Death!

Gu Qing carefully tucked away the warm, smooth Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone and turned toward the edge of the ruins.

Broken walls and rubble from the battle littered the surroundings, while the scent of scorched earth hung thick in the air.

The green barrier woven from Life-Type Blue Silver Grass still shimmered faintly in the night wind.

Gu Qing raised his hand and gave a light wave. The emerald vines quickly withered, dissolving into scattered points of light.

Seeing that familiar figure, Qian Renxue, leaning against a stone pillar, finally let her taut nerves relax.

A bloodless pallor spread across her breathtakingly beautiful face, and sweat dampened the golden strands of hair at her forehead.

Gu Qing hurried to the steps, his gaze settling on Qian Renxue's faintly trembling shoulders.

"It's over. That old bastard left an arm behind."

Surprise flashed in Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes at the news.

She tried to brace herself and stand, but her legs were completely powerless from Soul Power exhaustion.

Her body pitched forward uncontrollably, and she was about to fall onto the rubble-strewn ground.

Gu Qing reacted at once, reaching out with both arms and catching her slender waist.

Bending down, he swept Qian Renxue into his arms in a proper bridal carry.

The sudden sensation of being lifted made Qian Renxue cry out in surprise. Her hands instinctively looped around Gu Qing's neck.

"Don't move around. Your body can't take any jolts right now."

Gu Qing glanced down at the beauty in his arms and walked steadily across the broken paving stones.

From childhood, Qian Renxue had disguised herself as Xue Qinghe in the Heaven Dou Empire. In daily life, she had rarely even shaken hands with anyone.

Now, held so tightly in a man's arms, she felt her cheeks growing hotter by the second.

An unfamiliar embarrassment spread quickly through her heart, and even her breathing grew a little more hurried.

She instinctively wanted to wriggle free of his solid chest, yet found she didn't want to move even a single finger.

The faint, grassy scent lingering on Gu Qing's body filled her nostrils, gradually calming her flustered heart.

Qian Renxue nestled her head against Gu Qing's chest, slowly accepting the gesture.

She even found that being held so securely in his arms was comfortable and reassuring.

Remembering Tang Hao swinging down the Great Sumeru Hammer, she felt a cold sweat break out across her back.

The killing intent in that moment had been so real, the shadow of death almost completely swallowing her.

It was all thanks to Gu Qing's timely arrival and his tough Blue Silver Grass, which had blocked that fatal blow.

Qian Renxue knew better than anyone that without Gu Qing risking his life to save her, she might already have been a corpse.

"Thank you. If you hadn't come, I might not have made it."

Qian Renxue spoke softly, her voice carrying a rare weakness and deep lingering fear.

Carrying her through the ruins of the courtyard, Gu Qing emerged onto a deserted street beneath the night sky.

"We'll be husband and wife soon. Why say something so formal?"

His blunt words made Qian Renxue's ears turn scarlet. She simply closed her eyes and fell silent.

Under cover of darkness, the two returned to the heavily guarded Crown Prince Mansion without a sound.

Gu Qing carried Qian Renxue straight into the underground chamber, which was protected by layer upon layer of barriers.

He gently set her down on the soft couch, which was covered with snow fox fur.

Another circle of emerald Life-Type Blue Silver Grass streamed from Gu Qing's hands, slowly flowing into Qian Renxue's body.

Pure life force nourished her parched meridians, and her complexion gradually regained a little color.

Just as the treatment was nearing its end, a rhythmic knock suddenly sounded outside the chamber.

Snake Lance Douluo, who had been secretly guarding them, called through the door in a slightly hurried voice.

"Young Master, an urgent secret message has arrived from Spirit Hall."

Gu Qing withdrew his hand, went to the heavy stone door, and opened the mechanism.

Snake Lance Douluo respectfully handed him a metal cylinder sealed with the wax emblem of the Six-Winged Angel, then tactfully withdrew.

Gu Qing returned to the couch with the cylinder and crushed the wax seal with his fingertips.

A parchment scroll bearing a distinctive Soul Power fluctuation slid from the cylinder.

Qian Renxue sat up straight, took the scroll, and slowly unfurled it.

By the flickering candlelight on the chamber walls, they quickly scanned the message.

It was the highest-level recall order, jointly signed by Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu.

It demanded that Gu Qing and Qian Renxue immediately abandon all affairs in the Heaven Dou Empire and return to Spirit Hall that very night.

Qian Renxue set the parchment on the low table beside her, her brows drawing together slightly.

"The Pope Palace and the Worship Hall issued orders at the same time. Something major must be happening in Spirit City."

Gu Qing sat down in a chair and lightly tapped his fingers on the table.

"Our engagement has spread across the continent. Spirit Hall needs to use this opportunity to intimidate the various factions."

Qian Renxue nodded gently, the usual sharpness and composure returning to her beautiful eyes.

"And the finals of the High-Level Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament are about to begin. We do need to return and hold the fort."

Gu Qing stood and glanced over the classified documents in the chamber.

"The situation in the Heaven Dou Empire has only just stabilized. If you leave, who will take over Xue Qinghe's identity?"

Qian Renxue took a delicate human-skin mask from her Storage Soul Tool.

"Uncle Ci Xue has a trusted subordinate with a special transformation Soul Skill. I've been grooming him for three whole years."

The arrangement was clearly well thought out. Qian Renxue had prepared for every eventuality in her management of the empire.

"He'll only have to fool those old court officials for a while. He absolutely won't give anything away."

Hearing the plan, Gu Qing said no more and turned to pack the things they needed to take.

The two quickly discussed their route and plans in the chamber.

An hour later, a seemingly ordinary commercial carriage slipped out through the back gate of the Crown Prince Mansion.

The carriage rolled over the smooth blue-stone streets of Heaven Dou City under cover of night, speeding toward Spirit City.

Thick velvet blankets lined the carriage. Gu Qing leaned against the window and rested with his eyes closed.

Qian Renxue reclined in a corner, watching the man who had saved her life. Her heart was at peace.

Time flew, and the schedule for the Continental High-Level Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament pressed ahead at full tilt.

The stands of the Heaven Dou Royal Great Soul Arena were packed, and deafening cheers threatened to shake the roof from its foundations.

Brilliant fireworks exploded one after another overhead, their dazzling light illuminating the entire arena.

The Heaven Dou Division's qualifying matches officially reached their final conclusion that day.

With seamless teamwork and overwhelming strength, the Shrek Academy Team had fought their way through every obstacle.

They had trampled every rival beneath their feet and successfully claimed the Heaven Dou Division championship.

Yet in the Shrek Academy lounge, amid the victors' celebrations, there was only dead silence.

The heavy wooden door shut out the noise beyond, and the atmosphere inside was so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

Tang San sat on a bench in the corner, gripping the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Dai Mubai was like a raging lion. He slammed his fist into a load-bearing pillar.

A web of cracks spread across the hard stone, and chunks of rubble clattered to the floor.

"What's the point of winning this lousy championship? Teacher Zhao can't even see it!"

Dai Mubai's furious voice echoed through the room as his chest heaved.

Xiao Wu sat beside Tang San, tear tracks still fresh at the corners of her eyes, her hands clutching her clothes.

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing stood by the window, both wearing equally grim expressions.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun hung their heads. Their usual joking and wisecracking had vanished without a trace.

Not long ago, they had repeatedly pieced together the clues and traces left at the scene through every channel they could find.

In the end, they had arrived at a cruel truth that shattered their hearts.

Teacher Zhao Wuji, who had always been so strict with them but stood at the front whenever danger arose,

had undoubtedly been killed in an assassination by that bastard Gu Qing.

Not even a shred of his remains had been left behind. He had simply vanished from the world without a sound.

Dean Flender stood in the middle of the room, exhaustion and sorrow etched behind his trademark black-rimmed glasses.

Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back, his brow furrowed into a deep crease.

Tang San drew a deep breath and slowly withdrew the Clear Sky Hammer into his body.

He stood and let his gaze pass over each of his companions.

"We can't let Zhao Wuji's death go unanswered."

As soon as he said it, Ma Hongjun jerked his head up, the Soul Power of his Evil Fire Phoenix surging uncontrollably from his body.

"Third Brother is right. A life for a life, a debt repaid in full. We'll make that bastard Gu Qing pay in blood!"

Oscar stepped forward right behind him, both fists clenched so hard they cracked.

"Even if he's with Spirit Hall, even if he's strong, we, the Shrek Seven Devils, won't back down!"

Dai Mubai strode up to Tang San and held out his callused right hand.

Tang San didn't hesitate for a moment before placing his own hand on top of Dai Mubai's.

Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun gathered around them as well.

Seven hands stacked tightly together, a symbol of the unbreakable bond between them.

Tang San looked around at the companions who had stood with him through life and death, each word ringing with conviction.

"The finals will be held in Spirit City. That's Gu Qing's territory."

At that moment, Tang San no longer concealed his murderous intent.

"We'll not only win the Continental Championship, but expose his true face in front of every Soul Master in the world."

Dai Mubai's eyes glinted with fury as he gritted his teeth and continued.

"We'll humiliate Gu Qing in this tournament and grind him beneath our heels!"

Ning Rongrong wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, the phantom of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda appearing behind her.

"I'll make all of Spirit Hall understand that the people of Shrek Academy aren't so easy to kill!"

Zhu Zhuqing's cool face was etched with icy killing intent, and claws slowly emerged from her fingertips.

"Blood debts must be paid in blood."

The air in the lounge grew heavy with their fierce desire for revenge.

At that moment, these seven young Soul Masters had undergone a complete transformation.

They were no longer fighting for glory and fame. They were carrying their teacher's blood feud on their shoulders.

They all swore to demand justice from that arrogant man on the highest stage on the entire continent.

Flender watched the children, their spirits ablaze, and a complex emotion—part comfort, part worry—flickered in his eyes.

He turned to the Grandmaster beside him and asked in a low voice what they should do next.

Yu Xiaogang pondered for a moment, then laid out a special training plan for the finals.

The Shrek Seven Devils confirmed their training goals in the lounge once more, then began packing their things.

They prepared to face the storm that would soon engulf Spirit City.

Meanwhile, Spirit City's towering walls had already appeared on the distant horizon.

The carriage carrying Gu Qing and Qian Renxue traveled steadily along the wide highway.

After more than half a month on the road, the two had finally returned to the heartland of Spirit Hall.

The guards on the walls spotted the distinctive flag hanging from the carriage and immediately sounded the horn to let them through.

With the groan of gears, the heavy city gates slowly swung open.

The carriage entered the city without obstruction. Lanterns and decorations lined the streets, which were filled with a festive atmosphere.

To welcome the upcoming wedding, the whole of Spirit City had been adorned like a celestial paradise.

Red silk stretched from one end of the street all the way to the long steps leading up to the Pope Palace.

Qian Renxue lifted the carriage curtain and watched the bustling preparations outside, her thoughts in turmoil.

Following her gaze, Gu Qing took her slightly cool hand in his.

"When the tournament is over, we'll hold the grandest wedding the continent has ever seen right here."

Qian Renxue turned to look at Gu Qing's calm, composed face and gently clasped his broad hand in return.

"Then I'll have every sect under heaven come and witness the moment."

The carriage stopped before a side entrance to the Pope Palace, where several red-robed cardinals were waiting.

Gu Qing leaped down first, then naturally reached out to help Qian Renxue down.

A Cardinal hurried forward and respectfully performed Spirit Hall's highest salute.

"Saintess, Lord Gu Qing, His Holiness the Pope and the Grand Worship have been waiting in the assembly hall for some time."

Gu Qing nodded and, holding Qian Renxue's hand, strode up the steps that represented the highest authority in Spirit Hall.

Sunlight fell across their backs, stretching their shadows long.

A deadly clash was about to unfold in the city, now dressed in red finery from end to end.

Gu Qing pushed open the heavy metal doors of the assembly hall.

At the center of the hall, Bibi Dong sat on the papal throne, inlaid with countless jewels.

Qian Daoliu stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out over all of Spirit City.

At the sound of the opening doors, the two great figures representing the peak of Spirit Hall's power turned around together.

Gu Qing released Qian Renxue's hand, stepped forward, and bowed slightly.