Under Qin Ming's protection, the rest of the Emperor Battle team also recovered one after another. Although they weren't at their peak, most had regained sixty to seventy percent of their soul power.
Afterward, everyone listened to the sounds of battle from other places and came to a huge boulder.
"Fifth Soul Skill, Explosive Fire!"
Using his powerful explosive strength, Qin Ming shattered all the massive rocks blocking their path into powder. Ahead, the Skywater Academy and Botany Academy were under siege. Though both teams were made up of girls, their strength was not weak.
Especially Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu's martial soul fusion skill, Falling Snow, which unleashed a wide-range ice attack, freezing a large group of black-clad attackers.
However, among their opponents was a Fire-attribute Soul King, who was originally meant to counter the Botany Academy, but now restrained Skywater Academy's ice abilities.
Fortunately, the teachers leading Skywater and Botany Academies, like Qin Ming, were both over level 60 Soul Emperors. Among those besieging them, there was only one Soul Sage, so they showed no signs of defeat.
With the arrival of the Emperor Battle team, the tides turned immediately.
"Emperor Battle Team arrived so quickly? They were being attacked by those three Soul Sage masters! Could it be even those three were beaten back?" a Soul King exclaimed in shock. Unfortunately, he didn't know that the three he referred to weren't just repelled— they were completely killed by the Emperor Battle team, without even their bodies remaining.
"We don't have the strength to fight three academies. Retreat!" The leading Soul Sage decisively ordered a withdrawal. This time, the Emperor Battle Team didn't pursue, since they themselves were quite exhausted.
"Teacher Qin, thank you for coming to our aid," said the teachers from Skywater and Botany Academies, coming over to express their gratitude as the enemy retreated.
"You're too polite. We're all teams representing the Heaven Dou Empire and should help each other. Teachers, I have a request," Qin Ming cupped his fists to them. "Could I trouble you to look after these students behind me? There's somewhere else I must go."
"Of course, don't worry. If there are any more enemies, we'll do everything we can to protect these students," the two teachers promised.
"Thank you!" With that, Qin Ming leaped away at great speed in a certain direction, looking extremely anxious, without even saying goodbye to Tianlin and the others.
"Teacher Qin is going to help Shrek," Tianlin suddenly realized. He had overlooked that Qin Ming was, after all, taught by Flender—Shrek was his alma mater, and Flender was his mentor.
Now that he had guessed the Spirit Hall's real objective, how could he remain indifferent? He'd only held back earlier to protect the Emperor Battle team.
Because of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Spirit Hall might not kill Ning Rongrong and the others for now, except for Tang San. But Qin Ming was different—just a teacher without any background, Spirit Hall would have no scruples about killing him.
Moreover, Qin Ming only had thirty or forty percent of his soul power left. Rushing over like this was almost certain death. Tianlin couldn't just watch him go to his doom.
"Xiao Tian, where are you going?" Yu Tianheng hurriedly tried to stop him. "Didn't Teacher Qin ask us to stay with these two teachers? Don't run off."
"I'll have to go against Teacher Qin's orders this time. Tianheng, you're the Emperor Battle captain—look after everyone. I'll be back soon." With that, Tianlin used teleportation and disappeared, not giving them any chance to stop him.
At this moment, the situation at Shrek's side was indeed dire. Other teams might face one or two Soul Sages at most; Emperor Battle Team already faced three, which was a huge deal.
But here, right from the start, there was a Soul Douluo, two Soul Sages, and a bunch of Soul Kings.
Flender and Liu Erlong were entangled by two Soul Sages and couldn't get away. Thankfully, because of Meng Yiran, the Dragon Duke and Serpent Granny were also in the team.
Their joining the sect hadn't been announced yet; this time, they were only here to protect their granddaughter.
The Soul Douluo was Lor Diarra, who wasn't even a match for the combined force of the Dragon Duke and Serpent Granny.
With this, Tang San and the others only needed to deal with the Soul Kings. Though still outmatched, with Ning Rongrong's support, they could hold on for a while.
But at this moment, something even more desperate happened—a Titled Douluo arrived, instantly changing the situation.
The first was Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan. After he appeared, Ning Fengzhi arrived with Poison Douluo and Sword Douluo—so they hadn't shown up at Tianlin's side but came here.
Then, Spirit Hall's Ghost Douluo, Mad Lion Douluo, and Turtle Douluo all appeared, turning the battle into a clash of Titled Douluo.
Who could have imagined that in a small valley, six Titled Douluo and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's sect master, Ning Fengzhi, would gather?
With Tianlin's transformation and concealment talismans, Ning Fengzhi changed his Nine Treasures to Seven Treasures and hid his eighth soul ring, appearing to fully support Sword Douluo. With his level 96 strength, Sword Douluo fought Ghost Douluo and Mad Lion Douluo at once, even gaining the upper hand, though he couldn't win quickly.
Meanwhile, Poison Douluo and Turtle Douluo were evenly matched. Turtle Douluo's shell was much like graphite, not only very defensive but also able to resist various abnormal statuses—no wonder he was sent to face Dugu Bo.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was already holding off three Titled Douluo, which was more than enough. But the last, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, left Shrek with no ability to resist.
The Dragon Duke and Serpent Granny's martial soul fusion skill could temporarily hold off a Titled Douluo, but only for a short while. Once Chrysanthemum Douluo used his true form, they were defeated.
Moreover, countless sharp blades formed by the cold Yin energy surrounded their granddaughter, Meng Yiran.
Chrysanthemum Douluo had used up a lot of soul power, but dealing with some kids was still no problem.
"Yue Guan, is it necessary to make such a big fuss to deal with a group of children?" the Dragon Duke said angrily.
"Heh, you should know we never need a reason to do things. Dragon Duke, you've lost. If you don't want your granddaughter to die, stay where you are. Considering your reputation, I'll spare your lives today."
"Senior Dragon Duke, Shrek is deeply grateful for your help today. Please don't intervene again; Yiran is also my student, I can't put her in harm's way," Flender thanked him.
It was obvious their target was Tang San. Even if Tang San was more talented than Meng Yiran, Flender would not sacrifice another student just for Tang San—he wasn't the Grandmaster.
"Sigh, Dean Flender, this time, I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do," Dragon Duke sighed. He had done all he could. Now that his granddaughter was a hostage and his soul power was nearly exhausted, he couldn't risk her life to continue helping.
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