Chapter 286: Collective Hunt Operation

A few more days passed, Cai Meier's application was approved, and Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong were permitted to join this collective soul‑beast hunting operation.

To ensure their safety, the team leader, besides the already present Zhang Lexuan, added two more people.

They were the current Martial Soul Department dean Cai Meier, and Han Ruoruo, who is touted as the inner academy's top controller.

All of a sudden, the lineup for this operation became astonishingly strong.

Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong felt a bit helpless about this, yet they could do nothing.

Honestly, they currently couldn't possibly face an unmanageable danger; Huo Yutong's undead half‑plane still has two elite Douluo‑rank bodyguards, so even a ferocious beast attack could be turned back.

But the Academy is unaware of the Water Fire Dragon King's undead, and Huo Yutong cannot explain her third martial soul to the Academy, so she must rely on the Academy.

On the day of the collective operation, Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong arrived early at the meeting point, waiting for the others.

They didn't wait long; soon the participants gathered.

Di Yun'er indeed arrived; she visibly frowned when she saw Tang Wulin, but her gaze softened subtly when she saw Huo Yutong.

Tang Wulin, who had been watching her closely, noticed the change and instantly confirmed his suspicion: she indeed knew Huo Yutong beforehand.

But Huo Yutong clearly didn't recognize her—who was she? Tang Wulin fell into thought, not noticing that the surrounding trainees' attention was now fixed on him.

What he didn't know was that, unknowingly, he had become a celebrity in the inner academy.

Not only because of his handsome looks and strong power, but more importantly, his first appearance after several years was truly shocking.

Upon stepping onto the scene, he immediately defeated Huo Yutong—who had sunk countless boys over a year and a half—under everyone's gaze; that single feat alone made him the focus of the entire inner academy.

Not to mention Di Yun'er's recent enrollment; witnesses all noted her striking resemblance to Tang Wulin, which thrust him further into the spotlight.

Now everyone present is curious about him, wanting to know what kind of legend he truly is.

With everyone assembled, Cai Meier clapped her hands, drew everyone's attention to herself, and smiled:

"We are all inner academy trainees; venturing into the Star Dou Great Forest isn't new for us. However, new members have joined this operation, so we should introduce ourselves—state our names, martial souls, and cultivation levels briefly, which will also help coordination within the Star Dou Great Forest,"

Saying that, she nodded at Zhang Lexuan, who understood and began first:

"I am Zhang Lexuan, inner academy teaching assistant and trainee, my martial soul is Moon, a strong‑attack battle‑soul master. I am in charge of leading this team, require no soul rings, and have 86‑level soul power."

When she mentioned the 86‑level, everyone present—including Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong—felt a bit shocked.

An 86‑level is already considered a strong contender in the outside world; achieving that during one's trainee period shows Zhang Lexuan's talent is not to be underestimated.

Han Ruoruo then spoke right after her:

"Han Ruoruo, inner academy trainee and teaching assistant, my martial soul is Shimmering Golden Rope, a control‑type battle‑soul master, the primary controller of this operation. No soul ring needed, 82‑level soul power."

An 82‑level soul power, though not as high as Zhang Lexuan's, is still very formidable. After the two finished their introductions, Cai Meier said, "I am only accompanying this operation; the actual command lies with Lexuan and Ruoruo. They are experienced; everyone must obey orders and never act on their own. This is for each of your safety and for the team's safety. Our destination will be the area where the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest meets the core zone; there we may encounter powerful soul beasts at any time. Got it?"

Seeing the others nod in agreement, Cai Meier was very satisfied and gave Tang Wulin a slight signal.

"Very good, continue. Wulin, you go first."

Tang Wulin nodded, stepped forward, and said:

"I am Tang Wulin, inner academy trainee, my martial soul is Blue Silver Emperor, no soul ring needed for this trip, and I am a level‑56 strong‑attack battle‑soul king."

During the past two years in Dragon Valley, his cultivation did not increase at all; the reason he has level 56 is solely the energy supplied by the Water Dragon King soul ring when he broke through the fifth ring.

Everyone's expression shifted slightly; they hadn't forgotten the pair of dragon wings behind Tang Wulin from the Sea God lineage—how did his martial soul become Blue Silver Emperor now?

Could those wings be external soul bones? Following him was Huo Yutong.

"Huo Yutong, inner academy trainee, my martial souls are Spirit Eye and Ice Sky Snow Girl, no soul ring needed for this trip, and I am a level‑58 strong‑attack and control battle‑soul king."

Unlike Tang Wulin, Huo Yutong has been continuously training these two years, but the boost from Eight‑Corner Mystic Ice Grass is less than the Water Dragon King's aid to Tang Wulin, and before reaching level 70, the cultivation speed of her Ultimate Soul was too slow, leaving her still two levels short of sixty.

The inner academy disciples are quite familiar with her, but upon hearing she also requires no soul ring, everyone's expression turned oddly.

When they heard Tang Wulin needed no soul ring, they thought he was there to accompany his girlfriend, and were surprised that Huo Yutong also needed none.

Then what are this couple doing here?

Anyone who can enter the inner academy isn't stupid; they quickly reached a conclusion, their gazes drifting toward Di Yun'er.

Di Yun'er, as if unaware of the crowd's stare, stood calmly in place without saying a word.

Then it was a male trainee's turn.

"Li Yongyue, inner academy trainee, a swift‑attack battle‑soul king, level 60, requires the sixth soul ring, martial soul is Moon Blade. Senior sister, do you remember me? When you wield your martial soul, I will naturally receive an amplification."

Zhang Lexuan smiled and nodded at him, saying little, and signaled another male trainee to introduce himself.

"I am Mo Xuan, a long‑range all‑around support battle‑soul king, level 60, requires the sixth soul ring, my martial soul is Light Halo. My melee ability is weak, so I'm counting on everyone this time."

Li Yongyue's appearance was ordinary, the kind that blends into a crowd, whereas Mo Xuan seemed a bit shy, likely over twenty‑five years old, and his face even flushed when he spoke.

Long‑range all‑around support battle‑soul master? This was the first time Tang Wulin had heard such a term.

After Mo Xuan and Li Yongyue finished their introductions, only one person remained.

Everyone's gaze instantly fell on Di Yun'er.

(End of chapter)