Chapter 217: The Ghost of Vengeance
Zhang Lexuan opened her mouth, wanting to say something to defend Shrek Academy, to argue that it wasn't a place that slaughtered innocent people without reason. But the name that the man mentioned—Xuan Lao—stopped her. She froze, unable to speak a single word.
If it had been any other Titled Douluo, Zhang Lexuan might have doubted the story. She might have suspected it was a smear against Shrek, fabricated or twisted.
But when she realized it was Xuan Lao, something inside her faltered. Despite wanting to argue, she couldn't deny the possibility. Deep down, she believed the Ghost Douluo might not be lying.
Because what he described… really sounded like something Xuan Lao could have done.
"Then… then… at least Shrek let you live, right? A Level 98 powerhouse wouldn't have missed a child hidden beneath a body," Zhang Lexuan asked hesitantly. She felt compelled to defend Shrek—even a little.
"Hmph!" Ghost Douluo snorted. "You're right. Someone like Xuanzi wouldn't have missed me. Not to mention a Titled Douluo—any Soul Emperor could have found me. But he didn't let me go. He found me."
Zhang Lexuan was stunned. "Wait… A Soul Emperor could have found you?"
Then how did he survive?
What kind of strength did that noble who wiped out his family possess? Why couldn't she recall that family? Were there any survivors? Questions swirled in her mind.
Ghost Douluo continued bitterly, "My mother hid me beneath her body, but Xuanzi found me—as expected. And I didn't survive because of mercy. No, he killed everyone in my family. I was the last one. When there was no one left, he threw me into a river to drown!"
"I didn't die immediately. I struggled. It was in those moments I realized—he had attacked the wrong family! He heard a shout, someone yelling: 'Xuan Lao! Wrong house! It's not that Ye family—it's another one!' But he didn't care."
"Even though he knew he made a mistake, he didn't look back. He just muttered about bad luck and left."
"I was tied to a stone, flailing underwater, unable to swim up. I should have died that day."
"But fate was cruel—or maybe kind. I found something in the water. A spirit—an evil ghost. My mutated flame martial soul fused with it, changing me completely. From that moment on, I became a ghost—an avenger. One who lives to take revenge on Shrek!"
As Ghost Douluo spoke, a terrifying shadow loomed behind him. At once, Xiao Qiang and Zhang Lexuan felt a chill grip their hearts. A deep fear bloomed.
The Despair Domain.
In this realm, any sliver of fear is amplified until it becomes crushing despair.
Ghost Douluo didn't need to kill. Most victims perished in despair. Even Zhongli Wu, the leader of the Holy Spirit Sect, had once succumbed to fear in this domain. Only Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui had ever stood firm in the face of this abyssal field.
Any equal-level soul master who lacked absolute confidence in facing Ghost Douluo would fall. Over time, doubt would grow, strength would falter, and ultimately—they'd be defeated.
Now, Zhang Lexuan and Xiao Qiang were at a severe disadvantage. They were far weaker. Ghost Douluo had no need to use the domain—but he did, to make Zhang Lexuan feel true despair.
"Feel it?" Ghost Douluo sneered. "This is the despair I felt one hundred and two years ago. The helplessness beneath a Level 98 Titled Douluo!"
"But don't worry. I won't let you die easily. I'll keep you here, let soul beasts nibble at you, piece by piece—until you truly understand what despair means!"
Zhang Lexuan shuddered, retreating behind Xiao Qiang. She had no power to resist. She was far weaker than her usual self. Even a four-ringed Soul Sect might have fared better. She moved behind Xiao Qiang—not out of hope, but out of instinct. A fragile illusion of safety.
"Heh… how pathetic," Ghost Douluo mocked. "A Shrek genius, hiding behind someone from the Sun and Moon Empire, wagging her tail for protection. What a joke."
Then he turned his gaze to Xiao Qiang. "Master of the Soul Hall. This is a personal grudge. It doesn't concern you. Hand her over, and I'll let you leave."
Zhang Lexuan froze. Her heart sank completely.
Yes, this was a Shrek grudge. Xiao Qiang had only stumbled into this mess because of Kong Deming. He had no real stake in this. He had no reason to fight to the death.
Zhang Lexuan smiled bitterly as Xiao Qiang extended his hand toward her. She didn't flinch. Ghost Douluo's words had shattered her last hope. Neither she nor Xiao Qiang could win. All that remained was death.
And not even a death of her choosing.
But then—
"What are you doing just standing there? Mobilize your soul power and get out of here!"
A spiritual voice snapped her out of her trance.
Zhang Lexuan's eyes widened.
Xiao Qiang wasn't handing her over.
He was breaking the collar on her neck—the one suppressing her soul power.