As the shockwave subsided, the three attackers fixed their gazes on the Shrek team, expressions shifting between uncertainty and fury. The Spirit Sage whose lips were stained with blood glared with smoldering rage. If not for his Martial Soul being the Iron Armored Turtle—an exceptionally defensive beast spirit—that earlier terrifying attack might have pierced clean through his body. He hadn't even had time to defend.
Now, though, beyond the anger in his eyes was a hint of lingering fear at that beam's power and penetrative force.
"He's one of our targets, isn't he?" the Spirit Douluo with eight glowing spirit rings said in a low voice.
"Yeah," the injured Spirit Sage growled. "Him... and the one who launched those steel needle attacks earlier."
"Move," the Spirit Douluo ordered flatly.
Even the injured Spirit Sage didn't hesitate, bursting toward the Shrek students.
At this moment, Flender and Liu Erlong arrived, closing in quickly.
The two Spirit Kings who had been repelled by Flender and Liu Erlong earlier now seemed reinvigorated, regrouping and following closely behind the Spirit Douluo.
With a cold snort, the Spirit Douluo signaled his two Spirit Sage companions, who lunged toward Flender and Liu Erlong, while he locked onto the twelve Shrek students and charged straight at them.
Seeing a Spirit Douluo, with all eight Spirit Rings blazing, barreling toward them, the Shrek students' expressions turned grim. A Spirit Douluo backed by two Spirit Kings—there was no way they could fight back against such overwhelming power.
Their eyes naturally shifted to Lin Jie.
Lin Jie blinked when he noticed everyone looking at him. "...Don't tell me you think I can take on a Spirit Douluo?"
Meanwhile, Flender and Liu Erlong were already locked in combat.
Flender, a rank-78 Spirit Sage, was no slouch—but neither was his opponent, whose Martial Soul was the Winged Tiger. The two clashed midair in a fierce aerial battle.
Liu Erlong, on the other hand, faced the Iron Armored Turtle Spirit Sage—already wounded from Lin Jie's electromagnetic cannon earlier. Though the opponent had slightly lower Spirit Power, Liu Erlong's aggressive offense pushed him into a steady retreat.
The black-cloaked Spirit Douluo cast a glance at Lin Jie, then at Tang San. With a piercing whistle, his eyes turned sharp and menacing. In a flash, he rose into the air, launching himself toward the twelve students of Shrek Academy.
Golden light flared from his body. As he soared, a massive pair of golden wings burst forth from his back. Behind him, a blazing golden halo radiated outward—a sign of his Martial Soul's full release. A massive golden eagle materialized.
As the transformation progressed, his arms detached from his shoulders and became razor-sharp talons. His body shrank and reshaped, gradually becoming more and more like the Martial Soul behind him.
"He's using his seventh Spirit Ability—Martial Soul Avatar!" someone from Shrek exclaimed.
He was clearly aiming to end the battle quickly.
And with the Spirit Douluo airborne, escape wasn't even an option.
There was no room for wishful thinking. Their only choice now was to fight with everything they had.
Just then, as Lin Jie was about to signal for a tactical retreat, his Mind Web detected a familiar aura approaching. His expression calmed.
"Picking on children now, are we? Brother Eagle, it's been a long time."
An elderly voice echoed from behind them.
A warm, gentle wave of Spirit Power washed over the Shrek students. The suffocating pressure from the Spirit Douluo's Martial Soul Avatar instantly lightened.
Everyone turned—and to their astonishment, an old man stood behind them, gripping a staff several meters long. Eight Spirit Rings glowed around him in a steady rhythm.
It was Dragon Duke Meng Shu, the Spirit Douluo they had once met in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Lin Jie immediately expanded his Mind Web. Sure enough, another powerful aura was quickly approaching. Where there was Dragon Duke, Serpent Lady could not be far behind.
During the qualifying rounds, Meng Yiran had hinted to Lin Jie that her grandparents were unlikely to let her travel alone. He'd guessed correctly.
In midair, the golden eagle Spirit Douluo's eyes narrowed when he spotted Meng Shu. "Meng Shu. I advise you to stay out of this."
Meng Shu chuckled. "Out of this? My granddaughter is among the students here. You expect me to stand by and do nothing? I didn't expect to find you here, Eagle-brother—what a surprise. You've stooped to banditry? Congratulations."
His voice dripped with sarcasm.
By now, it was clear to all the academies—these weren't just ordinary bandits. They were elite forces sent by a powerful organization. If even Spirit Douluo were among them, the continent was indeed on the verge of chaos.
The golden eagle Spirit Douluo's eyes turned cold. "Think carefully, Meng Shu. Standing against us will not end well for you."
A flash of sharp light crossed Meng Shu's eyes. "Lor Diara, do you think I'm that easy to scare? You might scare others, but not me. If you want a fight, you've got one."
He took a firm step forward, radiating power.
He glanced at the Shrek students, gaze landing last on Lin Jie.
Diara—the Spirit Douluo—frowned. He knew that where Dragon Duke was, Serpent Lady wouldn't be far. And if those two performed their Martial Soul Fusion Technique, even a Titled Douluo might struggle to contain them.
Sure enough, Serpent Lady, now a Spirit Sage, was already fending off two Spirit Kings on her own—and gaining the upper hand. After pushing the two back, she noticed Diara's gaze and met it coldly.
Lin Jie noticed this and chuckled, then walked forward toward Meng Shu.
"Lin Jie—!" the Shrek team called after him.
"It's fine," Lin Jie said as he stepped up beside Dragon Duke and bowed slightly. "Thank you for coming to our aid, Senior."
"Well, well. We meet again, young man. I didn't expect you to grow this strong in under two years," Meng Shu said with admiration. He'd clearly witnessed the electromagnetic cannon Lin Jie had fired earlier—and as a Spirit Douluo, he could also sense Lin Jie's true level of Spirit Power.
"You flatter me, Senior. But... are you sure you shouldn't consider retreating? Their reinforcements seem quite formidable," Lin Jie said calmly—but his tone had a hint of challenge.
"Hmph. Even if a Titled Douluo shows up, I can trade a few blows," Meng Shu replied proudly. "But brat, you haven't forgotten the promise you made me, have you?"
"Of course not, Senior. How could I?" Lin Jie replied with mock innocence. "That said, I hope you'll make sure I stay alive today. Otherwise, there's no one left to keep that promise."
"Don't worry. I'll keep you safe," Meng Shu said with a hearty laugh.
Just then, Diara, the Spirit Douluo, suddenly let out a piercing screech. The sound cut through the battlefield like a blade.
It wasn't just a cry—it was a signal.
He stared at Meng Shu. "Last warning. Leave now with Serpent Lady, and I won't touch your granddaughter. But stay... and you won't leave at all. I'm just the messenger."
Meng Shu's face darkened. He knew Diara's background. If even a Spirit Douluo like Diara was merely "running errands," then whoever was behind this...
Cold dread crept into his heart.
He hadn't stepped in to save the entire Shrek team—just Lin Jie, due to a past agreement. Still, if he turned tail now after swearing to protect the boy, how would he live that down?
Serpent Lady, having repelled the two Spirit Kings, came over with her granddaughter Meng Yiran. She gave Meng Shu a meaningful glance—telling him that Yiran was safe, and now was the time to retreat.
Lin Jie noticed the exchange of looks and knew what they were planning.
He couldn't let that happen.
If they left now, who would protect him?
His gaze swept toward Meng Yiran, then the Serpent Lady, and he spoke with a light smile, "Miss Yiran, Serpent Lady—what a coincidence to see you here."
"Hmph." Serpent Lady gave a curt nod, saying nothing more.
Meng Yiran, however, watched Lin Jie with interest. This was the young man who had defeated her twice—and was both powerful and handsome. Her curiosity toward him had never faded.
Seeing Serpent Lady ignore him left Lin Jie slightly awkward, but catching Meng Yiran's gaze, he smiled and said, "Miss Yiran, this place is quite dangerous. Aren't you going to leave with your grandparents?"