In an instant, Yu Xiaogang's previously pale face turned crimson as blood, and he immediately spat out a mouthful of old blood that refused to stop flowing.
Seeing this, Liu Erlong's expression changed drastically. She then exerted all her strength in an attempt to break free from Qian Renxue's soul power restraint.
Though without soul power, Liu Erlong's physical body was comparable to that of a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast, she still couldn't move freely no matter how hard she tried. Watching Yu Xiaogang, who had been coughing up blood for some time, his face now ashen and beginning to bleed from his seven orifices, Liu Erlong, overcome with anxiety, ignored her fear and directly cursed:
"Bibi Dong, you despicable woman! How could you do this to Xiaogang? Don't you know how hard he's worked on his research? And he's only a Soul Ancestor! How could you suppress him with such overwhelming soul power? Are you insane? Do you want him to die here?"
Qian Renxue's expression was strange. She felt that the women around Yu Xiaogang were all abnormal—like her own mother, or this Liu Erlong.
If she had truly unleashed a non-discriminatory suppression, Yu Xiaogang would have died instantly. Didn't they see that while the ordinary students nearby were also restrained, they were otherwise fine?
The influential figures surrounding them, whose cultivation levels at least reached Soul Douluo, could naturally discern the subtlety of Bibi Dong's control over soul power. Hence, their expressions toward Liu Erlong, who was about to break through to Soul Douluo but remained oblivious, were filled with disdain.
Indeed, Qian Renxue wanted to eliminate Yu Xiaogang—but not in this manner. She intended to pin him to a pillar of shame.
Thus, Qian Renxue raised her hand and calmly said, "Chrysanthemum Elder, check on Yu Xiaogang's condition."
Then, she politely turned to Ye Xixi from Ye Wen's side and said, "Trouble Master Ye to come assist as well. Keep this worthless man alive. Though I wish to kill him, it won't be through this method. I will let the laws of the Douluo Continent pass judgment on him."
Though Chrysanthemum Douluo was still suffering from the backlash of his soul skill, he had regained some mobility and gracefully approached Yu Xiaogang, using soul power to examine his condition.
Ye Xixi followed shortly after, summoning her Nine-Heart Begonia to prepare for treatment.
After Chrysanthemum Douluo finished his examination, Qian Renxue asked, "Chrysanthemum Elder, what is this waste's current condition?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo respectfully bowed and replied, "Reporting to Your Holiness, Yu Xiaogang's symptoms are caused by extreme emotional distress. However, logically speaking, he shouldn't have been on the verge of death, as even a useless person like him is still a soul master. During my examination, I discovered that his life force was severely depleted, likely due to consuming a drug that forcibly boosts strength by consuming lifespan and vital essence. Combined with his current state of emotional distress, this explains why he appears to be on the brink of death."
Qian Renxue nodded in understanding. So that was how Shrek's group, who clearly hadn't consumed any spirit herbs, managed to break through to the Soul Ancestor level—it was through this absurdly reckless method.
In Qian Renxue's eyes, even if he broke through to Soul Ancestor, so what? A fifty-year-old Soul Ancestor was just as laughable as a fifty-year-old Great Soul Master. Why was Yu Xiaogang so obsessed with this, even sacrificing his precious lifespan?
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang had yet to recover, but Liu Erlong, unable to bear it any longer, shouted:
"It's impossible! Xiaogang's breakthrough pill—Tang San said it wouldn't have any side effects! How could it consume Xiaogang's lifespan? Bibi Dong, your Spirit Hall can't be this shameless just to distance yourselves!"
At Liu Erlong's outrageous statement, both Qian Renxue and others rolled their eyes.
How many drinks did she have?
Was it really necessary for a Title Douluo to personally refute the claim of accidentally killing a Soul Ancestor? Didn't they know their place? In the survival-of-the-fittest world of soul masters, weaker individuals like them could be killed without consequence.
If Qian Renxue really wanted to kill off Shrek's group, she could easily accuse them of disrespecting Title Douluos, and their deaths would be justified.
Before Liu Erlong could continue, Flender, upon hearing that Tang San's enhancement pills had issues, suddenly changed his expression.
Though this Shrek Academy wasn't the same rundown one he once knew, he still held immense affection for its students—and among them were his own disciples. Ignoring everything else, Flender called out loudly:
"Your Holiness, I humbly request something. Could you please have Chrysanthemum Douluo diagnose these students to see if they have similar issues within their bodies?
"Please show mercy, Your Holiness. I thank you deeply!"
With that, Flender stopped struggling and knelt directly, bowing his head forcefully to the ground before Qian Renxue.
At this moment, the audience members, who had previously harbored prejudice against Shrek's group because of Yu Xiaogang's crimes, temporarily set aside their biases. All they saw now was a devoted teacher willing to lower himself for the sake of his students.
Qian Renxue nodded to Chrysanthemum Douluo, signaling him to conduct the checks.
Not long after, the results came in. Chrysanthemum Douluo announced loudly:
"Reporting to Your Holiness, the internal conditions of Shrek's students, though not as severe as the sinner Yu Xiaogang, have nonetheless suffered some depletion of their lifespans and vital essence. This may not cause immediate harm, but when they attempt to break through to the Soul Sage level in the future, they will find it significantly more difficult than normal soul masters.
"As for achieving the rank of Title Douluo, perhaps they once had a slim chance based on their innate talent, but now… heh heh."
Though Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't explicitly finish his sentence and even added a teasing tone, everyone present understood his meaning. Their gazes toward Shrek's group became increasingly strange.
At this moment, Flender's eyes were bloodshot. If not for his restricted movement, he would have rushed over to slap Yu Xiaogang across the face.
His first half of life was ruined by Yu Xiaogang, causing him to lose the love of his life. Now, in his second half, the same man had harmed his most precious disciples.
This isn't a brother! This is a debt collector from hell!
Upon hearing the results, Qian Renxue's expression grew somewhat melancholic. The Shrek Seven Monsters, who should have shone brightly in the original timeline and retaliated against the Spirit Hall, were now prematurely crippled. It was truly lamentable.
Flender's expression shifted repeatedly before finally settling into despair. Still, he clung to the faint possibility of a miracle.
Flender bowed his head again to Qian Renxue and pleaded:
"Your Holiness, I beg of you—could Chrysanthemum Douluo treat these students? Though Tang San deserves severe punishment, these students are innocent. Most of them are good children with clean backgrounds. Please, for their ignorance, save them!"
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's gaze deepened significantly.
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