Ling Luochen arrived, full-service guiding, and Shrek's influence

"What a wonderful temperature, what beautiful scenery. This is my first time in Dragon City. I never knew such a comfortable place existed."

Having temporarily escaped Shrek and arrived in Dragon City, poor little Ling seemed to have rediscovered the meaning of life. She spread her slender, fair arms and danced, her long skirt swirling as her delicate feet turned.

Two Ling family elders with Soul King cultivation followed behind in padded coats, never daring to take their eyes off the family's first ice-element Soul Master in several centuries.

A suffering soul of the Shrek Inner Court and the hope of her family's rise—both roles rested on Ling Luochen's shoulders, giving her character a particularly rich backdrop.

"It's been so long since we've seen little Ling this happy."

"Yes. It seems life at Shrek hasn't been easy for her."

"Being chosen as one of the Seven Monsters in the Shrek Inner Court is a blessing. How could it be easy?"

"Indeed. Having one of the Seven Monsters in the family is an honor that comes once in a century."

While the old men sang suffering's praises and the young woman celebrated freedom, the three arrived at the Heavenly Dragon Sect's gates.

The towering entrance resembled the outstretched claws of a great dragon. Lifelike Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon sculptures coiled around the pillars on either side, and an air steeped in the passage of ages washed over them.

"Are you here to visit the sect? Do you have an appointment?"

A disciple guarding the entrance noticed that the three seemed intent on staying and called out to ask.

"Yes."

Ling Luochen took out the assignment slip from the Adventurers' Association and presented it with easy confidence.

As one of Shrek's new generation of Seven Monsters, her own talent gave her the confidence to face any great power of the age. The Heavenly Dragon Sect was a renowned thousand-year-old sect, but she was equally confident that she would become a Titled Douluo.

"Ling Luochen, a disciple of the Shrek Inner Court, here to see Second Brother? Please come in, all three of you. I'll fetch him."

The red-haired youth, Xing Yan, took the assignment slip and glanced at it. Certain these were filthy-rich Shrek clients here for a guide, he instructed another gate disciple to usher the guests inside, then turned and jogged away.

He ranked third among the Heavenly Dragon Sect's younger generation, yet his odds against Yu Tianjun were only thirty to seventy. Yu Tianjun was the highest peak among Dragon City's younger generation, and perhaps among the entire continent's as well.

Seeing this, Elder Ling One quietly said to Elder Ling Two, "That's the prestige of the Shrek Inner Court. That young fellow's soul power fluctuations were at the Soul Ancestor level too, yet he treated us very respectfully."

Elder Ling Two smiled. "We're basking in Luochen's reflected glory this time, getting to enter a great sect like this. I wonder when our family will grow to this size."

Hearing their whispers, Ling Luochen furrowed her lovely brows. "Stop talking. They were simply being polite."

That Heavenly Dragon Sect disciple had been no older than fifteen, yet he already had Soul Ancestor cultivation. Even in the Shrek Outer Court, few could compare.

His soul power carried a fierce burning sensation, which meant his martial soul was strong—quite possibly a fire-attribute true dragon.

With such talent, he could gain admission to the Inner Court and compete for a place among the Seven Monsters.

A sect with ten thousand years of history possessed considerable foundations. The modest Ling family could not afford to offend it.

At their family's holy maiden's command, the two old codgers fell silent at lightning speed, though their eyes clearly still held a measure of disagreement.

Shrek defended its championship generation after generation. As one of the new Seven Monsters, Ling Luochen was one of the seven most gifted young people on the continent. Martial soul mutation cared nothing for one's background. Could the Heavenly Dragon Sect really have a genius like that?

The continent had many secluded sects, but Shrek Academy was universally recognized as the world's foremost sacred ground.

Grumbling inwardly, the two entered the Heavenly Dragon Sect's reception room to rest and wait for their guide.

A quarter of an hour later...

"I was fortunate enough to make a small breakthrough recently. Sorry to have kept you three waiting."

His voice arrived before he did. Wearing a mask, Yu Tianjun stepped into the reception room, faint wisps of soul power stirring around him.

Ling Luochen nodded calmly. "It's fine. Your sect has been most hospitable. We're the ones imposing."

Soul Elder-level soul power fluctuations, youthful features—the Heavenly Dragon Sect's foundations were stronger than she had imagined.

What element is his martial soul? It keeps changing. Is it unstable because he just broke through?

"You're too kind, Miss Ling. With one of the Shrek Seven Devils gracing us with her presence, even our humble walls shine brighter."

After exchanging the customary flattery, Yu Tianjun sat on the sofa beside Ling Luochen, took out a soul beast catalog, and opened it to a particular page.

"Based on your requirements, the ten-thousand-year ice-attribute soul beast best suited to you is the Frost-veined Fire-Quelling Python shown here. Its innate ability, Fire-Suppressing Ring, activates the crystal core on its forehead to release a dark-blue ring of ice into the air. It locks onto the fire elements in the surrounding space, freezes their activity, and lowers the temperature.

"This innate ability perfectly matches your requirement for a fifth Soul Ring that suppresses fire-attribute Soul Masters. Have a look and tell me what you think."

As a student of the Shrek Inner Court, Ling Luochen had a solid grounding in theory. After looking it over, she broke into a smile. "Yes. This is exactly the kind of soul beast I want."

Yu Tianjun took out a map of the Outer Far North and said unhurriedly, "Since its innate ability specifically counters fire-attribute Soul Masters, it's relatively easy to hunt. It usually lives in places rich in frost crystals over a thousand years old.

"I've already planned several routes. Barring the exceptional case of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast from the Far North appearing in the outer region, I can guarantee your safety. If you have no objections, we can leave now."

"If any mistake falls within my responsibilities, your fifty-thousand deposit will be refunded in full, with another hundred and fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins paid in compensation."

"If an unforeseen incident occurs, I'll do my utmost to protect the customer's life—yours, in this case—but no compensation will be paid."

"Yu Tianjun of the Heavenly Dragon Sect brings every customer the finest guiding service."

The Heavenly Soul Emperor had granted him the qualifications of a top bounty hunter. Yu Tianjun planned to use the Heavenly Dragon Sect's abundant resources to build a competitive brand, standardize soul-hunting guide work, and introduce a complete service package to supplement the sect's income.

The idea had received unanimous approval from the Heavenly Dragon Sect's leadership when he proposed it, leading to the results now before them.

Of course, this modest business did not accept commissions involving soul beasts from ferocious beast clans, and its operations were restricted to the Outer Far North. Appropriate secrecy measures were also essential; Yu Tianjun had no desire to unleash a beast tide from the Far North.

With this high-quality service ahead of its time now available, poor little Ling became its first beneficiary. At this moment, she felt the hundred and fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins were well worth it.

Not only did it include guiding, but also soul beast recommendations, directions to their habitats, and compensation afterward. It was more than ten times as professionally organized as the academy's soul hunting operations!

Boohoo, what kind of miserable life had I been living at Shrek before this? ┭┮﹏┭┮

Satisfied, she was ready to head for the Far North and meet her beloved fifth Soul Ring. "All right, then let's leave right..."

"Please wait."

Elder Ling One suddenly interrupted.

Yu Tianjun looked toward him. The man struck him as mercenary, but serving clients and making money came first, so he would treat him as he would anyone else.

"Is there a problem?"

"If the Frost-veined Fire-Quelling Python is so easy to hunt, doesn't that mean it's of lower quality and its Soul Skill isn't very powerful?"

Elder Ling One enunciated every word.

Yu Tianjun thought for a moment before replying, "Its strongest innate ability has no opportunity to shine in the Far North. There, it's less useful than an ice silkworm's Simulation."

"Its second innate ability, Pulsating Ice Armor, strengthens its defenses, and it can also spray freezing currents. Its strength is average among the Far North's soul beasts, but its innate ability is extraordinarily effective against fire-attribute opponents."

"Ice-attribute Soul Masters have obtained this innate ability before. With all other conditions equal, it allowed them to temporarily contend with fire-attribute Soul Masters one rank above them."

Ling Luochen's eyes lit up, and she immediately said, "There's no problem. I'm very happy with it."

Yu Tianjun shook his head. "The two elders from your family don't seem satisfied. Why don't you discuss it among yourselves first?"

Ling Luochen turned toward her two elders and heard Elder Ling Two say quietly, "In two years, Luochen will represent Shrek Academy in the tournament to defend its title. This soul beast is merely decent. Is there anything stronger?"

Ling Luochen immediately felt deeply embarrassed and gave Yu Tianjun an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry..."

"I understand."

Yu Tianjun smiled faintly. Blue Star had its share of muddleheaded old codgers; the Douluo Continent had even more.

He looked calmly at the two Ling family elders. "The Far North has stronger soul beasts, but you aren't strong enough."

"My plan is tailored to the client's strength. If an unreasonable change causes an accident, I won't pay compensation."

"What soul beast barely over ten thousand years old could cause us any trouble? Luo Chen is a Quasi-Soul King. She's as strong as the high-level Soul Kings outside the academy."

"The Ice Jade Scorpion possesses ultimate ice. At ten thousand years old, it can fight a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Even ice- and fire-attribute Titled Douluos shudder at the sight of one."

"That kind won't do, but others..."

"Enough!"

Ling Luochen brought out the authority of her family's holy maiden. "Young Brother Yu, let's leave now. My elders spend their years at home and know little of the outside world. Please forgive them."

"I'm a few years older than you. If you don't mind, you can call me Sister Ling or Sister Luochen. I hope we'll work well together."

Yu Tianjun smiled and nodded lightly. "All right, Sister Luochen."

His first encounter with a Shrek student had left a fairly good impression.

Her family was somewhat muddleheaded, but that offered a glimpse of Shrek's influence on the Douluo Continent.