The Shrek Inspection Corps was always assigned the most dangerous missions. Beyond legality, the risk alone meant they shouldn't just be given a few robes and cloaks.
Even with the built-in padding in their clothes, they didn't even get a single defensive Soul‑Guided Tool.
No tools—except signal flares, which aren't actual defensive gear!
By the time reinforcements arrive, the person who set off the flare is probably already dead.
This is pure hardship without any safeguards!
Elder Xuan had already announced their mission:
"A bandit group of about three hundred men, led by an evil soul master, has entrenched itself in the Mingdou Mountains, ambushing merchants. Due to the terrain, neither the Sun-Moon Empire nor the Star Luo Empire has been able to wipe them out."
"This inspection mission has a single objective: eliminate them all—leave no one alive."
Leave no one alive.
That meant killing three hundred people.
The faces of the prep-team members turned pale. They had never actually killed anyone before.
Ma Xiaotao saw their reactions and gave a thumbs-up to the calm Jiang Qingtong, then reassured everyone:
"Don't be afraid. We'll handle the attack—you'll just assist and observe. This is just to familiarize you with the process."
Jiang Qingtong remembered the nature of this mission. No surprise—Elder Xuan, as a level‑98 Super Douluo, would likely let an evil Soul‑King explode and kill several Inner‑Court students right in front of them.
Tsk…
What a powerful, ravenous Douluo Elder Xuan was!
Still, even so, once he got angry, he'd cut down that evil soul master himself.
They made their way toward the Mingdou Mountains. Ma Xiaotao had planned to carry Jiang Qingtong, and so had Ling Luochen—claiming ice belongs with ice. But Ma Xiaotao wouldn't yield; her cultivation far exceeded Ling Luochen's, and Jiang Qingtong had the Evil‑Phoenix Soul, so attributes matched!
Neither backed down.
This surprised the other Inner Court students—never seen Ling Luochen act like this before.
Watching them still arguing, Jiang Qingtong raised a hand:
"Um… I'll fly myself."
"Huh?"
Everyone looked at her, startled.
Ma Xiaotao asked,
"Fly yourself? Using your Evil‑Phoenix Soul? But your soul power wouldn't last that long."
"No, I'll use a flying Soul‑Guided Tool."
Jiang Qingtong shook her head and opened her Storage tool to hand out a few sets of flying devices.
"Let's not waste time—let's take out that evil soul master quickly, get to Star Luo City, and rest up before the tournament."
"Right! Qingtong's plan makes sense!" Ma Xiaotao nodded approvingly.
The others were surprised by Jiang Qingtong's generosity in handing out expensive flying gear.
Ling Luochen asked,
"Junior sister Qingtong, is your family rich? These flying tools—the craftsmanship, specs—they're not cheap."
"They're just average. My family worries about me being left out, so they asked me to carry more tools—makes traveling easier." Jiang Qingtong smiled.
Jiang Nannan examined the tool in her hand silently.
"I've never used one before. What if it breaks?"
Her main concern wasn't her own safety—it was how she'd repay Jiang Qingtong if it got damaged. She doubted even all her family's assets could replace one.
"Don't worry. These are made by the Mingde Hall in the Sun‑Moon Empire. High quality, very durable." Jiang Qingtong gave a thumbs-up, easing the atmosphere.
With Jiang Qingtong's support, the group departed Shrek City and soon reached the edge of the Mingdou Mountains. Elder Xuan obtained a detailed map from the Star Luo Empire garrison.
Jiang Qingtong secretly applauded Elder Xuan—smart move. Getting intel in Shrek's name from Star Luo troops didn't expose their affiliation.
Elder Xuan waved and said,
"Take the map and go with Wang Yan. Prep team, stay safe—don't get harmed."
Wang Dong asked,
"Elder Xuan, aren't you coming?"
Elder Xuan waved dismissively.
"No. This assignment is for all of you to handle. If I join, you won't get the chance to act."
They nodded.
"Yes, Elder Xuan!"
After Wang Yan and the team departed, Elder Xuan stretched and began munching chicken and drinking wine, settling into a place provided by the Star Luo garrison.
Meanwhile, Wang Yan led the team deeper into the forested ranges of Mingdou. With his experience and Jiang Qingtong's shared spiritual detection, they quickly located the evil soul master's band.
They came upon a clearing where footprints were scattered—but the leader was likely just downhill.
Wang Yan whispered to the group:
"According to detection, the enemy is just below this slope. Once we confirm identity, Xiaotao, your team attacks while the prep team and I support."
"Understood!" They nodded and donned their Inspection Corps attire—masks, cloaks, and uniforms—looking like a group from a masquerade ball.
Ma Xiaotao, leading the Inner Court team, charged down the slope. Wang Yan followed with the prep team.
At the foot of the slope stood the bandit hideout. The cave entrance was littered with corpses—the handiwork of the Inspection Corps, swift and merciless.
A thick stench of blood wafted from the cave. Jiang Nannan looked up and let out a horrified scream:
"Aah—!"
All eyes turned to the cave roof, where dozens of flayed human skins were hanging. Fresh blood dripped from them, pooling in abstract patterns on the ground, as if etched by the victims' ghostly fingers.
The scent was dizzying. Xiao Xiao, Jiang Nannan, and others staggered in shock.
Further inside, their blood ran cold. On a stalagmite lay a pierced infant's corpse—a horrific sign of the bandits' cruelty.
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