Two streaks of light darted past dense treetops outside the inn, swiftly vanishing into the distance.
Occasionally, their figures flickered into view—it was none other than Xu Tianxi and Elder Yue.
Moments later, they reached the depths of the forest where the silhouette of Zhisen came into view.
"Senior, how did it go? Any trace of those bastards?" Xu Tianxi landed beside Zhisen, who was meditating and probing the surroundings with his spiritual power.
Of course, Xu Tianxi hadn't placed all his hopes on the Star Luo Empire's intelligence. Xiao Changfeng had already gathered some preliminary data beforehand; coercing Xu Jiujium to deliver more intel was just a way to deepen her hatred toward Shrek.
Yes, his actions would inevitably scar Xu Jiujium—and by extension the Star Luo Empire—but Xu Tianxi had no regrets. In fact, he was somewhat pleased that he seized this golden opportunity to play a flawless role using the Inner Court token Zhang Lexuan gave him years ago.
He had no intention of shackling himself with morals or labels like "good guy." His philosophy was simple: be gentle as a spring breeze to allies, but strike like thunder against enemies—ruthlessly and without hesitation.
Shrek Academy was destined to be his enemy. There was no room for negotiation.
He had already crushed Chen Xiaojie with ease, and with no better cover identity, pretending to be a Shrek Inner Court disciple was the most convincing option—especially since the Star Luo Royal Academy students practically handed themselves over on a silver platter.
And if he was going to play the role, he would maximize its utility.
With the Sword God Tang San's legacy looming overhead like a guillotine, Xu Tianxi dared not slack off. Everything he did now was to buy time and strength—until he was ready to challenge that legacy head-on.
Back in the day, Yan Shaozhe hadn't killed him when he had the chance. Now, Shrek would have to suffer the consequences of letting him live, just like they did when they were destroyed centuries later by a rank-12 Fixed Soul Ammunition Shell.
Of course, he had principles.
First: never collaborate with Evil Soul Masters. If he couldn't defeat them now, he'd deal with them after he grew stronger.
Second: never harm civilians. Soul masters could kill each other on the battlefield, but massacring innocents was unforgivable.
Zhisen opened his eyes and nodded gravely. "Young Master, I've roughly located them. The leader, the so-called 'Abomination Envoy,' appears to have already reached the Soul King rank. They've got about three to four Soul Ancestors, and more than thirty Soul Masters at or below Soul Elder. Should I strike first and thin the numbers?"
"Soul King? He was a peak Soul Ancestor just six months ago… not bad progress." Xu Tianxi raised an eyebrow and then responded solemnly, "I'll infiltrate first using Mirror Moon Illusion. Senior, follow but hold your strike. I'll test their strength; if I can handle the Abomination Envoy alone, all the better. If not, I'll leave him to you."
Zhisen nodded. "Understood. Just be careful—Evil Soul Masters are full of tricks."
He had witnessed Xu Tianxi's monstrous combat ability during last night's battle. Though Evil Soul Masters at Soul King level could pose a threat to even a Soul Emperor, Xu Tianxi was no ordinary Soul King.
"Elder Yue, with your experience, I'll need you stationed outside to intercept any stragglers. Not a single one of these monsters should be allowed to escape."
"Yes, understood." Elder Yue's tone was cold and murderous. Then he hesitated. "Young Master, you haven't seen firsthand how cruel Evil Soul Masters can be. Perhaps I should go in first and take care of the trash?"
"No need," Xu Tianxi shook his head after a moment of thought. "If it gets out of hand, I'll blast them with Soul Tools. This is my trial—I need to see it with my own eyes."
With that, the trio ascended the mountains, arriving at a massive cave concealed by thick vines.
Xu Tianxi activated his Moonlit Phantom Eyes and instantly narrowed his gaze.
On the cave walls hung layers of ragged hides—human skin, even baby skin.
"First time I've seen a group so desperate to die. Let's grant them that wish."
Activating his Grade-5 Flight Soul Tool and its stealth function, Xu Tianxi dived into the cave like a silent phantom.
"Second Soul Skill—Mirror Moon Illusion."
His spiritual and soul power expanded into a mental domain, freezing everything in the cave—thieves looting, rapists mid-act—all stopped as if someone pressed pause.
Dark green vines burst from the ground, sweeping away hostages as several blasts from pre-installed Fixed Soul Ammunition Shells lit the cavern in fire.
Booming roars echoed as icy blue and crackling purple energy surged—each detonation claiming lives frozen in time.
As he continued deeper into the stronghold, Xu Tianxi's twin Grade-4 Soul Cannons fired from each hand with clinical precision, his eyes devoid of emotion.
Killing... turned out to be nothing special. The more he did it, the more desensitized he became.
One particularly tough Soul Ancestor caught his attention. Not only was he radiating an eerie spiritual pressure, but he was gnawing on a child's arm.
Xu Tianxi incinerated him with a single Lunar Gaze Beam through the skull.
Suddenly—
"Who dares to provoke the Abomination Envoy?! Prepare to die!"
A revolting shout echoed from deep within the cave.
"You're the one who should prepare to die!" Xu Tianxi retorted coldly, deploying his Gatling-style Grade-4 Launcher packed with six Fixed Soul Ammunition Shells.
The cave shook as thunder and frost ravaged its walls.
"There's no escape," Xu Tianxi's cold gaze pierced the dust. "I've never let an Evil Soul Master escape. You won't be the first."
"Third Soul Skill—Cold Moon, Watching the Whale Fall!"
A spectral projection of a Deep Sea Devil Whale soared beneath a crescent moon formed from spiritual and elemental energy. Wrapped in water and lightning, Xu Tianxi's aura surged.
This hybrid domain-style Soul Skill doubled his soul power and spiritual strength, vastly increased his elemental resistance and explosive power. According to Xiao Changfeng, this skill allowed Xu Tianxi to go toe-to-toe with most Soul Kings.
Down below, the Abomination Envoy tried to flee using a Grade-4 Flight Soul Tool. Xu Tianxi summoned a vortex of water and lightning that dragged the rotund monstrosity back.
The enemy's Spirit—Abomination—was a grotesque undead creature once described in canon as one of the Spirit Hall's worst creations. He stood four meters tall and wide, practically a cube of diseased flesh, oozing venomous drool and poisonous fumes.
Despite being hit by six shells, the Abomination Envoy still lived, reinforcing his body with toxic fog and a golden aura that regenerated injuries.
But Xu Tianxi was relentless.
Focusing his mental energy into his Lunar Gaze, he fired. The beam pierced the Abomination Envoy's Flight Soul Tool and body, sending him crashing to the ground.
Just as Xu Tianxi prepared to finish the job—
"You forced my hand! Fifth Soul Skill—Blood Soul of Ten Thousand Corpses!"
The Abomination Envoy screamed as he shrank in size, blood oozing from two holes near his heart. His fat dissolved into a blood barrier shaped like a gaping maw.
Chunks of corpses hidden in the cave walls flew out, merging with the blood shield, which started to take on a humanoid form filled with toxic, evil energy.
"Good thing I destroyed the corpses earlier," Xu Tianxi muttered grimly.
This soul skill's strength scaled with how many corpses it absorbed. Fortunately, most had already been vaporized.
Knowing he couldn't give the enemy time, Xu Tianxi condensed dozens of violet-black orbs within his vortex. They brimmed with near-ultimate water and lightning energy.
"This is my strongest long-range technique. If this doesn't kill you, I'll rip that fat off with my bare hands!"
The orbs blazed through the air like a meteor shower, crashing into the blood soul barrier.
The Evil Soul Master's ultimate skill failed.
Thunder and frost devoured his last line of defense. The once-glorious Abomination Soul shattered into nothingness.
And yet... he still clung to life.
"You want me dead? Then die with me! Soul Hook of Possession!"
The madman launched a ghostly white hook attached to a bone chain—his strongest single-target move.
"Reckless fool!" Xu Tianxi roared, grabbing the hook with his bare hands.
Veins bulged as he pulled the chain—and the Abomination Envoy—toward him, before slamming his left fist, cloaked in black light, through the monster's face.
A pillar of soul power erupted from his body as the two clashed in a final blow.
One minute later—
Xu Tianxi stumbled out of the ruined cave, clutching his bleeding chest, his arms torn and shaking.
"Senior Zhisen… is he dead?"
"Completely obliterated," Zhisen replied firmly, having witnessed the entire battle.
"Good."
Xu Tianxi smiled weakly. "And the others?"
"Six of his so-called Demon Soul Knights: four dead, one dying, and one captured."
"Perfect. Senior, please take me somewhere safe to recover. I can't even fly right now."
"You're not in danger?"
"I'll live. The fight stirred something. I think… I'm about to break through. Once I do—let's pay the White Tiger Duke a visit."
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin