Spirit Pagoda Enters the Fray, Qian Gu Dongfeng Challenges Ye Xinglan

Ghost Emperor's massive claw clamped onto the crown of his head and dragged his soul out inch by inch. His Yangmu Blade snapped in two with a crack, and he fell for good.

The peerless genius who should have become Shrek Academy's headmaster was killed with ease by Ghost Emperor. The Red-Level Nine Trials fell into Ghost Emperor's hands as well.

Satisfied with the Divine Examination, Ghost Emperor withdrew. Only the Four Heavenly Kings remained.

But at Shrek Academy, scarcely any geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power and Red-Level Nine Trials were left.

Among them was Tang Yinmeng, the senior sister of the inner court. She was already sobbing uncontrollably. She had watched her beloved die before her eyes, powerless to save him. Only Cai Yue'er, who had just suffered the same loss, could understand that pain.

But grief did not spare her from being challenged. Dark Blood Demon chose her and opened a Life-and-Death Arena.

Both were returned to the age of twenty-six. Yet Dark Blood Demon, like Ghost Emperor, was a Titled Douluo, while Tang Yinmeng was only a Soul Douluo.

Worse, Tang Yinmeng specialized in mental and sonic attacks, which could barely hurt Dark Blood Demon. With Dark Bell's constant help, he had developed some resistance to both.

In other words, Dark Blood Demon was her natural counter. He outmatched her in strength and countered her abilities.

Tang Yinmeng lasted only fifteen minutes before Dark Blood Demon pinned her by the head with a blood-red hand and tore her apart. Her Red-Level Nine Trials went to him.

The teachers and students of Shrek watched, their eyes bloodshot.

Shrek had stood above every other power on the Douluo Continent, undisputed number one. But since the Divine Examinations descended, everything had changed.

Now its pillars were being killed one after another. Shrek had become a laughingstock.

With the last Red-Level Nine Trials claimed by Dark Blood Demon, Dark Bell, Dark Hummingbird, and Dark Phoenix could only turn their attention to Shrek's younger generation.

But they had to choose carefully. Dark Bell and Leng Yulai had not been born Evil Soul Masters; they had turned evil later in life.

Against top geniuses at age twelve, victory was far from certain.

Still, fortune favored the bold. They had to take a gamble if they wanted a prize worth having.

The three steeled themselves to strike, but just then, three powerful presences tore through the air.

The Spirit Pagoda's Pagoda Master, Qian Gu Dongfeng, appeared alongside the previous Pagoda Master, Battle Heaven Douluo Qian Gu Dieting, and Purgatory Douluo Qian Gu Qingfeng!

Three members of the Qian Gu Family had arrived together: one Quasi-God and two demigods.

Their Coiling Dragon Staffs swept out, shadows of the weapons filling the sky and forcing back the three Heavenly Kings of Darkness.

"The Qian Gu Family has claimed the remaining Red-Level Nine Trials. Pick yourselves a few Black-Level Eight Trials. If you don't know what's good for you, we don't mind challenging you instead. We're all from Shrek, so even without Divine Examinations, we can open a Life-and-Death Arena for a spar. Want to try?"

Qian Gu Dongfeng's words left no room for argument.

Dark Bell, Dark Hummingbird, and Dark Phoenix could only back down.

None was sure of beating those three. The Qian Gu Family might be shameless, but they were undeniably strong.

Qian Gu Dongfeng's words also made the hearts of Shrek's people sink. They had thought reinforcements had arrived. Instead, another pack of wolves had come for them.

Qian Gu Dongfeng made the first move, challenging Ye Xinglan, who had only recently entered Shrek.

The Life-and-Death Arena activated. As everyone watched Qian Gu Dongfeng, they truly grasped the power of the age reversal for the first time.

Ghost Emperor and Dark Blood Demon had worn the usual dark cloaks of Evil Soul Masters, and both had looked old to begin with. Their changes had not been especially striking.

But now, Qian Gu Dongfeng, over a hundred years old, visibly shrank. In the blink of an eye, he became a twelve-year-old boy, the same age as Ye Xinglan across from him.

His demigod cultivation was firmly sealed, returning him to the level of a twelve-year-old Soul Elder. His original nine Spirit Rings became three purple ones.

He had thought his self-created Unyielding Staff Technique, which he knew by heart, could not possibly be suppressed.

But after summoning his Martial Soul and trying to use the technique, he found he could perform only its first three forms, the most basic ones. The meridian pathways needed to channel Soul Power for the later forms were completely sealed.

Only then did Qian Gu Dongfeng understand what the Life-and-Death Arena meant by fairness. It truly was impartial.

He still had the advantage of experience, but with his cultivation sealed and the flow of his Soul Power obstructed, his combat strength had fallen sharply.

His opponent lacked his wealth of experience, but she could bring out the full strength available to her at this age. Each had an advantage. It really was fair.

Ye Xinglan was fiercely proud. She held her Stargod Sword pointed at Qian Gu Dongfeng as three purple Spirit Rings appeared behind her.

"The Life-and-Death Arena is perfectly fair. We're both Soul Elders now, and killing you will be as easy as slaughtering a dog!

"You Spirit Pagoda scum are in league with the Evil Soul Masters, kicking Shrek while we're down! Today I'll avenge the elders our academy has lost. Your blood will be my offering to their spirits!"

"How long have you even been enrolled? You already feel like you belong to Shrek? I see their brainwashing is as effective as ever.

"And you have it wrong. What do you mean, kicking Shrek while it's down? Since when were the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek on the same side?

"Haven't we always been enemies?

"Never mind. Why am I explaining this to you?

"You're this arrogant at such a young age. Imagine what a few more years at Shrek Academy would do to you. By killing you today, I'll be doing everyone a favor. Hardly bullying a child," Qian Gu Dongfeng said calmly.

"You old fool! All you do is boast!"

Enraged, Ye Xinglan drew her Stargod Sword. Starlight burst forth.

She struck first. Her first Soul Skill, Sword God Star, sent a pinpoint of cold light straight for Qian Gu Dongfeng's throat, so fast it nearly left an afterimage.

At the same time, her second Soul Skill, Sword God Net, wove sword light into a vast net in midair, sealing off his retreat. She had opened with a killing blow.

Qian Gu Dongfeng merely sneered. He summoned his Coiling Dragon Staff and angled it to catch Sword God Star's point with perfect precision. Metal rang out, and sparks flew.

Using the force of the clash, he guided the staff along the pattern of woven sword light. Then he gave it a hard sweep, tearing the entire net apart.

He had struck the sole weakness of Ye Xinglan's second Soul Skill, breaking the whole with a precise blow to one point.

He might have returned to the age of twelve, but his battle instincts were as seasoned as ever.

"Your attacks are too aggressive and full of openings. If Shrek won't teach you, I will. Let me show you how to fight a battle to the death.

"Flashy moves accomplish little. A plain, direct attack is best. I won't charge you for this lesson. You've already paid with your life.

"Unyielding Staff Technique, first form: Battle Heaven and Earth!"