Xue Qinghe swept to Li Zhexian's front. Her teeth were clenched tightly. She didn't dare to look into Li Zhexian's eyes, simply protecting him from behind without leaving a trace.
Almost at the same time,
another graceful figure broke through the chaos,
flashing to stand before Li Zhexian.
It was Zhu Zhuqing.
"Li Zhexian!" Her voice carried a faint tremor.
Though she knew her own strength was far inferior,
and that she might not be of help—
when danger struck, instinct drove her.
She only wanted to get closer to Li Zhexian. It was as if only by doing so could her suspended heart be a little more at ease.
And what was surprising was that Xiao Wu, her face pale, also followed, sticking tightly to Zhu Zhuqing with her head down. She seemed to be seeking some kind of protection.
Xue Qinghe's gaze swept over Zhu Zhuqing's face full of worry,
then flicked back to Li Zhexian.
A strange light flickered in her eyes.
Beside the Shrek team's carriage, looking at the young man in the white robe who was being protected by the Crown Prince and Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong's pearly teeth were clenched against her red lips, and a hint of dejection flashed across her pretty face.
At that moment, after the initial instinctive panic, the royal knights formed a defensive formation.
The accompanying teachers of the five academies recovered as well,
quickly drawing their students into the core of their protection.
The teacher accompanying the Imperial Battle Team was the Vice-Dean Bai Baoshan. With a solemn expression, he stepped forward and respectfully cupped his hands toward the two figures on the hill.
"We are Heaven Dou Empire teams on our way to Martial Soul City to participate in the Spirit Master Tournament."
"May I ask which two Excellencies have descended?"
"Please make things convenient for us."
"And allow us to pass through."
In truth—
Those of seasoned experience present already saw the truth clear as a mirror.
Across the entire continent, there were fewer than twenty Titled Douluo openly acknowledged.
And what force could dispatch two of them together—
leading a thousand elite Spirit Masters in ambush?
The answer was already obvious.
…Could it be the Spirit Hall had sent Titled Douluo to intercept tournament teams?
This was utterly shocking!
And yet—
Thinking of the surging ambition Spirit Hall had shown ever since the new Pope ascended the throne—
Bai Baoshan and the other experts exchanged glances.
Only a heavy sense of powerlessness remained in their hearts.
"Let us hope…
their target is not our academies."
The thought had just flashed through his mind when he heard the Douluo holding the strange flower utter a cold voice that was impossible to tell if it was male or female.
"Unrelated people, disperse immediately."
"We only want Li Zhexian."
At those words, the entire field fell silent.
Then—
a thousand eyes fixed upon the white-robed youth.
Spirit Hall actually wants to kill Li Zhexian?! Why?! Could it be because Li Zhexian poses a threat to the Golden Generation?!
All sorts of emotions intertwined and changed on everyone's faces.
At Shrek's side—
Dai Mubai's lips curled high, eyes flashing with unrestrained delight.
He clenched his fists and stared at Li Zhexian, as if he could already foresee the next moment.
This Sword Wine, who was praised to the skies, would be ruthlessly abandoned by everyone.
All that talk of "friends from all corners of the world" and "all those he talks and laughs with are geniuses, and all those he associates with are not common folk." He had heard these words so many times in Heaven Dou City that his ears were about to grow calluses.
But...
What about this time?! Two Titled Douluo are here, specifically asking to take his life!
Let's see if your so-called friends still dare stand by you, Li Zhexian!
Tang San appeared calm,
but the corner of his lips tugged in a faint smile.
He saw Xiao Wu pressed tightly to Zhu Zhuqing's side.
To him, it was simply that she went to seek out Li Zhexian.
Darkness welled in his heart.
"Li Zhexian... It's a pity I can't cripple you myself."
In sharp contrast to Shrek's gloating—
Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, and Yu Tianxin's faces all shifted drastically.
"Teacher! Please—help Li Zhexian!"
Huo Wu was the first to react, her anxious plea directed at the Blazing Academy's leading teacher.
That teacher's expression froze with difficulty.
To intervene when Titled Douluo had named their target—
How could a Spirit Sage dare?
"Teacher, I beg you!"
Huo Wushuang followed quickly, voice earnest.
Feng Xiaotian and Yu Tianxin too implored their teachers to act.
Several sighs sounded.
Three streaks of light surged out,
taking place beside Bai Baoshan,
forming a wall before Li Zhexian.
"You two Excellencies, this child is a genius of Heaven Dou. Please be lenient!"
It was not that they were fearless.
Their bond with Li Zhexian was not worth their lives.
But perhaps…
with so many standing together,
Spirit Hall might hesitate.
For if Spirit Hall slew the representatives of the four great academies—
how could the Spirit Master Tournament ever continue?
No matter what,
this aid was real.
Li Zhexian cupped his fists deeply to the four teachers standing before him,
and to Huo Wu and the others rushing up.
"Your aid today—Zhexian will never forget."
Just then—
A streak of azure light pierced through the air—it was the leading teacher of Skywater Academy.
Li Zhexian blinked in surprise.
He had some ties with the other three academies.
But Skywater Academy? He had no connection.
"Geniuses are rare. It would be a pity for one to fall. I beg you two Excellencies... please be lenient!"
Li Zhexian glanced toward Shui Bing'er not far away,
then bowed again in solemn thanks.
"…Heh." From the dark shadow, a faint, ethereal voice with a hint of admiration came.
"Little one, your relationships are impressive indeed."
"It's a pity..." His voice suddenly turned cold. An unmatched pressure rumbled down.
"You guys are still far from enough!"
"Last warning—
all but Li Zhexian, withdraw!"
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Tianheng and the others held their ground at Li Zhexian's side.
"Li Zhexian… if the chance comes, run…"
Looking upon these friends, these teachers—
A warmth surged in Li Zhexian's chest.
Just as he moved to summon Dugu Bo and Yu Yuanzhen—
Xue Qinghe suddenly lifted her head.
Her eyes fixed on the two Titled Douluo above the ridge.
She knew Li Zhexian surely had cards to face Titled Douluo.
But today…
since it was calamity she herself had drawn down upon him,
it was hers to shoulder.
"With me here, you won't be able to touch Li Zhexian." Her voice carried the weight of a prince, ringing across the mountain pass.
Many sighed inwardly.
If it were any other power,
they might have given face to the Heaven Dou Crown Prince.
But before Spirit Hall?
What weight had that?
And yet—
to the astonishment of all, when the two Titled Douluo saw the golden-robed Crown Prince, they fell silent.
Their gazes met without a sound. They both saw a hint of helplessness in the other's eyes, but it was immediately replaced by a cold determination.
"We act under orders. Not gods, not ghosts, can stop us!" Chrysanthemum Douluo's tone was resolute.
And with those words—
Boom!
Boom!
Two streaks of vast, black aura, like a heavenly punishment, tore through the sky without any warning. They fiercely struck the two Titled Douluo.
The speed was at its extreme!
And due to the sneak attack, the two of them had no time to react!
Bang!
Bang!
With two deafening booms, the two Titled Douluo were smashed into the side of the mountain like meteors.
The cliffs shattered, twin craters blasted open,
rubble and dust erupting skyward.
Above, two figures cloaked in vast black robes looked down upon the smoking pits.
Their voices, rough and thunderous, rolled across the pass:
"Not even gods or ghosts may stop you?"
"You two are really full of yourselves…"