Chapter 104: Assassination Outside Shrek City

"Should we take the job?"

Ji Yingying didn't care who the target was, but she was afraid her decision might affect Lu Jingming's plans, which was why she was so cautious in asking for his opinion.

"Why not? Take it."

Lu Jingming's lips curled into a smile, intrigued by the matter. If he remembered correctly, Dai Huabin had indeed hired assassins to kill Huo Yuhao in the original story, but Huo Yuhao was saved by Ma Xiaotao then. Now, Ma Xiaotao's evil fire had been sealed by Jingliu in advance, so she clearly wouldn't have any interaction with Huo Yuhao. Lu Jingming wanted to see if Huo Yuhao could still turn misfortune into good luck without Ma Xiaotao's help. This was also a test for him: could a favored child of destiny overcome adversity?

In any case, the person who hired the assassins was Dai Huabin. Whether this assassination succeeded or failed, it wouldn't have any substantial impact on Sea Abyss City.

"Yingying, for this mission, you don't need to send very strong personnel. It's fine even if it fails. Tell them that if the situation turns unfavorable, they can retreat at any time."

Lu Jingming just wanted to test things out; he wasn't really looking for a life-and-death struggle with Huo Yuhao, as that was completely unnecessary. Moreover, he clearly remembered that at this current point in time, Huo Yuhao had already attracted the attention and importance of the higher-ups in Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department due to his talent, becoming a core disciple of the Soul Tool Department. Not only that, but with the help of the Tian Meng Iceworm, he had also tricked the Ice Empress into acquiring his second martial soul, the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion with ultimate ice attribute, which led to the Sea God Pavilion holding a meeting and also listing Huo Yuhao as a core disciple of the Martial Soul Department, making him the first dual-core disciple in Shrek Academy's history.

How would the already rising Huo Yuhao face the assassins from the Wuchang Division? Lu Jingming was very curious about this.

"Understood."

Ji Yingying nodded, then ended the communication.

"A favored child of destiny, huh? I'm quite interested myself. And my destination happens to pass by that area. You wouldn't mind if I joined the fun, would you?"

Watching Ji Yingying's image disappear, Mobius suddenly spoke.

"Suit yourself. Just don't blow things up."

Lu Jingming said indifferently. Mobius was very willful; even if he disagreed, she would probably sneak off anyway. It was better to let her have her way and gain a little goodwill. Moreover, as long as she didn't provoke any hidden tricks Tang San might have left in the Golden Tree, Mobius's safety was assured. Because she was the 'Infinite Serpent', she was unkillable.

Within the territory of the Douluo Continent, Shrek City was located in the central region. With a permanent population of five million, its prosperity was second only to the imperial capitals of the great empires. It was also one of the most dazzling economic centers on the Douluo Continent, bustling with activity and endless streams of traffic.

In the evening, when the clamor should have gradually subsided, Shrek City remained as lively as during the day. At the city gate, the crowds entering and leaving the city were dense and countless, like a tide, stretching as far as the eye could see. Various noisy sounds intertwined.

The Ju Bao Pavilion in Shrek City, a treasure exchange established by Shrek Academy, had always been a coveted place for soul masters, housing countless rare soul treasures.

At this moment, two vibrant young men walked out of the Ju Bao Pavilion side by side, their faces beaming with irrepressible smiles, clearly having gained much.

"I can't believe we actually managed to trade for it!" The black-haired youth, Huo Yuhao, was full of pleasant surprise, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Even now, he was still immersed in the recent joy, somewhat unable to snap out of it. Not long ago, using his identity as a core disciple of Shrek Academy's Outer Court, he successfully helped Wang Dong exchange for the Golden Radiance Left Arm Bone, valued at nine and a half million gold soul coins, at the Ju Bao Pavilion.

"Your second martial soul has an ultimate attribute. The academy clearly wants to tie you firmly to it, deepening your connection with the academy. For the academy, this little cost is nothing at all."

Wang Dong had short blue-pink hair and a handsome, somewhat effeminate face. Compared to Huo Yuhao, he seemed to have a more thorough understanding of the academy's high-level thinking.

"I understand, but there's no harm in it for me, is there? The academy values me so much; I will certainly repay their kindness in the future."

Huo Yuhao nodded slightly. He recalled that after winning the freshman competition championship, his teammates Wang Dong and Xiaoxiao both smoothly became core disciples, but he, as the team leader, was excluded. At that time, his heart was indeed filled with resentment and complaints. But later, the Soul Tool Department opened its doors to him, accepting him as a core disciple of the Soul Tool Department, which gradually dissipated much of his dissatisfaction with the academy. Coupled with Elder Yi's guidance, he gradually let go and no longer wallowed in self-pity.

Now that he was so valued by the academy, that little bit of past unhappiness had completely vanished. He knew in his heart that before awakening his second martial soul, he truly didn't have enough qualifications to become a core disciple, not even to cross the threshold of Shrek Academy. If it weren't for Teacher Xiaoya providing him a recommendation spot, he wouldn't have been able to enter this top academy on the continent at all. Although Shrek Academy's handling of him, the freshman champion, was somewhat unfair at the time, time had passed, and everything was moving in a good direction.

Now, he had teachers and classmates who cared about him, a like-minded roommate like Wang Dong, and the care and attention of Teacher Xiaoya and Senior Brother Beibei. This warm sense of belonging was something the cold and austere Duke White Tiger's mansion could never compare to.

"Let's go, let's quickly return to the academy. Tonight, you'll absorb the whale gum, and I'll refine the soul bone. The next time we encounter that Dai Huabin, I alone can beat him so badly he can't take care of himself!"

Wang Dong waved his fists, full of youthful vigor, his face brimming with confidence and heroism.

Watching Wang Dong's high-spirited appearance, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but smile. Their three-person team was getting stronger step by step, and their relationship was becoming even closer. As for Dai Huabin, the hatred in Huo Yuhao's heart had never diminished. He had simply learned to bury this hatred deep down, and the previous incident where he forced Dai Huabin to kowtow and admit his mistake in front of everyone had somewhat released the long-suppressed emotions in his heart.

"Yuhao, there's killing intent, be careful!" Just as the two had walked out of Shrek City, the Tian Meng Iceworm in Huo Yuhao's sea of consciousness suddenly issued an urgent warning.

Although Shrek Academy was located within Shrek City, it wasn't directly connected to the city. So, if the two wanted to return to the academy, they had to leave the city first, and this precisely provided an opportunity for those with ill intentions. After all, committing murder outside Shrek City was far easier than doing so within the city.

Upon receiving the Tian Meng Iceworm's reminder, Huo Yuhao remained outwardly calm, his footsteps still steady, as if nothing had happened. But secretly, he quietly activated his spiritual detection sharing, warning Wang Dong while trying to pinpoint the enemy's location.

Wang Dong was slightly startled, but he quickly received the mental message from Huo Yuhao. He understood, and tacitly cooperated with Huo Yuhao, pretending as if nothing was wrong, but secretly, he had already begun circulating his soul power, ready to flee at any moment. As for why they didn't choose to fight directly, was it even necessary to ask? How could the strength of those who dared to ambush them outside Shrek City be something he, a three-ring Soul Elder, and Huo Yuhao, a two-ring Great Soul Master, could contend with?

At this moment, escaping back to Shrek City for help was the wisest choice. Facing the enemy head-on would undoubtedly be the most foolish approach.

"You've been discovered, act now!" Just then, a chillingly cold voice suddenly rang out. Simultaneously, a strange gray mist rapidly spread, like a surging tide, sweeping towards Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong.

"No good, Yuhao, it's a spiritual soul master! Your spiritual detection has been discovered!" The Tian Meng Iceworm exclaimed in Huo Yuhao's sea of consciousness. It never expected that among the people ambushing Huo Yuhao, there would actually be an extremely rare spiritual soul master, and one who happened to detect Huo Yuhao's spiritual detection.