This was undoubtedly a very risky operation, and a single misstep could result in complete failure. As such, it was extremely important to find opportunities.

After advancing for several hundred meters, the air temperature began to fall, and the passageway also began to slope downward. Everyone was on high alert and was raring to go.

The 16th and 17th levels had shown them just how difficult the trials on the final few levels of the Battle God Hall, and the trial on the 18th level was definitely going to be the most arduous one.

Tang Wulin gradually began to pick up the pace as he released his spiritual power to monitor his surroundings. His golden trident remained in his grasp, and it was his biggest trump card.

He had dared to venture this far into the Battle God Hall with everyone for a very important reason, which was that his connection with the tree of life would allow them to teleport back to Shrek Academy. Of course, that was only going to be a desperate last resort as teleporting so many people at once would be extremely taxing to the tree of life.

After passing the first trials, the golden trident had begun to develop a certain level of connection with him, and even deep under the ground, he was confident that he would be able to connect his spiritual aura tree of life from afar using this transcendent divine weapon.

Finally, the ground up ahead began to flatten out, and it seemed that there would be a smooth journey ahead, but Tang Wulin slowed down significantly here. Everyone in the group could sense a cluster of powerful auras up ahead, and some of those auras were rather familiar.

A grim look appeared in Tang Wulin's eyes as he cautioned, "Be on your guard, everyone."Having already reached this point, retreat was no longer an option, so they could only continue onward.

Finally, the horizon up ahead broadened, and a massive cave appeared within their field of view.

The cave was massive with a height in excess of 100 meters and an area of over 10,000 square meters, just like a giant sports stadium. It was truly a miraculous sight to see such a gigantic cave deep in the belly of this mountain.

Around the cave was a flowing spring, and there were many stalagmites hanging up above, presenting a wondrous sight to behold.

However, Tang Wulin had no interest in appreciating this scenic location. There was a group of people standing inside this giant natural plaza, and the expressions of everyone in Tang Wulin's group had darkened significantly at the sight of them. Even the happy-go-lucky A'Ruheng had put on a grim expression.

The group awaiting Tang Wulin and his friends wasn't a very large one, but that didn't mean that they were any less formidable.

Qiangu Dongfeng was appraising Tang Wulin with a confident smile, and there was undisguised disdain in everyone's eyes at the sight of him.

Beside Qiangu Dongfeng were around a dozen powerful beings, most of whom Tang Wulin had seen in the past, including a few of the participants in the match held between Shrek Academy and Spirit Academy on enrolment day.

Even Qiangu Dongfeng's father, Qiangu Dieting, was present. He was the former chairman of the Spirit Pagoda and a quasigod! Such a formidable lineup was already more fearsome than the one assembled by the Battle God Hall.

The entire group was comprised of powerful beings from the Spirit Pagoda, and there was not a single Battle God among them.

After a brief pause, Tang Wulin began to make his way toward Qiangu Dongfeng, and his friends naturally followed along behind him.Qiangu Dongfeng was appraising Tang Wulin with an expression that seemed to be genuinely impressed, and he even began to applaud Tang Wulin as he approached.

"Sect Master, you force me to look at you through brand new eyes every time I see you. Even to me, your rate of progress is astounding; as expected of the best that Shrek Academy has to offer. Looking back throughout history, Shrek Academy has always produced exceptional prodigies in times of great unrest, and this generation is no exception. The past Atlas Douluo was a brilliant star who was the undisputed most powerful being in the world. He perished along with the entirety of Shrek City, but you've risen up to take his place.

"I must admit that this generation of Shrek’s Seven Monsters is truly deserving of its title; you're even more powerful than the previous generation. You've already achieved so much at such a young age; I'm sure that given enough time, more than half of you will become Limit Douluos. However, if that were to happen, how would Spirit Pagoda be able to continue to survive?"

Qiangu Dongfeng paused here as he heaved a forlorn sigh. "If I had a choice, I really wouldn't want to oppose prodigies like you. Shrek Academy is immensely fortunate to have you as its students. If only you were members of our Spirit Pagoda; I would've been able to retire long ago to pursue my ultimate goal."

"Did you plan all of this just so you can gloat to us, Chairman Qiangu?" Tang Wulin asked in a cold voice.

Qiangu Dongfeng replied with a faint smile, "Of course not, I'm merely expressing my sincerity. If you're willing to renounce your identities as members of Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect, and pledge your allegiance to our Spirit Pagoda, I'm willing to let bygones be bygones make sure that you're given satisfactory compensation"

Tang Wulin merely smiled and offered no response.

Qiangu Dongfeng sighed, "I knew it wouldn't be possible; members of Shrek Academy have always been stubborn mules. It's a pity that your journey ends here. If Shrek Academy returns to its former glory, then our Spirit Pagoda will be crushed under its weight. Hence, I painstakingly set up all of this to lure you here."

Tang Wulin asked, "How were you so certain that our seniors wouldn't accompany us? Did you bribe the Battle God Hall as well?"

Qiangu Dongfeng replied, "Of course. The Battle God Hall has a military background, and we share a common goal, so it was easy to convince them. As for your seniors, we've been constantly keeping them under close surveillance. If they had also come here, then we would've prepared an even more formidable lineup. However, they had to stay behind to guard the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy. I originally thought that you would bring along one or two Limit Douluos, which would've made our job a little harder, but it seems that you're very confident in yourselves.

"You've proven yourselves with your displays of power, but I must say, you're still too young. A young mind is a rash mind, and a rash mind tends to make mistakes. Unfortunately, some mistakes are irreversible, isn't that right, Sect Master Tang?"

Tang Wulin's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this. "How are you so sure that you'll be able to keep us here?"

Qiangu Dongfeng replied, "There is no path of retreat in the 18 levels of the Battle God Hall. This entire place is in complete lockdown, and you won't be able to escape unless you possess godly powers. Sect Master Tang, I'll give you one final chance. Without you and your friends, I'm sure that there's no way that Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect will be able to make a resurgence. Death or surrender; it's your choice, but please consider wisely because the lives of your friends are also in your hands."

Qiangu Dieting made his way toward Qiangu Dongfeng, and said, "Alright, that's enough gloating from you. No one from Shrek Academy will ever surrender, so take them down. Capture them and extract their soul spirits, then disable their martial souls and return them to Shrek Academy; I promised Chen Xinjie that I wouldn't kill them."