Zhang Lexuan: Elder Xuan, Are You Satisfied Now?

Zhang Lexuan stared blankly at the scene before her.

After coming back to her senses, her expression shifted from despair to stunned disbelief, then confusion, before finally settling into something complicated.

She had never expected that the ones to save them in their moment of peril would not be Taotie Douluo Xuanzi, but three strangers she had never met.

After confirming that Qing'er's life was temporarily out of danger, Zhang Lexuan struggled to her feet. She checked on the others one by one and settled them together before bracing herself against a tree and standing firm again. Together with the Qiangu siblings, she watched the one-sided battle in the distance.

Qiangu Liting was only Rank 93 now, but he possessed two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings and at least two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones. Combined with the unyielding trait bestowed by the Evil-Breaking Dragon Soul, even an ordinary Rank 95 Super Douluo would not be worth mentioning before him.

More importantly, through his observations, Qiangu Yunche determined that this Dragon Demon Wa-Woman had only recently broken through to the hundred-thousand-year level and was still carrying serious internal injuries.

The reason it had targeted Zhang Lexuan's group was likely because it wanted to devour their bodies and souls, which were rich in Soul Power and possessed powerful bloodlines, in order to heal its internal wounds.

After all, in nature, it had never been clear whether humans or Soul Beasts were the hunters, and which were the prey.

Douluo Continent was, after all, a world where strength reigned supreme.

Zhang Lexuan silently watched as the Dragon Demon Wa-Woman, which had effortlessly driven them into despair moments ago, was suppressed by Qiangu Liting to the point that it could not even lift its head. She clenched her fists, and her desire for strength deepened further.

Just then, a dazzling earthen-yellow light suddenly flared in the distant sky.

The light grew more brilliant as it drew closer. Only when it arrived did Qiangu Yunche and the others make out the figure within it.

It was a burly old man with a long spiral horn on each side of his head. In his Martial Soul Avatar state, his muscles were as firm as steel, covered in countless mysterious yellow runes.

The instant he arrived, the air within a hundred meters froze solid.

This man was none other than Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion Vice Master, the Rank 98 Super Douluo, Taotie Douluo Xuanzi.

Xuanzi surveyed the devastated forest around him, then looked toward Qiangu Liting, who was fiercely whipping the Dragon Demon Wa-Woman in the distance. Finally, his gaze settled on the eleven inner court disciples lying neatly in a row, as well as Zhang Lexuan and the other two beside them.

In an instant, more than half of Xuanzi's powerful aura extinguished like a brazier doused with cold water. His burly body trembled violently, his eyes filling with intense pain and guilt.

Zhang Lexuan looked at Xuanzi, her eyes like stagnant water. She took two steps forward, her voice so calm that not a trace of emotion could be heard.

But those familiar with Zhang Lexuan knew that this was what she was truly like when her emotions had reached their breaking point.

"Elder Xuan, are you satisfied now?"

Zhang Lexuan pointed at the eleven people on the ground, her fingertips trembling slightly. "Eleven people, all seriously injured. Even Xiaoruan, whose injuries are the lightest, will need at least three months to recover. Qing'er, whose injuries are the worst, has practically lost half her life. In the name of Shrek Academy's eldest inner court disciple, let me ask you—were their lives and safety truly worth less than one of your feasts of wine and meat?"

"Did you know that if that senior had not arrived in time, there would only be twelve corpses before you now!"

"And until the moment Xiaoruan died, she might have still been hoping that you would arrive in time to save her, so she could go home and reunite with her mother..."

The final blow landed. Xuanzi staggered back several steps in succession. The condemnation of his conscience and the overwhelming guilt buried deep within his heart left him in unbearable agony. With a hum, the tremendous shock to his state of mind caused his Martial Soul Avatar to shatter outright. His Soul Power flowed in reverse, and a thread of scarlet seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Yet Xuanzi seemed completely unaware of it. He merely stared blankly at the eleven people on the ground.

After a long while, he lowered his head. It was as though all spirit had been drained from him, and his entire being became incomparably despondent and dispirited.

"The responsibility for this matter lies entirely with me. Afterward, I will answer to the Sea God Pavilion, and the academy will also provide Gufan and the others with sufficient compensation."

As he spoke, earthen-yellow Soul Power gently enveloped the bodies of the eleven people. But when it came to Zhang Lexuan, she shook her head and refused.

"Elder Xuan, just take Gufan and the others back. Their injuries are severe. Many of them are only clinging to life with medicinal pills. Once you return to Sea God Island, remember to have Elder Zhuang treat them immediately. I still have something to do and will return to the academy on my own afterward."

Xuanzi opened his mouth, his gaze sweeping over the distant battlefield. Then he drew a deep breath.

"Alright. I'll leave what comes next to you, Lexuan..."

As his words fell, Xuanzi hesitated no longer. Carrying the unconscious eleven, he rose directly into the air and flew toward Shrek Academy at top speed.

After Xuanzi departed, Zhang Lexuan had yet to speak when Qiangu Liting swung a staff in the distance with enough force to shake heaven and earth and shatter space. The Dragon Demon Wa-Woman flew straight toward the three of them like a kite with its string cut.

Thousand-Jun Throw!

Qiangu Yunmei understood instantly. The Coiling Dragon Staff appeared in her hand, and her strongest strike, enhanced by three boosting Soul Skills, blasted apart the Dragon Demon Wa-Woman's head in midair.

Red currents of energy swirled as a blood-red Soul Ring slowly condensed into shape. Qiangu Yunmei did not hesitate in the slightest and immediately sat down cross-legged to begin absorbing it.

Qiangu Liting, meanwhile, withdrew his Martial Soul and returned to Qiangu Yunche's side.

Zhang Lexuan looked at Qiangu Yunmei, who had already begun absorbing the Soul Ring, before shifting her gaze to Qiangu Liting.

Then she straightened her body and spoke with respect and deep gratitude.

"This junior, Zhang Lexuan, represents all the inner court students of Shrek Academy present tonight in thanking you, Senior, for saving our lives."

After speaking, she bowed deeply. Only after a long while did she slowly straighten again.

Qiangu Liting looked at Zhang Lexuan and sighed softly before saying, "Before, I only thought Shrek Academy did not take its outer court students seriously. Now it seems the difference between the inner court and outer court is not that great either."

Zhang Lexuan pursed her lips and said with difficulty, "The outer court and inner court... are still different. It's just that Elder Xuan..."

At that point, Zhang Lexuan fell silent.

"Forget it." Qiangu Liting shook his head. He could see Zhang Lexuan's instinctive defense of Shrek Academy and could not be bothered to say more.

"Humans cannot directly hunt Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts within the Star Dou Great Forest. But if a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast attacks humans of its own accord and is killed in return, then even if the Beast God came, he would have nothing to say. You being targeted by this beast tonight was also a favor to us. Otherwise, I would have had no reason to make a move."

"It may not sound pleasant, but that is the truth. Saving you was merely incidental."

Qiangu Liting spoke frankly. He had saved Zhang Lexuan and the others for a reason. Without this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, he might have only watched the show.

"That is not important. Regardless of your purpose, you did save my companions and me. That is a fact, one that cannot be changed. If I ignored reality merely because of some so-called motive, how would I be any different from an unthinking beast?" Zhang Lexuan said softly, her gaze astonishingly resolute.

Her words drew the attention of all three Qiangu family members, and they could not help feeling somewhat moved.

"You are quite impressive. Shrek Academy is fortunate to have a student like you."

Qiangu Liting gave his assessment of Zhang Lexuan.

"Rest for a while, then leave the Star Dou Great Forest. Your injuries are serious. If you do not receive treatment in time, it will affect your future cultivation."

After a pause, Qiangu Liting added,

"My name is Qiangu Liting, patriarch of the Qiangu Clan. Before long, perhaps we will meet again."

Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan was slightly stunned. But she did not ask any further questions. She merely nodded, then quietly walked to the side and sat down cross-legged to recover her Soul Power...