Chapter 271: Mu En's Confidence
At Shrek Academy, within the Sea God's Pavilion, Qian Duoduo, vice dean of the Soul Tool Department, paced anxiously back and forth.
Meanwhile, the wide halls of the pavilion echoed with the sound of footsteps.
Qian Duoduo was deeply concerned about the safety of the exchange students.
After all, these students were some of the most promising talents at the academy. If anything happened to them on their way back, it would be a huge blow to the Soul Tool Department.
During this exchange program, eight outstanding students from Shrek's inner court soul tool division had been sent to Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
This was a rare opportunity, as the Soul Tool Department at Shrek had always lagged behind the Martial Soul Department.
These eight students had gained valuable knowledge about advanced soul tool technologies, and their return could significantly improve Shrek's soul tool research.
But if they were lost, then the exchange program would yield no benefits.
After all, Fan Yu and He Caitou had been expelled, leaving the department's future hopes resting on these eight students.
As for Bei Bei, Qian Duoduo didn't have much hope for him.
After all, before joining the exchange program, he wasn't even a soul engineer.
Even if he had learned soul tool crafting at Sun Moon Academy, his level was likely still very low.
Sitting in his wheelchair, Mu En slowly opened his old, wise eyes and looked at the restless Qian Duoduo.
"Duoduo, I know you're worried about the exchange students' safety, but there's no need for concern Xuan Zi has already left with Shaozhe to bring them back."
Qian Duoduo's face brightened with relief.
"You sent Elder Xuan as well?"
Elder Xuan was a Rank 98 Super Douluo.
In terms of raw strength, there were very few on the continent who could surpass him.
Mu En was one of the few exceptions but due to his ailing body, he couldn't fight without shortening his lifespan.
So, to Qian Duoduo, Elder Xuan was one of the strongest human soul masters alive.
"I didn't send him he volunteered." Mu En sighed.
"He said that protecting the students was of utmost importance, so he insisted on going with Shaozhe to ensure their safety."
Qian Duoduo felt a wave of emotion.
"It seems Elder Xuan deeply regrets his past mistakes. That must be why he cares so much about the students' safety."
"Indeed, Duoduo. That's exactly how I see it."
Mu En's aged face broke into a confident smile.
"As long as Xuan Zi acknowledges his past mistakes and works to correct them, Shrek Academy will only grow stronger."
*"Don't worry with Xuan Zi, Shaozhe, and Lin'er protecting them, the students will return safely.
They've spent so long learning Sun Moon soul tool technology let's hope they can help advance our own."*
The Lin'er he mentioned was Xian Lin'er, the Dean of Shrek's Soul Tool Department.
To ensure student safety, Xian Lin'er had also gone along.
However, she was meant to remain hidden, only revealing herself if the students were ambushed serving as an emergency backup force.
Meanwhile, in the Mountains
Dressed in a black robe and wearing a mask, Xuan Zi stood atop a mountain peak.
His gaze was fixed on the clear blue sky, but his patience was running thin.
This mountain pass was part of the return route for the Sun Moon exchange students.
He had stationed himself here specifically to ambush them.
To be honest, he wasn't afraid of Jing Hongchen.
Although Jing Hongchen was a Rank 9 Soul Engineer, when it came to one on one combat, he was no match for a Rank 98 Super Douluo like Xuan Zi.
Among Title Douluos, every level mattered immensely and the higher the rank, the more significant each breakthrough became.
"Killing Jing Hongchen might be difficult," Xuan Zi thought.
"As a Rank 9 Soul Engineer, he's bound to have multiple defensive soul tools maybe even an Invincible Barrier."
*"If I target him, he'll just stall for time until reinforcements arrive.
To avoid exposing my identity, I can't afford to go all out."*
"But killing the Sun Moon students? That'll be much easier."
"After all, the stronger a soul tool, the more powerful the user needs to be."
With this plan in mind, Xuan Zi activated his Martial Soul.
His body swelled, his breathing grew heavier, and his immense power surged.
His black robe expanded but remained intact a testament to its reinforced durability.
This robe was actually an eighth ranked soul tool designed for concealment and aura suppression.
Since Shrek only had eighth ranked soul engineers, this was one of the best soul tools they had developed.
Suddenly, in the distant sky, a black speck appeared.
As time passed, the speck grew larger, eventually revealing a convoy led by Jing Hongchen.
Seeing this, Xuan Zi knew the moment had come.
Taking a deep breath, he retrieved two small black flags.
These were Saint Spirit Banners, seventh ranked soul tools.
They were spoils of war from his battles against evil soul masters across the Three Douluo Nations.
Each flag contained a vast number of vengeful beast souls, which could be manipulated at will.
However, these flags originally required a spirit controller to use.
To lower the skill requirement, Xuan Zi had Shrek's eighth ranked soul engineers modify them.
Since he wanted to disguise himself as an evil soul master, he needed the right tools.
Of course, an authentic evil soul master would have a dark martial soul.
But unless Xuan Zi willingly corrupted himself, he could never truly possess an "evil martial soul."
So instead, he relied on these vengeful spirits to fake it.
As he gripped the banners, he could faintly hear the agonized wails of the trapped beast souls.
Yet, he felt no guilt.
After all, these were just soul beasts not humans.
If the banners contained human souls, he might have considered releasing them.
But when it came to soul beasts, he felt no sympathy.
Humans and soul beasts had always been mortal enemies.
Even though some people in history had formed bonds with soul beasts,
Xuan Zi was not one of them.
Meanwhile, in the Sky
"Stop right there."
From above, Starry Sky Douluo Ye Yulin descended, blocking Jing Hongchen's convoy.
Jing Hongchen frowned.
*"Ye Yulin, what's the meaning of this?
Did you notice something suspicious?"*
(End of chapter.)
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