"Are you all okay?"
Xuanzi, supported by Elder Lin, approached the main team and the reserve members, his face full of concern.
Luckily, the two Level 8 Soul-guided Shells—capable of injuring even a 98th-level Super Douluo—had not caused any fatalities among Shrek's group. Everyone was alive, thanks to Xuanzi, who had absorbed the majority of the explosion's power. The others had only suffered the residual shockwave.
Unfortunately, Xuanzi was seriously injured and required rest. This was the first time he had encountered an Eighth-Level Soul-guided Shell. Initially, he had not expected the power of the shells to rival a Super Douluo's full strike, so he hadn't applied enough protection for himself. His focus had been entirely on protecting the main team members. By the time he realized the true threat, it was too late. Fortunately, he had managed to summon all his strength to endure the explosion.
Among the main team, everyone except Jiang Nannan had been injured to some degree. Jiang Nannan's third soul skill, which granted her an invulnerable golden body, protected her from the explosion's shockwave. The others weren't so lucky. The lightest injuries were sustained by Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, who only suffered minor internal injuries, which would heal after a few days of rest.
The most severely injured were Chen Zifeng, Gongyang Mo, and Ling Luochen. Gongyang Mo and Ling Luochen were directly caught by Xuanzi, and the shockwaves from the explosion transferred to them, causing moderate internal injuries. They would need about half a month to recover before they could fight again.
Chen Zifeng had it the worst. He didn't suffer internal injuries, but his legs were broken. Ironically, his injuries weren't caused by the explosion but by being crushed under Xuanzi's Martial Soul True Body.
Though no one had died, the expressions of Xuanzi and Elder Lin remained grim. Of the seven main team members, five were injured, and only four were capable of fighting in the short term. This was an absolute disaster, especially considering they were preparing for the upcoming Soul Master Tournament.
What would they do next? Would they have to rely on the reserve team? Or perhaps just Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan?
At that moment, Zhu Ziyang still hadn't emerged from the rubble.
Everyone suddenly realized that Zhu Ziyang hadn't come out yet!
They all turned to the collapsed cave entrance. Elder Lin immediately moved toward the opening, ready to rush in and find Zhu Ziyang. Just as he was about to act, the rocks blocking the entrance suddenly shattered, and a figure emerged from the debris.
It was none other than Zhu Ziyang.
He stood tall, his Heavenfrost Holy White Dragon Martial Soul enveloping him, exuding an icy, overpowering aura. His semi-dragon form effortlessly shattered the massive boulders, drawing stunned glances from everyone. Five crimson soul rings floated around him, each glowing fiercely, causing everyone except Jiang Nannan to fall into a daze.
"Elder Lin, Elder Xuan, are you alright? Everyone—are you all okay?"
Zhu Ziyang hurried over, his concern evident as he examined Xuanzi's battered form. Seeing Xuanzi's bloodied back caused a deep worry to surge in his heart. If Xuanzi, a 98th-level Super Douluo, could be so seriously injured, how could the others fare?
"Don't worry. Everyone has only suffered minor injuries. There's no danger to life,"
Elder Lin breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Zhu Ziyang appear. He rushed over, inspecting him thoroughly to make sure there were no visible injuries. Once satisfied, he smiled and reassured him.
At the same time, Elder Lin's prior worry faded. With Zhu Ziyang's strength, she began to believe that he could actually win the tournament by himself. After all, five 100,000-year soul rings were no small feat!
"Ziyang, you truly are hiding your strength, aren't you?"
Ma Xiaotao, though pale from her injuries, couldn't help but tease. Her eyes were fixed on the five 100,000-year soul rings that hovered behind him.
Upon hearing Ma Xiaotao's comment, the rest of the team couldn't help but nod in agreement. They were stunned not only by his dual martial souls but also by the sight of those five blazing red soul rings.
"What exactly happened? Why are Elder Xuan and everyone injured?"
Zhu Ziyang's face was filled with confusion as he asked, wanting to understand the situation.
"It was the Eighth-Level Soul-guided Shells!"
Elder Lin explained solemnly.
"Those two evil soul masters actually carried two Eighth-Level Soul-guided Shells with them. This is something Xuanzi and I never anticipated."
"Right!"
Xuanzi, his face pale and voice weak, added,
"And these two evil soul masters… they're Douluo we've never heard of. They seemed to appear out of nowhere. From their conversation, I can tell that they're part of an organized group."
"Elder Lin, Elder Xuan, you're right,"
Zhu Ziyang suddenly remembered something, his expression turning grave.
"I overheard the Death Messenger mention that these two evil soul masters belong to a group called the Holy Spirit Sect."
"Holy Spirit Sect?!"
Both Elder Lin and Xuanzi exchanged a glance, clearly startled. This was the first time they had heard of this group.
"Yes,"
Zhu Ziyang confirmed.
"The Death Messenger mentioned that the Holy Spirit Sect is home to two Limit Douluo and a dozen Title Douluo."
"What?"
The faces of the two Super Douluos changed at once. If the evil soul masters had formed an organization, that was one thing—but the fact that they had two Limit Douluo made the existence of the Holy Spirit Sect something to fear.
"I can't be sure if it's true, but the academy should investigate this group seriously,"
Zhu Ziyang suggested.
"Of course!"
Elder Lin agreed.
"Even if you didn't say it, the academy would investigate. The mere fact that they possess Eighth-Level Soul-guided Shells means we have to take them seriously. These aren't something ordinary organizations can acquire!"
"Exactly!"
Xuanzi nodded, his face even paler. As a victim of the Eighth-Level Soul-guided Shell, he felt the gravity of the situation.
"Since becoming a Super Douluo, this is the first time I've sustained such serious injuries. Though my external injuries are manageable, my internal organs have been shifted. It'll take at least six months to fully recover."
"I've made a decision,"
Elder Lin said, her face stern. She gathered everyone around and announced,
"Wang Yan, you need to take up the responsibility of leading the team from here on. You'll take Ziyang, Nannan, Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and the reserve team members directly to Star Luo City. We won't be going to the Western Military Camp; I suspect there's collusion between some of the people there and the evil soul masters!"
Wang Yan felt the heavy weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. Dai Yueheng, his face cold, looked ready to fight.
"I… I'll do my best, Elder Lin!"
Wang Yan said solemnly.
"Ziyang, be careful out there!"
Before parting ways, Elder Lin's eyes were filled with worry.
"Don't worry, Elder Lin. I'll be careful!"
Zhu Ziyang replied earnestly, his face full of determination.
Elder Lin departed with Chen Zifeng, Xuanzi, and the others, leaving Zhu Ziyang and the team standing in place, momentarily uncertain of what to do.
"Alright, everyone, we'll follow Elder Lin's orders and head to Star Luo City!"
Wang Yan quickly adjusted, taking the lead.
"Ziyang, Nannan, you're in charge of taking care of Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, since they're both injured."
"Alright, let's go!"
Zhu Ziyang agreed, quickly offering to help Dai Yueheng.
"No need!"
But Dai Yueheng, his face dark with irritation, rejected Ziyang's help.
"I'm going back to the military camp. You all go ahead to Star Luo City!"
With that, Dai Yueheng took off into the air, speeding toward the Western Military Camp.
Wang Yan's face turned anxious.
"He can't go alone! Ziyang, go after him!"
"What's the point of chasing? He's not a child—he doesn't need anyone to watch over him,"
Ma Xiaotao interjected, her expression dark.
"Let him do what he wants. I'm not happy about Wang Yan ordering Ziyang around like that either."
"Teacher Wang, don't worry about Dai Yueheng. He's the White Tiger Duke's son. He'll be fine on his own. Let's just head to Star Luo City first!"
Zhu Ziyang smiled reassuringly, trying to ease Wang Yan's tension.
"Sigh, I suppose that's all we can do,"
Wang Yan muttered, reluctantly going along with the plan.
After all, as much as he was their teacher, he was still a Soul Emperor, weaker than Ma Xiaotao.
With Dai Yueheng heading in his own direction, Zhu Ziyang and the others made their way toward Star Luo City, the atmosphere still heavy after their brutal encounter. Though no one had died, the battle had left a lasting impact on their morale.
After several hours of travel, they stopped to rest as night fell, and Huo Yuhao was tasked with preparing food. They ate in silence, trying to lift the somber mood.
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