Under Qin Ming's protection, the other Titled Douluo gradually recovered. Though they were not in peak condition, most had regained six or seven levels of soul power.
As the sounds of battle echoed from other locations, the group made their way to a massive rock formation.
"Fifth soul skill, Explosive Fire!"
Qin Ming unleashed his formidable power, shattering the massive rocks into dust. Beyond the debris lay the besieged forces of Tianshui Academy and the Botanical Academy. Despite being composed entirely of women, these academies boasted impressive strength.
The martial soul fusion skill of Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu created a flurry of ice and snow, freezing a large group of enemies. However, among their opponents stood a Fire-attributed Soul King. Originally meant to counter the Botanical Academy, this Soul King proved to be an effective restraint against Tianshui Academy's ice-based abilities.
Fortunately, the leading instructors of Tianshui and the Botanical Academy were both Soul Emperors above level 60. Their adversaries, despite having a single Soul Saint among them, struggled to claim victory.
With the Emperor Team joining the battle, the tides quickly shifted.
"The Emperor Team arrived so soon? Weren't they held off by those three powerhouses? Could they have actually defeated them?" a Soul King exclaimed in disbelief.
Little did he know that the three he spoke of had not just been repelled—they had been annihilated by the Emperor Team, leaving not a single intact body behind.
"Damn it! We don't have the strength to defeat all three academies. Retreat!" the leading Soul Saint ordered decisively.
The Emperor Team, however, did not pursue them. Their own energy reserves were significantly depleted.
"Teacher Qin, thank you for your timely support" the instructors from Tianshui and the Botanical Academy stepped forward to express their gratitude.
"There is no need for thanks. We are all representing the Heaven Dou Empire, and we should assist one another. However, I do have a request." Qin Ming clasped his fists respectfully "Would you be willing to look after my students for a short while? I have another urgent matter to attend to."
"Of course. If another battle arises, we will do our best to protect them," the instructors assured him.
"Thank you!" Qin Ming said before leaping away, his urgency evident. He did not even glance back at Jun Tianlin and the others.
"Oh no! Teacher Qin is heading for Shrek!' Jun Tianlin realized.
He had overlooked a crucial point—Qin Ming was once a student of Shrek, with Flender as his mentor. Knowing the Spirit Hall's true intentions, there was no way he could sit back and do nothing.
While the Spirit Hall might hesitate to kill Ning Rongrong and the others—except for Tang San—due to their ties with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, Qin Ming had no such protection. As a mere academy teacher with no powerful background, the Spirit Hall would not hesitate to eliminate him.
Furthermore, Qin Ming had only recovered three or four levels of soul power. If he rushed in now, he would be heading straight to his death. Jun Tianlin could not stand idly by.
"Xiaotian, where are you going?" Yu Tianheng called out, blocking his path. "Teacher Qin told us to stay with the instructors. Don't run off!"
"I'm sorry, but I must disobey Teacher Qin this time" Jun Tianlin replied firmly. "Tianheng, as the captain of the Emperor Team, take care of everyone. I'll return soon."
Without giving them a chance to stop him, he teleported away.
---
At that moment, Shrek Academy was facing a dire situation. While most teams had encountered only one or two Soul Saints, the Spirit Hall had sent a Soul Douluo, two Soul Saints, and several Soul Kings against them.
Flender and Liu Erlong were occupied fighting the two Soul Saints, unable to disengage. Fortunately, due to Meng Yiran's presence, the Dragon Serpent Couple—Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang—had also joined the fray. Their recent affiliation with a sect remained undisclosed, and they had only intervened to protect their granddaughter.
The Soul Douluo leading the assault was none other than Luo Diara. Yet even he found himself struggling against the combined forces of the Dragon Serpent Couple.
This left Tang San and the others to face the Soul Kings. Though they were outmatched, Ning Rongrong's support allowed them to hold their ground for the moment.
However, the situation took a drastic turn with the arrival of a Titled Douluo.
The first to appear was Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan. Shortly after, Ning Fengzhi arrived, accompanied by Poison Douluo and Sword Douluo. They had not been present during Jun Tianlin's battle, as they had come straight here instead.
Soon, Ghost Douluo, Mad Lion Douluo, and Turtle Douluo of the Spirit Hall also arrived, escalating the confrontation into a full-scale clash of Titled Douluo.
Who could have imagined that in this small valley, six Titled Douluo and the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Fengzhi, would be engaged in battle?
Using Jun Tianlin's transformation and concealment talismans, Ning Fengzhi disguised his Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda as the Seven Treasures Pagoda, hiding his eighth soul ring while providing full support to Sword Douluo. With his 'level 96' strength, Sword Douluo managed to suppress Ghost Douluo and Mad Lion Douluo, though he could not achieve a swift victory.
Meanwhile, Poison Douluo clashed with Turtle Douluo, whose formidable shell not only boasted immense defense but also resisted various status effects. It was clear why he had been chosen to face Dugu Bo.
With the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan holding back three Titled Douluo, they had reached their limit. However, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan still remained, and Shrek Academy had no means of resisting him.
The martial soul fusion technique of the Dragon Serpent Couple could hold off a Titled Douluo briefly, but after Yue Guan activated his martial soul avatar, their defeat was inevitable.
Countless razor-sharp petals coalesced around Meng Yiran, encasing her in an inescapable death trap. Yue Guan, his energy depleted but still dominant, sneered.
"Yue Guan, was it truly necessary to mobilize such overwhelming force against a group of children?" Meng Shu, the Dragon Duke, asked angrily.
"Haha! Do we need a reason to act? Duke Dragon, you have already lost. If you wish to keep your granddaughter alive, do not interfere any further. Out of respect for your status, I am willing to spare you today."
"Senior Duke dragon, Shrek is deeply grateful for your assistance today. But please, prioritize your granddaughter's safety" Flender said solemnly.
It was evident that Tang San was the primary target. No matter how talented he was, Flender could not justify sacrificing another student for his sake. He was not Grandmaster
Meng Shu sighed deeply "Dean Flender, there is nothing more I can do."
Meng Yiran was held hostage, and his spirit power was nearly depleted. There was no way he could risk her life to continue fighting.
As Shrek's hope dwindled, a new presence was rapidly approaching the battlefield—Jun Tianlin had arrived.