Xiao Hongchen ultimately lost to Chu Qingtian. Although both were Soul Kings, Chu Qingtian, as an agility-attack system Battle Soul Master, clearly handled Xiao Hongchen's spirit tool attacks with ease. He eventually secured the final victory by relying on his high mobility.
However, Ao Yao could also tell that Xiao Hongchen hadn't given his all.
After all, he was a contestant for the upcoming Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament. It wasn't a good idea to reveal his trump cards too early, and holding back was understandable.
But... his cheap brother-in-law didn't seem to think so.
After losing the soul duel, Xiao Hongchen's face showed clear frustration. He left the Soul Dueling Platform without even greeting Meng Hongchen.
Watching Xiao Hongchen's departing figure, Meng Hongchen bit her lip, suddenly feeling like she was becoming a bit decadent.
Her brother practiced hard every day, either crafting spirit tools or engaging in soul duel after soul duel to hone his combat skills. Meanwhile, she spent every day stuck to Ao Yao and even used her time to help Ning Tian learn spirit tool technology.
In comparison, Meng Hongchen felt a twinge of shame.
But when she remembered that with the help of Ao Yao's diary, her Soul Power Level had already far surpassed her brother's and was even approaching the six-ring Soul Emperor rank, she didn't feel so bad anymore.
Well, she was also practicing; it was just that her method of cultivation was a bit different.
As long as her spirit tool skills didn't fall behind, it was fine.
Yes, that's it!
After comforting herself, Meng Hongchen's mood lightened considerably, and even her gaze toward Xu Jiujiu was no longer filled with hostility.
Mainly because Xu Jiujiu was being very sensible.
After Xiao Hongchen's soul duel ended, Ao Yao suggested having dinner in Shrek City and specifically invited Xu Jiujiu. However, Xu Jiujiu did not accept the invitation and stayed at the Soul Dueling Arena—of course, she really wanted to go with Ao Yao, but she was responsible for the Star Luo Royal Academy students who were about to duel, so she had to stay behind.
In Meng Hongchen's eyes, this behavior was naturally seen as being sensible.
Watching Ao Yao and his group walk away, Xu Sanshi's heart stirred slightly, and a faint sense of anticipation rose within him.
Xuan Zi's heart also stirred. He wiped his greasy hands on his clothes and followed behind Ao Yao as well.
...
Although Shrek City at night wasn't as lively as during the day, it was still an exceptionally prosperous city. Among the Three Great Empires, only Heaven Dou City of the Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo City of the Star Luo Empire could compare to Shrek City.
The only pity was that the Little Huo Grilled Fish stall was no longer visible.
What a shame.
Had he known, he would have tasted the grilled fish before Huo Yuhao was expelled to see what flavor it was and what kind of grilled fish could capture the stomachs of so many people in the peerless tang sect.
Ao Yao's gaze paused for a moment at Huo Yuhao's former stall location before he led Meng Hongchen, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng toward a nearby restaurant.
Just then, a warning suddenly rose in Ao Yao's heart.
Around him... there seemed to be a wave of Killing Intent?
This Killing Intent was directed at him!
Ao Yao's footsteps came to a sudden halt, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.
Someone actually dared to come and assassinate him?
Ao Yao searched his memory carefully. His life at Shrek Academy had basically been one of lying flat, and he rarely made enemies. The only ones worth mentioning were Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei; he had the grudge of stealing their wives with those two.
Although nothing had happened between him and Jiang Nannan yet, that might not be the case in the mind of a narrow-minded guy like Xu Sanshi.
So... it must be people sent by those two, right?
Ao Yao clicked his tongue inwardly, never expecting to enjoy the same treatment as Huo Yuhao. However, he didn't take it to heart. He didn't even bother to observe his surroundings or look for where the assassins were hiding.
Firstly, this was the entrance to Shrek Academy. Unless the assassins were insane, it was impossible for them to make a move.
Secondly... no matter who came to assassinate him, they would simply be slapped to death by the Heavenly Demon Puppet.
Unless Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei could somehow find Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao.
Ao Yao didn't make a scene but led the three girls toward another restaurant.
That restaurant was a certain distance from Shrek Academy. Those hiding fellows would surely find the right opportunity to strike, wouldn't they?
Events unfolded exactly as Ao Yao had predicted.
Just as the group reached a location far from Shrek Academy, eight figures that had been hiding in the shadows suddenly appeared, all with magnificent spirit rings floating behind them.
A total of five Soul Kings and three Soul Emperors, every single one with the optimal spirit ring configuration!
But seeing these eight people and the spirit rings behind them, Ao Yao really wanted to laugh.
Really? You brought this trash to cause me trouble?
Never mind the Heavenly Demon Puppet, who was equivalent to a Rank 99 Limit Douluo; even he himself could easily handle these eight guys!
In the next instant, a figure suddenly appeared—it was a tall and sturdy figure nearly two meters tall, its entire body a dazzling pure gold. It wasn't a vulgar gold plating, but a metallic texture with a strange flowing luster. Its face was cold, and its eyes were hollow, devoid of any emotion.
This was the Heavenly Demon Puppet that only obeyed Ao Yao's orders!
To be honest, Ao Yao felt that if the Heavenly Demon Puppet's strength were converted to the Douluo World, it would definitely be higher than just a Limit Douluo. But since this was the Douluo World after all, it was understandable that its strength was suppressed and controlled at the Limit Douluo level.
In any case, it was more than enough to deal with these small fries.
When those eight figures appeared, Ning Tian and Meng Hongchen were both startled. Wu Feng's reaction was slightly faster; she immediately stepped forward to shield Ning Tian behind her.
But in the next instant, when the three of them saw the appearance of the Heavenly Demon Puppet, they all felt relieved at the same time.
"This is..."
"The Heavenly Demon Puppet, my bodyguard. As for its strength, it's roughly equivalent to a Limit Douluo. The only pity is that this thing probably doesn't have much growth potential; its limit is likely right here."
"The benefit... is probably that it's immortal and can exist forever. In the future, this thing can be left to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School."
The 'future' Ao Yao spoke of naturally referred to after they achieved godhood.
After becoming a god, if this Heavenly Demon Puppet couldn't advance, it would naturally be of no use to him. At that time, he could just give the Heavenly Demon Puppet an order to stay at the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School.
That way, no matter what happened in the future, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School would at least have a Heavenly Demon Puppet with Limit Douluo strength as its guardian.