"Is everyone alright?" Xuan Zi, supported by Old Lin, walked up to the main and reserve team members, asking with concern.
Fortunately, the two Level 8 soul-guided cannons, powerful enough to harm a Level 98 Super Douluo, did not cause any casualties among the Shrek group. Everyone was alive, as Xuan Zi had absorbed most of the explosion's power, and the others only felt the aftershshocks.
Unfortunately, Xuan Zi was severely injured and needed to recuperate. It was Xuan Zi's first encounter with a Level 8 soul-guided cannon, and he initially hadn't expected its power to rival a full-force attack from a Super Douluo. Therefore, he hadn't applied much protection to himself, focusing solely on protecting the main team members. By the time he realized this, he was already in the midst of the explosion. Fortunately, it wasn't too late to mend the situation; he promptly mobilized his full strength to withstand the blast.
Among the main team members, except for Jiang Nannan, all suffered injuries of varying degrees. Jiang Nannan was immune to the explosion's impact due to her third Spirit Ability, a golden body skill. However, the others weren't so lucky. The least injured were Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, who only sustained minor internal injuries and would recover after three to five days of rest.
The most severely injured were Chen Zifeng, Gongyang Mo, and Ling Luochen. Gongyang Mo and Ling Luochen, having been held by Xuan Zi, had the shockwave from Xuan Zi transferred to them, resulting in moderate internal injuries for both. They would need at least half a month of recuperation before they could fight again.
The worst off was Chen Zifeng; he had no internal injuries, only external ones, with both legs fractured. Most importantly, his injuries weren't caused by the explosion but by being crushed by Xuan Zi's Martial Soul True Body... which was quite absurd.
Although no disciples died, Xuan Zi and Old Lin's expressions remained grim. Besides Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan, five of the seven main team members were injured, and only four would be able to fight in the short term. This was undoubtedly a nightmare for them, as they were about to participate in the Soul Master Competition.
What about the upcoming competition? Are they going to rely on this group of reserve members? Or just on Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan?
Mentioning Zhu Ziyang, everyone suddenly realized that Zhu Ziyang hadn't come out yet!
Everyone immediately looked towards the cave entrance, now blocked by rubble. Old Lin was about to rush into the cave to search for Zhu Ziyang when, at that moment, the rocks blocking the cave suddenly shattered, and a figure emerged from within.
Undoubtedly, it was Zhu Ziyang.
At this moment, he had the Heavenly Frost Sacred White Dragon Spirit attached to his body, exuding an aura of extreme cold and a domineering dragon's might. His semi-dragonized body shattering the boulders made everyone's expressions turn peculiar, and the five crimson spirit rings floating behind him caused all the main team members, except Jiang Nannan, and all the reserve team members to fall into a daze.
"Old Lin, Old Xuan, are you alright? And everyone else, are you alright?" After rushing out of the cave, Zhu Ziyang didn't even bother to retract his Spirit, because Xuan Zi's back was to him, and his bloodied back was fully visible. This made him extremely worried; if even the Level 98 Xuan Zi was so severely injured, then what about the others? "Don't worry, everyone is just a little injured, but there's no danger to their lives." Old Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Zhu Ziyang appear. He immediately rushed to his side, checked him carefully, and, finding no missing parts, said with relief.
At the same time, her previous worries completely vanished. With Zhu Ziyang's strength, he might truly be able to win the Soul Master Competition championship by himself, after all, these were five 100,000-year spirit rings!
"Ziyang, you've really been hiding your true strength!" Ma Xiaotao's face was pale, but looking at the five 100,000-year spirit rings shimmering behind Zhu Ziyang, she couldn't help but exclaim.
Hearing Zhu Ziyang's exclamation, the others also nodded in unison. They were surprised by Zhu Ziyang's twin spirits, and even more surprised by the five 100,000-year spirit rings that glowed with dazzling red light.
"What exactly happened? Why are Old Xuan and everyone else injured?" Zhu Ziyang retracted his Spirit, a puzzled expression on his face, and asked.
"It was Level 8 soul-guided cannons!" Old Lin said with a heavy expression. "Those two Evil Soul Master Douluo actually carried two Level 8 soul-guided cannons with them. Neither Xuan Zi nor I expected that."
"That's right!" Xuan Zi said, his face pale and weakly. "And these two Evil Soul Master Douluo are people we've never heard of before. It's as if they suddenly appeared. From their conversation, I gathered that they seem to be organized."
"Old Lin, Old Xuan, you're right." Zhu Ziyang, feeling a sense of foreboding, immediately said, "I learned from that Death Envoy that these two Evil Soul Master Douluo are venerated Elders of an Evil Soul Master organization called the Holy Spirit Church."
"Holy Spirit Church?!" Old Lin and Xuan Zi exchanged glances upon hearing this. They looked at each other, both hearing of this organization for the first time.
"Yes, that Death Envoy said that this Holy Spirit Church has two Limit Douluo and more than a dozen Titled Douluo!" Zhu Ziyang said with a heavy expression, relaying this uncertain news.
"What?!" The two Super Douluo's expressions immediately changed upon hearing this. If Evil Soul Masters forming an organization was something they could accept, then having two Limit Douluo made the existence of this organization a factor that Shrek Academy had to be wary of!
"I can't be sure if it's true, but I think the Academy should take it seriously!" Zhu Ziyang suggested.
"Naturally!" Old Lin said, "Even if you didn't say anything, the Academy would still investigate this organization. Regardless of whether they truly have two Limit Douluo, the mere fact that they can possess Level 8 soul-guided cannons must be taken seriously! Level 8 soul-guided cannons are not something an ordinary organization can possess!"
"Exactly!" Xuan Zi nodded, his face growing paler. As a victim of the Level 8 soul-guided cannon, he deeply understood its power. Since becoming a Super Douluo, this was the first time he had suffered such severe injuries. The external injuries were secondary; the main issue was that his internal organs were somewhat displaced. To fully recover, he would likely need at least half a year of recuperation!
"I've decided," Old Lin said with a serious expression, gathering everyone and announcing, "Wang Yan, you will now shoulder the responsibility of the team leader. Take Ziyang, Nannan, Xiaotao, Yueheng, and the reserve team members directly to Star Luo City. Do not go to the Western Army Group barracks; I suspect some people there are colluding with Evil Soul Masters!"
Old Lin's words immediately made Wang Yan feel immense pressure, and also brought a fierce glint to Dai Yueheng's eyes.
"As for me, I need to escort Xuan Zi and the three, Chen Zifeng, back to the Academy," Old Lin continued. "Chen Zifeng has fractured legs and probably won't be able to fight for a while. But Ling Luochen and Gongyang Mo can. I will ask Old Zhuang to treat them, and in at most seven days, I will bring them to Star Luo City to meet up with you all. For these seven days, you'll have to rely on yourselves!"
"I will do my utmost, Old Lin!" Wang Yan said solemnly.
"Ziyang, be careful!" Before leaving, Old Lin said to Zhu Ziyang with great concern.
"Old Lin, don't worry, I will be careful!" Zhu Ziyang said with a serious and earnest expression.
Old Lin left with Chen Zifeng, the other two, and Xuan Zi, leaving Zhu Ziyang and the others standing there, feeling a bit lost for a moment.
"Everyone, let's go to Star Luo City first, as Old Lin requested!" Wang Yan, as the team leader, was the first to adapt to this sudden change. He said, "Ziyang, Nannan, you two are responsible for looking after Xiaotao and Yueheng; they are, after all, injured."
"Alright, let's go!" Zhu Ziyang immediately nodded in agreement upon hearing this, and went to help Dai Yueheng.
"No need!" However, Dai Yueheng's face was gloomy, and he refused Zhu Ziyang's help. He said, "I'm going back to the barracks for a trip. You all go to Star Luo City first!"
As he spoke, he directly flew into the air and sped towards the Western Army Group barracks of the Star Luo Empire. His speed was so fast that he disappeared from everyone's sight in less than a minute.
Seeing this, Wang Yan immediately looked anxious and said, "How can he act alone! Ziyang, go and bring him back!"
"Why chase him? He's not a child; he doesn't need anyone to look after him," Ma Xiaotao said directly. Her face was very unpleasant, understanding Dai Yueheng's actions, and displeased with Wang Yan's instruction to Zhu Ziyang.
"Teacher Wang Yan, let's not worry about Yueheng for now. He is, after all, the Duke White Tiger's eldest son; nothing will happen to him. Let's go to Star Luo City first!" Zhu Ziyang looked at Wang Yan's somewhat green face from being rebuked by Ma Xiaotao, and offered comfort.
"Alas, that's the only way!" Wang Yan was helpless. Although he was a teacher, he was only an Outer Courtyard teacher, and his strength was only that of a Spirit Emperor, not even as strong as Ma Xiaotao. He could only listen to Ma Xiaotao's opposition.
After Dai Yueheng left alone, Zhu Ziyang and the others also set off, rapidly advancing towards Star Luo City. Along the way, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy, as they had just experienced a battle that could be described as tragic. Although there were no casualties, it severely affected everyone's morale!
Everyone hurried on until nightfall before stopping to rest. After half a day of buffering, the atmosphere within the team had somewhat eased. They gathered around the bonfire, with Huo Yuhao being conscripted to cook food for them, while the others helped out in limited ways, eating and chatting, trying to alleviate the oppressive atmosphere.