Hao Residence,

Jiandao.

Within the Hao Residence’s living room, Hao Ranhui, general manager of Soul Society’s Jiandao Branch, glared at a group of mercenaries as he scolded. “You mean to tell me you haven’t located the Eternal Spring yet?”

The mercenary group leader, Kazuki Rainer, shook his head, a grim look in his eyes as he said, “The soul monsters are acting strange. They’ve been very aggressive in the last few weeks, making our search very difficult. I’ve already lost twenty men.”

“You’ll be compensated for your loss.” Hao Ranhui noncommittally waved his hand. Who cared if some mercs lost their lives? That was par for the course. “More importantly, is there a specific location where these monsters are acting up? I do not think it’s a coincidence that they became aggressive as soon as we started searching for the Eternal Spring.”

Kazuki Rainer once again shook his head in frustration. “That’s the thing, sir. The monsters spread their aggression over a wide area. The Steelback Apes, Fairies, Dusklight Wolves, and many more are practically chasing out all humans in their territories.”

Hao Ranhui gently stroked his beard as he delved deep into thought. “Smart. It’s harder for us to pinpoint the exact location with many soul monsters acting up this way. Those beasts should have a tactician on their side.”

“I think so too,” Kazuki agreed. “There might be an organization manipulating the beasts to monopolize the spring. It won’t be easy to uncover them since they have hidden so well for so long.”

Hao Ranhui’s brows furrowed. “Someone capable of controlling those beasts can’t be simple. We might need to call in some help.”

“We’ll be forced to share the Eternal Spring.” Kazuki was in disagreement.

“You’ve seen those monsters’ strength. How many soul trainers in our city are capable of handling 10th Phase monsters?” Hao Ranhui snorted in anger. The man brushed his beard for a few minutes as he pondered how to solve the problem.

“Ah. Why don’t we try this.” Hao Ranhui's eyes shone as the root of an idea began to form. “We can spread rumors that the monsters are guarding some rare treasure. Greedy mercenaries can then help us sweep through the monsters’ territories for free. It may take a few months to one or two years to narrow it down, but it will be worth it.”

Kazuki frowned. “Won’t this expose the Spring’s location?”

Hao Ranhui shook his head. “I assure you, that secret organization will fiercely guard the spring’s location. We just have to pay attention to what part of the jungle gets the most protection.”

Kazuki nodded, but then asked, “What do we do if the Eternal Spring’s location leaks?”

Hao Ranhui sneered. “We might be forced to share a little, but it’s worth it as long as we maintain the lion’s share. Of course, it would be even better if any potential leakers were eliminated ahead of time.”

Kazuki’s eyes gleamed with a sinister glint as he nodded and then said, “Understood. I will prioritize eliminating any potential threats.”

Hao Ranhui smiled and then took a sip of his tea. “Happy hunting, Kazuki. With any luck, you’ll soon return with good news.”

Kazuki bowed his head, and then exited the room with his squad.

Left behind, Hao Ranhui clenched his fists as he stared at a map that hung on the wall. “The Eternal Spring is enough to elevate me from a general manager to head of a vast clan. I will not let this opportunity slip through my fingers.”

Hao Ranhui loved and hated his job.

Soul Society required its officers in top posts to cut off all ties with their clans. This was to ensure a clan did not abuse Soul Society’s influence for personal gains. However, this also left the managers heavily dependent on Soul Society’s vast influence. Anyone abandoned or fired by Soul Society was cast to the level of a common vagrant. Without a clan or family, they often found themselves besieged by enemies they made while on the job.

Some managers from great clans could return to their families when their tenure finished, but Hao Ranhui was a rogue soul trainer from a no-name clan. Without Soul Society’s backing, he would become just another soul trainer. He intended to use the Eternal Spring’s proceeds to secretly build a power he could fall back on when his time as general manager came to an end.

Hao Ranhui had made up his mind. That Eternal Spring would be his.

No matter the cost.

Elders’ Forest.

While Hao Ranhui plotted, the soul monsters in question gathered by the Eternal Spring Lake, marveling at its potency.

Tyrant watched a group of heavily injured Steelback Apes fully recover after only a few sips from the lake. The lake’s water was one of the significant reasons the monsters could defend their zones for so long. As long as a monster did not die, it could recover from any injury nigh-instantaneously.

‘It’s a pity.’ The Diamondback Ape glanced at Twilight from the corner of his eyes. The Star Dusklight Wolf was playing with his children after a day of arduous training. Tyrant focused on Twilight’s fur, which had begun to gray at a significantly faster rater. Even the Eternal Spring couldn’t heal a poison this potent. It only held back the effects. Unfortunately, after seven years, the Eternal Spring no longer had as strong an impact on Twilight’s body as it did in the beginning.

At this rate, Twilight would perish in a few years. Unfortunately, there was nothing anyone could do about it.

“Guo!” Tyrant called Twilight over and then asked what they were going to do about the investigating mercenaries. It did not seem they were going to give up.

Twilight lazily grinned. “We’re just buying time, so we blow this matter sky-high.”

“What?” Tyrant scratched his head in confusion. When Rao Taylor was alive, he and Twilight would often go over several plans before attacking an area. Tyrant and the other monsters preferred smashing their enemies head-on, so they always left the schemes to Twilight and Rao Taylor.

Twilight did not blame his simple-minded friend. It, in fact, loved Tyrant’s simple nature. There were very few monsters Twiligth could trust, even amongst Rao Taylor’s soul monsters. Tyrant topped that list.

“We can’t negotiate with a single person,” Twilight explained, “But we can negotiate with a large organization like Soul Society.”

“What?”

“Individuals value profit over reputation. The person who’s been searching for the Eternal Spring is perfect proof. They won’t stop no matter how many people die in the process, and they’ll most likely pull out all sorts of schemes to make sure they get the Spring’s location.” Twilight snorted as it looked at the spring’s clear waters. “Once they find this location, they’ll rush us with all sorts of reinforcements to claim it for themselves.”

Twilight kicked a pebble and watched as it rolled across the ground. “Soul Society is different. They care too much about their reputation and can’t be seen openly slaughtering a large number of intelligent soul monsters for some profit.”

The pebble struck a rock sitting at the top of an incline. The larger rock then started rolling down the ground. “We’ll slowly make this matter blow up until Soul Society shows up. That’ll be our chance.”

“Our chance to do what?” asked Midnight as she joined the duo. Her cold eyes briefly warmed when she looked at Twilight’s gray fur, but they soon hardened. “What are you plotting?”

Twilight chuckled. “Soul Society will want to avoid an all-out war. They can’t afford to have the deaths of so many people on their hands.”

Tyrant shook his head. “They can summon Soul Kings and Rulers. Their rank ten soul monsters will outnumber us. Once we’re occupied, they can easily rout the rest.”

Twilight shook his head. “Do you think Soul Trainers with numerous Rank 10 monsters grow on trees? Taylor was a special case. I’m certain they needed several months if not years to get all those trainers into Jiandao for the ambush.” Twilight puffed its chest. “Besides, most of us are monarch-ranked. Who cares how many warrior-ranked rank ten monsters those talentless soul trainers throw our way.”

“Stop bragging.” Midnight rolled her eyes. “What’s your solution?”

Twilight glanced at the rock as it rolled into the spring. “If they call Soul Kings, who says we can’t call more monsters? How do you think the other monsters will react once they find out what we’re guarding?”

Tyrant frowned. “You can only control the spring because you’re dealing with old friends. The monsters won’t let you keep the control you have now.”

Twilight smirked. “Who says I care about the Eternal Spring? I’m only doing this to buy Rao Wu and the others time to return.” He winked at Tyrant. “Don’t pretend like you’re not worried about your son. Do you need to come down here personally every day to supervise the Steelbacks’ healing?”

Tyrant snorted but did not refute Twilight’s accusation. “Are you certain they’re still alive?”

Twilight nodded. “I checked myself. The test doors will remain locked until they either succeed or die. Only one group can take the test at a time.”

“Good.” Tyrant was loathed to show it, but its eyes belied its relief. It crossed its arms and then said, “We’ll follow your crazy plan. How long do you think it’ll take them?

Twilight shook his head. “They’ve already exceeded the time I expected. I cannot guess how long it’ll take. We just have to do our best to keep buying time.”

Tyrant grunted. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” After speaking, it turned and walked out of the cavern.

Twilight’s grin flattened when Tyrant disappeared from view. The Star Dusklight Wolf then frowned as it looked at Midnight. “I did the right thing, sending Rao Wu in there, right?”

Midnight hesitated but then gently nudged Twilight’s neck. “Stop worrying. You trained Rao Wu better than any master could. He’ll surprise you when he returns.”

Twilight chuckled as his smile returned. “That’s right. I am the greatest teacher, aren’t I?”

“Ugh.” Midnight snorted in disgust and turned to leave her boastful partner, but Twilight chased her down, intent on harassing her some more.

‘I don’t have much time left. I’ll make everything perfect. For you and Taylor. I swear.’

The Test Chamber,

Two Weeks Later.

Rao Wu grinned as he stood in front of the golem. He spent the last two weeks on training foundation battle techniques with Xian Da and Ju Tu. With their increased capabilities, he was confident in the next test.

Rao Wu raised his thumb at the golem. “I’m ready. Begin the next test.”

“Good luck, Rao Wu,” said the golem as blinding light burst out from the ground and swallowed the child.

Nearby, Fen, the administrator, cracked open an eyelid as he observed the dissipating light pillar. “Interesting.” His lips parted to reveal a cheeky grin as he said, “We underestimated the child. The coming months should be interesting.”