Edge of the Divine Realm
The Supreme Divine Artifact, War Tower, stood tall and imposing at the edge of the Divine Realm. Towering tens of thousands of meters high, it faced the spacetime black hole like a divine sword ready to strike.
All the gods were at their respective posts, diligently preparing.
The entire Divine Realm's energy was being used to activate the War Tower and, through the power of the spacetime black hole, accelerate time in a specific dimension.
This was no simple task.
The Five Divine Kings were already in position, leading the charge.
The Goddess of Life glanced over at the God of Destruction, letting out a silent sigh.
For the sake of peace between the Divine Realm and Sir Dan Heng, she had no choice but to make a difficult decision.
If they harmed anyone Dan Heng cared about, the Divine Realm might face a catastrophic retaliation.
"Did I… really make the right choice?"She wondered to herself.
Meanwhile, the other four Divine Kings secretly opened a private mental space, intentionally excluding the Goddess of Life.
"The Goddess of Life is too kind. If our opponent is really that 'Dan Feng', she might make the wrong move at a critical moment,"said the God of Asura.
The other gods silently agreed.
In terms of kindness, even the God of Kindness didn't compare to the Goddess of Life.
After all, that god simply held the seat of "Kindness," but didn't embody it like she did.
"If the lingering Beast Gods really are involved, we must annihilate them all! No chance for resurgence! After that, we'll find a way to banish the Golden Dragon King into the black hole!"the God of Destruction said murderously.
All the gods fell silent for a moment. The God of Destruction certainly lived up to his title—utterly ruthless.
Still, they agreed.
The Beast Gods had once nearly brought ruin to the Divine Realm. This was the chance to completely eliminate that threat.
"If it's the Emerald Dragon King or Silver Dragon King who created the black hole, we can destroy them remotely."
"But what if it's Dan Feng himself? What then?"the God of Evil asked with a smile.
This was what truly troubled the gods.
"The War Tower is the most destructive divine artifact in the Divine Realm. It can focus all our power into a single strike. If even this can't stop Dan Feng… then we'll be left with only one option—destruction,"the Asura God said gravely.
The other Divine Kings exchanged uneasy glances. "Destruction"—that word was so unfamiliar and terrifying.
But remembering Dan Feng's power, they couldn't help but admit… it wasn't impossible.
"That monster… where did he even come from? He's far stronger than the Dragon God ever was!"the Evil God complained.
None of the gods responded, but their hearts were heavy.
Dan Feng—
A name that weighed on all of them like a mountain.
No one could defeat him.
Even the God of Destruction, who had once been the most defiant, no longer dared to utter words like "perish together."
He simply didn't have the power.
As for negotiating peace with Dan Feng? None of them even considered it.
"Would you let a tiger nap on your bed?"
"Prepare…!!"
A few days later…
Davis and Dai Mubai quietly left Fengdan City.
Outside the city, a lush forest awaited them.
Not long into the woods, a figure emerged from a grassy bunker—clad in armor. A general.
"Greetings, Crown Prince Davis! Third Prince Mubai!"the general said respectfully.
Davis nodded slightly and peered into the dark depths of the forest.
"Are the preparations complete?"
Dai Mubai turned away, not wanting to be involved.
Even this general clearly only obeyed Davis, not him. His chances of inheriting the throne were long gone.
"All appeasers within the Empire have been executed! We will reclaim our lost lands and cleanse our shame!"the general declared.
"Good! That's the spirit of the Star Luo Empire's Iron Army!"Davis said proudly.
Dai Mubai scoffed.
"Have you scouted Fengdan Empire? From what I've seen, their people are united and prosperous—and they despise us Star Luo folks."
The general frowned and shot him an impatient look.
"Smack!!"
Davis slapped Dai Mubai across the face.
"You bastard! One more word to demoralize the troops, and I'll have you executed!"he roared.
Mubai covered his face, not daring to retaliate. He knew he deserved it.
But deep inside, resentment brewed.
Even if Star Luo reclaimed power, what would it matter to him?
Davis would eventually cast him aside and exile him to some remote backwater.
"So let it all burn, for all I care!"
"We will win. Either victory or death!"Davis declared solemnly.
Spirit Master Tournament
The final match would determine the ultimate champion.
It was the most prestigious match of the entire competition.
Nearly everyone who could attend was present.
They couldn't wait to see the final victor.
Shrek Team vs. Blue Tyrant Team!
"You've gotta win! Beat those Shrek bastards and give them a real lesson!"Huo Wu shouted, waving toward the arena.
The other girls around her were equally excited.
They'd all been "bullied" by the Shrek Team in some way and were dying to see Zhu Zhuqing shine.
"Sir Dan Heng must've given Zhuqing a trump card! Just wait and see!"Shui Yue'er said confidently.
No one trusted Dan Heng more than her.
"You sound so sure,"Shui Bing'er teased. "Do you know something?"
"Hmph! I just know it!" Yue'er folded her arms. "Dan Heng always takes care of Zhuqing!"
The girls chuckled at Yue'er's fangirl behavior.
But they no longer mocked her. In fact, some were a bit envious.
Meng Yiran gave an awkward smile. Maybe her grandfather had once hoped she'd be like Yue'er… but she had failed.
"Just watch! Zhuqing is going to win, and she's going to do it beautifully!"
Yue'er's face was flushed with excitement.
Private Box - Dan Heng's Family
The whole family was gathered to watch Zhu Zhuqing's final match.
"Zhuqing's fifth spirit ring was specially prepared by Husband. It has to be something amazing!"Gu Yuena said, clinging to Dan Heng's arm with a smile.
"What can a little Spirit King do?"Zi Ji said dismissively, holding the dragon child Long Long.
Bi Ji cradled baby Bao'er, who was asleep, so she spoke softly:
"Zhuqing seems very excited for this match…"
Gu Yuena glanced over at Zi Ji and noticed her dark circles.
"Zi Ji, what's going on with you?"she asked.
Zi Ji froze and instinctively yawned.
"N-nothing. I've just been… having some dreams lately. But they're kind of fun…"she muttered, sneaking a glance at Dan Heng.
Dan Heng and Gu Yuena both noticed—and exchanged glances.
Something was definitely off.
Zi Ji had been acting weird, avoiding Dan Heng, nervous around him—almost guilty.
Bi Ji was behaving similarly, though she was better at hiding it.
"Zi Ji, what kind of dreams?"Gu Yuena asked sharply, eyes narrowing.
Zi Ji's whole body tensed. Her gaze went blank.
"I-it's just… just…"
Beside her, Bi Ji also became visibly nervous.
She'd been having the same dreams lately.
The content was… very unwholesome.
And more than a little taboo.
If Zi Ji was exposed, wouldn't that mean she was next?
Just then, the referee's voice echoed from outside.
"Final round of the Spirit Master Tournament… begins now!"
…
On the grand arena stage.
Under the gaze of the entire audience.
Both teams entered the arena.
On the Shrek Team's side, Ma Hongjun's chubby face was flushed red. Compared to when he first arrived in Fontan City, he had gained another layer of fat, and his aura had become more complicated.
He looked at the opposing Lanba Team, and his small eyes were filled with lust.
"That Zhu family sisters…"
As soon as he opened his mouth, the Dai brothers shot him unfriendly glances.
Ma Hongjun immediately snapped back to his senses. He knew better than to joke like that in front of those two.
He quickly changed the subject and said, "That Dan Heng actually told me to castrate myself, saying I'd be useless otherwise."
"Now I'm going to defeat his disciple fair and square! Show him how foolish his judgment was!"
Ma Hongjun's expression turned firm, showing a rare hint of backbone.
Davis laughed and said, "Good! Hongjun, you're the main force for this round. If we're going to win, we'll win beautifully! The Lanba Team… is no match for us!"
The rest of the Shrek team all cheered in unison.
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong exclaimed in surprise, "Something's wrong! Look! Why are the rest of the Lanba Team leaving the stage?"
Everyone looked up at the Lanba Team, and sure enough, only Zhu Zhuqing remained. The rest had actually all stepped down.
Even the referee was stunned and asked:
"Lanba Team, are you forfeiting?"
Tai Long, who had just stepped off the stage, immediately shouted, "No! Just Zhu Zhuqing is more than enough to beat them!"
The others all smiled and nodded in agreement.
In the earlier matches, Zhu Zhuqing had been accommodating them.
Now that it was the finals, it was time to let her go all out!
"…"
The referee looked at the Lanba Team in astonishment.
One person… against an entire seven-member team?
The chances of victory were nearly zero, right?
On the Shrek Team's side, everyone burst out laughing in anger.
In the past matches, they had already demonstrated overwhelming strength. Who wouldn't be afraid of them?
And yet Zhu Zhuqing dared to challenge their whole team alone?
Dai Mubai clenched his teeth and said, "Fatty, cripple her first. Then leave her to me. I want to break her wings…"
"Got it!" Ma Hongjun sneered.
The seven members lined up, transferring their soul power forward, each one channeling it to the next.
Eventually, all of it was focused onto Ma Hongjun, who stood at the front.
BOOM—!
Ma Hongjun spread his flaming wings and soared into the air.
Though he had only four soul rings, the soul power he now wielded surpassed that of a Soul King.
"Little girl! You'd better hold out for a while—let me see what your teacher taught you!"
Ma Hongjun laughed loudly as he hovered above Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing merely glanced up at him. Suddenly, a red aura exploded from her body, expanding outward like a cylindrical shockwave. In the blink of an eye, it enveloped the entire arena.
Under this red aura, everyone felt a heavy pressure.
Their soul power and skills were all being suppressed.
It was the Slaughter God Domain!
"A domain?! How is this possible?" Tang San looked at Zhu Zhuqing in shock.
As Yu Xiaogang's disciple, he had the knowledge and experience to recognize it.
But even among Titled Douluo, having a domain was far from guaranteed!
And yet Zhu Zhuqing had actually activated one?
"Everyone be careful! It's a domain! She's not simple!" Tang San shouted a warning.
In the air, Ma Hongjun didn't care. "Phoenix Meteor Shower!"
As he glided through the air, his flaming wings conjured massive fireballs, turning the space crimson and rapidly raising the temperature.
A phoenix's cry rang out.
All the fireballs rained down simultaneously on Zhu Zhuqing below.
The soul power contained in them was equivalent to that of a Soul Emperor.
Dai Mubai was shocked at the sight and cursed, "You damn fatty! Are you trying to kill her?!"
BOOM—!!
Just as the fireballs exploded—
A black shadow shot upward from the center, smashing through one of the fireballs, heading straight for Ma Hongjun.
"!!"
Ma Hongjun was horrified. He flapped his wings hard and retreated.
But the shadow chased after him—even faster.
Through the flames emerged Zhu Zhuqing, but she looked completely different. All of her soul rings had vanished!
They had transformed and fused. Her original two yellow, one purple, and two black rings had merged into a form-fitting armor—with cat-like shoulders, a deep shine, and a mysterious glow.
Her aura had surpassed the Soul King level—she was now at Soul Emperor level.
And unlike Ma Hongjun's unstable power, hers was solid and complete.
Her soul power was like a perfect, continuous cycle.
The fiery remnants burned away harmlessly on her armor.
A claw lashed out at Ma Hongjun.
Deep gashes appeared on his chest. "So fast…!"
Looking into her icy eyes, Ma Hongjun felt the fire in his own body dim slightly.
"Help…!" Ma Hongjun instinctively screamed.
He erupted into flames, his whole body turning into a fireball, attempting to release all his power.
Zhu Zhuqing was engulfed by the flames—
But they didn't harm her in the slightest.
Her glowing armor isolated all of it completely!
Ma Hongjun's eyes widened. This was pure Evil Fire—even stone would melt in it!
How could she dare to take it head-on?!
SWISH—!!
A claw swiped across Ma Hongjun's face.
Fresh blood streamed from several deep cuts.
Terrified, Ma Hongjun turned to flee.
But Zhu Zhuqing was faster. She attacked again and again, like a ghost, carving wound after wound on his body.
In the blink of an eye, Ma Hongjun looked like a falling meteor, crashing violently from the sky.
BOOM—!!
The ground trembled.
Ma Hongjun hit the earth, twitched a few times, then lay still.
The flames faded. He had completely lost consciousness.
The rest of the Shrek Team watched Ma Hongjun's fate with heavy hearts.
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward.
Her pace was slow, but it felt like a mountain collapsing toward them.
A deep fear welled up in everyone's hearts…
(End of Chapter)