White Tiger Duke Dai Hao

Deep within Snow Empress Castle in the Far North Ice Plains.

Although his goal was set and the sealed hundred-thousand-year Ice-Fire Twin Lotus lay within reach, Dai Youheng had not let desire cloud his judgment.

He knew all too well how dangerous it was to absorb a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring above his level. Even with guidance from the Snow Empress's remnant soul, the Ice Crystal Snow Lotus protecting his body, and Xiao Bai standing guard, he still had to bring his own condition to an absolutely flawless peak.

For Soul Power in the forties to contain the vast energy of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, even the slightest hidden flaw could be magnified without limit, ruining everything at the final hurdle-or even scattering his soul to the winds.

"Sister Snow Empress, Xiao Bai, I need a day to restore my body and Soul Power to their best condition," Dai Youheng said solemnly. His gaze swept over the cold yet secure fortress. "The surroundings here are excellent, and the energy is pure. It's the perfect place to recuperate."

The Snow Empress conveyed her agreement through her consciousness. "As you should. Haste makes waste, especially in something that concerns your very foundations. Cultivate here with peace of mind. With Xiao Bai keeping watch, no one can disturb you."

Xiao Bai immediately slapped the ice with her enormous paw, producing a dull boom, and promised in her rumbling voice, "Don't worry, Uncle Youheng. With Xiao Bai here, no one can come near Mother's home! Get some rest. If you want anything to eat, tell me, and I'll go catch it!"

Her endearingly simple manner formed a charming contrast with her formidable presence.

Dai Youheng smiled faintly and nodded. He found a side hall where the cold energy was at its purest without being bone-piercing, then sat down cross-legged.

He slowly circulated the Golden Vajra Evil-Repelling Body cultivation method. A pale golden glow enveloped him, repairing the last traces of hidden injury left by his battle with the Abyssal Ice Prison Tiger while continuously absorbing and refining the abundant ice energy around him, consolidating the foundation of his Soul Power after his recent breakthrough to the peak of level 42.

His breathing gradually grew long and steady. His mind settled into stillness as he entered a deep state of cultivation, forgetting both himself and the world. Silence filled the Ice Castle, broken only by the eternal cold and the enormous Ice Bear guarding him.

Meanwhile, thousands of li away.

Under Xuan Zi's leadership, Shrek Academy's two generations of the Shrek Seven Devils had finished their brief period of cultivation at the academy and stepped through its gates.

Their destination was the capital of the Star Luo Empire, where they would compete in the approaching Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament.

However, the tournament was not their only assignment. As members of the Shrek Inspection Corps, eliminating evil forces across the continent was their duty.

According to their intelligence, a fairly powerful band of Evil Soul Masters had entrenched themselves near the Mingdou Mountain Range on the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire. They abducted people and stopped at no evil.

Rather than heading straight to the tournament grounds, their first stop would be the Star Luo Empire's Western Legion garrison in the Mingdou Mountain Range, where they would obtain the latest and most detailed intelligence on those Evil Soul Masters.

Travel-worn, the group finally reached the military encampment. From afar, the rows of tents resembled a great beast of steel crouching at the foot of the mountains, its grim, murderous air washing over them.

"Xuan Zi, the military camp is just ahead," Zhou Yi said, pointing toward the camp gate.

Xuan Zi took a bite of his chicken drumstick and mumbled, "Mm. Zhou Yi, that boy Dai Hao has considerable cultivation. That little disguise of yours won't fool him."

"I know." Zhou Yi nodded and reached up to remove her trademark reading glasses. "Besides, when meeting the White Tiger Duke, I should show my true face as a sign of respect."

Before everyone's puzzled eyes, a strange scene unfolded. The air around Zhou Yi rippled faintly like a mirror, then shattered. Her stern, aged disguise peeled away and vanished like broken fragments.

Behind that mirror appeared the face of a woman who looked only twenty-eight or twenty-nine. Her features were soft and lovely, utterly unlike the vicious old woman she had been before!

"Surprised?" Zhou Yi smiled faintly at her students' dumbstruck expressions. "This is one of the abilities of my Martial Soul, Eight-Sided Exquisite. My real appearance doesn't quite suit my teaching philosophy, so I usually use my Martial Soul to disguise myself and better intimidate my students."

Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and the other girls stared wide-eyed. They had never imagined that their strict Teacher Zhou was so young and beautiful. Huo Yuhao was also slightly taken aback.

"Let's go pay our respects to the pillar holding up this empire, the White Tiger Duke." Zhou Yi's expression turned serious again, and she led the way toward the camp.

"You go on without me. I have no patience for dealing with these great nobles and their pompous official talk." Before Xuan Zi had even finished speaking, his figure flickered and vanished like a phantom. Who knew where he had hidden himself away to drink wine and eat meat?

With a powerhouse like Xuan Zi watching from the shadows, the others felt reassured. Under Dai Yueheng's guidance, they passed the sentries without difficulty and entered the camp.

Once inside, the air of iron-blooded discipline and killing intent grew even stronger. Though it was still early morning, drills had already begun. The soldiers moved in perfect unison, their shouts shaking the sky. Powerful auras converged, making the heart tremble. This was a true army of iron, tempered in blood and fire.

As the White Tiger Duke's eldest son, Dai Yueheng wore unmistakable pride on his face as he introduced the army to his companions. "Our Star Luo Empire Western Group Army is the empire's strongest military force, specifically responsible for defending against the Sun Moon Empire. Its total strength is five hundred thousand! And the Central Legion you see before you is the elite of the elite-the strongest force under my father's command!"

His words were filled with reverence for his father and this army.

Just then, a tall, imposing figure strode toward them. The newcomer wore gleaming silver armor and stood straight as a pine, nearly two meters tall. His long golden hair stirred gently in the morning breeze.

His face was rugged, its contours seemingly carved by blades and axes. His tigerlike eyes commanded respect without a trace of anger, holding both the authority of someone long accustomed to high office and the deadly aura forged through a life of iron and blood in the military.

It was the Star Luo Empire's White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao!

At the sight of their father, Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin immediately hurried forward and bowed respectfully. "Father!"

Dai Hao's gaze swept over his two sons. A barely perceptible trace of satisfaction appeared on his commanding face, and he nodded, particularly upon seeing the insignia of the Shrek Inspection Corps they wore.

Zhou Yi stepped forward, identified them as members of the Shrek Inspection Corps, and explained their purpose. They needed detailed military intelligence to eliminate the Evil Soul Masters in the Mingdou Mountain Range.

Dai Hao took the matter very seriously. He immediately summoned an adjutant and ordered his finest scouts to cooperate fully, gathering the Evil Soul Masters' precise locations and the distribution of their forces for the Inspection Corps.

Once the official arrangements were complete, Dai Hao's gaze returned to his sons, and his tone softened slightly. "Yueheng, Huabin, you've done well. You haven't disgraced the White Tiger's illustrious name."

Both his sons had become members of the Shrek Seven Devils, and of course he was proud. Although his two sons born of concubines had amounted to nothing

, fortunately, his legitimate sons had turned out fairly well.

Hearing their father's praise from his own lips left both sons excited, especially Dai Huabin, whose face flushed slightly as he declared loudly, "I will not fail your expectations, Father!"