A sharp glint flashed in Jing Hongchen’s eyes as he stared intently at the cloaked figure before him. "What proof do you have that what you say is true?" he asked in a low voice.
The cloaked figure let out a soft, eerie chuckle. "Proof? Heh. Haven't you all been searching for the whereabouts of the Black Phoenix Sphere? The fact that I can tell you exactly where it is—at Shrek Advanced Academy—doesn't that speak for itself?"
Jing Hongchen frowned, lost in thought. The Black Phoenix Sphere was indeed of extraordinary significance to the Sun Moon Empire; if they could truly obtain it, it would be a massive boost to the empire’s strength.
"What do you want, then?" Jing Hongchen asked slowly.
The cloaked figure let out a sly laugh. "What I want is simple. I need you to do me a small favor. Once it is done, I will naturally tell you the exact location of the Black Phoenix Sphere."
Jing Hongchen’s gaze sharpened. "Tell me what the favor is first."
The cloaked figure lowered his voice and whispered something into Jing Hongchen’s ear. Jing Hongchen’s expression shifted slightly, and he said with some hesitation, "This... that might be rather difficult."
The cloaked figure snorted coldly. "This is your only chance to obtain the Black Phoenix Sphere. Think it over carefully." With that, his figure flickered and vanished into the darkness, leaving Jing Hongchen standing in place, his expression uncertain as he pondered.
Jing Hongchen took a deep breath and called out in the direction where the figure had disappeared, "Wait. I can provide funding for the top-tier combatants at Shrek Advanced Academy, and you can take the opportunity to attack. I will handle the containment of the Sea God Pavilion."
The cloaked figure’s silhouette paused in the darkness, emitting a low laugh. "Heh, Jing Hongchen, you had better keep your word. Otherwise, you know the consequences."
Jing Hongchen’s face was solemn, a flash of determination in his eyes. "Rest assured. To obtain the Black Phoenix Sphere, I will give it my all."
"Hmph, I hope you don't go back on your word, or I won't let you off lightly," the cloaked figure replied. "We will proceed according to the plan. Do not mess this up."
"I know what I'm doing; I will arrange this operation carefully," Jing Hongchen responded. "But Shrek Advanced Academy is not easy to deal with. We must be fully prepared."
"Naturally, I am not a reckless man," said the cloaked figure. "As long as you hold the Sea God Pavilion as agreed, I am confident I can succeed."
Jing Hongchen hesitated. "But won't funding the elite combatants at Shrek Advanced Academy arouse their suspicion? After all, our relationship has always been rather delicate."
"Hmph, that depends on your methods," the cloaked figure scoffed. "As long as it’s done skillfully, they won't necessarily discern our true purpose. You can come up with suitable reasons and excuses."
"Fine, I will find a way. To what extent should I provide this funding?"
"Enough to make them lower their guard and provide me with the perfect window to attack. Not too much, not too little."
"I understand. I will gauge the level carefully," Jing Hongchen said. "When attacking the Sea God Pavilion, is there anything we need to watch out for?"
"You must be careful of the counterattacks from those old geezers at Shrek Advanced Academy; their strength is not to be underestimated. Also, take care not to damage the Black Phoenix Sphere."
"I am aware of that. I will have the experts of the Mingde Hall fully prepared. But what if the operation fails?"
"Failure? Then find a way to retreat safely; our plan must not be exposed. We can wait for another opportunity, but we must never let the Sun Moon Empire be put in a passive position."
"Very well. Let us act separately now, and maintain contact," Jing Hongchen said.
"Remember," the cloaked figure said, "we have only one goal: the Black Phoenix Sphere."
With that, the cloaked figure vanished into the darkness again. Jing Hongchen stood alone, deep in thought. He knew the operation was fraught with risk, but for the sake of the empire, he had to take the gamble. In the days that followed, Jing Hongchen began to lay his plans in secret—making contact with certain individuals at Shrek Advanced Academy to offer "funding" while simultaneously preparing for the containment of the Sea God Pavilion. Shrek Advanced Academy seemed unaware of all this, continuing its teaching and cultivation as usual. Yet, beneath this tranquil surface, a massive storm was quietly brewing.
In the peaceful Shrek Advanced Academy, the clear blue sky suddenly seemed as if it had been stained with ink. A vast, dense black fog surged forth like a rushing tide. The fog appeared to have a life of its own, clawing and reaching toward every corner of the academy.
Just then, the academy’s broadcast system blared: "Emergency notification! Emergency notification! Attention students, a mysterious black fog has appeared in the sky and is attacking the academy. Please seek safe shelter immediately. Do not panic; the teachers will organize a response as soon as possible!"
The black fog drifted like a phantom between the academy’s buildings, moving with incredible speed and carrying a bone-chilling wind. Some students who had been sparring in the courtyards were engulfed instantly before they could even react. It seemed as though countless evil hands were hidden within the mist, pulling at the students' bodies and plunging them into sheer panic.
"What is this thing?" a student screamed in terror.
"I don't know! It's horrifying!" another cried.
Some students tried to manifest their Martial Souls to resist, but the black fog seemed to devour all energy, causing the light of their Martial Souls to fade into nothingness. The mist wound tightly around their limbs, making their movements sluggish and difficult, as if they were bound by invisible shackles.
Students studying diligently in the classrooms were not spared either. The fog snaked through windows and door cracks like venomous serpents. Students shrieked in terror as they scrambled to escape, but the fog followed them like a shadow, sparing no one. It rampaged through the classrooms, overturning desks and chairs, sending books flying through the air.
On the school playground, the once-lively scene turned into absolute chaos. The black fog swirled like a giant vortex, dragging students in one by one. They struggled and shouted within the mist, but their voices seemed to be swallowed by the fog, unable to carry far. The entire Shrek Advanced Academy was shrouded in this terrifying black mist, plunged into despair and disorder.
"Do not panic! Stay calm! The teachers are working on a solution!" a teacher shouted over the broadcast.
"Quick! Organize the students to evacuate to safe zones!" another teacher commanded.
However, the assault of the black fog grew increasingly violent, and the situation became more critical. In the midst of this, the calm atmosphere of Shrek Advanced Academy was shattered. With a loud roar, Xu Sanshi shone with a brilliant light as his powerful Xuanwu Martial Soul manifested. He looked toward the roiling black fog in the sky with a grave expression.
At the same time, Jiang Nannan did not hesitate to manifest her Soft-Bone Charm Rabbit Martial Soul. She dropped her chopsticks, her lithe figure flashing like a gale as she raced toward the academy gates.
At the back gate of the academy, Bei Bei stood with a solemn expression, his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul shimmering with brilliant light. Tang Ya held her Dark Demon Staff, her face set in grim determination. They were locked in a fierce, decisive battle against a group of malicious Evil Soul Masters.
"Tang Ya, watch out for their Dark Soul Skills!" Bei Bei shouted.
"Don't worry, Bei Bei! We will surely defeat them!" Tang Ya replied.
The Evil Soul Masters let out shrill, eerie laughter. "Haha! Stop struggling and just let us consume you!"
Bei Bei and Tang Ya remained unmoved, continuing their desperate fight against the Evil Soul Masters, every move and technique imbued with iron resolve. Other students and teachers at the academy also took action, joining forces to withstand this sudden, catastrophic crisis.