The light of soul rings flared simultaneously across the Shrek students; they were prepared for a desperate struggle.
However, at that moment, an elderly voice rang out. A gentle aura washed over the students, and the terrifying pressure exerted by the Soul Douluo instantly lightened.
"Bullying children? What kind of skill is that? It's been a long time, Brother Eagle."
The Shrek group looked toward the source of the voice with immense relief. Meng Yiran and Tang San's eyes sparkled, and a weight was lifted from the hearts of the others. A lean, elderly man had appeared nearby, holding a staff over three meters long that pulsed with formidable power. He looked up at the Golden Eagle Soul Douluo in the sky, his expression grave. Eight soul rings shimmered around him, his Soul Douluo-level aura standing firm against the Golden Eagle.
"Grandpa!" Meng Yiran cried out excitedly, her fear vanishing instantly. The newcomer was none other than the Dragon Duke, Meng Shu.
Previously, the Serpent Woman, Chao Tianxiang, had reached the rank of Soul Saint. Meng Shu had taken her to obtain her new soul ring and had rushed back immediately after, only to stumble upon this ambush.
The Golden Eagle Soul Douluo's pupils constricted upon seeing Meng Shu. He said coldly, "Meng Shu, you had best stay out of this." Clearly, he recognized Meng Shu and was quite familiar with him.
The Dragon Duke smiled calmly; as a Soul Douluo himself, he was not afraid. "You are the ones looking for trouble, not me. My granddaughter is among this academy's ranks. Do you think I would ignore her safety? I never expected Brother Eagle to become a bandit. Truly, congratulations are in order!"
Meng Shu's words were laced with sarcasm. It was obvious to everyone that these men in black were no bandits. If bandits had Soul Douluos among them, the world would have descended into chaos long ago.
The Golden Eagle Soul Douluo snorted. "Meng Shu, do you really want to oppose us? Think of the consequences. This is not something you should involve yourself in."
A sharp light flashed in Meng Shu's eyes. "Do you think I was raised on threats? Lordeala, others might fear you, but I do not. If you have the ability, take down this old man first. Otherwise, don't think you're leaving easily today."
At these words, Lordeala's gaze shifted. He quickly scanned the battlefield and found the Serpent Woman, Chao Tianxiang, wielding her own staff. Having reached the Soul Saint realm, she was currently holding back two Rank 50+ Soul Kings on her own. Sensing his gaze, she shot back a cold, defiant look.
Lordeala realized that if he were only facing the Dragon Duke or the Serpent Woman individually, he could win—after all, he was a Rank 88 Soul Douluo, the same rank as Meng Shu. But together, they were a different story. Their Spirit Fusion Skill, the Serpent Dragon Joint Assault, was legendary for its ability to rival even a Titled Douluo.
He let out a sharp, piercing shriek that echoed through the air. Meng Shu's expression shifted. "You have reinforcements?" He had scouted the area, but with his Rank 88 strength, if someone was still hidden, how powerful were they? A Titled Douluo?
Lordeala didn't answer directly. "Meng Shu, I advise you to take the Serpent Woman and leave. We will not harm your granddaughter." He sneered. "If you don't leave now, you won't be able to leave later. I'm just a messenger, after all."
Storms brewed in Meng Shu's heart. He knew exactly where Lordeala came from, but he hadn't spoken the name aloud to leave a path of retreat. Once the identity was named, it would be a fight to the death. Seeing Lordeala's composure, he felt a flicker of hesitation.
He wavered for a moment but finally spoke. "It's not just my granddaughter. I am also an honorary consultant for Shrek Academy. That boy, Tang San, is my grandson-in-law. If you want to hurt these children, you'll have to step over my old body."
Two yellow, three purple, and three black soul rings pulsed around Meng Shu. His Dragon Staff let out a low, resonant roar. Nearby, the Serpent Woman knocked back the two Soul Kings and joined him, her Serpent Cane hissing in response.
Meng Shu wasn't staying because he wanted to, but because he had to. If he left with Meng Yiran, what about Tang San? Even though he hadn't met Tang Hao, if he abandoned Tang San now and Tang Hao came looking for answers later, he would be held responsible. Furthermore, Meng Yiran's feelings for Tang San were deep, and Tang San was a genius with twin martial souls. Meng Shu wouldn't be foolish enough to give up on him now. He hoped to use the gap before reinforcements arrived to escape with the children.
"Lordeala, get lost!" Meng Shu roared. "Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul Avatar!" His seventh ring lit up, and the Dragon Staff erupted with a terrifying dragon's pressure that momentarily suppressed Lordeala. "Old lady, take Yiran and Xiao San and run!"
Just then, a feminine, effeminate voice drifted from the distance. "Lordeala, you're getting worse as you get older. You can't even handle a simple scene like this?"
The voice sounded far away when it began, but by the final word, a figure had appeared before them. It was a masked man in a special golden outfit. His voice was neither male nor female, but perfectly neutral.
"Leave? With this seat here, tell me, Unrivaled Dragon Serpent Duo, how do you plan to leave?" The man's gaze locked onto Meng Shu, who felt a chill run down his spine. The Dragon Duke's expression turned grim as his Martial Soul Avatar was crushed by the newcomer's overwhelming aura. "You actually came too?!"
The effeminate man was blunt. "Since I am here, why haven't you scrambled yet? You should understand how much importance we place on this matter."
Meng Shu's face paled. Could he leave? If he left now, could he face Tang Hao later? The moment Meng Yiran and Tang San got together, this path was set. He raised his staff; there was no use for words, not even against a Titled Douluo.
"Old lady, looks like we're going to have to pay a steep price today," Meng Shu laughed self-deprecatingly.
Chao Tianxiang looked at him and raised her cane. "We've walked through fire and water together; one more time won't hurt..."
Their weapons touched, erupting in brilliant light. A massive, thirty-meter-long dragon appeared.
"Spirit Fusion Skill: Serpent Dragon Joint Assault!"
The effeminate man's eyes narrowed. "Seeking death! A Soul Douluo dares to challenge a Titled Douluo?"
From a distance, Gu Xuan watched the scene. He found the man's dialogue amusing—it was the classic line of the former Pope's right-hand men. Tang Hao wasn't here yet; otherwise, he'd likely hear the classic "A flower, a ghost, how dare you hurt my son!" Tang San didn't have immortal herbs in this life, so Yue Guan wouldn't hold back. Dugu Bo was absent, but Meng Shu had stepped up. Tang San truly had the luck of an unkillable cockroach.
(End of Chapter)
---
This story is already complete on my Support Page! If you want to stay 2 chapters ahead for free, just search for Fallen_Archangel_ on the orange platform.
Your 5-star reviews and Power Stones keep the chapters coming!