In the distance, Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming, who were locked in combat with the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon, sensed five familiar auras—Guan Yue, Zang Xin, Cai Yue'er, Zhuo Shi, and Feng Wuyu—vanish from the Spirit Ascension Platform one after another at almost the exact same moment.
Cao Dezhi's expression instantly turned incredibly grim.
"They were wiped out..." He gritted his teeth, unable to suppress the fury in his voice. "Those three from the Spirit Pagoda actually took them all out? And that quickly!"
Yun Ming said nothing, but his grip on his spear tightened slightly. His gaze passed over the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon and fell upon the three faintly visible figures in the distance, a trace of gravity flashing through his eyes.
From the very beginning of the battle, both of them had kept their enhancement soul skills active. Cao Dezhi's second soul skill, Edge of Breaking Everything, granted the Heartless Sword an exceptionally powerful armor-piercing effect that could practically ignore defenses against opponents of the same level, as well as a fifty percent boost to speed and strength. Yun Ming's first soul skill, Power of Heaven-Supporting, had continuously enhanced his strength and speed. Even so, they could only rely on the Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear's Martial Soul talent, Air Prohibition, to restrict the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's ability to fly and barely hold their ground against it.
The Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon was simply too powerful. Even an ordinary Soul Emperor without Battle Armor would be unable to defeat it.
Its flames could burn Soul Power, its dragon claws could tear through armor, and whenever its tail swept out, even the air cracked with explosive booms. Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming were both geniuses among geniuses, but before such an absolute disparity in strength, they could only fight while retreating, searching for the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's weaknesses and gradually wearing down its stamina.
They had originally counted on Guan Yue and Zang Xin coming to support them after dealing with the three from the Spirit Pagoda. As long as all five arrived, with Zang Xin's control, Guan Yue's support, Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu's frontal restraint, and Cai Yue'er's enhancements, they would have had more than enough confidence to surround and kill the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon.
But now, their entire plan had gone up in smoke.
"Captain, what do we do now?" Yun Ming knocked aside the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's claw with a thrust of his spear, using the force to retreat as he asked in a low voice.
Cao Dezhi clenched his teeth, a fierce light flashing in his eyes. "At this point, the only option is to force Xiao Cheng's group into the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's battle. Only then do we stand a chance."
"Using the tiger to devour the wolf?" Yun Ming immediately understood his intention. "But will Xiao Cheng and the others fall for it?"
"We can only gamble." Cao Dezhi said coldly. "The Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon attacks indiscriminately. As long as we draw the battlefield toward them, it will naturally include them within its range of attack. When that happens, they'll have to fight whether they want to or not!"
As he spoke, he feinted with his sword. A crescent-shaped sword aura from Edge of Breaking Everything slashed toward the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's eyes before he turned and retreated in Xiao Cheng's direction.
Yun Ming matched his rhythm. White light burst from the Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear as his second soul skill, Horizontal Cloud Guarding the Abyss, activated. Countless spear shadows surged like a sea of clouds, blocking the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's pursuit before he followed behind Cao Dezhi in retreat.
Enraged by their attacks, the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon released a deafening roar. Its dragon wings spread wide. Though it could not take flight, it charged after them on all fours like a moving volcano!
In the distance, Xiao Cheng's group quickly noticed Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming's intentions.
"They're drawing the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon over here." Leng Yaozhu narrowed her eyes. "They want to drag us into the battle too."
"Should we retreat?" Leng Yulai asked.
Xiao Cheng did not answer immediately. Instead, he calmly assessed the situation on the battlefield.
Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming had indeed expended a great deal. He could sense that the fluctuations of their Soul Power were no longer as steady as before, and their breathing had become much more labored. Yun Ming in particular had maintained an enhancement soul skill the entire time, which consumed a tremendous amount of Soul Power. Though his spear techniques remained sharp, Xiao Cheng could see that his movements were no longer as fluid as before.
The Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon was no longer in peak condition either. Many of its scales were damaged, dragon blood flowed continuously, and its breathing had grown heavy. Its flames were still scorching, but both the frequency and power of its attacks had weakened.
"We're not retreating." Xiao Cheng shook his head, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Since they want to fight, we'll fight with them."
"Huh?" Leng Yaozhu froze for a moment. "Are you serious?"
"I am." Xiao Cheng held the Azure Sky Divine Spear in his hand, his gaze locked on Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming as they drew closer. "Those two have already expended a lot, and the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon isn't at its peak either. Even if it becomes a three-way melee, we may not lose."
He paused, confidence shining in his eyes. "Besides, I want to see just how capable Shrek Academy's two strongest of this generation really are."
Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai exchanged a look, both seeing excitement in the other's eyes.
"Fine! Then let's have some fun with them!" Leng Yaozhu drew her Phoenix Feather, flames flowing over its blade.
"I'm ready too." Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire danced in Leng Yulai's palm, its dim flames illuminating her serious little face.
Rather than retreating, the three advanced and took the initiative to meet them!
When Cao Dezhi saw that Xiao Cheng's group had not only refused to retreat but had actually come forward to meet them, his heart sank slightly.
"They aren't afraid of the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon?" A trace of worry crossed his mind, but it was quickly replaced by fighting spirit. Things have come this far. There is no other way.
With a loud shout, brilliant light erupted from the Heartless Sword. He pushed Edge of Breaking Everything to its limit, transforming into a gust of cold wind as he charged straight at Xiao Cheng!
At the same time, the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon caught up to them. Seeing three more humans ahead, it let out an angry roar and spewed a scorching torrent of flame from its maw, sweeping it toward everyone!
The three-way melee had officially begun!
Facing Cao Dezhi's incoming Heartless Sword, Xiao Cheng neither dodged nor retreated. He thrust the Azure Sky Divine Spear forward, meeting it head-on!
Clang—!!!
Spear and sword collided with a crisp metallic ring!
Cao Dezhi felt a tremendous force travel through his sword, numbing his arm slightly and forcing him two steps back!
What terrifying strength! Cao Dezhi was shocked. He had long heard that Xiao Cheng possessed exceptional physical strength, but only now that they had truly exchanged blows did he realize that it was even more frightening than he had imagined. He was a high-ranking Soul Elder, nearly an entire realm above Xiao Cheng in cultivation. He had absorbed high-year Soul Bones and was even benefiting from Edge of Breaking Everything, yet he had been utterly crushed in terms of strength!
Cao Dezhi snorted coldly. Frosty light flowed over the Heartless Sword as he instantly borrowed the momentum to change techniques. First soul skill—Heartless Dawn!
Fine, razor-sharp sword qi burst from the Heartless Sword, carrying a chilling coldness as it swept toward Xiao Cheng! The sword qi resembled countless tiny blades, slicing through the air with piercing whistles!
Yet Xiao Cheng remained completely calm. The Azure Sky Divine Spear spun in his hand, its tip becoming countless cold stars that shattered the sword qi one by one!
Clink! Clink! Clink! Clink! Clink!
A series of dense collisions rang out like pearls falling onto jade. Xiao Cheng's spearwork was swift and precise, every thrust striking the weak point of a sword aura and neutralizing Cao Dezhi's attack completely!
At that moment, a blazing white spear shadow struck from the side—Yun Ming had made his move!
The Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear carried an incisive Spear Intent as it stabbed straight for Xiao Cheng's ribs! The strike was fast, vicious, and incredibly tricky in angle, clearly a blow prepared long in advance! With Power of Heaven-Supporting's double enhancement, its speed and force had reached a shocking level!
However, as though he had anticipated it all along, Xiao Cheng shifted sideways and swept the Azure Sky Divine Spear backward, meeting Yun Ming's Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear perfectly!
Clang—!!!
Another deafening impact rang out!
Yun Ming felt an overwhelming force surge through his spear, numbing the web between his thumb and forefinger and forcing him back several steps. He immediately stabilized himself and activated his second soul skill—Horizontal Cloud Guarding the Abyss!
Gripping the spear with both hands, he turned its shaft horizontally. Countless spear shadows surged like a sea of clouds, forming an offensive and defensive curtain around him! The spear curtain layered upon itself like mottled cloudbanks and rolling ocean waves. It blocked Xiao Cheng's potential pursuit while secretly gathering force for a counterattack!
Yun Ming's Horizontal Cloud Guarding the Abyss was not merely a defensive soul skill. It was also a momentum-gathering skill. Those seemingly chaotic spear shadows were actually accumulating power in secret, waiting for the moment of eruption. Any rash attack would likely suffer backlash from that long-stored force.
"Only defending without attacking is no way to win." Xiao Cheng spoke calmly. Green light burst from the Azure Sky Divine Spear as he unleashed Flood Dragon Exits the Sea, thrusting directly into Yun Ming's spear curtain!
Rather than bypassing the spear curtain to attack Yun Ming's body, he chose to confront it head-on!
A flicker of surprise crossed Yun Ming's eyes before battle intent replaced it. He drove Horizontal Cloud Guarding the Abyss forward, sending countless spear shadows surging like a sea of clouds to meet Xiao Cheng's spear tip!
Boom—!!!
With a thunderous explosion, green and white light erupted from the point of impact!
Under Xiao Cheng's frontal assault, Yun Ming's spear curtain trembled violently, as though it might collapse at any moment! But Yun Ming gritted his teeth and forcibly held it steady as the power he had secretly accumulated began to strike back!
One spear shadow after another separated from the curtain, sweeping toward Xiao Cheng like raging waves erupting from a sea of clouds!
Xiao Cheng remained unhurried. The Azure Sky Divine Spear moved in his hands like a green flood dragon, weaving freely among the spear shadows. His spear techniques were exquisite beyond compare, every strike landing on the weak points of those shadows and breaking them apart one by one!
In the span of only a few breaths, the two clashed repeatedly! Spear shadows crisscrossed, sparks flew, and the surrounding air twisted beneath the stirring of their Spear Intent!
Just then, scorching flames swept in from the side—the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon had joined the battle!
It opened its dragon maw and fired an intensely condensed beam of flame at both Xiao Cheng and Yun Ming! The attack distinguished neither friend nor foe. It clearly intended to burn them all to ashes!
"Watch out!" Yun Ming's expression changed as he hurriedly withdrew his spear and retreated, avoiding the direct impact of the flame beam.
Xiao Cheng also activated Teleportation. His body flashed, vanishing from where he stood and evading the flame beam.
The beam struck the ground and blasted out a massive crater. The earth was charred black, releasing a pungent stench.
"This beast just won't let up!" Cao Dezhi cursed before swinging his sword at Xiao Cheng once more!
At the same time, the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon roared and lunged fiercely toward both Cao Dezhi and Xiao Cheng!
Faced with attacks from both sides, Xiao Cheng's expression remained unchanged. With a shake of the Azure Sky Divine Spear, he first forced Cao Dezhi back with a thrust. Then he flashed and activated Teleportation again, avoiding the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's claws before attacking Yun Ming once more!
Seeing Xiao Cheng charge at him, Yun Ming's heart tightened slightly, but he did not retreat. Brilliant white light erupted from the Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear as he activated his third soul skill—Broken Peak Thousand Heads.
Yun Ming pointed his spear forward. Countless blazing spear shadows formed a dense and orderly Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear formation behind him. Ten thousand blades tore through the air, a thousand fingers shattered peaks, and with unmatched momentum and the majesty to split heaven and earth, they erupted forth, sealing off every path of evasion.
This was Yun Ming's strongest single-target burst attack! With the enhancement of Power of Heaven-Supporting, its might had reached a terrifying degree!
Even Xiao Cheng did not dare to be careless before this attack. He poured the Power of Empty Green into the Azure Sky Divine Spear with all his strength. Green light blazed along the spear shaft, while the Evil God Body's power was pushed to its utmost limit. He unleashed Azure Sky Evil God Slash and met the attack head-on!
Boom—!!!
A deafening explosion shook the air!
Green and white light erupted at the collision point, forming a dazzling and chaotic storm of energy! Nearby trees were uprooted, a layer of ground was blasted away, and shattered rocks flew in every direction!
When the smoke and dust dispersed, Xiao Cheng had retreated three steps, while Yun Ming had been forced back seven or eight. The hand holding his spear trembled slightly, and a thread of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
"You're very strong." Yun Ming looked at Xiao Cheng, respect flashing in his eyes. "Among people our age, you're the strongest I've ever seen."
"You're not bad either." Xiao Cheng replied. "If you hadn't expended so much before this, defeating you wouldn't have been so easy."
"But a loss is a loss." Yun Ming smiled bitterly and turned toward Cao Dezhi. "Captain, we should leave."
Cao Dezhi's expression shifted several times before he finally let out a helpless sigh.
He knew there was no point in continuing. They had consumed too much, while Xiao Cheng's group remained in excellent condition. If they kept fighting, they would only lose more miserably.
"Xiao Cheng, we admit defeat this time." He said. "But next time we meet, we won't lose again."
"I'll be waiting." Xiao Cheng said.
Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming exchanged a glance, then pressed the exit buttons at the same time. Their bodies turned into white light and dissipated into the air.
The Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon watched two of its opponents vanish, but three still remained. It released an angry roar and pounced at Xiao Cheng!
Looking at the charging Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon, Xiao Cheng smiled.
"Now, it's time to deal with you."
With the Azure Sky Divine Spear in hand, he activated the Evil God Body once more and charged toward the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon!
Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai attacked at the same time. The three joined forces and launched a fierce assault against the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon!
Though the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon was powerful, its condition had greatly declined after its prolonged battle with Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming. Meanwhile, Xiao Cheng's group was in prime condition and worked together seamlessly, quickly suppressing it.
In the end, under the killing blow of Xiao Cheng's Azure Sky Evil God Slash, the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon let out an unwilling roar. Its enormous body crashed to the ground, turning into a massive cluster of spiritual energy and a crimson wing bone that fell to the earth.
"Oh dear, we accidentally killed the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon." Xiao Cheng looked at the Soul Bone on the ground and spoke with feigned surprise. "What should we do now?"
"Since we killed it, we can't let it go to waste." Leng Yaozhu walked forward with a grin and picked up the Soul Bone. "We'll reluctantly accept this Soul Bone, then."
"Is that really okay?" Leng Yulai asked softly. "After all, it belongs to the Spirit Pagoda..."
"What's wrong with it?" Leng Yaozhu declared righteously. "We had no choice but to kill it in order to stop Shrek's people from stealing the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon! We're heroes! What's wrong with taking a little loot?"
"Yao Zhu is right." Xiao Cheng agreed with a smile. "We're heroes. Taking some spoils of war is perfectly justified."
The three looked at one another and smiled before beginning to absorb the spiritual energy dropped by the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon.
This trip to the Spirit Ascension Platform had brought them bountiful gains.
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