Evil Soul Master?

She did not finish, but the meaning was already clear.

Dai Hao closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"The future? That is a matter for the future."

"At least for now, he is safe, and his mother is safe as well."

"A hundred times safer than being by the side of a coward like me."

"Hah, why put on this act of a loving father and filial son now?"

The First Madam sneered coldly.

The White Tiger Duke remained silent in response.

Outside the courtyard gate, those two servants frozen into ice sculptures still stood in the snow, becoming the most eye-catching and stinging sight in the White Tiger Duke Mansion this winter.

Setting aside that matter, Huo Yuhao had already followed Shen Zhou to the entrance of the Martial Soul Academy.

White Emperor even thoughtfully allowed the frail Huo Yun'er to ride on his back, leaving her feeling flattered and overwhelmed.

The main gate of the Martial Soul Academy was wide open, with a white jade-paved path extending straight into the depths, flanked by neatly trimmed spiritual plants.

Despite the heavy snowfall of winter, these spiritual plants remained lush and verdant, the ice crystals condensed on their leaves refracting a seven-colored luster under the dim light.

"Is this... the evergreen Spirit Locust Tree?" Although Huo Yun'er had little experience, she still recognized this precious plant.

In the White Tiger Duke Mansion, only the main courtyard had two of them, yet here, there were hundreds planted along both sides of the path.

"And over there, those are Spirit Gathering Array Pattern capable of condensing the essence of heaven and earth."

Guangling Douluo crouched down, his fingers tracing the carvings on the ground, a flash of shock crossing his eyes.

"This is no ordinary spirit gathering array; it is at least an ancient-level formation. I have never seen such exquisite patterns."

Shen Zhou smiled slightly without explaining.

The Academy Construction Card produced by the system was naturally extraordinary.

The group walked along the path, passed through a moon gate, and the scene before them suddenly opened up.

A massive lake came into view, the water clear to the bottom, with a faint mist swirling over the surface—the result of condensed, dense heaven and earth essence.

Standing in the center of the lake was a seven-story tower: the Spirit Pagoda.

At this moment, the entire Spirit Pagoda emitted a soft blue light, reflecting off the lake in a breathtaking, magnificent display.

Different zones were distributed around the lakeshore.

On the east side was a martial arts arena, the ground engraved with dense array patterns capable of simulating various combat environments.

On the west side was the mimicry cultivation area, containing dozens of independent cultivation rooms, each capable of simulating different environments: extreme cold, extreme heat, lightning domains, wind tunnels, and more.

To the north were the Soul Tool Workshop and the Battle Armor Forging Room; through the windows, one could see various precision devices and tools on display.

Shen Zhou knew that some of these devices were products far beyond the current era; even the Soul Tool Research Institute of the Sun Moon Empire could not compare to them.

To the south was the living area, where exquisite small buildings were scattered in an orderly fashion, white walls and blue tiles hidden amidst a bamboo forest.

"This... how can this be an academy? It is practically a legendary fairyland."

Huo Yuhao widened his eyes, his mouth agape wide enough to fit an egg.

He had grown up in a woodshed, and the best house he had ever seen was the main courtyard of the White Tiger Duke Mansion, but compared to this place, that courtyard was nothing more than a chicken coop.

Huo Yun'er was also stunned, clutching Golden Crocodile Douluo's arm, her lips trembling slightly.

"Master... are we really going to live here from now on?" Huo Yuhao tugged at Shen Zhou's sleeve, his voice trembling.

"Not just live."

Shen Zhou patted his head. "This will be your home. You will cultivate here, grow, and become a true powerhouse."

Er Ha was already frolicking by the lake, his four legs galloping and leaving a trail of plum-blossom prints in the snow.

Not satisfied after running, he dove headfirst into the lake, sending water splashing everywhere.

"So fierce! Soaking in this water makes my whole body feel comfortable! This Emperor will live in this lake from now on!"

"You are a dog, not a fish."

Guangling Douluo shouted from afar.

"This Emperor pleases himself!"

Qian Daoliu stood by the lake with his hands behind his back, gazing at the Spirit Pagoda, and spoke after a moment of silence.

"Eighth Brother, building the academy right next to the White Tiger Duke Mansion—won't that be too conspicuous?"

Shen Zhou shook his head. "Big Brother, that is exactly the effect I want."

"If the Martial Soul Hall wants to rebuild, it must first make a name for itself."

"The White Tiger Duke Mansion is a key military stronghold of the Star Luo Empire, visited by countless dignitaries and powerful soul masters."

"The academy standing here is, in itself, the best signboard."

"Moreover..." He glanced in the direction of the Duke Mansion, "Huo Yuhao was treated like that by Dai Hao. I specifically want Dai Hao to see our academy every day when he looks up, and see how well his son, whom he abandoned with his own hands, is doing here."

Qian Daoliu nodded slightly and said no more.

Just then, Mighty Lion Douluo suddenly frowned and sniffed the air.

"There's a smell of blood."

The expressions of the few people changed instantly.

It wasn't out of fear, but because the smell of blood carried a nauseating stench of decay – the unique aura of evil soul masters.

It was a foul odor mixed with resentment, death, and decaying soul power.

"Southeast direction, three, no, five."

Azure Luan Douluo closed his eyes and sensed, "They are approaching the academy."

"Good timing."

Qian Daoliu sneered, a hint of killing intent flashing in his golden eyes.

In this era, for evil soul masters to dare to move about openly near human settlements was simply the greatest mockery of Martial Soul Hall.

One must know that ten thousand years ago, once evil soul masters were discovered, Martial Soul Hall would immediately dispatch an enforcement team to encircle and annihilate them, killing every single one without mercy.

Not long after, five figures darted out from the Snow Forest to the southeast and landed on the open ground outside the academy's main gate.

All five wore gray and black cloaks, with black mist faintly swirling beneath them.

The leader was a middle-aged man with a face as pale as paper, sunken eyes, and surprisingly red lips, as if he had just drunk blood.

He was surrounded by six soul rings – two yellow, two purple, and two black – making him a six-ringed Soul Emperor.

The other four were of varying levels, with three or four rings.

"Boss, look here!" A scrawny evil soul master pointed at the academy gate, his eyes full of greed.

"When did such an academy appear? It looks quite lucrative!"

"That roar just now should have been caused by this thing."

Another evil soul master licked his lips, "The soul masters inside must have been scared away. It's perfect for us to use as a base.

This place has such abundant spiritual energy, it's perfect for cultivation."

The leading evil soul emperor cast a sinister gaze over the academy, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"Indeed.

Kill everyone inside first. Leave the women, and feed the men to the soul beasts.

What is that blue light in the lake? Take it apart and carry it away."

"Boss is wise!"

The five walked towards the academy gate, laughing and joking, completely unaware that they had stepped into the domain of death.

Shen Zhou and the others had already reached the main gate.

Qian Daoliu stood at the very front, hands behind his back, looking at the five evil soul masters with a blank expression.

"Who are you people?"

The leading evil soul emperor was taken aback. He hadn't expected anyone to be inside, and the person looked extraordinary.

But relying on his superior numbers, he boldly spoke, believing few would dare to touch him.

Qian Daoliu did not answer his question, but instead asked, "Are you evil soul masters?"