Knowing Xiao Ao has such a talent for researching Martial Souls puts my mind at ease. Hahaha!"
Looking at the two outstanding children before him, Flender stroked his chin in satisfaction.
"But Grandmaster has knowledge of Soul Beasts that we don't. Once Tang San arrives, we'll still proceed with the exchange as planned. Zhao Wuji, make sure you keep your temper in check, all right?"
Zhao Wuji nodded. Just then, a familiar birdcall sounded from outside Shrek Academy.
The group exchanged knowing nods, assigned some tasks to the students Shrek had taken in over the past two years, and then returned to their rooms.
Oscar glanced at the little fatty, sensing that something seemed off with him today.
Night fell, and a silver moon hung in the sky.
Beneath its light, a little boy in a black robe lay against the rooftop, his eyes filled with confusion.
Ever since Sky Net had been established, he'd realized that his senior brother's talents shone brighter and brighter. He also knew the dangers behind many things, and that his senior brother and the others were dealing with them.
He understood, too, that his senior brother thought he was too young to get involved in many matters.
But everyone still treated him like a child. He was only two years younger than his senior brother, yet there seemed to be nothing he could do to help him.
Perhaps what truly limits a person's achievements isn't talent, but... their way of thinking?
Remembering how confidently his senior brother had spoken that afternoon, Ma Hongjun grasped the key point.
He stood up, brushed the dust from the seat of his pants, and jumped off the rooftop.
Oscar sat in a nearby treetop, watching everything unfold.
What's this little fatty planning to do behind his good senior brother's back? Never mind. It's time he learned a few hard lessons for himself. A fledgling sheltered beneath someone's wings will never learn to soar through the sky. Besides, he's a Phoenix with Ultimate Fire.
With that thought, Oscar slipped into the forest beneath the cover of night. The Shrek teachers and the little fatty went with him.
That earlier birdcall had meant they were to meet in the woods late at night.
"Greetings, Chief, Deputy Chief, and all the elders."
A shadow darted out of the woods, then dropped to one knee before them, clasping his hands in salute.
Oscar hurried forward and helped Zhou Chang to his feet.
"Has something major happened?"
Normally, if something came up, someone would notify them and they would hold a meeting at the smithy. Meeting directly outside Shrek Academy was highly unusual.
"Everything's going smoothly. Elder Li has already extended our network of informants from Suotuo City to Bala City."
Suotuo City and Bala City were the two most important cities in the Balak Kingdom. Suotuo City was the kingdom's granary, while Bala City was its political and economic center.
Although the Balak Kingdom belonged to the Heaven Dou Empire and was under its rule,
in reality, aside from paying the required tributes, it was completely self-governing—a kingdom within the Heaven Dou Empire.
Given the circumstances, Sky Net's plans for expanding within the Heaven Dou Empire were completely different from its plans for the Star Luo Empire.
Their current aim was to control the intelligence networks in these two cities, then extend their reach to all the surrounding cities and gain complete control of the Balak Kingdom's intelligence network!
That was the mission Elder Li—Li Jianqiu—was working on now!
"Uncle Li can make decisions like that himself. He wouldn't send a secret report about it. What's really going on?"
"The Star Luo Empire's Third Prince, Dai Mubai, has arrived in Suotuo City. He's staying at the Rose Hotel."
Zhou Chang handed Oscar a scroll detailing Dai Mubai's movements and activities around Suotuo City that day.
He's really fallen so low. He even found himself a set of triplets? Isn't the White Tiger Family allied by marriage with the Nether Civet Family? Isn't he afraid this'll cause trouble?
Oscar flipped through the eye-watering report, his brows furrowing slightly.
"All right, Zhou Chang, go take care of your business. I'll decide what to do about Dai Mubai."
"Yes, Chief."
Zhou Chang turned into a shadow and quickly disappeared.
"Xiao Ao, will you go take a look?"
Flender looked at Oscar. Oscar nodded slightly, tucked the report into his robe, and walked toward the smithy as if out for an evening stroll.
By the time he emerged from the smithy, Oscar had changed his appearance. He wore a long, gray homespun robe, his hair stuffed beneath a battered hat, and a pair of small, round, pitch-black sunglasses perched on his nose.
He carried a bamboo pack on his back and leaned on a banner mounted on a pole. A bold Eight Trigrams symbol was painted on it, with the words "Half-Immortal Ma" written underneath.
The smithy wasn't far from the Rose Hotel, and it only took Oscar a few minutes to get there.
The hotel was three stories tall. It wasn't especially large, but its exterior was decorated entirely in rose red, and the whole building was shaped like an enormous rose. It was an eye-catching sight.
As a well-known hotel in Suotuo City, the Rose Hotel didn't allow street vendors nearby. Oscar could only set up his stall across the street.
He wedged the banner into a crack in the stone, then took a folding stool and table out of his bamboo pack.
On one side of the table, he placed a pure copper turtle shell and scattered six Gold Soul Coins around it. On the other, he set down a tube stuffed with bamboo fortune sticks.
The spot was well chosen: anyone leaving the hotel would see him, and a Night Food Street stood nearby.
Oscar sat bored on his little stool, waiting for Dai Mubai to finish his business and come out looking for food.
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