Chapter 46: Shrek Inspection Team

However, no soul rings appeared, and Su Yun Tian deliberately concealed the Heaven Dream Ice Silkworm.

Ling Luocheng stared at the massive Ice Jade Scorpion behind Su Yun Tian and felt his soul tremble.

The suppression from the martial soul left her immobilized for a moment.

At the same time, a teal glow lit up on Su Yun Tian's chest; the orb expanded, and a teal wave suddenly burst outward.

Domain of Eternal Freeze!

As soon as Ling Luocheng made contact, he was startled to see ice crystals covering his body, leaving no chance to resist, and he was instantly frozen into an ice statue!

Only Yao Haoxuan and Chen Zifeng remained on the field; both were already spent, and soon they too fell.

Xuan Lao stepped onto the stage, chuckling, "Alright, Ma Xiaotao's team wins; the losers, take your punishment."

"I'm a pig!" Dai Yaoheng shouted without hesitation, his facial muscles twitching—clearly, he was resentful.

Yao Haoxuan and Chen Zifeng also uttered the slogan helplessly.

As Ling Luocheng shouted, his gaze remained fixed on Su Yun Tian.

Dai Huabin calmly called out as well; only Zhu Lu and Ning Tian, the two young girls, blushed a bit but still whispered their words.

After the match ended, both sides gathered to converse.

Dai Yaoheng glanced at the Lan sisters, surprised, "No wonder you're so young and already in the reserve team; it's because of the Soul Weapon Fusion Technique."

Their hair martial souls are also quite good, but relying solely on martial soul quality to become reserve members is clearly impossible.

Chen Zifeng's eyes lit up, unable to hide his amazement, "I never expected that among the seven of you, there are three pairs of Soul Weapon Fusion Techniques!"

Ling Luocheng walked straight to Su Yun Tian, his tone chilly, "Ultimate Ice?"

"Yes, senior." Su Yun Tian nodded, showing no concealment.

"Alright, little ones, gather at the Slake Academy gate early tomorrow and prepare to head to Star Luo City," Xuan Lao said as he approached.

…

The next morning, at the Shilaike City gate.

Everyone had already been waiting there; Xuan Lao sauntered over, saying, "Alright, let's go."

The few of them walked leisurely like ordinary people, using no soul power; compared with the previous grueling training and running, it felt very relaxed now.

After an unknown amount of walking, Xuan Lao finally stopped, his expression unusually stern, and said gravely, "We're not far from the academy; I have something to say first. The seven reserve little ones, listen carefully—this will affect your future path at the academy."

Xuan Lao continued, "Our Slake Academy has a history of over ten thousand years. Generally, a powerful soul master can live at least two hundred years, perhaps even longer."

Each year the academy admits students into the inner courtyard through examinations, yet currently fewer than a hundred inner courtyard disciples remain; do you know why?"

Ning Tian replied, "Because the seniors have all graduated and left, I guess."

Xuan Lao shook his head, "You're partially right; indeed some inner disciples left after graduating."

"But I'm referring to the other group—the disciples who couldn't graduate from the academy."

At this point, a hint of sorrow entered Xuan Lao's voice, "They were good children; although they never truly graduated, their names remain on the academy's roster."

"They held the academy's ideals as their own; they weren't lacking ability, but died fighting for those ideals."

"It's undeniable that from the moment you became alternate disciples, one foot has already stepped into the inner courtyard."

"But because of that, I must confirm before truly taking you out of the academy whether you're willing to bear the inner courtyard's responsibility."

"If you refuse, you may return to the academy now; no one will blame you."

"You'll still study and graduate smoothly in the outer courtyard."

"Moreover, I must tell you that the inner courtyard doesn't teach much more than the outer; the strength of its disciples stems from that responsibility."

"If you choose to go back, you must also swear secrecy like those outer courtyard graduates who left; can you do that?"

The few sensed that Xuan Lao's words were extraordinary and answered in unison, "We can!"

Seeing this, Xuan Lao nodded approvingly and said, "The biggest difference between inner and outer courtyards is a responsibility—oversight."

"When a soul master reaches a certain strength, they may develop a 'I'm the world's best' mindset and oppress civilians."

"There once was a Soul Emperor who, because the food didn't suit his palate, slaughtered every civilian in a whole village."

"If malignant incidents arise on the continent that nations cannot or will not regulate, or if soul masters commit crimes, inner courtyard disciples will intervene to resolve them."

"At such times, our inner courtyard students are called Inspectors, Shrek Inspectors, and our inner courtyard also bears another name, the Shrek Inspection Team."

"Currently, I am the deputy leader of this Inspection Team."

Xuan Lao paused, then said gravely, "Alright, now give me your answer—join or withdraw."

"Join!" everyone shouted in unison.

"Very good, we also have a mission now. Xiaotao, tell us," Xuan Lao smiled.

Ma Xiaotao stepped forward from the crowd, handing each a storage ring, and said, "Take this; later just a drop of blood will activate it, it contains some Inspection Team gear."

"Our inspection mission is to go to a mountainous region bordering the Star Luo Empire and the Sun-Moon Empire to locate and eliminate a band of bandits; the continent‑wide Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Battle Tournament is fast approaching."

"Therefore, we must complete this task within three to four days."

"This band of bandits is extremely ferocious and cunning, specializing in ambushing merchants traveling between the two nations, leaving no survivors; they commit every imaginable atrocity."

"When we encounter them, be careful."

"By the way, that band calls themselves Death Envoys, led by a powerful evil soul master."

Evil soul master?!

In the Spirit Sea, Qian Renxue was startled by those words and hurriedly asked, "Yun Tian, what's an evil soul master? Weren't they sealed in the City of Slaughter? How did they get out again?"

"What else could it be? Tang San destroyed the City of Slaughter. After he became a god, no one managed those evil soul masters," Su Yun Tian shrugged, indifferent.

"Destroyed…?" Qian Renxue's pupils narrowed, incredulous.

Why would he do that? What benefit does destroying the City of Slaughter give him?

Nevertheless, Su Yun Tian gave no answer, merely listening quietly to Ma Xiaotao.

ps: Happy New Year to everyone, may all wishes come true, today is the fifth watch!

(End of chapter)