Chapter 146: Clash in the Star Dou Forest
After sensing that the soul master with the Angel Martial Spirit was nearby, Elder Xuan paused in thought before deciding to temporarily leave the Shrek team.
He had already surveyed the area and confirmed there were no particularly powerful soul beasts nearby. Moreover, the Angel Martial Spirit's presence was close enough—at least, by the standards of someone at his level. With his full speed, he could complete a round trip in under a minute. It was well within his ability to leave for a short period without compromising the team's safety.
Therefore, considering the proximity and lack of immediate threat, Elder Xuan made a quick decision. Since he'd only be gone for a few minutes, he didn't bother informing the Soul Saint in charge of the team. It wasn't necessary—he'd be back shortly, and no soul beasts around could pose any threat to Shrek's people in his absence.
To him, informing the team leader of both his departure and return would be a pointless waste of time. That time could be better spent dealing with the matter at hand.
Just like that, without anyone from Shrek noticing, Elder Xuan quietly slipped away from the team.
———
Deep in a massive lake within the Star Dou Great Forest, Nana was submerged at the bottom, heavy lead weights strapped to her body. Several freshwater soul beasts were in pursuit, circling like predators around prey. Not far away, Mu Qingxue hovered in the water, observing her closely and ready to intervene the moment Nana reached her limit.
Since entering the core region, Nana had consumed large quantities of high-level soul beast meat. This meat contained explosive energy, which could only be triggered under extreme stress—specifically, in life-or-death situations. Nana needed to experience the brink of death repeatedly, relying on her will to survive to fully awaken her martial spirit.
It was a brutal method, but one Xiao Qiang had the time and resources to execute with patience.
After numerous brushes with death, Nana was finally pushed to her absolute limit. A brilliant silver light burst from her back as she erupted from the lakebed, defying the pressure of both the chasing soul beasts and the lead weights.
As her soul power surged and colorful light bloomed behind her, Nana realized—she had succeeded.
"Master, Nana has succeeded. Thank you for cultivating me," she said, kneeling before Xiao Qiang. As a servant specifically trained for the protagonist in the original setting, her loyalty was absolute and unwavering.
"Not bad," Xiao Qiang replied calmly. "Go take a shower and change your clothes. I'll take you to obtain another soul ring afterward, then we'll leave."
But before she could respond, a cold snort cut through the air.
"Heh. Leave? You think you're leaving?"
Xiao Qiang turned toward the source of the voice.
Elder Xuan, Supreme Elder of the Holy Spirit Church and Deputy Pavilion Master of Shrek's Sea God Pavilion, stood nearby gnawing on a chicken leg, his sharp eyes locked onto Xiao Qiang.
His gaze shifted to Nana. He tried to soften his voice, speaking like a benevolent elder. "Child, don't be afraid. Shrek will save you. You won't have to be anyone's slave anymore."
Shrek's attitude toward ordinary or average soul masters was often indifferent—or even cruel. But if someone was a genius-level soul master, even people like Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the Outer Court, or the leaders of the Sea God Pavilion, would suddenly become exceedingly friendly.
Nana, who appeared to be about sixteen and had soul power fluctuations around rank 50, had just undergone a silver-grade martial soul's second awakening. She was a genius far beyond Huo Yuhao, whose talent had yet to emerge. A soul master like her could easily be cultivated to rank 95 or beyond. For Shrek, she was an irresistible asset.
But upon hearing the old man's tone and his attempt to pull her away from Xiao Qiang, Nana immediately stepped in front of her master, her stance protective and unwavering.
"Stand down, Nana. He's not someone you can block. Go take that shower and change."
"But Master—"
"Do as I say."
"…Yes, Master."
"You dare treat a Shrek-level genius like a slave? Boy, you're seeking death!"
Despite Nana's reluctance, Xiao Qiang stood calmly in place, his tone composed.
"You've crossed the line. Last chance. Swear loyalty to Shrek and I'll spare you—let you redeem yourself. Otherwise, I'll show you what it means to live a fate worse than death," Elder Xuan warned.
"I have no interest in Shrek," Xiao Qiang said flatly. "Let alone swearing loyalty to it."
If not for his current strength being only around level 60 and still maturing, he would have already commanded the Snow Queen to kill Elder Xuan without hesitation. In five more years, things would be different.
"In that case…" Elder Xuan's eyes turned cruel. "I'll break your limbs and save you for later—maybe use you to bargain for Le Xuan someday. But before that…"
His gaze locked onto Mu Qingxue. "Shrek forbids anyone with impure Angel Martial Spirits from cultivating beyond Soul Saint. So, what's with your aura of an eight-ring Soul Douluo? Do you want me to send you to meet your ancestors?"
The moment Elder Xuan's murderous aura—emanating from his ninety-eighth level Titled Douluo strength—washed over Mu Qingxue, she was consumed by despair.
For years, those with Angel Spirits had tried to resist, only to be hunted down by Shrek once they reached Soul Saint level. Her father and two sisters had all died at the hands of Shrek's Titled Douluo. That long-standing history had carved both hatred and deep-seated fear into her heart.
Now, faced with Elder Xuan's killing intent, Mu Qingxue could barely remain standing.
I guess… it really is impossible to resist. That was her first, hopeless thought.
But just as she sank into despair, Xiao Qiang's voice reached her.
"Don't worry, Miss Qingxue. Nothing will happen."
Under normal circumstances, such words would be meaningless. But Xiao Qiang was enhanced by psychological suggestion—and Tianmeng's support had elevated his psychological hint skill from a mere 400-year level to a 100,000-year mastery.
At 400 years, it could influence others. At 100,000 years, it could completely override fear and trauma.
As his voice echoed in her ears and his figure stood protectively in front of her, the overwhelming fear that gripped Mu Qingxue suddenly melted away.
To her, the collapsing sky now had a pillar to hold it up.
Elder Xuan sneered. "Oh? You think you'll be fine? A brat who'll need decades to reach my level? What a joke. I'll give you three free shots—break my defense, and I'll let you crawl out from between my legs."
Xiao Qiang said nothing in response.
Instead, he calmly produced an eighth-grade stationary soul tool: a soul restriction shield.
He injected a small amount of soul power, activating the shield around Elder Xuan.
Elder Xuan simply smirked. "This? Without even releasing my martial spirit, I can break this in under three seconds."
Xiao Qiang ignored him. He drew out the Silver Dragon Staff and poured a large amount of soul power into it.
The staff's spatial capacity expanded to its limit in an instant. In less than a second, the restriction shield—containing Elder Xuan, and radiating no external soul power—was instantly transported to a predetermined location far from the Star Dou Forest.
A place Xiao Qiang had marked earlier.
Elder Xuan reappeared in the middle of a cesspool.
"…My students!" he roared.
———
Back at the Shrek team's position, not long after Elder Xuan had left—
"A 5,000-year-old Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear. That's a top-tier fourth soul ring!"
The Soul Saint leading the team laughed heartily. "Normally, a beast like that would flee the moment it sensed us. But now…"
With Elder Xuan backing them, the Soul Saint couldn't imagine any situation where they might be in danger.