Eradicating the Death Hand Bandit Group

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Chapter 43: Eradicating the Death Hand Bandit Group

According to the intelligence Dai Yueheng had previously obtained from the Star Luo Empire Military, the Death Hand Bandit Group mainly operated in the central region of the Ming Dou Mountains. They only descended the mountains to plunder when they had a specific target.

The bandit group had around three hundred members, all young or middle-aged adults, with Soul Masters accounting for roughly a third of their numbers. Little was known about their leader, except that he was a Soul Master whose cultivation was at least at the Soul King level.

Based on this information, Ma Xiaotao decisively ordered them to venture deep into the Ming Dou Mountains overnight and search for the Death Hand Bandit Group.

They were all elites from Shrek Academy's inner court, while even the strongest enemy, the bandit leader, was merely a Soul King. Naturally, there was no need to be overly cautious.

The sooner they wiped out these bandits, the sooner everyone could complete the mission.

Although Ye Xixuan knew what had happened in his previous life's memories, he raised no objections.

Partly, this was because he knew Elder Song, who was far more reliable than Xuan Zi, was following them in secret. The other reason was his confidence in his own abilities.

His Martial Soul could do more than absorb evil energy; it held absolute suppressive power over any wicked energy. This time, the Death Messenger's so-called Corpse Explosion would probably be unable to accomplish anything.

Ye Xixuan and the others moved swiftly through the Ming Dou Mountains, with the three Power Attack System Battle Soul Masters-Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Chen Zifeng-clearing the way ahead. Ling Luochеn, a Control-Type Battle Spirit Master, occupied the center, flanked by the two support-type Battle Soul Masters, Yao Haoxuan and Gongyang Mo.

Yao Haoxuan's Martial Soul also possessed some control abilities, and he served as a shield to protect Ling Luochеn and Gongyang Mo beside him.

As for Xixi, she had long since vanished into the night, scouting their surroundings from farther away. In an open environment like this, an Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master could better fulfill her role.

At present, however, the person contributing the most to the team was actually Ye Xixuan, whose Soul Power cultivation was the lowest.

The Fallen Wings behind him carried him into the air. Soul Masters with the darkness attribute excelled at concealing their figures and auras, and the light of his three purple Thousand-Year Soul Rings was obscured by the darkness surrounding his body. He was like a king hidden in the dark of night.

With him searching from the air, he could guide everyone at all times.

It was no exaggeration to say that Ye Xixuan's presence filled the team's sole gap.

A grove of deep-blue trees appeared in Ye Xixuan's distant view. Unlike other varieties, each of these blue trees bore bewitchingly vivid flowers, lending them an eerie air in the darkness.

His black wings beat behind him as he turned and flew downward, landing steadily beside Ma Xiaotao.

"Xiaotao, there's a grove of wenlan trees ahead. Those bandits should be nearby."

"Did you sense them?" Ma Xiaotao's eyes lit up as she gave Ye Xixuan a meaningful look. He had been helping her cultivate for the past few years, so she naturally knew the characteristics of his Martial Soul's abilities. He could perceive any evil aura or energy with extraordinary sensitivity.

Ye Xixuan nodded solemnly, not only because he had faintly sensed those cold, sinister auras, but more because he had compared this place with the memories of his previous life.

"Yes. I'm certain."

"Xiaotao, Xixuan, what are you talking about? How can we determine the bandits' location based on a feeling?" Dai Yueheng asked, his brows tightly knitted. Although Ma Xiaotao's cultivation surpassed his, deep down, he had always believed himself better suited to lead the team.

Ma Xiaotao's flaws were too pronounced for him to truly accept her leadership.

Ma Xiaotao curled her lips. She knew Dai Yueheng had never accepted her authority, but she could not be bothered to explain right now.

"I'm the captain. Just follow my orders. Everyone, stop and get yourselves into shape. Prepare for battle. Our opponents this time aren't merely ordinary bandits, but utterly irredeemable Evil Soul Masters."

;psme&;psme&

"Evil Soul Masters?!" Everyone's pupils contracted at her words. Even Dai Yueheng abandoned his argument with Ma Xiaotao. Light flickered in his naturally unusual eyes as he sat down cross-legged.

Ye Xixuan was about to rise into the air to scout again when Ling Luochеn caught his wrist. Then her cool, breathtakingly beautiful face filled his vision, close to his own.

Her warm breath mingled with her cool voice as it reached his ears, and he felt his entire body instantly stiffen.

"Does this have something to do with your Martial Soul's abilities?"

"Mm." Meeting Ling Luochеn's eyes from almost no distance at all, Ye Xixuan looked somewhat awkward, but he did not hide anything from her.

Ling Luochеn asked no further questions. She merely reminded him with concern, "Once the fighting starts, remember not to stray too far from me."

"Senior Ling, I'm actually capable of protecting you, too." Ye Xixuan immediately understood what she meant and smiled sincerely.

Even after Ye Xixuan resumed scouting in the air, Ling Luochеn's gaze remained somewhat unfocused. She seemed to see a shadow of her younger brother in him. Of the two men who mattered most in her life, only one remained now.

Both portions of her affection had been poured into Ye Xixuan.

Looking at Ling Luochеn's gaze, Yao Haoxuan knew he no longer had any chance at all;psme&;psme&

of it.

"Haoxuan, don't let your mind wander once the fighting starts," Gongyang Mo reminded him attentively as he came to his side. Although he was not well liked by the others, he was the glue holding this team together.

At that moment, Yao Haoxuan instead felt relieved. He nodded firmly, his emotions gradually regaining their balance. It would be enough to remain silently at Ling Luochеn's side as her protector, just as he always had.

"I'll protect you and Luochen."

After taking some time to recover, everyone changed into their Shrek Inspection Corps gear. Dark-green masks and cloaks concealed their faces and figures as they gathered together and entered the grove of wenlan trees.

Ye Xixuan guided everyone from the night sky. The chilly wind brushed his face and billowed his clothes. All warmth had long since vanished from his eyes, replaced by an icy killing intent so concentrated it was almost tangible.

Since his family's destruction was connected to Evil Soul Masters, he would begin his revenge with this so-called Death Messenger.

Under Ye Xixuan's guidance, everyone soon passed through the grove of wenlan trees. After crossing another hillside, they finally spotted a cave concealed behind numerous curtains of hanging vines.

Without a doubt, this was the bandits' lair.

Before the bandits guarding the cave entrance could react, several streaks of lightning had already sliced through their necks.

Xixi's figure emerged amid the crackling lightning. Her pupils had become vertical slits, and her skin had darkened. Her Martial Soul was none other than the Lightning Leopard, one of the finest agility attack types, boasting both speed and offensive power.

"Prepare for battle!" Ma Xiaotao commanded in a low voice, charging into the cave first.

Dai Yueheng, Chen Zifeng, and Xixi followed close behind, with Ling Luochеn, Gongyang Mo, and Yao Haoxuan entering after them.

Ye Xixuan landed at the rear and hurried after them.

(End of chapter)