"I beg your grand-uncle! Say it or don't!"
Xiao Hongchen shot Jiang Shengyu a disdainful look.
From the side, Meng Hongchen added, "Shengyu, Nana is our teammate. We're all genuinely concerned about her family situation. If you've found something, just tell us."
With Meng Hongchen saying that, Jiang Shengyu dropped the joke. He tossed over an address and said to the two of them:
"Based on my investigation, this location appears to be a branch of an organization—likely one involved in some shady, evil dealings. Nana's parents… seem to be connected to them."
"Nana's parents are part of some evil organization?"
Both Xiao and Meng Hongchen frowned deeply.
Jiang Shengyu shook his head. "No. From what I found, it's more likely the organization is using her parents as leverage to force Nana into working for them."
Xiao Hongchen slapped the armrest and sat up straight, angrily exclaiming, "I can't believe a place like this exists in Mingdu! This is outrageous! Shengyu, gather some men—we'll storm the place and wipe them out!"
"Don't be reckless," Jiang Shengyu stopped him, placing a hand on his arm. "According to my intel, this organization deals with souls. I suspect they've captured the souls of Nana's parents. Without a solid plan, if we act hastily, their souls could be lost."
"Capturing souls?"
Xiao and Meng Hongchen both looked troubled.
Meng asked, "What kind of organization are we dealing with?"
"They seem to be called the… Holy Spirit Cult. Though when they operate in Mingdu, they disguise themselves as a group called the Holy Spirit Sect," Jiang Shengyu said thoughtfully, deliberately emphasizing the name.
"Holy Spirit…"
Xiao and Meng Hongchen exchanged a glance and both shook their heads. "Never heard of it."
"Well of course you haven't. They're a deeply hidden sect of evil soul masters. How could you have heard of them?" Jiang Shengyu shrugged.
Xiao Hongchen stared at him. "If they're that hidden, then how did you find out?"
"I'm just that good," Jiang Shengyu replied with a cheeky grin.
Xiao Hongchen rolled his eyes. "Give me a break!"
Meng Hongchen looked at both of them, then asked, "If what you're saying is true, Shengyu, and this group is so mysterious and capable of soul manipulation—how do we fight them? We can't just sit around while they keep capturing innocent souls in Mingdu, can we?"
Nana might be one victim, but she was clearly not the only one. There had to be more—people trapped in the same way, forced to serve against their will.
Jiang Shengyu turned to Meng Hongchen, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's wait until we return from Star Luo City. By then, we should have a way."
"What kind of way?" Xiao asked.
"I don't know," Jiang Shengyu replied calmly. "But we will have one."
Seeing his vague but confident tone, Xiao and Meng Hongchen both fell silent.
"You always have to be the mysterious one, don't you?" Xiao muttered.
Jiang Shengyu just grinned.
---
A few days later, Huo Yuhao completed the current phase of his soul tool research. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy's official and preparatory teams set off together.
Though the teachers technically led the group, there was one clear fact: they were traveling with a Marquis of the Empire—Jiang Shengyu.
That meant his word often outranked the instructors.
Power is evil...
But damn, it feels good!
Unlike the Sun Moon Empire, which had set off early due to the distance, Shrek Academy wasn't far from Star Luo City, so Jiang Qingtong and the others were still at the Academy preparing.
---
In the Sea God Pavilion, Beibei stood before Mu En, his head slightly bowed.
"I've tried a lot of approaches these past few days," he said. "But Jiang Qingtong keeps her guard up no matter what I do. I don't think this plan is going to work."
Mu En looked at him and asked, "Beibei, have you brought up Tang Ya with her?"
Beibei paused, then shook his head. "No. I've never mentioned Xiao Ya in front of her."
"She knows you and Tang Ya are a couple. Of course she won't let her guard down. You need to make things clear—tell her you and Tang Ya are no longer together! That's the only way you'll have a chance," Mu En said, voice firm.
Beibei hesitated. "I…"
"Beibei! Trust me—you'll understand my intentions in time. Tang Ya… she's not a suitable match for you," Mu En insisted.
Beibei nodded on the surface, but inwardly, he smiled bitterly.
Tang Ya isn't suitable for him—but Jiang Qingtong is?
It was all about the future of Shrek Academy, wasn't it?
So be it. He had long since accepted his fate. As the only inheritor of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon in his generation, as the great-grandson of the Sea God Pavilion Master, he—Beibei—had never truly had control over his own life.
His entire life belonged to Shrek Academy… and to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
If only their ancestors Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong had successfully passed on the martial soul legacy, perhaps the clan wouldn't have ended up with nothing but defective spirits like Luo Sanpao…
But now, Mu En, with a successful mutation, and Beibei himself—with the true Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon spirit—were the only shining exceptions in ten thousand years!
---
After taking his leave from Mu En, Beibei had just returned to the outer court when he received a message from Xuanzi, summoning him to the inner court training grounds with all the preparatory team members.
When Beibei and Jiang Qingtong arrived with the team, they found seven people already standing beside Xuanzi.
Two of them were familiar to Jiang Qingtong: Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng.
The others she didn't know.
Xuanzi stood before them and announced, "Now that everyone's here, let me introduce you! These seven are this generation's Shrek Seven Monsters—the official representatives for the Soul Master Tournament. There are still ten days until the competition begins, which should be enough time for you all to get acquainted."
Under Elder Xuan's guidance, both sides began introducing themselves.
The preparatory team went in order by age. Jiang Qingtong was just ahead of Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao. Though she was a well-known figure in the outer court, her reputation hadn't spread as widely in the inner court, so the current Seven Monsters didn't seem particularly surprised.
Only Ma Xiaotao waved at her with a warm smile, while Dai Yueheng also offered a friendly nod.
Once all the members of the preparatory team finished introducing themselves, a subtle shift occurred.
Dai Yueheng, Beibei, He Caitou, and Jiang Nannan—the older, more familiar names—were quietly ignored by the Seven Monsters beside Ma Xiaotao.
All their attention had locked onto the three younger members standing behind them.
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