Departure

Standing beside Ma Xiaotao was a tall young man with a stern face and golden hair. His features bore a striking resemblance to Dai Hao's.

Dai Yueheng. His Martial Soul was the Evil-Eyed White Tiger, and he was a level 64 Power Attack System Battle Soul Emperor—the eldest son of White Tiger Duke Dai Hao.

Behind him stood Chen Zifeng of the Soul Chasing Sword, Ling Luochen, an ice-type control Battle Soul King, as well as Xixi, Yao Haoxuan, and Gongyang Mo.

These seven were the most outstanding talents of Shrek Academy's Inner Court.

The reserve team roster had also been finalized after round upon round of selection.

There was Bei Bei, whose Martial Soul was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. A level 44 Power Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor, he was the Outer Court's undisputed senior brother.

Then there was He Caitou, a Food System Battle Soul Ancestor and a genius of the Soul Tool Department.

The others were Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong, and Huo Yutong.

Together, the seven formed the next generation of Shrek's reserve team.

When the roster was announced, Huo Yutong was both nervous and excited. But when she turned to look at Ye Tianming, her heart suddenly sank.

There were only seven places on the reserve team. Tianming wasn't among them.

"Tianming..."

Huo Yutong spoke to Ye Tianming in a small voice, her disappointment plain to hear.

Before Ye Tianming could answer, Qian Duoduo's voice came from behind them.

"What are you worried about?"

"Tianming is the kind of Soul Engineer our Soul Tool Department sees once in a century. I've already spoken to Xuan Zi. He'll go to the Star Luo Empire with you as the team's Soul Engineer."

"Really?!"

Huo Yutong's eyes lit up at once.

Qian Duoduo laughed heartily and said,

"Would I lie to you? Soul Engineers have an important role to play in the Soul Fighting Tournament. With Tianming there, you'll all have a little more confidence."

Seeing Huo Yutong brighten so suddenly, Ye Tianming couldn't help smiling. Then he ruffled her hair again.

"Hey, Tianming! If you keep rubbing my head, I won't grow any taller!"

That was what she said, but her body was clearly more honest than her mouth.

On the day of departure, a group assembled before the gates of Shrek Academy.

It consisted of the seven starting members, the seven reserves, and Ye Tianming, who would accompany them.

Leading them was a scruffy-looking old man tipping wine from a gourd into his mouth.

Xuan Zi, the level 98 Taotie Douluo and head of Shrek's Inspection Corps.

"Everyone here?"

Xuan Zi let out a wine-scented belch, narrowed his eyes, and gave them a casual once-over before speaking slowly.

"Then let's go. Remember, when you step into that arena, you represent Shrek!"

"Yes!"

The group answered in unison.

They set off in a grand procession, leaving Shrek City and heading west toward the Star Luo Empire.

On the tenth evening after leaving Shrek City, they made camp outside Azure Ox Town.

Ye Tianming sat outside his tent, turning an unfinished metal component over in his hands.

But his gaze remained fixed on Azure Ox Town, his brow tightly furrowed.

If events followed the course he remembered from the original story, the seven starting members would learn the next night that Azure Ox Town had been slaughtered and go to wipe out the Death Messenger Bandit Group.

They would then charge straight into the Evil Soul Master's Soul-Devouring Formation. One would die, and the other six would be gravely wounded.

Of everything that might happen after his arrival in this world, this was what Ye Tianming least wanted to see.

He remembered how, when he first read the original story, that incident had turned him against Chicken Leg Douluo.

But Ye Tianming couldn't simply tell them there would be an ambush.

He was only a teenager. At most, people would laugh off what he said.

Chicken Leg Douluo in particular wouldn't even listen.

All Ye Tianming could do now was make arrangements ahead of time.

That afternoon, Ye Tianming carried a pot of tea to Xuan Zi, who was lying in the shade of a tree drinking wine.

"Xuan Zi, would you try some tea I've just prepared? It tastes good and sobers you up, too."

Ye Tianming offered it with both hands, his face full of an obedient smile.

Xuan Zi narrowed his eyes at him, casually took the gourd-shaped teapot, and drank a mouthful. Then he smacked his lips.

"Hm?"

"Interesting. I really do feel a little less drunk. You wouldn't be flattering me for nothing, boy. Tell me, what do you want?"

Ye Tianming's smile faded. Looking unusually serious, he said,

"Just one thing."

"Xuan Zi, please don't go too far tonight or tomorrow night. And please don't get drunk."

"I have a strong feeling something terrible may happen. If I send up a signal, please come to Azure Ox Town immediately. I'm begging you."

Xuan Zi paused in surprise.

He had lived nearly a hundred years and prided himself on his keen eye for people.

But all he saw in the boy's eyes was a conviction that bordered on pleading. Almost against his own expectations, Xuan Zi nodded.

"All right, all right."

"You have my word. I won't get drunk or leave camp for the next two days."

Ye Tianming let out a breath of relief and bowed solemnly.

"Thank you, Xuan Zi."

The first step was done!

That night, most of the camp's lights went out, but a faint glow still shone inside Ye Tianming's tent.

Ye Tianming sat cross-legged on the ground. Seven delicate metal devices lay before him in a row, while a carving knife darted across them, driven by his Soul Power.

Protective Signal Soul Tools. Single-use.

Crushing one would send a burst of light into the night sky, visible for dozens of miles, while shielding its wearer from one full-power attack at the Soul King level.

He had prepared the materials back at Shrek. This was the day he had been waiting to use them.

"Tianming?"

The tent flap lifted gently, and Huo Yutong stepped inside with a coat draped over her shoulders, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

When she saw Ye Tianming still working by lamplight, she paused in surprise.

She went over and crouched beside him, looking at the seven Soul Tools in confusion.

"Why are you still awake, Tianming?"

"And what are these?"

Ye Tianming set down the carving knife and reached out to smooth the hair the night breeze had blown across her face.

"They're for keeping us alive."

"Yutong, promise me that no matter what happens tomorrow night, you won't leave my sight or act rashly."

Huo Yutong froze. She had known Tianming for so long, yet she had never seen that look on his face.

She didn't know what was going to happen, but her heart tightened all the same.

Her fingers curled unconsciously around Ye Tianming's sleeve, and she asked quietly,

"Tianming, is something going to happen?"

Ye Tianming looked into Huo Yutong's clear eyes and fell silent for a moment. In the end, he only nodded gently.

He took her cold little hand in his and said with quiet certainty,

"But I'll handle it. Trust me."

"Mm-hmm!"

"I'll do whatever you say, Tianming."

It was as though something had given Ye Tianming's heart a gentle knock. All at once, it melted completely.

Unable to help himself, he drew Huo Yutong into his arms and rested his chin on top of her head.

"Silly girl."

The next day, trouble came a full half-day earlier than Ye Tianming remembered.