Departure, Devil Island

After the challenge matches ended, the Seven Monsters devoted the next half year to cultivation.

However, during this period, their focus was on coordination.

With Tang Wulin's return, the Seven Monsters naturally had to familiarize themselves with one another's fighting styles.

Of course, the way they familiarized themselves was—

Tang Wulin once again swept his spear out to block everyone's concentrated attacks, his body rapidly retreating.

His soul power cultivation had been suppressed to seven rings, while the other six had even donned their battle armor.

Xie Xie chuckled and attacked directly from the air. Tang Wulin sighed helplessly, golden light flashing in his eyes as space-time twisted and rewound once more!

But the others' attacks followed close behind. Tang Wulin tapped the ground with his toes, dragon wings spreading from his back as his body grew larger. The Golden Dragon darted through the attacks with an enraged roar.

The massive Golden Dragon roared, the golden scales on its body constantly flickering and reflecting light like mirrors. Its impassioned dragon cry echoed throughout the arena as Golden Dragon Tail Swing combined with Golden Dragon Flight, sweeping all six of them away.

Xu Xiaoyan raised her Star Staff, and the Starwheel Chain landed on Tang Wulin. The Golden Dragon's movements stalled.

Under her connection, the others shared the damage, and they quickly readjusted themselves before attacking Tang Wulin again.

Tang Wulin felt utterly stifled.

He could not use destructive soul skills against his companions, and his soul power was suppressed. Although using his Golden Dragon martial soul avatar greatly increased both his defense and attack power, it also made him an obvious target, allowing Xu Xiaoyan to control him more easily.

Tang Wulin made his decision without hesitation, instantly dismissing his martial soul avatar. Gritting his teeth, he said, "You forced me to do this!"

Xie Xie was startled and cried out, "Boss is using his ultimate! Run!"

How could Tang Wulin let him run? His body forcibly twisted through the air, and the Golden Dragon Spear shot forth like lightning. A Golden Dragon Roar frightened Xie Xie straight out of space. Tang Wulin endured the attacks head-on and threw Xie Xie away.

Xie Xie was out.

Yuanen's holy sword and Yue Zhengyu's demon sword landed on him at the same time.

Light gathered in Tang Wulin's hand, and his body blazed brilliantly. The Holy Demon Twin Swords, brimming with immense energy, seemed to be placed in a vacuum in an instant, their energy directly collapsing—Dragon Emperor Forbidden Art!

Tang Wulin pointed his spear tip, locking onto Xu Xiaoyan. Xu Xiaoyan tried to retreat, only to discover there was nowhere to retreat to. The Golden Dragon Spear was unstoppable. Yue Zhengyu's expression changed drastically as the Sacred Angel descended beside Xu Xiaoyan in an instant, its wings closing around her to block that strike.

Just as the attack was about to hit, King's Path ceased, changing from a thrust into a horizontal blow. Yue Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan were both sent flying and eliminated.

King's Path was a locking skill. Xu Lizhi, who stood beside Xu Xiaoyan, was powerless to help. He could only watch as the two were eliminated before Tang Wulin turned his attention to him.

Fortunately, Ye Xinglan and Yuanen were still there. The two powerful assault-type fighters forcibly drew Tang Wulin's attention, leaving him no choice but to turn and meet their attacks.

The Titan Giant Ape bore down on him. Its wild strength and powerful defense, combined with the Bloodthirsty Red Bean Bun and Sturdy Crystal Bun, made even Tang Wulin feel that it was difficult to break through its defenses.

But that was only how it felt.

The Golden Dragon Spear had been tempered in the abyss for two years. Who knew how many abyssal powerhouses it had slain as they tried to forcibly break through the seal and kill him? The energy it had absorbed was enough to restore a portion of the strength it possessed in his previous life. How could two six-ring two-word battle armor masters possibly withstand it?

Ye Xinglan and Yuanen were out.

Tang Wulin looked down at Xu Lizhi from the air.

Xu Lizhi looked left and right, then raised his hand. "I surrender."

When they left the sparring arena, they unanimously condemned Tang Wulin. "You're such a freak!"

Tang Wulin wore an innocent expression. "I already suppressed myself to seven rings!"

Never one to miss a chance to stir things up, Xie Xie said, "Next time, suppress yourself to five rings."

Tang Wulin hooked an arm around his neck and pressed him down, snarling, "How about I suppress myself to five rings and duel you one-on-one?"

Xie Xie begged for mercy. "I was wrong, I was wrong!"

Tang Wulin was about to say something else when he suddenly stopped, as though listening to something.

The others also stopped their joking and stood still.

Tang Wulin released Xie Xie and said seriously, "The Pavilion Master wants us to go to Sea God Pavilion right now."

"Military training?" The six walked out of Sea God Pavilion first, looking confused. "Why are we having military training out of nowhere?"

Yuanen said, "Let's ask the captain after he comes out."

"You mean I won't be going with them?" Tang Wulin frowned.

Yun Ming said, "If you went with them, do you think this military training would still have any meaning?"

Tang Wulin said, "But..."

Yun Ming said, "They are the Shrek Seven Monsters."

"...I understand."

Yun Ming stood up. "Go there and wait for them directly."

"Devil Island?" Xie Xie had never heard of this place. "Is it still on the Douluo Continent?"

Tang Wulin nodded. "It is. You can take a soul train to the nearest town, then find your way there yourselves. This is the map."

"Follow the instructions after you arrive and obey orders. If anyone leaves the training without permission midway through, they will be considered a deserter and expelled from the academy."

Tang Wulin briefly explained the requirements, then concluded, "I'll be participating in this military training, but I won't be acting with you. So fend for yourselves."

By this point, they had all realized that something was wrong.

Xie Xie said, "We're doomed."

Tang Wulin glared at him. "Have some ambition, will you?"

Xie Xie immediately held his head high and puffed out his chest. "Don't worry, Boss! We guarantee we'll complete the mission! Even if we die, we won't become deserters!"

A strange smile faintly flickered across Tang Wulin's face, but he held it back. "Set off this afternoon. Good luck."

"I have something to do, so I'll be leaving first."

The top floor of the Spirit Pagoda.

Golden light flickered, and space twisted slightly.

The silver-haired woman standing quietly before the window did not even turn around, allowing the newcomer to wrap his arms around her waist from behind.

She said softly, "Be careful not to get discovered."

The man lowered his head and rested it on her shoulder. "Am I really that shameful?"

Gu Yue shot him a glance. "What do you think? The leader of the Shrek Seven Monsters suddenly appearing in a room on the upper levels of the Spirit Pagoda—does that seem appropriate?"

The newcomer was Tang Wulin. He chuckled softly. "Does this count as sneaking around..."

Gu Yue slapped his hand. "Stop talking nonsense. Tell me, why did you come to see me?"

Tang Wulin had no choice but to become serious. "I'm going to Devil Island."

Gu Yue raised a brow. "You mean the place where parts of the divine consciousness of the God of Destruction and the Goddess of Life fell?"

Tang Wulin nodded. "Do you want to come with me?"

Gu Yue's brows furrowed slightly. Suddenly, nine-colored light shone from her chest, and a voice entered both their ears—

"Go."

Gu Yue looked surprised and was just about to ask why when the light rapidly dimmed, as if nothing had happened.

Tang Wulin released her waist. The two met each other's eyes, both seeing the gravity in the other's gaze.

"Looks like we have no choice but to make this trip," Gu Yue said.

Tang Wulin said, "When I went there in my previous life, I didn't notice anything unusual..."

Gu Yue said quietly, "This is the last time."

Tang Wulin froze for a moment, then sighed. "Yes. It really is time for it to surface."

"I'll explain this to Teacher. You go ahead first."

Tang Wulin nodded. Light flashed around his body, and he vanished from her side.

Gu Yue stroked the Dragon God's Heart at her chest, silver light flickering in her eyes.