The Terrifying Death Messenger

Ma Xiaotao shattered a Soul King's chest with a single punch, golden-red flames erupting from her fist to incinerate the lifeless corpse into charcoal. Dai Yueheng's White Tiger Claws tore through a defensive line, while Chen Zifeng's Soul-Chasing Sword darted about like a meteor, cutting down several bandits.

Just as the reserve team prepared to advance, a shrill screech echoed from within the cave. "To think someone dares to oppose the Death Messenger. You shall all remain here!"

Hearing this voice, the bandits, who had been retreating steadily, quickly fell back.

"Fall back!" Lin Shuo shouted immediately upon sensing the Death Messenger.

"Watch out for the bodies!" After Lin Shuo's warning, Huo Yu'er's spiritual detection revealed that the corpses were swelling and turning red, prompting her to cry out in alarm.

The moment her voice fell, Lin Shuo raised both hands simultaneously.

For Ling Luochen and Gongyang Mo, who were trailing behind, a thick stone wall materialized out of thin air in front of them. Simultaneously, translucent ice shields condensed in front of the reserve team.

The very instant these defenses were set—BOOM!!!

The corpses exploded in unison.

Those bodies had become weapons of destruction. The stronger the individual had been in life, the more terrifying the power of the explosion.

It was precisely because they knew the strongest among the bandit group was only a Soul King that the Shrek Inspection Group had charged directly into the cave. Yet, no one expected this narrow cavern to become such a lethal trap.

The reserve team had only just entered, and with Lin Shuo having prepared defenses for them, they were not caught in the blast.

However, the starting team members were positioned almost exactly at the center of the explosions.

Ling Luochen and Gongyang Mo, being in the rear, had managed to hide behind the stone wall summoned by Lin Shuo in time. Ling Luochen also possessed ice-based defenses, so she remained virtually uninjured, while Gongyang Mo, being an auxiliary-type Soul Master, suffered only minor injuries.

Xi Xi had the fastest reaction time, and combined with the extreme speed granted by her Lightning Leopard martial soul, she managed to flee immediately following Lin Shuo's warning. Although she avoided the toxic blood, the shockwave of the explosion sent her crashing down beside Ling Luochen and Gongyang Mo, where she began coughing up blood.

Chen Zifeng, being close to Dai Yueheng, managed to hide behind him in time. Even so, he was splattered with toxic blood; while he didn't lose any limbs, his agonizing screams echoed throughout the entire cave.

Ma Xiaotao had initially been at the center of the corpse explosions, but thanks to Lin Shuo's warning and the two leg soul bones she possessed, she managed to escape while shielding herself with flames. Nevertheless, the shockwave slammed her directly into the rock wall, causing her to vomit blood. The golden-red phoenix flames flickering around her body dimmed, nearly extinguishing.

The situation for Yao Haoxuan and Dai Yueheng, however, was far from optimistic.

Yao Haoxuan's body was at its largest after activating his martial soul, causing him to bear the brunt of the explosions, and he had failed to escape in time. Half of his body was blown away.

Dai Yueheng had been positioned between the corpses of two Soul Kings, where the explosive power was most concentrated. Although he possessed three enhancement skills, his base speed was not high, and he failed to escape the center of the blast. The shockwave blew him away, slamming him heavily against the rock wall before he slid to the ground. His legs were gone, white bone visible at the stumps, and blood gushed out like a fountain. His face was as pale as paper, his consciousness hovering on the brink of collapse.

The explosions continued for over ten seconds before gradually subsiding. The liquid produced by the blasts corroded everything around it. The corpse explosions had not only caused a terrifying blast but were also highly toxic.

Of the seven starting members of the Shrek Academy team facing three Soul Kings, one was dead and four were severely injured, with only Gongyang Mo and Ling Luochen left unscathed.

"Heh heh heh heh, how do you like this messenger's corpse explosions? Even if you aren't blown to bits, you'll die from the poison."

"You bastard!"

An aged roar, like a thunderclap, exploded within the cave, cutting off the Death Messenger's maniacal laughter.

Xuan Zi's figure appeared in the center of the cave as if he had teleported. With his roar, the entire cavern trembled violently, and the aura of a level 98 Super Douluo erupted without reservation. Xuan Zi's soul power swept through like a raging tide; the moment the toxic blood corroding the ground touched his soul power, it was instantly evaporated, dissipating into the air as black smoke.

Xuan Zi had originally been outside the cave eating meat and drinking wine, confident in letting the team handle it alone after sensing that the highest cultivation level inside was only a Soul King. He had never expected that while he was eating his chicken leg and drinking, damage far exceeding the level of a Soul King or Soul Emperor would occur inside.

Xuan Zi's massive hand reached directly toward the Death Messenger. A phantom of the Taotie appeared behind him, and a giant palm tore through the air, covering the depths of the cave with world-shattering force. At the same time, his spiritual sense swept across the scene, sensing the injuries of every student.

Upon sensing that the reserve students, Ling Luochen, and Gongyang Mo were safe, he breathed a sigh of relief. It was a blessing in disguise that Lin Shuo and the two inner court disciples were unharmed; with these three, there was still a chance to win the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament.

Deep in the cave, a figure shrouded in a black robe was snatched from the darkness by Xuan Zi. He had five soul rings—three yellow and two purple—circling him. It was this individual, with such a crude soul ring configuration, who had caused such horrific casualties.

The Death Messenger let out a hideous shriek, and just as he was about to be grabbed, Yao Haoxuan's body in the distance began to swell.

Xuan Zi's pupils constricted. He raised both hands, and a ball of white light covered Yao Haoxuan's corpse. At the same time, the Death Messenger's fifth soul ring lit up, and he transformed into a wisp of smoke, bolting toward the cave entrance, seemingly on the verge of escape.

Lin Shuo struck immediately. A terrifying dragon's breath suddenly manifested, piercing through the Death Messenger's body; the light-attribute flames within contained a pure power capable of incinerating all evil. The moment the Death Messenger touched the dragon's breath, he began to burn like dry grass meeting a wildfire.

The Death Messenger let out a shrill, miserable scream before being burned to nothing, leaving only charred remains.

A long, heavy silence fell over the cave. Everything had happened so quickly that the other members of the reserve team felt their minds go blank.

Everyone was not only shocked by the terrifying power of the Death Messenger but also stunned that a Super Douluo like Xuan Zi had nearly let a five-ring Soul King escape. In the end, it was Lin Shuo who had stepped in to kill him.

Xuan Zi looked deeply at Lin Shuo without saying a word. He turned and strode toward the severely injured starting team members, crouching down to check each person's wounds. His fingers trembled, whether from rage or grief, it was impossible to tell.

Wang Yan quickly used healing pills and antidotes to treat the four injured members.

Once the treatment was complete, Xuan Zi said in a deep voice, "Wang Yan, the arduous task now rests on your shoulders. Take the reserve team, Ling Luochen, Xi Xi, and Gongyang Mo to Star Luo City to participate in the tournament. I will immediately take Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Chen Zifeng back to the academy for treatment. There is no time to lose; we depart at once."