The Chasers
"Hall Master, the Noumenon Sect has split into two groups. They must have discovered our presence."
A man dressed in black respectfully reported to the pot-bellied old man standing before him.
That old man was none other than Jing Hongchen, Master of Mingde Hall and a ninth-level soul engineer of the Sun Moon Empire.
When the Noumenon Sect departed from Star Luo City, Jing Hongchen personally led a team to follow them in secret.
His objective was clear.
Exterminate the Noumenon Sect's core forces.
The Snow Emperor's embryo that had been taken earlier was indeed one of the reasons. But more important than that was Huo Yuhao himself.
During the finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition, Yuhao had displayed monstrous talent and combat strength far beyond common sense.
It frightened Jing Hongchen.
Yes—frightened.
As a peak ninth-level soul engineer, Jing Hongchen understood clearly what Yuhao's potential meant.
If allowed to grow unchecked, Huo Yuhao would become one of the most terrifying existences on the entire Douluo Continent.
At that time, the Sun Moon Empire might not merely face suppression—
It could be destroyed.
For this reason, Jing Hongchen resolved to eliminate Yuhao before he matured fully.
Even if the move carried tremendous risk.
Even if it meant provoking powerful forces.
He still had to act.
After hearing his subordinate's report, Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Where is Huo Yuhao heading?"
The other young disciples of the Noumenon Sect were talented, but none of them truly concerned him.
From beginning to end, his sole target was Yuhao.
Even Du BuShou ranked below Yuhao in his priority list.
"He is heading northeast with Du BuShou."
"Follow them."
Jing Hongchen immediately activated his Class-9 flying soul tool. His speed multiplied several times as he shot toward the northeast like a streak of light.
They were already far from Star Luo City.
It was the perfect place to strike.
At the same time, Jing Hongchen's gaze flickered toward the right.
Another group was moving in parallel.
They shared the same objective.
The reason Jing Hongchen had dared to make this decisive move stemmed from an anonymous letter he had received.
It contained only a single line:
"Cooperate. Destroy the Noumenon Sect."
There was no signature.
However, the handwriting carried a faint yet unmistakable light-attribute aura—pure and domineering.
Only a Titled Douluo of extremely high cultivation could leave such residual power in ink.
Jing Hongchen quickly deduced the sender's identity.
It was Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the Martial Soul Department of Shrek Academy.
At first, Jing Hongchen had been surprised.
But after careful consideration, it no longer seemed strange.
Compared to the Sun Moon Empire, Shrek Academy had even stronger motivation to eliminate Yuhao.
They wished to preserve their status as the number one academy and neutral superpower on the continent.
Just as during the early stages of the war between the Sun Moon Empire and the three original Douluo Empires, Shrek Academy—despite claiming neutrality—had intervened in order to stabilize its influence and prevent Mingde Hall from surpassing it.
Hypocrisy, Jing Hongchen had thought at the time.
But interests aligned.
There are no eternal enemies—only eternal benefits.
"Yan Shaozhe," Jing Hongchen muttered softly, "it's time for you to act."
...
On the other side, Yan Shaozhe had also received intelligence that the Noumenon Sect had divided its forces.
He came to the same conclusion as Jing Hongchen.
Assassinate Yuhao.
"Shaozhe, the Noumenon Sect splitting into two groups—could it be a trap?" asked a beautiful woman with a graceful yet dignified bearing.
She was Cai Mei'er, Yan Shaozhe's wife and vice dean of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department.
Behind her stood a middle-aged man named Ji Xiao, an elder of Shrek Academy and a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse.
To ensure success, Shrek Academy had dispatched three Titled Douluo.
Among them were two Super Douluo—Yan Shaozhe and Cai Mei'er.
This alone demonstrated how seriously they regarded Yuhao.
Hearing Cai Mei'er's concern, Yan Shaozhe's expression remained calm.
"Even if it is a trap, it changes nothing. Huo Yuhao and Du BuShou must die today."
His tone was firm.
Without further hesitation, Yan Shaozhe activated his martial soul and unleashed brilliant light-attribute wings, leading the three toward their target at high speed.
...
Meanwhile, Yuhao and his group continued moving in the direction of the Tianhun Empire.
"Teacher, have Aotian and the others gone far enough?" Yuhao asked calmly.
Beside him stood Du BuShou, Sect Master of the Noumenon Sect.
"They're safe. Lang Ya is escorting them."
Du BuShou nodded.
"The true targets of those people behind us are you and me."
Clearly, both of them were fully aware they were being followed.
In fact, they had anticipated it from the moment they decided to leave Star Luo City.
That was why they had remained in the city for several extra days—to observe and confirm the movements of hidden forces.
When they finally departed, it required only slight perception to detect multiple groups trailing them.
After discussion, Du BuShou ordered Lang Ya to escort Long Aotian, Zhen Yue, and the younger disciples away along a separate route.
If battle erupted, those young disciples would only become liabilities.
"Yuhao," Du BuShou said with a faint smile, "I've sensed two distinct groups following us. Care to guess who they are?"
Yuhao stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"I can't be certain. But Shrek Academy is definitely one of them."
"Hahaha! I thought the same."
Du BuShou laughed heartily before his expression gradually turned cold.
"Let's see who the other group is."
The moment he finished speaking—
Eight soul-guided cannon shells suddenly streaked through the air from a hundred meters away.
Each shell carried a different elemental attribute, forming a deadly barrage.
Du BuShou did not move.
Just as the cannon shells were about to descend—
A golden figure burst forward.
It was Jin Peng.
Golden light enveloped his entire body. Behind him appeared the phantom of a massive torso martial soul, radiating overwhelming pressure.
He roared, activating a powerful defensive soul skill.
Blazing golden light condensed into a gigantic protective barrier in front of them.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The eight cannon shells detonated simultaneously upon the barrier, unleashing deafening explosions.
The residual shockwaves tore at the surrounding space. The different elemental attributes clashed violently, producing annihilating fluctuations.
Yet—
The golden barrier did not waver even slightly.
Jin Peng stood firm, his aura blazing like a sun.
He stared toward the direction of the attack and shouted coldly:
"You rats who only dare attack from the shadows—do you have the courage to show yourselves and fight openly?!"
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