The Suspicious Mission

Soul Forging came naturally to Tang Wulin.

He had already been capable of Soul Forging when he reached six rings in his previous life. With the far deeper foundations he had accumulated in this life, Soul Forging came even more easily to him.

Mu Chen looked at the metal Tang Wulin had forged, feeling admiration, gratification, and a trace of loss. "There really is nothing left for me to teach you..."

Tang Wulin hurriedly said, "Teacher, please don't say that."

Mu Chen sighed. "I've only had you as my disciple for a few years..."

But he soon smiled again and said to Tang Wulin, "Congratulations. You've officially become a Saint Craftsman."

Tang Wulin bowed to Mu Chen. "Thank you."

Mu Chen said with a smile, "All right. For the next few days, forge with me. Once I return to Shrek, study properly under your senior uncle."

"Yes, Teacher."

After leaving the Blacksmiths' Association, Tang Wulin happened to run into Wu Changkong on the road. Tang Wulin was surprised at first, but after considering the date, he understood.

He called out, "Teacher Wu!"

Wu Changkong turned at the sound, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes. "Why are you here?"

Tang Wulin said, "I came to take an advancement exam."

Wu Changkong paused. "You broke through again?"

Tang Wulin nodded. Then he added, "I'm going to the Tang Sect. Would you like to come with me?"

Wu Changkong shook his head. "No. I still have friends to visit."

The two went their separate ways.

Tang Sect.

Tang Wulin used the newly acquired seventh-rank badge to upgrade his status in the Tang Sect contribution exchange system.

Zang Xin happened to be in the Douluo Hall of the Heaven Dou Tang Sect. When the system notified him that a new Saint Craftsman had emerged within the Tang Sect, it alerted him to take notice.

When Zang Xin opened the information, he discovered that it was Tang Wulin.

So Zang Xin summoned Tang Wulin to Douluo Hall.

"You're working pretty hard, huh?" Zang Xin asked curiously. After discussing the matter with Yun Ming and the others, they had unanimously concluded that Tang Wulin was a transformed super ferocious beast who had begun cultivating anew.

Tang Wulin spread his hands and joked, "I'm exceptionally gifted."

Zang Xin snorted, then turned serious. "You want to go to Blood God?"

Tang Wulin said, "I considered it before, but there's no rush now."

"Why?"

"I need to figure some things out before I go."

"Can you tell me?"

"No."

"A deal?"

Tang Wulin gave Zang Xin a helpless look and replied, "Yes."

Zang Xin understood. "Fine. I'll hold on to your application for now. When you decide to go, you can directly use the Tang Sect's channels."

"Doesn't Shrek have slots too?"

Zang Xin shook his head. "Shrek is rather special. It can make recommendations, but its reviews are much stricter than going through the Tang Sect."

Tang Wulin sneered. "Are they really that afraid?"

Zang Xin chuckled. "There's nothing we can do about that. After all, there are more than a dozen Hyper Douluos there, every one of them an absolute top-tier powerhouse. The Tang Sect has supported its own legislators and has clear political positions. With the Spirit Pagoda keeping it in check, it's actually safer than Shrek, which has always remained coldly detached."

Tang Wulin said, "Judging a gentleman's heart with a petty man's mind..."

Zang Xin said helplessly, "Who knows how those politicians' brains work. That's why I agree strongly with the questions you raised. But while the Tang Sect and Shrek are closely linked, I can't directly interfere in Shrek's affairs. I can only offer Yun Ming and the others some suggestions. The specifics will still have to be handled by you."

Tang Wulin nodded. "I understand. Thank you."

Zang Xin waved a hand, about to say something when a shrill ring interrupted him.

He answered the call, and his expression abruptly turned cold.

After ending the call, Zang Xin immediately activated his terminal, entered a string of secret commands, and issued orders to those below.

Once he was done, Zang Xin raised his head and asked Tang Wulin, "You don't have anything planned for the next few days, right?"

Tang Wulin frowned. "What happened?"

Zang Xin said gravely, "An ordinary exploration mission in the Far North Icefield. A White-rank squad accepted it, and the entire squad lost contact. The rescue team sent afterward just transmitted a message—they've also all lost contact. I've already ordered a high-level operations team to prepare. I'd like you to go with them. I have a bad feeling about this."

Tang Wulin's brow twitched. The Far North Icefield...

He did not refuse. "All right. Send me the details. I'll go meet up with them now."

Zang Xin nodded. "Be careful. Save people if you can, but if you can't, prioritize your own safety."

"Understood."

A group of people in black cloaks silently watched a person wearing a yellow cloak.

One of them could not help asking, "Brother, did you take a wrong turn?"

Tang Wulin beneath the yellow cloak checked the information Zang Xin had given him once more. "That's right. Passionate Douluo sent me. You're heading to the Far North Icefield, correct? Let's depart now."

The others exchanged looks, but said nothing.

The team stepped onto the teleportation platform, and their figures vanished.

The Tang Sect's teleportation devices employed the most advanced technology and could cover most of the continent. Unfortunately, the Far North Icefield was not among those locations.

Icefield soul beasts lived and died there, while the unusual ice element formed a kind of field across the icefield. The cost and technical requirements for constructing a teleportation point there were extremely high.

The group departed from the nearest teleportation point.

As members of a high-level operations team, each of them possessed a two-word battle armor. After taking to the sky, they watched Tang Wulin pull out a flight device from his storage device and put it on. When he wobbled in midair before catching up to them, they could not help feeling a hint of dissatisfaction.

But the die had been cast. They neither complained nor pressured him.

They sped toward their destination.

Just as they were nearing the end point, Tang Wulin suddenly flew past them and blocked their way.

One person frowned. "What are you doing? If you don't even know what we're here for, go back."

Tang Wulin took out a piece of metal radiating energy fluctuations and threw it ahead.

With his strength, the metal naturally flew as far as he wanted it to.

But halfway through its flight, the metal was sliced into fragments by some invisible sharp object.

Those capable of becoming members of the high-level operations team naturally knew their materials. Their expressions all changed.

Tang Wulin said calmly, "Anyone who thinks they're tougher than Soul Forged metal is welcome to go ahead and try."

After saying that, he decisively put away his flight device and dropped straight toward the ground.

The Blue Silver Emperor lashed out and braced against the ground, allowing him to land steadily.

The others folded their wings and descended as well.

Tang Wulin said, "For your safety, you will follow my command completely from now on. Anyone unwilling may turn back now."

As he spoke, he took out a token.

One person exclaimed, "A Battle Soul Token!"

So this really was someone personally sent by His Excellency Passionate Douluo!

No one doubted Tang Wulin's identity any longer.

"Good. Now come over and report your numbers. It'll make communication easier," Tang Wulin said calmly.

After gaining command, Tang Wulin led them swiftly toward the core region of the Far North Icefield.