Chapter 18

Barak Kingdom, the prince's royal residence.

Translation: "Barak Kingdom, the prince's royal city residence." Might be "Barak Kingdom, the prince's residence in the royal city." Keep concise: "Barak Kingdom, the prince's royal city residence."

"That azure dragon turtle has already been targeted by mercenaries, hasn't it?"

Translation: "That azure dragon turtle has already been locked onto by mercenaries, hasn't it?" Keep quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks. We should keep them? Probably keep the quotes as part of translation. So: 「That azure dragon turtle has already been locked onto by mercenaries, hasn't it? 」 But we need English quotes? Usually we keep the Chinese quotes? The instruction: translate faithfully, not add. The Chinese line includes 「... 」. We should translate the content inside, but we could keep the same punctuation style? Probably we should output English with standard quotes? The rule: "Render EXACTLY what the source says — same meaning, same information, nothing added." The source includes the Chinese quotation marks. If we replace them with English quotes, that's a change. Safer to keep the Chinese quotation marks? But output must be English; using Chinese punctuation might be odd but acceptable. Usually we replace with English quotes. I'd use English double quotes. The instruction didn't forbid changing punctuation type. It says not to add explanatory words/clauses. Changing quotation marks is not adding info. I'll use English double quotes.

Thus: "That azure dragon turtle has already been locked onto by mercenaries, hasn't it?"

"My son has been out for almost half a month; why hasn't he returned yet?"

Translation: "My son has been out for almost half a month; why hasn't he returned yet?"

"Could something have happened?"

Translation: "Could something have happened?"

Prince Barachi sat in the chief seat of the hall, feeling a bad premonition.

Translation: "Prince Barakqi sat on the chief seat of the hall, feeling a bad premonition."

These past few days, I've been dreaming that my son is drifting further away from me.

Translation: "These past few days, I've been dreaming that my son is drifting farther and farther away from me."

He has already sent people to gather information, but so far there has been no result.

Translation: "He has already sent people out to gather information, but so far there has been no result."

This kind of feeling, stemming from bloodline resonance, is usually never wrong.

Translation: "This kind of feeling, a resonance from the bloodline, is usually not wrong."

Especially after the martial soul awakens, it only becomes stronger.

Translation: "Especially after the martial soul awakens, it only becomes stronger."

"Your Highness, we found the corpse of the azure dragon turtle in the middle and inner zones of the western part of the Star Dou Great Forest, but we found no trace of the young lord and the others."

Translation: "Your Highness, we found the corpse of the azure dragon turtle in the middle and inner zones of the western Star Dou Great Forest, but we found no trace of the young master and the others."

A man rushed in and reported.

Translation: "A man rushed in and reported."

"Search for him, keep searching, don't let any possible clue slip away!" Prince Barachi said in a low voice.

Translation: "Search for him, keep searching, don't let any possible clue slip away!" Barakqi said in a low voice.

"Yes!"

Translation: "Yes!"

The man dared not linger, gave a quick acknowledgment, and left swiftly.

Translation: "The man dared not linger, answered, and quickly left."

"Your Highness, a batch of brand-new goods has recently arrived from Sotuo City; they're quite interesting. I have already purchased them from several merchants, and supposedly these goods are freshly produced and very popular in Sotuo City."

Translation: "Your Highness, a batch of new goods has recently arrived from Suotu City; they're quite interesting. I have purchased them from several merchants. Supposedly these goods are newly produced and especially popular in Suotu City."

A lackey entered from outside, with someone behind him carrying a few items, and the lackey smiled obsequiously.

Translation: "A lackey walked in from outside, with someone behind him carrying several items; the lackey smiled obsequiously."

"Anything new? Bring it all over for me to see." Prince Barachi instantly became interested.

Translation: "Something new? Bring them all up for me to see." Barakqi instantly became interested.

Thus the lackey began introducing the items one by one.

Translation: "So the lackey began introducing the items one by one."

"Coming from Sotuo City, whose hand made this?" Prince Barachi's eyes flashed with approval as he asked, "I didn't expect there to be such fine goods among the common folk."

Translation: "Coming from Suotu City, whose hand made this?" Barakqi's eyes flashed with approval as he asked, "I didn't expect there to be such good things among the common folk."

"It is said to be from the Li family of Sotuo City; recently the Li family has gained great fame, their business is very successful, they have spent large sums of money to recruit high-level soul masters from various places, making their power very strong."

Translation: "It is said to be from the Li family of Suotu City; recently the Li family has gained great fame, their business is very successful, they have spent large sums of money to win over high-ranking soul masters from various places, making their power very strong."

"Now they are the premier family of Sotuo City!"

Translation: "Now they are the premier family of Suotu City!"

The lackey reported all the information he had gathered, then handed over a summarized envelope to Barachi.

Translation: "Within the clan there are two Soul Kings; the patriarch, Li Yunsong, is a Soul Emperor, and he also has ties to Shrek Academy; there, Shrek Academy has two Soul Saints and two Soul Emperors, so this force is not simple."

After listening, Barachi looked at the envelope's contents, and a glint of greed flashed in his eyes.

Translation: "The lackey reported the information he had gathered item by item, then handed over a summarized envelope to Barakqi."

"I recall that Shrek Academy has cultivated many talents, but unfortunately it remains poor and has not yet obtained official soul academy accreditation; the last time someone from there tried to find us, our people kept delaying them."

Translation: "After listening, Barakqi looked at the contents of the envelope, and a hint of greed flashed in his eyes."

"They have no one backing them up."

Translation: "I recall that Shrek Academy has cultivated many talents, but unfortunately they remain poor and have not yet obtained official Soul Master Academy accreditation; the last time someone from them tried to find us for something, our people kept dragging them along."

"Take me to the Li family to discuss a business cooperation; our manor also wants a share of the profits!"

Translation: "They have no one backing them."

Prince Barachi said indifferently.

Translation: "Take me to the Li family to discuss a business cooperation; our manor also wants a share!"

Although these people have no background, they are nonetheless Soul Saints and Soul Emperors; if we really anger them, and they later join the Tian Dou Imperial Family or the Spirit Hall, they could come back for revenge, and then even my position as prince would be at risk.

Translation: "Barakqi said indifferently."

So he plans to outwit them, not use brute force.

Translation: "Although these people have no background, they are nonetheless Soul Saints and Soul Emperors; if they were truly angered, should they join the Tian Dou royal family or the Spirit Hall and later come for revenge, his princely position would be over."

"Tell them that as long as the Li family gives us a share, I, the prince, will secure official soul academy accreditation for Shrek Academy!"

Translation: "So he plans to outwit them, not use crude methods."

Prince Barachi said: "Under my protection, they can expand their business within the Barak Kingdom; if they are uncooperative, I will make it impossible for the Li family to move an inch." Having said that, he let out a heavy cold snort.

Translation: "Tell them, as long as the Li family gives us a share, I, the prince, will secure the official Soul Master Academy accreditation for Shrek Academy!"

"Yes, sir!" the lackey nodded.

Translation: "Barakqi said: 'With my protection, they can expand their business within the Barak Kingdom; if they are uncooperative, then the Li family will find it impossible to move an inch!' Having said that, he let out a heavy cold snort."

Then he left.

Translation: "Yes sir!" the lackey nodded.

Star Dou Great Forest.

Translation: "Then he left."

Three days have passed since the prince's son was killed.

Translation: "The Star Dou Great Forest."

A group of four also searched for three days but failed to find a suitable soul ring for Li Yunsong.

Translation: "Three days have passed since the prince's son was killed."

But today, their luck finally arrived.

Translation: "The group of four also searched for three days but failed to find a suitable soul ring for Li Yunsong."

Not far ahead, there is a fifty-thousand-year-old Dragon Pattern Tiger! "A fifty-thousand-year-old Dragon Pattern Tiger possesses dragon bloodline, comparable to top-tier soul beasts."

Translation: "But today, their luck finally arrived."

"However, in a normal fight, even if we all teamed up we couldn't defeat it; this beast is extremely formidable."

Translation: "Not far ahead, there is a fifty-thousand-year Dragon-striped Tiger! 'A fifty-thousand-year Dragon-striped Tiger, possessing dragon bloodline, is not inferior to the top-tier soul beast ranking.'"

Hiding behind the bushes, Flandre and the others were secretly watching the large tiger feeding not far away, communicating via voice transmission.

Translation: "However, in a normal fight, even if we all join forces we cannot defeat it; this beast is extremely formidable."

"Let's first try the method Xiao Fei suggested; if it doesn't work, we'll have to look for a soul beast with a lower year." Li Yunsong transmitted.

Translation: "Hiding behind the bushes, Flander and the others were secretly watching the large tiger foraging not far ahead, communicating via voice transmission."

After searching for so long, he also felt somewhat helpless.

Translation: "Let's first try the method Xiao Fei mentioned; if it doesn't work, we'll have to look for a soul beast with a lower age." Li Yunsong transmitted.

Although the Star Dou Great Forest is vast and has many soul beast species, encountering a suitable soul beast for one's own year is also a matter of luck.

Translation: "After searching for so long, he also feels somewhat helpless."

"Good." Flandre, Zhao Wují, and Li Fei nodded.

Translation: "Although the Star Dou Great Forest is vast and has many soul beast species, whether one encounters a suitable soul beast for one's age is also a matter of luck."

The four summoned their martial souls and attacked the Dragon Pattern Tiger from four directions.

Translation: "Okay." Flander, Zhao Wují, and Li Fei nodded.

As soon as Flandre and Zhao Wují made a move, they unleashed their martial soul true bodies along with their strongest ultimate skill.

Translation: "The four summoned their martial souls and attacked the Dragon-striped Tiger from four directions."

Li Yunsong lacked a seventh soul ring, so he could only use enhancement-type soul skills together with his sixth soul skill, giving it his all.

Translation: "As soon as Flander and Zhao Wují made a move, they unleashed their martial soul true forms plus their strongest ultimate skills."

To ensure the plan's success, the three of them intended to first wear down the Dragon Pattern Tiger.

Translation: "Li Yunsong, lacking a seventh soul ring, could only use enhancement-type soul skills together with his sixth soul skill, striking with all his might."

Meanwhile, Li Fei was waiting for the right moment to strike.

Translation: "To ensure the plan proceeds successfully, the three of them intended to first wear down the Dragon-striped Tiger."

The tiger, while feeding, sensed the danger from behind, its expression changed, it turned and roared, the dragon patterns on its body flashing with light, its tiger's roar carrying draconic might.

Translation: "Meanwhile, Li Fei was waiting for the right moment to strike again."

This roar was neither purely tiger nor purely dragon.

Translation: "The foraging Dragon-striped Tiger sensed the danger from behind, its expression changed, it turned and roared; the dragon patterns on its body flashed with light, and its tiger's roar carried draconic might."

Li Yunsong was knocked back.

Translation: "Its roar was like a tiger yet not a tiger, like a dragon yet not a dragon."

However, Flandre's and Zhao Wují's attacks were the main damage output, while Li Yunsong merely served to draw attention.

Translation: "Li Yunsong was repelled."

Their combined left and right strikes fiercely hit the tiger's body.

Translation: "However, Flander and Zhao Wují's attacks were the main output, while Li Yunsong merely served to draw attention."

Boom! "Roar!!!!!"

Translation: "Their two attacks combined from left and right, heavily striking the Dragon-striped Tiger's body."

The Dragon Pattern Tiger let out a painful groan.

Translation: "Boom! 'Roar!!!!!'"

Suddenly, a draconic aura erupted from it, forcing Flandre and Zhao Wují to retreat.

Translation: "The Dragon-striped Tiger emitted a painful groan."

The Dragon Pattern Tiger lunged at Li Yunsong, opening its bloody maw, emitting a foul stench, hoping to swallow him in one bite.

Translation: "Suddenly, a draconic might erupted from its body, forcing Flander and Zhao Wují to retreat."

The dragon‑striped tiger lunged at Li Yunsong, jaws wide open, reeking of blood, intent on gulping him down in one bite.

Translation: "The Dragon-striped Tiger lunged at Li Yunsong, opening its bloody maw, exhaling a foul stench, hoping to swallow him in one bite."

Li Yunsong circulated his soul power and struck with a stick.

Bang! At this moment, a slight variation of dragon markings appeared on its staff, emitting a wisp of blue light.

The Dragon Pattern Tiger's expression changed drastically, and the power on its body was actually suppressed.

Although the degree wasn't great, this staff nevertheless gave it a terrifying intimidation!

Bang! The next second, both were shaken back.

"What a strong Dragon Pattern Tiger!" Li Yunsong secretly felt shocked.

Suddenly, above the firmament, a green-colored staff fell down, smashing onto the Dragon Pattern Tiger's body; the next second it directly grew larger! grew thicker! grew longer! The Dragon Pattern Tiger was pressed down and couldn't stand up at all.

Its eyes were filled with fear; the dragon blood and dragon markings within its body were also fearful, preventing it from exerting any strength at this moment.

It seemed that if it moved, it would be a great disrespect to the living spirit within this staff! "Damn, this staff can still grow larger, thicker, and longer?"

Fland, Zhao Wujie, and Li Yunsong, seeing this, revealed looks of shock.

"The Azure Dragon Staff has already suppressed it, grandfather, quickly kill it!" Li Fei transmitted his voice into Li Yunsong's mind.

"Good!"

Li Yunsong's eyes flashed with excitement as he wielded his strongest strike, fiercely striking down at the Dragon Pattern Tiger's neck.

Bang!!!!!!!!

Crack!

Only the sound of neck bones breaking was heard; the Dragon Pattern Tiger let out a mournful cry, its entire body went limp, it collapsed to the ground, unable to move.

Nobody expected that hunting a 50,000-year spirit beast would be this simple! (End of chapter)