Limit Douluo Takes Action

It was not the kind of "pseudo-limit" at Level 99, but a being that had truly touched the threshold of Level 100.

"May I ask who you are?"

Xuan Zi cupped his hands together, his tone far more courteous than before.

"Qian Daoliu."

Qian Daoliu said calmly, "An Offering Elder of Martial Soul Academy."

Qian Daoliu?

Xuan Zi frowned slightly. He had never heard that name before.

But the existence of a Limit Douluo was, in itself, the greatest deterrent.

"Offering Elder Qian, what guidance do you have for me?"

Qian Daoliu walked to Shen Zhou's side and stood with his hands behind his back, calmly gazing at Xuan Zi.

"I would not presume to offer guidance.

I merely wish to ask Elder Xuan one question—what right does the Shrek Inspection Team have to act within my Martial Soul Academy?"

Xuan Zi chuckled. "The Shrek Inspection Team bears the responsibility of maintaining the continent's stability.

Martial Soul Academy has an unknown origin, formidable strength, and ties by name to Spirit Hall. What is wrong with this old man coming to take a look?"

"Looking is fine."

Qian Daoliu's voice remained calm. "But taking action is not."

"This old man merely wished to test Dean Shen's strength. I meant no harm."

"Test his strength?"

Qian Daoliu's lips curled slightly. "Then would Elder Xuan like to test mine as well?"

Before his words had even faded, Qian Daoliu released his Martial Soul.

Six-Winged Angel.

Golden wings unfurled behind his back as nine Soul Rings rose beneath his feet—seven black and two red.

The two red Soul Rings and seven black Soul Rings complemented each other, radiating a suffocating glow.

Yet what truly changed Xuan Zi's expression was not the configuration of the Soul Rings, but the aura Qian Daoliu gave off.

That was...

The aura of a god.

"You..."

Even Xuan Zi's voice had changed. "Who exactly are you...?"

Qian Daoliu did not answer. He merely looked at him quietly.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Xuan Zi's forehead.

He was a Level 98 Super Douluo, only one level away from a Limit Douluo. Yet the gap created by that single level was greater than the difference made by a lifetime of cultivation.

What was more, Qian Daoliu did not feel like merely a Limit Douluo.

That was... the pressure of a deity.

"Elder Xuan, please sit."

Qian Daoliu withdrew his Martial Soul. The pressure vanished, and his tone returned to calm indifference.

Xuan Zi took a deep breath and sat back down.

Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng stood behind him, their faces pale. Neither dared even breathe too loudly.

The four other members of the Inspection Group had their legs trembling so badly that they could barely remain standing.

What was a gap in strength?

This was a gap in strength.

Qian Daoliu sat down beside Shen Zhou, his gaze sweeping over Xuan Zi before shifting to Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng.

"Elder Xuan, my Eighth Brother and I both understand why you came."

"Eighth Brother?"

Xuan Zi looked toward Shen Zhou.

"Shen Zhou is my sworn younger brother."

Qian Daoliu said calmly, "This Martial Soul Academy is an asset of my Spirit Hall Academy."

"Spirit Hall Academy..."

Xuan Zi repeated the name, his brow deeply furrowed.

"Elder Xuan need not worry."

Qian Daoliu lifted his teacup and took a sip. "Spirit Hall Academy has no connection whatsoever to the Spirit Hall of ten thousand years ago.

We are merely a group of like-minded people who wish to establish a place on this continent where commoner Soul Masters can also have a home."

Xuan Zi fell silent.

He did not know whether he should believe him.

But judging from the strength Qian Daoliu and Shen Zhou had displayed, if they truly harbored ill intentions, Shrek Academy might not be able to stop them.

One Limit Douluo, one Titled Douluo with two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings, along with several Offering Elders of unknown strength...

This force was enough to overturn any empire.

"Offering Elder Qian, this old man dares to ask one question—what exactly do you want to do?"

Xuan Zi looked directly into Qian Daoliu's eyes.

Qian Daoliu set down his teacup, his gaze calm and profound.

"I already told you. Build an academy and nurture talent."

"That's all?"

"That's all."

Xuan Zi stared at him for a long time before finally sighing.

"This old man is not Mu En. I cannot see that far ahead.

But I do know that a Limit Douluo, a Titled Douluo with two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings, and several Offering Elders... such a lineup is not here to play house."

Qian Daoliu did not deny it.

"Elder Xuan, you may return and tell Mu En that Martial Soul Academy bears no ill will toward Shrek or the continent.

But if someone comes looking for trouble..."

He paused, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.

"My Martial Soul Academy is not to be trifled with either."

Xuan Zi was silent for a moment before rising to his feet.

"This old man understands."

He turned to Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng. "Let's go."

"Elder Xuan, we're just leaving like this?"

Ma Xiaotao could not help asking.

Xuan Zi glanced at her. "Otherwise? Can you beat them?"

Ma Xiaotao bit her lip and said nothing more.

Dai Yueheng's lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing either.

He had come here to investigate Martial Soul Academy, to seek an explanation for his mother.

But now... a Limit Douluo and a Titled Douluo with two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings—what could he possibly use to investigate them?

"Let's go."

Xuan Zi strode toward the dining hall exit.

When he reached the door, he stopped and looked back at Shen Zhou.

"Dean Shen, this old man has one final question—do you truly have no connection to Spirit Hall?"

Shen Zhou smiled faintly.

"Elder Xuan, if I said no, would you believe me?"

Xuan Zi stared at him for a moment, then turned and walked out of the dining hall.

The group left through the main gate and arrived at the White Jade Steps.

The moonlight flowed like water, spilling over everyone.

Xuan Zi stood on the steps, looked up at the bright moon, and let out a long breath.

"Elder Xuan, are we... really just going back like this?"

Ma Xiaotao was unwilling to accept it.

"Otherwise?"

Xuan Zi took a swig of wine. "If I fought Qian Daoliu just now, I would definitely lose within thirty exchanges.

And Shen Zhou and several Offering Elders are beside him as well. If a real fight broke out, the seven of us would not even be enough to fill the gaps between their teeth."

Ma Xiaotao fell silent.

She knew Xuan Zi was telling the truth.

"But the name Spirit Hall Academy... what if they really are connected to Spirit Hall..."

Dai Yueheng could not help speaking up.

"So what if they are?"

Xuan Zi glanced at him. "What do matters from ten thousand years ago have to do with us?

Shrek Academy's forebears overthrew Spirit Hall for the sake of the continent's stability.

Spirit Hall has already been destroyed for ten thousand years. Even if someone builds an academy under its banner, as long as it does nothing to harm the continent, we have no reason to interfere."

Of course, the most important reason was that Xuan Zi could not defeat them.

Shen Zhou's side was thinking the same thing. He was considering whether to intercept and kill Xuan Zi on the way back.

That man had not spoken a single honest word. He would surely bring countless troubles in the future.

Dai Yueheng opened his mouth but did not say anything further.

"Let's go."

Xuan Zi stepped down the stairs. "We'll return and inform Elder Mu. Let him decide for himself."

The group of seven set off beneath the moonlight toward Shrek City.

Martial Soul Academy, top floor of the Spirit Pagoda.

Shen Zhou stood atop the tower, watching the seven figures gradually disappear into the distance, the corners of his lips rising slightly.

"Big Brother, how do you think Xuan Zi will describe this when he returns?"

Qian Daoliu stood beside him with his hands behind his back.

"He will tell the truth."

"What will Mu En do, then?"

Qian Daoliu was silent for a moment, then shook his head.

"I don't know.

Mu En is not Xuan Zi. He will not act impulsively.

But if he decides to move against Martial Soul Academy..."

"He won't."