"Beep! Beep! Beep!"
A piercing alarm suddenly rang out without warning, echoing throughout the entire office building as glaring red lights flashed continuously.
"Jing Hongchen, do you really think these soul tools alone can protect you? Don't forget—you're inside this room as well!"
Yan Shaozhe's expression grew colder and colder, rage surging in his heart. He glanced at Lin Huiqun beside him and saw her give a slight nod.
"Shaozhe, it seems that after so many years without making a move, the world has forgotten the majesty of Shrek Academy. Then let's remind them."
Lin Huiqun said indifferently.
It was too suffocating. Ever since entering Mingde Hall, they had been completely led around by Jing Hongchen.
"Cry—!"
The next moment, a sharp phoenix cry resounded. Yan Shaozhe released the overwhelming aura of a Super Douluo. Behind him, the phantom of a radiant phoenix flashed into existence, bathed in holy light. Blazing flames of the Bright Phoenix erupted instantly.
Two yellow, two purple, and five black soul rings—nine in total—rose beneath his feet. In an instant, everything around him turned to dust, as if burned away by the power of light.
"Phoenix Annihilation!"
Yan Shaozhe's sixth soul ring lit up. In each hand he grasped a blazing phoenix head of light, roaring with fire. His figure flickered as he shot straight toward Jing Hongchen.
Watching from the side, Lin Huiqun nodded in satisfaction. Though Yan Shaozhe had been too indulgent in his youth and not wholly focused on cultivation, the innate talent granted by the Bright Phoenix was extraordinary. Now, his strength even surpassed hers.
Soul engineers excelled at ranged combat and attrition. At such close distance, in her view, Jing Hongchen—a mere ordinary Titled Douluo—had no chance whatsoever.
"You see? So impatient."
"I already expected you would come. Do you think I'd be unprepared? Since you're unwilling to reason, then test my grand soul tool."
Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes. Facing Yan Shaozhe's terrifying assault, he showed not the slightest fear. Beneath his magnificent golden robe, a red glow lit up from the crimson armor on his chest.
In an instant, four beams of intense light shot up from the office floor. The brilliance was overwhelming, converging in midair to form a massive golden dome that directly enveloped both Yan Shaozhe and Lin Huiqun.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Two violent explosions rang out in succession as Yan Shaozhe's twin palms slammed into the golden barrier. But the shattering he expected never came. The seemingly thin shield only rippled gently.
Immediately after, a ninth-grade soul-guided ray cannon extended outward, locking onto Yan Shaozhe's head. A crimson beam shot forth in an instant.
Yan Shaozhe frowned. Using the rebound force, he retreated back beside Lin Huiqun, even stepping back another pace. He stared at the golden dome in astonishment.
"This… is this really still a soul tool?"
He knew high-grade soul tools existed—but how could one completely block his attack? And after only slight ripples, it had fully recovered.
Jing Hongchen brushed dust from the corner of his robe and slowly stood up, unsurprised.
This was a linked soul tool formation capable of defending the entire capital city of Mingdu—the same model used by the imperial palace. How could it possibly fail to stop Yan Shaozhe?
"Clap, clap, clap."
Jing Hongchen applauded lightly, smiling.
"Since the two of you refuse to pay the admission ticket, then stay here. I am even willing to switch to another office for your sake."
"Tomorrow, I'll have this building renovated with transparent walls so the students of our Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy can properly admire Dean Yan's elegance."
With that, Jing Hongchen turned to leave. The shrill alarm gradually subsided.
"Jing Hongchen, you are truly despicable!"
Yan Shaozhe continuously struck the golden barrier, but it was useless—only faint ripples spread across it.
Behind each linked soul tool were rows of milk-bottle energy devices, supplying them with an endless stream of soul power.
Linked soul tools were expensive—but they were expensive for a reason.
"Thank you for the compliment."
Jing Hongchen shrugged indifferently. For money, he was perfectly willing to pay with morality.
Just as he was about to step out the door, a voice filled with restrained fury rang out.
"Fine! We'll pay your admission ticket!"
Lin Huiqun spoke coldly, suppressing her anger.
If they were truly put on "display," Shrek Academy would suffer immense humiliation. The dignified veil of the continent's number-one academy would fall. Reputation was extremely important to Shrek.
"Hahaha, that's more like it! We're old acquaintances—why damage our friendship over such a 'small' ticket?"
Jing Hongchen turned around instantly, smiling.
By now, due to the earlier alarm, the other three ninth-grade soul engineers of Mingde Hall had also arrived in the office.
"Take it!"
A dark green left leg bone appeared in Lin Huiqun's hand and shot toward Jing Hongchen.
Originally, she had considered directly capturing Jing Hongchen and forcing him to release Huo Yuhao—a straight exchange. But not only had they failed to subdue him, they had also drawn the attention of other Mingde Hall experts. To avoid escalating matters, she had no choice but to swallow the humiliation.
With a wave of his hand, Jing Hongchen opened a gap in the protective barrier and caught the hundred-thousand-year soul bone in his hand.
"It seems Pavilion Master Lin came prepared—carrying a hundred-thousand-year soul bone on you. In terms of wealth, Mingde Hall truly cannot compare."
He chuckled as he stored it away.
Yan Shaozhe and Lin Huiqun's faces turned green. Jing Hongchen was practically calling them rich fools to their faces.
"Hall Master Hongchen, in three days I will bring the rare metals you requested. I hope our cooperation will be pleasant. Now, can you remove the barrier?"
Lin Huiqun asked calmly.
"Of course. However, just now Dean Yan destroyed so many items in my office. These were old companions of mine—I've grown quite attached to them…"
Lin Huiqun's mouth twitched. She was certain she had never met someone so shameless.
But without the barrier lowered, they couldn't leave.
"What do you want?"
"You'll have to pay more!"
"I want an additional ten percent of rare metals added to the original agreement."
Jing Hongchen's eyes lit up as he spoke.
"Fine!"
Lin Huiqun took a deep breath and agreed immediately, fearing he would create further trouble.
Damn! I asked for too little!
Jing Hongchen lamented inwardly—but he still deactivated the linked soul tool barrier.
"Hall Master Hongchen, we'll see you in three days."
Lin Huiqun snorted coldly and departed swiftly with Yan Shaozhe.
"Hahaha! Pavilion Master Lin, Dean Yan, come visit Mingde Hall more often!"
Jing Hongchen called after them, twisting the knife one last time.
The two figures paused midair—then flew off even faster.
(End of Chapter)