Chapter 488: Preparations Before the Rescue Mission
"Shaozhe! I've already selected the students who will participate in this rescue operation."
A deep, aged yet powerful voice rang out behind Yan Shaozhe, interrupting his thoughts. Turning around, he saw Xuanzi approaching leisurely, holding a chicken leg in one hand and a wine jug in the other.
With each bite of chicken, he took a sip of wine, his face filled with satisfaction. The air around him grew thick with the scent of alcohol as he approached.
"Elder Xuan," Yan Shaozhe greeted before asking, "Which students did you select?"
Lately, he had been overwhelmed with responsibilities gathering intelligence from the Sun Moon Empire, negotiating with the three empires on how to rescue those captured. He was practically running himself ragged.
There were some matters he simply couldn't handle personally, and since Elder Xuan was the most free among the elders, he had entrusted him with the student selection.
"Beibei, Xiao Xiao, He Caitou, Zhang Lexuan, and Wang Dong!" Xuanzi listed the names casually, as if reading off a menu.
Then, he explained, "He Caitou is familiar with soul tools and has the right skin tone he'll blend in easily within Sun Moon. Beibei, Xiao Xiao, and Wang Dong are from Tang Sect and want to rescue their Sect Master, Tang Ya. As for Zhang Lexuan, she is the strongest among the students, making this a well balanced team."
Yan Shaozhe's face showed surprise not because of Beibei. He already knew Beibei was determined to join the mission.
But one name caught him off guard.
"Lexuan is going too? She's the strongest student in the inner courtyard, the youngest Soul Douluo in nearly three thousand years!
She's destined to become an elder in the Sea God Pavilion we cannot afford to lose her!
Her existence represents Shrek Academy's future. She'll also be the first student in the inner courtyard to reach Titled Douluo!
Elder Xuan, how can you let Lexuan take part in this mission?"
Xuanzi sighed helplessly, rubbing his forehead.
"You should know Lexuan has always liked Beibei. But Beibei only has eyes for Tang Ya.
The moment Lexuan heard Beibei was going on this mission, she immediately came to me and said:
'As the senior sister, it's my responsibility to protect promising students like Beibei.'
It's obvious she just wants Beibei to stay safe.
I tried convincing her otherwise, but she wouldn't listen.
Tell me, what was I supposed to do?
If I refused her, do you really think she wouldn't sneak into the Sun Moon Empire herself?
Lexuan is normally a rational and mature young woman, but when it comes to Beibei, she won't budge."
Deep inside, Xuanzi had always felt guilty towards Zhang Lexuan.
The first major disaster he brought upon Shrek Academy was during a mission where he led Lexuan and a group of talented inner court students.
During the mission, he got separated from them, and most of them died only Lexuan survived.
That tragedy weighed heavily on him.
At the time, he even considered resigning.
But Zhang Lexuan knelt before him, refusing to let him leave, convincing him to stay as an elder.
Yan Shaozhe was silent for a moment before declaring,
"No! I have to speak with Elder Mu. No matter what, we must keep Lexuan here.
Even if she hates me for it, I will beg Elder Mu to stop her."
Saying this, he flew into the air, heading straight for the Sea God Pavilion.
To Yan Shaozhe, not all lives were equal.
He valued some people more than others.
The students trapped in Sun Moon Empire, along with those from the three empires, were certainly important.
But Zhang Lexuan?
Her value far exceeded any of them.
If she was captured or killed, it would be a devastating loss to Shrek Academy.
After all, she was the youngest Soul Douluo in three millennia!
Seeing Yan Shaozhe fly off, Xuanzi shouted after him,
"Shaozhe, Elder Mu already approved Lexuan's participation!"
"What?! Elder Mu agreed?!"
"Yes!" Xuanzi nodded. "Even though I agreed to let her go, it was Elder Mu's final decision.
So after she insisted, I took her directly to Elder Mu.
After careful consideration, Elder Mu approved her request."
Yan Shaozhe clenched his fists.
He felt helpless.
Elder Mu was the Sea God Pavilion Master.
Whatever decision he made, no one could object.
Reluctantly, Yan Shaozhe descended back to the ground.
Xuanzi asked, "Shaozhe, how did the negotiations go with Tianhun, Douling, and Xingluo? How many strong fighters are they sending to support us?"
Yan Shaozhe's expression darkened.
"The outcome was disappointing.
Since all three nations have hostages in Sun Moon Empire, they fear making any aggressive moves.
They're also worried about a surprise invasion from Sun Moon.
As a result, they refuse to send any strong forces to help us.
Nor do they want to escalate tensions at the border.
According to them, they want to delay war as long as possible, using this time to build their strength before war inevitably breaks out.
The only good news is that they agreed to share intelligence, making our rescue mission smoother."
Hearing this, Xuanzi erupted in anger.
"How blind can they be?!
Do they still not understand the situation?!
If they pressured Sun Moon's forces, taking out some of their border soul engineer legions, it would slow down their invasion!
Besides, this rescue mission isn't just for Shrek students
We're also rescuing their people!
And yet, they still refuse to act?!
How short sighted!
How can we possibly fight against the Sun Moon Empire with fools like them as allies?!"
Yan Shaozhe sighed.
"Calm down, Elder Xuan.
This is the reality we have to deal with.
Our operation will proceed in two phases:
One group, including myself, will move to the border to draw attention.
Meanwhile, Beibei's team, under Elder Song's leadership, will sneak into Sun Moon Empire to rescue the captives.
Once the intelligence is gathered, we depart immediately."
Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy
Inside a laboratory,
Huo Yuhao held a hammer, rhythmically striking a metal slab on his workbench.
He was forging spirit forged metal.
There was a saying:
"A thousand refinements make it sentient; ten thousand refinements give it life."
Spirit forging was on a whole different level compared to thousand refinements.
Each strike of the hammer echoed through the lab, the sound of creation resonating in the air.
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