Father and Son Meet, Wang Dong'er's Warning

Wang Dong'er and the others equipped themselves with Flying Soul Tools and headed toward the Sun Moon Mountains.

However, the Flying Soul Tools consumed too much soul power, so every few hours, they had to stop and rest for a while.

Only after flying for more than a day did they finally reach the vicinity of the Sun Moon Mountains.

This was the Outer Court students' first time flying, and their legs felt weak after they landed. Their stomachs churned like raging rivers and seas, as though they might throw up at any moment.

Not long after they landed, military personnel surrounded them.

Fortunately, Dai Yueheng knew the man leading them, so they were escorted into the army camp.

When Huo Yuhao learned that this was the army of his father, the White Tiger Duke, he grew somewhat agitated.

He had never expected to see that man here. Fear filled his heart, yet a faint thread of anticipation stirred within him too. Did he still remember that he had a son like me?

Wang Dong'er saw what was on Huo Yuhao's mind and took his hand, offering him a little strength.

"Thank you," Huo Yuhao said quietly.

The group entered the military grounds and soon saw the camp built in the mountains.

A grim, martial air filled the camp. Once the academy students entered, every one of them held their breath and focused, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

The soldiers led them to the command tent, where Dai Hao, the White Tiger Duke, was staying.

Soon, a man walked out.

At the sight of him, Huo Yuhao abruptly tightened his grip on Wang Dong'er's hand. He could never forget the man before him.

Wang Dong'er studied the White Tiger Duke. He was rather handsome, with a resolute bearing and the charm of a mature man. No wonder Huo Yuhao's mother had fallen for him.

Dai Yueheng stepped forward and dropped to one knee. "Father."

"Rise."

The White Tiger Duke helped Dai Yueheng up and patted his shoulder.

"Not bad. You've grown much sturdier."

Dai Hao was delighted to see his son here. He simply did not know that two of his sons had actually come.

Dai Yueheng explained the purpose of their journey to Dai Hao.

"So you're the outstanding students of Shrek Academy. Welcome, welcome," Dai Hao said with a smile.

Wang Yan stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Your Grace."

As for Xuan Zi, he had disappeared at some point.

"Please come inside, everyone. I'll have some food prepared to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."

"You're too kind, Your Grace. We've come to carry out a mission. We only need you to provide us with some leads, and we won't trouble you any further," Wang Yan replied.

"Very well. I'll have someone bring you the intelligence shortly. Go rest in the tent next door. I'll have some food sent over."

They entered the tent and sat down. Huo Yuhao was practically leaning his whole weight against Wang Dong'er.

"Everyone, rest for a while. In six hours, we'll head deep into the Sun Moon Mountains," Wang Yan said.

"Yuhao, are you all right?" Wang Dong'er patted Huo Yuhao as he leaned against her.

"I'm fine. Let me lean on you for a bit. I'll rest for a while." Huo Yuhao closed his eyes.

Wang Dong'er sighed. Although his father was his enemy, Huo Yuhao at least knew who his biological father was.

But what about me? I don't even know who my biological parents are, and I've even taken a thief for my father.

Soon, the soldiers brought their meal. It was not particularly lavish, but it tasted decent.

"Yuhao, eat a little." Wang Dong'er brought the food to Huo Yuhao's lips.

"I'll do it myself." Huo Yuhao hurriedly reached out to take it.

After eating, Huo Yuhao felt considerably calmer.

By then, the soldiers had also brought information about the bandits.

The band numbered more than three hundred, with around thirty Soul Masters among them. There was no detailed intelligence on their leader; all they knew was that the leader was a Soul Master above the Soul King level.

Wang Dong'er knew perfectly well that the reason Shrek Academy's students would fall at that Evil Soul Master's hands this time was their lack of intelligence.

However, this was all the information the military could provide, and they had no more time to investigate at leisure.

As students of Shrek Academy, they naturally possessed pride and confidence. Even against a Soul Emperor-level Evil Soul Master, they were confident they could win.

"It's time. Everyone, move out together."

Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng cleared the way at the front, with Huo Yuhao close behind, using Spiritual Detection to survey their surroundings.

In this tangled mountain forest, Huo Yuhao's detection ability could hardly have been more useful.

The sky gradually darkened, and their pace slowed considerably. Fortunately, with Huo Yuhao there, they could keep moving even at night.

"Everyone, stop for a moment," Wang Yan suddenly called.

Everyone stopped immediately.

"I surveyed the surroundings and found a large number of Wenlan Trees nearby. Their heartwood is an excellent cultivation aid for Soul Masters with cold, yin-type martial souls."

"And I just saw a tree whose heartwood had already been hollowed out. That means there are very likely Evil Soul Masters nearby."

"Then what should we do now, Teacher Wang? Wait here by the stump for a rabbit to come along?" Ma Xiaotao asked.

"No. We don't know when they'll appear here again. If we want to catch all the Bandits in one net, we have to take the initiative. Still, this suggests that the Evil Soul Masters' bandit group is nearby."

"Yuhao, I'll need you to widen your search from here."

"Understood."

They continued onward, searching within a ten-kilometer radius. Huo Yuhao also used his Spirit Eyes to investigate, watching for anything out of place.

After a while, they spotted numerous footprints on the ground. Footprints meant people, and the only people likely to be this deep in the mountains were those Bandits.

"Yuhao, investigate in the eleven o'clock direction," Wang Yan instructed.

"All right."

Huo Yuhao activated his Spirit Eyes and surveyed the area ahead.

Wang Dong'er took his hand, and the two circulated Haodong Power, extending the range of his detection.

"I found it. There's a slope up ahead."

"Very good. There should be a cave beneath that slope. It would make an excellent hiding place. Once we've confirmed it, we'll strike."

Wang Yan laid out their deployment.

"Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, lead the Inner Court students in the main assault. The Outer Court students will follow me and provide reinforcements."

"Teacher Wang, perhaps we should notify Xuan Zi first. If anything dangerous happens, he could rescue us in time," Ma Xiaotao suggested.

"There's no need. They're just a few Bandits. We can handle them," Dai Yueheng said confidently.

"But what if they've set traps? If anyone gets injured, it'll affect the tournament."

Ma Xiaotao shook her head. "You're underestimating us Inner Court students. Dai Yueheng and I have both carried out plenty of inspection missions. Even if our opponent is a Soul Saint, we can hold our own together."

Seeing how confident they all were, Wang Dong'er could do nothing about it.

"Then you must be careful when the time comes, especially around corpses. I've heard that some Evil Soul Masters have the ability to detonate them."

None of them paid much heed to Wang Dong'er's words. They had absolute confidence in their own strength.