Soul Land:The Dragon King's God of Nature

Initially, Wu Zhangkong's call to regroup went unanswered. Most notably, the three Soul Emperors and four Soul Kings Wu valued the most chose not to move toward him, though they were visibly impressed by his power. These soul masters were not alone, surrounded by companions, so they observed Wu Zhangkong's actions with cold indifference.

Only about a dozen people, mostly injured ordinary folks, actually moved toward the East Sea Academy group. Among them were three soul masters—two partnered Soul Elders and one solo Soul Ancestor—who bowed respectfully to Wu Zhangkong and Long Hengxu upon joining them.

This response left Wu Zhangkong deeply worried. The situation was dire: over fifty organized, predatory evil soul masters had them surrounded, ready to strike. Without cooperation, they might all end up as mere sustenance for these vile enemies.

Why did Wu Zhangkong believe that the surrounding evil soul masters were organized and acting on a plan? His suspicion stemmed from several clues.

First, as a Shrek Academy alumnus, Wu Zhangkong had extensive experience combating evil soul masters. Second, the fact that these soul masters dared to attack a soul-guided train indicated prior planning. And finally, their identical black robes embroidered with a gold totem showed a structured organization.

"Kekeke~ The taste of soul masters' blood is exquisite!" The red figure from earlier cackled as he stepped forward, tossing aside the now-mummified corpse of the Soul Elder he had attacked. The body, drained of all blood and flesh, was now a shriveled husk—a grotesque sight.

With casual disdain, the red figure dropped the corpse and slowly approached the survivors, finally revealing his true form. He was a tall, slightly emaciated middle-aged man wearing a crimson robe. His features were ordinary, but his eyes were a disturbing blood-red, his mouth sported two pairs of sharp fangs, and fresh blood stained his lips. His face contorted in ecstasy, like an addict who had just taken his fix.

"Kekeke~ Don't resist. Just surrender and let me enjoy you," he laughed madly, fixing his gaze on Wu Zhangkong. "Oh? An ice-attribute Soul Saint? Exquisite! Drinking your blood will surely advance my cultivation significantly!"

"Dream on!" Wu Zhangkong's face hardened as he raised his Skyfrost Sword, sending a frigid blade of sword energy toward the man.

"Bold!" The man sidestepped Wu Zhangkong's attack with a swift, mocking grin. "Your blood must be as cold as your sword! Kekeke~ Just my taste!"

In a flash, he vanished.

Wu Zhangkong's face tensed. Without turning, he shouted, "Get back! Director Long, I'm entrusting the students to you!"

The next moment, Wu Zhangkong stepped forward, thrusting his sword as the red figure narrowly evaded its edge. There was no mistaking him—it was the evil soul master Zhang Zibo.

Zhang Zibo's martial spirit had fully manifested. Blood-red wings sprouted from his arms, his exposed skin covered in dark red fur, and his fangs elongated and sharpened, glinting with a dangerous gleam. His ears morphed into bat-like points, transforming him into a monstrous crimson bat.

"It's the Blood Shadow Bat!" Jing Shaoyu's face grew serious as he identified Zhang Zibo's martial spirit.

"The Blood Shadow Bat?!" The others felt a shiver run down their spines as they recalled what they'd learned about this dreadful spirit.

The Blood Shadow Bat was a martial spirit born with a flaw. Soul masters with this spirit were afflicted by a condition called "bloodthirst syndrome." If they didn't consume human blood periodically, they would fall into madness, their minds controlled by an insatiable lust for blood. They'd begin attacking humans, drinking their blood until they regained clarity.

There was no cure for bloodthirst syndrome. Once a Blood Shadow Bat soul master drank blood for the first time, they would never escape the syndrome's grip. It would drive them to kill, perpetually seeking fresh blood. Even if the soul master was inherently good, bloodthirst syndrome would ultimately turn them into a true evil soul master.

Therefore, if anyone awakened the Blood Shadow Bat martial spirit during a Spirit Pagoda awakening, the overseeing spirit master would immediately report it to the Federation for "treatment."

Such treatment usually had two outcomes. One option was to cripple their martial spirit, effectively making them an ordinary person. The other option was death. Even the first option often resulted in death due to the severe toll on the body, though those who survived could live as normal people.

This approach was undeniably harsh for those born with the Blood Shadow Bat spirit. Still, it was a necessary measure to protect other soul masters and civilians.

"This evil soul master is a Soul Douluo! Mr. Wu won't be in danger, will he?" Xu Xiaoyan asked, her voice laced with worry. The others felt similarly anxious and disheartened. Zhang Zibo was a Soul Douluo-level evil soul master. The sight of his eight flashing spirit rings felt like a psychological attack on the survivors. Many weaker soul masters began quietly weeping in despair.

A Soul Douluo… In the Tianhai Alliance, that would be enough to qualify as the mayor of a major city.

With a cultivation level like Zhang Zibo's, it was horrifying to think of how many ordinary people and soul masters he must have killed to reach this point.

"Don't worry, believe in Mr. Wu!" Long Hengxu put on a brave face, trying to reassure them. Despite his own sinking dread, he couldn't afford to show despair in front of the students. "Don't forget, Mr. Wu once attended Shrek Academy!"

Hearing this, the surrounding bystanders seemed relieved, finding comfort in Shrek Academy's reputation. However, the Zero Class students remained tense. Unlike the others, they weren't swayed by Shrek's name alone. Their minds were filled with worries for Wu Zhangkong's safety and uncertainty about their own fate.

Jing Shaoyu's hand reflexively touched the Phoenix Ring on his finger, his eyes flashing with resolve. The Phoenix Ring held a true flame, which might serve as a last resort to save them, but… His thoughts were troubled as his gaze drifted toward the surrounding black-robed figures who were closing in on them.

The evil soul masters encircling them began moving in tandem with Zhang Zibo. Their tactics were clear as they split into teams, targeting separate groups of survivors.

Their strength was revealed at once.

Three Soul Sages, four Soul Emperors, five Soul Kings, with the rest being Soul Ancestors and Soul Elders. The survivors' morale plummeted. This evil soul master force alone could destroy a small or even mid-sized city!

Two Soul Kings were assigned to attack the East Sea Academy group.

"Kekeke~ Five young ones, huh? Excellent. Children's blood is the sweetest. I'll savor it," sneered one of the evil soul masters, a young man with a deranged aura similar to Zhang Zibo's.

The Zero Class students' faces twisted in anger. Jing Shaoyu inwardly rolled his eyes, thinking, Enough with the "kekeke." This isn't some other fantasy universe. Wrong scene, buddy!

"Be careful, Jing Shaoyu!" Long Hengxu called out urgently. Yet he himself was in a bind, as the other Soul King had already set his sights on him. Unable to assist directly, he could only shout a warning to the students.

The Zero Class team understood the severity of their situation. The five of them huddled close, keeping a wary eye on the young evil soul master.

The young soul master seemed to be in no hurry to attack. He looked them over with malicious curiosity, as though playing a game where he knew the outcome. To him, this was just a foregone game of cat and mouse.

"Foul beast, die!"

Suddenly, as the young soul master's attention remained fixed on the students, the Soul Ancestor who had joined them earlier saw his chance. Without hesitation, he launched a surprise attack, his martial spirit—a powerful Battle Breaker Staff—radiating fierce energy.

Pouring all his strength into this strike, the Soul Ancestor aimed for a one-hit kill.

He swung the Battle Breaker Staff down, channeling an unstoppable force aimed right at the young man's head. The evil soul master appeared dumbstruck by the Soul Ancestor's fierce attack, standing motionless as the staff connected, seemingly crushing his skull.

"Got him!" The Soul Ancestor's heart surged with triumph, and he nearly cried out in celebration. But just then, a voice echoed from behind him. "Watch out!"

He froze, turning instinctively to see a fac

e that drained the color from his own, jaws open wide, lunging for his neck.

"Ah—"

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