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"Hello," Bai Xu nodded slightly as a form of greeting. His relationship with the Shrek Seven Monsters was not deep—they were merely nodding acquaintances.
The group's feelings toward Bai Xu were complicated. To put it simply, he seemed like someone who went against the tide.
Shrek Academy was their dream, their second home. Yet Bai Xu had withdrawn from it, with Elder Cai personally approving his departure without any attempt to retain him.
The title of "Shrek Seven Monsters" was something they had longed for, yet Bai Xu didn't care about it in the slightest. In fact, even the current Seven Monsters, including Tang Wulin, had all been defeated by him.
No one could understand Bai Xu. If he had stayed at Shrek, he might have succeeded Yun Ming as the next master of the Sea God's Pavilion.
"Bai Xu, you must know that Wulin has gone missing. Have you seen him?" Xie Xie asked.
"No, I've been traveling around," Bai Xu replied.
With that, he took Na'er's hand and walked past the group. After exchanging a glance with Gu Yue, he gradually disappeared into the distance. It seemed he and Na'er really were together now.
"Wait!"
A shout made Bai Xu and Na'er pause. A cold-faced figure in white robes and blue hair had appeared among the crowd.
Wu Zhangkong stepped forward and said, "Bai Xu, you've already left Shrek Academy, so I have no right to interfere with your freedom. But Na'er is the Pavilion Master's disciple—she cannot leave with you."
Bai Xu didn't turn around, but Na'er looked back with a smile. "Teacher Wu, I've already left a letter for Master. I believe he'll understand. My talent is gone, and even if I stayed at Shrek, I might not make it into the inner court."
She declared proudly, "So... I want to stay by Bai Xu's side and travel the world with him!"
If it had been the former "Dragon Spear Goddess" who wanted to follow Bai Xu, it would never have been allowed.
But now, Na'er had lost all her talent—she couldn't even compare to Xie Xie. She was no longer capable of inheriting Yun Ming's Skyreach Spear, and staying at Shrek wouldn't do her any good.
The only remarkable thing about her now was perhaps her beauty.
Wu Zhangkong still wanted to persuade her, but suddenly, a large hand rested on his shoulder, silencing him.
It was Elder Cai.
She said solemnly, "I don't know how you got to the Douluo Continent, but are you really certain about following Bai Xu?"
Na'er nodded firmly.
"Fine. I'll relay your decision to the Pavilion Master. As for whether he'll come personally to bring you back... I can't guarantee that."
Elder Cai observed the bright smile on Na'er's face. She seemed genuinely happier with Bai Xu than she had ever been at Shrek.
"Thank you, Elder Cai."
Bai Xu and Na'er walked away, strolling through the bustling city, admiring rare sights and leaving their footprints in the world.
"Gu Yue, aren't you going after them?" Xu Xiaoyan whispered. "I saw Bai Xu and Na'er together during the final exams..."
"No need. Let him go."
Xu Xiaoyan felt her worldview shatter. Gu Yue, such a proud girl, was actually willing to... She glanced at Bai Xu's retreating figure and silently expanded her horizons.
---
Two Days Later.
Bai Xu finally sensed the return of the leader of this hideout—the Soul King who had led the village massacre, along with two Soul Ancestors and several Soul Elders.
These enemies posed no threat to Bai Xu. Under his mental assault, none could stand against him.
Beside him, Na'er gripped her Silver Dragon Spear, eager for battle.
She was already at rank 49, on the verge of breaking through to Soul King. Gu Yue had long since reached the five-ring level.
"Go. Make it quick."
Na'er nodded. A silver battle skirt materialized around her as she activated her one-word battle armor. Without hesitation, she thrust her spear, instantly killing the two Great Soul Masters guarding the gate. The commotion immediately alerted everyone inside.
"Who's there?!"
A furious shout echoed from within as the evil soul masters rushed out of the building, staring at the gate.
Though this hideout was located in the northeastern corner of White Tiger City, it was so well-hidden that few could find it.
Boom!
Na'er kicked the gate open, standing like a war goddess at the entrance. "All of you will die today!"
"Hmph, just a little girl. Once I capture you, I'll—"
Before he could finish his threat, the Silver Dragon Spear swept past several Soul Elders, draining them into withered corpses. Only then did they realize that this girl's methods were disturbingly similar to those of an evil soul master.
Four soul rings—purple, purple, purple, black—flashed as her fourth ring lit up.
The overwhelming spear intent made the two Soul Ancestors feel suffocated. Without regard for pride, they turned and fled. Na'er ignored them, instead pointing her spear at the Soul King.
"Make your move. I can handle a cross-rank challenge too."
The evil soul master's face darkened. Five soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—appeared as his fifth soul skill materialized into a venomous centipede, lunging at Na'er.
A silver flash tore through the centipede instantly. Na'er deliberately missed slightly, letting the Silver Dragon Spear devour the evil soul master's arm.
Then, Bai Xu appeared, dragging two lifeless bodies. Before the Soul King could die, Bai Xu pressed a palm against his forehead and pulled—a transparent soul emerged.
"Soul Search!"
Memories flashed rapidly. The Soul King's superior was a Soul Emperor—the youngest of the Zhong brothers, whom Bai Xu had met before.
This Soul King had been tasked with capturing ordinary people and delivering them to a hidden evil soul master temple outside the city. As for the purpose... Bai Xu found no answers in his memories.
"Any useful information?" Na'er asked.
Bai Xu nodded. "Yes. We've located an evil soul master temple outside White Tiger City. They're abducting people to send there. I don't know if the leader is the same Soul Sage from before."
"Let's go check it out!"
"Agreed."
---
Dawn.
Bai Xu and Na'er traveled underground, using his techniques to conceal their presence as they headed northwest. After a long search, they finally found the evil soul master temple.
The location was incredibly well-hidden—no major roads nearby, surrounded by mountains, and protected by illusion arrays. Without careful investigation, it would have been impossible to discover.
"Such a dark aura... Is this really an evil soul master temple? Why are they kidnapping people and bringing them here?" Na'er wondered.
"Not sure. Maybe if we capture the Soul Sage who attacked us and search his soul, we'll find out."
"We'll wait a few days. Let the World Spirit check if there are any Soul Douluos or Title Douluos present. If there are, we retreat. If not..." Bai Xu narrowed his eyes.
"Even without Soul Sage-level power, a level-79 Soul Sage and four high-tier Soul Emperors won't be easy to deal with, right?" Na'er said worriedly.
"Of course, we'll set up formations first. Since we're in the shadows, we'll prepare thoroughly. I'll also show you the power of formations in battle."
"Great!"
With that, Bai Xu and Na'er concealed themselves again, observing the enemy's movements. The World Spirit was summoned, carefully sensing the energy signatures within the temple.