The gunpowder smoke in the dense forest had long since cleared, leaving only the wreckage scattered across the ground to tell of the heart-stopping battle that had just taken place.
The lingering destructive force of Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus had been dispelled by Lin Chen with effortless ease. That scene had burned itself into the hearts of the other six members of the Shrek Seven Devils, never to be erased.
The group followed Lin Chen through the woods at a steady pace. The tension that had gripped them after Tang San's betrayal had vanished completely, replaced by a unity and confidence unlike anything they had ever felt before.
Xiao Wu stayed close to Lin Chen, unconsciously clutching his sleeve as she looked up at the tall, straight-backed youth beside her. Her eyes brimmed with undisguised dependence and admiration. When Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus had exploded, she had been so terrified her soul had nearly flown from her body. But the sight of Lin Chen raising a hand and dispelling every danger had put her completely at ease. With him there, nothing could threaten her.
"Brother Chen, that Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus was terrifying! I can't believe you blocked it so easily. I'm still shaken just thinking about it!" Ma Hongjun patted his chest, his chubby face full of lingering fear. Yet the admiration in his eyes only grew, and the tip of his tail perked up without him noticing. "I used to think my Martial Soul Mutation was impressive. Compared to you, Brother Chen, it's nothing!"
Dai Mubai walked beside them, his White Tiger Martial Soul already withdrawn. The pride of a Soul Elder had vanished from his face, leaving only complete respect. He had once been captain of the Shrek Team and had always believed in winning people over through strength. But Lin Chen's repeatedly astonishing power, along with his calm decisiveness, had long since won Dai Mubai over. "Lin Chen, from now on, everyone in Shrek will follow your orders. Wherever you point, we'll fight!"
Dai Mubai spoke with utter solemnity, without the slightest reluctance.
Oscar silently handed out the Recovery Sausages he had just made. His honest face was full of determination. "Brother Chen, from now on, whether we're training or fighting, I'll give everyone my full support and take care of logistics!"
Ning Rongrong had withdrawn her Seven-Colored Glazed Pagoda Martial Soul. The haughtiness of a young lady had disappeared from her pretty face, and respect filled her gaze as she looked at Lin Chen. She came from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and had seen plenty of powerful people there, but never anyone who could so easily neutralize a Hidden Weapon as deadly as Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus at the Soul Elder level. "Lin Chen, you're truly incredible. I was too narrow-minded before. From now on, we'll all follow you!"
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, but Lin Chen's figure was clearly reflected in her cool eyes. Her guarded, distant expression had faded, leaving only acceptance and a desire to follow him. She had always believed in the strong, and Lin Chen was undoubtedly the strongest person she had ever seen.
Hearing their words, Lin Chen slowed and turned to look at the other six. A faint warmth flickered in his eyes. His voice was calm and firm. "We're companions. We only need to trust and protect one another; there's no need for formalities. Be cautious in the training ahead and improve steadily. As long as we stand together, there's no obstacle we can't overcome."
There was no arrogant declaration or deliberate attempt to win them over. Yet those simple words only strengthened everyone's resolve. Their faith in Lin Chen had taken root in their very bones.
Everyone answered in unison. The gloom left by Tang San's betrayal had swept away, and the whole group seemed renewed. They continued onward, looking out for one another, their eyes resolute and their steps guided by Lin Chen. The Shrek Team had never been more united.
Back in the devastated clearing they had left behind, Tang San lay sprawled on the ground like a heap of mud, unable to move.
Lin Chen had sealed his dantian with a single burst of Soul Power. Every meridian in his body had been severed, and his life force was nearly spent. He couldn't circulate Soul Power; even lifting a finger was beyond him.
His face was as pale as paper, and dried blood still clung to the corner of his mouth. His once-clear eyes held nothing but deadness, hatred, and madness as he stared in the direction Lin Chen and the others had gone. They were as red as poisoned blades, as if he could tear Lin Chen limb from limb with a single look.
"Lin Chen... Lin Chen!"
He screamed in his heart, but all that came from his throat was a faint, wheezing rasp. Every surge of emotion tugged at his damaged meridians, bringing stabbing pain. But that pain was nothing compared to the humiliation and resentment in his heart!
He was a transmigrator, with Twin Martial Souls and the peerless secret arts of the Tang Sect at his command. He was supposed to be the chosen one of this world, destined to overcome every obstacle, stand atop the world, and be revered by millions!
But then Lin Chen had appeared!
This man, who had come from nowhere, had crushed him again and again, stolen his halo, shattered his pride, and now crippled his cultivation, leaving him a wretch less capable than an ordinary person!
He refused to accept it!
He would never accept defeat!
So what if Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus had been destroyed? So what if his cultivation had been crippled?
He still had the Tang Sect Secret Arts, a wealth of knowledge about Hidden Weapons, and his mastery of poison. As long as he was alive, there would always be a chance to turn the tables!
"Just you wait, Lin Chen..."
Tang San lay on the ground, his nails digging deep into the earth until blood seeped from his fingertips. The deadness in his eyes was completely replaced by frenzied hatred. His poisonous whisper was faint as a mosquito's buzz. "The humiliation you dealt me today, the grudge over crippling my cultivation—I, Tang San, swear I'll repay you a hundredfold, a thousandfold!"
"You think sealing my Soul Power can keep me down? You're wrong!"
"I'll survive. I'll reclaim everything that's mine. I'll make you pay dearly. Everyone who looked down on me or betrayed me will pay, too!"
He strained to turn his neck and look around. Enduring the agony throughout his body, he inched forward, crawling toward the depths of the forest.
He couldn't stay here. If other Soul Beasts found him, or the Shrek group came back, he would die without a doubt!
Dirt tangled in his hair and smeared his clothes, leaving him in a wretched state. His former pride and arrogance had been crushed to dust, but his obsession and ruthlessness had only sunk deeper roots. As he crawled, he frantically searched his mind for a way to turn the tables—
He knew poison and could forge deadly Hidden Weapons. He knew how to hide and could evade pursuit. He still had his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. Even with his Soul Power sealed, its faint seed remained. If he could find a way to break the seal or come upon some heaven-defying opportunity, he could cultivate again!
He drove his Purple Demon Eye to its limit, watching his surroundings warily and avoiding the territories of powerful Soul Beasts. Slowly, he dragged himself toward the remote depths of the forest, like a venomous snake lying in wait. He concealed every trace of himself and silently licked his wounds, waiting for the day he could bare his fangs and strike Lin Chen a fatal blow!
Elsewhere, Lin Chen led the Shrek group to a secluded valley where the Soul Beasts were of moderate rank.
The area was rich in spiritual energy, and powerful Soul Beasts rarely appeared there. It was just the right place for everyone to rest and train.
Lin Chen found a flat boulder and sat down, closing his eyes to focus. He appeared to be meditating, but his spiritual sense had already spread out to cover the entire valley. As he remained alert for hidden dangers, he quietly assessed his own strength.
His battle with Tang San had given him a clear understanding of this world's power system. His overwhelming strength was more than enough to handle any danger he might face for now. And with the Shrek group now fully on his side, his path through Douluo would be much easier.
Xiao Wu and the others gathered nearby without disturbing him. They sat cross-legged and circulated their Soul Power to recover, or honed their Soul Skills. Each of them was filled with motivation.
They knew they had to keep improving to match Lin Chen's pace, avoid becoming a burden in the crises to come, and become companions each could truly rely on.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves in the valley, casting dappled shadows over the group. Warmth enveloped them, and the scene was peaceful and serene.
But no one knew that in the shadows deep within the forest, a battered and obsessive figure was lying in wait. A scheme of hatred and revenge was quietly taking shape.
The grudge between Lin Chen and Tang San had not ended with Tang San's cultivation being crippled. Instead, it had become an even deeper undercurrent, waiting to erupt with greater fury the next time!
And under Lin Chen's lead, the Shrek group was about to embark on a new journey of training, steadily pressing onward along the path to greater strength!
Before you continue