Caelus's insights were quite novel, causing Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and the other Outer Court Disciples to show thoughtful expressions.
Ye Guyi blinked her emerald eyes and asked curiously:
"Slaughter City? There's such a good place? How come I've never heard of it? If there really was a place that could trap Evil Soul Masters, why are there still so many of them causing trouble across the continent?"
Caelus shook his head, a trace of regret appropriately appearing on his face:
"According to that ancient text, Slaughter City seems to have been... destroyed later. As for who destroyed it, the records were vague, so I don't know either."
"Destroyed?"
Hearing this, a look of indignation immediately appeared on Ye Guyi's beautiful face.
"Who would be so wicked? Destroying such a good place that could trap evil? Could it be those Evil Soul Masters themselves?"
"Cough, cough cough..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao let out slightly embarrassed coughs almost simultaneously.
Ling Luochen's lips also twitched slightly, her ice-blue eyes glancing to the side.
As Inner Court Core Disciples, they clearly knew some deeper secrets regarding Slaughter City, especially that the truth of its destruction was closely related to one of the original Shrek Seven Devils, that great figure who now resided high in the God Realm.
But the implications involved were too great; it was clearly not suitable for an in-depth discussion at this moment.
Zhang Lexuan immediately shifted the topic without showing any emotion.
"Cough, those are old stories from ten thousand years ago and have little to do with our current mission. The urgent task is to quickly use the intelligence provided by the Heavenly Dragon Gate and Earth Dragon Gate to find and eliminate our targets for this mission—those few Nirvana Corpses that fled into the Dragon City area. Then, we must bring the intelligence and analysis we've gathered back to the academy as soon as possible to report to the Sea Gods Pavilion. How to respond subsequently will be decided by the Pavilion Elders."
Her words pulled everyone's thoughts back to reality.
Indeed, no matter how the Extreme North Land changed, their current mission was to hunt down those few Nirvana Corpses. Of course, investigation was still necessary; after all, that was why Zhang Lexuan had come.
Otherwise, merely hunting down a few Nirvana Corpses wouldn't warrant the Inner Court's Eldest Senior Sister taking action.
The next morning, the Earth Dragon Gate indeed sent a Core Disciple to the "Dragon Slumber Residence" to deliver a detailed intelligence report to Zhang Lexuan.
"This was sent by the Sect Leader's order. According to the clues we have, the targets you are tracking are currently hiding in the abandoned 'Grey Rat Alley' area in the west of the city. That was a slum area planned in the early years of Dragon City, but it was gradually abandoned. The terrain is complex with crisscrossing alleys; it is indeed a good place to hide."
The Disciple said respectfully.
Zhang Lexuan took the intelligence and scanned it quickly. It not only marked the specific location but also briefly described the characteristics of the surrounding environment.
Her heart stirred; the Earth Dragon Gate's efficiency was indeed extremely high, and the level of detail in this intelligence showed that the other party was sincerely helping.
"Thank Gate Master Nan, and thank you for your hard work," Zhang Lexuan thanked the Disciple.
After seeing off the Earth Dragon Gate Disciple, Zhang Lexuan immediately gathered everyone.
"The intelligence has been confirmed. The targets are hiding in the abandoned area in the west of the city. There's no time to lose; we depart immediately."
She looked around at everyone, her tone serious.
"In this operation, the Inner Court Disciples will be the main force responsible for the cleanup. Outer Court Disciples will follow along to observe. You must follow commands and not act without authorization. Your task is to feel the atmosphere of actual combat, observe the characteristics of the Nirvana Corpses, and accumulate experience. Understood?"
"Understood," everyone responded in unison.
Whether Inner Court or Outer Court Disciples, they all set aside their usual relaxation, their faces carrying a solemn expression.
After all, what they were about to face were the eerie and dangerous Nirvana Corpses.
The group of ten quickly left the hotel and sped toward the west of the city.
The further west they went, the more dilapidated the surrounding buildings became, and pedestrians grew scarce. The air was filled with an aura of age and desolation.
Eventually, they stopped before an area composed of low, broken stone houses; this was "Grey Rat Alley."
The mouth of the alley was like the maw of a beast waiting to devour someone. The interior was dark and damp, emitting a smell of mold and a faint stench of decay.
The intricate alleys were like a maze where sunlight could hardly penetrate, making it seem exceptionally gloomy.
Zhang Lexuan made a hand gesture, and the team immediately entered a state of alert.
She whispered the task assignments:
"Luochen, you are responsible for sealing the east side of this area to prevent the targets from escaping. Xi Xi, you sneak in to confirm the specific number and locations of the targets. Xiaotao, you and I will break in from the front. Bei Bei, Sanshi, Nannan, you three will provide support on the periphery and block other exits. Caelus, Gu Yuena, Ye Guyi, you three follow behind Xiaotao and me. Pay attention and observe; do not strike without my command."
The instructions were clear and precise, and everyone immediately went into action.
Chilling air surged around Ling Luochen as she silently glided toward the east side. A layer of faint ice mist began to spread along the alleys, forming an invisible barrier.
Xi Xi's figure merged into the shadows like a ghost, instantly disappearing into the complex alleys.
Flames flickered around Ma Xiaotao, Battle Intent rising in her crimson eyes.
Zhang Lexuan's aura was heavy and concentrated, a moonlight-like glow flowing over the surface of her body.
Caelus, Gu Yuena, and Ye Guyi followed closely behind. It was the first time for all three to participate in such a combat mission, and they were focused, carefully observing everything around them.
A moment later, Xi Xi's figure reappeared beside Zhang Lexuan, whispering:
"Confirmed. Three targets, all hidden in the largest abandoned warehouse at the very end. Two Soul King level, one Spirit Emperor level. Their aura is very cold, and they seem to be in a somewhat restless state."
"Good."
Zhang Lexuan's gaze turned sharp.
"Action."
She and Ma Xiaotao exchanged a glance, both erupting with Soul Power simultaneously, charging toward that abandoned warehouse like arrows leaving a bow.
Ma Xiaotao threw a direct punch, her violent Phoenix Flame instantly blowing the rotten wooden door to pieces.
"Roar—!"
Inside the warehouse, inhuman roars filled with deathly stillness and violence immediately rang out.
A thick aura of death surged out like something tangible.
Caelus and the other two followed closely, stepping into the warehouse area.
The interior of the warehouse was large but covered in dust and spiderwebs.
Three figures revealed themselves from behind piles of dilapidated goods. Their skin was grey and withered, blood-red light flickered in their eyes, and their bodies emitted a nauseating stench of decay.
They were indeed Nirvana Corpses.
The Spirit Emperor level Nirvana Corpse among them was even taller, with an eerie black light flashing on its dry claws. It stared fixedly at the intruding Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao, letting out a hoarse growl:
"Shrek Academy... meddling in others' business."
Clearly, it knew who had come to pursue them; after all, some of them had originally escaped from the hands of Ling Luochen and Xi Xi.
The battle inside the warehouse erupted instantly and quickly reached a fever pitch.
------------------------
I've posted 40+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"