Far away, thousands of miles from Shrek Academy, Liu Yuan was naturally oblivious to how Xuan Zi was racking his brains trying to lure him back.
If he knew that Xuan Zi was currently agonizing over how to beg for his return, he would certainly mock him without mercy.
They had driven him away from Shrek Academy back then—and now they wanted him back?
How could such a good thing exist?
---
At this time, after bidding farewell to Jing Hongchen, Liu Yuan did not delay for even a moment. He immediately set off at full speed toward his next check-in location—the Extreme North Land.
The Extreme North Land lay at the northernmost tip of the entire Douluo Star and was not within the territory of the Sun Moon Continent.
To reach it, one had to first return to the Douluo Continent, then head all the way north, crossing vast regions before finally arriving at that frozen world.
After several days of relentless travel, Liu Yuan successfully crossed the strait between the two continents and once again stepped onto the soil of the Douluo Continent.
The familiar air and spirit power fluctuations gave him a faint sense of nostalgia.
He did not linger. After confirming his direction, he continued north.
---
On this day, after passing the outer regions of the Star Dou Great Forest, a seemingly peaceful small town appeared ahead.
After many days of camping in the wild, Liu Yuan decided to rest briefly and replenish his supplies.
The town wasn't large, but it was well-stocked.
He entered what looked like the busiest restaurant, took a seat by the window, and ordered a few simple dishes.
Inside, the place buzzed with chatter as guests exchanged all sorts of news.
While eating, Liu Yuan listened idly—until a nearby conversation caught his attention.
---
"Have you heard? Something happened in the west again!" a bearded man whispered, his face pale with fear.
"What else could it be? That damned Evil Soul Master again!" another man spat angrily. "How many times has it been now? Is there really no Spirit Master who can deal with him?"
The bearded man sighed. "He's a Spirit King-level Evil Soul Master. His methods are strange and his strength terrifying. Even ordinary Spirit Kings aren't his match. You'd need a Spirit Emperor to deal with him… and where are we supposed to find one?"
"Too tragic…" another muttered. "Old Li's grandson… only five years old… taken right from his doorstep this morning…"
His voice faltered.
"They say he targets children under six… rips out their organs… eats them to strengthen his cultivation…"
"Monstrous!"
"Old Li saw it happen… coughed blood on the spot… didn't survive the shock…"
---
The atmosphere in the restaurant turned heavy.
Fear. Anger. Helplessness.
Liu Yuan continued eating, but his eyes gradually turned cold.
Another Evil Soul Master.
Another beast preying on the innocent.
These creatures… deserved to be wiped out.
---
After finishing his meal, Liu Yuan paid and left.
Though he had planned to continue his journey, his feet unconsciously turned toward the western side of town.
Before long, he saw a crowd gathered.
On the ground—a pool of dark red blood, not yet dry.
In the center, a white-haired old woman wailed in despair, her cries piercing the air.
Liu Yuan stood at the edge, watching silently.
That blood.
Those cries.
They were accusations—silent, yet deafening.
A cold fury rose within him.
"Evil Soul Masters…" he murmured.
"Every one of them deserves to die."
---
Liu Yuan had never claimed to be righteous like Shrek.
Nor did he think himself particularly noble.
But he still had a conscience.
Seeing innocent lives destroyed—
Seeing grief like this—
Some things simply could not be ignored.
---
"Hmph."
With a cold snort, Liu Yuan turned and walked toward the western woods.
The wind rustled through the trees.
But within him, his blood burned.
---
"Is this the place?"
At the entrance of the forest, he stopped.
The air was damp and foul—the kind of place an Evil Soul Master would choose.
Just as he stepped forward—
Tap.
A small stone landed on the path before him.
It wasn't aimed at him, just a warning.
Liu Yuan didn't dodge. He simply turned his gaze toward its source.
"Come out," he said calmly. "You've been following me for a while. What do you want?"
---
A figure leapt down.
A girl—about sixteen or seventeen.
Short hair, sharp eyes, and a composed demeanor.
Most striking of all was her attire—
The uniform and mask of Shrek Supervisory Group.
---
"Someone from the Supervisory Group…" Liu Yuan muttered.
Though he disliked Xuan Zi, he had nothing against these Inner Court students.
They risked their lives hunting Evil Soul Masters.
That alone earned his respect.
---
"Why throw the stone?" Liu Yuan asked.
The girl smiled slightly.
"It wasn't an attack," she said.
"It was a warning."
Her tone was light, almost teasing.
Then she added:
"Little brother… it's admirable to stand up against evil."
"But the one inside…" she glanced toward the forest, her expression sharpening,
"…isn't someone you can handle."
She met his eyes.
"Before trying to play the hero…"
"Make sure you can survive first."
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