Huo Yuhao Abducted

Huo Yuhao stared in disbelief at everything before him. Beibei clenched his fists, while Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan instinctively reached out as if trying to grasp something. Xiao Xiao covered her mouth, her eyes filled with terror, while Wang Dong glared fixedly at the arrogant Death Messenger. Even Lin Qianyi, who rarely showed her emotions, could not stop herself from smashing her fist into the rock beside her. At that moment, they recalled Xuan Zi's words. They understood the responsibility of being Shrek's Eight Monsters and the mission the academy had entrusted to them.

Yet grief did not stop them in their tracks. When the Death Messenger burst into wild laughter again and commanded the Evil Soul Masters to launch another wave of attacks, Lin Qianyi unhesitatingly shoved Xiao Xiao toward safety. At the same time, she unleashed her Second Soul Skill, Azure Luan Bodyguard, forcibly blocking the attack. Although she was injured as a result, she endured the pain and led everyone onward, fleeing this place steeped in the aura of death.

Just as they were on the verge of collapse, the black figure known as the Death Messenger launched another stealthy attack, silently slipping behind Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao. Suddenly, a massive hand like an iron clamp seized his neck—it was Xuan Zi. Xuan Zi was furious, and the force in his hand was as heavy as a mountain.

But the Death Messenger laughed wildly. "So what if you're a Titled Douluo? What can you do to me?" Before his words had even faded, he vanished in a bizarre manner, and an explosive device shot toward Xuan Zi. Xuan Zi summoned his Soul Power, his martial soul answering the call, and barely blocked the blow. However, the Death Messenger had already taken Huo Yuhao amid the chaos.

"Yuhao! Yuhao's gone!" Wang Dong cried out. Jiang Nannan and Xu Sanshi looked stunned. "What?" For a moment, everyone was at a loss.

Xuan Zi said in a deep voice, "Xiaoyan, how are the injuries?" Wang Yan answered, "Chen Zifeng and Gongyang Mo are seriously injured and will need at least a year to recuperate. Xixi's injuries are not light either. Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luochen have suffered internal injuries, while the Reserve Team is unharmed." As he spoke, Lin Qianyi staggered over to Ma Xiaotao and gently supported her. Though she herself had been caught in the explosion, she paid no attention to her own injuries, her eyes full of concern. Ma Xiaotao lightly patted her hand as if to comfort her.

"Good. I'll go find Yuhao." With a low shout, Xuan Zi activated Martial Soul Possession. His body abruptly grew larger, horns emerging from both sides of his forehead. Then his figure flashed, and he left at once.

As they tended to the injured, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and the others busied themselves caring for Ma Xiaotao and the rest. Nearby, Lin Qianyi spoke with deep self-reproach in her voice. "Teacher Wang, I..."

Wang Yan comforted her. "Qianyi, it isn't your fault. Your plan was already extremely thorough. Fortunately, they were only seriously injured and did not suffer permanent disabilities. Although Yao Haoxuan unfortunately sacrificed himself, you already minimized the losses. Under the circumstances of multiple explosions, achieving this outcome made your plan practically perfect. Sacrifice is an unavoidable part of war. Don't blame yourself too much."

Tears welled in Lin Qianyi's eyes. "Teacher Wang, please don't say that. Even if the losses were reduced, everyone acted according to my plan. I really was at fault. Punish me. I'll accept it!"

Ma Xiaotao took her hand and said gently, "Little Qianyi, you already did very well. You were very brave. How could we punish you? We haven't even had the chance to praise you yet."

Dai Yueheng nodded in agreement. "That's right. It was thanks to Junior Sister's plan that we avoided even worse consequences. These Evil Soul Masters were truly cunning, and your plan was already exceptionally complete."

Ling Luochen comforted her, "You were very brave. Don't blame yourself, Qianyi."

Jiang Nannan said softly, "Yes, Junior Sister. This isn't your fault."

Beibei added, "Junior Sister, if we're talking about responsibility, all of us share it. Don't blame yourself too much."

He Caitou also said from the side, "Junior Sister, it was already very impressive that you considered so many aspects."

Xiao Xiao gently patted her shoulder, and Wang Dong also comforted her. "Qianyi, don't say that. This isn't your fault. You thought things through so thoroughly—you already did an amazing job. The enemy's depth is unfathomable. No one could have foreseen every possibility."

Everyone's words were like a warm spring breeze, gradually dispersing the gloom in Lin Qianyi's heart. She looked up at them, and the resolve in her eyes gradually replaced her self-reproach.

After a long wait, Xuan Zi finally returned with Huo Yuhao. Wang Dong hurried forward at once, her worry plain to see. "Yuhao, are you alright?" she asked anxiously, her gaze full of concern.

Huo Yuhao smiled faintly. Though his voice was slightly weary, it remained firm. "I made everyone worry. I'm fine."

Wang Yan frowned at Xuan Zi. "What exactly happened?"

Xuan Zi slowly spoke in a grave tone. "That Death Messenger was hit by Yuhao's Mental Shock. The corpse slaves he controlled turned against him and killed him."

"Well done, Yuhao!" Wang Yan praised, his eyes full of admiration.

"Their injuries can't be delayed any longer," Xuan Zi said gravely. "I'm taking them back to the academy. For this All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament, the Reserve Team can only take their place. Children, Shrek Academy is counting on you. Remember, don't be afraid of defeat. Even if you lose, it doesn't matter. I'll bear all responsibility."

Lin Qianyi lowered her head, guilt filling her heart. She had always been strong and unyielding, never bowing her head, yet at this moment she could not conceal her self-reproach. Xuan Zi nodded approvingly and sighed softly. "Qianyi, being able to say such things proves that you have learned to shoulder responsibility. Yao Haoxuan's sacrifice was beyond everyone's expectations. It wasn't your fault. Being able to limit the harm to serious injuries was already the best possible outcome. If you keep blaming yourself, this old man will have to punish you."

"Yes..." Lin Qianyi replied.

With that, Xuan Zi left with Chen Zifeng, Gongyang Mo, and Xixi, leaving everyone standing there in silence. The air was thick with solemnity, and every heart felt heavy.

Xuan Zi took the injured Chen Zifeng, Gongyang Mo, and Xixi back to Shrek Academy. Meanwhile, the three main team members—Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luochen—along with the Reserve Team's eight members, remained at the Star Luo Army Camp to recover.

In a corner, Lin Qianyi sat cross-legged, faint ripples of Soul Power surrounding her. She focused on regulating her breathing and circulating her power, trying to calm the turbulent Soul Power within her body. Not far away, Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luochen were also seated in meditation, healing their injuries. For a time, the room was utterly silent.

"Qianyi, you..." Xiao Xiao began softly, only to be stopped by a look from Lin Qianyi. "I'm fine," she replied calmly.

"What about the upcoming matches?" Ma Xiaotao slowly rose to her feet, her brows slightly furrowed. "The three of us need time to recover. We can only rely on your Reserve Team to step in." Beibei sighed. "But we don't even know how strong our opponents are..."

"Can we win without the main team members?" Xu Sanshi's voice was hesitant. Wang Yan added from the side, "Xuan Zi said he might have Inner Court students come help, but we don't know whether they can make it in time."