Chapter 33: The Collapse of Shrek and the Siege of Tang Hao
"Will you disband Shrek Academy after returning?"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the Shrek members turned grim.
"Prince Qinghe, what did Shrek do wrong to deserve your wrath?"
Liu Erlong finally couldn't hold back. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
In the past few days, Shrek had suffered blow after blow. Her temper had already been stretched to its limit. Now, this final news nearly broke her completely.
"Dean Liu?"
Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly, her eyes full of pity as she shook her head in regret.
"A fine academy like Blue Tyrant, destroyed by your own hands. What a pity."
As soon as her words fell—
She didn't give them a chance to respond. With a cold wave of her hand, she ordered:
"Take away the enemy spy, Dai Mubai."
Boom—!
Her words were like a thunderclap.
Everyone from Shrek was stunned. The ones who had just been accusing Qian Renxue with righteous fury suddenly froze in disbelief.
"Shrek Academy has colluded with enemy forces and soul beasts," Qian Renxue continued, her voice icy. "It is to be disbanded upon return to Tiandou City. It will never be rebuilt."
In an instant—
Flender's back hunched, tears streaming silently down his aged face.
Liu Erlong stood paralyzed, despair welling in her heart.
She didn't even question whether Qian Renxue's words were true.
Because—Dai Mubai hadn't refuted it. He hadn't resisted at all.
That alone was proof enough.
"Why… why is it like this?"
Liu Erlong murmured, stunned.
Her daughter was a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast, hiding among humans.
The academy she poured her life into had crumbled from within.
Her lover, Yu Xiaogang, was crippled, his legs severed.
Everything had fallen apart.
"Yes… Xiaogang… Xiaogang…"
Liu Erlong suddenly lunged at Bibi Dong like a madwoman.
"Pope! Let me see Xiaogang! Let me see Xiaogang!"
She screamed hysterically, fighting back sobs.
But before she could get close, a group of red-robed cardinals stepped forward and blocked her.
"Let me see Xiaogang!"
"Pope, please—!"
Liu Erlong's voice cracked as she sobbed. Her desperate cries seemed to tear through the skies above Spirit City.
Yet—
Bibi Dong watched her coldly.
Her gaze was frosty, unyielding.
How could she allow Liu Erlong to see Yu Xiaogang?
Yu Xiaogang had nearly torn apart the bond she'd rebuilt with Qin Chuan.
Let him get married? Not a chance.
"Erlong… don't beg her."
Flender's voice came, hoarse and weary.
"She… she's that person…"
Liu Erlong's body stiffened.
She turned around slowly, looking at Flender with confusion and dread.
"Who…?"
Flender didn't answer immediately.
Liu Erlong had always asked about "that person." The one Yu Xiaogang could never explain clearly. That question had remained unanswered… until now.
And now that she knew…
It was too cruel.
Yet Liu Erlong understood.
A bitter smile spread across her lips. Her eyes were hollow. Her soul, shattered.
Without another word, she turned around—
And staggered down the mountain.
Alone, like a fallen bird with broken wings…
"…Rongrong, let's go."
Ning Fengzhi sighed and followed her.
Spirit City — Meanwhile
The battle still raged.
Tang Hao had laid down the unconscious Tang San and Xiao Wu and was now going all out against Qin Chuan.
He hadn't intended to stay and fight. He wanted to flee with the two unconscious youths.
But Qin Chuan's martial soul was bizarre—possessing attack, defense, and even the speed of a flying-type soul master.
Escape was impossible.
Tang Hao had no choice but to fight, praying for a swift victory.
But the moment he engaged, it was like falling into a swamp.
He couldn't break free.
Boom—!
The colossal Clear Sky Hammer shone with fierce light as it slammed down, flattening a house into dust beneath its overwhelming force.
But then—!
A beam of white light shot into the sky.
As it fell again, Qin Chuan's Holy Spirit Sword had transformed into countless phantom blades.
In a breath—
The entire space filled with sword light. Each phantom was imbued with terrifying sword energy, raining down on Tang Hao like divine judgment.
The power was suffocating.
Even Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who was making his way down the mountain, couldn't help but glance up in awe.
"What incredible sword energy," he murmured. "Tang Hao may not escape this time."
A single mysterious powerhouse was already this fearsome…
And seven Title Douluo were still closing in.
"As long as he brings that girl with him, he'll be a moving target no matter where he goes," Ning Fengzhi added with a complicated expression.
That was the cruel truth.
Once Xiao Wu's identity as a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast was exposed, she would become prey.
Her body, her soul ring, her soul bones—each part was a priceless treasure.
Sword Douluo sighed.
"I was at fault too… I didn't know she was a soul beast."
Suddenly, a quiet voice asked:
"Grandpa Jian, if you had known Xiao Wu was a soul beast… what would you have done?"
It was Ning Rongrong. Her eyes were red, her voice low.
Sword Douluo didn't answer.
Instead, he turned to look at Ning Fengzhi.
His gaze was long and deep.
Once again, the Clear Sky Hammer swung against the tide of sword qi.
Puff—!
Soul power exploded, shaking the battlefield. Both combatants staggered back.
"So strong," Tang Hao muttered.
"Who are you?"
Qin Chuan echoed at the same time.
They stared at each other, both breathless.
Tang Hao had always been a monster—facing seven Title Douluo with only his level 93 cultivation and still escaping.
But Qin Chuan?
He was matching him blow for blow at just level 91!
This man—who was he?
"Let me go. We can consider today's matter settled," Tang Hao said. He could feel the seven approaching auras.
If he didn't leave now… he might never leave.
"Leave Tang San," Qin Chuan replied coldly, floating in midair as his wings beat gently.
The Holy Spirit Sword glowed once more, condensing into a rolling orb of fierce white light.
"You want my son?" Tang Hao frowned.
"You're not here for Xiao Wu?"
He had assumed Qin Chuan came for the 100,000-year soul beast.
But instead—
It was Tang San.
"I don't know how my son offended you," Tang Hao said solemnly.
If it were about Xiao Wu, perhaps they could talk.
But Tang San?
Then it was war.
Qin Chuan didn't reply.
He only smiled coldly.
The seven powerful auras were nearing fast.
The net was almost closed.
Tang Hao… would not escape this time.