As for Ning Tian and Xiao Xiao, after completely parting ways with Shrek Academy, they were a bit unaccustomed at first. But under Jiang Nannan and the others' guidance, they quickly adapted to life at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Xiao Xiao in particular adjusted even faster—after all, she had previously studied there as an exchange student.
Xiao Hongchen looked at Jiang Shengyu, stepped forward, and punched him lightly in the chest. "I know we can't be of much help to you right now," he said earnestly, "but we're working hard too! One day, we will be able to help you. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Jiang Shengyu chuckled, pretending to be deeply moved. "Wow, those words were actually touching! Xiao Hongchen, is that really you? Did someone switch you out for a look-alike?"
"You brat… Don't think that just because you're the emperor now, I won't dare to beat you up!" Xiao Hongchen clenched his fist, gritting his teeth as he glared at Jiang Shengyu.
Jiang Shengyu laughed and nodded. "Now that's the Xiao Hongchen I know!"
Meanwhile, Meng Hongchen pulled Jiang Qingtong aside and whispered, "Qingtong, when are you two going to hold your wedding? I know the empire is still at war with the three former Douluo continent nations, but you're the emperor and empress now—you can't have your wedding be sloppy! That coronation ceremony was simple enough; your wedding must not be the same!"
Seeing Meng Hongchen's sincere concern, Jiang Qingtong smiled warmly. She held Meng Hongchen's hand and patted it gently. "Don't worry. Once we've unified the continent, we'll definitely hold a grand, glorious ceremony."
Meng Hongchen pouted in displeasure. "I heard that several Ultimate Douluos have appeared among the three former Douluo nations—and it even seems to involve gods! This war isn't going to be easy. If you wait until it's all over, that'll be too much suffering for you!"
From a distance, Jiang Shengyu's confident voice called back, "Senior Sister Hongchen, don't worry! Gods are nothing more than powerful soul masters. And as long as they bleed, they can die!"
Seeing how sure of himself Jiang Shengyu was, Meng Hongchen still felt uneasy and reminded him, "Don't be too arrogant. Even if they're gods, caution is always wise."
After staying at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy for a while, the two of them went to the place where Er Ming was imprisoned.
Er Ming's body was restrained by various types of soul power inhibitors, which constantly drained away his soul power, keeping it perpetually at an extremely low level.
And the place where he was being held was directly beneath the Mingde Hall—the headquarters of Kong Deming and the other level-nine soul engineers! It was the most heavily guarded location in all of Mingdu, even more secure than the imperial palace itself.
Er Ming glared furiously at the man who looked almost identical to him and roared, "You little brat! If you have the guts, release me! Let's fight fair and square! Stop using these damned devices to wear me down!"
"Damned devices? These are the most advanced soul power suppressors ever built. You should feel honored that we're using them on you." Jiang Shengyu sneered coldly at Er Ming's fury.
Jiang Qingtong followed up, "A fair fight? How shameless of you to say that! Who was it that came rampaging through the Sun Moon Empire under Tang San's divine protection? What's the matter—now that you've been captured, do you want to imitate Tang San and make a bet with us too?"
Hearing this, Er Ming froze for a moment, frowning in confusion. "You… how do you know so much about Tang San?"
Jiang Shengyu let out a low, disdainful snort. "We might understand Tang San even better than you do! But what I find strange is this—you've been captured for two or three months now, and Tang San still hasn't sent anyone to rescue you. Has your dear brother forgotten about you?"
"You're trying to sow discord between us? Such cheap tricks won't work on me," Er Ming sneered. "You'll have to do better than that."
"'Sow discord'? What good would that do us?" Jiang Qingtong retorted calmly. "Your fate has already been decided."
Jiang Shengyu said leisurely from the side, "I've always wondered—how is a hundred-thousand-year soul ring that once ascended to the God Realm different from an ordinary one on Douluo Continent? You should feel honored, becoming the first test subject for this research."
"You dare!"
Realizing what Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong meant—that they planned to turn him into someone's soul ring—Er Ming flew into a rage.
"Prisoners should act like prisoners! Shut your mouth!" Jiang Shengyu struck out with his palm, golden light flaring as it smashed into Er Ming's face. Even with his immense Titan Giant Ape physique, a crimson gash appeared from the force of the blow.
Humiliated and furious, Er Ming began to laugh coldly through the pain. "You brat… you've brought this on yourself!"
As his words fell, a vast, uncontrollable surge of soul power exploded from within him. All the inhibitors on his body went into full overload, unable to restrain it—they burned out one after another.
Er Ming's body began to swell like a balloon.
His expression twisted in agony, but he still smiled mockingly at Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong. "You brat… I wasn't planning to do this, but you've forced me!"
He was going to self-destruct!
Ten thousand years ago, Er Ming had already sacrificed himself to Tang San. Now, he was no longer a pure soul beast. Even if he blew himself up here and died, Tang San could revive him in the God Realm. But had Jiang Shengyu not humiliated him so deeply, Er Ming would never have chosen such a painful end.
The level-nine soul engineer standing guard nearby panicked and was about to shield Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong—
but before he could move, the two of them simultaneously released a burst of soul power that merged into one. Twin streams of opposing energy whirled together, and in Jiang Shengyu's palm bloomed a black-and-white lotus of fire.
In a flash, Jiang Shengyu appeared right before Er Ming, leaned close, and whispered coldly, "You want to self-destruct? Then allow me to help you."
As he spoke, he thrust the black-and-white fire lotus directly into Er Ming's body. In that instant, an immense destructive force erupted—but instead of expanding outward, the explosion collapsed inward.
A massive golden hand of light clenched tightly around the chaotic energy of destruction within, as the space inside it was repeatedly created and annihilated.
At that very moment, in the God Realm, the God of Destruction—who had been silently watching the situation on Douluo Continent—slowly opened his eyes. He gazed out over the endless golden sea of clouds and let out a long sigh.
He murmured softly,
"So my suspicions were right after all… Tang San."
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