Jing Hongchen knew that making a grand entrance and revealing oneself dramatically was incredibly satisfying. Not only did it achieve a significant goal, but it also captivated the audience.
For instance, his sneak attack that severely wounded the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger not only drew shocked gazes from Nebula Douluo and the Star Luo princess, but his grandchildren and students behind him also silently gave him a thumbs-up.
It wasn't that Jing Hongchen didn't want to play the long game, but the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger was simply too malevolent. Nebula Douluo was on the verge of being swallowed, and if it managed to devour a Titled Douluo or escape altogether, Jing Hongchen wasn't sure how much effort it would take to subdue it.
Without hesitation, Jing Hongchen, who appeared mid-air, swept his hand, and the hundreds of Soul Guided Metal Tubes behind him fired again.
Various Soul Guided Beams of different effects and colors shot out, raining down on the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.
His attack was extraordinary. The hundreds of Soul Guided Cannons were at least Level 7, with three Level 9 Soul Guided Cannons among them. The overwhelming beams were enough to overwhelm a Super Douluo.
The unprepared Dark Demon Evil God Tiger was blasted until its skin was torn and flesh ripped, its roars now laced with unbearable pain.
"The era of pure Soul Masters is long past. This is the era of Soul Guided Devices! Experience the might of my Mingde Hall's Soul Guided Technology!"
Jing Hongchen carefully yet boldly directed the Soul Guided Cannons to concentrate fire on the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. One of the three Level 9 Soul Guided Cannons had a nerve-paralyzing effect, one had a mental-冲击 effect, and one had a freezing effect.
Each one was specifically prepared for powerful Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beasts. Coupled with the other Level 7 and 8 Soul Guided Cannons, although the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger was powerful, it couldn't withstand Jing Hongchen's relentless bombardment.
At the same time, Jing Hongchen's entire body glowed red, and a disc floated before his chest. Intense red light burst outwards, forming a giant light barrier that protected him and Xu Tianxi.
Xu Tianxi raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, The Dean truly is a workaholic. This Soul Guided Device was precisely the Hongchen Blessing. Jing Hongchen claimed that with this Level 9 Soul Guided Device, he could temporarily block the attacks of a Level 98 Super Douluo.
From Xuan Zi and Mu En's performance in the original work, his words weren't an exaggeration. Now, blocking the potential counterattack of this Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, which had been a thorn in both sides' eyes for years, was more than enough.
Seeing the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, which had posed a mortal threat to the Star Luo Empire's fan-wielding duo, being blasted to near death by Jing Hongchen, Xu Tianxi secretly grew vigilant. He propped a Level 7 Fixed Soul Cannon Shell launcher onto his shoulder.
At the same time, he quietly reminded Jing Hongchen, "Dean, I read in ancient texts that the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger has a terrifying innate ability: it can drag enemies into a different dimension with its Evil God Hook on its tail for a fight to the death. You must be extremely careful."
Xiao Hongchen strangely asked, "This guy looks like he's almost done for. Even if it drags us into a different dimension, what can it do?"
Xu Tianxi calmly replied, "It can turn you back into your six-year-old self, while it remains its current size, and then swallow you whole."
"Hiss~ Then wouldn't that be the end of us?" Xiao Hongchen gasped.
"The only way is to not be dragged in. Even if you can't avoid it, you must destroy its protective energy before its ability activates. That way, it will also revert to its infant form."
As Xu Tianxi spoke, he took out a Level 7 Fixed Soul Cannon and loaded twelve Level 6 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells into it. These were his reserves, which he had applied for from Mingde Hall under the guise of research.
He calibrated his scope, locking onto the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's position from afar, preparing to deliver the final blow.
"Dean, I'll fire in a moment, and you withdraw. This guy's innate ability is too special; we can't give it any chance to breathe," Xu Tianxi said seriously.
"Also, Dean, after the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger falls, its essence might condense into a bead and be sent away using spatial abilities. This is the crystallization of its power, and it must not be let go."
"Good!" Jing Hongchen's eyelids drooped. He put on a pair of Soul Guided Gloves and adjusted the angle of his Soul Guided Cannons.
Three breaths later, Xu Tianxi, with a solemn expression, activated the Fixed Soul Cannon. Nine magnificent parabolas suddenly flew through the air, all landing on the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's head.
Jing Hongchen used his Level 9 paralyzing Soul Guided Cannon to strike the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger fiercely, causing its body to stiffen and preventing it from dodging the Level 6 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells aimed at it.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Nine cannons exploded in succession, creating mushroom cloud-like shockwaves. Even Nebula Douluo Man Yi and Xu Jiujiu, who had retreated far away, turned pale.
"Are those Level 6 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells? So powerful!"
A deep sense of dread appeared in Man Yi's eyes. The power of a Level 6 Fixed Soul Cannon Shell exceeded most Level 8 Soul Guided Devices. Twelve of them firing simultaneously could pose a mortal threat to a Soul Douluo.
Even if one of these things exploded near her, she'd have a headache.
Xu Jiujiu's focus differed from Man Yi's. She was hesitant about whether to make a quick escape.
Jing Hongchen's appearance was too flashy, his strength too formidable, and he even called himself "this Hall Master." His physique was also very distinctive. Xu Jiujiu wasn't foolish; she immediately recognized his identity.
The Dean of the Sun Moon Empire's premier Soul Engineer Academy, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, the Hall Master of the top research institution, Mingde Hall, one of the three legendary Level 9 Soul Engineers of the Sun Moon Empire, the patriarch of the Hongchen Family, and a Duke of the Sun Moon Empire—
Jing Hongchen!
Although intelligence suggested that there were more than just the three publicly known Level 9 Soul Engineers in the Sun Moon Empire, with the true number being over five, Jing Hongchen, this Hall Master of Mingde Hall, was undoubtedly among the top, an absolute core figure with real power, and his strength was truly astonishing.
For Jing Hongchen to deal with them would be as easy as flipping his hand.
But their Soul Power was almost completely depleted now. If Jing Hongchen wanted to keep them, it seemed they couldn't escape?
Just as Xu Jiujiu was hesitating, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's gray light completely dissipated. Its incomplete body fell heavily, emitting a cloud of gray mist, which then transformed into a Soul Ring as deep as night.
After the Soul Ring appeared, an astonishing scene unfolded: a black bead, entirely black, rose from the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's massive body, glowing.
The bead emitted two colors, cyan and blue, and a small black hole, about a meter in diameter, suddenly appeared around it, ready to suck the bead in.
Just then, Jing Hongchen appeared beside the black bead. With a hand clad in Level 8 Soul Guided Gloves, he firmly gripped the bead, his body radiating Soul Guided Light to fill the black hole.
"A cooked duck still trying to fly? Do you think this Hall Master is a vegetarian?"
Proudly claiming his spoils, and then storing the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's Soul Ring in his spatial Soul Guided Device, Jing Hongchen beckoned to Xu Tianxi and the other two who had landed, signaling his victory.
Xu Tianxi nodded and smiled, giving a thumbs-up to Hall Master Hongchen's formidable decisiveness. Truly worthy of being the Mingde Hall Master; he has every type of equipment imaginable.
The Hongchen siblings applauded enthusiastically, their eyes filled with admiration for their grandfather, greatly satisfying Hall Master Hongchen's vanity.
Jing Hongchen suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth and waved his hand. Then, he feigned calmness, turned around, coughed twice lightly, and slowly said:
"You two from the Star Luo Empire, this Hall Master has just saved your lives. Won't you come say hello?"
They came after all.
Man Yi and Xu Jiujiu exchanged helpless glances, sighing inwardly, but managed to force smiles as they bowed and thanked Jing Hongchen.
"My sincerest thanks to Hall Master Jing for saving our lives. If the opportunity ever arises, we will surely repay this kindness," Man Yi said, her voice stiff.
Xu Jiujiu's voice was much more natural. "Jiujiu thanks Elder Hongchen for the rescue. It's just a shame that I currently have nothing to offer in return. If Elder Hongchen doesn't mind, Jiujiu would like to represent the Star Luo Royal Family and invite Elder Hongchen to be our guest in the Star Luo Empire, so we can properly show our hospitality."
Regardless of their positions, Jing Hongchen had indeed saved their lives. And with the current power imbalance, a simple thank you was no big deal. As long as he didn't take them back to the Sun Moon Empire, anything was fine.
"Visit the Star Luo Empire? This old man isn't particularly interested in your Star Luo Empire."
Jing Hongchen shook his head indifferently, raising a hand. "This old man knows the relations between our two nations are strained, and you harbor suspicions towards me. I also don't believe your gratitude is genuine."
"I don't trust talk of future repayment either. How about this: you swear an oath in the name of your Martial Souls that, upon your return, you'll bring three Soul Bones that are at least fifty thousand years old. Consider that my compensation for saving you, and then we'll be even."
"How does that sound? I see there are three of you in total. Three Soul Bones seems fair, doesn't it?"
As he spoke, Jing Hongchen revealed a smile of keen interest, looking back and forth between Xu Jiujiu, Man Yi, and Huang Heyun, who lay on the ground still breathing.
For him, subduing or even killing the three of them would be effortless, but there wasn't much point. It was better to gain some tangible benefits. Negotiating with the Star Luo Empire after capturing them would make the Star Luo Empire grit their teeth and offer things in exchange, but involving the Star Luo Empire would inevitably involve the Sun Moon Imperial Family.
The current struggle for the heir apparent in the Sun Moon Empire was fierce, and Jing Hongchen didn't want to deal with them, nor did he care for the olive branches extended by princes like Xu Tianran. Besides, appearing with them would make Xu Jiawei grit his teeth and send even more Soul Bones, but would he share three of them with Jing Hongchen? Jing Hongchen knew without even thinking that it was impossible! It would likely attract attention and cause more trouble. It was better to quietly make a fortune.
As for killing them, it was easy to do but offered no benefits. He was already at the pinnacle of power; he didn't need such achievements to enhance his reputation. If word got out, it would also make the Hongchen Family the Star Luo Empire's number one blood feud target. He wasn't afraid of retaliation, but his three children weren't ready yet. If he waited twenty years for his three children to grow, the rewards would be immense. There was no need for him to jump into a quagmire or stir up trouble.
Upon hearing this, Man Yi's face twitched, and the smile on Xu Jiujiu's cheeks immediately stiffened. But the next moment, Xu Jiujiu's expression returned to normal, and she nodded slightly.
"Alright, Jiujiu swears by her Star Crown Martial Soul and her status as a member of the Star Luo Royal Family that upon our return, we will send three Soul Bones, each at least fifty thousand years old, to repay Hall Master Hongchen for saving our lives."
"Your Highness—?" Man Yi looked at Xu Jiujiu in surprise, thinking, How can you agree without even haggling over the price?
"Grandma Man Yi, Hall Master Hongchen's strength is extraordinary; Jiujiu has long admired him. And today, he saved you, me, and Huang Heyun. Three Soul Bones of fifty thousand years or more, I'll go speak to Imperial Brother about it."
Xu Jiujiu said with a forced smile. She, too, had been greatly alarmed when she heard Jing Hongchen's demand, but at this moment, their lives weren't their own. What else could they do but agree? They had no power to bargain. If they were taken to the Sun Moon Empire, the trouble would be even greater.
"Haha, Princess, you are indeed straightforward! I like your decisive nature; it's truly refreshing!"
Jing Hongchen laughed heartily. The price he offered had been carefully considered. Three top-grade Soul Bones weren't cheap, but they didn't exceed the other party's psychological expectations.
Xu Jiujiu squeezed out a smile and then said, "Jiujiu has long admired your academy's Soul Guided Technology, and seeing the Hall Master in action just now was truly astonishing. I wonder if it would be possible to arrange learning exchanges with your esteemed academy in the future?"
"Oh? Does the Princess truly wish for this?"
Jing Hongchen's gaze towards Xu Jiujiu shifted from "sensible" to surprised.