Xu Chu, Dian Wei Fall!

Amidst the sea of flames, a massive gap was torn into the dense ranks of the Evil Soul Masters. Most of the Soul Emperors and half of the Soul Saints were reduced to ash by that all-out Avici Hellfire Slash.

High above, Xuan Zi and Zhongli Wu, locked in fierce combat, were startled by the earth-shattering strike. They simultaneously ceased their assault, their gazes snapping toward the ground.

Xuan Zi looked at the figure lying unconscious in Zhang Lexuan's arms, his eyes a mixture of relief and heartache.

Cao Longyan, I truly didn't misjudge you!

Meanwhile, Zhongli Wu looked at the scattered corpses of the Evil Soul Masters on the ground, then at the perpetrator—a red-haired youth he had previously looked down upon. His cold, gloomy face was instantly twisted with savage killing intent, and his deep purple eyes shot out bone-chilling glares.

I never expected such a variable... This child must not be allowed to live!

If he were to leave here alive today, he would undoubtedly become a grave threat to the Holy Spirit Cult in the future, perhaps even ruining all of his plans.

Xuan Zi had long since seen through Zhongli Wu's intentions. Before the latter could act, he surged with his full soul power, unleashing his Martial Soul Avatar to its limit, pinning Zhongli Wu down with a cold and firm tone.

"Zhongli Wu, if you want to touch Cao Longyan, you'll have to get past me first! Today, even if I have to exhaust every ounce of my strength, I will never let you harm a hair on his head!"

Zhongli Wu glared at Xuan Zi, who was clinging to him like a mad dog. His eyes radiated undisguised ferocity and his brows were tightly locked, but he was helpless, forced to remain entangled by Xuan Zi instead of finishing off the red-haired youth.

Damn it, this old man is truly troublesome. I hope they don't disappoint me...

On the ground, the remaining Evil Soul Masters had been terrified by Cao Longyan's horrific strike. Daring not to continue the fight, they fled in panic toward the outskirts of the valley, their formation completely shattered and thrown into chaos.

The leading Soul Douluo's eyes turned cold as he swept his gaze over the fleeing crowd. With a cold snort, he backhanded the nearest fleeing Evil Soul Masters, crushing them instantly. Blood splattered across the scene, creating a gruesome spectacle.

"Trash! A bunch of useless trash!"

He roared, his voice filled with malice.

"Whoever runs back will meet the same fate! Whoever takes the heads of those Shrek people will be heavily rewarded by the Cult Master!"

The effect of killing the chicken to scare the monkey was immediate. The fleeing Evil Soul Masters stopped in their tracks, looking at the five Soul Douluos with faces full of terror; no one dared to move again.

Driven by the threat of death and the lure of future rewards, these Evil Soul Masters gritted their teeth and regrouped, once again surrounding Zhang Lexuan and the others. The gap that Cao Longyan had carved out with his life was slowly being sealed shut.

Zhang Lexuan held the unconscious Cao Longyan in her arms, feeling his weak breath, and a flash of resolve crossed her eyes.

She knew this was their only chance to break through; they could not let the gap Cao Longyan had sacrificed everything to create go to waste.

"Everyone, follow me! Use every means you have and charge out!"

Zhang Lexuan shouted in a low, firm voice. Holding Cao Longyan tightly with one arm, she channeled her Moon Martial Soul with the other, her soul power erupting as she charged toward the gap first.

The other seven immediately snapped out of their stupor, suppressing their exhaustion and fear to follow closely behind.

Li Meng swung his heavy hammer, smashing through the blocking Evil Soul Masters to clear the path.

Su Qingyue and Zhao Rui moved with agility, cutting down the low-level Evil Soul Masters attempting to ambush them.

Wen Wenxuan continuously released healing soul power to alleviate the group's fatigue and injuries.

Lin Xiaoran manipulated her Soft Bone Silk, binding the rushing Evil Soul Masters to buy time for the group.

Chen Mo channeled his Azure Vine, sending out vines to obstruct the pursuing enemies.

Wang Hao stood guard beside Wen Wenxuan, Lin Xiaoran, and Chen Mo.

Working in unison, the group took advantage of the gap before it could be fully sealed, pushing with all their might toward the valley's edge.

Just as they broke through the dense crowd of Evil Soul Masters and saw the long-awaited sunlight ahead, thinking they could finally catch their breath, five black shadows streaked toward them, landing firmly in their path to block the way.

It was the five Soul Douluo Evil Soul Masters!

A powerful wave of soul power pressure swept over them, causing the already exhausted group to freeze instantly, a sense of despair once again clouding their hearts.

They had long since exhausted most of their soul power and could barely stand; facing five Soul Douluos, they had no power to resist.

"Run? Why aren't you running anymore?"

The lead Soul Douluo curled his lips into a cold, sinister smile, his eyes sweeping over the group with contempt.

"Weren't you charging quite well just a moment ago? Today, none of you will leave here alive!"

Zhang Lexuan held Cao Longyan tighter, standing firmly in front of the others. Even though her body was trembling, she did not retreat in the slightest.

She had to protect Cao Longyan and the people around her; she could not let Cao Longyan's efforts be in vain.

"We're going to help the Master and the others, you big bug, stop causing trouble!"

At this critical juncture, a deafening roar suddenly echoed through the heavens and earth, and five powerful auras descended from thin air, sweeping across the entire valley.

Everyone looked up to see four massive humanoid figures.

Xu Chu held a giant hammer, Dian Wei brandished dual halberds, Xiahou Dun wielded a long spear, and Xiahou Yuan carried a great blade.

Above them, a crimson three-headed dragon soared through the air.

They were Cao Longyan's Guardian Spirits: Xu Chu, Dian Wei, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, and Chi Wang!

Everyone was stunned, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Without Cao Longyan's summons, these Guardian Spirits had manifested on their own!

Zhang Lexuan and the others suddenly saw hope once again!

Xu Chu looked at Zhang Lexuan, who was holding Cao Longyan, his tone grave but filled with resolve.

"Madam, quickly take the Master and the others and leave on Chi Wang! Leave this place to us; the two of us are enough!"

"Madam?"

Everyone was stunned. What madam? But if there was anyone among them who fit the title, it could only be Zhang Lexuan!

Dian Wei looked at the bewildered crowd and the blank-faced Zhang Lexuan, then burst into a hearty laugh.

"Madam Zhang, do not daze off. Withdraw quickly, do not delay! The two of us will certainly hold the valley entrance for you and buy enough time!"

Zhang Lexuan finally snapped back to reality, her face gradually flushing red.

"Right... right. Xu Chu, Dian Wei, you must survive. Longyan cannot do without you..."

Chi Wang descended rapidly and lowered its head submissively, signaling for everyone to climb onto its back as quickly as possible.

Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan exchanged a glance with Xu Chu and Dian Wei, but neither side spoke a word.

They knew that by doing this, Xu Chu and Dian Wei would exceed their "extinction point range," and death would be the only outcome awaiting them... but as guardian spirits of the Cao family, they feared nothing!

Without waiting for Zhang Lexuan and the others to respond further, Xu Chu and Dian Wei turned around, weapons in hand, and charged toward the five Spirit Douluo.

"Arrogant!"

The five Spirit Douluo roared in anger, immediately channeling their spirit power to meet them head-on.

The two sides collided instantly, and earth-shattering explosions rang out once more. Xu Chu and Dian Wei gave their all, desperately entangling the five Spirit Douluo and the remaining evil spirit masters. Even as their bodies were forced back repeatedly, sustaining new wounds and bleeding incessantly, they did not yield an inch.

Zhang Lexuan hesitated no longer. Clutching Cao Longyan, she was the first to board Chi Wang's back, and the other seven followed immediately.

Just as they set off, a few stray evil spirit masters slipped through the net and charged toward Chi Wang.

Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan turned instantly, brandishing their spears and blades to intercept these evil spirit masters.

Chi Wang let out a dragon's roar, carrying the group as it galloped toward the direction of Shrek.

They did not know how long they had been flying, but just as the group was about to reach their limit, a familiar ripple of spirit power arrived from the distant horizon.

Shrek's reinforcements had finally arrived!

Countless figures streaked across the sky, led by none other than Xian Lin'er and Yan Shaozhe, followed by a large contingent of Shrek spirit masters.

Zhongli Wu, who was locked in mid-air combat, saw the Shrek reinforcements arrive and knew his plan had completely fallen through. His heart was filled with unwillingness and fury, but he could only grit his teeth and issue the order.

"Retreat!"

The remaining evil spirit masters had long since been frightened out of their wits. Hearing the command, they scattered and fled in all directions. Zhongli Wu glared fiercely at the direction in which Cao Longyan and the others had departed, his killing intent deepening, but in the end, he could only lead his remaining forces in a pathetic escape.

Seeing this, Xuan Zi did not pursue them further and immediately rushed toward the direction of Cao Longyan and his group.

Zhang Lexuan, holding Cao Longyan, followed the reinforcement team back to the valley entrance to meet up with Xuan Zi.

When they arrived at the entrance, the sight before them brought tears to everyone's eyes.

Xu Chu and Dian Wei were still standing tall at the valley entrance. Sunlight spilled over them, their bodies covered in blood and riddled with holes. Their wounds were ghastly and their auras were faint, yet they maintained their combat stance. Countless corpses of evil spirit masters lay around them, and blood had stained the entire ground red.

Just as the group stepped forward to check on them, the figures of Xu Chu and Dian Wei gradually turned transparent, eventually dissolving into specks of light that vanished into the air.

Xu Chu and Dian Wei had fallen!

At the same time, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, and Chi Wang, their spiritual power exhausted, saw their forms grow dim. They slowly closed their eyes, fell into a deep slumber, and transformed into three rays of light that merged into Cao Longyan's body.

Within the fireball, a blurry figure of a hero nodded slightly, casting a look of approval and pride toward Cao Longyan and his guardian spirits, before gathering the faint light of all the guardian spirits, including those of Xu Chu and Dian Wei.

"Little one, I shall keep these fragile souls of theirs safe for you for now..."

"Sigh, it has been a long time since I used my spiritual power. It feels a bit strange to use so much all at once..."

"That old undead fellow should be waking up soon; I can finally rest my eyes and compose myself in peace..."