Chapter 51 – Hunting the Hatred Demon Soul Assassin Group, Third Soul Skill

Outside the inn, two fleeting lights streaked beneath the shadows of countless trees, heading swiftly into the distance.

Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Xu Tianxi and Elder Yue.

Before long, they arrived deep in the forest, where a familiar figure came into view—Zhisen.

"Senior, any luck? Were you able to locate their trail?"

Xu Tianxi landed lightly, asking the meditating Zhisen, who was silently sensing the surroundings.

Though they had requested intel from the Star Luo Empire, Xu Tianxi had never truly counted on their cooperation.

Xiao Changfeng had already provided preliminary intelligence. Forcing Xu Jiujing to deliver it was merely a way to deepen her hatred toward Shrek Academy.

Yes—it was manipulative, and he knew this ordeal would surely change Xu Jiujing forever.

But Xu Tianxi didn't regret it. In fact, he was rather pleased that such an opportunity had dropped into his lap.

Using the Shrek Inner Court identity token gifted by Zhang Lexuan years ago, he had performed a flawless act.

Xu Tianxi had no intention of wearing the mask of righteousness.

His creed was simple: be gentle as spring to your own, and thunderous as wrath to your enemies.

Use every means necessary when the time comes.

Shrek Academy was his destined enemy. There was no room for negotiation.

He needed to seize every opportunity to destroy them.

Crushing Chen Xiaojie with a single strike left him no room for any other plausible cover.

Posing as an Inner Court disciple of Shrek was the most natural—and the most advantageous.

Since he had put on the mask, he would maximize its value.

The presence of Tang San, the God King, hung over his fate like a guillotine.

Every step he took now was to improve his position, to buy time to grow stronger—to face the storm that was sure to come.

Back then, Yan Shaozhe hadn't killed him, but had forced him into a corner.

Now, Shrek would have to face the consequences of letting him live. Just as they were destroyed ten thousand years later by Class Twelve Fixed Soul Ammunition Cannons, they would suffer from the seeds sown today.

Of course, Xu Tianxi had his bottom lines:

First, never associate with Evil Soul Masters. Those he couldn't yet kill, he would mark for death later.

Second, never harm civilians. Soul masters could kill each other all they liked—but slaughtering cities or innocents was absolutely forbidden.

Zhisen opened his eyes and nodded gravely.

"Young Master, I've roughly located their base.

From what I've sensed, the leader—the so-called 'Envoy of Hatred'—has likely broken through to the Soul King level.

They have three or four Soul Ancestors, and over thirty soul masters of Soul Elder rank and below.

Shall I move in first to thin them out?"

"He's a Soul King now? Half a year ago he was just a top-tier Soul Ancestor.

That's a quick advancement," Xu Tianxi remarked with surprise.

After some thought, he nodded with resolve.

"I'll use Mirror Flower, Water Moon to infiltrate first. Senior, please follow behind but don't engage right away.

I'll assess their strength. If I can subdue the Envoy of Hatred, all the better.

If not… I'll trouble you to intervene."

Zhisen nodded. "Understood. But beware—Evil Soul Masters are known for their treacherous tricks.

You must be extremely careful, Young Master."

Last night's battle had already shown Zhisen the terrifying power this young man wielded.

A Soul King Evil Master was dangerous—even to Soul Emperors—but Xu Tianxi was far from ordinary.

"Elder Yue, you have the most experience. Please secure the perimeter.

These assassin group members are irredeemable scum. If any try to escape—do not let a single one survive!"

Turning to Elder Yue, Xu Tianxi issued his final command.

Cleaning up only halfway was disgusting. If they were going to kill, then they had to kill clean.

These monsters, steeped in rape, slaughter, and torture, didn't deserve mercy.

"Understood," Elder Yue growled with icy killing intent. But after a moment of hesitation, he added:

"Young Master, you've never encountered Evil Soul Masters before.

You might not understand how vicious they can be.

Shall I go in first and clear out the cannon fodder for you?"

Xu Tianxi's eyes flickered, but after a few seconds, he shook his head.

"No need. If it gets too ugly, I'll use cannons to send them on their way.

This is my trial. I need to see it with my own eyes."

Elder Yue nodded and said no more.

Following Zhisen, the trio crossed several ridges and arrived before a massive cave, shrouded in vines and creepers.

Xu Tianxi activated his Phantom Moon Mystic Eyes and peered into the shadows.

His eyes narrowed immediately.

On both sides of the cave walls hung strips of what looked like rags—human skin.

Including the skins of infants.

"It's my first time meeting such death-seeking scum.

Time to send you off."

Activating his fifth-grade flying soul tool, Xu Tianxi ensured stealth mode was on and dived silently downward.

"Second Soul Skill: Mirror Flower, Water Moon."

A veil of spiritual power descended across the cave.

Everyone inside—some hoarding loot, others raping prisoners—froze mid-action, breath halting eerily.

From the earth, several dark green vines shot up and whisked away the few still-living victims.

Then came thunderous explosions.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Fixed Soul Ammunition Cannons—each glowing with sparks—swept through the cave, unleashing merciless energy upon the frozen brigands.

The underground chamber roared like thunder.

Beams of lightning and frost lanced through the darkness as Xu Tianxi—hidden like a ghost—harvested lives with surgical precision.

He slaughtered over a hundred brigands without blinking.

Dual-wielding two Level-4 Soul Ray Pistols, his icy gaze shone with the power of Cold Moon Gaze—calm and unfeeling.

Killing… really isn't such a big deal. Do it enough times, and you go numb.

"Bang!"

A single shot pierced through a Soul Ancestor's defenses. Xu Tianxi sensed a wave of sinister energy—spiritual power not inferior to Chen Xiaojie.

He didn't hesitate. With one final blast from Cold Moon Gaze, he vaporized the man's head.

"Boom!"

Brain matter sprayed like watermelon pulp, splashing red and white everywhere.

The bandit collapsed in a heap—his evil life ended at last.

Gripped in the dead man's hand… was a child's severed arm.

Xu Tianxi's gaze turned colder.

He moved carefully, planting third-grade fixed soul ammunition bombs every few meters—ensuring no sneak attacks and obliterating the bodies to prevent resurrection techniques.

Corpse Explosion, a favored trick of the Death Envoy, was no joke.

He wasn't about to gamble on whether the Envoy of Hatred had similar tricks.

Suddenly, a hideous voice rang out from deep within the cave.

"Who dares trespass in the domain of Hatred Demon Soul?! Come forth and die!"

"The one dying is you—prepare to meet your end!"

Xu Tianxi roared back, pulling a Gatling-style fixed cannon launcher from his storage ring.

He loaded six level-4 soul ammo shells, and unleashed hell.

"BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!"

Purple lightning and frost-white rays lit up the cave.

The energy waves shattered everything, rocking the cave walls in a storm of destruction.

The cave began to collapse. Xu Tianxi—knocked back by recoil—floated midair, eyes glowing like moons.

He glared into the depths, where a shadow was trying to flee.

"Trying to run?

No Evil Soul Master has ever escaped me—and you won't be the first."

"Third Soul Skill—Cold Moon Devours the Falling Whale!"