Fourth Trial, Protection

The Shrek Seven Tyrants huddled there on the beach and checked what their Fourth Trial was. Each of their eyebrows furrowed.

"Protection?" they all asked. "What's that?"

Ru Shenqi's face twisted. She released her eight spirit rings but the eighth one was faded out to grey. Her Penta Divine Pearl Diadem had also lost its glow.

"Not this again," she muttered.

"Xiao Shen?" the others asked.

"I also have Protection but my task comes with the stipulation that I cannot use my eighth spirit skill or my domains or my diadem."

"Eh, isn't that too much?!" the other six cried.

Gu Xingyun said, "Mine doesn't stipulate anything. My test is just like the Black Level Six Tests."

She shrugged. "Must be my Peak Level Eight Test. I can still use my other seven spirit skills and spirit bones at least."

"I'm already at the eightieth rank but I still only have seven spirit rings," Ming Yong tried to cheer her up. "Your situation's not that bad."

Bai Shanxin asked, "But what is Protection?"

Just then, Sea Dragon Douluo appeared. He cleared his throat, drawing the Shrek Seven Tyrants' attention towards them. They all bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Senior."

He waved it off, and they straightened. "Protection is your Fourth Trial. For this one, you will only have a month to complete it. Though the time is short, this task will be arduous."

Ru Shenqi stepped forward. "What does Senior mean?"

"Though Haishen Island is not a part of Douluo Continent and nor do we usually interfere with Douluo Continent's matters, it seems that the Sea God wishes for you to return there. Your Fourth Trial, Protection, means protecting Vast Sea City once more. The Ocean spirit masters there haven't been forgotten by the Lord Sea God. Spirit Empire failed to find you seven there once before, and now they've returned again, this time with an entire army unit. Your Fourth Trial is to make sure that Vast Sea City remains standing and that the casualties of Ocean spirit masters are as minimal as possible."

The Shrek Seven Tyrants' eyes widened as their jaws dropped. "EH, ISN'T THIS A DEATH WISH?! TO GO AGAINST SPIRIT EMPIRE'S ARMY?!"

Sea Dragon Douluo sighed. "It will be very difficult, yes. But you seven are tyrannical. I'm sure you can succeed."

Gu Xingyun protested. "But Xiao Shen can't even use her eighth spirit skill or her domains or her Penta Divine Pearl Diadem!"

"That's because the Lord Sea God is protecting her. If she appears as a Spirit Douluo already, Spirit Empire will only be more furious. And with such a powerful mythical item as well."

"But her domains..."

"Actually," Sea Dragon Douluo countered. "Only her Death God Domain is restricted. Her Fire Dragon Domain is innate and cannot be restricted. Her Clear Crystal Domain is tied to her seventh spirit ring which wasn't restricted, so therefore... it's not either."

Ru Shenqi let out a sigh of relief. "That's good then. At least I can use them."

"It will be up to you seven to find a way back to Vast Sea City. Your one month starts now. Good luck."

The Shrek Seven Tyrants all looked to one another. With a silent agreement passing between them, Ru Shenqi spread her Ultimate Darkness Wings and flew out over the wide ocean. She released her Fire Dragon Domain to shoot Ultimate Darkness Straight Line right into the water. Within seconds, Xiao Bai popped an angry head up.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"Xiao Bai, we need a favor. You and your clansmen are fast, right?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"We need to get back to Vast Sea City for our Fourth Trial. Vice-Sect Leader Ma took the Dragon Abyss Boat with him. Can you and your clansmen take us?"

"Come on."

She took the three who couldn't fly while the others flew to meet her clansmen. The Shrek Seven Tyrants spread themselves amongst seven Demon Spirit Great White Sharks. Ru Shenqi remained on Xiao Bai's back.

An hour later, the Shrek Seven Tyrants were already passing beyond Purple Pearl Island.

Ru Shenqi looked down and said, "Thank you, Xiao Bai. We owe you one."

She shook her massive shark head. "You and that eldest boy are Peak Level Seven and Peak Level Eight Trial takers. One of you will become the new Head Flamen of Haishen Island. I must do what I can for Haishen Island."

"Are you talking about Xingyun?"

Xiao Bai nodded.

"He's the Crown Prince of Guang Kingdom in Star Luo Empire. He won't become Haishen Island's Head Flamen."

"Then you will be. Anyone who gets a Red Peak Level Test always passes. You, daughter of Shi jie, must be destined to become Haishen Island's next Head Flamen."

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In just a day, the Shrek Seven Tyrants reached Vast Sea City thanks to the Demon Spirit Great White Shark Clan. They thanked Xiao Bai and leapt up onto the docks outside Vast Sea City's sandstone walls. Their eyes followed the sharks as they swam back to Haishen Island. Turning around, they sighed.

"I didn't expect we'd have to come back to Douluo Continent in the middle of our Trials," Shu Jiaxiang murmured.

Fang Youyou agreed, "Spirit Empire really is too much. They even dare to attack Vast Sea City again!"

Liao Suyin turned to look at Ru Shenqi. "Xiao Shen, are you alright?"

Ma Hongjun had told Ru Shenqi that he had revealed the truth of her God powers to her friends. So, she held nothing back.

"Spirit Empire's Storm Douluo. If he's here, I don't know if I'll be able to hold back. He could be the reason why my parents are dead."

Gu Xingyun wrapped her in his arms. "We won't let you lose control. No matter what, you cannot break Senior's seal until you become a Titled Douluo."

She rested her head against his chest. "I'm only one rank away. Surely, finishing this test can give me that increase?"

"We just have to hope."

"Come on, we need to get somewhere. If Spirit Empire finds us here out in the open, we're dead," Ming Yong muttered hurriedly.

"Let's go to Vast Sea City Primary Academy," Ru Shenqi suggested. "Headmaster Bing and Teacher Cang will let us stay there."

The others agreed, and they slipped into the city. Ru Shenqi led them through familiar streets and unfamiliar alleys. Finally, they leapt over the back wall into Vast Sea City Primary Academy and landed in front of a stunned Li Zhonghe, Bo Xuanqi, Ai Yonggan, Sikong Yao, and Gan Qingqing. Gu Xingyun, Ming Yong, Fang Youyou, Shu Jiaxiang, Bai Shanxin, and Liao Suyin all stepped protectively in front of Ru Shenqi.

Gu Xingyun asked, "Why are you five here?"

AI Yonggan, snooty as always, replied, "We're here to help Headmaster Bing and Teacher Cang keep Spirit Empire out of Vast Sea City. Why do you cowards care?"

Gu Xingyun's hands clenched into fists. His slaughter intent and heinous spirit began to surge. Immediately, Ming Yong's qin appeared. Liao Suyin helped him wrap Gu Xingyun up to control him.

"Not here. This is not our mission," Fang Youyou reminded.

Bai Shanxin added, "Our enemies are Spirit Empire, not these five Ocean spirit masters."

Shu Jiaxiang said, "Yes, they hurt Xiao Shen in the past, but they're not our problem right now."

"Xingyun, think about it," Ming Yong urged.

But all Gu Xingyun could see were the nine-pointed stars ripping at his beloved's body. Finally, Ru Shenqi stepped forward and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"Let us finish our mission first. We don't have the time for this, Xingyun," her lilting, ethereal, captivating voice floating into his ears. "I know you're mad. I still haven't forgiven them either, but now is not the time. The Platinum Generation and the army unit is our biggest threat, especially depending on how many Titled Douluo Hu Liena sent. Remember our Trial. Remember we must succeed in order to help our Seniors defeat Spirit Empire once and for all."

The red in his eyes began to disappear. He turned to look at her. "Xiao Shen..."

The Five Terrors choked. They couldn't believe it. This Ocean spirit master-look alike was actually Ru Shenqi?!

"Xingyun, Spirit Empire wants us dead. Haishen Island needs us alive. Who would you rather disappoint?"

Finally, he lowered his head, nodding. "I understand."

His slaughter intent and heinous spirit died away. Ru Shenqi stepped forward and addressed the Five Terrors.

"We're here to help protect Vast Sea City from Spirit Empire. We're not your enemy."

Sikong Yao sneered, "You're Land spirit masters. What do you know of the ocean or Ocean spirit masters?"

Bai Shanxin was just about to speak up before Ru Shenqi shot her a glare. Using telepathy, she said, Don't. No one can know we're Trialing on Haishen Island.

Okay, Xiao Shen. I'll listen to you.

Ru Shenqi's eyes blazed. "Sikong Yao, was that day in the Grand Spirit Arena not enough to quell your haughtiness?"

The Deep Sea Titan Octopus spirit master hmphed as she crossed her arms. Shu Jiaxiang looked at Li Zhonghe.

"Where are Headmaster Bing and Teacher Cang? We'd like to speak with them."

He smiled. "Follow me."

"Zhonghe!" Ai Yonggan cried.

"Yonggan, we need their help. Stop being so obstinate."

The Shrek Seven Tyrants followed Li Zhonghe over towards the north wing of the building. He showed them to Bing Dadao's office and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"Headmaster, I've brought some visitors."

Li Zhonghe opened the door. Cang Huaban, Bing Dadao, and Qing Qiangda all looked up to see six familiar faces. The seventh person, though, gave them pause. But that seventh person smiled.

"Headmaster Bing, Teacher Cang, Elder Qing, long time no see."

Their eyebrows furrowed. "Xiao Shen?"

She nodded and entered the room. Her friends followed, and Li Zhonghe politely closed the door.

Inside, the Shrek Seven Tyrants remained standing as they said, "We're here to help protect Vast Sea City from Spirit Empire. We heard Spirit Empire's army unit will be here within the week. Don't worry, you can count on us Shrek Seven Tyrants!"

The three older adults wondered how the youths in front of them could be so fearless.

Qing Qiangda requested, "Show us your spirit rings."

The seven smirked.

The Triple Beauties released their spirits, revealing seven rings. What was most shocking was that each of them had a red century millennium rings for their seventh rings.

"Liao Suyin, spirit Jade Poison Tarantula, seventy ninth ranked Power Attack System Battle Spirit Saint."

"Shu Jiaxiang, spirit Shadow Cheetah, seventy ninth ranked Power Attack System and Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Saint."

"Bai Shanxin, spirit Needle-Tailed Swift, seventy ninth ranked Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Saint."

Flowering Song released their spirits and revealed seven rings as well. They, too, had red century millennium year spirit rings for their seventh rings, stunning the three adults.

"Fang Youyou, spirit Rainbow Colored Flowering Lotus, seventy ninth ranked Auxiliary System Spirit Saint."

"Ming Yong, spirit Seven Stringed Dragon Qin, eighty first ranked Spirit System Battle Spirit Douluo."

Their eyes popped when they heard it. "A SPIRIT DOULUO?"

The Shrek Seven Tyrants had only been gone two and a half years. How could they be so close to Spirit Douluo and already Spirit Douluo in such a short amount of time? But they were Trial-takers on Haishen Island. How else could they have grown stronger both physically and in terms of spirit power?

Gu Xingyun politely cleared his throat and released his spirit, revealing eight spirit rings. While the seventh was black, the eighth was red. And his first three spirit rings were all purple. This configuration made the three adults nearly fall forward off the sofa they were sitting on.

"Gu Xingyun, spirit Golden Heavenly Lion, eighty third ranked Power Attack System Battle Spirit Douluo."

"Another one of you is a Spirit Douluo. Hmm. Spirit Empire really has underestimated you," Bing Dadao commented.

Finally, Ru Shenqi stepped forward. Her eyes flashed, becoming silver-white, as she released her spirit. Her eight rings descended. While the eighth was grey, the adults could guess that it was supposed to be another red century millennium year spirit ring.

"Ru Shenqi," she began. "Spirit Clear Crystal Eyes, eighty ninth ranked Control System Battle Spirit Douluo."

They choked. "EIGHTY NINTH RANKED?!"

She smirked. "Spirit Empire, you will regret the day you made me your enemy. Us Shrek Seven Tyrants will never let you destroy Vast Sea City."

Gu Xingyun nodded and added to their vow, "We will protect these Ocean spirit masters and everyone in Vast Sea City."

The others' voices rose as they said, "We will show you the true meaning of Tyrants!"

Good kids, Bing Dadao, Cang Huaban, and Qing Qiangda thought in unison. They have the strength to follow through on what they've promised.