Shadows Stir, Falsehood Takes Shape

The gloom of the midsummer forest transformed into a tension stretched to the breaking point the moment Tang San quietly approached the walls of Shrek Academy.

As dappled shadows danced eerily across the ground, Tang San lowered his frame. With a subtle release of soul power beneath his feet, he moved silently over the weeds and rotting leaves. The soul power of a level 40 Soul Ancestor circulated within him, yet he deliberately suppressed ninety-nine percent of it, leaving behind an aura so faint it was nearly non-existent. His gaze locked onto the gentle figure in the corner of the training ground, the killing intent in his eyes nearly overflowing. He kept his Clear Sky Hammer martial soul suppressed deep within his dantian, and only the faint black light occasionally flickering at his fingertips betrayed the violence currently churning within him.

The surge in strength from breaking through to level 40 had inflated his confidence, and combined with the hatred he felt for Lin Chen and the resentment toward Xiao Wu and the others for their betrayal, his reason had long since been clouded. He was certain that Lin Chen was merely a level 30-something Soul Elder; even with some strange tricks, he would have no power to fight back against the absolute gap in cultivation and the suppression of the Clear Sky Hammer. He was convinced that this infiltration would succeed in one strike, wiping out all potential threats.

He was entirely unaware that every step he took was being watched clearly by the three shadows in the canopy. Like a trapped beast in a cage, he believed he was the one setting the trap, while in reality, he had already fallen into a web woven by others.

High above in the ancient cypress canopy, Ghost Fiend narrowed his eyes. His dark robes blended perfectly with the shadows, and his Soul Saint-level spiritual sense remained firmly locked onto Tang San, not daring to slacken for a moment. He could clearly perceive that although Tang San's soul power had only just broken through and was not yet stable, the heavy, dense soul power unique to the Clear Sky Sect and the thick killing intent surrounding him confirmed the accuracy of the secret letter.

"The target is less than ten zhang from the Shrek wall and may climb over at any moment. Once the signal is given, close in immediately. Remember, capture only, do not kill. Keep him alive to trace clues about the Clear Sky Sect!" Ghost Fiend transmitted his voice with extreme precision using soul power, his tone as cold as ice as it reached his two subordinates.

The two level 53 Soul King dark guards nodded slightly. Soul power was already condensing in their palms, and their martial souls were quietly manifested, yet they kept their auras suppressed to the absolute minimum. The dark guard on the left possessed the Shadow Hunting Falcon martial soul; his wings were hidden behind his back, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's as he locked onto Tang San's retreat path. The dark guard on the right possessed the Earth-Splitting Scorpion martial soul, his giant pincers pulsing with soul power, ready to launch a surprise attack at any moment. The three formed a perfect encirclement, waiting only for Tang San to step into Shrek and reveal his intent to strike before they would burst from the shadows.

Ghost Fiend's spiritual sense still swept over Lin Chen in the training ground from time to time, but every investigation only made him more certain of his judgment.

Lin Chen remained standing in place, turned slightly to chat softly with Xiao Wu. A faint smile played on his lips, his eyes clear and harmless, and the soul power fluctuations around him remained at the level of a 36th-rank Soul Elder—peaceful and devoid of any aggression. Xiao Wu's eyes curved into crescents as she occasionally reached out to pat Lin Chen's arm, while Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong chimed in from the side. The four of them interacted harmoniously, completely unaware of the impending crisis, showing not a shred of the aura or cunning of a top-tier powerhouse.

The ultimate concealment power of the Star Hidden Grass was pushed to its limit around Lin Chen—unless one was a god, no Title Douluo or Limit Douluo could see through it in the slightest. It not only masked his soul power fluctuations but also completely disguised the profound soul power of his level 62 Soul Emperor cultivation, the immense vitality of the immortal herbs, and even his soul aura. Even a Soul Saint like Ghost Fiend, who was proficient in detection, only perceived him as an ordinary youth with decent aptitude and a gentle personality, a world away from the mysterious powerhouse who could infiltrate the Martial Soul Hall's top-secret communication point without a sound and control the entire situation with precision.

"It is definitely not him." Ghost Fiend concluded in his heart, withdrawing his spiritual sense from Lin Chen and focusing entirely on Tang San. "With this kind of temperament and cultivation, he isn't even fit to tie the shoes of that mysterious adult. I was overthinking it. The mysterious adult must be hiding in a more secret place in Shrek, perhaps using a supreme treasure to isolate spiritual sense, or perhaps controlling everything from thousands of miles away—at the very least, a god-level existence, certainly not something we mortal soul masters can spy upon."

His heart was now filled only with awe for the mysterious powerhouse and the resolve to complete his mission, completely excluding Lin Chen, the true mastermind, from all suspicion.

Yet Lin Chen, while appearing to chat and laugh with the others, had his spiritual sense already enveloping the entire area. Whether it was the infiltrating Tang San, the Martial Soul Hall dark guards lurking in the canopy, or even their every flow of soul power and every secret transmission, all fell within his perception.

A system panel quietly emerged in his mind, the data crystal clear:

[Host: Lin Chen]

[True Level: Level 62 Control-type Soul Emperor]

[Disguised Level: Level 36 Agility-type Soul Elder]

[Concealment Status: Ultimate Seal (Cannot be detected by non-gods)]

[Hostile Target: Tang San]

[Current Level: Level 40 Power-type Soul Ancestor]

[Status: Overflowing with killing intent, weak vigilance, about to launch an attack]

Lin Chen lightly rubbed his cuffs with his fingertips, his heart devoid of ripples, as if watching a play that had already been scripted. This was exactly the effect he wanted: to have the Martial Soul Hall dark guards completely dismiss their suspicions of him, to let Tang San walk into the trap while immersed in the frenzy of revenge, and to use the hands of the Martial Soul Hall to eliminate Tang San, his greatest threat, all while he remained an outsider, reaping the benefits of the fisherman.

He even deliberately turned slightly, exposing his back toward the direction of Tang San's infiltration, presenting a completely unguarded posture to fully entice Tang San to strike.

Xiao Wu noticed Lin Chen's movement and tilted her head, asking in confusion, "Lin Chen, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"It's nothing." Lin Chen turned, revealing a gentle smile, his voice soft. "I just felt the sunlight was a bit dazzling, so I'm changing positions."

The moment his words fell, Tang San had already reached the wall of Shrek Academy. He kicked off the ground with force, his soul power erupting, and his figure vaulted over the high wall like a ghost. He landed without a sound, his eyes turning sinister and ruthless in an instant as he charged straight toward Lin Chen!

The soul power of a level 40 Soul Ancestor erupted without reservation. A pale purple fourth soul ring suddenly appeared beneath his feet, and the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul was summoned instantly. The pitch-black hammer, carrying the force to split mountains and shatter rocks, wrapped in a whistling gale, smashed fiercely toward Lin Chen's back!

"Lin Chen, die!"

Tang San's roar, suppressed with violence, erupted across the training ground, shattering the lively atmosphere of the sparring session.

Dai Mubai, Oscar, and the others were instantly shocked, turning to look at the suddenly attacking Tang San, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Tang San? How is he here?!"

"Level 40 Soul Ancestor? He actually broke through!"

Flender and Zhao Wuji, who had been supervising the training, saw their expressions change drastically as they sensed the powerful soul power fluctuations and the aura of the Clear Sky Hammer. Their Soul Saint-level soul power erupted instantly, and they prepared to intervene.

But at that very moment, three dark shadows broke out from the forest canopy like arrows released from a bow!

"Attack!"

With a low shout from Ghost Fiend, his level 58 Soul Emperor soul power erupted completely. Black soul rings circled his body, and his Shadow Wolf martial soul manifested instantly. His figure was as fast as a ghost as he intercepted the path between Tang San and Lin Chen. His dark blue wolf claws, carrying sharp soul power, struck directly at the arm Tang San used to hold the hammer, intending to cripple his attack and capture him.

The two Soul King dark guards followed closely behind, flanking from left and right to completely seal off all of Tang San's retreat paths. The crushing pressure of Soul King-level soul power descended, forming an inescapable cage of energy.

The sudden turn of events left the entire scene in an uproar!

Tang San's strike, which he had been certain would succeed, was blocked by the suddenly appearing Martial Soul Hall dark guards. The massive impact caused his figure to stagger, and his face turned deathly pale. Looking at the three figures in dark robes with ruthless auras, he recognized their Martial Soul Hall identity at a glance, his eyes filled with shock and bewilderment: "People from the Martial Soul Hall? How are you here?!"

He was completely stunned. His actions had been so secretive; why would the Martial Soul Hall have an ambush waiting here? Could it be that his movements had been exposed?

Ghost Fiend's eyes were cold, his soul power surging as he firmly suppressed Tang San. He shouted coldly, "Clear Sky Sect remnant Tang San, how dare you commit murder at Shrek Academy! Surrender now, and we shall spare your life!"

Tang San was both shocked and furious. He could feel the Soul Emperor-level soul power suppression from the leader, and with the two other Soul Kings, he was no match for them. Yet he was unwilling to give up; he had been on the verge of killing Lin Chen, only to have the Martial Soul Hall intervene. Gritting his teeth, he channeled his soul power and smashed the Clear Sky Hammer toward Ghost Fiend, attempting to break through: "You are courting death!"

A fierce collision of soul power erupted instantly, the loud crash echoing across the entire Shrek training ground as dust flew into the air.

Lin Chen, however, remained standing in place, motionless, as if the lethal attack from moments ago had nothing to do with him. He watched Tang San and the Martial Soul Hall dark guards locked in a chaotic battle, a cold glint flashing imperceptibly in his eyes, though the gentle smile on his lips never faded.

Xiao Wu quickly hid behind Lin Chen, her face full of worry, while Flender and Zhao Wuji paused, looking at the suddenly appearing dark guards with grim expressions, unable to grasp the situation and not daring to intervene lightly.

Everyone's attention was drawn to the combatants in the field; no one noticed that Lin Chen, standing among the crowd, was the true mastermind behind this entire storm.

The shadow ambush was complete, the trap was set, the Martial Soul Hall dark guards had struck as desired, and Tang San was trapped in a heavy encirclement. This chess game, manipulated entirely by Lin Chen, had finally reached its most intense confrontation. And Lin Chen, still hidden under the sunlight, stood among the crowd, watching the chaos unfold, waiting quietly for the final outcome.