The Creditor Comes Calling

Wang Nan looked up and saw that the teachers emerging from Sea God Island all possessed at least eight soul rings. Yan Shaozhe was leading them. As soon as they neared the Dormitory Building, they scattered as though searching for something.

Yan Shaozhe glanced at Wang Nan. Though it was nighttime, his strength still allowed him to see clearly what Wang Nan was doing.

"All teachers and students are to return to their dormitories immediately. No one is to leave without permission."

Yan Shaozhe's voice rang out from the sky, spreading throughout Shrek Outer Academy.

Wang Nan did not know whether Yan Shaozhe had said that specifically for him, but anything requiring so many Soul Douluos was beyond his ability to involve himself in. He did not dare delay and hurried into the Dormitory Building.

The alarm and Yan Shaozhe's announcement lit up the entire Dormitory Building. Whether meditating or sleeping, the students all woke in alarm, wanting to see what had happened outside.

Just as Wang Nan stepped into the Dormitory Building, an angry female voice sounded behind him.

"Yan Shaozhe, stop putting on that hypocritical act. Since when were you so kindhearted? Or are you afraid of tarnishing your reputation as the dean of Shrek Academy?"

The moment that voice appeared, Wang Nan's Spiritual Sea roiled violently. The Golden Tree Branch he wore close to his body emitted a faint glow, enveloping him within it.

Protected by the Golden Tree Branch, Wang Nan glanced outside through the dormitory door and saw a figure rise into the air on the other side. Nine soul rings—purple, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black, red—were especially eye-catching around her.

After hearing that voice, Yan Shaozhe actually did not respond at once.

"What? Did I hit the mark?"

Yan Shaozhe fell silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his tone was much lower. "Feng Ling, I never expected you to appear at Shrek Academy."

"Do you regret not killing me back then, or do you simply find my presence offensive because I'm getting in your way and ruining your plans?"

Yan Shaozhe fell silent again. He was no stranger to the person before him; in fact, he knew her very well. Decades ago, when he had still been a Soul Emperor, he had encountered the young Feng Ling while traveling.

At the time, Yan Shaozhe had been one of Shrek Academy's most gifted talents. As Mu En's disciple, the Dragon God Douluo, he could be considered one of heaven's favored sons.

Moreover, he had been truly romantic when it came to matters between men and women. Before long, he and Feng Ling had pledged themselves to each other and spent an unforgettable time together.

However, under the influence of his Light Phoenix Martial Soul, Feng Ling's Martial Soul had completely mutated into an Evil Phoenix, and she herself had become an Evil Soul Master. Remembering their old feelings, Yan Shaozhe had let Feng Ling leave. There had been no news of her ever since.

"Feng Ling, I let you go because I softened back then. Today, no matter what, I will not let you leave Shrek Academy."

"Heh. Since you deny knowing me the moment you put your clothes back on, we'll see whether you have the ability to stop me."

As Feng Ling spoke, her Third Soul Ring blazed brightly. A pair of dark-purple Wings unfurled from her back. In an instant, an unsettling evil aura surged in every direction.

The students inside the Dormitory Building were all affected. They summoned their Martial Souls to resist that evil aura. Some weaker students could not hold it back in time, and Evil Qi had already entered their bodies, making them tremble all over.

Seeing this, the teachers who had followed Yan Shaozhe to the outer academy circulated their Soul Power and shielded the Dormitory Building.

Yan Shaozhe sighed softly. Behind him, a golden phoenix spread its wings as if about to soar into the heavens, illuminating the entire night sky.

As Mu En's chief disciple, Yan Shaozhe naturally knew Mu En's ultimate technique, Monarch Overlord. This golden phoenix was a skill he had developed after mastering Monarch Overlord and integrating it with his own intent.

Yet to his surprise, when the golden light shone toward Feng Ling, she blocked it. Countless wronged souls seemed to scream and weep behind Feng Ling, preventing Yan Shaozhe's golden light from advancing even an inch.

For a time, the entire sky was divided into two halves, one golden and the other purple. Amid the clash between gold and purple, Yan Shaozhe gradually fell into a disadvantage.

At this moment, Feng Ling's aura had fully erupted. Judging by the fluctuations of her Soul Power, she had surpassed Yan Shaozhe. There was no doubt that she was a Level 96 Super Douluo.

Once one reached the rank of Titled Douluo, the difference between each level was like heaven and earth. Though Feng Ling was only one level above Yan Shaozhe, he knew clearly that he could not defeat her alone.

Before Yan Shaozhe could think further, a loud bang rang out. Feng Ling's First Soul Ring exploded, her aura surging even higher as her evil presence pressed down on Yan Shaozhe as though it had substance.

Then her figure flashed, leaving streaks of afterimages behind her. She extended her right hand, which transformed into a massive purple bird claw and descended toward Yan Shaozhe's head.

Yan Shaozhe naturally would not sit and await death. The golden light contracted as his Essence, Qi, and Spirit merged into one. He concentrated all his strength in his right hand and charged to meet Feng Ling.

Amid bursts of phoenix cries, one golden and one purple figure crossed paths repeatedly in the sky. Violent shockwaves spread downward, and only through the combined efforts of several Soul Douluos was the Dormitory Building barely protected.

Before Feng Ling and Yan Shaozhe could determine a victor, the light on distant Sea God Island gradually dimmed.

At the sight, Yan Shaozhe's movements paused as he looked anxiously toward the island. He did not know how the battle there was going. Though his Teacher was a Level 99 Limit Douluo, his opponent was no less formidable.

If Mu En were defeated, then with Feng Ling before them as well, Shrek would likely face a disaster.

"Yan Shaozhe, look at the romantic debt you've incurred. Even your creditor has chased you all the way to the academy." Just as Yan Shaozhe was deep in worry, a streak of azure light tore through the night sky, followed by Xian Lin'er's mocking voice.

"Lin'er, you came at the right time. How is Teacher's side?"

Although Xian Lin'er and Yan Shaozhe had never gotten along, with enemies at their gates, this was not the time to quarrel.

After offering only that mockery, she arrived beside Yan Shaozhe and lowered her voice. "Teacher is injured, but that person has retreated as well. Several elders have already begun spreading out to search for that disciple. I came to help you first. Mei'er will arrive soon."

As Feng Ling watched Xian Lin'er arrive, she seemed to think of something. Her purple Wings beat once, sending her soaring high into the air. "Yan Shaozhe, I won't disturb you and your old lover any longer. But remember this: the debt you owe me will be repaid sooner or later."

Yan Shaozhe did not respond, but Xian Lin'er had a fiery temper. Azure light flashed in her hand, and a long spear appeared. "What do you take Shrek Academy for? A place you can enter whenever you please and leave whenever you want?"

With that, she gripped the spear in both hands and stabbed toward Feng Ling amid a blaze of azure flames.

Feng Ling merely kept retreating to widen the distance. Then she raised both hands, and a purple sun appeared above her head.

As Feng Ling's Ninth Soul Ring lit up, a purple pillar of light burst from the sun above her head and shot straight toward the ground.

If this strike landed, the entire Dormitory Building would likely be reduced to ashes.

Xian Lin'er hurriedly turned around. Together with Yan Shaozhe, who was flying toward her, she launched an attack. Their soul rings flashed continuously as the two of them joined forces to block the strike.

When they looked back at Feng Ling, her Wings were beating continuously as she flew toward the outside of the academy.

Just as Xian Lin'er was about to gather her breath and pursue again, a resounding dragon roar rang out in the distance. Her expression changed repeatedly, and in the end, she could only withdraw helplessly.

Outside Shrek Academy lay a forest. After leaving Shrek, Feng Ling put away her Martial Soul and landed in the dense woods below. She had not walked far when two figures draped in black robes appeared before her. One of them had something tucked beneath his arm, seemingly somewhat humanoid in shape.

"Vice Cult Master." The Black Shadow carrying someone under his arm hurried forward two steps when he saw Feng Ling and greeted her.

"Mm." Feng Ling nodded, then looked at the other Black Shadow. "How did it go?"

The man coughed softly twice, took a deep breath, and suppressed the injuries within him. "In the end, his old wound still held him back. Otherwise, I might not have been able to leave that place."

Feng Ling frowned deeply. "Then doesn't that mean the Holy Cult's plan can't be carried out?"

"No." Black Shadow paused for a moment, then let out a long sigh. It was unclear whether he was lamenting or grieving. "After this battle, his vitality has been severely damaged. Within ten years at most, no one will be able to stop the Holy Cult."

"Good." Feng Ling sneered. "At least I didn't endure that disgust for nothing and put on this little act."

"Let's go."

With that, the three figures did not linger any longer and headed west.