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"Joining the Shrek Inspection Corps means facing death—with no reward."
Elder Xuan's gaze swept over them. "Now, all nine of you give me your answer: join or leave?"
"JOIN!"
Nine voices rang out in unison.
Xuan Zi smiled—a genuine warmth. The seven Inner Court students and Teacher Wang Yan nodded in approval.
"Good. I knew you weren't cowards." He turned to Ma Xiaotao and Wang Yan. "I told you this because you're about to face your first mission. Xiao Tao—explain the task. Xiao Wang—issue the gear."
"Yes, Elder."
Wang Yan handed each reserve a unique silver ring, its band set with a fingernail-sized emerald gem—vibrant, life-infused. The bezel bore Shrek Academy's iconic monster-head engraving.
"These rings are soul engineering devices," Wang Yan explained. "They allow me to track your location and status. In emergencies, they can even send distress signals."
Huo Yuhao blinked—he'd seen something similar. After joining the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Elder Zhi Yong had given him a token before their trip to the Far North. He still carried it.
Chen Junting noticed and leaned in. "Every major power gives such tokens to prodigies. Designs differ, functions vary. If you ever get into trouble outside, remember that."
"Brother Junting, you're joking," Huo Yuhao grinned sheepishly.
Chen Junting clicked his tongue. "You don't strike me as the obedient type. Just remember what I said. Some tokens have tracking features—you'll never know."
He turned back to Ma Xiaotao—but not before catching Huo Yuhao's thoughtful stare… and flickers of hatred.
Only Wang Dong noticed—and worry clouded his eyes.
---
"…This gang calls itself the Hand of Death," Ma Xiaotao continued, voice sharp as steel. "Its leader is an evil soul master named the Death God Envoy. We cannot underestimate him. This isn't training—this is kill or be killed. Our goal: total annihilation. Even eggs must be broken; worms split in half. There are no innocents among them."
Chen Junting's brow furrowed.
The Death God Envoy? The so-called 'Strongest Soul King'?
If he recalled correctly, the Inner Court would suffer heavy losses here—cementing the Death God Envoy's infamy.
Yao Haoxuan would die. Others barely survive. Only three would fight in the final battle.
His gaze shifted to Chen Zifeng, Xi Xi, and Gongyang Mo—those who'd fall.
Outer Court disciples paled at "killing." They'd slain soul beasts, but murder was new—horrifying.
Only Chen Junting and Ning Tian remained calm. During the holiday, Elder Wu Yan had impaled an Evil Soul Master's forehead right before their eyes—the brain and blood spatter unforgettable.
After Ma Xiaotao finished, Wang Yan stepped forward. "He Caitou, make cigars—especially those with your first soul skill effect. Evil soul masters use treacherous methods. One lapse in spiritual focus, and you're dead. Many strong soul masters fell that way."
Ma Xiaotao didn't object.
But when Wang Yan urged Gongyang Mo and Xi Xi to prepare soul engineering devices, especially defensive ones…
"Pfft—"
A scoff cut through the air. Ma Xiaotao's face twisted with disdain. She clearly looked down on soul engineering—and on Wang Yan himself.
Chen Junting understood: she only held her tongue because Wang Yan was Elder Xuan's junior and now an official team supervisor.
Still, her disrespect was obvious.
And Wang Yan heard it too. His smile froze—but discipline kept it intact.
Then Yao Haoxuan spoke up: "Teacher Wang, I'll pass on the soul engineering gear." He drifted aside, staring blankly at the sky.
Worse than silence.
Chen Zifeng, however, accepted the advice. Knowing his weak defenses—and having been humiliated by soul engineering before—he asked for guidance.
Gongyang Mo shook his head. "No gear either."
Xu Sanshi nearly laughed. This guy had a pure Attack-type soul master's pride. He'd chosen only ranged attack devices, ignoring anything else.
Xi Xi? She sought gear to amplify her strengths and cover weaknesses. But defense? "I trust my speed," she declared. "If I can't dodge—blocking won't help anyway."
Her logic left experienced soul engineers speechless. Who taught her that? A fool trying to save effort!
She thought soul engineering devices matched the user's tier—no more, no less.
He Caitou and Huo Yuhao had to explain—again.
"We should return to the city to stock up," Xi Xi suggested, eyeing the distant silhouette of Shrek City.
Wang Yan sighed, turning to Elder Xuan—
"Unnecessary. We've got extras."
Chen Junting stepped forward. In the next second, he and Ning Tian pulled two Invincible Barriers from their storage devices.
He Caitou's eyes bulged. "Two more!? Invincible Barriers!"
Then he calmed. Right. They're from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
When He Caitou revealed the device's rarity, Chen Zifeng, Gongyang Mo, and Xi Xi hesitated—then offered to buy them at market price.
Chen Junting and Ning Tian agreed.
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