Inner Court's Responsibilities, Inspection Corps

Dai Yueheng stepped forward, his tone brimming with a sense of duty. "Junior brothers and sisters, joining the Inspection Corps is not only an honor, but also a weighty mission. For tens of thousands of years, countless predecessors of Shrek Academy have devoted themselves to this post, even sacrificing their lives.

In this world, we are sharp blades against those Evil Soul Masters who commit every kind of atrocity; to ordinary people, we are sturdy shields that protect them. Faced with such perilous tasks, have you thought it through?"

Xuan Zi's voice rang out again, carrying a trace of anticipation. "Are you ready? I need a clear answer."

The eight students exchanged glances, determination flashing in their eyes. They answered in unison, "Join!"

Xuan Zi nodded in satisfaction. "Just as I thought, I didn't misjudge you." He turned to Wang Yan beside him. "Give them their equipment."

Wang Yan slowly took out several rings and distributed them among the eight. Ma Xiaotao continued, "Make sure you keep these rings safe. A single drop of blood is enough to activate them. They are the exclusive insignia of the Inspection Corps and contain much of our equipment—our unique masks, cloaks, distress signals, and other items are all inside."

Her expression gradually turned serious as her gaze swept over the group. "Next, I'll tell you about the mission. Our destination is the Ming Dou Mountain Range at the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire. The mission will last three to four days.

Those fiends are exceptionally cunning, as well as fierce and cruel. Whenever they pass through the border region, they slaughter any villagers they encounter, leaving no survivors.

As you know, relations between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire are tense, making it difficult for them to coordinate military operations. Whenever one side tries to mobilize troops to encircle and eliminate them, they flee into the other side's territory. They are extremely crafty."

Ma Xiaotao's voice lowered. "The leader of these bandits is called the 'Death Messenger.' He leads the so-called 'Death Legion' in plundering, killing, and robbing everywhere. Therefore, the objective of this mission is to wipe them all out—leave none alive."

Lin Qianyi looked around at everyone and cleared her throat. "Elder Xuan, Teacher Wang Yan, Sister Xiaotao, senior brothers and sisters. I've thought of a plan that might allow us to complete this mission with the fewest possible losses."

Her tone was steady and her eyes firm. "Although we have a map and have arranged scouts, we still know too little about the enemy camp. There may well be an ambush. Instead of rushing in, we should take the initiative and set a trap, using bait to lure the snake from its hole.

Once they lower their guard, we can strike suddenly. Of course, we would need to set up an ambush in advance and create some commotion to draw them out. After all, we are unfamiliar with both the terrain and the enemy's situation. If we rashly venture deep into dangerous ground, even if we succeed, it will be a near-death experience. It would be better to lure the enemy out and engage them in an environment we know."

Wang Yan's eyes lit up. "That is a wise choice."

Ma Xiaotao clapped her hands in praise. "Qianyi, you're really something! None of us considered so many details, yet you thought everything through so thoroughly."

Lin Qianyi smiled faintly. "You're all flattering me..."

After hearing Lin Qianyi's plan, Ma Xiaotao and the others all nodded slightly. They had originally intended to return to the Star Luo Army Camp to retrieve a map, but they had not expected her plan to be so comprehensive and meticulous.

"Your cultivation is still rather low, so you may slow us down." Ma Xiaotao's gaze swept across the group, her tone gentle yet firm. "Dai Yueheng, you take Wang Dong. I'll take Huo Yuhao and Lin Qianyi. Ling Luochen will take Xiao Xiao."

Hearing this, Lin Qianyi could not help feeling a trace of doubt. Her cultivation had already reached Rank 44, so keeping up with the group should not have been difficult. "I... my cultivation isn't low," she argued softly, with a hint of unwillingness in her voice.

Ma Xiaotao laughed aloud at that. "Silly girl, your cultivation is indeed decent, but you're still young. Having your big sister carry you is just to be safe." Her laughter was full of indulgent affection, like a spring breeze brushing over Lin Qianyi's heart. Lin Qianyi's face reddened slightly. Though she was still unwilling, she could not say anything more.

Once the arrangements had been made, everyone prepared to set off.

On the way to the academy, Dai Yueheng spoke gently to Huo Yuhao. "Yuhao, I know there has been some unpleasantness between you and my younger brother. If he offended you in any way, I hope you can be magnanimous. I've already reprimanded him as well. He is just somewhat arrogant by nature."

Though Huo Yuhao sneered inwardly, his expression remained calm as water. "Senior brother, there is no need to worry. I won't take such a trivial matter to heart." Dai Yueheng nodded in satisfaction. "That's good. From now on, we are partners. If you encounter any difficulties, tell me anytime."

"Senior brother, may I ask what an Evil Soul Master is?" Huo Yuhao suddenly asked. Dai Yueheng paused briefly before explaining seriously. "Evil Soul Masters are also a type of soul master, but they often strike fear into people's hearts.

To speak of the origins of Evil Soul Masters, we must trace them back to the era of the first generation of the Shrek Seven Devils. Ancestor Tang San and the others once fought against Evil Soul Masters. So-called Evil Soul Masters are those who possess evil martial souls."

"Do martial souls also have distinctions between good and evil?" Huo Yuhao asked in confusion. At that moment, Lin Qianyi interjected from the side, "It isn't martial souls that are good or evil. People are the ones who can be good or evil." Dai Yueheng looked at Lin Qianyi approvingly. "Junior sister is absolutely right.

Martial souls themselves have no distinction between good and evil. If one cultivates normally and uses one's martial soul to help others, then even if its attributes lean toward evil, that person is still a good person. Conversely, if one's cultivation methods are cruel and extreme, then regardless of what martial soul one possesses, that person is surely evil." After hearing Dai Yueheng's explanation, Huo Yuhao gradually gained a clearer understanding of Evil Soul Masters.

The group flew through the air for a long time, until a streak of orange-red appeared at the horizon. Huo Yuhao surveyed the surroundings and chose a sheltered valley as their resting place.

Ma Xiaotao blinked and said to Huo Yuhao with a grin, "Yuhao, show us what you can do."

Huo Yuhao looked puzzled. "Show you what?"

"What else? Grilled fish!" Ma Xiaotao put her hands on her hips. "You don't know this, but he used to earn his tuition by setting up a stall and grilling fish at the academy."

Huo Yuhao smiled when he heard that. "Sure!" With that, he began preparing the ingredients. Seeing this, the others also stepped forward to help. Before long, skewers of grilled fish with an enticing aroma came fresh off the fire.

Gongyang Mo took a deep breath and exclaimed, "It smells so good!"

Chen Zifeng took a careful bite and said in surprise, "There isn't even the slightest fishy taste. It's tender and fresh, and the fragrance lingers in the mouth."

Everyone sat together and shared the delicious meal. After finishing the grilled fish and resting briefly, they set off once more.

The next morning, they finally arrived at the Star Luo Empire's military camp. Xuan Zi landed lightly on the ground. "All right, go in."