Zhu Ziyang's group had already advanced several hundred meters deeper into the forest. The number of Jade-Scaled Sevenfold Flowers they had cleared exceeded a hundred, and they had even encountered and eliminated three or four Jade-Scaled Ninefold Flowers.
Because of this, Zhu Ziyang had reaped massive gains. His first soul ring had reached 999 years. If not for the fact that breaking through the millennium mark required a more immense and purer amount of life force, and the current environment didn't allow him to concentrate fully, his first soul ring would have already reached the thousand-year level. Once his first ring hit the hundred-year cap, he had shifted his focus to strengthening the second ring. Currently, his second soul ring had reached three thousand years, and the third had reached five thousand years.
Alongside his soul ring growth, his physique and spirit had also greatly improved. His physical body could now withstand pressure equivalent to a seventy-five-thousand-year soul beast. As for his spirit, both the quality and quantity of his spiritual power had increased.
Even if they left right now, it would still be a huge gain for Zhu Ziyang.
Of course, they had no intention of leaving just yet. After all, their target was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Just as they continued pressing forward, an unexpected event occurred.
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, a burly short-haired man descended from the sky, piercing straight through the dense poisonous mist above the forest. He landed heavily on the ground in front of Zhu Ziyang and the others. The sheer force of his aura directly blasted away the surrounding Jade-Scaled Sevenfold Flowers and dispersed the mist nearby.
The sudden shock made Yan Shaozhe and Cai Meier instantly tense. They darted in front of Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan, shielding them while their eyes locked warily on the man who had just appeared. From him, they felt a terrifying pressure — one they had only ever experienced from Mu En!
Yan Shaozhe and Cai Meier exchanged glances, and in each other's eyes, they saw a deep solemnity.
The short-haired man stood with his back to them, completely ignoring Yan Shaozhe and Cai Meier. His voice thundered like a drum, low and resounding.
"This is not a place you should be. Leave immediately."
"Who are you?" Yan Shaozhe was clearly displeased with the man's arrogance, his gaze flashing with a hint of anger. "This Sunset Forest is unclaimed territory, isn't it? Or are you saying this mist is your doing?"
"Hmph!" The man snorted — a sound like a crashing thunderclap that shook the air. Yan Shaozhe and Cai Meier felt the weight of that pressure, while Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan were left numb, their spirits trembling from just that one snort.
"This has nothing to do with you. Leave. Now. Or don't blame me for being harsh!"
His voice carried a chilling threat. Perhaps to back his words, the man turned around — and fully released his pressure. Behind him, nine soul rings rose.
The overwhelming pressure forced Yan Shaozhe and Cai Meier to retreat a few steps.
Black, black, black, black, black, black, black, red, red!
Zhu Ziyang and the others stared at the soul rings in utter disbelief, as if witnessing someone return from the dead.
"An Ultimate Douluo!" Yan Shaozhe choked out the words, his face filled with dread. He didn't hesitate for a second.
"We overstepped. Please forgive us!"
He immediately grabbed Zhu Ziyang and took to the skies, fleeing toward the outskirts of the Sunset Forest. Cai Meier followed right behind with Jiang Nannan in tow. The two Super Douluos of Shrek Academy had never retreated so hastily before.
The burly man remained where he stood, watching them flee. Only after they vanished from sight did he withdraw his gaze.
"Shrek Academy, huh? A bit reckless, aren't they?" he muttered. "No matter. As long as the task is done. Time to head back."
With a leap, he soared skyward and disappeared into the distance.
—
Yan Shaozhe and Cai Meier flew several hundred miles away from the Sunset Forest before finally stopping. Only after confirming they weren't being pursued did they relax slightly, their faces pale with lingering fear.
"Thank goodness he didn't come after us," Yan Shaozhe exhaled heavily and patted his chest.
"Yeah..." Cai Meier's voice trembled slightly. "An unknown Ultimate Douluo… We really need to reassess the situation in the Sunset Forest!"
"Agreed." Yan Shaozhe nodded, then turned to Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan.
"Are you two alright?"
"I'm okay, Senior Brother," Zhu Ziyang replied. Apart from a pale face, he was unharmed. Honestly, this was his first time directly experiencing the might of an Ultimate Douluo. Just one cold snort from that man had felt like a mountain crashing down on him — terrifying beyond words.
"I'm fine too," said Jiang Nannan.
"Let's return to the Academy and report this to the teachers," Yan Shaozhe said with a grim expression. "An unfamiliar Ultimate Douluo might shift the entire balance of the continent. As for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well… we'll leave that for now."
The four of them all understood one thing clearly — the legendary Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was not something they could touch just yet.
"Let's go," Cai Meier agreed.
With that, the two Super Douluos flew swiftly toward Shrek Academy, taking Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan with them.
On the way back, Zhu Ziyang retreated into his spiritual sea.
"Teacher, your soul is fully stabilized now, isn't it? We don't need to worry about it dissipating anymore, right?" he asked hopefully. It was clear to him that Electrolux's soul was far more solid than six months ago. His limbs and body were now fully formed into a complete soul body.
"Hahaha, that's right!" Electrolux laughed heartily. "And that's not all — I've got a gift prepared for you. Once we return to the Academy, you'll see for yourself."
"Really? What is it?" Zhu Ziyang's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Haha, don't be so hasty," Electrolux chuckled. "Let's talk about that man you encountered first."
"Wait — you know him?" Zhu Ziyang was startled, then immediately realized how dumb his question sounded.
"Hahaha! Looks like he left quite the impression. You're so shaken that you even asked that!" Electrolux laughed. "But I don't blame you. That man's power far surpasses Mu En."
"What?" Zhu Ziyang was stunned. Someone stronger than Mu En? But Mu En was a rank-99 Ultimate Douluo! That man was also an Ultimate Douluo — at best a match, how could he be stronger? Unless… was it because Mu En was paralyzed?
"Don't be so surprised," Electrolux said calmly. "That man was hiding his strength. I sensed a trace of divinity within him."
"Divinity?"
"Yes, divinity," Electrolux confirmed. "Based on my understanding of this continent, there are only two reasons someone would carry divine energy: either they are a mortal priest chosen by a god, or their soul power has broken through rank 100. Either one is stronger than Mu En."
"A god's priest? Or rank-100 soul power?" Zhu Ziyang was stunned. "Teacher, which one do you think he is?"
"Hard to say, but I lean toward the first," Electrolux replied with a thoughtful look. "I sensed a divine consciousness hidden in the poisonous clouds earlier — probably left behind by the god he serves. It didn't match the man's aura, so I believe he's a subordinate."
"Then doesn't that mean everything in the Sunset Forest is part of that god's plan?" Zhu Ziyang's eyes widened, his heart pounding. He realized he might have stumbled upon a shocking secret. The mist surrounding the Sunset Forest now felt like a veil finally lifting.
"Very likely," Electrolux said. "I think that god is hiding something — most likely within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
"Ah…" Zhu Ziyang's face fell. "So I'm fated to miss out on the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"
"Not necessarily." Electrolux shook his head. "As long as you don't disturb the toxic clouds, you won't trigger the divine consciousness. That god seems very confident in the poisonous flowers — he didn't leave a divine trace on the ground. So, as long as you pass through the flower field alone, you should be fine."
"Really?" A spark of hope lit up in Zhu Ziyang's eyes. "Then… maybe we can try again after a while?"
"Of course you can — especially with me here!" Electrolux declared proudly.
(End of Chapter)
---
A Huge Shoutout and Welcome to Zacharie Winn for Joining us on Patreon and Becoming a Member of Diamond.
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.