Soto City was located in the southwest region of the Heaven Dou Empire. The nearest coastal metropolis, Hanhai City, was at least a month's journey away. However, this expedition obviously couldn't afford to waste most of its time on traveling.
Therefore, after leaving Soto City, the group traveled using soul power. In just one week, they arrived at Hanhai City.
Along the way, when Ma Hongjun and Oscar couldn't keep up with the teachers all of whom were at least Soul Emperor level their respective teachers carried them using their own soul techniques.
Flender took Ma Hongjun, and Gai Yue took Oscar.
Although the journey was long, it was far from comfortable. Upon arrival in Hanhai City, they checked into a luxurious hotel and rested for two days. After preparing the necessary supplies for their sea expedition, they set out.
Their goal was to hunt powerful oceanic soul beasts whale type creatures capable of producing whale glue. To that end, they spent 100,000 Gold Soul Coins to purchase a small ship equipped with both offensive and defensive weaponry, along with a full suite of facilities.
They also stocked the ship with numerous soul tools, both large and small, spending nearly half of what Shao Xin and Oscar had earned over the past three years from auctioning jelly beans and sausages.
Given that they would be at sea for at least two months, this level of preparation was considered necessary to avoid any accidents.
Flender had already conducted detailed research on the distribution and strength of marine soul beasts. The expedition had a detailed plan and only needed to reach their predesignated target zones.
As soon as they encountered suitable whale type soul beasts, they would act.
Of course, there were some areas they dared not enter regions ruled by 100,000 year old sea soul beasts, such as the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's territory and the Evil Demon Tiger Whale Clan's domain.
Before departure, Flender had also hired a captain and three crew members. The ship was semiautomated, so few people were required. Moreover, Flender wanted to maintain secrecy fewer people meant less risk.
Two days later, fully rested, the team set sail.
Whale type sea soul beasts typically resided in deeper waters, so it took them a full week to reach their first target zone.
During this week, although they encountered several sea soul beasts, none were suitable targets. Up to that point, they had no gains from the expedition.
Now that they had reached their first preselected destination, the group no longer worried about leaving emptyhanded.
This area was home to a Deep Sea Blue Whale clan. According to their intel, this clan had over fifty members, led most likely by a 10,000year level powerhouse.
Upon arrival, Flender took on the role of scout. Using his Owl Martial Soul which gave him flight and enhanced vision he spent just three days locating the Deep Sea Blue Whale clan.
Flender initiated a probing attack, provoking retaliation. In the process, he confirmed both the location and strength of the clan and returned to the ship.
His findings:
Total: 41 Deep Sea Blue Whales
Leader: 23,000+ years of cultivation
Three others: 10,000+ years
15 whales: Over 5,000 years
22 whales: Below 5,000 years
Flender compared their overall power against the Shrek team's strength.
Flender would handle the leader alone. While sea soul beasts had an advantage in water, his Owl Martial Soul had a natural suppressive effect on them.
The other three 10,000year beasts would be handled by Zhao Wuji, Lu Qibin, and Li Yusong.
Zhao Wuji, at nearly level 75, could handle one easily.
Although Lu Qibin and Li Yusong might struggle solo, Shao Xin's jelly bean boosts would guarantee victory.
The remaining 20+ soul beasts under 1,000 years would be no problem for Gai Yue, whose Frost Moon Sword Martial Soul had powerful ice type abilities.
With the ice attribute granting him better control in water battles, Gai Yue could dominate the low tier sea beasts.
The Shrek team intended to eliminate the entire whale clan in one decisive strike.
Their tactical advantage lay in Gai Yue's ability to split the battlefield, isolating enemies and preventing the soul beasts from fighting as a unified force a critical advantage since this was the soul beasts' home turf.
Once the strategy was finalized, the team launched their assault.
For the past two months, Shao Xin had been mass producing soul skill jelly beans, and Oscar had made a large quantity of sausages, fully preparing for the logistics of battle.
Because the whale clan was so formidable, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Shao Xin were ordered to stay behind. If they joined, the veterans would be forced to protect them, weakening the attack.
Still, Oscar wanted to observe the high level combat. So, he planned to steer the ship to the battlefield's edge, hide nearby, and watch secretly.
If anything went wrong, they could immediately retreat the ship's maneuverability at sea was reliable.
As for the captain and crew, being ordinary mortals, they would hide in the control room and flee at the first sign of danger.
Oscar did want to fight, but he was self aware. In the past two months, he'd advanced to Soul Level 24, but at best, he could only contend with a 100year Deep Sea Demon Whale. Against the current opponents, he opted for a "stealth development" strategy.
After final checks, the team departed. Once the ship reached 1,000 meters from the whale territory, they docked near a small island.
Gai Yue and Flender took to the skies.
Though not Titled Douluo, both were Soul Emperors, with enough soul power to run on the sea for short bursts.
But they didn't run they rode a sword.
Gai Yue summoned his Frost Moon Sword Martial Soul, which grew to ten meters with a burst of soul power. Everyone stood on it, flying across the ocean like true sword immortals.
He didn't use his Martial Soul True Body. This giant sword was a construct made by channeling ice element soul power through the Frost Moon Sword its soul power cost was negligible.
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