"Awooo—"
Deep in the Jingyang Mountain Range, a wolf howl echoed from afar. Elder Song slightly released a trace of her Super Douluo aura, and the auras of those soul beasts instantly vanished into the distance.
With a soft sigh, Elder Song stood up and looked around, as if searching for someone's traces.
Soon, her eyes flickered slightly. She took two steps forward, and a figure appeared before her, lifting his cloak; it was none other than Yan Shaozhe, who had hidden here with her.
"Shaozhe, how's the situation outside?"
Yan Shaozhe shook his head. "I don't know why, but the Sun Moon Empire's reaction is even greater than we anticipated. I observed from afar, and there are already troops stationed outside."
"Moreover, there are some soul power fluctuations in the sky. I couldn't identify them, but they should be soul tools defending against aerial attacks."
Elder Song sighed softly upon hearing this. "In that case, the only way to leave here is to force our way out?"
Yan Shaozhe nodded. "That's the only option."
"The Sun Moon Empire has been restless these past few years. If we engage in direct conflict with their army, I'm afraid it will give them an excuse."
Yan Shaozhe also sighed. "And those inner courtyard disciples who entered Mingdu after receiving our message, we don't know their current situation or whether they're facing any difficulties."
Elder Song paced back and forth a few steps. "Moreover, judging from those evil soul masters, I'm afraid the forces behind them are even more complicated…"
As Elder Song spoke, her gaze suddenly fell on Zhang Lexuan nearby. Zhang Lexuan was sitting with her knees hugged to her chest, her eyes slightly vacant, lost in thought.
"Only the two of us revealed ourselves the night before last. Mingdu is only wary of us two. Why not let Lexuan enter the city to bring the other inner courtyard disciples out? The people outside haven't seen Lexuan, so they shouldn't make things difficult for her."
Yan Shaozhe frowned with worry but still nodded. "That's the only way."
"Lexuan." Elder Song called out, but Zhang Lexuan did not respond.
In truth, Zhang Lexuan herself didn't know what she was thinking about.
In her memory, there was only one thing she had to do every day: cultivate.
Ever since the tragedy struck her family and Mu En helped her avenge it, the only thing she needed to do was become the most outstanding disciple of Shrek Academy.
Cultivate, participate in competitions, cultivate, carry out missions, cultivate, day after day, year after year, until one day she would become someone's wife.
Her life seemed like something she could see the end of at a glance.
But since when had an additional figure appeared in her heart?
It was probably many years ago, on that night. Although that person wore a mask, she could tell he wasn't very old. Yet alone, he had wiped out an entire evil soul master stronghold.
Exceptionally talented, free and unrestrained, punishing evil and promoting good. If her family hadn't suffered that tragedy, perhaps she too would have lived like him, doing whatever she wanted.
Their next meeting was during one of her missions, and after that, he saved her from the mouth of the Golden Swallowing Beast.
Although he had removed his mask by then, she could still recognize those bright eyes.
That was why, later, when she heard him solemnly introduce himself to Fan Yu as coming from the Heavenly Soul Empire, she couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Their subsequent encounters were in the Star Dou Great Forest. Both times, they escaped from the jaws of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
As Shrek Academy's most talented disciple, as their big senior sister, protecting the other students seemed only natural.
Even though at those moments she wasn't sure she could survive a hundred-thousand-year soul beast herself, even though fear had risen in her heart…
When that person appeared before her once again and saved her as he always had, she seemed to forget everything else, forgot Shrek Academy, forgot how her life was not her own.
After a night of long conversation, she sensed the same loneliness in his heart as in her own, the loneliness of having no family to rely on.
But…
Zhang Lexuan slightly lowered her head, burying it between her arms.
That person was not the chivalrous, free-spirited "young hero" she had imagined. He was even her enemy.
Yet, deep in her heart, she could not bring herself to hate him.
She had thought that with the passage of time, that figure would gradually fade, but unexpectedly, it only grew deeper.
"Lexuan—"
Another call brought Zhang Lexuan's head up. She saw Elder Song and Dean Yan Shaozhe standing in front of her.
"Elder Song, Dean Yan." Zhang Lexuan hurriedly stood.
Seeing this, Elder Song frowned slightly. "Lexuan, did something go wrong with your cultivation? Your aura seems a bit unstable."
"No." Zhang Lexuan shook her head, suppressing the thoughts in her heart. "I just haven't rested well."
"Alas." Elder Song sighed softly. "It's my fault for misjudging the strength of those evil soul masters and making you suffer along with us."
"Here's the plan: Shaozhe and I just discussed it. The people blockading outside won't make things difficult for you. You leave here first, go to Mingdu, and bring the other inner courtyard disciples back to the academy."
"After Shaozhe's and my judgment, the power of those evil soul masters far exceeds what we've seen. This matter must be reported to Elder Mu, and our subsequent actions will need to change."
Zhang Lexuan was stunned for a moment before gently nodding.
Seeing this, Elder Song's expression softened. "After we return this time, you should also rest properly for a while. The matters ahead will likely no longer be something those below Titled Douluo can handle…"
Elder Song's judgment wasn't wrong, but she somewhat underestimated the strength of the Holy Spirit Cult. Even Titled Douluo would probably find it difficult to destroy the cult's strongholds as easily as before.
When Lin Xiao received the news and arrived once more at the stronghold housing the underground arena, he met someone rarely seen in the Holy Spirit Cult, a level 97 Super Douluo, the Vice Sect Leader, Feng Ling.
In a relatively intact room, Feng Ling sat in the main seat. Beside her stood Ma Xiaotao in a red dress; she had also been brought here by Feng Ling.
In front stood Nangong Wan and the Third Elder, Dark Lightning Douluo, on either side. Nangong Wan kept his head lowered, not daring to raise it, while Dark Lightning Douluo glared at him furiously.
"Alright, Old Eight has arrived too. Tell me what happened that night." Feng Ling spoke, her tone carrying a hint of coldness.
"Vice Sect Leader, it was Nangong Wan. If he hadn't fled at the critical moment, how could Old Four have died at that person's hands!"
Dark Lightning Douluo's first words were filled with uncontrollable anger.
Even among the elders of the Holy Spirit Cult, relationships varied in closeness. For example, when the Nightmare Douluo was still alive, he had been on good terms with the Myriad Soul Douluo.
Dark Lightning Douluo and Netherworld Douluo had also been quite close, but after the recent events, his relationship with Nangong Wan would likely never be the same.
"Enough!" Feng Ling lightly rebuked. "From now on, I will personally take charge of matters in Mingdu. I will handle these issues myself."
"You only need to tell me, was the person you encountered truly Yan Shaozhe?"
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