The journey was quiet all along, and after ten days, they were already more than halfway there.
The 500 Royal Knight Guard were like royal family members themselves, warmly welcomed wherever they went.
Suddenly, a cold, sinister aura came from afar.
They were taking a small path—a shortcut.
They were between two low hills; crossing here saved over ten miles. The narrow mountain path was no problem for their carriages.
The cold aura came from above on both sides of the path.
"Alert!" the Royal Knight Captain barked seriously.
All the royal knights raised their spears.
The Soul Master Academy members also tensed up.
After all, facing an unknown danger—even with the Royal Knights protecting them—made everyone a bit nervous.
"Rumble rumble…" Suddenly, countless rocks crashed down from the mountain above, rolling toward them.
Dust billowed.
Horses neighed frantically.
The Royal Knight Captain hurriedly ordered to speed up.
The remaining falling rocks were handled by the knights.
Dai Mubai and the others watched, shocked. The lead teachers of the Fifteen Soul Master Academies moved forward.
They all jumped down from the carriages and sprinted ahead.
Since the path was narrow, running was the fastest option.
"Should we intervene?"Liu Erlong looked at the calm Zhang Fan.
"No need, just watch their show. This team is sent by the Martial Soul Hall, just probing the strength of Tiandou Empire's academy!" Zhang Fan said calmly.
"Wow… Brother Fan can tell who's coming without even looking!"Xiao Wu's eyes widened in amazement.
"Brother Fan is truly a genius!"Ning Rongrong praised, but didn't ask how Zhang Fan knew—some things are better left unasked.
Because asking could hit Zhang Fan's secrets, and then he might get unhappy and stop liking her.
Plus, women asking too many questions would annoy him.
She liked Zhang Fan a lot, after all.
"Impressive!"Zhu Zhuqing said coldly and briefly, eyes fixed on Zhang Fan, simply praising—true to her style.
Xiao Wu didn't think too much about it.
Though she had lived many years, she only became human recently and had little contact with humans, unaware of their complicated relationships.
"Fine then, since it's just a probe, I won't make a move for now!"
Liu Erlong nodded.
"Martial Soul Hall even sent a level 95 Elder! He'll probably test my strength soon," Zhang Fan told Liu Erlong and Xiao Wu calmly, "Don't worry. I have the Pope's Decree… I'll just spar with him and make him leave."
"Right! Brother Fan's Pope's Decree is like the Pope himself showing up. Even a distinguished Martial Soul Hall Elder must salute respectfully!" Xiao Wu felt reassured hearing this.
On top of the two hills, thousands of black-clad figures rushed down from both sides.
They were fast.
Brilliant lights flashed from the Soul Masters.
Martial Souls were released, soul rings gleaming.
The academies didn't cooperate—each formed small groups.
The enemies provoked their fighting spirit; they charged fiercely.
The fifteen academies had over 200 teachers and students; the enemy had around 1,500—a huge number difference.
Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Jiang Zhu stood behind Zhang Fan and Liu Erlong.
Liu Erlong was surrounded by flames, like a blazing fire dragon. Zhang Fan stood calmly with hands behind his back, holding a long sword crackling with purple lightning.
"Clang…" He swung once, and a silver sword light shot out, leaving screams in its path.
He cut down more than a dozen Soul Masters with one slash.
The black-clad enemies all changed expressions, not expecting this youth's strength.
Liu Erlong was stunned by Zhang Fan's sword technique—powerful enough to sweep so many away at once.
Suddenly, the Royal Knights realized they couldn't win and pulled out soul-guided guns.
"Bang bang…" they fired at the enemies.
"Ahhh…" the black-clad cried out and retreated.
Ning Rongrong mentally boosted Zhang Fan and Liu Erlong—speed, strength, defense, soul power.
Tang San and others also entered the fight.
One Soul Fighter and two Soul Saints released their Martial Souls.
Overwhelming soul power swept the area.
Their arrival made Flander and Liu Erlong both tense.
Liu Erlong and Flander rushed two Soul Saints.
The black-clad Soul Fighter sneered and attacked Zhang Fan's side with two soul rings flashing.
Flander's soul power neared level 79, a strong Soul Saint. His opponent was a Winged Tiger Soul Saint; they fought in mid-air.
Liu Erlong's opponent was an Ironclad Turtle Soul Master. Their attack and defense clashed evenly.
The opponent's defense was tough; Liu Erlong struggled.
The black-clad Soul Fighter flew toward Zhang Fan.
Golden light exploded from his masked black clothes.
His arms vibrated, transforming into golden wings. A huge golden silhouette appeared, his clothes replaced by golden feathers.
His Martial Soul was a golden eagle, eight soul rings glowing beneath—three yellow, two purple, three black—a solid setup.
His seventh soul ring lit up—he used his Martial Soul's true form, aiming for a quick kill.
"Bullying children, is that all you've got?" an old voice sounded.
A gentle aura enveloped Zhang Fan and the others.
A tall, thin old man appeared before them, holding a cane, staring at the Soul Fighter above.
The Soul Fighter's eyes darkened—he hadn't expected the old man was Dragon Elder Meng Shu, who also lit up eight soul rings.
"Meng Shu, don't meddle." The black-clad Soul Fighter scowled.
"You caused trouble, and my granddaughter is also competing here. I won't let you run wild. Didn't expect Brother Eagle to turn bandit." Meng Shu's tone was mocking.
"You better not interfere, or face the consequences!" The black-clad Soul Fighter warned coldly.
"Lordiara, I'm not afraid of you! I'm standing right here—don't think you can pass!" Meng Shu's gaze was firm.
"Ding… Mission triggered: Modify storyline."
[Lordiara hears Meng Shu's words and suddenly lunges at Meng Shu from mid-air.] Four characters can be modified.
Zhang Fan grinned—this Meng Shu stepping up was great. Time to give Lordiara a big surprise.
He changed "lunges at" to "flies kneeling toward."
Lordiara hears Meng Shu's words and suddenly flies kneeling toward Meng Shu from mid-air.
(End of chapter)