"So what should we do?" Liao Suyin asked.

Everyone thought about it. Finally, Gu Xingyun suggested, "We need your boosts, Youyou, at the beginning. Although we don't have you, Xiao Shen, to lead us, you can still help us with the Shrek Tyrants' Seven-In-One. I think if we use all of our supports skills and the Penta Divine Pearl Diadem, our spirit fusion skill can reach a new height. Plus, we're stronger together than alone."

Ming Yong nodded. "That sounds good. Xiao Shen, what do you think?"

"That may work. But we've used the spirit fusion skill too much. They might be able to counter it by now."

Fang Youyou suggested, "What if I focus on helping Seniors Rongrong and Oscar support everyone? That way, all of our fighters can remain stronger for longer."

"That's actually not a bad idea," Shu Jiaxiang commented. "Shanxin, Suyin, and I can keep an eye on things from up above and fight any airborne spirit masters."

"I'll test out my God of Storms powers," Gu Xingyun decided.

"I'll try to keep the Arcana Douluo occupied. If I can keep her restricted, then that will give us a higher chance of success," Ming Yong volunteered.

Ru Shenqi nodded, satisfied with their deductions. "Alright, it's a plan then."

"Xiao Shen, what will you do?" Liao Suyin asked.

"I need to figure out what skills all of my divine rings give me. The sooner I can master the Goddess of Souls God seat, the sooner I can actively help fight against Spirit Empire. But for that to happen... I think I need to return to the Douluo Divine Realm."

"Take your time," Gu Xingyun encouraged. "We'll take care of things here. Don't forget, each of us are Tyrants after all."

"Then, I'll leave it to you guys. If you fight Spirit Empire while I'm gone, remember this: do not mess with the Golden Generation. Let the Shrek Seven Devils do it. Hu Liena is a Limit Douluo. Although two of you are Gods, the new Elders and Flamens are not to be underestimated. Spread out your attacks rather than simply focusing on the Golden Generation."

"Yes, Xiao Shen."

With that, she teleported away and returned to the Douluo Divine Realm. Yi Xiangli and Yi Fengyu gaped when they saw her. She stepped forward.

"Xiao Shen, what is it?"

"I need to learn how to control these God powers. Can you teach me?"

<><><>

A few days after Ru Shenqi had left for the Douluo Divine Realm, Spirit Empire attacked.

The Shrek Seven Devils took up their positions and activated their spirit fusion skills. Ming Yong summoned his qin, looking around for Xiang Yuezu. Gu Xingyun released divine lightning as he brought storms rolling over Liuying Gorge. Bai Shanxin, Shu Jiaxiang, and Liao Suyin hovered in the air, waiting to see if any Seraphim spirit masters emerged.

Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan stood on the balcony of their fortress with narrowed eyes. The other Elders and all of the Flamens shot out, ready to fight. Coexistence of Two Gods, launched. White Tiger of Netherworld, launched. Golden Saint Dragon Luo San Pao, launched.

Soon, the battle had begun.

Spirit skills exploded all over the gorge. Within an hour, Shrek's tyranny could be seen. Ming Yong drowned the opponents in his Melody and Harmony Domain. Gu Xingyun's Stormy Night Domain brought the worst weather to the area. Thunderstorms rolled in. The wind whipped around, beginning to form tornadoes. The water nearby sloshed up like a tsunami. Shu Jiaxiang, Bai Shanxin, and Liao Suyin even had to dodge the lightning bolts that struck down towards those from Spirit Empire.

The School of Four Elements took the opportunity to help out. Those from the Lei Ting branch called their thunder and lightning oriented spirits and launched attacks. So did the Tian Shui students and the Shen Feng students. Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu launched their spirit fusion skill.

The Golden Saint Dragon Luo San Pao also did some damage, disorienting spirit masters with the first skill. White Tiger of Netherworld proved itself as a top spirit fusion skill. When the Coexistence of Two Gods took over, spirit masters ran to retreat. Hu Liena growled, hands clenching.

Tang San...

"Nana," Xie Yue began. "What should we do?"

"Retreat. None of us can defeat their Coexistence of Two Gods. We've already lost too many soldiers. We need to stock up and reassess."

Yan frowned. "Nana, we haven't even see Xiao Shen yet today. Are they hiding her or something? She came back an even more powerful God. How are we supposed to deal with four Gods on their side? Especially a God fusion skill?"

Hu Liena's eyes narrowed. "We'll find a way. We just need to learn how to restrict Xiao Shen. First, we need to find out what God seat she took. Then, we'll go from there."

<><><>

Ru Shenqi followed Yi Xiangli around Ghost Pavilion, her will-be home in the Douluo Divine Realm, and over to the training ground. Divine soldiers stood on guard, but other than that, no one was around. They stopped in the center of the circular stage. Yi Xiangli turned to face her successor.

"You've seen me use the second and fifth divine skills along with the divine domain. Do you have any questions about those first?"

"Can I control the force of the souls? I don't want to hurt the people on my side."

"Yes. It takes strong mental power, but you have a sea of it. With some practice, you'll figure it out."

"Then, what's the strongest attack skill of the Goddess of Souls God seat?"

"I would say either the seventh divine skill. It's called Unholy Resurrection, and the souls of the dead rise up from the ground and attack the living. On top of that, the souls attack with the equal power of their strongest strength while alive. Within the Realm of Sorrowful Souls, the strength of the souls is tripled."

Ru Shenqi's eyes widened in shock. "That's terrifying."

"Anything else, Xiao Shen?"

"What about a counter-attack skill? Is there one?"

"Yes, I would say the sixth divine skill fits. It's called Requiem of Souls, and it requires this." Yi Xiangli handed over a black jade xiao flute. "This is the Requiem Flute. If it's played for the Requiem of Souls divine skill, then a mournful tune will make anyone lose their intent to kill and instead mourn the loss of people they know. I can teach you the song now. Would you like to learn it?"

Ru Shenqi nodded. After a couple hours, she had memorized and mastered the tune. She tucked the flute away and looked at her predecessor.

"The eighth divine skill is the last one, thus making one become a Half-God King and a Quasi-God King. So, it must be extremely powerful. What is it?" she asked.

Yi Xiangli sighed. "I wondered if you were going to ask about it."

Yi Fengyu walked over and cut in, "Jiejie's eighth divine skill is not to be used casually. It is for survival only. Remember this, Xiao Shen, do not use it unless your life is in danger."

Her eyes widened. His sister explained, "The eighth divine skill is perhaps the strongest divine skill of the Goddess of Souls God seat. But it's also the one with the most risk. Didi is right. Don't use it unless you truly have to."

"Why? What is it?" Ru Shenqi asked, confused.

"It's called Convergence of Souls and allows you to merge your divine soul with someone else to avoid being killed. Even if you're fatally injured, as long as your divine soul isn't harm, you won't perish completely. Under the Convergence of Souls, your power will also be boosted by one hundred and fifty percent. I have never used this skill, and I sincerely hope you don't have to either."

After that, Ru Shenqi learn about her other spirit skills before departing from the Douluo Divine Realm. She returned to the aftermath of the most recent battle. It had been about a day in total in the Douluo Divine Realm but about a week on Douluo Continent. When she reappeared, she walked around, looking at all of the injured soldiers... and the dead. Pain filled her eyes.

This war has gone on long enough. It's time to end Spirit Empire's era once and for all.

Xiao Wu noticed her and asked, "Any progress?"

Ru Shenqi turned around and bowed respectfully. "Laoshi. Yes, Yi Xiangli taught me about the skills. As for the control, she said I'd have to practice them myself to figure out the intensity."

"Then maybe you and Ge should have a spar. He is a God also after all. And that way, you won't have to worry about hurting your friends."

"Won't I hurt Sect Leader?"

Xiao Wu shook her head. "He has me. You won't be able to really hurt him."

"Alright, Laoshi."

"Let's go find the others first."

Ru Shenqi nodded and followed Xiao Wu around the camp. Finally, they came across the other Devils and Tyrants and the Golden Iron Triangle. After telling them of the plan, Yu Xiaogang came up with a modified idea.

"What if Xiao Shen battles the Shrek Seven Devils again? She was able to hold her own back during the Advanced Spirit Master Grand Competition; and now, she's a Quasi-God King."

"Eh? Dean Flender, are you trying to debilitate us?!" Oscar and Ma Hongjun cried.

Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun also looked skeptical, seeing as they'd be fighting a God just as strong as Tang San. But Tang San agreed that would be better.

And so, out beyond the camp, the members of Shrek and Bai Chenxiang stood. Ru Shenqi squared off against her Seniors. "Seniors, please pardon me for any offense."

Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda emerged and grew as she launched her seventh spirit skill. Oscar summoned his Sausage, and the others released their Spirit Avatar States. Since Ru Shenqi was practicing her God powers, she had agreed to not use any of her spirit skills. So she entered her Godly Form and took a deep breath, waiting.

Liu Erlong threw out an incense stick, the force lighting it. This battle would last half an hour. Ning Rongrong boosted them with speed, spirit, and defense. Zhu Zhuqing disappeared. Dai Mubai released his White Tiger Intense Light Wave. Ma Hongjun launched his Phoenix Meteor Shower. Tang San summoned his Clear Sky Hammer. Xiao Wu teleported in an instant, hoping to use Waist Bow.

Ru Shenqi dodged out of the way and said, "Darkness clouds the sky. Misery clouds the mind. Realm of Sorrowful Souls! Fifth divine skill, Abyssal Souls."

Apparitions of souls danced around the Seven Devils, making them feel a bone-chilling fear. But this didn't deter them for long. They launched stronger skills this time. Yelping in dismay, Hell's Little Empress ran as fast as she could to avoid them. But Ma Hongjun's lockdown eighth spirit skill kept after her. She turned and held up her arms in an X and blocked it as well as she could. After being thrown backwards five meters, she grew serious.

"Sixth divine skill, Requiem of Souls."

She summoned the Requiem Flute and began to play the mournful tune. The Shrek Seven Devils suddenly stopped, enchanted. Xiao Wu thought of her mother's death. Zhu Zhuqing thought of her second sister's passing. Tang San thought of his past life. Ning Rongrong thought of the destruction of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Clan. Only Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, and Oscar weren't greatly affected. When her song came to a close, she instantly launched the strongest attack skill of the Goddess of Souls God seat.

"Seventh divine skill, Unholy Resurrection!"

Souls of the recently deceased rose up at Ru Shenqi's command and started for the Shrek Seven Devils. Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Dai Mubai's eyebrows twitched.

"WHAT IS THIS?!" everyone else cried.