"Boom!!!!!!!"
The Light Phoenix, in the instant it approached the falling Star of Destruction, frantically compressed all of its soul power, life force, and even the origin of its soul.
The entire being seemed to transform into a tiny sun, burning to the extreme in a desperate attempt to drive away the darkness.
Terrifying energy waves swept in all directions.
In the next moment, as Yan Shaozhe's soul core—which had condensed his entire life's cultivation—completely collapsed and instantly expanded, a deafening thunderclap like a nuclear explosion resounded throughout the world.
The destructive energy produced by the self-detonation of the soul core burst forth like a star's supernova, forming a rapidly expanding golden sphere of light that smashed violently into the falling Star of Destruction.
Rumble—!!!
The unstoppable descent of the Star of Destruction was actually stalled for a brief moment by this self-sacrificing strike.
Even the surface, reinforced by destructive energy, cracked with countless tiny fissures, and innumerable small fragments were blasted off in all directions.
Yet that was all.
The brilliance generated by Yan Shaozhe's self-detonation was magnificent, but all too brief.
In the face of this kilometer-wide star imbued with god-level destructive power, the light of this attack was like a fleeting spark in an endless abyss—flaring for a tragic instant before being completely swallowed by infinite darkness, leaving not a trace behind.
A moth flying into the flame is, after all, still just a moth.
Phantylia watched it all with indifference.
Though she had only just possessed the Golden Tree as her physical body, her essential rank was far above this world.
By the rules of the Douluo Continent, she had already ascended to godhood—using the Douluo Star's core as her foundation—a true first-rank god whose power far exceeded level 120.
And this was still just the beginning; she had not yet fully adapted or assimilated.
Given time, her divine power would increase at a terrifying rate, possibly breaking the threshold of level 150 and reaching the realm of God King.
Such was the terrifying foundation of the Lord Ravager. Even now, this was not her true form, but merely a memory form—her power still far beyond the reach of mortals.
Could a first-rank god's strike truly be hindered by the self-detonation of a Super Douluo burning everything?
The Star of Destruction only paused slightly before continuing its merciless descent toward the land below, crushing all hope.
The true end had come.
"Shaozhe, I understand now!"
Tears streamed down Cai Meier's face, nearly drowning her in endless sorrow, but from the depths of that soul-rending pain, a surge of understanding and resolute conviction erupted.
She understood the last look in Yan Shaozhe's eyes—more than just a sacrifice in despair, it was a final entrustment and hope for her and for everyone.
In the next moment, this Vice Dean of the Spirit Department, Yan Shaozhe's wife, exploded with soul power like a burning star.
She became a determined arrow, following the fading trail of her husband's light, charging without hesitation toward the Star of Destruction blotting out the sky.
"Boom——!!!!!!"
Another blazing sun erupted fiercely against the dim heavens.
The energy storm from Cai Meier's self-detonation rivaled even Yan Shaozhe's, her light filled with all her life's tenacity, love, longing, and her final roar.
Yet, this dazzling requiem only briefly slowed the descent of the kilometer-wide Star of Destruction. Like waves crashing on rocks, her energy dissipated in vain.
"Hahaha! Am I getting more afraid of death the older I get? Truly, life has gone backward!"
Elder Lin's aged yet carefree laughter suddenly rang out, shattering the oppressive grief.
A wild green brilliance shot skyward—like a river of life flowing in reverse, charging decisively toward death.
"Hahaha, Shrek Academy—Beast King Douluo Gong Changlong is here!"
With fiery red hair and a unique appearance, Gong Changlong roared a dragon's song, his body transforming into a fierce red dragon as he soared, burning the last of his life in a final charge.
"Shi Xing, you're still young. Take the children and go—don't let our sacrifice be in vain!"
Elder Zhuang, the always gentle healing Douluo, now wore a solemn expression.
He gazed deeply at Shi Xing, left his last instructions, and ignited his soul core and soul essence into pure healing light.
Though not skilled in offense, this final glow still shone with the brilliance to illuminate the world.
Xian Lin'er stared blankly toward where Yan Shaozhe had vanished, then slowly turned to look at Qian Duoduo's cold, broken corpse.
All past grievances, struggles, and unwillingness suddenly became as light as dust—an overwhelming sense of relief and peace filled her heart.
Her life was already nearing its end due to burning her life force, and now, her last bit of attachment was transformed into resolution.
"Duoduo, wait for me."
She whispered softly, then transformed into a roaring blue-flame dragon, her dragon song filled with liberation and determination, soaring into the sky.
When Phantylia manipulated the star and unleashed her apocalyptic aura, the fierce beasts like Bear Lord and Ten Thousand Demon King were already scared witless, fleeing desperately just to escape the nightmare at the center.
Yet as Bear Lord ran, he suddenly felt a cold gaze fall upon him. Instinctively, he turned back.
What he saw was not an attack of hatred but the sight of one human powerhouse after another, throwing themselves like moths to a flame against the Star of Destruction—a force that would terrify even him.
In that moment, even with his hatred for humans, his ferocious beastly eyes could not suppress a shock, a complexity, and even… a trace of respect.
Bi Ji, too, stared blankly, her jade-like eyes full of indescribable emotion.
As a rare pacifist among soul beasts, she had always been opposed to humans, but the courage the Shrek elites displayed in giving their lives for what they protected left her with only pure admiration.
Perhaps… it is because souls like these shine in desperate times that humanity can always rise again.
Watching the determined, self-sacrificing backs of Elder Lin, Elder Zhuang, Xian Lin'er, and Gong Changlong, Shi Xing felt his very soul tremble.
His martial soul was the Space-Time Silverplate. If anyone could escape this catastrophe, it was him.
But all that appeared on his face was a bitter smile, soon replaced by unwavering resolve.
"Burn!"
He let out a low roar, the Space-Time Silverplate above his head bursting with unprecedented silver light.
His life force and soul essence ignited completely, pouring into his martial soul at any cost.
His hair turned gray visibly, his skin lost its luster, but he didn't care.
"Buzz——!"
Space trembled violently, silver spatial power spreading like a tide, precisely enveloping Wu Ming and the surviving inner court students of Shrek.
"Lord Shi Xing?!"
Wu Ming and the others, feeling the spatial power around them, snapped out of their terror and despair, looking up in astonishment.
"Go!"
Shi Xing's voice was hoarse from overexertion, but carried undeniable determination.
"You are Shrek's last seeds of hope. Remember—survive. The future of Shrek depends on you."
Only by burning his life and soul could he push the Space-Time Silverplate to its limit, teleporting so many people over vast distances and ensuring a slim chance of escape from certain doom.
"No, Lord Shi Xing, we won't leave! We'll live and die with the academy!"
Wu Ming's eyes reddened, shouting in desperation.
Shrek was their home—how could they abandon it?
"That's an order."
Shi Xing formed hand seals, his face twisted in pain, yet he squeezed out the last dregs of his strength.
"Find Elder Xuan. Rebuild Shrek."
As Wu Ming and the others, sobbing and red-eyed, watched, a brilliant silver light erupted, enveloping them completely.
In the next instant, space was forcibly torn open—the silver light flashed and vanished.
On the city wall, Wu Ming and the inner court elites disappeared without a trace.
All that remained were the bewildered, battered city defenders, and Shi Xing, now utterly spent and aged.
Having burned everything, even if he survived, his life was at its end.
"Sorry… this is all… I could do…"
Shi Xing looked at the city guards who had followed him for years, his eyes full of deep guilt and sorrow.
But he had no choice. Preserving the academy's legacy was the final order Yan Shaozhe had given with his life, and a mission Shi Xing had to fulfill.
"Lord City Master, there's no need to apologize."
His long-time adjutant shook his head, gazing resolutely at the self-sacrificing figures in the sky.
"We are willing to live and die with Shrek."
Even the Titled Douluos and Super Douluos had chosen to die bravely—what could these soldiers fear?
To die at the hands of a god might even be an honor.
Shi Xing gave a bitter smile and said no more.
He wanted to save everyone, but he could not.
He summoned the last of his soul power as a faint silver light, soaring skyward and astonishingly catching up with Xian Lin'er and the others.
In this moment of burning everything beyond the limit, his long-stagnant bottleneck loosened—his soul power rose by one level.
Yet this breakthrough felt so pale and tragic at this time.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom…!"
High in the sky, several suns exploded in succession.
Elder Lin's emerald light, Elder Zhuang's pure healing radiance, Xian Lin'er's blue flames, Gong Changlong's red dragon roar, Shi Xing's final spatial annihilation… the soul cores of five powerhouses detonated at different heights, almost simultaneously.