32: Nightmare

"Mr. Tanaka, I think you should be more polite. After all, we are currently in a cooperative relationship, not a superior-subordinate one. Please do not speak to me in a tone of questioning a subordinate!" Xiao Xu said bluntly.

The person in front of him was named Tanaka Katsuya, a big figure among the Fusang Dark Guards.

Even Yano Takashi was only a Squad Leader, while Tanaka Katsuya was his direct superior, the Commander of the Fourth Battalion of the Fusang Dark Guards.

In terms of status and strength, he should be a level higher than Xiao Xu.

However, facing his sudden outburst of pressure, Xiao Xu showed no signs of panic, except for his hair dancing in the wind.

Seeing this, Tanaka Katsuya's anger vanished in an instant.

It was impossible to tell whether he was truly angry or if it was just to test Xiao Xu.

Like a face-changing artist, he quickly put on a smiling face and said, "Lord Xiao, with such strength, yet willing to remain dormant in a small Beast Taming University, you must have great ambitions."

"Unfortunately, the failure of our cooperation this time must be something you didn't want to see either, right? So I think I am qualified to ask you for a reasonable explanation!"

Seeing the other party become polite, Xiao Xu's expression softened, and he replied, "I know you suspect this was a trap I set. After all, an entire Fifth Squad of the Fusang Dark Guards was wiped out as a unit within the borders of Great Xia. This is something that hasn't happened in a long time."

"The last time your country suffered such heavy casualties was during the encirclement and suppression of Xiao Sheng, so I can understand your dissatisfaction."

Then he changed the subject: "However, that Old fellow's appearance was also beyond my expectations."

"Although I have held this position of principal for six years, the previous principal, that Old fellow, managed it for decades."

"In the end, I am just an outsider. Otherwise, why would I need to cooperate with you to explore the secrets of this school!"

Tanaka Katsuya stared into his eyes, seemingly judging whether he was lying, before speaking, "You mean that expert is the former principal of Azure Dragon Beast Taming University? And you didn't know he was there?"

Xiao Xu replied, "Exactly, it can only be him! After the old principal was dismissed, his whereabouts were unknown. I didn't expect him to be hiding right under my nose."

"It makes sense. After all, he was the one in charge of this project back then, and it was because of it that he was dismissed. He probably wouldn't let it go easily."

Tanaka Katsuya said, "Then as long as we deal with this Old man who refuses to die, we can dig out the secrets of Azure Dragon Beast Taming University?"

Xiao Xu gave him a disdainful look and said, "Refuses to die? It seems your Fusang Dark Guards' intelligence work is only so-so. Let me remind you, the old principal had a very famous title in your Fusang back then. He was called the 'Dream Demon'!"

Tanaka Katsuya's face changed drastically when he heard this name: "Dream Demon? He is that Dream Demon? The teacher of Dragon Tamer Xiao Sheng?"

Xiao Xu saw his panicked look and gave a disdainful sneer, "That's right. Do you still think you can easily deal with this 'Old fellow' now?"

Beast Tamers with titles are very rare. They are generally powerful experts or have done something sensational to gain recognition from others.

The title of Dream Demon came from the latter.

He was once Xiao Sheng's teacher and also his Dao Protector.

After Xiao Sheng's Azure Scale Snake evolved into the Biyun Flood Dragon, he repeatedly encountered assassination attempts from various countries, with Fusang being the most frequent.

All these attacks were blocked by the old principal, who did not yet have the title of Dream Demon at that time.

He also temporarily abandoned his work as principal to focus on protecting Xiao Sheng.

It was precisely for this reason that the Fusang Dark Guards failed to investigate his identity as principal, thinking he was just a Dao Protector assigned to Xiao Sheng's side.

The event that earned him the title of Dream Demon was when he chose to take the initiative to strike in order to deter Fusang.

In a single night, the people who fell asleep in five entire cities in Fusang never woke up again.

It could be said that before Xiao Sheng let that rain of blood soak Fusang, the Dream Demon was their deepest psychological shadow.

Because of this, many people used bamboo sticks to prop up their eyelids at night, not daring to fall asleep even if they bled, for fear that they would never see tomorrow's sun once they fell into a deep sleep.

Shortly after this, his student Xiao Sheng cast a new layer of psychological shadow over them with another rain of blood.

Xiao Xu continued, "Now you know, unless you have your First Battalion Commander bring at least one True Divine Artifact, don't even think about breaking into the place where that secret lies."

"And once you start a battle, the scene will definitely be earth-shattering. By the time Xiao Sheng rushes over, even if you win, none of you will be able to leave."

Tanaka Katsuya also knew that what Xiao Xu said was true. He took a deep breath and said, "Whew... It seems this has become an impossible task."

"But since Lord Xiao invited me here late at night, I assume it's not just to talk about how to give up, right?"

Xiao Xu smiled, "Of course. My point is just that through this scouting mission, we've realized that this path is already very difficult to take."

"So... why don't we take another path?"

Hearing this, the veins on Tanaka Katsuya's forehead throbbed slightly. He thought to himself that even if Xiao Xu really didn't know about the Dream Demon's existence, he must have guessed it.

That's why he called it a scouting mission—a path scouted with the lives of all the members of their Fusang Dark Guards' Fifth Squad!

He suppressed the anger in his heart and asked in confusion, "Another path? If there were an easier path, we would have taken it long ago. What does Lord Xiao mean...?"

Xiao Xu replied, "Because this is a path that has just appeared, a new path discovered through a student named Su Ze!"

"Oh? I've heard of this person too. It's said he contracted a Diamond-rank Demonic Beast, right?"

"He is very likely to become the next Dragon Tamer Xiao Sheng. Now, within our Fusang, we are already preparing to launch an assassination plan against him."

Xiao Xu gave a light laugh, "You won't even bring a True Divine Artifact out of the island, and you can't even deal with an Old man. It's hard for me to believe your assassination plan can succeed."

Just as Tanaka Katsuya was about to get angry, Xiao Xu raised his hand to stop him and continued, "Mr. Tanaka, don't be in a hurry. Please also tell the lords of the Island Nation not to be in a rush to move against Su Ze."

Tanaka Katsuya sat back in his seat and asked, "Lord Xiao, give me a reason to allow a huge threat to grow. Otherwise... it's hard for me not to doubt your stance!"

Xiao Xu leaned back in his chair and said, "The Golden Feather Phoenix Bird possesses the bloodline of the divine beast Phoenix. Even among Diamond-rank Demonic Beasts, it is one of the best."

"So shouldn't we deal with it before it grows up?"

Xiao Xu shook his finger, "No, this means that as long as it's given the chance, the Phoenix bloodline within its body can be activated to the level you need."

Tanaka Katsuya's eyes lit up, then he shook his head and said, "No, activating a divine beast's bloodline isn't as easy as you say. If Great Xia could do it easily, they would have been the most powerful country in the world long ago!"

"You're right, but someone did achieve it, didn't they? They even became the nightmare in your hearts!"

Tanaka Katsuya said with a grim face, "He is just an isolated case, it doesn't prove anything..."

Xiao Xu interrupted him again, "What I can tell you is that this kid holds an extraordinary position with the Dream Demon. Only through him can you repeat the events that happened with Xiao Sheng back then."

Tanaka Katsuya looked very hesitant. After thinking it over, he said, "I will inform the higher-ups of what you've said. As for the result, wait for my notification."

Xiao Xu shrugged, "I don't mind, but I hope you can make a decision as soon as possible. Because... we aren't the only ones eyeing that kid. If the Golden Feather Phoenix Bird falls into the hands of those big families, it won't be easy to make a move."

Tanaka Katsuya nodded, then vanished on the spot, melting into his own shadow like a snowflake.

Leaving Xiao Xu alone, tapping his fingers on the table under the dim light.

Below where he was tapping, in the desk drawer, lay two sets of personal files.

ID photos of a man and a woman were attached to them; both looked to be in their thirties.

The man wore glasses, had average looks, and a somewhat restrained expression.

In comparison, the woman was much more capable-looking, with short hair and very attractive features.

Both of their files were stamped with large characters: 'Missing'.