Yun Ming's expression turned extremely grim as he watched the hundreds of Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shells hurtling toward Shrek Academy.
If he had only been speculating before, he was now certain—even if Mingdu wasn't directly involved in this attack, they were undoubtedly complicit in fueling it! But besides Mingdu, were there other forces at play?
Yun Ming's gaze pierced through the barrage of Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shells, settling on a towering structure at the edge of Shrek City.
Above Shrek City, terrifying explosions erupted one after another. The chaotic energy waves unleashed by the blasts forced many airborne powerhouses to retreat to the ground, unable to withstand the overwhelming shockwaves. Only a handful of Super Douluo remained suspended in the air, forcibly suppressing the chain reactions triggered by the explosions.
The largest concentration of Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shells was above Shrek Academy—over a hundred in total, accounting for nearly a third of the entire bombardment.
Naturally, Yun Ming had no intention of letting these shells strike Shrek Academy. He nodded at Ya Li before shooting skyward, charging straight toward the incoming projectiles.
The Sky Piercing Douluo stood firm in the heavens, his nine Soul Rings—four black, three red, and two golden-orange—radiating a gentle glow behind him. In this moment of darkness and panic, his presence brought solace to all. In his hand, the Sky Piercing Spear shimmered with a faint, icy light, its aura profound and his figure as unshakable as a mountain. Anyone who saw him couldn't help but feel reassured.
"Ha!" Yun Ming let out a sharp cry as he swept his Sky Piercing Spear in a wide arc. The Soul Guidance Cannon Shells at the forefront detonated instantly, one after another. Over a hundred Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shells exploded in succession, forming a terrifying wall of fire several kilometers long and hundreds of meters high right before him.
The powerful shockwaves, nearly visible to the naked eye, twisted and surged like frenzied serpents wreathed in flames. Yet no matter how violently they raged, they could not breach Yun Ming's defense. He stood like an impenetrable barrier, completely shielding those behind him from the destructive energy.
Yun Ming had single-handedly blocked over a hundred Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shells, emerging with only a slightly pale complexion and labored breathing. Such terrifying strength was truly awe-inspiring.
The people still trapped within Shrek City erupted in cheers and excited shouts at the sight, chanting a single title in unison: "Sky Piercing!"
However, their jubilation was short-lived, for what followed would plunge the situation into even greater chaos.
The earth trembled as deep, resonant booms erupted from all corners of Shrek City—this time not from the sky, but from the ground. Mushroom clouds surged upward, their devastating shockwaves spreading outward like an unstoppable tide. Under such close-range, catastrophic explosions, the city's steel and concrete structures crumpled like fragile paper.
The cheers of the citizens turned into agonized screams in an instant. Viewed from above, Shrek City now resembled a living hell—flames, ruins, and crumbling buildings everywhere.
Yun Ming's expression darkened further as he witnessed the devastation.
Ya Li could no longer stand by idly. She soared into the sky and called out to Yun Ming, "Ming, let me go!"
Yun Ming remained silent, merely nodding quietly.
Ya Li wore a grave expression as she first returned to Jing Shaoyu and the others. Placing her hands on Shaoyu's shoulders, she said, "Shaoyu, stay inside the Sea God Pavilion. Don't leave unless absolutely necessary."
"I understand," Jing Shaoyu nodded, looking into Ya Li's eyes. "Godmother, please be careful!"
"Mm." Ya Li offered a faint smile before vanishing from the Golden Tree.
The moment Ya Li departed, an energy shield rapidly rose from the edges of Sea God Island, enveloping the entire island in an instant. The air, previously disrupted by explosions, stabilized immediately—the Sea God Island Guardian Array had been activated!
The first energy shield emerged from Sea God Island's perimeter, the second from the shores of Sea God Lake, and the third from the Outer Academy. Together, these three shields encased all of Shrek Academy in protection.
Within Shrek Academy at this moment, aside from Jing Shaoyu and his five companions, there were hundreds of Outer Academy teachers and students who hadn't evacuated in time. Organized by several Inner Academy disciples, they gathered together, watching the sky nervously.
Above Shrek City now stood only Yun Ming. The other powerhouses had descended to join rescue efforts for civilians, while the Elders of the Sea God Pavilion and Tang Sect elders sought to uncover the mastermind behind this catastrophe.
"More time is needed!" The black-robed figure who had previously slain three Titled Douluos appeared in a corner of Shrek City. Behind him stood eight similarly cloaked individuals. "Go, divert their attention!" he commanded.
With those words, the black-robed figure vanished, reappearing midair thousands of meters away, staring coldly at Yun Ming.
Seeing this, the eight black-robed figures behind him also revealed themselves openly to the world.
"I am the Ghost Emperor, leader of the Holy Spirit Church! The end has come for Shrek Academy!" The black-robed figure—now identified as the Ghost Emperor—proclaimed his identity with an arrogant laugh. "Keh keh keh!"
Behind the Ghost Emperor rose nine Soul Rings—four black, four red, and one orange-gold. Simultaneously, an enormous, terrifying green skull materialized: the Ghost Emperor's Martial Soul.
Beside him, the other eight Holy Spirit Church members also manifested their Martial Souls and Soul Rings.
To the Ghost Emperor's immediate left stood a tall, gaunt figure with nine entirely black Soul Rings. Floating behind him was a sinister blood-red wraith—this was the Dark Blood Demon, foremost of the Holy Spirit Church's Four Heavenly Kings.
To the Ghost Emperor's immediate right stood another figure with nine black Soul Rings. Though his Martial Soul wasn't visibly apparent, his entire body radiated sharp, piercing energy—this was the Dark Hummingbird, another of the Four Heavenly Kings.
To the left of the Dark Blood Demon stood a petite figure resembling a young girl, completely shrouded in black robes. Though her features remained hidden, the configuration of six black and three red Soul Rings above her head identified her as the Dark Bell, the fourth of the Holy Spirit Church's Heavenly Kings.
To the right of Dark Hummingbird stood the most astonishing figure—a stunningly beautiful woman exuding an aura of melancholy tinged with darkness. Behind her floated six black and three red Soul Rings, but more strikingly, a phoenix wreathed in black flames soared above her head. She was none other than Dark Phoenix, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Holy Spirit Church!
Apart from these four kings, the other four individuals also possessed the strength of Super Douluos. They each unleashed their Martial Souls and Soul Rings, radiating an intimidating and terrifying presence.
Seeing Ghost Emperor and the Four Heavenly Kings brazenly appear above Shrek City, both Yun Ming and the other Elders of the Sea God Pavilion wore extremely grim expressions.
To think that the Holy Spirit Church, an organization of Evil Soul Masters, would dare to provoke them so openly—had Shrek Academy's prestige truly fallen to such depths?
"Good, very good. If you had continued hiding in the shadows, I might still have had some reservations. But since you've chosen to reveal yourselves, you shall atone for your sins by joining the innocent lives you've taken!" Yun Ming's voice was icy, yet a smile played on his lips—a clear sign that his fury had reached its peak.
Silver Moon Douluo Cai Yue'er, Crimson Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi, Blazing Dragon Douluo Feng Wuyu, and several other Elders of the Sea God Pavilion swiftly appeared beside Yun Ming, their gazes burning with rage as they glared at the Holy Spirit Church faction.
"Die!" Yun Ming had no intention of wasting words. His Sky Piercing Spear blazed with light as he flashed forward, instantly enveloping all nine members of the Holy Spirit Church within his attack range.
Cai Yue'er, Zhuo Shi, and the others also launched their assaults without hesitation.
From a pure strength perspective, the Holy Spirit Church's forces clearly surpassed those of the Sea God Pavilion Elders. Ghost Emperor and Dark Blood Demon were both Limit Douluos, while the other three Heavenly Kings were Super Douluos at the ninety-eighth rank. In this regard, the Sea God Pavilion was somewhat outmatched.
However, Yun Ming alone could suppress both Ghost Emperor and Dark Blood Demon simultaneously, balancing the scales between the two sides.
Moreover, this was Shrek City—home not only to Shrek Academy but also to two other top-tier organizations: the Tang Sect and the Spirit Transfer Pagoda.
"A-Lai?!" At the headquarters of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, Leng Yaozhu had been closely monitoring the situation in Shrek City. The moment she spotted Dark Phoenix, her expression changed drastically, and she immediately rose to her feet.
At the same time, a figure streaking like a meteor finally arrived from the western skies above Shrek City.