To be toyed with repeatedly by a Soul King evil Soul Master who didn't even have the optimal soul ring configuration, and then to let the Death God Envoy escape right under his nose—this was arguably the greatest humiliation Xuan Zi had ever experienced.
But Xuan Zi had no choice.
He looked over and, with eyes practically bursting, saw the unconscious Bei Bei fitted with a Flying Soul Guided Device by that scoundrel, thrown towards the earth like a rocket.
Compared to killing that hateful evil Soul Master, saving Bei Bei was, of course, far more important.
Mu Lao had lived a heroic life, dedicating everything to Shrek, and Bei Bei was his only descendant. Xuan Zi couldn't let Mu Lao down again!
Angrily unleashing a Sleeve Robe Soul Light, Xuan Zi didn't even check if he'd hit that damned evil Soul Master. He decisively chose to save Mu Lao's last bloodline!
The power of the Light Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, and even the temporarily burst Light Sacred Dragon, had been nearly depleted resisting the Corpse Explosion. When Xuan Zi caught Bei Bei in mid-air, it seemed like he had coughed up all his blood, his face turning from pale to purple, completely unconscious.
Xuan Zi wept tears of old age on the spot, using all his mighty Soul Power to seal Bei Bei's acupoints and prevent the toxins in his internal organs from spreading. He cried out between sobs.
"Bei Bei, Bei Bei, wake up and look at me! You are Mu Lao's successor. If anything happens to you, how can I explain it to Mu Lao…?"
Fortunately, the poison administered by the Death God Envoy didn't seem to be fast-acting. While it had deeply infiltrated Bei Bei's internal organs like a persistent, hard-to-remove bone spur, this gave Xuan Zi a chance to forcibly sustain Bei Bei's life.
Xuan Zi could tell with just a Soul Power scan that Bei Bei's body was in an unspeakable state, and even with some Light Soul Power protecting him, there was no time to waste.
With deep reluctance, he glared at the hollow where the Death God Envoy had vanished, then bit his lip, swallowed his tears, and resolutely turned, flying back toward the cave.
Even if the Ming Dou Mountain Range were turned upside down, it wouldn't change the fact that the children's lives hung by a thread. Compared to seeking revenge in a fit of pique, the children's lives were, of course, more important.
It wasn't just Bei Bei who was in trouble; there were other children in the cave. He had to get them back to Shrek for the best treatment as quickly as possible, without any further delay...
Lowering his head, he fed Bei Bei a handful of Life-Sustaining Pills, then used his Soul Power to protect Bei Bei's most vital meridians. Tears streamed down Xuan Zi's face, and his old hands trembled intermittently:
"I harmed you all, I harmed you all again… Children, I'm so sorry…"
"Yue Heng, Luo Chen… who knows how many of them are still alive? After something like this, what face do I have to return to the Sea God Pavilion? What face do I have to see Mu Lao? Mu Lao, I'm so sorry…"
...
"Brother! Brother!!! Open your eyes and look at me! You can't just leave like this! Mom and Dad are waiting for you to come home!"
Before Xuan Zi had even landed from high altitude, he heard the distant sound of wailing, and his Sea of Spirit suddenly churned.
No, no, Yue Heng wouldn't…
He focused his gaze. The shattered, tragic cave had already collapsed. Dai Huabin, whom Dai Yueheng had desperately shielded, had somehow crawled out from beneath and was now sobbing loudly, sprawled over his elder brother.
Zhu Lu was performing some simple bandaging and applying medicine to Dai Yueheng, removing debris and rocks embedded in his skin, and feeding him medicine—if Dai Yueheng could even digest it.
Perhaps the profound brotherly bond between the White Tiger Duke's two sons in this generation moved the heavens, or perhaps Dai Yueheng, a White Tiger Soul Emperor, was simply incredibly resilient. His bloodshot eyes, where blood had splattered, actually showed signs of movement.
Dai Huabin was overjoyed at the sight, tears streaming down his face as if they cost nothing.
Normally, if Dai Yueheng had died unexpectedly, Dai Huabin would have cried outwardly but secretly celebrated, even though he often muttered about inheriting the ancestral will and taking over the Duke's position from Dai Yueheng in the future.
But the current situation was completely different!
Regardless of why Dai Yueheng had desperately saved him and Zhu Lu, his elder brother had truly sacrificed himself to save his younger siblings, paying a huge price: his back was a mangled mess, his right arm was gone, and one touch revealed that most of his bones were broken. Who knew how much blood he had lost…
Dai Huabin often casually said things like "I'll get Dai Yueheng someday," but in this life-or-death moment, Dai Yueheng's life-saving grace was enough to completely change all his impressions.
So my elder brother isn't a two-faced hypocrite; he truly loves us. His teachings were all born of his love for me! Brother, I'm sorry, I was such a jerk before. Once I inherit Dad's position, I will honor you for life.
Besides, if you die here, how will I explain it to Dad?
If he and Zhu Lu hadn't rushed to Dai Yueheng's side, but instead had cautiously stayed behind like Xiao Xiao, Dai Yueheng wouldn't have ended up in such a state.
Dai Yueheng was so badly injured that, let alone competing, it was uncertain if he could fully recover even after several years of recuperation. It would be good if he could cultivate to a Soul Douluo in this lifetime.
As for a Titled Douluo… it wasn't impossible, as a certain Wheelchair Crown Prince next door managed to become a Titled Douluo by taking medicine even after losing his lower body. If Dai Hao was willing to give everything, perhaps he could also make his brave eldest son a Titled Douluo.
There was hope, but it was incredibly slim.
Dai Yueheng's eyelids were half-closed. As soon as his consciousness returned, he tried to speak, but all that came out were pained "Ah~ ah~ ah" cries.
Dai Huabin was even more moved, embracing Dai Yueheng and sobbing uncontrollably.
Dai Yueheng's eyes flickered. He wanted to say something, but ultimately gave up.
He hadn't known… that this explosion would turn him into this!
He had only wanted to provide some protection to Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu within his capabilities, to demonstrate his sense of responsibility as the main team captain and the White Tiger Great Young Master.
With such a life-saving grace, even if Dai Huabin still felt unwilling, he wouldn't have the face to contend for the main position, would he? This impression score should be enough for his father to make a choice, right?
He never expected it! Old Xuan could be such a schemer!
The first wave of attack was comparable to a Soul Sage's full power strike. While terrifying, it wouldn't have taken Dai Yueheng's life; he could have recovered in ten to fifteen days. But the two subsequent blows… almost sent Dai Yueheng straight to the King of Hell.
Even now, there was no guarantee that his injuries wouldn't worsen, potentially sending Dai Yueheng back to the brink.
This would definitely earn him more than enough impression points, but the Duke's position would pretty much be out of reach. You couldn't have a cripple serving as the Empire's First Marshal, after all.
Xuan Zi, of course, was unaware of the sorrow in Dai Yueheng's heart. All he saw was a scene of deep brotherly affection. Wiping away tears, he murmured a few "Good children" and turned his gaze elsewhere.
Xu Sanshi had already been dug out of the pile of rubble by Jiang Nannan. Jiang Nannan stuffed all the Mystic Water Pills and Black Tortoise Divine Pills Xu Sanshi had brought into his mouth, inputting Soul Power to help him absorb the medicinal effects.
Although Xu Sanshi's Martial Soul had been shattered, he was fortunately spared from the second wave of impact, and the third wave's effects weren't too severe. He was still able to save his life.
Finally, in the direction Wang Yan was diligently digging… Eh? Who was that big, dark-faced person with only one leg he pulled out?
Xuan Zi rubbed his eyes, only to see Wang Yan pull a humanoid creature out from a bloody mess. The person was curled up like a shrimp, clutching his right thigh and screaming in agony.
The equipment on the blurry, bloody mass looked somewhat similar to that of the Soul Tool Department student, so the person underneath... was that He Caitou?
He was missing a leg?!
Compared to Dai Yueheng, a Six Ring Soul Emperor, the less cultivated Soul Tool Department senior was naturally far weaker. Even though he did his best to activate the three defensive Soul Guided Devices on his person, he only barely withstood the first impact.
The second impact didn't reach him, but by then his Soul Power was already on the verge of depletion. One of his three Soul Guided Devices was destroyed, another malfunctioned, leaving only his last Soul Guided Shield.
It was then that he made up his mind: he would protect this promising junior, even if it cost him his life. This was, after all, the top disciple of Master Fan Yu, the head of the Soul Tool Department.
He Caitou, my junior, carry the hopes and blessings of your seniors. Go well into the Inner Courtyard and raise the banner of us Soul Engineers high.
The senior's vision was beautiful, but reality was harsh. Even if his last Soul Guided Device was still functioning, he overlooked one thing—He Caitou himself was too tall.
While Shrek's Soul Tool Department's Soul Guided Devices were top-tier among the three nations, the protective shield released by the Soul Guided Shield failed to completely cover the tall and sturdy He Caitou, leaving a part of his leg exposed.
When the third wave buried him, He Caitou only felt an immense pressure on his right leg. After he emerged, he found that his right leg was no longer attached to him.
Xuan Zi's gaze continued to sweep around. He saw Xiao Xiao in a corner, already awake, silently tending to Ling Luochen's wounds, bandaging them, and feeding her an antidote.
Looking in other directions, he couldn't see a single other student.
Where were the children? Where had they all gone?
The two generations of Shrek Seven Devils, fourteen elite geniuses, future Titled Douluo—was this all that was left of them?
Five members of the main team were dead, and two were severely injured. The images and voices of those students were still vivid in his mind. Of the remaining two, only Ling Luochen had any hope of participating later in the competition, and Dai Yueheng would be beyond saving if he didn't receive emergency treatment soon.
Among the Reserve Team, the strongest, Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei, were already beyond hope. He Caitou's injury wouldn't prevent him from using Soul Guided Devices, but his combat effectiveness would definitely be affected.
Jiang Nannan, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, and Xiao Xiao were in relatively good condition, and might be able to participate after a few days of rest.
But even with all his confidence, Xuan Zi wouldn't believe that this group of old, weak, and injured individuals could defend their championship against such wolf-like enemies!
The main team was completely wiped out. Rather than going to Star Luo City to make a fool of themselves and lose their ten-thousand-year glory, it would be better to return directly for a funeral. Standing on the moral high ground and announcing Shrek's withdrawal would even garner a perfect wave of sympathy.
Landing beside Wang Yan, Xuan Zi opened his mouth, then whispered, "Little Wang, He Caitou and the others are severely injured. Should I take them back to the academy?"
Wang Yan's eyes were cold. He raised an eyebrow, scanning Old Xuan, the foolish old man, then gritted his teeth and said, "Huabin and I have already sent the highest-level SOS Signal to the nearby Western Legion of the Star Luo Empire. They will send military medics over very quickly."
Xuan Zi's brow furrowed. "Little Wang, what do you mean by this? Why should we ask the Star Luo Empire for help with our academy's matters..."
Wang Yan could no longer hold back. He flung his glasses from his nose, pointed a finger at each of the severely injured students, and roared at Xuan Zi, his eyes red, saliva splattering all over Xuan Zi's face:
"Look at these children! Look at these dying children! How much longer can they wait? Can they still endure the hardship of a long journey?! If we don't ask for the Star Luo Empire's medical assistance to save their lives, are we just going to let them die on the road?! Huh?!"
"Old Xuan, Sea God Pavilion Elder, my Grandmaster! Can you not even spare a tiny bit of your drinking and feasting thoughts for the students?! Even now, are you still thinking about our laughable pride?!"
*Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—*
Figures of Soul Masters flew in from the distant sky. They were the elite personal guards of White Tiger Duke. Du Leisi, the White Tiger Duke's trusted subordinate, led the team, and even from the sky, he witnessed a scene that nearly made him plummet.
"Great Young Master~! What happened to you?!"
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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