Duke White Tiger

Seeing that all seven had decided to join, Elder Xuan had Wang Yan distribute the Inspector Corps equipment to them.

After watching Wang Yan finish handing out the gear, Ma Xiaotao spoke up: "We have a surveillance mission ahead. A group of bandits has been burning, killing, and looting in the Mingdou Mountain Range, located on the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire. They are utterly devoid of conscience. Our task is to eliminate them before the start of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament."

"Because the two nations are in a constant standoff at the border, it is difficult for them to join forces to clear out these bandits, which is why they need us to handle the extermination. Their leader calls himself the Death Messenger and is an Evil Soul Master. Since none of you seven have any experience, we seven will be the ones taking action this time; your role is primarily to assist us and gain some exposure."

"We will first head to the Star Luo Empire's garrison in the Mingdou Mountain Range, where they will provide us with maps and intelligence. If there are no questions, we shall depart."

Seeing that everyone was packed and ready, Ma Xiaotao continued: "The three junior sisters have lower cultivation levels, so to avoid wasting time, Huo Yu'er will come with me, Wang Dong'er with Ling Luochen, and Xiao Xiao with Xi Xi. Let's move out."

With that, Ma Xiaotao took Huo Yu'er and soared into the air, setting off immediately.

After a day of traveling, including a stretch where Elder Xuan carried the group through the air, the Shrek students finally arrived at the western border of the Star Luo Empire.

In the distance, a streak of white light cut through the sky and plummeted toward the ground.

Figures began to appear on the platform formed by that white light.

"Ugh—"

Except for the few protected by Lin Shuo's soul power, even Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng looked ghastly pale.

"Look at how pathetic you all are. Look at Lin Shuo; his cultivation is lower than yours, yet he can still protect several people without breaking a sweat."

Elder Xuan said lazily to the inner court disciples.

"Go and handle the situation. This old man is going to rest for a while." Sensing a presence in the distance, Elder Xuan gave his instructions and departed.

No sooner had Elder Xuan left than several figures descended toward them.

As soon as they landed, they surrounded the Shrek group. The man in the lead was an elderly man with a cold expression, seven soul rings—three yellow, two purple, and two black—circling his feet. He was a seven-ringed Soul Saint.

Each of these men wore a white tiger emblem on their chest. They were the White Tiger Guards.

Dai Yueheng stepped forward. "Elder Du, it's me."

Upon recognizing Dai Yueheng's face, the old man's expression shifted to one of pleasant surprise. "Young Master! Why have you come?"

After Dai Yueheng explained the situation to Du Leisi, he signaled the other soldiers to retract their martial souls. "I see. The Marshal is still in the military camp. I shall take you and your classmates there at once."

Huo Yu'er's expression stiffened upon hearing this, but as she felt Lin Shuo's hand, her tense shoulders slowly relaxed. The warmth from his palm anchored her, pulling her back from the rising tide of emotions.

Seeing Lin Shuo's concerned gaze, Huo Yu'er whispered, "I'm fine, Brother Lin."

After resting for a while, the group set off again, following Du Leisi toward the military camp in the Mingdou Mountain Range.

The silhouette of the mountain range became increasingly clear, with vast stretches of military tents built along the slopes.

About an hour later, the group landed in front of a large ox-hide tent.

In the open space before the tent, a sturdy man with golden hair was practicing his punches. He retracted his fists and stood still upon sensing their arrival.

Seeing the man, Du Leisi hurried forward and bowed slightly. "Marshal, the Young Master and the people from Shrek Academy have arrived."

Dai Yueheng also stepped forward quickly, knelt on one knee, and said respectfully, "Father."

Without a doubt, the man before them was none other than the Duke White Tiger, Dai Hao, a man who stood below only one person in the Star Luo Empire and above ten thousand.

Lin Shuo glanced to the side and saw that although Huo Yu'er had stiffened for a moment, she quickly regained her composure, so he turned back around.

After Dai Yueheng whispered a few words to Dai Hao, the Duke White Tiger strode forward with a smile. "Welcome, Teacher Wang Yan and all the brilliant students of Shrek Academy."

Lin Shuo raised an eyebrow; he could clearly feel Dai Hao's gaze lingering on him and Huo Yu'er.

After exchanging pleasantries with Wang Yan, Dai Hao had Du Leisi see to their accommodations and provided the intelligence the Shrek group required.

After eating, the group began to meditate and rest. The inner court students were accustomed to executing missions, but the pre-selection team had never seen anything like this. Especially for Lin Shuo, Huo Yu'er, Wang Dong'er, and Xiao Xiao, who were only twelve or thirteen years old, such a mission was perhaps too early for them.

Therefore, even though Lin Shuo was the strongest in the team and their captain, Elder Xuan did not intend to let him charge to the front lines immediately.

Wang Yan understood clearly that Elder Xuan was doing this to accelerate the growth of these children; only real combat could truly temper their character.

Elder Xuan stayed out of the military camp to avoid any direct association with the Star Luo Empire, as he was the most powerful figure Shrek Academy had on display. However, with his level 98 cultivation, he would never lose track of his students, which was why he was confident in taking these youngsters out for training.

After finishing their meditation and receiving the intelligence and maps, the group departed immediately. Time was tight, and they still had to participate in the Soul Fighting Tournament afterward. On the road, Huo Yu'er used Spiritual Detection Sharing to scout the path for everyone.

After scouting for a period of time, the group finally located the Death Messenger's hideout.

"Evil Soul Masters have devious methods, and we are in such a narrow cave. Be careful of traps once we enter," Lin Shuo warned after everyone had finished changing their gear.

"Don't worry. According to the Star Luo military intelligence, the Death Messenger is only at the Soul King level, and with Elder Xuan here, there won't be any problems," Ma Xiaotao said confidently.

Lin Shuo opened his mouth slightly; it was precisely because Elder Xuan was here that he felt even less at ease.

The main team entered the cave quickly after changing, without waiting for the reserve team.

Lin Shuo walked at the very front of the reserve team, and everyone summoned their martial souls, preparing for battle.

There were already many fallen bandits inside the cave; Ma Xiaotao and the others had already begun their assault.

Waves of soul power surged back and forth within the cavern.

Huo Yu'er pushed her Spiritual Detection to its limit and shared it with the group.

As they ventured deeper, a thick, pungent scent of blood washed over them. Except for Lin Shuo, Xu Sanshi, and Bei Bei, the other four turned pale.

"Ah—" The screams of Jiang Nannan and Xiao Xiao echoed. When the group looked up, they saw the victims murdered by the Death Messenger. The stench of blood they smelled came from this very spot.

The expressions of all eight people changed. These bandits were slaughtering the innocent; they were no better than beasts.

Lin Shuo summoned the Silver Dragon Spear and activated his second soul ring.

With the appearance of the Seven-Colored Dragon Armor, Lin Shuo charged ahead, wielding the Silver Dragon Spear.

Reaching the front, Ma Xiaotao and the other six were engaged in combat with the bandits, and more bandits kept emerging from the depths of the cave. Although some were at the Soul King level, they were no match for the seven of them and were being cut down one by one.