Chapter 272: A Failed Endeavor
Sword Douluo took a deep breath and made a decision that shocked everyone.
"Old Bones, take Fengzhi and Rongrong and get out of here! Leave these four to me!"
"Old Sword, are you insane?!"
Bone Douluo's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. Sword Douluo was undeniably strong, but he was up against four titled douluo—especially Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, who could unleash a martial soul fusion skill.
"Listen to me! There's no time to hesitate—go now!"
A dazzling light burst forth from Sword Douluo's body, but it wasn't from his soul power—it was the result of burning his own life force.
In the original timeline, under extreme pressure, he had also faced four opponents alone. By sacrificing his arm and permanently halting his cultivation progress, he forcibly broke through to Rank 97.
However, because of Xiao Yu's interference, the lineup of the attackers had changed. Although he still faced four titled douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were significantly stronger than the original lineup of Ling Yuan Douluo and Kuang Xi Douluo. This was bad news for Sword Douluo.
"Uncle Jian!"
Tears welled up in Ning Fengzhi's eyes.
In his life, most of his relationships had been built on mutual benefit. Even Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo—guardians of his sect—were no exception. It was precisely because he recognized their immense talent that he had carefully plotted and maneuvered to draw them into the sect, step by step.
But at this moment, facing Sword Douluo's willingness to sacrifice himself, he felt a rare and genuine emotional response. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in his hand radiated an intense glow, shining like a brilliant gemstone in the dark night.
"Uncle Gu, protect Rongrong and take her away. Her potential surpasses mine—so long as she lives, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will not fall!"
After giving his final instructions to Bone Douluo, Ning Fengzhi disregarded everything else and charged toward the battlefield.
"Uncle Jian, today, I live and die with you!"
"Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, since you want to die so badly, we'll grant your wish!"
Led by Chrysanthemum Douluo, the four elders of Spirit Hall erupted with terrifying soul power, surging like a volcanic eruption.
A battle to the death was about to begin!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Just then, in the distant sky, brilliant fireworks bloomed like a dazzling display of flowers. Vibrant sparks of every color intertwined, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
The four Spirit Hall elders frowned. As high-ranking figures in Spirit Hall, they knew that these sudden fireworks were not the tricks of some noble trying to impress a girl.
This was Spirit Hall's highest-level distress signal!
Whenever such a signal was fired, all Spirit Hall members—no matter where they were or what they were doing—were required to immediately drop everything and rush to provide support. Failure to comply would result in severe punishment.
The fireworks Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Snake Spear Douluo, and Porcupine Douluo saw were not directly fired by the Grand Worshipper.
Though both events were occurring in the Heaven Dou City region, they were separated by at least several hundred miles. The distress signal had been relayed multiple times through hidden Spirit Hall outposts across Heaven Dou City, each outpost firing identical signals until the message reached the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Based on the colors, shapes, and sequence of the fireworks—along with Spirit Hall's unique communication methods—the message was clear:
The emergency was in Sunset Forest!
"Sunset Forest… Could something have happened to the Third and Fourth Worshippers?"
The four Spirit Hall elders quickly deduced the identities of the ones calling for help. They exchanged glances and nodded.
With the strength and status of the Third Worshipper, Qingluan Douluo, and the Fourth Worshipper, Xiongshi Douluo, they would never send out such a high-priority distress signal unless they had no other choice.
"All troops, retreat from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect immediately! New target: Sunset Forest!"
After issuing the retreat order to the Spirit Hall forces below, the elders cast one last, reluctant glance at Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi, who were charging toward them with fierce determination, as well as Bone Douluo, who was preparing to withdraw.
To them, Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi were merely making a futile last stand. Their inevitable fate was to fall together under their hands.
With the strongest force of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—Sword Douluo—eliminated, and its mastermind—Ning Fengzhi—gone, even if Bone Douluo managed to escape with some of the disciples, the sect would be critically wounded. It would take at least a century for them to recover. At the very least, the part of the Soul Hunting Operation targeting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could be considered a success.
Upon receiving the order, the black-clad Spirit Hall forces immediately began their retreat. The soul masters from the subordinate sects, who had been temporarily drafted, were slightly slower to react. However, the Spirit Hall-affiliated soul masters had already been prepared for withdrawal the moment they saw the distress fireworks. Their retreat was swift and efficient.
In just a few moments, the once-overwhelming tide of Spirit Hall forces receded like a retreating wave. As they withdrew, they made sure to take the bodies of their fallen comrades. Some even greedily stripped valuables from the corpses of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's soul masters.
"They're gone. They're finally gone!"
Watching the black-clad army that had nearly destroyed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect retreat, Ning Rongrong's legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
"Rongrong, are you okay?"
Standing beside Ning Rongrong was none other than the second member of the Shrek Seven Devils, the Sausage Uncle—Oscar.
After the Soul Master Tournament had ended, Oscar, who had long harbored feelings for Ning Rongrong, had asked to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Although Shrek Academy did not win the championship, this did not change Ning Fengzhi's favorable view of the Shrek Seven Devils.
A food-type soul master with innate full soul power, voluntarily joining the sect? Unless he had gone mad, there was no way Ning Fengzhi would refuse.
After joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Oscar had cautiously expressed his feelings for Ning Rongrong.
However, because certain key events from the original timeline had been altered—such as their heartfelt conversation outside Soto City and his life-risking protection of her when the Titan Giant Ape attacked in the Star Dou Forest—Ning Rongrong's feelings for Oscar remained in the realm of friendship, classmates, and comrades-in-arms.
Moreover, the sect's strict rules further solidified her decision, leading her to reject Oscar outright.
After being rejected so decisively, Oscar felt deeply disheartened.
In the original timeline, he had dared to travel across the continent in search of a way to give auxiliary-type soul masters offensive power because he was certain of Ning Rongrong's feelings for him.
Love, at times, could be an incredible force, capable of inspiring miracles.
But now, since Ning Rongrong did not share that kind of love for him, Oscar lost the drive to relentlessly pursue strength as he once had.
(End of Chapter)
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