Executing the Mission

Sea God Island, Sea God Pavilion, beneath the Golden Ancient Tree.

Xuan Zi and Zhang Lexuan stood at the front of the group, joined by the seven other members of the Shrek Inspectorate. They had long since finished their preparations and stood quietly beneath the ancient tree, fully equipped and ready to depart.

These seven members each possessed distinct characteristics, making them highly recognizable.

Li Meng, a level 65 Power Attack System Soul Emperor with the Vajra Hammer martial soul, was tall and dark-skinned, his hands covered in thick calluses with large, powerful knuckles. Honest and straightforward, he served as the team's powerhouse.

Su Qingyue, a level 63 Agility Attack System Soul Emperor with the Nether Blade martial soul, was slender with delicate features. Clad in tight-fitting black leather that outlined her perfect figure, she was calm and introverted, excelling in reconnaissance and assassination.

Wen Wenxuan, a level 61 Auxiliary System Soul Emperor with the Spirit Rhyme Grass martial soul, wore a simple robe and carried a jade-boned folding fan. With his handsome and gentle appearance, he was polite and skilled in support and healing.

Zhao Rui, a level 64 Agility Attack System Soul Emperor with the Gale Wolf martial soul, had neat short hair and sharp eyes. Dressed in practical gear, he was incredibly fast and responsible for the team's perimeter security.

Wang Hao, a level 62 Defense System Soul Emperor with the Iron-Eating Beast martial soul, had a slightly stout build and a friendly smile. Carrying a bulging pack on his back, he possessed a massive appetite and was responsible for the team's supplies.

Lin Xiaoran, a level 65 Control System Soul Emperor with the Soft Bone Silk martial soul, was charming and lively. With her hair in two spirited pigtails, she toyed with a silver ribbon that danced between her fingertips, excelling in crowd control.

The last was Chen Mo, a level 66 Control System Soul Emperor with the Azure Vine martial soul. With a steady expression and thin-rimmed glasses, he held a yellowed map tightly, his fingertips gently tracing the surface. He was meticulous and equally skilled in control.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached, and Cao Longyan arrived, panting for breath.

Seeing everyone waiting under the tree, he immediately looked embarrassed. He quickened his pace to reach Xuan Zi, scratched the back of his head, and spoke with an apologetic tone.

"Elder Xuan, Sister Lexuan, I'm sorry. Am I late?"

Xuan Zi laughed heartily and slapped him heavily on the shoulder—the force making Cao Longyan sway slightly—while a mischievous smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"You brat, Longyan, when did you become so formal? You're far too late; we've been waiting for ages."

Cao Longyan's eyes widened, then he squinted and furrowed his brows.

He was certain he hadn't misremembered the time...

Zhang Lexuan covered her mouth, breaking Cao Longyan's awkwardness.

"Elder Xuan, stop teasing little brother Longyan. Longyan, you're just in time; we've only just finished gathering."

"So that's how it is..."

Cao Longyan offered an awkward smile, casting a sour look at the now-turned-away Xuan Zi.

That old geezer is truly wicked!

Cao Longyan greeted the other members, exchanged introductions, and joined the ranks as they set off on their journey.

Their destination was the southern border of the Heaven Dou Empire, where their mission was to eradicate a hidden stronghold of Evil Soul Masters.

However, Cao Longyan wasn't just joining them for the mission; he intended to visit the Star Dou Great Forest on the return trip.

He was now a level 49 peak Soul Ancestor, only a step away from becoming a Soul King. He had an appointment to keep: he needed to find Gu Yuena in the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain a soul ring that was both perfectly compatible and at his absolute limit.

He had never told anyone about this, not even Xuan Zi or Zhang Lexuan, nor Mu En or Bei Bei.

When previously asked about the changes in his soul rings, he had simply claimed they were natural phenomena resulting from his guardian spirit's evolution and his martial soul's secondary awakening, which was enough to deceive the public.

After all, his guardian spirit and martial soul were unique; using them as an excuse, no one would suspect a thing.

However, what no one knew was that Mu En had deeper intentions in arranging for him to participate in this mission.

Recently, Mu En had felt his life force fading rapidly. With time running short, he desperately hoped that Cao Longyan would grow quickly enough to shoulder the burdens of Shrek and the Sea God Pavilion.

Having him follow the Inspectorate on this mission was meant to pave the way for his future, allowing him to accumulate experience and eventually stand on his own.

Along the way, Cao Longyan walked at the front with Xuan Zi and Zhang Lexuan, the three of them chatting and laughing in a harmonious atmosphere.

The other seven members of the Inspectorate watched this scene with envy, though they were well aware of Cao Longyan's status.

How could they not be envious of someone who could interact so naturally with the Academy's second-in-command and the Inner Court's senior sister?

In particular, Wen Wenxuan, Zhao Rui, and Chen Mo looked at Cao Longyan not with jealousy, but with blatant sycophancy.

This was simply because they were all enamored with Zhang Lexuan.

They knew that Cao Longyan was close to her; if they could curry favor with him and have him act as a matchmaker, they might just win her favor.

Consequently, whenever Cao Longyan was alone, they would surround him to "harass" him.

Wen Wenxuan stepped up first, holding a bottle of Focus Pill with a gentle smile.

"Little brother Longyan, I find Sister Lexuan both gentle and powerful, and I truly like her. Could you put in a good word for me? Consider this bottle of Focus Pill a small token of my sincerity."

Zhao Rui quickly followed, his tone slightly strained.

"Little brother Longyan, I'm skilled in reconnaissance. If you ever need any errands run, just say the word. I only ask that you help me bridge the gap so I have a chance to speak with Sister Lexuan more often."

Chen Mo pushed up his glasses, his tone earnest.

"Little brother Longyan, I am a level 6 Soul Engineer. If you ever need help with soul guidance technology, I'm at your service. If you could speak well of me to Sister Lexuan, I would be eternally grateful."

Facing their flattery and requests, Cao Longyan had no intention of agreeing.

He had finally managed to pull Zhang Lexuan out of the quagmire of emotional distress; how could he let her fall back in?

If Sister Lexuan were willing, truly in love, and the object of her affection truly loved her back, he certainly wouldn't object.

But it was clearly not any of these men.

Thus, Cao Longyan wiped the smile from his face and, using a playful, feigned-ignorance approach, politely rejected them one by one.

"You brothers are joking. My relationship with Sister He Lexuan isn't as close as you imagine. Her heart is entirely set on cultivation, and I wouldn't dare speak out of turn, lest she give me an earful. Besides, matters of the heart require mutual consent. If I were to meddle, I'd only make a mess of things and ruin your intentions."

His words were tactful and polite; he neither offended them nor left any room for their request. Seeing this, Wen Wenxuan and the others could not force the issue. They retreated with a hint of disappointment, yet they held no grudge against Cao Longyan, remaining as respectful as ever.

Li Meng, Wang Hao, and the others watching from the side merely smiled and shook their heads, saying nothing.

Li Meng was simple-minded and cared only about increasing his combat power.

Wang Hao had his heart set entirely on food.

Su Qingyue and Lin Xiaoran wore indifferent expressions; the former focused on keeping watch, while the latter toyed with her silk ribbon, occasionally glancing at Cao Longyan with a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

Zhang Lexuan stood not far away, taking it all in. Her fingertips tightened quietly, and an imperceptible irritation welled up in her heart for no reason.

She knew perfectly well that Cao Longyan wouldn't agree to their request, yet seeing Wen Wenxuan and the others surrounding him, trying to curry favor with bribes, she couldn't help but overthink.

What if he couldn't resist the temptation and actually helped them play matchmaker?

The moment the thought surfaced, she forcibly suppressed it, yet the unease in her heart spread quietly like a vine.

She found it strange herself. She clearly regarded Cao Longyan only as a younger brother, and he viewed her only as an older sister—why then did she care so much, just as she had when seeing him with Nannan?