With that in mind, Lu Yuan used his Divine Sense to mimic the Death Messenger's spiritual fluctuations and replied to the voice at the other end of the mark, "My lord, we've been exposed! We ran into Shrek's Inspection Corps!!! I abandoned my men and fled rather than stay and fight!"
"Shrek's Inspection Corps?!" The man on the other end seemed surprised. After taking a moment to digest the news, he replied in a low voice, "You were right to flee."
"The Holy Church recently received word that Shrek Academy's team has set out for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament. The Inspection Corps you encountered was very likely that team, gaining experience before the tournament. It's fortunate you didn't stay to fight. If I'm right, they have at least one Titled Douluo protecting them from the shadows. It might even be a Super Douluo!"
"A Super Douluo? How terrifying!" Lu Yuan found it rather funny, but he played his part and drew a sharp breath.
"Exactly," the man said. "That's why I said you were right not to fight. Those bandits under your command are no great loss. Still, you need to understand what matters. Rest and recover for now. I'll contact you about what comes next."
After those brief instructions, the blood-red mark on Lu Yuan's hand fell silent.
Outside the cave, with the two Soul Emperors Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng working together and Huo Yuhao's miraculous Spiritual Detection Sharing supporting them, the Shrek group swiftly swept aside the rabble of low-level Independent Cultivators and bandits. Without the Death Messenger, there had been no unexpected chain of Corpse Explosions.
Screech— The phantom Phoenix let out a long cry. Scorching flames flashed as Ma Xiaotao used her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul to burn