Chapter 220: What Am I Supposed to Do?
Everything at Douluo University seemed calm—at least on the surface.
Since the envoy team from the Xingluo Federation had been detained by the Federation, Xingluo was now demanding an explanation.
Though the Shrek Academy exchange program remained untouched officially, all activities were temporarily suspended.
Furthermore, after the students had witnessed the stunning duel between Long Yue and Qian Gu Zhangting, none of the Douluo University students dared provoke Shrek Academy again.
Of course—at least according to Shrek's creed—"A soul master who fears trouble is no true soul master! Those who never challenge are nothing but mediocrities!"
The students of Douluo University wanted harmony, but the Shrek students? Sitting quietly was never in their nature.
Amidst this tense lull, Ye Xinglan stepped into the university's grand arena.
"Aside from Shrek Academy's honor," she whispered, "I need to prove something to myself."
"I want them to see that I am the one who carries Shrek's future!"
Even though the academy had disappointed her before, she—raised on tales of Shrek's glory—had spent two years living, breathing, and believing its ideals. At least part of her still clung to that dream.
"Next challenger!" she shouted.
"Are Douluo University's students all cowards?"
Her small, delicate face carried an expression colder than frost, her Star God Sword gleaming with unyielding light.
"Next!"
A crowd had already gathered, students murmuring at how ruthless this Shrek girl was.
"Well, well, isn't she arrogant," someone muttered.
Stepping into the ring, striding like he owned the world, came Le Zhengyu.
"So what if you're from Shrek? I'll fight whoever stands before me—even a Shrek student!"
A golden sword materialized in his hand—the Holy Angel Sword.
"You want to fight? Then come!"
"Second Soul Skill—Holy Sword!"
"First Soul Skill—Stellar Sword!"
Ye Xinglan blinked. In a single stride, she vanished, sword-light erupting across the sky.
Both wielded swords, and their blades clashed again and again, sparks showering like stars.
For a while, they seemed evenly matched.
But then her eyes sharpened. "Your swordsmanship is beneath mine."
She whipped her blade into a flower of light and deflected his strike, pressing both hands together on her hilt.
"Man and Sword—Unite as One!"
The Star God Sword merged seamlessly with her aura, the starry glow bursting around her like a divine constellation.
"What the—" Le Zhengyu blinked, impressed despite himself. "So this is the power of Shrek, huh? Not bad."
But he wasn't about to back down.
"Fourth Soul Skill—Angel Descent!"
"Come forth—Little Angel!"
His fourth ring flared, summoning a small glowing figure with wings. Surrounded by sacred light, the "little angel" quickly expanded into the form of an adult woman—radiant and armed with a holy sword.
She matched his strength.
This was the Angel Family's legacy spirit soul!
Ever since the spread of spirit soul technology, souls could be reborn not just from dying soul beasts but also from preserved bones and remnants.
For example, Jiang Chen had crafted the artificial Golden Nightdragon from refined materials.
Likewise, the Angel Clan had fused their ancestral bloodline with the Spirit Transmission Tower's resurrection technology, creating spirit souls uniquely attuned to their martial line.
Each one provided up to seven soul rings and could even rival—or surpass—their host in power.
And unlike ordinary spirit souls, these "little angels" fought fluently alongside their masters.
Most soul masters avoided summoning their spirit souls to battle directly. They were valuable but fragile—if a soul died in combat, it would take years of nurturing within the master's body to recover, often weakening the master severely.
Thus, spirit souls were typically used as support, especially once a master became a Battle Armor or Mecha user.
The Angel Family's spirit, however, was different—an independent warrior bonded to its partner, capable of imitating every art the master knew. It was like fighting with a second self.
Every Angel Clan member summoned their spirit during awakening and retained it until death—whereupon it returned to the clan's sacred lineage to await rebirth.
As the clan's young patriarch, Le Zhengyu's angel spirit soul was of the highest purity.
Two shining swords glared at Ye Xinglan as his angel spread her wings beside him.
"It's two against one now," he grinned. He saw no issue; spirit souls were fair game in combat.
If they belonged to you, you could use them.
Rules were rules.
Ye Xinglan's face paled slightly. The twin holy swords came at her with crushing speed, forcing her back.
She barely managed to deflect the dual strike, the edge of one blade grazing her hair.
"You—" she hissed, frustration trembling beneath her calm.
If it were one-on-one, she'd have demolished him. But two against one?
There was no opening. And both were skilled enough to press her endlessly.
"What's this? A Shrek genius already struggling?" Le Zhengyu laughed.
But his sword never slowed.
"Third Soul Skill—Light Judgment!"
The glimmering holy swords rained martial fury upon her, glowing with brilliant sanctity.
Ye Xinglan's every block drained her strength.
Both third soul rings flashed in unison—how could she withstand that?
Flames and light intertwined, sword clashes echoing like thunder.
She was barely holding out, caught between heaven and earth, her body trembling with effort.
One blade pressed against her neck. The other flicked aside her Star God Sword.
It was over.
"You've lost," Le Zhengyu announced smugly.
"So this is Shrek Academy—nothing special."
Still, he stayed his hand, sparing her dignity.
But Ye Xinglan's lips trembled.
No—that wasn't it.
Unfair? No.
Every move he made had been within the rules. He'd simply used what she didn't have.
Her spirit soul—none.
If this were the old Shrek, she might have declared indignantly, "Shrek's honor is beyond redemption!"
But today… she felt only confusion.
Sitting heavily on the ground, Ye Xinglan's pride shattered.
"Shrek… Star God Sword… innate full soul power… genius?"
She gave a weak laugh at herself.
Her so-called talent—so meaningless in the face of reality.
"I… really lost."
Le Zhengyu frowned. The girl's sudden despondence unnerved him.
He'd heard rumors that when Shrek students lost, they sometimes snapped.
Was she about to go crazy?
Best not risk it.
He quickly retracted his spirit soul, spread his angelic wings, and bolted for the sky.
Victory achieved; no point in courting disaster.
"Yeah, I'm out," he muttered, vanishing before she could move.
(END CHAPTER)
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