Chapter 218: A Shield Against Despair
"You…"
Feeling her soul power surging back, Zhang Lexuan stared at Xiao Qiang in disbelief.
Just moments ago, she had resigned herself to being handed over to the Ghost Douluo—to die. In a situation like this, with a level 98 powerhouse before them, even a fellow Shrek Titled Douluo would likely have chosen to abandon her to save themselves. How could she expect Xiao Qiang, who wasn't even part of Shrek, to choose otherwise?
Once a Titled Douluo reached level 95, they were referred to as Super Douluo. But each level beyond that brought a vast difference in power. Level 97 was already in another realm, and level 98 was a peak most could never hope to reach.
Xuan Lao had made countless mistakes through the years—perhaps not a hundred or eighty, but certainly more than twenty or thirty. And each time, he would willingly resign from his role as Vice Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, yet students and teachers would rush to take the blame, kneeling in apology to protect him.
Shrek could afford to lose an elite student or an excellent teacher. But a level 98 powerhouse? That, Shrek could never afford. That alone spoke volumes of the terror that was level 98.
Now, faced with such a monster, any sane person would flee—or cast others aside to escape. Yet Xiao Qiang had removed the collar that suppressed her soul power instead. Could it be that—
"Can you beat a level 98 Titled Douluo?" Zhang Lexuan blurted out.
In response, Xiao Qiang gave her a look as if she had said the most idiotic thing imaginable.
"Are you joking? Do you think a level 98 Titled Douluo is as easy to defeat as a normal one?"
"An ordinary Titled Douluo… No, now isn't the time for that. You can't beat him. So why are you telling me to leave?"
"I mean exactly what I said. You were trapped here because of the soul power suppression. But now that it's lifted, you're an eight-ring Soul Douluo. You have a chance to escape. Run. As far as you can."
"And what about you?"
"I'll stay behind and block him. Otherwise, how do you think you'll get away? He's level 98," Xiao Qiang said flatly.
Zhang Lexuan opened her mouth, but no words came.
The Ghost Douluo, observing them, suddenly applauded mockingly. "I didn't expect this. Truly, I didn't. The mighty Hall Master of the Soul Hall, throwing away his life for a Shrek woman. I wanted to watch her fall into despair, but instead, I get this drama. Delightful."
"You've got the wrong idea," Xiao Qiang replied coolly. "I don't care about her. She was brought here by my master. She can die—but not under my watch."
He took a step forward, expanding his mental domain, clashing directly with the Despair Domain of the Ghost Douluo. Though the latter had level 98 soul power and immense mental strength, Xiao Qiang's mental power was also at the level of an Ultimate Douluo. It was enough to keep the fear at bay.
"Oh? So you want to challenge me with your mental strength?" the Ghost Douluo sneered.
"No, I already said—I can't defeat you."
"Then are you counting on Kong Deming or Jing Hongchen to come save you?"
"They don't even know I ran into you. I followed her here alone."
"Then besides those two, what other tricks do you have?"
"I have my own ways."
"Heh. Desperate for that girl, aren't you? What a shame. She doesn't even like you."
"I never expected her to." Xiao Qiang turned to Zhang Lexuan. "What are you doing? Still standing there? Waiting for a fight to break out?"
"I…" Zhang Lexuan looked at Ghost Douluo, then back at Xiao Qiang, before gritting her teeth and turning to flee.
"Hmph. You think it's that easy to leave? Fourth soul skill: Eight Ghosts Ascend!"
As the Ghost Douluo's fourth ring lit up, four Soul Douluo-level ghosts and four Soul Saint-level ghosts materialized and pounced toward Zhang Lexuan in the Despair Domain.
Even at her peak, fighting four Douluos and four Saints alone would be an uphill battle. Now, under the crushing mental suppression of the Despair Domain, Zhang Lexuan could barely move. Her soul power—despite having returned—felt distant and unreliable.
Xiao Qiang, despite being a Soul Saint, possessed strength far beyond what his seven rings would suggest. Zhang Lexuan had never seen anyone in Shrek with this kind of power at seventeen. Even in their prime, legends like Huo Yuhao or Moon couldn't match Soul Douluos at that age.
But even with that monstrous potential, Xiao Qiang was still up against a level 98 elder.
The hopelessness crept into Zhang Lexuan's bones. Her limbs grew heavy. She couldn't even will herself to run. The fear was so thick it clung to her skin, paralyzing her like when Sasuke first felt Orochimaru's killing intent—an overwhelming force crushing her ability to act.
The ghostly figures rushed at her.
Then, Xiao Qiang appeared before her in a flash.
With a surge of blinding light, the Sword of Judgment gleamed like ice in the night. Boosted by his Ice-Blue Emperor soul bone skill, he swung the blade in a single arc, destroying all eight ghostly summons in an instant.
"I said—your opponent is me!"
He planted the Sword of Judgment into the ground. A powerful aura surged outward, pushing away the darkness like dawn chasing away night.
And just like that, the shadow in Zhang Lexuan's heart lifted. She was back in the moment of hunting hundred-thousand-year soul beasts—and this time, someone had her back.
Someone she could trust.