CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 228: BATTLE AGAINST SILVERMOON

In the main hall of Shrek Academy, Zhu Jing, clad in a red dress, entered slowly with a transformed Fang Chang by her side.

The moment the two appeared, tension instantly gripped everyone present.

"Pavilion Master Zhu, who might this be?" asked the Silvermoon Douluo, pointing at Fang Chang beside her.

"Just a friend of mine." Zhu Jing’s expression was icy, her tone devoid of emotion, a far cry from her usual polite demeanor.

There were no fewer than six Titled Douluo-level experts gathered in the hall, including Kong Deming, whose strength rivaled that of a Peerless Douluo.

This setup clearly wasn’t just for a discussion—it reeked of a trap. They hadn’t been called here to talk, but to be subdued.

Zhu Jing and Fang Chang remained standing at the hall’s entrance, holding the most advantageous position. They didn’t step in, and the others inside frowned, clearly growing uneasy.

Kong Deming, the Silvermoon Douluo, stroked his beard and rose from his seat. "Pavilion Master Zhu, you seem quite guarded. Could it be you have something to hide?"

"We all know what’s going on here. You summoned me in such a hurry, and anyone with eyes can see your true intention." Zhu Jing sneered. "If you have evidence, bring it out."

"Now now, Pavilion Master Zhu, saying it like that puts us in a tough spot," Kong Deming said, glancing at her, then at Fang Chang, whose body gave off no trace of soul power, causing his eyelids to twitch slightly.

Even he couldn’t help but feel wary. Zhu Jing, as the Pavilion Master of the Pearl Sea Pavilion, was a level-97 Titled Douluo. The man beside her might very well be just as powerful.

Facing two such individuals, he truly didn’t want to make enemies, much less fight. But with the current uproar in Shrek Academy and both the Sun-Moon Empire and the Holy Spirit Cult watching closely, he had no choice but to move forward.

With a sigh, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a faintly rusted metallic ornament, tossing it to the center of the hall. His tone grew somber.

"This was found at the scene of the incident. It shows clear signs of being soaked in water."

"The corpses recovered from the scene also had similar traces. In the entire Sun-Moon City, the only soul master capable of doing this... is likely Pavilion Master Zhu."

"Most importantly, at the time of the incident, you happened to be within Shrek Academy..."

He didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication was clear: they suspected Zhu Jing was either directly involved or complicit.

"That’s it?" Zhu Jing asked. "A little water damage and you think it was me? What if someone just spilled water at the scene—does that make me guilty too?"

Despite her growing unease, she held her ground, not letting the conversation shift against her.

"As for why I was at Shrek Academy, I was personally invited by the headmaster to attend the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament."

"I merely lingered a bit to look for my cousin. Is that a crime now?"

Her words left no room for rebuttal. The elders in the hall had no response.

Deep down, they all suspected her. So many coincidences couldn’t be ignored. The Pavilion Master of Pearl Sea Pavilion was likely involved.

But getting her to confess or surrender was another matter. The incident was long past, and no witnesses or solid evidence could support their claim.

"There’s no need for anger, Pavilion Master Zhu. If you truly have nothing to do with this, we can sit down and discuss it," Kong Deming attempted to smooth things over, though his hand was quietly moving inside his sleeve.

"No need. There’s nothing to discuss. Your intentions are clear. If you want to fight, then fight. If you want me to leave, make your decision," Zhu Jing stated bluntly.

"Whatever your choice, the Pearl Sea Pavilion will stand its ground."

The Titled Douluo-level experts in the hall stood up at once, and the tension in the room skyrocketed.

None of them wanted a battle, and many feared Zhu Jing. But for some reason, the Holy Spirit Cult and the Sun-Moon Empire royal family were abnormally invested in this.

There was also something off about the victims’ clothing at the crime scene—like they were some kind of cultists. What was their connection to those two factions...?

So many suspicious details made the experts feel like pawns in someone else’s game, yet they had no choice.

"Well then, since Pavilion Master Zhu has laid her cards on the table, I’ll do the same," Kong Deming’s voice turned cold. "Today, the two of you are not leaving. I must ask for your cooperation."

As soon as he finished, he flicked his sleeve and a translucent barrier appeared around him—it was a soul tool being activated.

At the same time, soul power pressure surged from him and the others in the hall, all directed at Fang Chang and Zhu Jing—clearly the signal for a fight.

"Let’s go. There’s no avoiding this battle," Fang Chang stepped forward, withstanding the pressure, then suddenly flashed toward Kong Deming.

As he struck, Zhu Jing summoned her Martial Soul—a massive Sea Emperor Spider—and activated her ninth soul skill: Azure Ocean Domain.

The spacious hall instantly turned into a world of water, engulfing everyone within.

Fang Chang activated both Spider God Domain

and Domination, and as a reborn spider soul beast, Zhu Jing received a massive buff.

With her soul power already at level 97, the two enhancements pushed her combat power close to that of a level-99 Peerless Douluo. Her Azure Ocean Domain became even more terrifying.

Sensing the overwhelming pressure from the enemy, Kong Deming panicked and shouted, "Get in, quickly!"

The other five soul engineers followed his command and rushed into the Silvermoon Divine Light Barrier.

Strangely enough, neither Zhu Jing’s Azure Ocean Domain nor Fang Chang’s Spider God Domain could penetrate the barrier.

"Not bad," Fang Chang chuckled coldly. He reached the barrier and slammed his fist into it.

BOOM! A thunderous sound echoed like muffled thunder in the hall. Cracks spread across the floor, and debris fell from the ceiling.

Inside the barrier, Kong Deming coughed up blood. To his horror, this tenth-tier soul tool failed to completely block the stranger’s blow.

That was just a casual punch—and it had already injured him through the barrier.

Not far away, Zhu Jing could feel the surge of power within her and was elated. She quickly stepped to Fang Chang’s side, standing beside him, both of them glaring at the group inside the barrier.

As one of Fang Chang’s later-generation descendants, she vaguely remembered this feeling. This must be the Domination ability of the Domination Demon Spider.

She never imagined Fang Qi would turn out to have this spider soul beast.

Meanwhile, inside the barrier, Kong Deming and the others exchanged glances, clearly alarmed. The situation had changed beyond their expectations—those two were far more powerful than anticipated.

Kong Deming made a swift decision. He pulled out a red orb-shaped soul tool and threw it outside. It vanished instantly, as if passing through space.

Judging from the pulse it emitted, it was clearly a tool to call for reinforcements.