Chapter 239 — The Return of Du Bu Si and the Soul Bone Exchange
Shrek Sea God Pavilion, Song Lao, the third strongest Douluo in Shrek with a soul power of level 97, stared toward the direction where Moon En and the others had left. A strange unease settled deep in his heart.
"Song Lao, you've been standing here all day. Take a break," Yan Shaozhe approached him gently.
Qian Duoduo, who rarely argued with Yan Shaozhe, also nodded. "Yes, Mom, you've been here nonstop. If there's anything you need, just tell Lin'er and me. We're worried about your health."
"It's fine. With my strength, staying longer isn't a problem. Compared to me, it's Elder Mu and Elder Xuan we should really be concerned about. I just can't shake this feeling of unease, as if something bad is about to happen."
"Elder Song, you worry too much. The Far North is a place even I wouldn't let people venture into lightly. After capturing the high-level soul beasts there, Jing Hongchen himself isn't in top condition. Plus, the distance between the Far North and the Sun Moon Empire isolates him. He's surrounded by many Titled Douluo — including Elder Xuan and Du Bu Si, who are just as strong. As for the teacher…" Yan Shaozhe smiled faintly.
"To be honest, I'm not really worried about the teacher this time. He was there to hold the line. He probably won't make a move — and he doesn't need to. Even Jing Hongchen alone might not be a match for Xuan Lao and Du Bu Si together. It's two against one. Jing Hongchen, even at full strength, likely couldn't escape. Let alone Jing Hongchen just returning from the Far North."
"The teacher said he was there to guarantee a 100% success rate in capturing Jing Hongchen and the others, but the truth is he was also guarding against Du Bu Si's possible last-minute change of heart — worried Du Bu Si might forcibly take Xiao Qiang away and leave no soul technology for Shrek."
"I know… but ever since Xuan Lao and Elder Mu left, I feel empty, and a strong sense of uneasiness has crept into my mind."
"Mr. Song, you're overthinking it. This time, we have an absolute advantage. Jing Hongchen and the others are definitely dead, no accidents. They should be back soon. Then you can rest easy."
"That's true. I must have been imagining things. With Elder Xuan and Du Bu Si working together, Elder Mu backing us, and many Titled Douluo on our side, we'll surely win. I just don't know how long it'll take for them to return and confirm the victory."
"It should be soon, Elder Song."
Yan Shaozhe's words were barely finished when a soul communicator beeped.
"Dean, Body Sect leader Du Bu Si is flying toward Shrek City at high speed. He will arrive shortly. Please advise."
"Anyone with him?"
"No."
"Good. Do not fight him. Let him in immediately."
After issuing the order, Yan Shaozhe looked at Song Lao. "Elder Song, Du Bu Si has returned, but Xiao Qiang isn't with him. I suspect the teacher and Elder Xuan kept Xiao Qiang away. Please take charge and try to buy time for their arrival."
Elder Song nodded. "Leave it to me. Even without Elder Xuan and Elder Mu, Shrek is not someone to be bullied."
"Yes, Elder Song."
When Du Bu Si arrived at the Poseidon Pavilion, all the Titled Douluo gathered, ready for battle.
"You're all here, good. To save Xuan Zi, quickly prepare eight hundred thousand year soul bones and sixteen fifty thousand year soul bones," Du Bu Si demanded.
Song Lao, who had intended to speak privately with Du Bu Si, suddenly scowled. "Du Bu Si! Have you lost your mind? Eight hundred thousand year soul bones and sixteen fifty thousand year soul bones? Do you think Shrek is a pushover for your Body Sect to bully?"
"What are you talking about? I'm not bullying Shrek. The soul bones needed to save Xuan Zi aren't from my Body Sect, but from Xiao Qiang and his people!"
"Xiao Qiang? Who's asking for this?"
"Xiao Qiang and the others — or Jing Hongchen and the others."
"Du Bu Si, do you think since Elder Xuan and Elder Mu aren't here, you can just mess with Shrek? You gave away so much to the captives. Even if you want to win over Xiao Qiang, you wouldn't make Shrek bleed this badly!"
"This isn't about winning anyone over — it's about saving Xuan Zi's life. We made a mistake this time. The opponent's strength exceeded all expectations. Every Soul Douluo, Titled Douluo, and Super Douluo we brought — except me, Xuan Zi, and Elder Mu — were killed by Xiao Qiang. His power far surpasses our estimates. Even if I gave my all, I might not beat him."
"Besides Xiao Qiang and Jing Hongchen, the other enemy we brought wasn't weaker than me. Jing Hongchen held Xuan Zi back, I was restrained by that other person. Xiao Qiang slaughtered the others, wiping out all Soul Douluo and Titled Douluo in his path."
Yan Shaozhe countered Du Bu Si. "No, even if you, Master Xuan, and those Titled Douluo were suppressed, there's still the teacher. With the teacher's Extreme Douluo strength combined with his ninth soul skill, he can turn the tide of the entire battle!"
"That's true, his Extreme Douluo strength is nearly invincible. But the opposing Extreme Douluo was even stronger than Moon En in momentum. Moon En, who wasn't at full strength, knew that even sacrificing her life couldn't take down the opponent. She could only delay him."
"When she appeared, the three of us were already doomed — that cut off our last hope of victory."
"Doomed? Then how did you survive?" Xian Lin'er asked, angry.
"Because death was inevitable, we all knew that continuing to fight meant certain death. Running meant none of us survived. Our best option was to die taking down as many enemies as possible."
"We couldn't win, but we could die together. Xuan Zi burned his life and cultivation to likely kill Jing Hongchen. I did the same against Xiao Qiang or the other person. The Extreme Douluo couldn't die with him, even if Moon En burned her life. But we had the capital to negotiate."
"The final result: at the cost of eight hundred thousand year soul bones and sixteen fifty thousand year soul bones, if neither side resumes fighting, Xuan Zi and I will be released. I came back to tell you — you need to exchange soul bones for Xuan Zi quickly. Only while Moon En lives can we complete the deal. If Moon En dies or the others recover, they can raise the price or void the agreement."
Many Shrek elders were silent.
We had the advantage? How did we end up not only losing but almost wiped out?