Ma Xiaotao's Soul Power had been almost completely burned away by the black flames. Her body went limp, and she fainted on the spot.
Seeing this, Xuan Zi could no longer hold on. He struggled to his feet, scooped Ma Xiaotao into his arms, and turned to leave.
"Lord Xuan, Vice Commander of the Shrek Inspectorate." Xu Yanli's voice came from behind him.
Xuan Zi stopped but didn't turn around.
Xu Yanli waved his fan and strolled over. He tilted his head, glanced at Xuan Zi, then at Ma Xiaotao in his arms, and let out a soft laugh. "The students taught by Shrek Academy really are different. When they can't win, they lose control; once they've lost control, they want to take everyone down with them. I truly admire this teaching philosophy, senior. And that black flame looks a little off, too."
Xuan Zi's face darkened until it looked like the bottom of a pot. He gritted his teeth. With Ma Xiaotao's condition critical and Dragon Emperor Douluo overhead, he didn't dare talk back.
Holding Ma Xiaotao, he walked off the competition stage without looking back.
The Shrek teachers hurried over, all talking at once as they asked what had happened. Xuan Zi didn't say a word. He only waved them off and hurried out of the Soul Fighting Arena with the others.
In the stands, Shrek's supporters looked utterly ashen. None of them could believe that Shrek Academy, hailed as the greatest under heaven, had fallen into such a state.
The Sun Moon Empire's competitors, meanwhile, erupted into celebration. Cheers, whistles, and applause blended together, shaking the entire Soul Fighting Arena.
In the stands, Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei wore a grim expression as he looked up at Long Xiaoyao. He knew there was no way to make