Star Luo Plaza
Everyone's gaze turned toward the outskirts of Star Luo City.
The rising golden-and-silver radiance clearly did not belong to the Star Luo Empire.
"A ninth-rank Soul Tool?"
Xu Jiawei stared beyond the city walls in shock.
As a Title Douluo, he could clearly sense the violent fluctuations in that direction.
Even from such a great distance, the brilliance of the Sun Moon Divine Needle was visible to the naked eye.
"Your Majesty, allow me to lead men there immediately."
The White Tiger Duke requested permission.
Both of his sons were with Shrek Academy's group.
If something happened to Shrek's party, his sons would likely not escape calamity.
"Xiaofeng, what's happening?"
Xu Jiawei asked.
With his strength, he could not precisely perceive the situation outside the city.
Only Gu Yuena's terrifying cultivation allowed her to see everything clearly.
"Na'er-jie."
Tang Feng called out calmly.
According to his calculations, Xuanzi should already have killed Beibei by now.
After all, Tang Feng had secretly left special forces within both of their bodies—capable of activating at a critical moment.
He had even added an absolute-priority attribute to the mutually attracting forces, ensuring neither side could evade it.
"Man Yi has rescued Jiang Nannan and Dai Yueheng. Several Shrek Academy students have died."
"The ninth-rank Soul Tool in the sky is currently attacking Xuanzi."
Gu Yuena appeared and spoke.
Had Tang Feng not summoned her, she would not have shown herself at all.
As for how many humans died?
As the Sovereign of Soul Beasts, she could not care less—if humanity perished entirely, it would only be better.
"Your Majesty, please dispatch aid immediately!"
Dai Hao's heart tightened.
Gu Yuena had only mentioned Dai Yueheng.
Did that mean his other son, Dai Huabin, had met with misfortune?
Moreover, Xu Jiawei had publicly inquired about the situation in front of hundreds of thousands of citizens.
If they knew lives were in danger and did nothing, it would damage the empire's reputation.
"Xiaofeng… please ask this senior to intervene."
Xu Jiawei said awkwardly.
He had no choice but to preserve appearances.
Of course, whether Gu Yuena agreed was beyond the control of a mere Star Luo Emperor.
Before such a supreme existence, the identity of an emperor meant nothing.
"Na'er-jie, block one strike."
"If they want to ambush Shrek Academy, let them do it beyond two hundred li from Star Luo City."
Tang Feng nodded.
He could not allow people from the Three Great Empires to be slaughtered openly before hundreds of thousands of Star Luo citizens.
Though he bore enmity toward Shrek Academy, most of those students had merely come to participate in the Advanced Soul Master Tournament.
"Very well."
Gu Yuena vanished.
The next moment, she appeared a hundred li outside Star Luo City—at the battlefield itself.
Outside Star Luo City
The Sun Moon Divine Needle had completed its charge.
A brilliant beam of intertwined gold and silver shot downward toward Xuanzi.
The Sun Moon Divine Needle, developed by Ye Yulin, was hailed as the Sun Moon Empire's "Stabilizing Divine Pillar" and ranked among the top five ninth-rank Soul Tools in raw attack power.
Its bombardment radius spanned thirty kilometers.
It could amplify spiritual power for detection and deliver pinpoint strikes, with terrifying armor-piercing capability.
"Phoenix True Body!"
"Ninth Soul Skill — Phoenix Descent!"
Yan Shaozhe erupted with radiant light.
His body transformed into a colossal Bright Phoenix over a hundred meters tall.
His wingspan stretched several hundred meters across.
Blazing phoenix flames surged like an inverted river of stars, streaking toward the Sun Moon Divine Needle overhead.
Each cluster of flame took the shape of a miniature fire phoenix—powerful and destructive.
Xian Lin'er was just about to assist in blocking the attack when Shadow Douluo Xue Chen immediately entangled her.
"Get lost!"
After activating her Martial Soul True Body, Xian Lin'er unleashed her Eighth Soul Skill — Azure Flame Tyrant Body, wielding her companion spear in relentless clashes against Shadow Douluo.
But Xue Chen had no intention of defeating her—only of delaying her long enough.
The Clash
Boom—
The golden-silver beam from the Sun Moon Divine Needle collided with Yan Shaozhe's Ninth Soul Skill.
Phoenix Descent held for only an instant before shattering apart.
The radiant pillar continued downward—
Just as it was about to engulf Yan Shaozhe and Xuanzi—
A jade-like crystalline hand tore through space and grasped the beam itself.
Gu Yuena stepped out from the void.
With her bare hand—
She crushed the Soul Tool's energy beam into fragments.
"Gasp—"
Jing Hongchen inhaled sharply.
He immediately took out a Milk Bottle to restore his soul power.
The Sun Moon Divine Needle's might was extraordinary—but so was its consumption.
That single attack had drained more than half his soul power.
Worse still, after three uses, the Divine Needle required reabsorption of solar and lunar essence to recharge.
"An Ultimate Douluo!"
Yan Shaozhe exhaled in relief.
Moments ago, he had already felt Death's scythe hovering before him and Elder Xuan.
Yet this peerless beauty had descended from the heavens and blocked the attack barehanded—
Without even summoning her Martial Soul.
"Within two hundred li of Star Luo City, killing is forbidden."
"I will take that girl."
Gu Yuena spoke calmly.
She could have allowed Xuanzi and Yan Shaozhe to suffer one strike before intervening.
But they were Tang Feng's enemies.
They were meant to be dealt with by him personally.
If they died here, would that not be a waste?
"Are you from the Star Luo Empire, Senior?"
Jing Hongchen's face was pale.
Whether from excessive soul power consumption—or sheer shock—was unclear.
She had resisted the Sun Moon Divine Needle with her bare hands.
She had not even revealed her Martial Soul.
Was this the strength of a legendary Ultimate Douluo?
"I am Tang Feng's protector. I have no affiliation with the Star Luo Empire."
Gu Yuena clarified.
Destroying the Star Luo Empire? Certainly possible.
Acting as their bodyguard? Absolutely not.
"Senior, I will escort them away first."
Man Yi quickly withdrew with Jiang Nannan and Dai Yueheng.
Gu Yuena vanished into thin air once more.
Aftermath
"I acted too hastily."
Jing Hongchen did not dare provoke Gu Yuena further.
He withdrew the Sun Moon Divine Needle and left alongside Shadow Douluo.
Soon, Star Luo's powerhouses would arrive.
At that point, killing Shrek's people would be impossible.
The plan had been flawless.
They should have eliminated everyone before Star Luo could react.
But they had failed to account for one variable—
Tang Feng's protector.
"What a pity."
Shadow Douluo sighed.
They had only killed a few insignificant students.
Xuanzi had survived.
Now they needed to ensure the safe return of the Sun Moon Royal Academy team to their empire.
If they wished to strike Shrek again, it would have to wait.
For the foreseeable future, Shrek's elders would not dare leave the two-hundred-li safety zone surrounding Star Luo City.