Wind swept through the clouds as battle flags snapped loudly.
This was the western border of the Star Luo Empire—and also the front line facing the Sun Moon Empire.
A dense, almost tangible killing intent hung over the vast military camp stretching across the plains.
When Xuan Zi led the Shrek Academy team down outside the main gate, the garrison soldiers immediately went on high alert.
But that vigilance quickly turned into awe.
Because a man strode out from the main command tent.
He was the soul of this army—the Grand Marshal of the Star Luo Empire, Marshal Dai Hao!
"That is… Father?"
Among the group, Dai Yueheng stared at the man clad in silver armor, his figure towering like a mountain. A complicated expression flashed across his eyes—admiration, longing, and a trace of deeply buried fear.
Though he was the eldest son of the Duke's Mansion and the future heir, within a military camp there were no fathers and sons—only marshals and soldiers.
Dai Hao's gaze swept across the group, pausing briefly on Dai Yueheng. He gave a slight nod, then turned directly toward Xuan Zi, who was holding a chicken leg and eating with his mouth full of grease.
The iron-blooded duke who commanded hundreds of thousands of troops stepped forward and respectfully performed a junior's salute.
"Elder Xuan, I didn't expect you to personally lead the team."
"I failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me."
Xuan Zi waved his hand and spoke indistinctly through his chewing.
"Alright, alright. No need for empty formalities."
"I'm just guiding these little brats out to gain some experience."
"Tell them about the mission."
"Yes."
Dai Hao responded at once. He turned around, a dignified smile appearing on his stern face, and gestured politely toward Ma Xiaotao and the others.
"Esteemed students of Shrek, please come inside."
Inside the command tent, a massive sand table occupied the center, clearly marking the surrounding terrain.
Dai Hao wasted no words. He picked up a command baton and pointed toward a dangerous-looking mountain range marked on the sand table.
A large skull, painted in red cinnabar, stood out clearly.
"This is your mission target—the Ming Dou Mountain Range."
Dai Hao's voice was deep and steady.
"The enemy is a bandit group."
"There are roughly thirty of them, entrenched within the Ming Dou Mountains. The terrain there is treacherous—easy to defend and hard to attack."
"They are extremely cruel. They frequently descend the mountains to raid nearby villages, committing arson, murder, and plunder."
A cold glint flashed through Dai Hao's eyes.
"The most critical point is that their leader is an Evil Soul Master at the Spirit King level."
"According to intelligence, he calls himself the 'Reaper's Envoy.' He can manipulate corpses and vengeful spirits, and his methods are extremely bizarre."
At the words Evil Soul Master, the expressions of everyone present tightened slightly.
At that moment, Xu Sanshi, who had been silent, raised his hand with a puzzled look.
"Lord Duke, I have a question."
"Go ahead," Dai Hao said, looking at him.
Xu Sanshi scratched his head and pointed toward the seemingly endless military camp outside the tent.
"You've got so many elite soldiers here."
"Why not just send an army to flatten the mountain?"
"Or dispatch a few Spirit Master squads to suppress them?"
"Why go through the trouble of calling in our Shrek Supervisory Group from so far away?"
This was also the doubt shared by many of the others.
Wasn't this like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken?
Dai Hao smiled bitterly and set the command baton down.
"Young man, you don't understand."
"The terrain of the Ming Dou Mountains is extremely complex—ravines everywhere, caves packed densely together."
"If an army moves out, the commotion is too great. Before our troops even reach the mountain's foot, those crafty bandits will already have fled deep into the mountains and vanished."
He paused, helplessness showing on his face.
"As for sending small elite squads… we tried that."
"But that Evil Soul Master leader is quite formidable, and his methods are vicious."
"The reconnaissance teams we sent… only their corpses were returned. Their deaths were extremely gruesome."
"For ordinary Spirit Master units, facing an Evil Soul Master results in excessive casualties."
"That's why I had no choice but to request help from the Academy."
"Only an elite Spirit Master team like yours—with strong individual strength and tight coordination—can perform a decapitation strike in that terrain and completely eradicate this malignant tumor."
Dai Hao's explanation was logical and clear.
Everyone nodded in understanding.
A trace of confidence appeared on their faces.
This Duke of the White Tiger truly knew what he was doing.
He knew exactly what kind of team they were.
"Understood."
Ma Xiaotao finally spoke, nodding as blazing battle intent burned in her eyes.
"Since these beasts are so arrogant, we'll send them straight to hell."
Dai Yueheng stepped forward, performed a crisp military salute to Dai Hao, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Father, rest assured. The Shrek Supervisory Group guarantees completion of the mission!"
Looking at this group of confident, spirited youths, Dai Hao nodded in satisfaction.
"Good!"
"I'll prepare a victory banquet here and await your triumphant return!"
After bidding farewell to Dai Hao, the group left the military camp and headed toward the Ming Dou Mountain Range.
Once they were outside the camp's perimeter, Xuan Zi—who had been following silently at the rear—suddenly stopped.
He took a swig of wine, wiped his mouth, and spoke calmly.
"Everyone, halt for a moment."
The group stopped and turned around.
Xuan Zi's gaze grew serious, losing all traces of laziness.
"The mission of the Supervisory Group isn't just to eliminate enemies—it's also training for you."
"I won't accompany you any further."
"I'll be hiding in the shadows, observing."
He raised one finger and gently shook it.
"Unless you encounter a truly unavoidable, life-threatening danger, I will not intervene."
"But once I do…"
He emphasized the final words heavily.
"It means your supervision mission this time—has failed."
To Shrek students, the word failure was more unbearable than death.
It was an insult to their honor.
"Yes, Elder Xuan!"
Everyone responded in unison, their expressions turning more solemn.
—
The Ming Dou Mountain Range.
The mountains here were steep and jagged.
Though vegetation was thick, it carried a gloomy, dark-green hue, as though it hadn't seen sunlight for years.
A faint scent of decay lingered in the air.
As they ventured deeper, the oppressive feeling intensified.
Walking in the middle of the group, Huo Yuhao's brows were tightly furrowed.
His Spiritual Attribute Spirit gave him perception far beyond that of ordinary people.
From the moment he entered the mountain range, his Spiritual Sea had been assaulted by a faint yet persistent stinging sensation.
It was his instinctive warning.
"Something's wrong…" Huo Yuhao murmured.
"What is it, Yuhao?" He Caitou asked quietly beside him.
"I've got a really bad feeling."
Huo Yuhao looked toward the gloomy valley ahead, worry flashing in his eyes.
"The smell of blood here is too strong."
"And if that Evil Soul Master could wipe out the elite squad the army sent, he's definitely not just an ordinary Spirit King."
"His methods might be far more bizarre than we imagine."
He Caitou nodded, his expression turning serious as well.
As a top student of the Soul Tool Department, he trusted preparation above all else.
"Then we should prepare something."
The two exchanged a glance and quickly reached an agreement.
Soon, on a slightly flatter stretch of ground, Huo Yuhao called out to the group moving at high speed.
"Um… Seniors, could you wait a moment?"
Ma Xiaotao stopped, turned around, and looked at him impatiently.
"Huo Yuhao, what is it?"
"We're almost at the target area. Don't waste time."
Ignoring her tone, Huo Yuhao quickly pulled out a large pile of metal items from his storage soul tool.
Close-fitting armor, small shields, and bracer-like devices.
These were the defensive soul tools he and He Caitou had brought from the Academy.
Most were Rank 3 or 4—not especially high-ranked.
But at critical moments, they could save lives.
"Senior Sister, Seniors," Huo Yuhao said earnestly.
"The terrain here is complex. The enemy is hidden, and we're exposed."
"And Evil Soul Masters have strange, unpredictable methods."
"These defensive soul tools were brought by Senior Brother He and me. Everyone should take one."
"In case of ambushes or explosions, they can help block some damage."
He Caitou scratched his head honestly and added,
"Yeah, everyone take one."
"Better safe than sorry."
However—
Faced with their good intentions, the Inner Court disciples' reactions were cold.
Even… faintly disdainful.
Ma Xiaotao glanced at the pile of metal and didn't reach out.
With her Evil Fire Phoenix Spirit, she believed the best defense was offense.
As long as her flames were strong enough, what Evil Soul Master could even get close?
Besides, carrying heavy metal would only slow her down.
"No need."
She waved her hand, arrogance evident in her tone.
"Keep these for yourselves."
"I'm a Power Attack System Spirit Master. I don't need this kind of burden."
Dai Yueheng also shook his head.
With the White Tiger Spirit, once his three enhancement Spirit Abilities were active, his physical defense rivaled that of a Defense System Spirit Master of the same rank.
A Rank 3 or 4 soul tool barrier?
In his eyes, it wasn't as sturdy as his White Tiger Vajra Transformation.
"Junior Brother Yuhao, we appreciate your concern," Dai Yueheng said calmly.
"But every Inner Court disciple of Shrek is battle-hardened."
"We believe in our own Spirits and strength."
"As for soul tools—"
He paused. Though he didn't say it outright, the meaning was clear.
Those were for the weak.
Chen Zifeng, Xi Xi, and the others all echoed the same sentiment.
In Shrek Academy's traditional philosophy, the Spirit was the foundation.
Soul tools were merely auxiliary—or even shortcuts.
For top-tier geniuses like them, relying too much on soul tools would only hinder their cultivation.
Watching everyone refuse one by one, Huo Yuhao opened his mouth, wanting to persuade them further.
"But—"
"No buts."
Ma Xiaotao cut him off, turned around, and continued forward.
"Enough wasting time."
"Let's move."
"When the fighting starts, you Outer Court members just stay behind us."
"A mere Evil Soul Master gang—we'll deal with them easily."
As she spoke, a flash of red shot forward.
Ma Xiaotao had already rushed ahead.