Just then, Xuan Zi turned and said, "Mu En, everyone's here."
Mu En slowly rose at his words and glanced over Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo, and the others. "According to reliable information from our sources, a group of Evil Soul Masters has appeared near the Spirit Mountain Range in the Dou Ling Empire."
"Their movements are elusive, and the strongest among them is at the Soul Emperor level. They're a very powerful team."
"Also, we've received word from the Dou Ling Imperial Family that they're mining large quantities of rare metals. It's quite possible they're connected to this group of Evil Soul Masters."
"Your mission is to wipe out these Evil Soul Masters, who threaten the continent. Once the mission is complete, everyone will receive a generous share of cultivation resources."
The students of the Shrek Supervisory Team were thrilled to hear this.
At last, they could head out on another mission.
The male students, in particular, were rubbing their hands in anticipation.
Zhang Lexuan asked curiously, "Elder Mu, do we really need to send so many people this time?"
Mu En said solemnly, "Even when a lion hunts a rabbit, it uses all its strength. The Evil Soul Masters have been acting strangely for years. Each time, powerful members accompany them on missions. I suspect they're carrying out some kind of plan."
"Sending so many people will also help keep you safe. And this time, Yu Daoyun will be going with you. You'll need to protect him."
The students present all froze at his words.
The junior schoolmate was going too?
He was only a three-ring Soul Elder.
Am I really going to die...? Yu Daoyun grumbled inwardly, but said nothing.
Zhang Lexuan couldn't help adding, "Elder Mu, the junior schoolmate is still so weak. Supervisory Team missions are dangerous. Shouldn't we reconsider?"
"That's right, Elder Mu," Han Ruoruo chimed in.
The other male students didn't think much of it. They felt it was only natural.
A man was supposed to level up and fight monsters; even dying in the process was an honor.
Dai Yueheng, in particular, had been the first to suggest that Yu Daoyun join the mission.
These girls had no idea how strong this seemingly harmless fellow was. To put it bluntly, even a Soul King couldn't take more than a few punches from him.
He'd experienced the terror of the Golden Dragon firsthand.
Mu En smiled and explained, "Daoyun is mainly going along to broaden his horizons. Just focus on protecting him. That's why I've gathered so many of you."
In Mu En's view, Yu Daoyun was the person he hoped to groom as the next Sea God Pavilion Master. He couldn't spend his whole life growing up in a greenhouse.
Even a tiger had to learn how to hunt its prey.
Of course, Mu En had already made arrangements to ensure his safety.
Zhang Lexuan and the others had no choice but to agree.
Mu En then assigned the students to the mission.
Veterans like Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo, Ye Xiaosheng, and Gu Fan would lead the way, while Ma Xiaotao and the others would carry out the mission.
Xuan Zi would handle any stronger enemies and protect the students.
Hearing that, Yu Daoyun finally felt the weight lift from his heart.
What a luxurious lineup. The Evil Soul Masters wouldn't have anywhere to run.
Zhang Lexuan was only a seven-ring Soul Saint, but her actual combat strength was formidable.
The rest went without saying. They were all part of Shrek's deep reserves.
They were safe now!
After giving them their orders, Mu En summoned Xuan Zi to a room alone and said gravely, "Xuan Zi, you can't let anything go wrong on this mission. I've entrusted half of Shrek to you. If anything happens to these students, I really will go mad."
"And Daoyun is among them. He's the future of Shrek. If you lose him, I'll break your legs, forbid you from eating meat for decades, and cripple your cultivation."
For Shrek's sake, he was dead serious.
His words made Xuan Zi shudder, and he immediately dropped his usual lazy air.
Break his legs and forbid him from eating meat? That was as good as taking his life!
Xuan Zi thumped his chest and promised, "Don't worry, Elder Mu. I'll bring every one of these kids back to you. If I can't, I won't come back either."
Mu En furrowed his brows. Something about that sounded off, so he gave Xuan Zi another stern warning.
Xuan Zi had no choice but to make a second solemn promise.
Before long, Mu En and Xuan Zi emerged from the small black room.
Xuan Zi looked over everyone and said gravely, "Since you're all ready, let's go!"
Yu Daoyun sighed silently to himself, praying that the Supreme Elder wouldn't go all out.
Then the Shrek party followed Xuan Zi out of Shrek Academy and headed toward the Spirit Mountain Range in the Dou Ling Empire.
After everyone had left, Mu En stood still, gazing after the children with a wistful look.
These children reminded him of himself in his younger days.
Then he called out, "Mei'er, you should go with them too!"
As soon as he spoke, the remaining elders entered the Sea God Pavilion, including Yan Shaozhe.
Cai Mei'er asked, puzzled, "Elder Mu, do I need to go along to protect the students? Xuan Zi is leading this mission. Wouldn't it be bad if I got noticed?"
Yan Shaozhe chimed in, "Elder Mu, since you've already entrusted this to Xuan Zi, there's no need to send so many people to protect them. You know Xuan Zi's strength. Surely nothing will go wrong."
"Besides, our academy is already short on staff. What if something happens over in Star Dou?"
Mu En sighed.
As Xuan Zi's teacher, he knew him all too well.
Xuan Zi might be making all the right promises now, but he could forget them in no time.
It was best to prepare for both possibilities.
Mu En said, "If something unexpected happens, having one more strong fighter along is always a good thing. These students are the future of Shrek."
Yan Shaozhe said nothing more.
Cai Mei'er then followed after them.
After leaving the academy, the Shrek Supervisory Team flew toward the Dou Ling Empire.
Yu Daoyun was a slow flyer, so he promptly hitched a ride with Zhang Lexuan, while the others surrounded them.
Meanwhile, Xuan Zi flew along, chuckling. "Little fellow, why don't you come with me? I fly fast. Nothing will go wrong."
"No!"
Yu Daoyun rejected him without a second thought.
There was a saying in Douluo: when there was no danger, Xuan Zi himself was the greatest danger, because you never knew what mishap he might cause.
Snubbed, Xuan Zi snorted, pulled a chicken leg from his pocket, and took a bite.
The kid was actually afraid he'd hurt him.
The other Inner Court students watched the scene and couldn't help bursting into goose-like honks of laughter.
Zhang Lexuan smiled too, but there wasn't much joy in it.
She'd been troubled for years and hadn't laughed from the heart in a long time.
Yu Daoyun asked, "Senior Sister, why don't you ever smile? Were you born that way?"
Zhang Lexuan shook her head. "How could Senior Sister have been born unable to smile? I just have too many worries. I can't smile even when I want to."
"Then let me tell you a story," Yu Daoyun said.
Zhang Lexuan hesitated for a moment, then led the group to the front. They still had a long way to go, and there was no harm in listening.
She wanted to see what kind of story this little fellow could come up with.
Before you continue