969 The Mission

Although it had been a long time since the event, Tang Wulin still could not help feeling gloomy each time someone mentioned it.

His lips cracked into a bitter smile. "The academy is destroyed and we don't even know where the enemy is nor how many people took part in the plan. However, we will rebuild Shrek no matter what. Shrek's glory won't cease in our generation's hands."

"Hmm, you better put in more effort. I can only provide you with spiritual support as one of the Blood Gods. After all, we can't leave this place." Blood Nine patted Tang Wulin's shoulder. He was about the same age as Tang Wulin apparently.

Meanwhile, the door of the elevator opened and Blood One walked out.

Tang Wulin was stunned for a moment upon seeing Blood One. As compared to the day he met him, this Heartless Douluo now exuded a murderous aura instead.

Tang Wulin was especially sensitive toward other people's auras due to his strong bloodline power. The aura emitted from the person before him made Tang Wulin's bloodline fluctuate violently.

Blood Nine raised his brows ever so slightly as he smiled and spoke, "Big brother, did you just go over there again?"

"Hmm." Blood One nodded. "They retreated so soon that I'll need to go check on it again to prevent unwanted troubles. They withdrew into a passive defense this time real quick, so I'm not tired. After a few battles, I can see that they were not scheming, it was more like they were petrified."

Blood Nine was stunned for a moment. "Who were they petrified of?"

Blood One's lips cracked into a faint smile as he pointed to Tang Wulin by his side.

Blood Nine looked toward Tang Wulin in astonishment. "By him? That can't be."

Blood One smiled and spoke, "I'll elaborate more on that in a while. Wulin, I've already made arrangements for you. I'll be assigning a mission for you next."

"Yes." Tang Wulin became inspired at once. He was feeling eager and anxious to go.

Blood One announced, "I'll explain to you in a moment. You must make preparations for battle and adapt yourself."

"Yes." Blood Nine spoke in bewilderment, "The tide has ended. What mission will that be?"

Blood One smiled. "Have you forgotten about the Federation's latest technology?"

Blood Nine was immediately enlightened. "So you wish to send him to participate?"

"Hmm. It's safest for him to participate on our side without worrying about revealing anything accidentally. Wulin, head back first. I'll be contacting you via the Blood God Bracelet later. Our side here needs you to make some preliminary preparations for your mission which will commence in three days."

"Yes." Tang Wulin did not leave immediately. He looked toward Blood One with slight anticipation. He spoke, "Sir, I went over to the combat unit to exchange my merit points earlier. They said that I need to elevate my military rank in our Blood God Battalion. Can you please…"

Blood One was the Heartless Douluo Cao Dezhi, so he was considered as one of Tang Wulin's people. Tang Wulin did not hesitate to act or speak boldly.

Blood One smiled and spoke, "How many merit points are there?"

Tang Wulin answered, "Over twenty thousand points."

Blood One was stunned, but he could not help smiling and said, "Impressive. You've managed to gain over twenty thousand merit points in just one battle. It seems like you've truly devoured a lot of abyssal energy this time. No wonder you startled those old creatures. I suspect they were back to determine your status, and that's why the abyssal tide ended so soon. Twenty thousand over merit points should be enough to promote you to a captain. However, there's no rush in this. Here's an idea. If you complete this upcoming mission successfully, I'll immediately approve your promotion to a major. You can have a double promotion then.

Tang Wulin's eyes widened at once. Was that even allowed? It was already a surprise for him to be promoted to a captain. If he were promoted to a major, would that not mean that he could visit Gu Yuena at least once a week then? It would be truly remarkable!

"Yes, sir. I'll head back to make preparations."

Tang Wulin left. Blood Nine looked toward Blood One as Blood One's expression turned solemn.

"What happened, big brother?" Blood Nine asked in puzzlement.

Blood One spoke in a deep voice, "Tang Wulin's appearance may be an opportune moment for us possibly. However, it may also end up as a catastrophe. I can't make a complete assessment of the situation yet. He revealed himself too soon. I've already spoken to the regimental commander that we should consolidate our defense line. The abyssal tide lasted only a short while this time, but I'm worried that the next wave will come sooner."

…

In the Spirit Pagoda's headquarters.

"The latest technology developed by the Federation will be officially launched soon. Not only are we taking part this time, but we'll also need to get ourselves a good ranking," said Qiangu Dongfeng in a deep voice as he sat on the main seat.

The person sitting on his right was the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo while a middle-aged man sat on his other side. Almost everyone in the scene was a high-ranking official of the Spirit Pagoda.

"The latest technology developed by the Federation is a technology that's beyond its time. It's still in the test phase despite its engineering methodologies which have matured since earlier. Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect's headquarters were destroyed and caused great turmoil on the continent. As a result, the Federation has released this latest technology in time for everyone to participate, and it's also a tactic to divert the public's attention. Yaozhu, how're the contestants on your side? Have you found that disciple of yours, yet?"

The Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu spoke indifferently, "I've already selected the participants on my side. I've also contacted my disciple. She's very good, and she's going to take part."

Qiangu Dongfeng nodded satisfactorily. "We're not going to tolerate any mistakes in this matter because it's going to further enhance our influence. We've managed to take a quarter of the seats in the new parliament. So, if we can assert our influence a step further through this competition, it will be extremely helpful to our Spirit Pagoda's next development plan."

Leng Yaozhu darted him a look, but she did not speak. As the Vice Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda, she knew Qiangu Dongfeng far too long and too well. No one else knew but how could she not know his objective. He was an ambitious man. His goal was to make the Spirit Pagoda be the ancient Martial Soul Hall of twenty thousand years ago. With the organization's strength to domineer over the entire Federation, he would be in control of it.

Although she had yet to gather any evidence, she believed that the incident that happened to Shrek Academy was his doing.

…

"The Federation's latest technology? What does that mean? Each big city has its own entries and each big city's Spirit Pagoda is allowed to take part. It's said that the technology is similar to the Spirit Pagoda's spirit ascension platform but somewhat different. The latest technology covers the whole continent such that all soul masters who wish to take part can do so. It'll scan and simulate each soul master's abilities and physical condition to ensure it's fair. This technology will be extremely helpful in elevating a soul master's actual combat abilities, especially a mecha master."

"That's right. Similar devices are owned by the big organizations in the past and those devices aren't even perfect such that the systems aren't linked to one another. This time, it'll be different. It'll be launched by the Federation, so all the systems will be unified. The Federation has organized this competition and set lucrative rewards to attract as many soul masters as possible to take part and promote this advanced technology. It's said that the army has already used it and its effects are impressive."

"That's great if it's true. What are you waiting for? Let's sign up. It's free anyway. It'll be good for our experience."

"Are there any restrictions?"

"Nope. It's said that any soul master below the Title Douluo rank is allowed to take part. There's no other restriction. Oh right, you must be below a three-word battle armor master because the system is incapable of withstanding a three-word battle armor master's fighting. The main problem is that the external facility is not strong enough. A three-word battle armor master's leaked energies during a battle can damage the system even if his or her physical condition has been scanned earlier. Thus, as long as one isn't a three-word battle armor master or does not deploy a three-word battle armor, and is below the Title Douluo rank, one is then allowed to take part."