The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, the Oriole Waits Behind

Cao Dezhi's voice was not loud, but it carried with exceptional clarity across the battlefield. Yun Ming's Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear had already been poised to strike, yet upon hearing those words, he forcibly halted his attack. The white light at the spear tip gradually receded.

The others also stopped what they were doing and watched their surroundings warily.

The Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon took the chance to catch its breath, a trace of confusion flashing through its crimson dragon eyes—why had these people suddenly stopped attacking?

Yet it did not rashly counterattack. Instead, it cautiously kept its distance from the seven of them, its tail slowly swaying as it remained ready for any sudden development.

Within the forest, Xiao Cheng's expression changed slightly.

"We've been discovered," he said quietly. "That Cao Dezhi has very sharp senses."

"What do we do?" Leng Yulai asked nervously. "Should we retreat?"

Xiao Cheng pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "No. If we retreat, we'll get nothing. We'll pull back a little and keep watching."

As he spoke, he silently led the Leng sisters back about a hundred meters. They found an even more concealed position and continued observing the battlefield.

"They're still there," Yun Ming said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping toward where Xiao Cheng and the other two were hiding. "They pulled back some distance, but they haven't left."

"They're trying to profit off us," Cai Yue'er sneered. "People from the Spirit Pagoda truly are a bunch of opportunists."

"What do we do now?" Guan Yue asked. "Keep fighting the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon, or deal with them first?"

Cao Dezhi did not answer immediately. Instead, he swiftly assessed the current situation.

If the seven of them went all out, killing the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon would not be difficult. The problem was that after killing it, all seven of them would undoubtedly be greatly weakened. If Xiao Cheng's group of three took advantage of that moment, this trip would truly have been all for someone else's benefit.

Furthermore, their previous actions had completely drawn the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's hatred. Even if they wanted to retreat, it would never let them go—this dragon had been truly enraged. Unless it burned them all to ashes, it would never rest.

More importantly, they had come to kill the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon under orders.

Some time ago, Shrek Academy had suffered a considerable loss at the hands of the Spirit Pagoda—after the battle at Heaven Dou City, the Light and Dark Douluo, Long Yeyue, had fled back in a miserable state. The students and teachers detained by the Spirit Pagoda had also been redeemed only after paying a hefty price.

This incident had infuriated Shrek Academy's higher-ups. One vice master of the Sea God Pavilion had racked his brains trying to find a reasonable excuse to cause trouble for the Spirit Pagoda and recover their dignity.

By coincidence, some Shrek Academy students had discovered the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon while training in the Spirit Ascension Platform. It had originally been nothing important, and no one had paid it any mind.

But when that vice master learned the news, he immediately realized it was a good opportunity to retaliate against the Spirit Pagoda—hunt this Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon and make the Spirit Pagoda bleed a little. It could barely count as collecting some interest.

Moreover, the soul bones dropped after this Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon died would definitely suit Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu extremely well. Strengthening them would make it easier to deal with the Spirit Pagoda's Seven Luminaries Team in the future, accomplishing two things at once.

Thus, today's hunt came to be.

But now, Xiao Cheng's group of three had disrupted the plan.

"Captain, should we withdraw first?" Feng Wuyu said quietly. "We can come back another day."

"No." Cao Dezhi shook his head. "We've already become mortal enemies with the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon today. Even if we retreat, it won't let us go. Besides, once we withdraw, the Spirit Pagoda will certainly take the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon back and replace it with another Spirit Ascension Platform guardian. If that happens, we'll never get another chance to hunt it."

"Then what do we do?" Zhuo Shi asked.

Cao Dezhi fell silent for a moment before making his decision. "Yun Ming, stay with me and temporarily keep the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon occupied. Guan Yue, Zang Xin, Zhuo Shi, Feng Wuyu, Cai Yue'er—you five, eliminate those three from the Spirit Pagoda as quickly as possible."

"Five against three shouldn't be a problem, right?" He looked at the five of them.

"No problem!" Zhuo Shi was the first to answer. After his Red Armored Dragon Martial Soul Possession, his entire body was covered in crimson dragon scales, radiating a heavy, blazing aura.

"I've disliked those Spirit Pagoda bastards for a long time!" Feng Wuyu cracked his knuckles as the Blazing Fire Dragon Martial Soul ignited in roaring flames around his body.

"Then end this quickly," Cao Dezhi said. "Once you've dealt with them, come help us handle the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon."

"Alright!" the five answered in unison. Then they turned and charged toward where Xiao Cheng's group of three was hiding!

In the forest, Xiao Cheng was not surprised when he saw the five charging toward them.

"They're here," he said calmly, the Azure Sky Divine Spear already in his hand. "Sister Yao Zhu, Yu Lai, prepare for battle."

"We've been ready!" Leng Yaozhu drew Phoenix Feather. Crimson flame patterns flowed across the blade, giving off a scorching, razor-sharp aura.

Leng Yulai also summoned Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire. Black flames danced in her palm, their dim glow illuminating her serious little face.

When the five rushed close, Cai Yue'er spoke first, her tone filled with undisguised mockery. "Spirit Pagoda cowards! Chickens! Turtles hiding in their shells! You only dare lurk far away and watch in secret. If you've got the guts, come out and fight us!"

Leng Yaozhu raised her brows. "Who are you calling a coward?"

"You!" Cai Yue'er shot back without yielding. "Three Spirit Pagoda geniuses who only dare hide far away and spy on us, without even the courage to come out and fight face-to-face. If you're not cowards, then what are you?"

"You—!" Leng Yaozhu's fury flared, and the flames on Phoenix Feather surged. "Fine! Today, I'll show you exactly who's the coward!"

As she spoke, she was about to rush forward when Xiao Cheng stopped her.

"Sister Yao Zhu, don't be impulsive," Xiao Cheng said quietly. "She's deliberately trying to anger you so you'll lose your head."

"I know." Leng Yaozhu took a deep breath and suppressed her anger. "But she's really asking for a beating!"

"Then beat her," Xiao Cheng said with a faint smile. "But beat her strategically."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the five opponents, rapidly analyzing their traits.

Guan Yue, a Heaven-Surpassing Divine Spear Soul Elder, possessed exquisite spear skills and followed a steady style that balanced offense and defense.

Zang Xin, a Sentimental Sword Soul Elder, was a control-type soul master skilled in emotional interference and mental attacks.

Zhuo Shi, a Red Armored Dragon Soul Grandmaster, specialized in assault and defense. He was thick-skinned and tough, with powerful frontal endurance.

Feng Wuyu, a Blazing Fire Dragon Soul Grandmaster, was an offensive powerhouse whose flame attacks were quite formidable.

Cai Yue'er, a Silver Moon Martial Soul Soul Grandmaster, was an auxiliary control-type. She could enhance her teammates while interfering with her enemies.

Two Soul Elders and three Soul Grandmasters—the other side held an absolute advantage in both cultivation and numbers.

"Sister Yao Zhu, Yu Lai, deal with Cai Yue'er, Zhuo Shi, and Feng Wuyu," Xiao Cheng quickly assigned their tasks. "Leave Guan Yue and Zang Xin to me."

"You're fighting two people alone?" Leng Yaozhu asked worriedly. "Can you handle it?"

"No problem." Xiao Cheng smiled confidently. "Guan Yue's spearwork is decent, but it's still a little inferior to mine. Zang Xin's control soul skills are annoying, but my spiritual power has already reached the Spirit Sea Realm. His control won't affect me much. Give me a little time, and I can take care of them."

"Alright!" Leng Yaozhu nodded. "Be careful, then."

"Move!"

Xiao Cheng shouted lowly. His figure flashed, and the Azure Sky Divine Spear became a streak of azure light as it stabbed straight toward Guan Yue!

Guan Yue had long been prepared for his ambush. Holding the Heaven-Surpassing Divine Spear across his body, he met the attack with First Appearance of Spear Shadows!

Clang—!!!

The spear tips collided with a crisp metallic ring!

Guan Yue felt an enormous force travel through his spear, numbing his arms slightly and forcing him two steps back!

What incredible strength! Guan Yue was shocked. He had long heard that Xiao Cheng's physical strength was extraordinary, but only after truly exchanging blows did he realize it was even more terrifying than he had imagined!

But Xiao Cheng gave him no chance to catch his breath. The Azure Sky Divine Spear attacked in an unending torrent like a raging storm, each thrust faster and fiercer than the last!

Guan Yue gritted his teeth and drove the Heaven-Surpassing Divine Spear with all his strength, trying to withstand Xiao Cheng's assault. Yet although his spearwork was steady, he fell short of Xiao Cheng in both speed and power. He could only fight while retreating, searching for an opportunity to counterattack.

At that moment, a gentle light attacked from the side—Zang Xin had made his move!

Light flowed over the Sentimental Sword. First soul skill—Once Upon a Time!

A strange emotional ripple surged toward Xiao Cheng, attempting to interrupt his movements and pull him back to the state he had been in one second ago!

Xiao Cheng felt a slight tremor in his mind, as though an invisible force were tugging at his consciousness. But he immediately activated the spiritual power of the Spirit Sea Realm, firmly blocking that interference outside!

"What?!" Zang Xin's expression changed. His Once Upon a Time soul skill was nearly guaranteed to hit targets with spiritual power lower than his own, yet Xiao Cheng had resisted it head-on!

"Your spiritual power... how can it be this strong?!" Zang Xin asked incredulously.

"Only the Spirit Sea Realm," Xiao Cheng said blandly. The Azure Sky Divine Spear did not pause as it continued suppressing Guan Yue. "Nothing worth mentioning."

"Spirit Sea Realm?!" Zang Xin sucked in a cold breath. He himself was a control-type soul master who excelled in spiritual power, yet he had only just touched the threshold of the Spirit Sea Realm. Xiao Cheng, an assault-type soul master known for his strength, actually possessed spiritual power even stronger than his?!

This completely overturned everything he knew!

But he did not give up. Light flowed over the Sentimental Sword once more. Second soul skill—Sincerity!

A gentle emotional ripple surged toward Xiao Cheng, attempting to break down his fighting spirit and extinguish his desire to attack.

Yet Xiao Cheng's spiritual power was as immovable as a boulder. That emotional ripple could not penetrate his defenses at all!

"Useless." Xiao Cheng shook his head. "Your control soul skills don't work on me." Besides his spiritual power, the reason Zang Xin's soul skills were ineffective was that Xiao Cheng had been a Martial Dao grandmaster in his previous life. Martial Dao valued unwavering will above all else, so Zang Xin's soul skills, which relied on stirring emotions, had only a negligible effect on Xiao Cheng.

Zang Xin's expression darkened somewhat. His two greatest control soul skills were both useless against Xiao Cheng. That meant he had nearly lost his role in this battle!

"Then I'll use my third soul skill!" Zang Xin gritted his teeth. The Sentimental Sword shone brilliantly. Third soul skill—Remorse!

This move could lock onto the most painful and regretful memories buried deep within a target's heart, magnifying their pain and remorse a hundredfold or even a thousandfold. It struck directly at the mind's defenses, plunging its target into extreme mental torment!

Yet Xiao Cheng merely frowned slightly before returning to normal.

"I admit that there are things in my past that I regret," Xiao Cheng said calmly. "But those things have become nourishment for my growth. If you think you can crush me with them, you're not qualified."

Zang Xin's face completely sank.

All three of his greatest control soul skills were ineffective against Xiao Cheng!

How was he supposed to fight this?!

Meanwhile, Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai had also clashed with Cai Yue'er, Zhuo Shi, and Feng Wuyu.

Leng Yaozhu's Phoenix Feather carried blazing flames as it collided with Zhuo Shi's Red Armored Dragon scales, producing a series of clanging sounds. Zhuo Shi's defense was indeed astonishing. His Red Armored Dragon scales withstood several of Leng Yaozhu's strikes without being fully breached, though several messy bloody marks had been left behind.

But Leng Yaozhu was not in a hurry. She knew that although Zhuo Shi's defense was strong, he had achieved it only by going all out, consuming Soul Power like it was free. As long as she kept attacking, Zhuo Shi would fall within ten exchanges.

Leng Yulai, meanwhile, began a battle of flames with Feng Wuyu. Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire collided with the Blazing Fire Dragon's flames with hissing sounds. Black and crimson flames intertwined, creating a dazzling yet dangerous sight.

Cai Yue'er stood at the rear, a phantom Silver Moon slowly rotating behind her as she continuously enhanced Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu while trying to interfere with Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai's minds.

"Bitch! If you've got guts, stop hiding in the back!" Leng Yaozhu snapped, driven to irritation by Cai Yue'er's interference.

"Who says I have to?" Cai Yue'er retorted without yielding. "If you've got the ability, come hit me!"

"You think I don't dare?!" Leng Yaozhu roared. The flames on Phoenix Feather surged as she slashed Zhuo Shi back with one strike, then flashed forward and lunged straight at Cai Yue'er!

"I'm your opponent!" Zhuo Shi shouted. Light flared over his Red Armored Dragon scales as he forcibly blocked Leng Yaozhu's path!

"Get lost!" Leng Yaozhu slashed her sword across Zhuo Shi's dragon scales, sending him flying, but the attack also delayed her for a moment.

Cai Yue'er took the opportunity to retreat and widen the distance, continuing to enhance Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu.

"Sister, don't be impulsive!" Leng Yulai hurriedly warned. "She's deliberately trying to lure you over!"

"I know!" Leng Yaozhu gritted her teeth and suppressed her anger. "But her mouth is just too damn irritating!"

"Then deal with her first!" Leng Yulai said. "I'll trap Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu with Dark Abyss. You go after Cai Yue'er!"

"Alright!" Leng Yaozhu nodded.

Leng Yulai formed hand seals with both hands. Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire transformed into two streams of black flame that wound toward Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu like venomous snakes. At the same time, she unleashed the soul bone skill Dark Abyss, making Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu feel as though they had fallen into an abyss and temporarily restricting their movements!

"Now!" Leng Yaozhu's eyes lit up. Her figure flashed as she lunged directly at Cai Yue'er!

Moon Blade! Cai Yue'er's expression changed. She hurriedly activated her first soul skill in a desperate attempt to resist. A silver-white moon blade slashed toward Leng Yaozhu!

But Leng Yaozhu neither dodged nor evaded. With one slash of Phoenix Feather, she split the moon blade in two!

Then she closed in. Phoenix Feather, carrying scorching flames, stabbed straight at Cai Yue'er's chest!

Cai Yue'er's face turned deathly pale. She wanted to dodge, but it was already too late—

Just then—

Clang—!!!

With a thunderous crash, a milky-white spear thrust in from the side and blocked Leng Yaozhu's fatal strike!

It was Guan Yue!

Taking advantage of the moment Xiao Cheng had been entangled by Zang Xin, he had broken free from Xiao Cheng's suppression and rushed over to support Cai Yue'er!

Light flowed over the Heaven-Surpassing Divine Spear as it collided with Leng Yaozhu's Phoenix Feather!

Leng Yaozhu was knocked back, unwillingness flashing through her eyes.

On the other side, Xiao Cheng saw Guan Yue break free from his suppression, but he was not anxious. He merely smiled faintly.

"It seems you do have some skill," he said calmly. "But only some."

As he spoke, the violet-gold soul ring on his body lit up—

Evil God Body, activate!