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"This time, Old Poison (Du Busi) truly took a heavy loss." Ye Xuanji stroked his beard lightly, unable to conceal his schadenfreude. "Let him attack our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—today we'll make him bleed."
"Mingde Hall is in trouble." Zhi Yong picked up the thread. "Who knows how much will remain after the Body Sect's raid and looting?"
"We should inform Yuhao first."
Setting aside the sealed, life essence poison extracted from Du Busi's attack aftermath, Yang Zihan raised the crucial point.
Huo Yuhao was still an exchange student at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. If the Body Sect encountered him by chance, it would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den. Du Busi might even abandon his captured disciples to get him.
"I'll have someone notify Uncle Bai about this."
Ning Bowen then produced a document, passing it around to the three elders. "Though no disciples died in this battle, our sect's buildings and defensive soul guide devices suffered massive damage. We must repair them immediately."
"Inform the eighth-grade soul guides and architects to rebuild Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's defenses. This attack also serves as a warning—our security measures remain insufficient. Every position, including underground, must be covered without blind spots, leaving attackers no opportunity."
"Yes."
...
Nine Treasures City, Nine Treasures Grand Hotel.
"The Body Sect attacked!?"
Not long after the Body Sect's retreat, the unharmed Chen Junting and Wu Feng met Ning Tian and others at the hotel.
During the battle, the Body Sect had blocked external perception, so Nine Treasures City residents only knew someone had attacked the sect—but not who, nor the battle's outcome.
Only Sect Master Ning Tian, as heir apparent, received immediate news of the attack. The confirmation of everyone's safety calmed her initial anxiety.
When Chen Junting and the others arrived, she inquired about details.
"They came but gained nothing," Chen Junting replied.
Ning Tian frowned. "What about the sect's condition?"
"Not a single death. Aside from damaged buildings and soul guide devices, everything else remains intact."
Chen Junting's words left everyone stunned.
Was the Body Sect here to play?
This surprise attack was utterly pointless.
"Not quite," Wu Feng crossed her arms, smugly. "Many Body Sect disciples were captured. Now that old bastard Du Busi must figure out how to ransom them back."
"No casualties is good, very good."
Ning Tian exhaled in relief and signaled the kitchen to serve dishes. Chen Junting took the opportunity to introduce Gu Tianchen to everyone.
"Brother, you're amazing!"
Yao Haoxuan, who had graduated from Shrek's Inner Court and formally joined the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, was first to praise Gu Tianchen after hearing his story. His admiration was completely sincere.
"I've met many evil soul masters. Those who become evil without martial soul influence either crave power or wallow in self-pity until they fall into depravity. Men like you? Rare!"
"You flatter me." Even after hearing such praise from a Shrek prodigy before, Gu Tianchen still felt awkward.
In his view, precisely because he'd endured such wretched experiences, he could better understand the suffering of others like him. Doing what he could to shield these children was simply the right thing.
Soon, conversation turned to cultivation progress.
The fastest advancement belonged to Dugu Xin. With his Eight Spider Spear external soul bone and Yang Zihan's medicinal concoctions purging toxins from his body, he could now cultivate his clan's sealed-away poison techniques without restraint. His cultivation surged forward.
He had already become a Level 51 Soul King.
Qin Lan, Gao Ming, Nanmen Yun'er, and the Lan sisters were also approaching the Level 40 threshold. Though varying in pace, all aimed to become Soul Kings before the next Soul Master Tournament.
"Excellent, excellent."
Chen Junting clapped lightly, smiling. "When our sect forms a team for the tournament, we'll have at least four Soul Emperors and eight Soul Kings. That's rarely seen in Soul Master Tournaments."
"Quite right."
A fierce ambition flashed in Ning Tian's eyes. "Only Shrek and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy will be our ultimate opponents."
Hearing everyone's agreement, Chen Junting smiled silently.
After all, no one knew Xu Tianran would permit the Holy Spirit Church—comprised of evil soul masters—to participate in the tournament. But since they dared show up, they'd chop off their new generation's claws.
However...
Chen Junting's brows furrowed slightly as a thought struck him. The next Soul Master Tournament would be fraught with danger. They still needed a way to avoid the Sun Moon Empire's hunting operations.
Additionally, there was the Qiankun Love Valley.
"What must come will come."
Electrolux's voice echoed in Chen Junting's mind. "Rather than worrying about this, focus on strengthening yourself. And as long as you grow stronger, even plunging in headfirst would be fine."
"Master."
Chen Junting focused his mind inward.
"Junting, it's time for you to travel the world."
After making this suggestion, Electrolux asked: "Do you recall what I told you before? At your current cultivation, you're ready to wander. Your Eye of Fate grants you convenience—you can observe terrain formations of mountains and rivers, which will greatly benefit your array studies."
"Moreover, your continent must hold many divine relics. If you find any, venture into them and explore. Whatever happens, even if we need to flee, this old man can still take you away."
"Third, judging by your continent's situation, war is imminent. When that comes, you'll have no time to travel. So seize these next three years."
"Master, I understand."
Chen Junting nodded slightly. After hearing his teacher's words, he had already decided where to go during his travels.
His journey would begin once the soul spirit matter was settled—he'd take a leave of absence from Shrek Academy.
As for timing...
He glanced at Qin Lan, who had long reached Level 39. His next breakthrough wasn't far off.
"Qin Lan."
"Hm? Brother Junting?"
Hearing Chen Junting call him, Qin Lan—who had been eating—instinctively pulled up his mask at impossible speed, then looked up with feigned confusion.
Seeing this absurd scene, before Chen Junting could continue speaking, everyone began to criticize him.
Wu Feng was the loudest.
"What's wrong with you? Even while eating you do this? It's just a face—why protect it so fiercely? To outsiders, they'd think your mask is your real body!"
Qin Lan offered an awkward smile.
But no matter what others said, he kept his black mask firmly in place.
Quickly changing the subject, he asked: "Brother Junting, did you call me for something?"
"Oh." Chen Junting retracted his curious gaze. "Qin Lan, you're about to break through to Level 40, aren't you?"
Qin Lan nodded in confirmation.
"With effort, I should break through within the next half month."
"Good."
Chen Junting set down his chopsticks, his expression turning solemn.
Instantly, the dining atmosphere shifted.
The group exchanged glances and put down their utensils in unison. Only Wu Feng kept eating messily, utterly lacking grace—until Gu Tianchen's cough beside her served as a reminder, finally snapping her out of it.
Chen Junting paid no mind.
Looking at Qin Lan, he asked pointedly: "You understand the significance of soul spirits for both soul masters and soul beasts, don't you?"
"Of course."
Qin Lan began to elaborate, but Chen Junting raised a hand to stop him.
"No need to say it—just knowing is enough."
Chen Junting's gaze swept over everyone. "All of you are core disciples of our sect. By now, you must have heard rumors: the soul spirit method came from me. Our cooperation with Shrek Academy is also led by our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. We're doing this to promote soul spirits and expand our sect's influence."
"But as everyone knows, the soul spirit method still has flaws."
"This flaw is hard to solve."
The moment Chen Junting mentioned "flaw," Dugu Xin shook his head, his expression grim. "Even elderly soul beasts might refuse to form contracts. If we don't solve this, soul spirits can't be widely adopted. To gain mass soul beast agreement, we'd need a trusted figure to mediate."
"What if Di Tian guaranteed it?" Chen Junting unexpectedly dropped this bombshell from Elder Mu.
For a moment, no one reacted.
Three breaths passed...
"Di Tian!? Which Di Tian!?"
"The one from Star Dou Forest!?"
"Holy cow! The Beast God would endorse us?"
"Not yet—it depends on Qin Lan."
Chen Junting shook his head. When his gaze and words landed on Qin Lan, Qin Lan instantly felt immense pressure.
"Eh!? Me!?"
After the meal, Qin Lan left with a heavy heart. Feeling the weight of responsibility, he had no desire to sightsee.
He hastily bid farewell and returned to the sect.
"Isn't the pressure you're putting on him too much?"
Watching Qin Lan's retreating figure, Ning Tian found him pitiful. Her look toward Chen Junting carried a hint of reproach.
Chen Junting remained unperturbed. "Think of it another way. This carries no danger. If successful, Qin Lan will go down in history."
"You two..." Wu Feng listened to their exchange, getting goosebumps. She couldn't help but mutter: "Pretending to scold while actually flirting. It's not the first time—don't you find it tiresome?"
As she spoke, she noticed Gu Tianchen staring at her.
Wu Feng immediately shot back: "What are you looking at?!"
"I'm looking at someone courting death." Gu Tianchen chose not to argue, kindly pointing behind her instead.
The next second...
"Sister Feng, I think we need a serious talk."
With no one else around, Ning Tian grabbed Wu Feng's ear, ignoring her pleas, and dragged her aside.
Hearing Wu Feng's muffled cries soon after, Gu Tianchen turned to Chen Junting, his expression hesitant.
Chen Junting noticed this immediately. "Old Bones, what's on your mind?"
"Nothing much—just about soul spirits." Gu Tianchen was direct. "Though I don't mean to dampen spirits, you might be overlooking human nature regarding soul spirits. With human greed, soul spirits might not ease tensions between soul masters and soul beasts—they might even accelerate soul beast extinction!"
"Soul spirits can be inherited, meaning no more worry about lacking soul rings. And once soul rings become unnecessary..."
Before Gu Tianchen could continue, Chen Junting interrupted him—with words that shocked Gu Tianchen!
"I know. That's why soul spirits are just the first step."
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