The gentle lighting in every room went out in an instant, replaced by glaring red lights that flickered and spun along the edges of the ceiling, bathing the entire space in the glow of purgatory.
A cold, hurried, emotionless female electronic voice rang out at full volume through the Amplifying Soul Tools installed throughout the Medical Pavilion, repeating its announcement:
"Highest alert! Highest alert! A powerful hostile energy attack has been detected! The outer defensive barrier is being forcibly breached!"
"All noncombat personnel, follow emergency procedures and proceed to the underground shelter immediately! I repeat, proceed to the underground shelter at once!"
"All combat and security personnel, take your positions and prepare to engage the enemy!"
The ground shook even more violently, and fine dust sifted down from overhead. Beneath the flashing red lights and piercing alarms, the entire world seemed to be plunged into chaos and danger in an instant!
"Ah!"
Ma Xiaotao trembled at the sudden turn of events and instinctively flung herself into Long Jinyu's arms. She clutched the front of his shirt with both hands, her body trembling slightly.
Long Jinyu instinctively wrapped his arms around her. Feeling the soft body in his embrace quiver, and seeing her lovely face stripped of its usual pride and filled only with fear, he felt a strange pang in his heart.
If Sister Xiaotao were in her usual state, she'd have already activated her Martial Soul Possession and charged out, phoenix eyes blazing with murderous intent, wouldn't she? he muttered to himself. Good thing she hasn't fully recovered. Easy to fool... I mean, easy to comfort!
He quickly pushed the stray thoughts aside and turned a sharp gaze toward the door. Vice Dean Liu and Luo Yun had arrived within ten seconds of the alarm sounding.
"My lord!" Liu Tao reported swiftly. "We've detected several powerful evil auras assaulting the outer barrier, causing severe tremors. The two elders in the Medical Pavilion have personally led the Yanhuang Guard out to meet the enemy. They're fighting right now! Please rest assured, you and Miss Ma. We'll defend the Medical Pavilion with our lives!"
Long Jinyu's gaze turned cold. So they had a backup plan after all! Good thing we didn't go back to Shrek. That bunch... He wasn't belittling them for no reason. In the original story, Shrek's security had been a complete mess. They'd let Ma Xiaotao be kidnapped right inside the academy, and Mu En's strength had declined so badly in his old age that he couldn't even kill eleven Evil Soul Masters in an instant. Long Jinyu simply couldn't trust them.
He looked apologetically at Liu Tao and Luo Yun. "Vice Dean Liu, Doctor Luo, to be honest, those people outside are probably after Sister Xiaotao and me. I knew they wouldn't give up, and I didn't think Shrek would be able to protect us, so I came here to lie low. I didn't expect to drag the Medical Pavilion into this as well. I'm sorry for causing everyone trouble."
Instead of taking offense, Liu Tao's eyes lit up with delight and excitement! Their lord had entrusted his safety to them. That trust was more precious than any praise.
"You honor us too much, my lord!" Liu Tao declared, his voice ringing out. "It's our greatest honor to share your burden! Anyone who dares target you makes an enemy of the entire Yanhuang Lingyun! Today, we'll make sure not one of them gets away!"
Luo Yun nodded solemnly as well. "Please don't worry, my lord. The barrier Dean Su left behind is impregnable. They'll never break through! The Medical Pavilion is absolutely safe, and no innocent people will be harmed. Shrek may be powerful, but its protection of its students... leaves much to be desired. We've treated more than a few gravely injured students from Shrek. Your decision was absolutely right!"
"Good. Thank you both!"
Hearing them say that, Long Jinyu was deeply moved. He silently thanked Sister Su once again. She'd truly given him an incredible starter pack.
Just then, the clashes of Soul Skills and the rumble of explosions grew louder outside the window.
Long Jinyu had planned to send Ma Xiaotao to the underground shelter while he stayed ready to join the fight at a moment's notice.
But the instant he moved, she wrapped both arms tightly around his neck and buried her face in the crook of it, refusing to let go.
Long Jinyu: "..."
Well, looks like I've really become a Xiaotao-shaped accessory.
With no other choice, he carried her to the window with Liu Tao and Luo Yun to watch the battle.
Beyond the glowing barrier around the Medical Pavilion, shadowy figures swarmed, their evil auras soaring skyward.
There weren't many attacking Evil Soul Masters, but every one of them was powerful. All were Soul Saints or stronger, making their lineup no weaker than the group that had tried to capture Ma Xiaotao in the original story—in fact, they were stronger!
Long Jinyu's heart tightened.
The Medical Pavilion is a hospital, after all. Set the barrier aside, and its high-level fighters still fall short of Shrek's...
The Evil Soul Masters have made it all the way into Shrek City. What are Mu En and the others doing? Why haven't they sent reinforcements?
In the air, a black-clad figure stood out. He wielded a black longsword, his form shifting and elusive. His attacks carried spatial fluctuations—he was none other than Nether Douluo, a master of space-based abilities.
Facing him was a handsome black-haired man wielding a platinum longsword. His swordlight blazed with righteous power as he fought several powerful foes, Nether Douluo among them, all by himself without giving ground!
Not far away, a woman's figure flitted through the air. With a wave of her delicate hands, she scattered streams of gentle yet unyielding light, sometimes aiding the man and sometimes steadying the Yanhuang Guard's formation below.
The Yanhuang Guard below caught Long Jinyu's eye as well. Every one of them carried a fine Soul Tool, and they were equally skilled at offense and defense. They worked together seamlessly, moving as one and making full use of the advantages of their Soul Tool formation.
"The Yanhuang Guard is well-trained and works together flawlessly. Impressive," Long Jinyu praised sincerely. Then he looked toward the man and woman in the air. "Those two elders are even more remarkable, pillars of the Medical Pavilion. Who are they?"
Liu Tao immediately introduced them with respect. "My lord, they're Elder Yan Rong and Elder Huang Yue. They're husband and wife, former right-hand aides to Dean Su—and the guardians of the Medical Pavilion."
"Good, good! After the battle, I'll thank the two elders in person." Long Jinyu nodded.
"Rumble—!!!"
Suddenly, a world-shaking explosion erupted in the direction of Shrek Academy. Even from here, they could just make out the pillar of fire shooting into the sky!
The sudden turn of events made both sides falter.
In the air, Yan Rong and Huang Yue were clearly worried about the civilians and feared the explosion might harm them. Their attacks slowed, leaving them momentarily exposed!
"Look out!" Long Jinyu shouted.
But the warning came too late. Nether Douluo seized the fleeting opening and sent a sinister black sword aura stabbing out at an angle. Yan Rong managed to block most of it, but it still left a wound on his arm deep enough to expose bone. Huang Yue was ambushed by another enemy and let out a muffled groan, her aura thrown into disarray.
"Damn it! A diversion!" Long Jinyu understood their scheme at once, and fury surged through him. "No wonder Shrek's reinforcements haven't shown up!"
His gaze sharpened as he made his decision.
"Vice Dean Liu! Assemble the best medical team at once and ready the emergency airship. Be prepared to head to the explosion site and assist with rescue efforts!"
Then he lowered his head and tried to hand Ma Xiaotao over to Luo Yun. "Sister, listen to me. I have something urgent to take care of. Stay with Doctor Luo, all right? Be good."
But Ma Xiaotao clung to him even tighter, refusing to let go.
Long Jinyu had no choice. He gently coaxed her as he pried her loose, carefully transferring her to Luo Yun. Ma Xiaotao watched him leave, her eyes full of panic and reluctance, but this time she didn't try to stop him.
"Sister Luo Yun, please take good care of Miss Ma," Long Jinyu said solemnly.
Luo Yun took Ma Xiaotao and looked at Long Jinyu with concern. "My lord! Those Evil Soul Masters are powerful. Even the two elders are injured. Please think this through!"
A cold flame kindled in Long Jinyu's mismatched eyes as an invisible dragon's might began gathering around him.
"That's exactly why I have to go."
His voice was calm, but his resolve brooked no argument.
"This started because of me, so I should be the one to bring it to an end."
Before the words had even faded, he flashed away, transforming into a streak of light and shooting straight toward the chaotic, perilous battlefield!
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