Xu Chu and Dian Wei Fall!

Amid the sea of flames, a massive gap suddenly opened in the densely packed ranks of Evil Soul Masters. Most of the Soul Emperors and half of the Soul Saints were reduced to ashes beneath the full-force Avici Hellfire Slash.

Xuan Zi and Zhongli Wu, locked in fierce battle in the air, were also jolted by this earth-shaking strike. They both stopped attacking and turned their eyes toward the ground.

Xuan Zi looked at the figure lying unconscious in Zhang Lexuan's arms, his eyes filled with both relief and heartache.

Longyan, this old man knew I wasn't wrong about you!

As for Zhongli Wu, when he saw the Evil Soul Masters' corpses fading away across the ground, then realized that the culprit was the red-haired youth he had looked down on, his already gloomy face twisted with murderous intent. A bone-chilling glint shot from his deep-purple eyes.

He hadn't expected such a turn of events... This boy absolutely couldn't be allowed to live!

If he let him leave alive today, he would become a grave threat to the Holy Spirit Cult in the future, and might even ruin all his plans!

Xuan Zi had already seen through Zhongli Wu's intentions. Before he could act, Xuan Zi immediately unleashed all his Soul Power and brought out his Martial Soul Avatar, clinging tightly to Zhongli Wu as he spoke in a cold, resolute voice.

"Zhongli Wu, if you want to lay a hand on Longyan, you'll have to get past me first! Today, even if I have to fight with everything I have, I won't let you hurt him in the slightest!"

Zhongli Wu glared at Xuan Zi, who clung to him like a rabid dog. His brow furrowed, and his eyes blazed with undisguised hostility, but there was nothing he could do. He could only let Xuan Zi keep him occupied, unable to deal with the red-haired youth.

Damn it, that old man was a real pain to deal with. Hopefully, they wouldn't let him down...

On the ground, the remaining Evil Soul Masters had already been scared out of their wits by Cao Longyan's terrifying strike. They didn't dare continue fighting and fled in panic toward the edge of the valley. Their ranks had completely collapsed into chaos.

The Soul Douluo at their head swept his cold gaze over the fleeing Evil Soul Masters and snorted. With a flick of his hand, he crushed several of those at the front of the pack. Blood splattered everywhere in a horrific scene.

"Useless! You bunch of useless fools!"

He berated them sharply, his voice full of viciousness.

"Anyone who runs back will share their fate! Whoever takes the heads of those Shrek people will be richly rewarded by the Cult Master!"

The example made of the fleeing Soul Masters worked at once. They came to an abrupt halt, staring fearfully at the five Soul Douluos. Not one of them dared move again.

Threatened with death and tempted by the rewards to come, the Evil Soul Masters had no choice but to steel themselves and regroup. They surrounded Zhang Lexuan and the others once more, gradually closing the gap Cao Longyan had carved open at the cost of everything he had.

Holding the unconscious Cao Longyan in her arms, Zhang Lexuan felt his faint breathing and a look of resolve flashed in her eyes.

She knew this was their only chance to break through. They couldn't let Cao Longyan's all-out effort to carve open a path for them go to waste.

"Everyone, follow me! Use everything you have and break through!"

Zhang Lexuan called out softly but firmly. Holding Cao Longyan tightly with one arm, she channeled her Moon Martial Soul with the other and unleashed all her Soul Power, charging toward the gap first.

The other seven quickly came to their senses and followed close behind, suppressing their exhaustion and fear.

Li Meng swung his heavy hammer, smashing aside the Evil Soul Masters in their way and clearing a path for everyone.

Su Qingyue and Zhao Rui moved swiftly, cutting down the low-ranking Evil Soul Masters who tried to ambush them.

Wen Wenxuan continuously released healing Soul Power, easing everyone's exhaustion and injuries.

Lin Xiaoran controlled her Soft Bone Silk, ensnaring the Evil Soul Masters charging toward them and buying everyone time.

Chen Mo channeled his Azure Vine, sending out strand after strand of vines to block their pursuers.

Wang Hao stayed by Wen Wenxuan, Lin Xiaoran, and Chen Mo, protecting them.

Working together, they seized the chance before the gap was fully sealed and fought their way toward the edge of the valley.

Just as they broke through the mass of Evil Soul Masters and caught sight of the long-missed sunlight ahead, thinking they could finally catch their breath, five black figures hurtled toward them and landed squarely in their path.

They were the five Evil Soul Master Soul Douluos!

An overwhelming pressure from their Soul Power swept over the group. Already exhausted, everyone froze in place, despair once more closing around their hearts.

They had already expended most of their Soul Power and could barely stay on their feet. They had no power to resist five Soul Douluos.

"Why'd you stop running?"

The Soul Douluo at their head curled his lips into a cold smile, sweeping a contemptuous gaze over them.

"Weren't you rushing along so well just now? Not one of you is leaving here alive today!"

Zhang Lexuan clutched Cao Longyan even tighter and stood resolutely in front of the others. Though her whole body trembled, she didn't retreat an inch.

She had to protect Cao Longyan and the people around her. She couldn't let all his efforts go to waste.

"We're going to help our lord! Big bug, you'd better stay out of the way!"

At that critical moment, a deafening roar suddenly rang across the heavens and earth. Five powerful auras descended out of nowhere, sweeping through the entire valley.

Everyone looked up and saw four towering humanoid figures.

Xu Chu held a giant hammer, Dian Wei wielded a pair of halberds, Xiahou Dun carried a long spear, and Xiahou Yuan held a great saber.

And 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 the Scarlet King!

Everyone was stunned, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Without Cao Longyan summoning them, these Guardian Spirits had descended of their own accord!

Hope immediately flared in Zhang Lexuan and the others.

Xu Chu looked at Zhang Lexuan, who was holding Cao Longyan, his voice grave yet resolute.

"Madam, take our lord and the others and leave on the Scarlet King! The two of us are enough to hold them here!"

Madam?

Everyone was dumbfounded. What did he mean, "Madam"? But if he meant someone among them, then it could only be Zhang Lexuan!

Seeing everyone's bewildered faces and Zhang Lexuan's utter confusion, Dian Wei burst into laughter.

"Madam Zhang, don't just stand there! Retreat at once; don't waste time! The two of us will hold the valley entrance and buy you plenty of time!"

Only then did Zhang Lexuan react, her face gradually turning red.

"Al... all right. Xu Chu, Dian Wei, you have to survive. Longyan can't do without you..."

The Scarlet King quickly landed and lowered its head docilely, urging everyone to climb onto its back.

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

They knew that by doing this, Xu Chu and Dian Wei would go beyond their "despawn range," and death would be all that awaited them... But as Guardian Spirits of the Cao Family, they feared nothing!

Before Zhang Lexuan and the others could respond, Xu Chu and Dian Wei had already turned around, weapons in hand, and charged toward the five Soul Douluos.

"Arrogant!"

The five Soul Douluos roared and immediately channeled their Soul Power, rushing to meet them.

The two sides collided in an instant, and another earth-shattering explosion rang out. Xu Chu and Dian Wei fought with everything they had, keeping the five Soul Douluos and some of the remaining Evil Soul Masters at bay. Even as the impact sent them stumbling backward, their new wounds multiplying and blood flowing without end, they didn't give ground an inch.

Zhang Lexuan didn't hesitate any longer. Holding Cao Longyan, she climbed onto the Scarlet King's back, and the other seven followed at once.

After they set off, some Evil Soul Masters still managed to slip through the net and charge toward the Scarlet King.

Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan immediately turned around and blocked them, swinging their spear and saber.

The Scarlet King let out a dragon's roar and carried everyone swiftly toward Shrek.

No one knew how long they had flown. Just as the group was about to reach their limit, a familiar fluctuation of Soul Power came from the distant horizon.

Shrek's reinforcements had finally arrived!

Countless figures rushed toward them. At their head were Xian Lin'er and Yan Shaozhe, with a large contingent of Shrek Soul Masters behind them.

Seeing Shrek's reinforcements arrive, Zhongli Wu, still fighting in the air, knew that his plan had completely fallen apart. His heart was full of resentment and fury, but he could only grit his teeth and give the order.

"Retreat!"

The remaining Evil Soul Masters had long since been scared out of their wits. At the order, they scattered in every direction. Zhongli Wu glared viciously toward the direction Cao Longyan and the others had gone, the murderous intent in his eyes growing stronger. In the end, he could only lead his remaining forces in a sorry retreat.

Seeing this, Xuan Zi didn't continue the pursuit. He immediately hurried toward Cao Longyan and the others.

Holding Cao Longyan, Zhang Lexuan returned with the reinforcements to the entrance of the valley, where she met up with Xuan Zi.

When they reached the valley entrance, the sight before them made everyone's eyes redden.

Xu Chu and Dian Wei still stood at the entrance. Sunlight fell across their bodies, which were covered in blood and puncture wounds. Their injuries were grotesque, their breathing faint, yet they still held their battle stances. Countless Evil Soul Masters' corpses lay beside them, their blood staining the ground red.

Just as everyone came forward to examine them, Xu Chu and Dian Wei's figures began to turn transparent. At last, they became specks of light and vanished into the air.

Xu Chu and Dian Wei had fallen!

At the same time, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, and the Scarlet King had also exhausted their spiritual energy. Their figures gradually dimmed, and they slowly closed their eyes, falling into slumber as they became three beams of light that merged into Cao Longyan's body.

Within the fireball, the indistinct figure of a Warlord gave a slight nod, casting a look of approval and pride at Cao Longyan and his Guardian Spirits. Then he gathered all their faint light, including Xu Chu and Dian Wei's, into himself.

Little one, let me keep their fragile souls safe for you for now...

Sigh, I haven't used spiritual energy in a long time. I'm a little out of practice after using so much all at once...

That old necromancer should be waking soon. I can close my eyes and rest easy for a while too...