Chapter 159

After hearing this, Yang Yun showed a faint smile and retorted, "How to make an issue out of nothing?"

Bai Lie seemed to have prepared in advance, his face showing a ruthless smile as he said: "According to intelligence from Sharpfeather Hall, this Ma Hongjun is the personally transmitted disciple of Flandre, vice-dean of Shrek Academy; their relationship is very close."

"If Sharpfeather Hall spreads the word that Flandre learns Ma Hongjun has become an evil soul master and will face our sect's extermination after a certain time, I'm sure he will come to rescue."

"By then we only need to wait like a hunter; whether Flandre chooses to sacrifice kin for justice, help Ma Hongjun escape, or directly rescue him, Ma Hongjun, Flandre, and Shrek Academy will all be doomed."

Saying this, Bai Lie's tone paused; he said excitedly: "In that case, the prestige and honor Shrek Team gains from reaching the semifinals will become a boulder that crushes them from behind."

Upon hearing this, Yang Yun couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air; this Bai Lie is truly ruthless and vicious.

This plot can also be called an open scheme.

Whether you save him or not, Shrek Academy will bring trouble upon itself.

Even if Flandre quits Shrek Academy beforehand, Ma Hongjun himself is a Shrek Academy graduate; once this gets out, Shrek Academy will have no choice but to face closure.

By then, the Spirit Hall will probably be all too happy to trip him up.

If we restrict Shrek Academy from changing its name, then whether it's Shrek Academy or the Beast Academy, both will have to shut down.

Open and covert schemes, both employed together.

Such a hot potato won't have anyone else willing to take it; the label of evil soul master—let alone being branded with it—means death even with the slightest involvement.

And no one will sympathize with you.

On the continent, whether it's the Spirit Hall, Star Luo Empire, Tian Dou Empire, or the Upper Three Sects and Lower Four Sects; even the rising Breaking Heaven Sect that emerged later.

No one can tolerate your existence.

Yang Yun also didn't expect that after intercepting the celestial-grade herbs of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, there would be this unexpected joy.

Even after ten thousand years, this evil fire remains unresolved; it's clear that Ma Hongjun's bloodline was never purified.

The evolution of his martial soul concerns only him; it did not thoroughly cleanse his bloodline.

"Go ahead and do it." Yang Yun gave Bai Lie an approving look and ordered.

Bai Lie instantly rejoiced, excitedly saying: "Please rest assured, Sect Master; I will definitely see this through."

Having said that, he flashed out of the courtyard.

After basking for a little over half a day, feeling lazy; he then took a brief rest, and in the blink of an eye it was evening.

Upon opening his eyes, he noticed a blue figure beside him.

"Bing'er? Why are you staring at me?" Yang Yun reached out to caress Shuibing'er's cheek, speaking softly.

Shuibing'er covered Yang Yun's hand with her palm and said: "Husband, I have already condensed my soul core; I heard that many elders in the sect have broken through to Soul Douluo and are waiting for the sect to arrange a unified hunt for hundred-thousand-year sea spirit beasts."

"Mm, land-based soul masters are greatly limited at sea; that's why this matter has been left on hold." Yang Yun replied instinctively, then realized.

"Bing'er, you mean?"

Shuibing'er nodded and said: "Husband, you guessed right; I just returned to the sect and immediately became the sect master's wife; however, my prestige and status have not yet convinced everyone."

"This hunt for hundred-thousand-year sea spirit beasts is an opportunity; I already have three hundred-thousand-year soul rings and ice dragon wings for aerial combat; my strength at sea is not inferior to that of a Sea Spirit Master Title Douluo."

Yang Yun pondered for a moment.

"How about this, Bing'er: let Poxue accompany you to hunt the hundred-thousand-year sea spirit beasts; she has earned the Sea God's Heart approval, and most importantly she needs to study soul spirits—you two should act together."

"During the hunt you can act directly; normally Poxue stays hidden and won't appear before everyone; this way it won't hinder you from establishing prestige."

Shuibing'er also understood that Yang Yun didn't want her to act alone, fearing she might encounter danger; thus she didn't refuse and agreed. Sea spirit beasts are still too unfamiliar for land-based soul masters.

Even a Title Douluo could capsize in a gutter at sea; likewise, Yang Poxue possesses blood-red bat wings for flight and aerial combat, and her Ice-Gall Breaking Soul Spear fears no sea battle.

The external soul bone is also a lightning-type soul bone skill, which naturally counters sea spirit beasts.

Even against the Deep Sea Devil Whale King, both can retreat completely unharmed.

To facilitate sect operations, Yang Yun purchased several sea-faring soul-tool flying vessels from the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect; treasures that allow unhindered sea and air travel.

After two and a half weeks, Bai Lie finally cast a long line to catch a big fish, reeling in Flandre.

The prolonged layout was because Ma Hongjun's position kept changing, and over time this guy seemed to realize he had been discovered.

He also knew Flandre had left Shrek Academy to come find him.

Usually when the evil fire wasn't consuming his mind, Ma Hongjun used his scarce lucid moments to continually distance himself from Flandre's direction.

He didn't want to drag his benefactor into trouble.

Moreover, he didn't want the unseen hands controlling everything to destroy both him and his benefactor; those three words "evil soul master" mean what they mean to soul masters and ordinary folk.

Everyone is quite clear about that.

It's a chamber pot that, once placed on your head, can never be removed.

Flandre in the other direction also clearly sensed that someone in the dark kept sending him information about Ma Hongjun.

It always gave him direction when he was searching like a headless fly.

It was as if a pair of big hands were manipulating him from behind the scenes.

Controlling him to find Ma Hongjun.

Knowing full well it's a tiger's den, Flandre cannot bear to watch his disciple be hunted to death; he also cannot allow him to be branded with the evil soul master label and pinned to a pillar of shame.

He wants to see and hear with his own eyes and ears whether his disciple truly is an evil soul master.

Or whether he has been framed.

Bai Lie watched the distance between the two sides shrink, and couldn't help but reveal an excited smile behind the scenes.

"Just like that, fly, fly; fly into the net I've laid for you."

"Draw the net!"

Bai Lie gave the order.

Sharpfeather Hall immediately sprang into action.

Feng Xiaotian, as the blade of the Breaking Heaven Sect, rushed toward Ma Hongjun's position upon receiving timely reports from Sharpfeather Hall.

Likewise, another person drawing near was the Four-Eyed Cat Owl Flandre.

Both sides approached the same destination at great speed, and eventually these three people would meet.

Feng Xiaotian's blue wings on his back fell from the air and slammed heavily onto the ground; at the same time, a dark figure landed silently on a tree, using the foliage to conceal his form.

"Ma Hongjun, you have committed such atrocities again; this time I will not let you escape—die!"

Soon the village was covered by a soaring purplish-red flame.

On the branch, the tough bark was scored with several claw marks; a voice full of vicissitude whispered: "Is it really true?"

(End of chapter)