A Grand Melee, Bountiful Gains

In the distance, Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming, who were locked in battle with the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon, sensed five familiar auras vanish from the Spirit Ascension Platform at almost the exact same moment—Guan Yue, Zang Xin, Cai Yue'er, Zhuo Shi, and Feng Wuyu.

Cao Dezhi's expression instantly turned incomparably 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 landed on the three vaguely visible figures in the distance, a trace of gravity flashing through his eyes.

From the very start of the battle, both of them had kept their amplification soul skills active—Cao Dezhi's second soul skill, Edge of Breaking Everything, gave the Heartless Sword an extremely powerful armor-piercing effect that could practically ignore defenses against opponents of the same rank, along with a fifty-percent boost to speed and strength. Yun Ming's first soul skill, Power of Heaven-Supporting, had also continuously enhanced his strength and speed. Even so, they could only rely on the Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear's innate ability—Air Prohibition—to restrict the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's flight and barely keep it occupied.

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 when its dragon tail swept out, even the air cracked with explosive booms. Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming were both geniuses among geniuses, but before an absolute difference in strength, they could only fight while retreating, searching for openings in the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's defenses and gradually wearing down its stamina.

They had originally hoped that Guan Yue and Zang Xin would come support them after dealing with the three Spirit Pagoda members. Once all five were in place, with Zang Xin's control, Guan Yue's support, Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu's frontal restraint, and Cai Yue'er's amplification, they had been confident that they could surround and kill the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon.

But now, the entire plan had fallen through.

"Captain, what do we do now?" Yun Ming used his spear to knock aside the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's claw and borrowed the force to retreat as he asked in a low voice.

Cao Dezhi gritted his teeth, a ruthless glint flashing through his eyes. "At this point, we can only force Xiao Cheng and the other two into the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's battle. Only then will we have a chance of winning."

"Using the tiger to devour the wolf?" Yun Ming instantly understood his intent. "But will Xiao Cheng and the others fall for it?"

"We can only take the 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 attack range. When that happens, they'll have to fight whether they want to or not!"

As he spoke, he feinted with his sword. An arcing sword aura from Edge of Breaking Everything slashed toward the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's eye before he turned and retreated in Xiao Cheng's direction.

Yun Ming matched his rhythm. White light blazed 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 path of pursuit before he retreated behind Cao Dezhi.

Enraged by their attacks, the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon released an earthshaking roar. Its dragon wings spread wide. Though it could not fly, it charged after them on all fours like a moving volcano!

The distant Xiao Cheng and the other two 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 observed the situation on the battlefield.

Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming had indeed exhausted a great deal of energy. He could sense that the fluctuations of their Soul Power were no longer as stable as before, and their breathing had become much more hurried. Yun Ming in particular had maintained an amplification soul skill throughout the entire battle, which had drained an enormous amount of Soul Power. Though his spear techniques remained sharp, Xiao Cheng could tell that his movements were no longer as fluid as before.

The Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon was not in peak condition either. Many of its scales were damaged, dragon blood flowed continuously from its wounds, and its breathing had grown heavy. Its flames were still scorching, but both their frequency and power had weakened.

"We won't retreat." Xiao Cheng shook his head, a smile curling his lips. "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 fixed on the approaching Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming. "Those two have already spent a lot of energy, and the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon is no longer at its peak either. Even in a three-way melee, we may not lose."

He paused, confidence flashing in his eyes. "Besides, I want to see just how capable Shrek Academy's two strongest members of this generation really are."

Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai exchanged a glance, and both saw excitement in the other's eyes.

"Fine! Then let's have some fun with them!" Leng Yaozhu drew her Phoenix Feather, flames flowing along the blade.

"I'm ready too." Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire danced in Leng Yulai's palm, its dim flame 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 and the other two had not only failed 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 concern flashed through his heart, but it was swiftly replaced by battle intent. Things have come to this. There's no other way.

He shouted, and the Heartless Sword shone brilliantly. Edge of Breaking Everything was driven to its limit as he shot toward Xiao Cheng like a cold gust of wind!

At the same time, the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon caught up. Seeing three more humans ahead, it let out an enraged roar and spewed a torrent of blazing flames from its mouth, sweeping toward everyone present!

The three-way melee had officially begun!

Facing the Heartless Sword descending upon him, Xiao Cheng neither dodged nor retreated. The Azure Sky Divine Spear shot forward in a direct thrust, 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 and forcing him back two steps!

What incredible strength! Cao Dezhi was shocked. He had long heard that Xiao Cheng possessed extraordinary physical strength, but only in actual combat did he realize that it was even more terrifying than he had imagined! He was a high-ranking Soul Elder, nearly an entire major realm above Xiao Cheng in cultivation. He had also absorbed high-year Soul Bones and was benefiting from Edge of Breaking Everything's enhancement, yet Xiao Cheng had completely crushed him in terms of strength!

Cao Dezhi snorted coldly. Chilling light flowed along the Heartless Sword as he instantly changed moves, borrowing the momentum to unleash his first soul skill—Heartless Dawn!

Fine, sharp sword auras erupted from the Heartless Sword, carrying a bone-chilling cold as they swept toward Xiao Cheng! Those sword auras were like countless tiny blades, slicing through the air with piercing whistles!

Yet Xiao Cheng remained unhurried. He spun the Azure Sky Divine Spear in his hand, its tip transforming into countless cold stars that shattered every sword aura one by one!

Ding ding ding ding ding!

A series of rapid collisions rang out like pearls falling onto jade. Xiao Cheng's spearwork was swift and precise, every strike landing on a weakness in the sword auras and dissolving Cao Dezhi's entire attack!

At that moment, a blazing-white spear shadow attacked from the side—Yun Ming had made his move!

The Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear carried a sharp spear intent as it thrust straight toward Xiao Cheng's ribs! The strike was fast, ruthless, and incomparably tricky in angle, clearly a blow prepared long in advance! Moreover, under Power of Heaven-Supporting's doubled enhancement, its speed and force had reached a startling level!

However, as if he had anticipated it all along, Xiao Cheng shifted aside and swung the Azure Sky Divine Spear in a backhand sweep, meeting Yun Ming's Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear perfectly!

Clang—!!!

Another thunderous impact rang out!

Yun Ming felt a mountain-toppling force travel through his spear, numbing the web between his thumb and forefinger and forcing him back several steps. He immediately steadied himself and activated his second soul skill—Horizontal Cloud Guarding the Abyss!

Gripping his spear with both hands, he rotated its shaft horizontally. Countless spear shadows surged like a sea of clouds, forming a curtain of spears around him that combined attack and defense! Layer upon layer, it resembled mottled clouds and rolling waves, blocking Xiao Cheng's potential pursuit while secretly building momentum for a counterattack!

Yun Ming's Horizontal Cloud Guarding the Abyss was not merely a defensive soul skill—it was also a momentum-building one. Those seemingly chaotic spear shadows were each secretly accumulating power, waiting for the instant of eruption. A reckless attack could easily invite a backlash from that long-gathered force.

"Defending without attacking won't win you the fight." Xiao Cheng said calmly. Azure light flared from the Azure Sky Divine Spear as he unleashed Flood Dragon Exits the Sea, thrusting straight into Yun Ming's spear curtain!

Rather than bypassing the spear curtain to attack Yun Ming directly, he chose to confront it head-on!

Surprise flashed through Yun Ming's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by battle intent. He urged Horizontal Cloud Guarding the Abyss forward, and countless spear shadows surged like a sea of clouds to meet Xiao Cheng's spear tip!

Boom—!!!

A deafening explosion rang out as azure and white light burst 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 he clenched his teeth and forcibly stabilized it while the power he had secretly accumulated began to strike back!

Spear shadows split away from the curtain one after another, sweeping toward Xiao Cheng like raging waves emerging from a sea of clouds!

But Xiao Cheng was still unruffled. The Azure Sky Divine Spear moved in his hands like an azure dragon, weaving freely through the spear shadows. His spearwork was exquisitely refined, every strike hitting a weak point and breaking them apart one by one!

In only a few breaths, the two clashed several times in succession! Spear shadows intertwined and sparks flew, while the air around them twisted beneath the disturbance of their spear intents!

Just then, blazing flames struck from the side—the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon had joined the battle!

Opening its jaws, it unleashed a flame beam condensed to the extreme, firing at Xiao Cheng and Yun Ming simultaneously! This attack distinguished neither enemy nor ally. Clearly, it wanted to burn everyone to ashes!

"Watch out!" Yun Ming's expression changed as he hurriedly withdrew his spear and retreated, avoiding the flame beam's direct impact.

Xiao Cheng also used Teleportation. With a flash, he vanished from where he stood and avoided the flame beam.

The flame beam struck the ground, blasting out a massive crater. The soil was scorched black, releasing a pungent smell.

"This beast really 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 at Cao Dezhi and Xiao Cheng!

Faced with attacks from both sides, Xiao Cheng's expression did not change. He flicked the Azure Sky Divine Spear, forcing Cao Dezhi back with a single strike, then flashed away with Teleportation again to evade the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon's claws before attacking Yun Ming once more!

Seeing Xiao Cheng charge toward him, Yun Ming's heart tightened slightly, but he did not retreat. White light flared from the Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear as he unleashed his third soul skill—Broken Peak Thousand Heads.

Yun Ming pointed his spear forward. Countless blazing spear shadows appeared behind him in dense, orderly ranks, forming a grand formation of Heaven-Supporting Divine Spears. With the force of ten thousand blades tearing through the air and a majesty capable of shattering mountains and splitting the heavens, they erupted forth, sealing off every path of evasion.

This was Yun Ming's strongest single-target burst attack! Enhanced by Power of Heaven-Supporting, its might had reached a terrifying level!

Xiao Cheng did not dare be careless before this attack. He poured the Power of Empty Green into the Azure Sky Divine Spear with all his strength. Azure light blazed from its shaft, while the power of the Evil God Body surged to its limit. He unleashed Azure Sky Evil God Slash and met the attack head-on!

Boom—!!!

A deafening explosion erupted!

Azure and white light burst from the point of collision, forming a brilliant yet chaotic energy storm! Trees around them were uprooted, the ground was peeled away in layers, and shattered stones flew in every direction!

When the dust settled, 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 trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"You're very strong." Yun Ming looked at Xiao Cheng, a trace of respect flashing through his eyes. "Among those our age, you are the strongest person I've ever seen."

"You're not bad either." Xiao Cheng said. "If you hadn't exhausted so much energy earlier, it probably wouldn't have been so easy for me to defeat you."

"But a loss is a loss." Yun Ming gave a bitter smile and turned toward Cao Dezhi. "Captain, let's retreat."

Cao Dezhi's expression shifted several times before he finally sighed helplessly.

He knew there was no point in continuing. They had consumed too much energy, 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 the next time we meet, we won't lose again."

"I'll be waiting." Xiao Cheng said.

Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming exchanged a glance and pressed their exit buttons at the same time. Their figures turned into white light and dissipated in the air.

The Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon saw two of its opponents disappear, but it still had three remaining enemies. It released an enraged roar and lunged at Xiao Cheng!

Xiao Cheng looked at the charging Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon, a smile appearing on his lips.

"Now it's time to deal with you."

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 of them joined forces and launched a fierce assault on the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon!

Though the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon was immensely powerful, its condition had greatly declined after its prolonged battle against Cao Dezhi and Yun Ming. Meanwhile, Xiao Cheng's group was in peak condition and coordinated flawlessly, quickly suppressing it.

In the end, beneath the fatal 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, transforming into a huge mass of spiritual energy and a crimson wing bone that fell onto the ground.

"Oh dear, we accidentally killed the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon." Xiao Cheng looked at the Soul Bone on the ground and spoke in 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."

"Is that really all right?" Leng Yulai asked quietly. "It belongs to the Spirit Pagoda, after all..."

"What's wrong with it?" Leng Yaozhu said righteously. "We had no choice but to kill the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon in order to stop the Shrek people from taking it! 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 a little loot is perfectly reasonable."

The three exchanged smiles before beginning to absorb the spiritual energy dropped by the Burning Sun Heavenly Dragon.

This trip to the Spirit Ascension Platform had brought bountiful gains.