As it was already late, the Shrek group found a hotel and settled in. Flender, Zhao Wuji, and the others went back to their rooms to rest, while the remaining Shrek students took seats in the first-floor dining hall, planning to grab something to eat.
They had only just sat down. Chu Qing was between Rongrong on his left and Xiao Wu on his right, followed by Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar.
Chu Qing watched the dining hall coldly. Sure enough, Dai Mubai soon provoked the other group. After beating them up, a Soul King in his fifties came out to defend them.
Perhaps in his anger, Ye Zhiqiu, who was over fifty levels, opened his mouth and cursed. "You little bastards! How dare you bully our Canghui Academy students like this!"
Rongrong furrowed her brows and glared at him. She had never met anyone so uncouth in her life.
Seeing that someone still dared to glare at him, Ye Zhiqiu pointed a finger at her and cursed, "What, you little bitch, got something to say? I'm talking about all you filthy dogs!"
Everyone's expression darkened. Tang San took out a Hidden Weapon and quietly said to Dai Mubai, "We'll all take him on together. He's a Soul King over level fifty, so we'll need to coordinate carefully."
He then discussed how they would work together, but naturally, he left Chu Qing and Ning Rongrong out of the plan. Oscar looked conflicted, but in the end, he said nothing.
Chu Qing's expression turned cold. He hadn't wanted to get involved, since Dai Mubai had started the trouble, but this old bastard had dared to insult Ning Rongrong. That crossed a line he would never let anyone cross.
"What did you just call her, you old bastard?" Chu Qing stepped in front of Rongrong and stared at him coldly.
Ye Zhiqiu looked at Chu Qing. The boy hadn't taken part in the earlier clash, so Ye Zhiqiu assumed he wasn't strong. "What, you little punk, want to stand up for this little bitch? Playing the hero, are you? Let's see what you're made of!"
Ye Zhiqiu then activated his Soul Power, and five Soul Rings lit up. Even if the boy in front of him was a genius, he was no match for a Soul King like him, over level fifty.
First Soul Skill! Black Tortoise Body Guard!
Second Soul Skill! Mystic Water Ice Seal!
Ye Zhiqiu unleashed two Soul Skills right away. He intended to teach them a lesson as quickly as possible and win back the face he'd lost.
A bone-chilling gust of icy wind rushed toward Chu Qing. Seeing that they weren't the first targets, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others decided to sit back and watch.
Chu Qing didn't dare be careless. His opponent was twenty levels above him, so he immediately revealed his Soul Rings and channeled his Soul Power. Black flames sprang up in front of him, as he struggled to hold back the wave of freezing cold.
First Soul Skill, Flame Devouring Heaven Burning!
Second Soul Skill! Flame Split Wave!
Blazing masses of black fire swept toward Ye Zhiqiu and his body, covered in tortoiseshell. Ye Zhiqiu smiled coolly. He didn't believe that a mere level-twenty-nine boy could hurt him.
So he made no attempt to defend himself, taking Chu Qing's attack head-on.
But then, the tortoiseshell began cracking, piece by piece. Ye Zhiqiu's proudest defense was utterly unable to withstand the flames!
"Pfft!" Ye Zhiqiu spat out a mouthful of blood. He hadn't expected a Soul Grandmaster more than twenty levels below him to be this powerful—not only could he hurt him, he could even shatter his prized Black Tortoise Body Guard!
He immediately dropped his contempt and began taking Chu Qing seriously.
Ye Zhiqiu had no way of knowing that after absorbing the Infernal Delicate Apricot, the attack power of Chu Qing's Nihility Devouring Flame had risen another level. There were no major changes yet, but it was constantly nourishing Chu Qing's Martial Soul.
Meanwhile, Chu Qing was also struggling to withstand his opponent's Mystic Water Ice Seal. Ye Zhiqiu was still over level fifty. Although he couldn't break through Chu Qing's fiery defense just yet, Chu Qing was gradually finding it harder to hold him off.
Rongrong furrowed her brows and hurriedly called out, "Brother, let me help!"
Nine Treasures Rotate Glazed! First: Strength! Second: Speed!
Chu Qing immediately felt the pressure ease as his strength surged tremendously!
After Ning Rongrong absorbed that Immortal Herb, her Soul Skills could not only increase the potency of her support by 30%, but also instantly restore 40% of her target's Soul Power!
The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda was already the strongest support Martial Soul, but in Ning Rongrong's hands, it had reached an even higher level!
With the pressure greatly reduced, Chu Qing immediately unleashed his Fire God Domain, enveloping Ye Zhiqiu.
Ye Zhiqiu looked astonished. He hadn't expected to encounter someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect here. And judging by her age, could she be Sect Master Ning's beloved daughter?
If that was true, then today he'd bullied someone weaker than himself and cursed her so viciously. If Sect Master Ning ever found out...
Ye Zhiqiu shuddered, but a vicious glint flashed in his eyes. If he killed them all today, no one would ever know.
Third Soul Skill! Mystic Water Surge!
A powerful column of water, even stronger than before, swept toward them. Though it was enveloped by Chu Qing's Fire God Domain, its power was still immense!
Xiao Wu watched anxiously. She glanced back at Tang San, only to see him standing still, seemingly content to watch from the sidelines. A trace of disappointment flickered in her eyes, too subtle to notice, before she darted into the fray.
"Xiao Wu, you..." Tang San stared in shock as she charged forward.
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing. Without even looking at Dai Mubai, she activated her Martial Soul and charged in after Xiao Wu.
Chu Qing watched the oncoming column of water without panicking. With Ning Rongrong's support, he had nothing to fear from Ye Zhiqiu.
Nihility Devouring Flame! Space, devour!
A massive rift, five meters across, suddenly appeared in front of Chu Qing. The incoming column of water was swallowed up entirely by the spatial rift.
In an instant, it reappeared behind Ye Zhiqiu and rushed toward him.
Ye Zhiqiu hadn't been prepared. Caught off guard, he was struck by his own attack and spat out another mouthful of blood.
This move consumed a tremendous amount of Soul Power. With Chu Qing's current reserves, he normally couldn't have managed it. But with Ning Rongrong's support, everything had changed.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing's attacks arrived in a flash as well. Ye Zhiqiu couldn't keep up. His Black Tortoise shield shattered, and he was knocked to the ground.
Knowing better than to let a fallen foe get back up, Chu Qing unleashed several more Soul Skills at Ye Zhiqiu. In an instant, Ye Zhiqiu's body was mangled and bloody, and he was barely clinging to life.
Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others gritted their teeth and hurried over to help. They hadn't expected Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing to join the fight.
But before they could strike, Ye Zhiqiu had already been defeated by Chu Qing and the others.
Oscar hurried to Rongrong's side. "Rongrong, are you hurt? I've got a Recovery Sausage here. Would you like one...?"
Ning Rongrong gave him a disgusted look. When she'd been insulted, Oscar hadn't said a word. He'd only come over once their opponent was on the verge of defeat. He was utterly hypocritical.
She simply ignored him and walked over to Chu Qing, asking with concern, "Brother, are you all right?"