Zhang Lexuan's pupils contracted slightly as she watched this scene.
Ling Luochen was a standout in the Shrek Inner Academy, one of the current generation's Shrek Seven Devils, with a Five-Ring Soul King cultivation, and a genius among those with Ice attribute Spirits.
She had lost.
She had lost to a child who looked four or five years younger than her; she had lost to a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor.
Zhang Lexuan took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent waves in her heart.
Historically, it had always been people from Shrek who challenged those at higher levels. Which of Shrek's students wasn't a favored child of heaven? Which of them couldn't fight above their level?
But today, she had personally witnessed someone from Shrek being challenged by someone at a lower level and losing utterly.
Zhang Lexuan's gaze fell upon that slender figure. Yuan En Yehui was currently withdrawing her fist; her delicate face held no pride or mockery, only a sense of calm, as if the person she had just defeated wasn't a Five-Ring Soul King but merely an ordinary opponent.
This Shrek... really was not simple.
"Eliminated."
The two words escaped lightly from Cai Yue'er's mouth.
The opponent hadn't used any schemes or underhanded tactics; she had simply, in a straightforward manner, shattered the Ice Prison and cracked the Ice Armor with punch after punch to defeat her.
Unwilling to accept it?
Ling Luochen closed her eyes.
What was there to be unwilling about?
A loss was a loss.
She took a deep breath, forced herself to her feet, and staggered to the side, standing with her head bowed.
No expression could be seen on her cold face, but her slightly trembling fingertips betrayed the turmoil within her.
Cai Yue'er withdrew her gaze and looked at Zhang Lexuan.
"What about you?"
She raised an eyebrow, her tone still lazy, carrying a hint of nonchalant scrutiny.
"Do you still want to challenge?"
Zhang Lexuan met that gaze and slowly took a step forward.
She raised her hand and bowed slightly to Cai Yue'er, her movements composed and without a trace of fear.
"Zhang Lexuan. Spirit: Moon. Eight Rings, Spirit Douluo. I request a battle."
Zhang Lexuan straightened up, her gaze passing over Cai Yue'er and landing on the figure in snow-white clothes.
Wu Changkong, a Seven-Ring Soul Sage, one ring lower than herself.
Looking at that figure, Zhang Lexuan didn't feel the slightest bit of contempt. The man stood there with his aura restrained, like a sharp sword hidden in its scabbard; seemingly harmless, but once drawn, it would surely shake the heavens.
Furthermore...
Zhang Lexuan's peripheral vision swept over Yuan En Yehui.
A Four-Ring Soul Ancestor could defeat a Five-Ring Soul King by fighting above their level.
Then what kind of power could a Seven-Ring Soul Sage unleash?
She wanted to see. She wanted to see just how deep this academy's foundation truly was. Even if her strength was inferior, she had to fight this battle. Cai Yue'er turned to look at Wu Changkong and spoke calmly.
"No need to hold back. Display your full strength directly and let her realize the gap for herself." Wu Changkong nodded slightly.
"Yes."
He raised his eyes, his deep blue gaze landing on Zhang Lexuan, calm as water.
The next moment, a terrifying aura suddenly erupted!
Zhang Lexuan's pupils constricted violently.
Around Wu Changkong, a set of armor appeared out of thin air. The armor was predominantly white, with silver patterns spreading across the surface like flowing water, outlining complex and magnificent designs. The streamlined plate armor fitted his form perfectly, every line exuding a sharp beauty.
A circlet slowly condensed on his head, with snowflake-like protrusions on both sides and a deep blue crystal embedded in the center, reflecting a cold light under the sun.
And in his hand—
A greatsword appeared out of thin air.
The blade was slender and entirely deep blue, as if condensed from pure ice. The hilt was pure white, creating a stark contrast with the blue. A cold glint faintly flowed along the edge; just a single glance felt bone-chillingly cold.
Wu Changkong looked up. At that moment, he seemed to merge with the armor. His aura was magnificent and cold. Although he was clearly only a Seven-Ring Soul Sage, the pressure he radiated now actually... actually reached the level of a Titled Douluo! (The original work has contradictions; Chapter 585 states that a Seven-Ring Soul Sage with Two-word Battle Armor can reach the strength of a Titled Douluo, while Chapter 796 says they cannot, but have at least the strength of a Spirit Douluo. This book adopts the former.)
Zhang Lexuan's breathing hitched.
No, it wasn't just a Titled Douluo.
Zhang Lexuan had seen many Titled Douluos and felt their pressure, but Wu Changkong's current aura gave her a sense of oppression even stronger than some low-level Titled Douluos!
How was this possible?!
Da Ming and Er Ming were also stunned.
Er Ming's large, bell-like eyes went wide. His mouth hung open, but he couldn't make a sound.
"This..."
Da Ming was also taken aback. Although Wang Dong'er had said that a Spirit King wearing One-word Battle Armor could fight a Spirit Saint, the two of them had only listened in passing, as Wang Dong'er didn't even have One-word Battle Armor yet.
Now, they were witnessing the terrifying nature of this thing called Battle Armor with their own eyes.
Zhang Lexuan stood frozen in place, feeling the overwhelming pressure. She felt the Spirit Power within her body become sluggish.
Zhang Lexuan closed her eyes, a bitter curve forming at the corners of her lips.
She had thought that as the Eldest Senior Sister of the Shrek Inner Academy and an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo, even if she wasn't a match, she could at least exchange a few rounds to test the depth of this academy.
But reality had given her a resounding slap in the face.
The opponent had only released his Battle Armor and hadn't even moved, yet she already recognized the gap between them.
Zhang Lexuan opened her eyes and, facing that pressure, spoke slowly.
"I... admit defeat."
These three words were incredibly difficult to say.
She had never imagined that one day she would take the initiative to admit defeat before even engaging in combat.
"Step down."Cai Yue'er spoke indifferently.
Zhang Lexuan took a deep breath, bowed slightly to Cai Yue'er, stepped back a few paces, and stood beside Ling Luochen.
The two stood side by side, their gazes meeting. Both saw the same bitterness in each other's eyes.
They were the top students of the Shrek Inner Academy.
One was the Inner Court's Eldest Senior Sister, an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo.
The other was one of the Shrek Seven Devils, a Five-Ring Soul King.
Yet before this academy, they were actually... so vulnerable.
Zhang Lexuan suddenly remembered what Xuan Zi had said.
"The waters of that academy are very deep."
What Xuan Zi said was indeed correct; the water was truly deep. They didn't even have the qualifications to enter this academy.
Seeing Zhang Lexuan admit defeat, Wu Changkong's aura slowly retracted, and the magnificent Two-word Battle Armor faded away, turning back into an ordinary robe.He bowed slightly to Cai Yue'er.
"Elder Cai, I shall take my leave first."
Yuan En Yehui also stepped forward and bowed similarly.
"I shall also take my leave."
Cai Yue'er nodded, and the two turned to leave, quickly disappearing from everyone's sight.
Er Ming watched Yuan En Yehui's departing back, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.
He opened his mouth, wanting to call out to her and ask clearly—
Who exactly are you?
Where exactly did your Titan Giant Ape bloodline come from?!
But in the end, he didn't call out.Because... Cai Yue'er was staring at him. If he accidentally earned Cai Yue'er's resentment, Wang Dong'er's situation would be even more awkward. Wang Dong'er had told them before that she really wanted to stay in the dorms.
However... it should be fine to ask Cai Yue'er, right?
Er Ming's gaze fell upon Cai Yue'er.
...
Deans Office
[Ding!]
[Detected an increase in key figure Da Ming's recognition of Shrek Academy is a Monster Academy!]
[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the reward: Special Teacher Er Ming (Legend of the Dragon King version, appearance slightly changed, Quasi-God level)!]
[Detected an increase in key figure Er Ming's recognition of Shrek Academy is a Monster Academy!]
[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the reward: Five sets of Spirit Metal four-word battle armor!]
[Detected an increase in key figure Zhang Lexuan's recognition of Shrek Academy is a Monster Academy!]
[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the reward: 10 pills condensed from the Dragon Girl's Bloodline Power!]
[Detected an increase in key figure Ling Luochen's recognition of Shrek Academy is a Monster Academy!]
[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the reward: Heart of the Ice God * 1!]
---------------------------------------------
A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
2 Reviews = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.