Deep within the dense forest, Scorpion Tiger Douluo Zhang Peng muttered curses under his breath as he used his spirit power to form invisible blades, slicing through the bushes and thorns blocking his way.
"A mere group of bandits like the Hand of the Reaper, and they actually deserve me to personally come to their rescue? If it weren't for the sensitive location of the Mingdou Mountain Range, and the fact that the leader of the Hand of the Reaper shows potential with a decent spirit that might develop into a Titled Douluo, I wouldn't have bothered coming all the way to this godforsaken place."
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Suddenly, a series of explosions erupted in the distance, causing Scorpion Tiger Douluo to shudder and his expression to become serious.
"Damn it, the inspectors from Shrek Academy arrived faster than I did. The Hand of the Reaper is done for this time!" he muttered angrily to himself.
Though he could go and slaughter the Shrek Academy's inspectors, Scorpion Tiger Douluo was a man of principles. Years ago, Dragon God Douluo Mu En had spared his life, and he swore never to reveal his presence in the Spirit Master world as long as Mu En was alive.
Hearing the explosions coming from the direction where the Hand of the Reaper was hiding, Zhang Peng decided he couldn't be bothered to rescue them and turned around to leave.
"This so-called 'Messenger of Death' has some talent, but it's a pity they'll most likely perish this time," he lamented. "Alas, I still haven't found a suitable successor for the Holy Emperor, someone who could lead us to eternal glory."
Suddenly, Zhang Peng felt something fly over his head, followed by the sound of a heavy object falling.
Instinctively, he reached out and felt something soft in his hand. It turned out to be a woman dressed in a dark green outfit and wearing a mask.
"An inspector from Shrek Academy?!" Zhang Peng's expression changed.
But soon after, he noticed the dark red feathers on her body that had not yet dissipated and the golden-red flames still burning. His eyes suddenly lit up.
"Flames with a sinister aura? Could this be the Evil Fire Phoenix Spirit?"
Scorpion Tiger Douluo stared blankly at the sky. Damn, did the heavens truly hear his prayers?
"Um, cough, cough, I wish for a 100,000-year-old spirit bone!" he tried saying out loud.
Of course, there was no response to such a plea.
He shrugged awkwardly, then transformed into a whirlwind, carrying the woman away from the Mingdou Mountain Range.
"Thanks to the bounty of nature, I actually picked up a saintess on the way out! The Holy Church is destined to prosper!"
Meanwhile, in a cave filled with flesh and dismembered limbs, Huo Yuhao bowed slightly, his ice-white eyes gleaming. Under his control, the Profound Ice Flame transformed into a ten-meter-long fire dragon that instantly swept through the entire cave.
This was the best way to handle the remains of several main team members after he discussed it with Wang Yan. After all, the scattered flesh and limbs could not be identified, nor could they be pieced together.
Elder Yi had suggested another method—using necromancy to turn these remains into a few undead creatures to add to the stock of the undead demiplane.
However, Huo Yuhao rejected this unethical and vile idea immediately, though he did say that he might consider using this method in the future when exterminating the White Tiger Duke's mansion.
The ice-white fire dragon devoured everything in the cave, and the intense heat instantly reduced all the remains to ashes. Wang Yan, Ling Luochen, and the others, watching this scene, silently shed tears again.
Wang Yan's tears were because he had trusted that old rascal Xuan Zi. He had initially thought that under Xuan Zi's protection, there would be no danger during this mission. However, he had not expected that his once-revered teacher's mentor would turn out to be such an unreliable old fool.
Ling Luochen's tears, on the other hand, were for her friends' mourning and the sorrow of seeing a companion's death. Of the current generation of Shrek's Seven Devils, only she remained. Moreover, she had witnessed how Chen Zifeng was killed by Xuan Zi. As a member of the inner court, she naturally knew Xuan Zi's identity.
If the future of Shrek Academy were to be led by such a drunken, foolish old man, would there still be any hope for her?
Footsteps echoed from the corridor, and a moment later, Xuan Zi's figure appeared in the cave.
"What's the situation?"
Releasing his spirit, Xuan Zi's face was as gloomy as a storm as he turned to Wang Yan for answers.
Since that incident in the Star Dou Forest, where a ten-thousand-year-old spirit beast attack caused significant casualties among the inner court disciples, this had been another major loss under his leadership.
In his grief, Xuan Zi failed to notice the cold look in Wang Yan's eyes.
Wang Yan paused for a moment before speaking, "Xi Xi, Gongyang Mo, Yao Haoxuan, and Chen Zifeng have all died in battle. Dai Yueheng's legs were severed, and he will likely be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life."
"Fortunately, Ling Luochen's condition is slightly better. Her internal organs were shaken, but with Yuhao's healing medicine, she is now out of danger. As for Ma Xiaotao, Elder Xuan, did you find her?"
At this point, not only Wang Yan but everyone in the cave turned to Xuan Zi.
Xuan Lao awkwardly coughed and shook his head slightly, "I couldn't find Xiaotao. I'm sorry."
Clenching his fists tightly, flames almost shot out of Wang Yan's eyes.
"Sorry, sorry! You always act like you're so above it all, and you even made me go to the academy's stalls every day to buy you barbecue.
Yet, when it came to the moment we really needed you, you were utterly useless, even attacking your own teammates. And now, a mere 'sorry' is supposed to make up for it?"
"What's the point of Shrek Academy spending so much money to support you, this worthless freeloader? Even a dog fed with leftover bones would bite someone in a crisis! But you, who gobble up wine and meat every day, still turn on your own people. You don't even qualify to be a dog!"
Of course, these thoughts could only be voiced in Wang Yan's heart. He was merely a teacher at Shrek Academy, while Xuan Zi was the second-in-command of the Sea God Pavilion; their statuses were worlds apart.
"Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan were relatively far away and reacted promptly, so they were not severely injured. After a few days of rest, they should be fine," Wang Yan said flatly. "But Xuan Zi, we only have one main team member left now. Does Shrek Academy intend to withdraw from this year's All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament?"
"Withdraw? No! Shrek's honor must not be lost!" Xuan Zi shouted. But he quickly realized his emotions were out of control, so he took a deep breath and began to think.
"Wang Yan, the heavy burden will fall on you. Take everyone to rest for a day, and then head straight to Star Luo City for the tournament. I'll take Dai Yueheng back to the academy for treatment. There's no time to waste; let's move immediately!"