douluo dalu: Dark Phoenix

Chapter 15: Clash with Changhui Academy

The morning mist hung low over Star Dou Forest as the Shrek Seven Devils made their way toward the outskirts, the air still heavy from the previous battle with the Man-Faced Demon Spider.

Tang San, newly strengthened from obtaining his third spirit ring and the rare External Soul Bone, walked beside Xiao Wu, his eyes sharp, but there was a calm confidence in his posture.

Yet, Ayanokoji's golden Spirit Eyes scanned the forest around them with the same cold calculation as always.

Something was off.

A tension in the air.

As if danger had merely been waiting for them to let their guard down.

---

An Unwelcome Encounter

The dirt path ahead of them curved around a thicket of ancient trees. As they rounded the bend, they saw them — a group of seven spirit masters, waiting.

They were dressed in matching dark blue uniforms, embroidered with a silver insignia that marked them unmistakably.

Changhui Academy.

One of the rival schools known for their arrogance and cruelty in battle.

At their center stood a tall, imposing man with long black hair, a thick beard, and cold, calculating eyes.

A spirit master of clear strength.

And from the moment Ayanokoji saw him, he knew…

This wouldn't be a friendly encounter.

---

The Tension Rises

"Well, well," the leader of the group said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Shrek Academy, if I'm not mistaken?"

Dai Mubai stepped forward, his golden pupils narrowing into slits. "And you must be from Changhui Academy. What do you want?"

The opposing group sneered, their leader taking a slow, deliberate step forward.

"Just passing through," he said, though the predatory gleam in his eyes told a different story. "But since we're all here, how about a little… exchange of skills?"

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flashed dangerously. "We're not interested."

But the Changhui students were already spreading out, blocking the path.

A challenge.

One they couldn't ignore.

---

The Challenge

"Just a friendly spar," the Changhui leader pressed, a mockery of politeness in his voice. "Surely you're not afraid?"

Tang San's Blue Silver Grass began to stir, sensing the growing hostility, while Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda glimmered faintly.

"We don't need to do this," Grandmaster said, his voice even.

"Maybe," the Changhui leader smirked, "but I insist."

And then, without warning…

He attacked.

---

The First Clash

The battle erupted with explosive intensity.

Dai Mubai charged forward, his White Tiger transformation activating instantly, claws slashing toward the nearest Changhui student.

Zhu Zhuqing became a blur of black and silver, weaving through the enemy's formation with deadly precision.

Tang San's Blue Silver Grass lashed out, creating a defensive perimeter as Oscar summoned recovery sausages, preparing for a prolonged fight.

Ayanokoji… watched.

Calculated.

He saw the rhythm of the battle unfolding, the patterns in their movements.

And he saw the real threat.

---

The Turtle Martial Spirit

The tall, imposing Changhui leader stood calmly amid the chaos, his spirit rings glowing ominously — yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black.

A five-ring Spirit King.

His martial spirit was a massive black tortoise, its thick shell glimmering like obsidian, veins of dark energy coursing through it.

A defensive juggernaut.

And he hadn't moved yet.

Because he was waiting.

For them to tire.

For the perfect moment to crush them.

Ayanokoji knew this strategy.

He'd seen it before — from stronger opponents.

And he knew exactly how to break it.

---

The Real Fight Begins

The Changhui dean finally moved, raising his hand with a slow, deliberate gesture.

His fifth spirit ring glowed black as night.

"Tortoise Domain!"

A wave of oppressive energy surged outward, slowing their movements, thickening the air like molasses.

Dai Mubai stumbled, his speed halved.

Zhu Zhuqing's agility was crippled.

Even Tang San's Blue Silver Grass seemed sluggish, struggling against the invisible weight.

The Shrek Seven Devils were losing ground.

And the Changhui dean… was smiling.

---

Ayanokoji Steps In

As the oppressive domain threatened to crush them, Ayanokoji's cold voice cut through the chaos.

"Step back."

The others hesitated, but something in his tone made them obey.

Ayanokoji stepped forward, golden Spirit Eyes burning with icy intensity.

The Changhui dean's eyes narrowed, sensing the shift in the air.

"Who do you think you are?" the dean sneered. "You think you can—"

He never finished the sentence.

Because Ayanokoji moved.

---

The Shadow and the Flame

"Third Spirit Ability — Shadow Serpent's Prediction."

The world seemed to slow around Ayanokoji, the faint afterimages of the Changhui dean's movements appearing in his mind before they happened.

The Turtle Domain's oppressive force slowed everyone…

But not him.

He closed the distance in a flash, striking with surgical precision.

A palm strike to the side of the dean's knee — a weak point in any stance.

The dean stumbled, shock flashing across his face.

"You—"

Ayanokoji didn't stop.

"Second Spirit Ability — Dark Phoenix's Talon."

Black flames erupted around his hand as he drove a sharp, focused strike into the dean's chest, sending him skidding backward, the obsidian tortoise shell cracking slightly.

---

Breaking the Unbreakable

The Changhui dean roared in frustration, activating his fourth spirit ability — Tortoise Armor Unyielding, turning his body into a living fortress.

An impenetrable defense.

For most people.

But Ayanokoji wasn't most people.

He watched.

He calculated.

And he struck again.

Not at the armor…

But at the joints.

The small, vulnerable points.

The human parts.

A strike to the wrist.

A blow to the ankle.

Each hit designed to break—not the armor, but the body within it.

---

The Fall of the Dean

The Changhui dean collapsed to one knee, panting, his spirit energy faltering.

Disbelief burned in his eyes.

"No… this can't…"

Ayanokoji stood over him, golden eyes cold and merciless.

"You were too slow," Ayanokoji said softly.

And with one final blow — a precise palm strike to the dean's exposed neck — he ended the fight.

The dean crumpled, unconscious, his Turtle Domain shattering like glass.

---

The Aftermath

Silence.

The other Changhui students, seeing their dean defeated so completely, fled without a word, fear driving them into the forest like hunted animals.

Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others stared at Ayanokoji, a mixture of awe and unease in their eyes.

"You…" Dai Mubai began, but stopped, unsure what to say.

Ayanokoji turned away, his expression unreadable.

"We should go," he said quietly.

No boasting.

No satisfaction.

Just cold, efficient finality.

And as they left the battlefield behind, Tang San couldn't shake the feeling…

That Ayanokoji's strength came from somewhere far darker than any of them knew.