"Pfft~"
With the sound of someone spitting blood,Shrek Academy's opponent was blasted out of the arena.Dai Huabin adjusted his gloves and looked at the opponent who had fallen flat on his back, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.Without a ripple in his expression, Dai Huabin turned and walked away.
Even when faced with those angry glares—as if condemning him for being too heavy-handed—he only found it laughable.
Only those who truly hold power would realize:Righteous indignation, in the face of overwhelming strength, is just a joke.So what if you're angry?Can you kill me with just your glare?
A teacher from the opposing academy quickly rushed over, shielding the injured student like a lamb,commanding others to carry them away—yet not daring to meet Dai Huabin's gaze.
Dai Huabin sneered.
Look, this is what happens when life beats you down—Those sharp edges get worn away.He knows very well: Shrek Academy is not to be trifled with.
But…
His gaze drifted to the large central screen of the arena.It was split into two parts: one side displayed today's participating teams, and the other showed teams that had already advanced through the elimination rounds.At the very top sat Sun Moon Empire's Royal Academy, firmly holding first place, suppressing all other teams.
Even though the ranking system wasn't particularly rigorous,no academy dared to question it.
Not because the venue belonged to the Sun Moon Empire,but because the day before, the Sun Moon team's absolute dominance had shut everyone up.
Today's arena was just as lively, the sun just as bright.
Yet Dai Huabin felt a chill creeping over him.Could Shrek Academy… really win?
"Why the long face?"
Returning to Shrek Academy's rest area, Xu Sanshi came over, slapping him on the shoulder with a grin.
"Senior Sanshi, it's just… the opponents are too weak. No challenge at all, haha."Dai Huabin forced a grin, glanced at the worried expression of Zhu Lu, and scratched his head awkwardly.
"We're Shrek's core team, the last hope of the original continent! We can't just mope around!Pull yourself together! What's a little Sun Moon Empire?Watch me take them down!"Xu Sanshi beamed and made a grand gesture.
"Hahaha…"
Dai Huabin couldn't help but be lifted by the optimism.
Elsewhere.
Xuanzi watched the scene with a pleased smile."This Xu Sanshi is interesting. His father may be a spineless fence-sitter, always wavering and timid—but this kid has guts.Before anything's been decided, he dares to stand with Shrek.If I recall correctly, he doesn't even have any deep grudge against the Sun Moon Empire?"
"…"
Xian Lin'er had a strange look."Not exactly no grudge.He's always liked a Shrek girl—Jiang Nannan.But when her mother got sick and couldn't get help, she left for the Sun Moon Empire.She even dropped out of Shrek and enrolled there.That's her, over there—quite a beauty.Even among Shrek girls, she's top-tier.No wonder she had that kid head over heels."
"Love turned into hate?"Xuanzi glanced subtly at Beibei, feeling like the situation sounded… familiar.
"Not quite," Xian Lin'er shook her head."Her mother was actually poisoned slowly—by Xu Sanshi's own housekeeper,to make her desperate for money and willing to sell herself to Xu Sanshi to help him evolve his spirit…"
Xuanzi twitched at the mouth.
"And the housekeeper…?"
"Reportedly dead. Failed the mission, caused a chain reaction.Executed by order of the Xuanming Sect's master."Xian Lin'er yawned casually.
"Huh… So that's why this Xu Sanshi kid—decent but not exceptionally talented—gets treated so favorably.Because she reminds him of Jiang Nannan."
Xuanzi suddenly frowned."But say, if he's really just a simp… wouldn't that pose a threat to Shrek's plans?I mean, if he still likes her, what if she just tugs the fishing line and his soul flies out?"
"I don't think it'll go that far," Xian Lin'er hesitated."He seems sincerely on Shrek's side."
"Hmph. A simp…"
Xuanzi shook his head."You never know."
Cough cough cough cough…Suddenly Xian Lin'er started coughing violently.
Only then did Xuanzi realize—Beibei was standing beside them, expressionless, staring at him.The air grew awkward.
"Ah, Beibei, old man Xuan definitely wasn't insinuating anything!Totally just an objective discussion, cough cough…"
"…"
"No worries, Elder Xuan," Beibei said indifferently."I was naive in the past. I believed in love at first sight…Made a lot of mistakes. I won't anymore.All members of the Holy Spirit Church are evil soul masters.I shouldn't have believed one could truly repent…"
"Actually…"Xuanzi suddenly recalled his cooperation with Long Xiaoyao."You could maybe believe just a little."
Beibei: ???
"I'm betting on Baixi Academy to win! They look super strong!"Xu Sanshi's eyes gleamed.
"Careful you don't lose the money you just won off us," Beibei kindly warned.
"Never! Trust my instincts!"
Xu Sanshi flashed a grin and struck a pose, making everyone laugh.
"Hurry back. This is Sun Moon territory—not safe."Beibei smiled faintly.
"Got it…"
Waving goodbye, Xu Sanshi cheerfully headed down the stairs.
"Did he go the wrong way?"Lan Ruoruo muttered.
"Maybe went to grab a drink first.Look, the match is starting!"Lan Susu's eyes sparkled."Baixi Academy is full of handsome princes—so hot…"
Everyone's attention was drawn away.
No one noticed—Xu Sanshi went the wrong direction.
After a few turns,he finally relaxed once sure no one was following.
He changed clothes.His relaxed expression from earlier turned grave.
After reconnecting with his sect yesterday,he realized just how far the original continent's powers had fallen.
Forget the small sects that lacked even soul ring matches—Even the lowest-level ten-year and hundred-year soul rings in Star Dou Forest were nearly impossible to get.They had to buy them from the Sun Moon Empire at ridiculous prices.The soul masters—their most core value—were being systematically stripped away.
Now, soul masters were rapidly declining.Sects had to rely on cheap artificial soul rings and shift toward soul engineer roles to survive.
Even a stronger sect like Xuanming Sect, which could get some leftovers from Shrek or Clear Sky Clan,was only slightly better off.
The appearance of artificial soul rings had turned the entire continent upside down.
They'd been chosen by Shrek's inner court and taken to Sea God Island for months.Completely isolated.Now, it was clear: Shrek had deliberately kept them in the dark.
His father's reply had only two words: "Backstab them."
To be honest, because of Beibei, Xu Sanshi hadn't wanted to do it.They were real brothers.In the inner court, Beibei was his only true friend.
But…
He thought of the tens of thousands in the Xuanming Sect.Of the Douling Empire.
He was technically a junior prince of Douling through his mother.But because his maternal grandfather disliked his father, he'd only been there twice.
He had always thought Xuanming and Douling were on bad terms—but this time, the spies his father sent hinted at a far deeper alliance.
If he didn't place his bet now,once the Sun Moon Empire united the continent,Xuanming Sect might be annihilated.
Though late compared to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it was not too late.
"…Sorry, Beibei." Xu Sanshi took a deep breath."You have no family left.But I have millions behind me.I have no choice…"
Clenching his teeth, he walked into a nondescript restaurant.
The city was packed due to the tournament.
He quickly vanished into the crowd.
"Phew…"
When he saw the familiar silhouette, Xu Sanshi finally let out a long breath.
"I thought you wouldn't come."He pulled out a chair and sat down.
"What do you want?"Jiang Nannan's face was icy cold.
"If you dare bring up the past, I'll kill you right here."
"No, no…"Xu Sanshi gave a bitter smile.
"I benefited from it, so I won't pretend innocence.But… that housekeeper from back then—my father had him executed."
"So what?"Jiang Nannan's eyes narrowed, her long fingers clutching her dress tight.
She would never forget the day she and her mother fled.
If she had believed that housekeeper's lies…
If not for a kind-hearted coachman helping them…If not for the Holy Spirit Church taking them in…If not for Xu Cheng, who allowed a girl from an enemy power to join the Sun Moon Empire…
Her mother might have long been dead.She herself… would've been dragged back to Xuanming Sect.
"I…"
Xu Sanshi's heart sank.
He wanted to slap himself.
He opened his mouth, throat dry."Back then, I was foolish."
"Not enough."
Jiang Nannan said coldly.
"I have intelligence on Shrek…And I bring with me both Xuanming Sect and the Douling Empire,to join the Sun Moon Empire.If not fully defecting,then at least supplying key information or resources when needed!"Xu Sanshi clenched his teeth and revealed his hand.
"…"
Jiang Nannan's expression changed.
A flicker of hesitation appeared in her eyes.
If this could help Brother Cheng…Her mother would probably approve too.
They owed Xu Cheng far too much.
He accepted her—an enemy—Healed her mother,Let her study in the Royal Academy,Let her join Mingdetang.
It was Xu Cheng who gave her a new life when Xuanming pushed her into a corner.
"…Speak."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"I want to see Xu Cheng!" Xu Sanshi gritted his teeth and said.
"Why should I trust you?" Jiang Nannan's expression turned cold, and she got up to leave.
She wasn't foolish enough to bring someone before Xu Cheng just based on a few words—what if this was a trap?
"It's about… a god!!!" Xu Sanshi clenched his teeth, his gaze tense and locked tightly onto Jiang Nannan.
"A… god…"
Jiang Nannan froze, her red lips parting slightly, a look of disbelief flashing through her eyes.
Having once entered the Temple of Destruction, she naturally understood the might of gods.
"Leave it to me."
Just as she hesitated, a voice rang beside her.A hand gently pressed on her shoulder, effortlessly pushing her back into her seat.
Feeling the familiar breath so close, Jiang Nannan instantly recognized who it was.Her tense expression melted away.She obediently sat down and quietly sipped her tea.
"Xu Sanshi?"
Xu Cheng, dressed in casual clothes, wore a gentle smile on his handsome face—like two old friends chatting after a long time apart.
"Xu… Your Majesty."
Xu Sanshi's throat tightened, a flicker of fear flashing through his eyes.
But it wasn't because Xu Cheng looked so different.It was the way he appeared.
Xu Sanshi was now a Soul Douluo, and yet he hadn't sensed anything!
As expected…With the rise in strength of the Sun Moon Empire's academy, how could this monster have stayed stagnant?
This invisible pressure—just from the way he stood and moved—was suffocating.Even Elder Xuan had never made him feel this way!
This guy… Could he be a Limit Douluo already?!!
No way. No way… That's impossible…
"There's no need to use my full name when addressing me."
Xu Cheng placed both hands on Jiang Nannan's shoulders,his eyes full of amusement as he looked at Xu Sanshi."You want to betray Shrek Academy?They gave you resources, and even took you along to take the God Test."
"How did you kno—" Xu Sanshi opened his mouth.
But when he saw Xu Cheng's faint smile, his heart sank to rock bottom.
He even knows about Sea God Island?!How could that be possible?!
That divine realm… If anyone approached it, a god would surely notice!
"Your backer is Tang San, that's easy to guess."Xu Cheng smiled."As a double God King, if he can't use the power of the Asura God, then the only option left… is the Sea God.Back in the day, that's where he obtained his godhood—on Sea God Island."
"He didn't tell you?"
Xu Cheng raised an eyebrow.
Xu Sanshi: "..."
His back was already soaked with cold sweat.
Gone was the calm demeanor from earlier.
He didn't know whether to be relieved he had made the right choice, or terrified that the Sun Moon Empire already knew everything.
"So then… what else can you offer?"Xu Cheng bent down slightly and whispered something into Jiang Nannan's ear.
The beauty's cheeks flushed, and she lightly bit her lip.
"I…"Xu Sanshi's mind raced.
He couldn't afford to be distracted by the intimate scene before him.
He blurted out urgently:"The Douling Empire, and Xuanming Sect!We are prepared to fully align ourselves with the Sun Moon Empire!We can—"
But his words were soon cut off by Xu Cheng.
"Not enough."
Xu Cheng shook his head with a smile.
"Today you betray Shrek Academy, which once helped you.Tomorrow, you might betray the Sun Moon Empire—just for profit…"
"I—!" Xu Sanshi's pupils shrank.Panic surged as he tried to explain.
But in the next moment—
He suddenly sensed a terrifying aura erupting behind him.Elder Xuan's vast soul power surged above Mingdu,and a massive demonic ox glared down at him with fury…
"Die!"
Perhaps worried about Xu Sanshi leaking information,Xuanzi didn't hesitate—his attack came crashing down.
An all-out strike, nearly at the level of a Limit Douluo.
Xu Sanshi closed his eyes in despair.
But the expected death… never came.
Dazed, he opened his eyes.
Xu Cheng's slim figure, in front of Xuanzi's massive, muscle-bound form,stood calm and unmoving.The size contrast was striking—yet in his stunned vision, Xuanzi's terrifying attack turned into a spray of starlight, dispersing into the air.
"Now… it's enough."
Xu Cheng turned his head and smiled.
"Your pledge of loyalty."
(End of Chapter)