The Tree Spirit's Fulfillment

Above the sky, the blooming fireworks gradually faded.

A blinding light pierced the heavens, unexpectedly dyeing everything purple.

The purple grew ever richer.

Under the encroachment of that purple light, the protective barrier dissolved as easily as if it had been erased by an eraser.

Ling Zichen plummeted straight toward the ground.

Under such overwhelming pressure, she could not remain airborne at all.

Figures rose from Sea God Island one after another, brilliant lights of every color flaring up. More than a dozen Title Dououluo joined forces and forcibly raised the protective barrier once more.

Yet that expanse of purple still pressed forward relentlessly.

At last, massive chaos erupted both inside and outside Shrek City.

An irresistible despair instantly swept through everyone's hearts.

A long spear streaked across the sky, its ancient inscriptions glowing. Yun Ming gritted his teeth, gripping the Heaven-Piercing Spear as he slammed viciously into a massive purple skull in the sky.

"Boom—"

Bracing himself against the might of Godslayer, Yun Ming forcibly shattered the enormous skull.

As the skull scattered, several figures standing atop it were revealed.

Every one of them wore black robes.

"Yun Ming, so what if you made preparations? In this world, what can stop Godslayer now? Today, the Holy Spirit Cult will erase Shrek from existence!"

It was not only the purple light. Elsewhere in the sky, green light was wildly eroding the barrier sustained by the Title Dououluo.

Sea God Pavilion elders continuously fell to the ground.

"There really are two of them..." Yun Ming roared in fury. "You dare defy the will of the world? Since you came today, don't even think of leaving!"

"Ha ha ha! Do you really think we're afraid of you?!"

"Then come and try!"

An incomparably powerful spear intent soared into the air. Thick, magnificent Four-Word Battle Armor covered Yun Ming's entire body, and the ninth Soul Ring beneath his feet shone brilliantly.

The expressions of the black-robed figures changed drastically.

"Yun Ming! Think this through! If you insist on fighting us head-on, then just watch Shrek be destroyed!" They feared this god of slaughter, Yun Ming, to their very bones. If Yun Ming disregarded everything and ignored Godslayer, no one could stop him.

And the full-force revenge of the continent's number one powerhouse was something the Holy Spirit Cult absolutely did not want to face.

Yun Ming indeed paused, but instead of turning back toward the skies above Shrek Academy as they had expected, he still chose to attack them.

In the instant they were engulfed by the spear radiance of the Heaven-Piercing Spear, the completely unprepared figures failed to see the flash of bitterness across Yun Ming's face.

The green and purple lights broke through the barrier.

The pavilion elders and the Tang Sect's great powers all fell from the sky.

Their faces were filled with unwillingness.

But after landing on the ground, they exchanged glances and saw the same resolve in one another's eyes.

"Everyone!" Cai Yue'er shouted. "Defend Shrek's glory with your lives!"

Without hesitation, she ignited the flame of her life.

Then came Zhuo Shi, Feng Wuyu, and one after another.

There was no hatred on their faces, only the calmness and determination of those prepared to die.

Just as they were about to meet the green-purple radiance.

With a "Buzz—", it was as if someone had pressed pause on everything in an instant.

The life flames burning around them were all extinguished beneath the spreading golden radiance.

The Golden Ancient Tree had been completely lit up. No, more accurately, it had been set ablaze.

From its trunk to its branches to its leaves, Green-Gold light illuminated the entire sky.

The Green-Gold light contended against the green-purple radiance, gradually devouring and driving it away.

Upon the Golden Crown, Tang Wulin's connection to the Golden Ancient Tree was severed the instant the tree ignited itself.

He saw the Tree Spirit's phantom.

Beside the Tree Spirit floated a speck of blue light.

That familiar aura made Tang Wulin's breathing halt.

It was the sleeping Ah Yin, the Tree Spirit of the Eternal Tree from his previous life—the Blue Silver Emperor Tree.

Clearly, with the Golden Ancient Tree acting deliberately, Ah Yin still showed no sign of awakening.

The Tree Spirit hunched over and said to him, "Your protective barrier alone cannot protect Shrek. Even if every Title Dououluo and Super Douluo joined in, it would still be impossible."

Tang Wulin smiled bitterly. "Do we still have to take that step?"

The Tree Spirit smiled faintly. "It's all right, child. This is my choice, and it is also the best choice."

"My karma with Shrek over twenty thousand years will finally come to an end today."

Tang Wulin's eyes reddened.

The Tree Spirit's phantom began to burn along with the Golden Ancient Tree.

Unlike in his previous life, this was the final time. What the Golden Ancient Tree was burning was the divine soul it had once possessed as the Sacred Tree, as well as its own Godhood.

Otherwise, how could the Golden Ancient Tree alone possibly withstand the power of two Godslayers?

Just as the Tree Spirit had said, this was the best choice.

No one would perish because of this. Ah Yin would take on the duty of the life core, and the loss of a Golden Ancient Tree would not affect Douluo Star in any significant way.

A smile rested on the Tree Spirit's face as his gaze fell upon the distant void.

It was as though someone stood there, gazing back at him.

The Golden Ancient Tree burned ever more fiercely, while the Tree Spirit's aged appearance gradually faded away.

His pale white hair turned a smooth black, his withered body became tall and straight, and the ravages of time peeled away from his aged face, restoring its handsome, sunlit appearance.

He was the Golden Ancient Tree.

He was also the Dragon Clan Sacred Tree.

He opened his arms, as though embracing something.

In an instant, the Golden Ancient Tree erupted with dazzling splendor. The Green-Gold power surged, erasing every trace of the green-purple light.

The Tree Spirit's phantom was about to dissipate.

The bracelet in Tang Wulin's hand suddenly lit up, and nine-colored light fell upon him.

The Tree Spirit froze for a moment, then looked back.

A thousand dragons danced.

He was dazed.

It was as if he had returned to a time long, long ago.

Back then, the handsome young men of the Dragon Clan would climb his branches to steal his fruit.

The bright and beautiful Dragon Clan girls would hold enormous baskets beneath the tree to catch them.

Until the Dragon God could no longer stand it and came running over to drive them away.

And he, having taken human form, sat upon his own branch and smiled at the helpless Dragon God.

A thousand dragons cried mournfully.

A smile bloomed across the Tree Spirit's face.

"So... this is fine too."

The Green-Gold light broke apart, and the Tree Spirit transformed into specks of starlight that scattered away.

The blue ball of light by his side suddenly brightened, wrapping around those specks before turning into a streak of light that shot into Tang Wulin's brow.

The Golden Crown disintegrated, and Tang Wulin, whose consciousness was gradually blurring, fell downward.

In the instant before he closed his eyes, they reflected a Giant Tree engulfed in raging flames.

He shut his eyes, and tears fell.

"Boss!!"

Outside Shrek City, atop a hillside, tears fell from the eyes of a graceful silver figure.

Nine-colored light flickered at her chest.

"You've awakened..."

"Yes." A wistful voice sounded. "How could I possibly not come to see him off one last time?"

With tears in his eyes, Yun Ming roared, "You—die!"

Seeing Godslayer being gradually dissolved, the figures were horrified. Knowing the plan had failed, they no longer had the slightest desire to fight.

They immediately scattered and fled at full speed.

"Trying to run!?" Light surged around Yun Ming, and the Heaven-Piercing Spear shot forth like lightning, flying straight toward the leading figure.

The others took advantage of Yun Ming pursuing that person and swiftly fled from Shrek City.

Several figures tumbled out from torn spaces.

Their faces were filled with fury and confusion. "What exactly is going on!?"

"Don't discuss it now. Hurry and leave!"

"Leave?"

A cold voice cut into their midst. A massive sword stretched across the sky, its Passionate Entanglement sword intent slicing through the blizzard and firmly sealing them within.

They turned in shock.

A man entirely clad in Four-Word Battle Armor floated in the air, contemptuously looking down at them while carrying an unconscious girl in one hand.

"Everyone, you've truly kept me waiting."