After the Sea God Pavilion Meeting ended, Cao Longyan's far-reaching vision and natural leadership, displayed during the meeting, not only earned him even greater recognition from the Sea God Pavilion Elders, but also deeply moved the two central figures of the Soul Guidance Department: its dean, Xian Lin'er, and vice dean, Qian Duoduo.
Xian Lin'er was Mu En's personal disciple. By seniority, she even had to call Cao Longyan "Junior Brother." Thanks to her connection with Mu En, she had always been closer to Cao Longyan than any other Sea God Pavilion Elder except Xuan Zi.
At the meeting, Cao Longyan had pointed straight at the shortcomings behind the Soul Guidance Department's decline and offered practical solutions, hitting home for both Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo.
They had devoted their lives to developing the Soul Guidance Department, but had struggled with the academy's lack of attention and support. Cao Longyan's arrival had undoubtedly brought them hope.
That very evening, Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo sought Cao Longyan out, their faces brimming with admiration.
Qian Duoduo spoke first, a hearty smile spreading across his face as he addressed him warmly.
"Longyan, your insights about the Soul Guidance Department at the meeting really hit home! Shrek's Soul Guidance Department was practically forgotten and abandoned by the academy, and then you came along and turned everything around! Who could still afford to ignore the Soul Guidance Department now? Even Yan Shaozhe, that old fox who heads the Martial Soul Department, has softened his attitude quite a bit. Hahaha! That feels great. So satisfying!"
Xian Lin'er added with a smile,
"Longyan, you're Mu En's great-grandson, and you're practically my junior brother, so you don't need to stand on ceremony with us. We discussed it and decided to grant you the status of a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department. Here's your identity token. With it, you can come and go wherever you like in the Soul Guidance Department. Whether you want to study Soul Tools with us or start pushing forward the department's development and reforms, you'll have our full support."
Xian Lin'er handed Cao Longyan a gleaming white token carved with intricate patterns. Faint Soul Tool fluctuations emanated from it, marking its bearer's special status as a core disciple.
This was a Level 8 Soul Tool! It also had three functions: storage, defense, and keeping the mind clear!
Cao Longyan looked at the token in his hand, then at Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo, both beaming with satisfaction.
Good grief, they're treating me like the Soul Guidance Department's savior and future!
He bowed slightly and spoke sincerely.
"Thank you for trusting me, Dean Xian and Vice Dean Qian. I won't let either of you down. I'll make sure the Soul Guidance Department thrives!"
Qian Duoduo finally couldn't hold back any longer, a hint of yearning in his voice.
"Um, Longyan, we've been craving your barbecue. It's only been half a month, but our taste buds are already famished!"
Xian Lin'er nodded with a smile, her eyes full of anticipation.
"That's right, Longyan. When might you have some free time to come to the Soul Guidance Department and show off your skills just for us? We can't let those old guys find out, or they'll snatch the food from us again!"
So that was it. They'd given him such an expensive Soul Tool just to set him up... They'd played him...
Cao Longyan heard them out, the corner of his mouth lifting in a helpless smile as he sighed.
"You're both too kind, Deans. I'm free the day after tomorrow. I'll definitely come to the Soul Guidance Department and make you a barbecue feast, so you can eat your fill!"
Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo immediately beamed with delight. They didn't act like Sea God Pavilion Elders in the slightest. After reminding him of a few matters related to the Soul Guidance Department, they left with smiles.
Two days later, Cao Longyan went to the Soul Guidance Department as promised.
Shrek's Soul Guidance Department was nowhere near as lively as the Martial Soul Department; in fact, it was practically deserted. The vast department seemed to have not a soul in sight.
With his core disciple token in hand, Cao Longyan passed through without obstruction.
On his way to the dean's office, he caught sight of a tall, bald youth with an honest-looking face in the cultivation area.
If he wasn't mistaken, this was the Soul Guidance Department's only current disciple, He Caitou.
As a transmigrator who knew the story inside out, Cao Longyan understood He Caitou's true identity better than anyone.
He wasn't an ordinary youth. He was Xu He, the former crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire. After a royal coup wiped out his entire family, he alone had escaped by sheer luck. He had gone into hiding under the assumed name He Caitou, taking refuge in Shrek's Soul Guidance Department to study Soul Tools while waiting for a chance to take revenge.
Cao Longyan knew that He Caitou was not only exceptionally gifted, but also highly accomplished in Soul Tools, with a resilient will and tremendous potential. If he could recruit him into his Rakshasa Street forces, He Caitou would be a great help, whether in Soul Tool research or in the future struggle against the Sun Moon Empire. He was an indispensable talent.
After all, on the road to unifying the continent, the Sun Moon Empire might not be the greatest obstacle in his way, but it would certainly be a tough nut to crack. He needed more strength—and someone with a natural grudge against the Sun Moon Empire was even better!
Cao Longyan walked over at an unhurried pace. He Caitou noticed him, looked up, and turned to see Cao Longyan. A flicker of confusion crossed his eyes, and he asked in his guileless manner,
"Who are you? What are you doing here in the Soul Guidance Department? Ordinary people aren't allowed in."
Cao Longyan smiled faintly and waved the core disciple token in his hand.
"My name is Cao Longyan. I'm a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department. I'm just here to have a look."
Before He Caitou could speak, Cao Longyan's lips curled slightly and his eyes narrowed.
"But what about you, He Caitou—or should I say, the former crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu He? You've been hiding here for so long. Don't you want to avenge your family?"
"You!"
He Caitou's expression changed in an instant. The honest look vanished without a trace, replaced by wariness and murderous intent. His body tensed, and he instinctively denied it.
"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm He Caitou. What Sun Moon Empire prince? I don't know what you're talking about!"
Cao Longyan had expected him to deny it. His expression remained calm, and his tone held a hint of teasing.
"Oh? Is that so? Then how do you explain the golden dragon mark on your chest? If I'm not mistaken, it's the symbol of the Sun Moon Empire's legitimate imperial bloodline."
He Caitou's face grew paler. He clenched both fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Who was he? How did he know?
Cao Longyan didn't stop, nor did he pay any mind to the change in He Caitou's mood. He simply continued,
"I know your entire family was slaughtered by the current imperial family of the Sun Moon Empire. You escaped by sheer luck and came to Shrek under an assumed name, all so you could return and take revenge one day. But with just you alone, and your current strength, taking revenge would be harder than scaling the heavens!"
Every word struck He Caitou right where it hurt.
He could no longer keep up the act. He sprang to his feet and glared at Cao Longyan, his expression ferocious and wary, as if Cao Longyan had come to take his life.
One hand crept toward the Storage Soul Tool at his waist, his fingers already touching the switch. If Cao Longyan so much as made a move, he would immediately pull out the Soul Tools inside and fight him to the death.
Seeing He Caitou stand as if facing a formidable enemy, Cao Longyan couldn't help laughing. He waved his hand and spoke casually.
"Don't be nervous. I'm not from the Sun Moon Empire, and I'm not here to kill you. I mean you no harm."
He Caitou still didn't let his guard down. His voice was icy.
"What exactly do you want? Since you know who I am and came looking for me, you can't have brought it up for no reason."
"I want to invite you to join my forces—Rakshasa Street!"
Cao Longyan's tone grew serious, his gaze firm.
"If you join Rakshasa Street, all you need to do is wait eight years. Just eight years, and I'll take you to avenge yourself on the Sun Moon Empire!"
A flicker of longing crossed He Caitou's eyes.
Revenge was the only obsession keeping him alive. For all these years, he had endured everything alone, and no one had ever dared make him such a promise.
Besides, the wait would be only eight years. He could certainly afford to wait that long!
But when he looked at Cao Longyan and saw a boy who was just ten years old, still slight and childlike, that spark of longing was immediately replaced by doubt.
Even if a boy of around ten became eighteen in eight years, what could he possibly do to help with revenge? This was most likely a scam, or some kind of trap.
He Caitou suppressed his emotions, put on his honest expression again, and tried to bluff his way through.
"Little brother, don't joke around. I'm really not a prince. I'm just an ordinary disciple of the Soul Guidance Department. You've got the wrong person."
Cao Longyan saw right through him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Looks like he won't believe me unless I show him some strength.
Cao Longyan said no more. Soul Power erupted around him. He reached out with his right hand and grabbed at empty space, and the Ten Halls of Yama Martial Soul appeared in his grasp.
Red, red, orange-red, orange-red—the four Soul Rings appeared one after another, radiating a surging aura of Soul Power. His strength as a level 45 peak Soul Ancestor was on full display.
"My name is Cao Longyan. I'm ten years old, a level 45 Power Attack System tool-using Soul Ancestor, the great-grandson of the current Sea God Pavilion Master, the next heir to the position of Sea God Pavilion Master, and the master of Rakshasa Street."
Cao Longyan's voice was steady and powerful.
"In just eight years, I'll break through to the Titled Douluo rank. I have more than enough strength to help you get revenge, and more than enough confidence to bring you into Rakshasa Street. Do you believe me now?"
He Caitou stood rooted to the spot, completely stunned. His eyes widened as he stared at the four Soul Rings above Cao Longyan's head and the surging Soul Power, murmuring,
"F-forty-five-level Soul Ancestor? You're only ten? Th-that's impossible!"
He had never imagined that this seemingly young boy could possess such heaven-defying strength—or such a distinguished identity.
A level 45 peak Soul Ancestor at ten, with Soul Rings like those... Someone like that had no reason to deceive a fallen crown prince like him.
Still, he couldn't help wondering if he was trapped in a dream...
Just as He Caitou was weighing the matter over and over, caught in indecision, Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo happened to walk over.
Seeing the scene before them, Xian Lin'er spoke with a smile.
"He Caitou, what's wrong? This is Longyan, one of our Soul Guidance Department's core disciples. He's all but certain to inherit the position of Sea God Pavilion Master. It's only natural that you can't compare."
Qian Duoduo nodded along.
With Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo confirming it, all of He Caitou's doubts disappeared.
After Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo went ahead to the dean's office to fetch the ingredients they liked, He Caitou looked at Cao Longyan. Resolve and gratitude flickered in his eyes as he spoke solemnly.
"I, He Caitou, am willing to join Rakshasa Street!"
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