Tang San's Miserable Defeat! Jixia Academy's Unfathomable Depths! The Brutal Beating of the Shrek Seven Devils!

Zhu Zhuqing's cool voice was filled with deep confusion.

"Jixia Academy? What kind of force is that?"

"Why have I never heard of it?"

As soon as she said this, the Shrek group looked at one another, all wearing bewildered expressions.

They had studied at Heaven Dou Royal Academy and received instruction at Shrek Academy. They knew the major forces across the continent like the backs of their hands.

The Upper Three Sects, the Lower Four Sects, the Two Great Empires, Spirit Hall...

Yet no matter how thoroughly they searched their memories, they could not find even the slightest information about Jixia Academy.

Yu Xiaogang's brows furrowed tightly into a deep crease.

He paced back and forth, his expression growing increasingly grave.

"Mo Family City is already a colossal force capable of doing business with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Mozi himself is an unparalleled powerhouse who obtained a Divine Position Inheritance."

"Someone like him is actually just a member of that so-called Jixia Academy?"

"And from the sound of it, he isn't even the one controlling the academy?"

Yu Xiaogang stopped walking and looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with shock.

"Mozi is so powerful, and Mo Family City's strength far surpasses the Upper Three Sects."

"Yet now, he is merely a representative of Jixia Academy."

"Just how powerful is this Jixia Academy hidden in the shadows?"

"Could it be... that this is Douluo Continent's true foundation?"

Tang San's pupils contracted violently.

He had originally believed that Spirit Hall was his greatest enemy, while the Great Tang Empire was a formidable foe that had suddenly emerged.

But now, it seemed that an even more terrifying beast lurked beneath the surface.

"I never expected Douluo Continent to conceal such a massive force..."

Tang San clenched his fists, his nails digging deeply into his palms.

"Jixia Academy..."

Ning Rongrong's body trembled slightly. This unfamiliar name now felt like a mountain pressing down on her chest, leaving her unable to breathe.

The unknown was always the most terrifying.

On the other side of the battlefield.

Before the Great Tang Empire's army formation.

Shangguan Wan'er, dressed in official robes and holding a brush, floated in midair.

Beside her stood Si Kongzhen, his entire body wreathed in lightning, as if the Thunder God himself had descended.

As the two watched the rankings on the Heavenly Screen, they did not look as shocked as the Shrek group. Instead, they wore the calm expressions of people who had expected this all along.

"Mozi made the list too, huh."

Shangguan Wan'er lightly twirled the Spring Autumn Spirit Brush in her hand, a teasing smile appearing at the corner of her lips.

"His control really is troublesome."

"Back when we sparred at the academy, I hated running into him the most."

Si Kongzhen gave a slight nod, and a trace of wariness flashed through his lightning-filled eyes.

"Indeed."

"He has barriers in close combat and Heavy Cannons at range."

"His endurance is first-rate, his control skills are disgustingly troublesome, and he can even interrupt others while they charge up."

"Only the Dean can reliably suppress him."

The two casually assessed this newly ranked sixth-place powerhouse as though they were simply chatting.

Just then.

An enraged roar came from below.

"Shangguan Wan'er!"

"You injured my father! Today, I will kill you!"

Tang San's eyes were bloodshot as he looked at Tang Hao, who was badly wounded and coughing up blood. Old grudges and fresh hatred surged into his heart.

He no longer thought about Jixia Academy or recruiting Mo Family City.

At this moment, he wanted only to avenge his father.

Buzz!

The Blue Silver Emperor martial soul erupted instantly. Several enormous blue vines swept toward Shangguan Wan'er in the air like raging dragons.

"Fourth Soul Skill, Blue Silver Prison!"

Tang San immediately unleashed a control skill, intending to trap Shangguan Wan'er.

However.

Faced with the fierce incoming attack, Shangguan Wan'er merely glanced at it indifferently.

Her gaze was like that of someone watching a child who had just learned to walk wave a wooden sword around.

"That's it?"

Shangguan Wan'er chuckled softly.

She did not move, merely tapping the air with the Spring Autumn Spirit Brush in her hand.

Swish!

A dense streak of ink appeared out of nowhere.

"With one stroke, rise and fall decide the Three Qins!"

The ink streak instantly transformed into a sharp blast of force, directly slicing the incomparably tough Blue Silver Prison to pieces.

"What?!"

Tang San's expression changed drastically.

His Blue Silver Emperor had been tempered by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and had awakened its Royal Bloodline. Its toughness rivaled metal itself.

Yet it could not withstand a casual stroke from her?

"You overestimate yourself, boy."

Shangguan Wan'er suddenly moved.

Rather than retreat, she charged straight toward Tang San.

Her posture in the air was supremely graceful, like a swallow dancing through the sky, yet it carried deadly killing intent.

"You dare talk about control?"

"Let me show you what true movement and burst power look like."

Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!

Shangguan Wan'er's figure traced Z-shaped afterimages through the air.

Every dash left behind a streak of ink.

Tang San pushed his Purple Demon Eye to its limit, yet he still could not catch her exact position.

She was too fast!

And her movements were so erratic that they could not be predicted at all.

"Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track!"

Tang San stepped through an intricate footwork technique, trying to widen the distance.

But Shangguan Wan'er gave him no chance.

"Flying White: Hidden Edge!"

With a turn of her brush, an endless rain of ink poured down from the sky.

Every droplet of ink weighed a thousand pounds and was as sharp as a blade.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Tang San had barely unfolded his Eight Spider Lances before the ink rain struck them, sending sparks flying and even leaving cracks behind.

Boom!

Shangguan Wan'er's final strike descended. Her body shot skyward, entering an invincible state where she could not be targeted.

Countless blasts of brush-and-ink energy poured down upon Tang San like a violent storm.

"Ptuh—!"

Tang San flew like a kite with its string cut, smashing heavily into the ground and gouging out a massive crater.

His clothes were shredded, his body was drenched in blood, and he was in a miserable state.

Shangguan Wan'er looked down at Tang San in the crater, her eyes full of contempt.

"Blue Silver Grass at this level is nothing but limp and weak."

"You aren't even worthy of carrying Mozi's shoes."

"Mozi's Mechanism Chain is an absolute restraint capable of locking down even space itself."

"Weeds like yours are only fit for weaving straw sandals."

Those words hurt Tang San even more than his physical wounds.

She was attacking his heart as well as his body!

At the same time.

On the other side of the battlefield.

When Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others saw Tang San injured, their eyes instantly reddened.

"Third Brother!"

"Everyone, attack together! Let's fight them to the death!"

Dai Mubai roared as he activated White Tiger Vajra Transformation. His body swelled by a full circle as he lunged toward Si Kongzhen in the air.

Ma Hongjun also spewed out Phoenix Fireline, while Oscar frantically made sausages.

However.

The one they faced was Si Kongzhen.

The man known as the King of Thunder in the Great Tang Empire.

Si Kongzhen watched the group charging at him without expression, then slowly raised his right hand.

"With thunder, shatter the darkness!"

Rumble!

He did not even use his Martial Soul Avatar.

He merely struck out with his palm.

In an instant, heaven and earth seemed to transform into a sea of lightning.

Five thick bolts of violent lightning descended from the sky, striking the rest of the Shrek group with absolute precision.