Elder Lin's Show of Force (Please Keep Reading)

Meanwhile, on Sea God Island, inside Yan Shaozhe's private Quiet Chamber.

"Xiaotao, what you just said... is it really true?!"

Yan Shaozhe shot up from his meditation cushion. His usually refined, composed face was now filled with shock he could not conceal!

Ma Xiaotao stood before him, her cheeks rosy. An unprecedented calm and clarity radiated from her, while the violent Evil Fire that had once clung to her like a maggot to bone had, for once, fallen still!

"It's absolutely true, Teacher!"

Ma Xiaotao nodded, fiery light dancing in her phoenix eyes. She excitedly clenched her delicate hand and said, "Not only was the Evil Fire completely suppressed and neutralized, but the backlash from that boy's Ultimate Ice also helped me break through my bottleneck just now. I've reached level sixty-five as a Soul Emperor!"

"Good! Wonderful! Hahahaha! Heaven has blessed my disciple Xiaotao! Heaven has blessed Shrek!!"

With the news confirmed, Yan Shaozhe could no longer contain himself. He threw back his head and laughed.

But once his elation passed, his refined face darkened slightly. With a cold snort, he said:

"That arrogant brat surnamed Dongfang is insufferable, and his foul mouth makes me sick. But I have to admit, his Ultimate Ice really is as capable as they say."

"Since he's of use to Shrek, I, as a Sea God Pavilion Elder, shall overlook his earlier insolence for now!"

Watching Yan Shaozhe act as though he were magnanimously granting Dongfang Hao a favor, Ma Xiaotao looked a little uneasy. In her heart, she stuck out her tongue.

Yan Shaozhe still thought it had been nothing more than a healing session.

If he knew that his precious female disciple had been swept up by Dongfang Hao, who had taken every advantage...

And that even his wife in name, Cai Mei'er, was privately discussing how they could join forces and use a "honey trap" to keep that little wild wolf on Sea God Island for good...

But Dean Cai and Teacher are husband and wife in name only. Neither owes the other anything...

Ma Xiaotao muttered to herself.

Boom!

Above Shrek City, shrouded in night, a dark-green streak tore across the sky. It slowed quietly and landed before an immense, magnificent building.

The Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

The pavilion rose into the clouds. Brilliantly lit, it exuded the wealth and grandeur that only a top-tier power could possess.

After landing, Cai Mei'er trembled slightly and slowly dispersed the surging Soul Power within her. Her soft arms, which had been wrapped around Dongfang Hao's waist, withdrew quietly, with a hint of reluctance and fluster.

"We're here, little one. Get down."

Cai Mei'er cleared her throat softly. A barely perceptible blush touched her beautiful cheeks as she struggled to maintain her usual poise and authority as vice dean. Then she strode toward the pavilion entrance on her long legs.

Seeing her like this, Dongfang Hao's lips curved faintly. He straightened his clothes, clasped his hands behind his back, and followed at an easy pace.

They entered the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

With Cai Mei'er leading the way, they did not linger in the ordinary exhibition halls below. Instead, they climbed a dim spiral staircase of white jade and stopped before a sealed chamber on the building's top floor.

Creak.

The heavy stone door slowly opened, pushed by an invisible force.

The hall beyond was exceptionally spacious. In the grand chair at its head sat an elderly woman in a snow-white robe.

Her silver hair was arranged with meticulous care. Though time had carved deep lines into her face, a terrifying glint flashed in her seemingly clouded eyes whenever they moved.

She was Elder Lin, a Sea God Pavilion Elder and level ninety-six Super Douluo. She was also the true power behind the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

"Mei'er, you rushed up to the top of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion with an unfamiliar youngster. That's a rare sight indeed."

Elder Lin set down the Purple Clay Teacup in her hand. Her aged, even voice echoed through the hall.

"Elder Lin."

Cai Mei'er stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the elderly woman. Her expression turned serious as she said quietly, "Earlier on Sea God Island, Xuan Zi, several other elders, and I agreed that this young man's Ultimate Ice is our only chance to save Xiaotao from her rampaging Evil Fire. I promised him special permission to choose three treasures from the top floor if he helped her."

"Tonight, I've brought him to claim the first part of his reward. He asked for a specific piece of Whale Rubber."

"Oh? Ultimate Ice..."

Only then did Elder Lin's clouded eyes shift. For the first time, her gaze fell on the black-clad youth behind Cai Mei'er.

After looking him up and down, displeasure and coldness crossed her face.

Was there truly a young Soul Master so ignorant of heaven's height and earth's depth that he dared refuse to join Shrek to their faces?!

Faced with such a gifted yet unruly upstart, the old woman, who held Shrek's ten-thousand-year glory dear, was clearly nursing resentment and anger.

A Soul Grandmaster barely above level twenty dared stroll onto the Treasure Gathering Pavilion's top floor and make demands?

Youngster, you have quite the nerve. Let me see what you're made of, that you dare show such contempt for Shrek's ten-thousand-year prestige!

Elder Lin sneered inwardly, her expression unchanged. But in the next instant, the immense pressure of a Super Douluo burst from empty space without warning and crushed down on Dongfang Hao!

It was only a tentative wisp of pressure, yet at her level, even a trace of her power would be enough to force an ordinary Soul Master with two or three rings to collapse to their knees!

Buzz!

A terrifying force swept through the hall. The air ahead compressed with a harsh, low boom.

"Elder Lin, don't!"

Sensing the sudden, violent pressure, Cai Mei'er's expression changed drastically. Soul Power surged through her at once, and she stepped forward to shield the youth behind her.

But in the split second before she acted, a warm, strong hand reached out from behind and settled on her shoulder.

"Vice Dean Cai."

The youth's voice sounded beside her ear, calm and utterly unruffled:

"If this elder's hands are itching to weigh what I'm worth, wouldn't hiding behind someone else make the Sea God Pavilion Elders laugh at me for being all reputation and no substance?"

"You...!"

Cai Mei'er trembled and turned sharply, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment.

Facing the terrifying pressure bearing down on him, Dongfang Hao did not retreat a single step. Instead, he stepped forward, his body straight as a spear thrust into the heavens. He moved beyond Cai Mei'er's protection and met that Title Douluo's Might head-on!