After just a few words, Yan Shaozhe's figure emerged from the Sea God Pavilion. He glanced around before walking towards Wang Nan.
"Teacher," Ma Xiaotao said, lowering her head slightly when she saw Yan Shaozhe.
Yan Shaozhe didn't say much. He simply glanced at Ma Xiaotao and sighed softly.
"Dean Yan."
"Hmm," Yan Shaozhe nodded. "This Sea God Pavilion meeting is mainly focused on Evil Soul Masters. We don't know how many arrangements the Holy Spirit Cult has made on the Douluo Continent, but we cannot let them continue like this."
"Therefore, the academy's current surveillance missions are primarily focused on investigating the Holy Spirit Cult," he continued. "However, according to the information brought by Elder Xuan, the official disciples of the Holy Spirit Cult are all above Rank six."
"The combat power of Evil Soul Masters already surpasses that of ordinary Spirit Masters of the same rank. And with that 'Spirit Ascension Ceremony,' even ordinary Spirit Emperors would not be a match for these Evil Soul Masters. Such missions are too dangerous for disciples with lower cultivation, so we will have to trouble you with these tasks."
Wang Nan didn't find it troublesome. Any mission was a mission, and in his heart, he actually wanted to resolve the Holy Spirit Cult as soon as possible. However, the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult was, after all, a Limit Douluo—unless…
"There's another matter," Yan Shaozhe said, interrupting Wang Nan's thoughts. "I heard you and Ye Xiaosheng developed a portable spirit tool detector. I want every Inner Courtyard disciple to be equipped with one. As for the compensation, I will purchase them at the price of spirit tools of the same rank."
Wang Nan nodded. "I have no problem with it, but since Xiaosheng researched it, I don't know if he will agree. Also, Dean Yan can discuss the price with him."
"Good, I'll go discuss it with him later. You just finished a surveillance mission not long ago, so get some good rest these next few days."
"Dean Yan, are there any missions in the Sun Moon Empire?"
Yan Shaozhe frowned and looked at Wang Nan. "The Sun Moon Empire is not like here; the people there mostly harbor hostility towards us, and the headquarters of the Holy Spirit Cult is located there. Your Spirit is special; once they discover you, there will be great risk."
Wang Nan looked up at the Golden Tree gently swaying in the wind. "It's fine, I'll be careful. Besides, even if I encounter a powerful opponent, I am confident I can escape."
"Alright." Yan Shaozhe was silent for a long time before slowly speaking. "I don't have any specific missions here, but you can investigate some branches of the Holy Spirit Cult or other information. All of this can count as completing a surveillance mission."
After a pause, Yan Shaozhe spoke again, "Protecting yourself is the most important thing."
"Understood." Seeing Wang Nan nod, Yan Shaozhe then left, walking towards the Soul Guidance System.
Ma Xiaotao, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke again, "Are you going alone?"
"Yes," Wang Nan smiled. "A single person is a smaller target and easier to hide."
Ma Xiaotao fell silent once more, then suddenly opened her arms and embraced Wang Nan.
Wang Nan was slightly stunned but merely patted her back gently.
After a long while, the two separated. Wang Nan said no more and walked down the mountain.
Ma Xiaotao watched Wang Nan's figure grow further and further, yet also higher and higher, like a giant dragon about to soar into the sky.
She suddenly chuckled and turned to walk into the Sea God Pavilion.
Since you are that giant dragon soaring through the sky, then I will strive to fly high and overlook this world with you.
…
Wang Nan watched Tianming City in the distance grow larger in his sight, then actively put away his flying spirit tool and landed on the ground to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
Although a Spirit Master at the Spirit Saint Rank already possessed the ability to fly, it was not possible to fly for extended periods. Moreover, using a flying spirit tool could save a lot of spirit power, so Wang Nan didn't abandon this convenient mode of travel.
"Hello, please show your identification and state your reason for coming to Tianming City."
After several years, Tianming City hadn't changed much, still heavily guarded.
Wang Nan was rummaging through his storage spirit tool, about to take something out, when the sound of horse hooves suddenly came from behind him.
Looking back, it was a neat team of cavalry, led by Pan Yue, whom Wang Nan had seen before.
In Wang Nan's perception, Pan Yue had already reached the Spirit King Rank, and there was a familiar aura about him.
Pan Yue merely glanced as usual when passing through the city gate, but he didn't expect to see an acquaintance in that one glance.
Although several years had passed and Wang Nan's appearance had changed somewhat, Pan Yue recognized him at first sight. His grip on the reins tightened.
"It's you."
Wang Nan nodded, looked at Pan Yue's armor, and said with a smile, "Now I should call you General Pan."
"I wouldn't dare," Pan Yue dismounted and quickly waved his hand. "Just a deputy general."
Saying that, he looked back at a soldier still on horseback. The soldier immediately understood and led the remaining cavalry into Tianming City.
"General Pan, if you have business, please go ahead. I'm just here to look around."
Pan Yue clearly didn't believe Wang Nan's explanation. While leading his horse, he took Wang Nan into the city. "I just returned on leave, so a slight delay won't matter. If there's anything you need help with, please don't hesitate to ask."
"I'm really just passing through this time."
Pan Yue looked at Wang Nan and nodded. "Alright, but there's one more thing: thank you for helping my Pan family recover our ancestral relic."
Wang Nan was slightly stunned, looking at Pan Yue. If he remembered correctly, Pan Yue's Spirit should be a green long halberd.
Pan Yue didn't wait for Wang Nan to ask and proactively explained, "To be honest, Pan Yang is indeed my cousin. Actually, my father's Spirit is also the Coiling Dragon Staff, but it mutated when it came to me."
"While the Coiling Dragon Staff Spirit is powerful, a Coiling Dragon Staff without a Dragon Soul is no different from an ordinary Spirit and is easily influenced by other factors, causing it to mutate. My Spirit is the Array-Breaking Halberd, which mutated from the Coiling Dragon Staff."
"Actually, this time I took leave to come home because news came from my family that they found the ancestral relic and told us its origin."
Wang Nan finally understood where that familiar aura on Pan Yue came from. "So, you knew it was me who helped you find it?"
Pan Yue looked at Wang Nan. "A young prodigy with the Coiling Dragon Staff Spirit, besides you, I really can't think of anyone else."
Wang Nan smiled at that. "No need to be so polite. Maybe we were even family ten thousand years ago."
Pan Yue, however, nodded very seriously.
Wang Nan was speechless for a moment. People in the military camp were indeed accustomed to being serious.
After a brief reunion, Wang Nan finally left Tianming City and set foot on the land of the Sun Moon Empire.