When Uncle Song heard Yu Longyue's analysis, a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes.
"Tang Ziran? That makes sense. Tang Ziran and his wife were Federation pharmacists, and they also worked on mecha design."
"They've long since washed their hands of it all and become honest, law-abiding citizens here. It looks like Evil Soul Masters have set their sights on them."
As a butler, he was supposed to remember everything, especially matters concerning Yu Longyue's safety.
Yu Longyue was still young. Although he had undergone training, he was bound to suffer setbacks once he entered the real world, so Uncle Song, his butler, took care of things for him.
For example, Uncle Song had long since gathered information on Tang Wulin's family, whom Yu Longyue often visited.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was one of the most powerful forces on the Douluo Continent, and it was even one of the most important lineages within Shrek Academy.
Many Sea God Pavilion Masters throughout the generations had possessed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon as their Martial Soul, which showed just how much weight the clan carried.
Its intelligence network could be said to cover every corner of the Douluo Continent. Even on the Dou Ling Continent and the Star Luo Continent, traces of its presence could be found.
There was nothing wrong with considering the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan part of Shrek's forces.
However, after its sect had been destroyed by Spirit Hall twenty thousand years ago, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had learned its lesson and remained "low-key" through and through ever since.
"Young Sect Master, do you want to help them?"
Uncle Song saw Yu Longyue's somewhat moved expression in the rearview mirror.
Yu Longyue leaned back in his seat. "Let's give them a hand."
"Very well, but I must ask you to act personally this time, Young Sect Master." Uncle Song rested both hands on the steering wheel. "Your performance in the practical combat courses has been virtually flawless, but there is one course we have never had the opportunity to give you."
Something occurred to Yu Longyue. "You mean..."
"Killing."
Uncle Song spoke the harshest words in the gentlest tone.
"Every sect master must undergo a baptism in mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Those who rise to the top take their positions by stepping over who knows how many corpses. The most brutal selection for sect master was in the current sect master's generation, when infighting within the clan harmed who knows how many innocent people."
Uncle Song sighed at the mention of the past.
"The larger and more prosperous a clan becomes, the more people's hearts change, and the more brutal the struggle for the sect master's position becomes."
"So, Young Sect Master, this course is indispensable. If you wish to become sect master one day, you must fight for it, even with the sect master's protection."
"I understand." Yu Longyue appeared fairly calm, but he was a little nervous inside.
He had read many transmigration novels, and he really couldn't understand why modern people who had all received nine years of compulsory education-some of whom might never have killed even a chicken and wouldn't dare to-could be so decisive and ruthless the first time they killed after transmigrating, slaughtering people without even blinking, as though they had become different people.
Yu Longyue himself had never even killed a chicken. Now that he was being asked to kill someone, he needed to prepare himself mentally.
"This time, the opponents are dangerous, but they are also very suitable. I have also assessed your various capabilities, Young Sect Master, and it would be extremely easy for you to defeat a Soul Emperor who wasn't wearing Battle Armor. So there is a chance of success in this battle." Uncle Song slowed his speech, helping Yu Longyue prepare himself mentally.
"Of these four Soul Ancestors and one Soul King, the Soul King may be a One-Word Battle Armor Master, and they are all Evil Soul Masters. Please prepare to give it your all, Young Sect Master, and fight to your heart's content. I will only intervene if you truly have no strength left to fight and are on the verge of death."
"Even if your life is in danger, I will not deal with them for you. Please forgive me, Young Sect Master, but this is a necessary part of the course. Even if you die here, I imagine the sect master will be deeply disappointed by it."
"I understand, Uncle Song."
Yu Longyue nodded, pushed open the car door, and walked toward the five Evil Soul Masters.
The night breeze brushed gently past, making Yu Longyue's white robes flutter softly. His steps were calm and steady.
Although his face still bore a trace of boyish youth, he possessed a maturity beyond his years.
Uncle Song watched Yu Longyue's departing figure silently from the car, a flicker of complicated emotion passing through his eyes.
This was a crucial moment in Yu Longyue's growth, and a trial he had to face as the clan's heir.
The clan's heirs had never had an easy time of it.
"According to the information, this should be the place, right?"
Five Evil Soul Masters walked down the street, all wearing their distinctive black robes with their faces concealed, making them look rather strange.
It was late at night, and there weren't many people left on the street, so no one paid them any attention.
"I didn't expect them to be so good at hiding, but it doesn't matter. In a few days, we'll capture them and take them back."
"Keep it down. Someone's coming."
The five immediately stopped talking and continued down the road. The few pedestrians who saw them hurried away.
"Tsk, if this were any other time, I'd capture them and drain their blood."
"We're here on a covert mission. Don't stir up trouble," the black-robed man in the lead said blandly. "Besides, killing people without Soul Power won't help us improve at all."
"True."
At that moment, a white-robed youth appeared in their sight on the other side of the street.
His extraordinary bearing and handsome appearance made him particularly eye-catching.
The hem of the youth's white robes fluttered gently in the wind. He was like an immortal among the clouds, with an air that transcended the mundane.
His face was handsome, with refined features and bright eyes. Although he still bore a trace of boyish youth, it did nothing to diminish his charm. Instead, it lent him an innocent appeal, making him look even more approachable and endearing.
With his hands casually tucked into his pockets, he walked calmly down the street. He neither retreated nor avoided the black-robed men, passing them without a trace of haste.
The five black-robed men slowed their steps.
One of them couldn't resist turning to look back at the white-robed youth.
"Boss, that kid's blood and Qi are incredibly strong!"
"If we capture him and drain him dry, maybe all our cultivation will rise by leaps and bounds."
"I sensed it. That youth has Soul Power in his body, and he's much weaker than us. Hehehehe, I can hardly wait."
The black-robed man in the lead stopped and turned to rebuke them. "Enough. That youth has such Soul Power at such a young age. He must have a powerful background. Don't forget our mission this time. Don't stir up trouble."
"But boss, this kid is the perfect target for us. Our mission is just to capture two Federation pharmacists. We can take care of that easily." The black-robed man behind him disagreed. He raised his right hand, and a blood-red light slowly swirled around it.
"But if we miss this chance, it won't come again."
"You..." The black-robed man in the lead raised a hand and pointed at him in anger, but after thinking it over, he lowered it again.
"Be quick. Don't delay the mission."
"Haha, if we all attack together, that kid won't be able to make any waves!"
Yu Longyue continued onward, passing through the quiet streets until he reached a more secluded area.
The buildings here were rather old, and there were hardly any pedestrians on the street. Dim yellow streetlights cast long shadows, lending the night an air of mystery and danger.
Yu Longyue stopped.
This was the ideal place for a fight.
He had already broken through two layers of the Golden Dragon King Seal within him, and his blood and Qi were exceedingly vigorous. The Evil Soul Masters couldn't possibly resist; they would definitely be unable to restrain themselves from following him.
Although he was capable of bearing more of the Golden Dragon King Seal's power, the first nine layers of the seal were the safe period. Naturally, the later he broke through them, the better.
Yu Longyue treasured his life and certainly didn't want the seal to kill him so soon.
As Yu Longyue pondered, the night breeze around him suddenly grew a few degrees colder.
"Little brother, you've come here alone so late at night. Is something weighing on your mind?"
Several black-robed figures slowly appeared, their gazes full of greed beneath their hoods.
"You can talk to us brothers about it. Maybe we can help ease your worries and solve your troubles."