Carrying Out the Mission

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

Xuan Zi and Zhang Lexuan stood at the head of the group. Behind them, seven other members of the Shrek Inspectorate had already made their preparations. They stood quietly beneath the ancient tree, ready to set out.

Each of the seven members had distinctive features that made them easy to recognize.

The tall, dark-skinned man with thick calluses covering his hands and large, powerful-looking knuckles was Li Meng, a Level 65 Power Attack System Soul Emperor. His Martial Soul was the Vajra Hammer. Honest and straightforward, he was the team's powerhouse.

The slender figure with delicate features, dressed in a tight-fitting black leather outfit that accentuated her perfect curves, was Su Qingyue, a Level 63 Agility Attack System Soul Emperor. Her Martial Soul was the Nether Blade. Calm and reserved, she excelled at reconnaissance and assassination.

The handsome, gentle-looking man in a plain robe, holding a jade-boned folding fan, was Wen Wenxuan, a Level 61 Support System Soul Emperor. His Martial Soul was the Spirit Rhyme Grass. Mild-mannered and polite, he specialized in support and healing.

The short-haired man with a sharp gaze, dressed in a fitted outfit that highlighted his capable air, was Zhao Rui, a Level 64 Agility Attack System Soul Emperor. His Martial Soul was the Gale Wolf. Exceptionally fast, he was responsible for keeping watch over the team.

The slightly plump man with a friendly smile and a bulging pack on his back was Wang Hao, a Level 62 Defense System Soul Emperor. His Martial Soul was the Iron-Eating Beast. He had a huge appetite and was also in charge of the team's supplies.

The petite, charming girl with lively twin ponytails was Lin Xiaoran. A silver ribbon twirled between her fingers. She was a Level 65 Control System Soul Emperor whose Martial Soul was Soft Bone Silk. She specialized in control and had an energetic, playful personality.

The last member, with a composed expression and thin-framed glasses perched on his nose, was Chen Mo. He clutched a yellowed map, gently rubbing its surface with his fingertips. He was a Level 66 Control System Soul Emperor, and his Martial Soul was the Azure Vine. Also skilled at control, he was meticulous and perceptive.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded, and Cao Longyan came rushing back, panting.

Seeing everyone waiting beneath the tree, he immediately looked embarrassed. He hurried over to Xuan Zi, scratching the back of his head as he spoke apologetically.

"Elder Xuan, Sister Lexuan, sorry about that. Am I late?"

Xuan Zi burst out laughing and gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder. The force made Cao Longyan sway slightly. With a sly grin, Xuan Zi's lips curled up.

"Longyan, when did you get so formal? You're late. We've been waiting for ages."

Cao Longyan's eyes widened, then narrowed as he furrowed his brow.

He was sure he had the time right...

Zhang Lexuan covered her mouth and rescued Cao Longyan from his awkward predicament.

"Elder Xuan, stop teasing Longyan. Longyan, you arrived just in time. We've only just finished assembling."

"So that's what happened..."

Cao Longyan gave an awkward smile and shot a displeased look at Xuan Zi, who had already turned away.

That old geezer really was a menace!

After exchanging greetings and introductions with the other members, Cao Longyan joined the team, and they set out.

Their destination was the southern border of the Heaven Dou Empire. Their mission was to eliminate an Evil Soul Master stronghold hidden there.

But Cao Longyan wasn't just going to carry out the mission with them. On the way back, he also planned to visit the Star Dou Great Forest, which lay along their route.

He was now a peak Level 49 Soul Ancestor, just one step away from becoming a Soul King. He had a promise to keep: he was going to the Star Dou Great Forest to find Gu Yuena and obtain a Soul Ring that best suited him and was at the very limit of what he could withstand.

He had never told anyone about this—not even Xuan Zi or Zhang Lexuan, or Mu En and Bei Bei.

When people had asked about the future changes to his Soul Rings, he had simply said they were a normal phenomenon caused by the evolution of his Guardian Spirits and his Martial Soul Second Awakening, enough to throw them off the scent.

After all, his Guardian Spirits and Martial Soul were already unusual. No one would suspect anything if he used that as an excuse.

But what no one knew was that Mu En had arranged for him to join this mission for another reason.

Lately, Mu En had increasingly felt his life force ebbing away, and his time was running short. He urgently hoped Cao Longyan would grow strong enough to shoulder the burdens of Shrek and Sea God Pavilion as soon as possible.

Having him join the Inspection Group on this mission was a way of paving the road ahead for him, letting him gain more experience so he could stand on his own sooner.

Along the way, Cao Longyan walked at the front of the group with Xuan Zi and Zhang Lexuan, chatting and laughing with them. The atmosphere between the three was warm and easy.

The other seven members of the Inspection Group watched them with envy, though they all knew Cao Longyan's status.

How could they not envy him, seeing him get along so well with the academy's second-in-command and the Inner Court's senior sister?

Wen Wenxuan, Zhao Rui, and Chen Mo in particular looked at Cao Longyan without the slightest hint of jealousy, only undisguised eagerness to curry favor with him.

They were all in love with Zhang Lexuan.

They also knew full well that Cao Longyan and Zhang Lexuan were close. If they could win Cao Longyan over and get him to put in a good word for them, perhaps they could earn Zhang Lexuan's favor.

So whenever Cao Longyan was alone, they would surround him and "pester" him.

Wen Wenxuan stepped forward first, holding out a bottle of Focus Pills with a gentle smile.

"Longyan, I think Sister Lexuan is both kind and strong. I truly like her. Could you put in a few good words for me with your Sister Lexuan? You can have this bottle of Focus Pills as a little gift."

Zhao Rui quickly stepped forward next, sounding somewhat awkward.

"Longyan, I'm good at keeping watch and reconnaissance. If you ever need someone to run an errand, just give me the word. I only ask that you help introduce me, so I can have a chance to talk more with Sister Lexuan."

Chen Mo pushed up his glasses, his tone earnest.

"Longyan, I'm a Level 6 Soul Engineer. If you ever need help studying Soul Tool Technology, I can help with anything. If you could put in a good word for me with Sister Lexuan, I'd be deeply grateful."

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

He had worked so hard to pull Zhang Lexuan out of the mire of her feelings. How could he let her fall back in again?

If Sister Lexuan was willing and truly liked someone who truly liked her in return, he certainly wouldn't object.

But that clearly wasn't the case with the people standing in front of him.

So Cao Longyan dropped his smile and gently turned them down one by one, playing dumb and making light of it.

"You're joking, brothers. Sister Lexuan and I aren't as close as you think. Her mind is all on cultivation, and I wouldn't dare say anything out of turn, or she'd chew me out. Besides, love is a matter of mutual affection. If I meddle carelessly, I might only make things worse and ruin your chances."

He had put it politely and tactfully, without offending anyone while making his refusal clear. Seeing this, Wen Wenxuan and the others couldn't press him. They could only retreat, a little disappointed. Still, they didn't hold it against Cao Longyan and continued to treat him with respect.

Li Meng, Wang Hao, and the others watched from the side, smiling and shaking their heads without comment.

Li Meng was honest and cared only about becoming stronger.

Wang Hao had his mind fixed on food.

Su Qingyue and Lin Xiaoran remained indifferent. The former focused on keeping watch, while the latter played with her ribbon, occasionally glancing at Cao Longyan with a hint of curiosity.

Standing not far away, Zhang Lexuan had seen it all. Her fingers curled discreetly, and an inexplicable irritation stirred in her heart.

She knew perfectly well that Cao Longyan wouldn't agree to their requests. Yet seeing Wen Wenxuan and the others crowd around him, trying to win him over with favors, still made her thoughts wander.

What if he couldn't resist the temptation and really did help them get close to her?

The thought had barely arisen before she forcibly suppressed it, but the unease in her heart quietly spread like creeping vines.

She found it strange herself. She had always thought of Cao Longyan as a younger brother, and he had thought of her as an older sister. So why did she care so much about this, just as she did when she saw him with Nannan...?