Chapter 353 - 50

Chapter 50 White Tiger Duke Dai HaoDeep within the Snow Empress's castle, in the extreme northern ice plains.Despite having a clear goal and the hundred-thousand-year ice fire twin lotus, sealed and within reach, Dai Youheng did not let his eagerness cloud his judgment.He knew how perilous it was to absorb a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring beyond one's cultivation level. Even with guidance from the Snow Empress's remnant soul, protection from the ice crystal snow lotus, and Xiao Bai's powerful guardianship, his own condition had to be adjusted to a state of flawless perfection.With a spirit power of merely forty-something ranks, to accommodate the immense energy of a hundred-thousand-thousand-year Spirit Beast, any slight hidden danger could be infinitely magnified, leading to utter failure, or even the scattering of his soul."Sister Snow Empress, Xiao Bai, I need one day to fully restore my body and spirit power to their optimal state," Dai Youheng said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping across the cold yet secure fortress. "The environment here is excellent, with pure energy, perfect for recuperation."The Snow Empress's will expressed approval, "That is as it should be. Haste makes waste, especially for such a fundamental matter. Cultivate here with peace of mind; with Xiao Bai on guard, no one will disturb you."Xiao Bai immediately slapped the ice surface with his massive bear paw, producing a dull thud, and guaranteed in a muffled voice, "Uncle Youheng, rest assured, with Xiao Bai here, no one will even think of approaching Mother's home! You rest well; tell me if you need anything to eat, and I'll go catch it!"His simple and honest demeanor formed a peculiar contrast with his powerful aura.Dai Youheng smiled slightly and nodded. He found a side hall where the cold energy was purest yet not biting, and sat down cross-legged.The Golden Adamant Evil Warding Body slowly circulated, a faint golden glow enveloping his entire body. It not only repaired the last subtle internal injuries left from his battle with the Abyssal Ice Prison Tiger but also continuously absorbed and refined the rich ice-attribute energy of the place, solidifying the foundation of his spirit power that had just broken through to the peak of forty-second rank.His breathing gradually became long and steady, his mind calm, entering a deep state of cultivation where he forgot himself and his surroundings. The ice fortress was silent, with only the eternal chill and the massive ice bear guarding him.Meanwhile, thousands of miles away.The old and new generations of the Shrek Seven Devils from Shrek Academy, led by Xuan Zi, had already concluded their brief academy training and stepped out of the academy gates.Their destination was the Star Luo Empire's capital, to participate in the upcoming All-Continent Spirit Master Elite Tournament.However, the tournament was not their only mission. As members of the Shrek Supervision Team, it was their duty to eliminate evil forces on the continent.According to intelligence, a group of powerful Evil Soul Masters had established a stronghold near the Mingdou Mountain Range, at the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire, kidnapping people and committing all sorts of atrocities.Their first stop was not directly to the tournament grounds, but to the Star Luo Empire's Western Army garrison in the Mingdou Mountain Range, to obtain the latest and most detailed intelligence about that group of Evil Soul Masters.The group, covered in dust from their journey, finally arrived at the military camp. From a distance, the continuous tents resembled a colossal steel beast sprawling at the foot of the mountains, an oppressive aura assailing them."Elder Xuan, the military camp is just ahead," Zhou Yi said, pointing to the camp gate.Xuan Zi took a bite of a chicken leg and mumbled, "Hmm. Zhou Yi, Dai Hao's cultivation is not weak; your little disguise won't fool him.""I understand that." Zhou Yi nodded, reaching up to remove her signature reading glasses. "Moreover, facing White Tiger Duke, as a sign of respect, I should use my true appearance."Amidst the students' puzzled gazes, a strange scene unfolded. The air around Zhou Yi's body seemed to ripple and shatter like a mirror, and the stern, aged face she had disguised peeled away and dissipated like fragments.Behind the mirror, a woman's face appeared, looking only twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old, with delicate and charming features, completely different from the fierce old hag image she had presented earlier!"Surprised?" Zhou Yi looked at her dumbfounded students and smiled slightly. "This is one of the abilities of my Spirit, 'Eight-Faced Exquisiteness.' My original appearance doesn't quite match my teaching philosophy, so to better intimidate students, I usually just use my Spirit's power to disguise myself."Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and the other girls' eyes widened. They had never expected the strict Teacher Zhou to be so young and beautiful. Huo Yuhao was also slightly stunned."Let's go, to pay our respects to this pillar of the Empire, White Tiger Duke," Zhou Yi regained her serious demeanor and led the way towards the military camp."You all go; this old man is most impatient with dealing with these pompous nobles," Xuan Zi said, and before his voice faded, his figure flickered, disappearing like a ghost, presumably off to drink and eat meat somewhere.With a powerhouse like Xuan Zi lurking in the shadows, everyone felt at ease. Led by Dai Yueheng, they smoothly passed the sentries and entered the military camp.Upon entering the military camp, the aura of iron and bloodshed became even more intense. Though it was early morning, training had already begun. The soldiers' movements were uniform, their shouts shook the heavens, and powerful auras converged, sending shivers down one's spine. This was a truly battle-hardened, elite army.Dai Yueheng, as the eldest son of White Tiger Duke, introduced them to his companions with obvious pride, "Our Star Luo Empire's Western Group Army is the Empire's most powerful legion, specifically responsible for defending against the Sun Moon Empire. Its total strength is as high as five hundred thousand! And this Central Army you are seeing now is the elite of the elite, my father's strongest force!"His words were filled with reverence for his father and this army.Just then, a tall and upright figure strode towards them. The man wore bright silver armor, his posture as straight as a pine, nearly two meters tall, with golden long hair gently fluttering in the morning breeze.His face was rugged, with features as if carved by a knife and chisel, and a pair of tiger eyes, naturally awe-inspiring, held the majesty of one long in a position of power and the fierce aura forged by years of military service.It was none other than the White Tiger Duke of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Hao!Upon seeing their father, Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin immediately stepped forward, bowing respectfully, "Father!"Dai Hao's gaze swept over his two sons, a hint of imperceptible satisfaction appearing on his stern face, especially when he saw the Shrek Supervision Team insignias on their bodies, and he nodded.Zhou Yi stepped forward, stating their identity as the Shrek Supervision Team and explaining their purpose: to clear out the Evil Soul Masters in the Mingdou Mountain Range, requiring the military to provide detailed intelligence.Dai Hao took this very seriously, immediately summoning his adjutant and ordering the most elite scouts to fully cooperate in gathering accurate locations and strength distributions of the Evil Soul Masters for the Supervision Team.After the official arrangements were made, Dai Hao's gaze once again fell on his two sons, his tone softening slightly, "Yueheng, Huabin, you both have done well, not disgracing the White Tiger's prestige."Both of his sons had become members of the Shrek Seven Devils; he was naturally proud, even though his two sons from the concubine's lineage were unaccomplished, at least his legitimate son was quite good.To receive his father's personal affirmation, especially Dai Huabin, whose face flushed slightly with excitement, he loudly declared, "I will not fail Father's expectations!"