One white, two yellow, and two purple-five Soul Rings so ordinary they could not have been more ordinary appeared beneath Ye Zhiqiu's feet. But the Soul King-level presence that followed could not be faked. However poor his Soul Ring configuration was, Ye Zhiqiu's Soul Power was still above rank 50. Across the entire Balak Kingdom, he deserved to be called a powerhouse.
Unfortunately, those standing before him were from Shrek.
"What are you showing off for? You're just an old turtle! I'll whip you like a spinning top!"
Having witnessed a Soul Saint's might, how could Xiao Wu fear a Soul King? Yet calling him an old turtle utterly enraged Ye Zhiqiu.
"T-turtle? I'm a Black Tortoise, not some turtle!"
Burning with rage, Ye Zhiqiu actually chose to start fighting right inside the inn. Black water surged in his mouth, and the temperature inside the inn dropped considerably. Its power was not to be underestimated.
"Let me! Second Soul Skill, White Tiger Fierce Light Wave!"
The second Soul Ring beneath Dai Mubai's feet blazed, and their attacks collided in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, Dai Mubai's strength was ultimately too weak. The black water broke through his Fierce Light Wave in an instant and hurtled toward him without losing any of its power.
"Mubai, get out of the way!"
"Across ten thousand miles of the dead realm, no living soul remains; one gate opens upon the cycle of life and death!"
"Third Soul Skill, Domination: Noxus's Conquest!"
Green netherflames appeared in the world once more, and Mordekaiser, ruler of the underworld, returned to the mortal realm! Dragging the massive hammer in his hand, he shattered Ye Zhiqiu's black water with a single blow. The enormous creature's sudden appearance left Ye Ziqiu stunned, but Mordekaiser gave him no time to react. Clad in menacing iron armor, he strode forward and sent Ye Zhiqiu flying with one swing!
Ye Zhiqiu now felt as though a Dayun truck had hit him. He was certain that the monster summoned by that purple-haired boy possessed Soul King-level strength!
He hurtled backward, smashed through the inn's doors, and rolled dozens of times across the open ground in utter disgrace.
The remaining Blue Sunshine Academy students lost every trace of their arrogance. They stared at the towering Mordekaiser in terror, and someone let out the first scream! They swarmed out of the inn. Only under their teacher's protection could they feel a shred of reassurance.
The Shrek group followed close behind. The towering Mordekaiser smashed through the inn's wall and brutally took the lead!
"One yellow, two purple, and a summon with the strength of a Soul King. Where did this freak come from?"
Ye Zhiqiu forced himself to his feet. Looking down, he saw cracks in his tortoise shell. Mordekaiser's hammer blow had injured his bones!
But how was that possible? Even a Soul King with cultivation equal to his would struggle to break through his defenses. How could a mere greenhorn possess such strength?
Watching Shangguan Hong swagger out of the inn, Ye Zhiqiu suddenly felt a little afraid. Yet Shangguan Hong had no intention of letting the matter rest. The savage Mordekaiser obeyed his summoner's will, and his heavy, spike-covered hammer descended again. The conciliatory words on the tip of Ye Zhiqiu's tongue were forced back down his throat. He could only activate his strongest defensive Soul Skill and withstand Mordekaiser's attacks head-on.
"Brother Shangguan, I'll help you!"
Tang San was astonished. Whatever else might be said, Ye Zhiqiu was a Soul King, yet Shangguan Hong was suppressing him single-handedly. Shangguan Hong was even stronger than he had imagined!
But according to Shangguan Hong, he could not maintain such a powerful Soul Skill for long. Sure enough, Shangguan Hong was already pale and swaying on his feet.
The others from Shrek Academy attacked together, forcibly suppressing Ye Zhiqiu. This Soul King probably never would have dreamed that a few brats whose cultivation only reached the Soul Elder and Soul Grandmaster realms could beat him into the ground. Furious and unwilling to accept it, he activated his fifth Soul Skill!
"Fifth Soul Skill, Black Water Surge!"
This was Ye Zhiqiu's strongest offensive Soul Skill, and he poured 40% of his total Soul Power into this strike. Its might was astonishing, even surpassing that of some ordinary Power Attack System Soul Kings!
He had intended to use his fifth Soul Skill to break free, but...
This was exactly what Shangguan Hong had been waiting for!
"Oh no, dodge!"
Shangguan Hong controlled Mordekaiser to block Ye Zhiqiu's fifth Soul Skill head-on. His towering figure stood before the Shrek group, immovable as a mountain!
But the next moment, accompanied by an unwilling roar, Mordekaiser was forcibly recalled by Shangguan Hong. To everyone else, it looked as though Shangguan Hong no longer had enough Soul Power to keep Mordekaiser active!
Because Mordekaiser's defense was astonishing and he served as their tank, the others from Shrek had let their guard down somewhat. Dai Mubai and Xiao Wu, for instance, were standing behind him. Without that stalwart meat shield, the terrifying black water struck them both at tremendous speed! Under the devastation of 40% of Ye Zhiqiu's Soul Power, both were sent flying backward. Xiao Wu fared a little better, since Dai Mubai had absorbed most of the attack. Drawing on his abundant combat experience, Dai Mubai had activated his third Soul Skill before the attack arrived.
But even so, Dai Mubai was injured. His internal organs churned, and he spat out a great mouthful of blood!
Xiao Wu was struck by the remaining force and sent flying backward. By the time she landed, a trickle of bright red blood had already spilled from the corner of her mouth.
Ye Zhiqiu froze.
Could that big fellow have been all show and no substance, or had his Soul Skill grown more powerful again?
The Shrek group froze as well.
Tang San's eyes instantly reddened! A low growl also escaped Zhu Zhuqing's mouth. With Martial Soul Possession active, she unleashed her second Soul Skill, Netherworld Hundred Claws, and charged at Ye Zhiqiu without regard for the consequences.
"Old turtle, you actually intended to kill us!"
His face pale, Shangguan Hong leaned on his shovel and uttered words that made everyone's expression change.
"Huh? Kid, what nonsense are you spouting? Watch it, I'll sue you for slander!"
Heaven was his witness: Ye Zhiqiu had only used 40% of his Soul Power because anger had surged to his head and Mordekaiser's defenses were too formidable. He had absolutely no intention of killing the Shrek group.
But who would believe him?
"Bullshit! Are you saying Brother Shangguan is pretending to be exhausted? Are you saying Mubai and Xiao Wu are faking their injuries?"
Standing at the very back of the group, Oscar roared furiously as he made Big Sausages. As he shouted, he seemed to feel it was still not enough. He turned toward the inn behind him and bellowed:
"Teacher Zhao, hurry out! Someone's trying to kill us!"
The nature of the incident changed in an instant!
His face deathly pale, Shangguan Hong helped Dai Mubai up. His face was full of indignation, but a trace of mockery lurked in his eyes. He looked at the sweating Ye Zhiqiu, then at Tang San, who was already going all out and had even deployed hidden weapons, and then at the grim-faced Zhao Wuji walking out of the inn behind them...
"You old turtle, bullying those younger than you! Our Teacher Zhao is here. You're dead!"
Shangguan Hong spoke loudly, then looked at Zhao Wuji with anticipation written all over his face. And the latter did not disappoint him!
Two yellow, two purple, three black!
Seven Soul Rings proclaimed Zhao Wuji's Soul Saint-level cultivation. His presence grew increasingly savage and ferocious, and his bloodshot eyes locked onto Ye Zhiqiu!
"You dared hurt my students! Old turtle, how do you want to die?"