Clearing Out Bandits

Ningshui Island Town is a relatively large town located near the Mingdou Mountain Range. While it cannot compare to Spirit Soul City, it is still considered a significant area.

This town followed the Sun-Moon Continent as it drifted from the distant seas. Originally an island, it slowly transformed into a town focused on trade after colliding with the Douluo Continent.

Li Changsheng and his group set out after leaving the Pre-Education Academy.

According to the intelligence provided by Centrifugal Killing Mirror.

Their destination was a bandit hideout located in the high mountains near Ningshui Island, where many abducted people were being held.

Li Changsheng had originally thought they would need to investigate the missing persons on their own, tracking down the hideout based on clues.

But he hadn't expected that, according to Centrifugal Killing Mirror.

They were still very young. Although the Pre-Education Academy used missions to temper soul masters, unknown missions often brought the danger of death. Therefore, when undertaking special missions, the Pre-Education Academy would have specialized teachers scout for information, only releasing the mission to these student squads once the danger level had been determined.

After replenishing their supplies in Ningshui Island Town, they set off for their destination on foot.

The group of five moved forward, with Centrifugal Killing Mirror and Iron Armor Linked Shield in the lead, while Star Universe Flying Sword followed beside Li Changsheng and Seven Absolute Zither Master.

They did not adopt a defensive formation.

According to the intelligence, this group of bandits had one soul master who had just reached the Soul Ancestor level, along with over a hundred ordinary people. Furthermore, it was estimated that they had abducted no fewer than fifty people—men, women, old, and young—though the report did not specify what was being done to them.

But in this world, there was likely no custom of demanding ransom.

In any case, perhaps because the mission was considered simple, this was all the intelligence provided.

A Soul Ancestor.

Li Changsheng spent the journey thinking. Their group of five—four Great Soul Masters and himself, a Soul Master—dared to go and trouble a Soul Ancestor. It was certainly exciting.

As afternoon approached, the group finally arrived near the destination mentioned in the intelligence.

Led by Centrifugal Killing Mirror, they did not approach the target immediately, choosing instead to observe.

"Don't worry too much. We have a Spirit Douluo-level powerhouse following us from a distance. Stay by my side later. No one will dare to give you a failing grade." Seven Absolute Zither Master glanced at Li Changsheng beside her, her tone serious.

Li Changsheng was stunned, the muscles under his mask twitching.

He wasn't so weak that he needed a girl to protect him, was he?

But he had no reason to refuse her motherly concern, so he nodded and leaned to the side.

Centrifugal Killing Mirror, Iron Armor Linked Shield, and Star Universe Flying Sword gathered around.

Centrifugal Killing Mirror said in a deep voice, "The three of us have been on this type of mission no fewer than five times. For you two, this is your first. I won't ask you to do too much, but there is one thing: I hope you won't hold us back."

Li Changsheng could hear the seriousness in Centrifugal Killing Mirror's tone and nodded.

Seven Absolute Zither Master did the same.

Iron Armor Linked Shield, who had been silent until now, spoke up and took out a map.

Yes, a map that had not been seen in the intelligence report.

Li Changsheng looked at the map spread out on the ground in surprise.

It was actually an internal structural diagram of a cave. It only showed the interior, not the layout of the entire mountain.

It seemed to be the bandits' main base.

Impressive. How did they manage to get this? Was there an inside man?

Iron Armor Linked Shield's voice matched his burly physique, rumbling with a sense of vibration:

"Most of these bandits are concentrated in the cave. The intelligence didn't give a specific location, so we need to find it ourselves. Based on our deductions, there are no fewer than five hidden sentry posts distributed on this mountain."

Iron Armor Linked Shield seemed very meticulous: "According to the intelligence, we know that the entire bandit group has only one soul master who has just reached the Soul Ancestor level; the rest are ordinary people. Therefore, I suggest we act near dawn. By then, the guards won't have been relieved yet, and those who have been on watch all night will be exhausted. Even if they are well-hidden, they will show flaws, and that is when Centrifugal Killing Mirror's soul skill will be useful."

Li Changsheng listened and nodded. Indeed, ordinary people were not like soul masters; they needed to sleep. After a night without rest, their mental state would be drained and weary. It was a good method.

Star Universe Flying Sword, standing to the side, said with a hint of impatience, "Hmph, if it weren't for the hostages, we could just charge in."

Li Changsheng wanted to say, hostages? Heh, it had been so long; they were probably already dead.

As for why they hadn't moved to rescue the hostages immediately...

It was simple. In these lawless areas, the people of the Sun Moon Empire couldn't be bothered to care, and the people of the Star Luo Empire here despised those from the Sun Moon Empire and wouldn't save them either. With all the dragging, it had ended up like this.

Li Changsheng felt that those people were quite unlucky.

"Alright, it's still early. Let's get to know each other's situations so we can coordinate later. Although the opponent only has one Soul Ancestor, don't forget there are dozens of ordinary bandits. Swords have no eyes, so we must be careful." Centrifugal Killing Mirror demonstrated the importance of his role as squad leader.

He spoke first, "Centrifugal Killing Mirror, level 28 Agility Attack System Great Soul Master, martial soul Centrifugal Mirror. My two soul skills are: the century-level soul skill Image, which allows me to condense four image clones using my own soul power. The more I condense, the weaker the clones are, and vice versa; it can be used for scouting. My second century-level soul skill, Exploding Mirror, condenses clones to cause double explosive damage."

Iron Armor Linked Shield followed: "Iron Armor Linked Shield, level 26 Defense System Great Soul Master, martial soul Equal Force Shield. My first century-level soul skill, Gravity Assimilation, can defend against all physical attacks, assimilating them into a range I can withstand, but the soul power consumed each time doubles. My second soul skill, Great Virtue Carries All, can defend against soul power attacks, weakening all soul skills below the fifth ring by 45 percent."

Star Universe Flying Sword followed up: "Star Universe Flying Sword, martial soul Starfall Sword. My first century-level soul skill, Sword One, allows me to throw my martial soul and control it with soul power. My second century-level soul skill, Sword Two, has a simple effect: it turns the single flying sword controlled by the first soul skill into two."

Li Changsheng was stunned. The first two had explained things in great detail, but Star Universe's explanation was truly simple.

Though, it seemed her two soul skills were both about controlling flying swords?

That wasn't a big deal, was it?

At this moment, Centrifugal Killing Mirror spoke up, "Star Universe, don't joke around."

He then looked at Li Changsheng and Seven Absolute Zither Master and said, "Although Star Universe's soul skills are simple, her greatest strength is that she can condense her martial soul into a physical sword. Therefore, in close combat, she is almost on par with an Attack System soul master. You'll see for yourselves soon enough. For now, just treat both of her soul skills as long-range support."

Is attack the best form of support?

Li Changsheng smiled slightly, though he did take note of what Centrifugal Killing Mirror said about condensing a martial soul into a physical sword.

Did that mean holding it directly in hand without manifesting it or possessing it?

That was quite similar to his own Genesis Book.

Seven Absolute Zither Master also spoke up: "Seven Absolute Zither Master, level 22 control-system Great Soul Master, martial soul Seven Absolute Zither. Soul skill: Zither Sound Manifestation."

Already level 22?

Li Changsheng was surprised for a moment, but then he felt relieved; a genius was a genius, after all.

Seven Absolute Zither Master had no intention of explaining, and the others did not ask further. Instead, everyone turned their gazes toward Li Changsheng.

Surrounded by their stares, Li Changsheng did not feel shy, but he immediately spoke: "Xiangjian Yueliang. Martial soul: Heavenly Book, level 15 one-ring control-system Soul Master, first soul skill: Speech Manifestation. It is similar to Seven Absolute Zither Master's soul skill."

What?

Level 15?

Speech Manifestation?

Not only were Centrifugal Killing Mirror and the other two stunned, but even Seven Absolute Zither Master, who was standing to the side, was taken aback.

"You, you said you are level 15? After attaching your soul ring, you increased by five levels consecutively?" Centrifugal Killing Mirror asked in disbelief.

Li Changsheng feigned embarrassment, scratched his head, and said in a simple, honest voice: "Thanks to that Meditation Method, I discovered that my soul power breakthrough speed became much faster after I attached my soul ring."

Li Changsheng did not consider hiding his soul power level or anything of the sort. If one had talent, one should display it openly. If a genius died halfway, it was simply a lack of luck in becoming strong, and if they died, they could only blame themselves for not being powerful enough.

Moreover, over the past few days, Li Changsheng had realized that at the Pre-Education Academy, geniuses were cultivated in different ways; the faster one displayed their talent, the better resources they could obtain.

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

The situation took an unexpected turn. After Li Changsheng mentioned that he was practicing the Meditation Method, the surprised tone of Centrifugal Killing Mirror leveled off significantly, as if he were merely adding a casual remark:

"It is rumored that quite a few people have experienced rapid improvement after practicing the Meditation Method."

Li Changsheng nodded.

As for Li Changsheng saying his soul skill was similar to Seven Absolute Zither Master's, Centrifugal Killing Mirror and the others did not inquire about the specifics.

This actually surprised Li Changsheng.

Logically speaking, shouldn't they be asking thoroughly about a situation like his?

He couldn't help but cast his gaze toward Seven Absolute Zither Master beside him.

Ever since a moment ago, Seven Absolute Zither Master had been staring at Li Changsheng. Her sky-blue eyes showed no fluctuations—calm as an ancient well, tranquil as water—yet her gaze seemed to be one of inquiry.

He wanted to ask what exactly was going on with Seven Absolute Zither Master, but he didn't voice the question.

Soon, night fell. Their group stayed atop a dirt slope, quietly waiting for time to pass.

As it neared dawn, the rapid clatter of a carriage woke the few who had been meditating.