Successive Kills, Phoenix Cry Across Nine Heavens

The instant the violet-gold soul ring lit up, an ancient, domineering aura spread from Xiao Cheng's body!

Black Tiger Skin Demon Patterns emerged across his body, his muscles swelled slightly, and he seemed to grow several inches taller. A dark violet glint flashed through his eyes as he radiated the aura of a primordial beast.

Evil God Body—100% increase to all attributes!

At the same time, a dark-gold Evil God Hook extended from his tailbone and swayed slowly behind him. Its hooked tip glimmered with a cold, sinister light, as though it could tear through space.

Guan Yue and Zang Xin's expressions changed at the same time.

They could feel that Xiao Cheng was completely different from before!

That berserk, tyrannical aura made them feel pressure rising from the depths of their souls!

"A second martial soul, a Body Martial Soul?" Guan Yue frowned. "It truly possesses evil power?"

"Evil?" Xiao Cheng sneered. "The nature of power has never been evil. Good and evil depend on the person wielding it. Shrek has plenty of dark-attribute soul masters too. Does Shrek get to define justice?"

Guan Yue was left speechless, but Zang Xin seized the chance to speak. "Stop wasting words on him! He's stalling for time!"

"Stalling for time?" A mocking smile curled Xiao Cheng's lips. "Do I need to stall for time?"

The moment he finished speaking, his figure vanished from the spot!

Ever since his spiritual power had broken through to the Spirit Sea Realm, Teleportation no longer required a cooldown. He only needed to watch the consumption.

In the next instant, he appeared before Guan Yue. The Azure Sky Divine Spear shot toward Guan Yue's chest with unstoppable momentum!

This thrust was more than twice as fast as before!

Guan Yue's pupils constricted sharply, and he hurriedly unleashed his second soul skill—Defensive Spear Shield!

A milky-white energy shield condensed before him, protecting his entire body. At the same time, he raised his spear to block, attempting to withstand Xiao Cheng's Thunderous Might!

Clang—!!!

A deafening explosion rang out!

After blocking Xiao Cheng's Azure Sky Divine Spear for only a moment, the milky-white energy shield shattered like glass! The spear, having broken through the shield, continued stabbing forward with overwhelming force!

Guan Yue gritted his teeth and flicked his spear upward, barely deflecting the attack.

Yet the instant he knocked it aside, he felt a mountain-crushing force surge through the spear shaft. Both his arms went numb, and his feet plowed two deep trenches through the ground!

What terrifying strength... Guan Yue was horrified. He had originally thought Xiao Cheng's strength, though formidable, was still within an acceptable range. But now, Xiao Cheng was at least twice as strong as before! It had completely surpassed what he could bear!

Still, he was a genius carefully nurtured by Shrek Academy. Though at a disadvantage, he did not panic. He steadied himself and flicked his spear forward, turning it into a venomous snake striking with its tongue as it stabbed toward Xiao Cheng's wrist. This variation of the "Returning Horse Spear" was extremely fast and tricky, intended to force Xiao Cheng back and buy himself a moment to breathe.

However, Xiao Cheng's spear was faster.

The Azure Sky Divine Spear did not retract after being deflected. Instead, borrowing the twisting force of his waist and hips, it traced a full arc through the air, its butt end sweeping over like an iron whip! Guan Yue's vision blurred, and a shrill whistle of wind was already ringing beside his ear. The spear butt grazed past his nose, and the wind pressure it carried made his cheeks sting!

Alarmed, he hurriedly stepped back and leaned away, only to see Xiao Cheng's spear momentum flow on like a mighty river! Before the sweeping spear butt had finished its motion, the spearhead had already burst forth like a venomous dragon from its den, stabbing straight at his chest!

There was not the slightest flourish in this attack, yet it was faster than his reactions, heavier than he could withstand, and more exquisite than he could imagine—the spear tip trembled slightly as it thrust out, perfectly avoiding the path along which he instinctively raised his spear to block. It slipped through the gap beside the spear shaft!

I'm finished! The thought flashed through Guan Yue's mind.

At that critical moment—

"Stop!"

A sharp sword light shot in from the side, stabbing directly at Xiao Cheng's ribs!

It was Zang Xin!

He had originally wanted to switch opponents with Zhuo Shi, Feng Wuyu, and Cai Yue'er. After all, his control soul skills were nearly useless against Xiao Cheng, and staying here would only make him an easy target. But seeing Guan Yue in danger, he could no longer worry about that. He could only force himself to intervene and rescue him!

Though the Sentimental Sword followed a control-system path, it was still a top-tier sword martial soul, and Zang Xin knew some swordsmanship. This strike was not particularly sophisticated, but its angle was tricky and its timing perfect, forcing Xiao Cheng to change his move.

Xiao Cheng frowned slightly. The Azure Sky Divine Spear changed from a thrust to a sweep, and with a backhanded strike, he sent Zang Xin and his sword flying!

Zang Xin only felt an immense force travel through his sword. He flew backward like a kite with its string cut, tumbling several times through the air before barely stabilizing himself. When he landed, he staggered several steps, his sword hand trembling slightly as blood seeped from the web between his thumb and forefinger.

Such power... Zang Xin sucked in a cold breath. He was not a soul master known for strength, but he should not have been sent flying so far by a single spear strike! Xiao Cheng's power was simply not something a Soul Grandmaster should possess!

After sweeping Zang Xin away, Xiao Cheng did not pursue him. His figure flashed, and he appeared before Guan Yue once more!

Guan Yue had only just regained his footing and had not even had time to catch his breath when Xiao Cheng appeared before him like a ghost. The Azure Sky Divine Spear tore through the air as it stabbed toward his throat!

Guan Yue hurriedly unleashed his third soul skill—Heaven-Surpassing Speed Shadow! His body turned into a pale white blur. With the enhancement granted by his third soul skill, he barely avoided the attack, while the Heaven-Surpassing Divine Spear simultaneously stabbed at Xiao Cheng, attacking where he had to defend.

However, Xiao Cheng paid no attention to Guan Yue's attack. Just as the Heaven-Surpassing Divine Spear was about to strike him, Xiao Cheng suddenly became illusory—his second soul skill, Voiding!

The Heaven-Surpassing Divine Spear passed straight through Xiao Cheng's body.

"What?!"

Guan Yue's pupils shrank. Before he could react, Xiao Cheng followed up with a Sweep Across the Army. The spear shaft carried tremendous force as it smashed brutally into his waist and abdomen!

"Puh—!"

Guan Yue spat out blood and was sent flying!

But before he could hit the ground, a dark violet Evil God Hook chased after him like a venomous snake and pierced straight through his chest!

Guan Yue's body froze in midair. He looked down at the Evil God Hook penetrating his chest, then turned into a ball of white light and dissipated into the air.

"The first." Xiao Cheng calmly retracted the Evil God Hook and turned his gaze toward Zang Xin.

Zang Xin's face turned deathly pale.

He had never expected his interference to have so little effect! Guan Yue was at least a Soul Elder-level powerhouse, yet he had not even lasted ten exchanges against Xiao Cheng!

Seeing Xiao Cheng finish Guan Yue and charge at him with spear in hand once more, Zang Xin had only one thought—run!

He turned to flee, but Xiao Cheng was faster! After only a few flashes, he had already caught up from behind!

"I'll risk it all!" Zang Xin gritted his teeth. Knowing he could not escape, he simply stopped and prepared for one final struggle!

The Sentimental Sword blazed with light as all three soul skills were released at once!

First soul skill—Once!

Second soul skill—Sincerity!

Third soul skill—Remorse!

Three emotional fluctuations flooded into Xiao Cheng's mind at once, attempting to break down his will from three different levels!

Even Xiao Cheng was affected slightly. His movements stalled, and a momentary daze appeared in his eyes.

Seeing this, Zang Xin was overjoyed! He seized the opportunity, and the Sentimental Sword shot toward Xiao Cheng's chest in a sharp streak of sword light!

However, just as the sword tip was about to pierce Xiao Cheng—

Clarity returned to Xiao Cheng's eyes.

"With only this much skill, you think you can turn things around?" A mocking smile rose on Xiao Cheng's lips. The Azure Sky Divine Spear struck after yet arrived first, piercing through Zang Xin's chest!

The smile on Zang Xin's face froze. He looked down at the spear tip piercing his chest, then turned into a ball of white light and dissipated into the air.

"The second." Xiao Cheng retracted the Azure Sky Divine Spear and turned his gaze toward the battlefield on the other side.

At the same time, Leng Yaozhu no longer intended to keep playing with the three opponents before her.

Under the combined assault of Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai, Cai Yue'er, Zhuo Shi, and Feng Wuyu were already in grave danger.

Zhuo Shi's Red Armored Dragon scales were covered in crisscrossing sword marks, blood streaming down them. He was clearly close to his limit. The flames of Feng Wuyu's Blazing Fire Dragon had dimmed considerably as well, and he was gasping for breath, clearly exhausted. Cai Yue'er's face was even paler, and the Silver Moon phantom had become much more illusory. Her Soul Power was clearly nearing depletion.

"Bitch! If you have guts, stop running!" Leng Yaozhu cursed as she pursued Cai Yue'er.

"You're the bitch! Your whole family is made of bitches!" Though at a disadvantage, Cai Yue'er refused to yield verbally. "Spirit Pagoda lapdogs! Despicable and shameless!"

Cai Yue'er's taunts made Leng Yaozhu increasingly irritated. But when she saw that Xiao Cheng had already dealt with two opponents, a competitive urge rose in her heart—she could not let Xiao Cheng steal all the glory! Soul Power surged as three soul rings lit up one after another. Her second soul skill, Phoenix Wings Soaring, activated, while her first soul skill, Phoenix Flowing Fire, empowered the Phoenix Feather!

At the same time, she unleashed her third soul skill—Phoenix Cry Across Nine Heavens! Soul skill effect: drawing upon the power of the Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline, it released a piercing phoenix cry, creating a sonic shockwave and pressure from true fire. It inflicted damage equal to 100% of her Soul Power on all enemies within thirty meters, while intimidating enemy soul beasts and soul masters, stunning them for three seconds.

A piercing phoenix cry rang out, and an invisible sonic shockwave spread in all directions! Cai Yue'er, along with Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu, who had just broken free from Leng Yulai's Dark Abyss, were struck by the sound wave at the same time. Their minds rang, and they fell into a three-second stunned state!

"Heavenly Phoenix Flowing Fire Slash!"

Leng Yaozhu swung her sword. Crimson flames transformed into a massive flaming slash that came chopping down on Cai Yue'er's head!

Cai Yue'er had only just recovered from the stun when she saw the scorching flaming slash arrive before her! She wanted to dodge, but it was already too late—

"No—!"

The flaming slash fell from above and split her body in two!

Cai Yue'er turned into a ball of white light and dissipated into the air.

"This is your lesson." A satisfied smile appeared at the corner of Leng Yulai's lips. "If you dare insult the Spirit Pagoda again, it won't end this simply."

At the same time, Leng Yulai seized the chance to launch a fierce assault!

Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire transformed into two black pillars of flame that slammed heavily into Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu!

Although Zhuo Shi's Red Armored Dragon scales possessed formidable defense, they had already developed countless cracks after enduring repeated attacks from Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai. When Leng Yulai's Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire struck them head-on, those cracks instantly widened, and the dragon scales shattered one after another!

"Puh—!" Zhuo Shi spat out blood and was blasted away, crashing heavily to the ground.

He struggled to rise, but Leng Yaozhu had already caught up. The Phoenix Feather pierced straight through his chest!

Zhuo Shi turned into white light and dissipated.

As Feng Wuyu watched his teammates fall one after another, he was both shocked and furious. With a roar, he unleashed the Blazing Fire Dragon martial soul at full power. But Leng Yulai's Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire clung to him like maggots on a bone, and then Leng Yaozhu, rushing in close behind, used the Phoenix Feather wreathed in scorching flames to cut off his head with one strike!

Feng Wuyu turned into white light and dissipated.

At this point, all five Shrek Academy students who had come to surround and kill Xiao Cheng's group of three had been defeated!

The entire battle had taken less than five minutes!

Xiao Cheng withdrew the Evil God Body. The Tiger Skin Demon Patterns on his body slowly faded, and the Evil God Hook retracted into his tailbone. He walked over to Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai, looked over their condition, and asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine!" Leng Yaozhu wiped the sweat from her forehead, excitement written across her face. "That was pretty satisfying, especially against that Cai Yue'er. I finally tore her mouth apart!"

"Big Sister, you didn't really tear her mouth apart..." Leng Yulai reminded her softly.

"It's a figure of speech! Do you understand what a figure of speech is?" Leng Yaozhu said righteously.

Leng Yaozhu walked over to Xiao Cheng's side and looked toward the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon in the distance. "They're still fighting over there. Should we go help?"

"No rush." Xiao Cheng shook his head. "Let them fight for a while longer. We'll make our move once they've both been badly wounded."

"Good idea." Leng Yaozhu smiled. "Then let them fight to their hearts' content first."

The three stood in the distance, silently watching Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming battle the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon as they waited for the best moment to strike.