"Beep—"
A shrill alarm rang out overhead.
The Sun-Moon Empire's Royal Guard Corps—the Fire Phoenix Legion—arrived in squad formations from all directions. Within minutes, they had completely surrounded Xuan Zi.
"Fourth Battalion Commander of the Fire Phoenix Legion—Huo Ling, reporting!"
A short-haired female soldier in crimson armor, valiant and dignified, respectfully saluted.
"Mm..."
Xu Cheng nodded slightly."Thank you for your hard work."
"N-not at all…" Huo Ling stammered, visibly flustered.
With a faint smile, Xu Cheng turned his gaze to the skies above."Elder Xuan, it's been three years. Is this really how you greet your own people?"
"That bastard is no one of mine!"
Xuan Zi roared, glaring hatefully at Xu Sanshi, whose head hung low. He looked as if he could devour him on the spot.
He had sensed something off earlier—Xu Sanshi had been acting sneaky. He'd originally thought he was hiding some secret and hadn't paid it much mind. But when he saw which direction Xu Sanshi was headed, he knew something was wrong and followed…
"Xu Sanshi! Shrek Academy treated you well. Why do something so disgraceful?! You betrayed your academy, your mentors, your brothers! The trip to Sea God Island? That was Beibei's idea—to bring you along! You bastard!"
Xuan Zi's heart was torn with rage.
They had nurtured a top talent, second only to Beibei, and placed great hopes on him. But now? A backstab like this.
He would make sure the entire world knew what kind of people the Xuanming Sect bred!
As expected—
The once chaotic crowd gradually calmed down with the arrival of the guards. Then, they began watching the scene unfold like a drama.
"Xu Sanshi? Isn't he the third young master of the Xuanming Sect? He's betraying Shrek now?"
"The Xuanming Sect is a big deal. Why stoop to such vile behavior? Their name will be mud after today."
"That guy is so handsome. Is he someone important in the Sun-Moon Empire?"
"He's too young to be high-ranking. Maybe a top-tier heir? Still, he's definitely my type—with that charisma."
"Could he be a prince?"
"Don't be silly. The current emperor is not even twenty yet—just finished the last Continental Soul Master Tournament. How could he have a son this old?"
"Wait!" A female student in academy uniform paused, frowning."Say that again—the emperor is how old?"
"Nineteen, I think. Why?" her friend asked, puzzled.
But other girls around her suddenly widened their eyes and looked up at the young man in the center of attention.
Hearing the whispers around him…
Xu Sanshi, surrounded by soldiers in red armor, lowered his head—not out of shame toward Shrek, but toward Beibei, the one he'd truly wronged.
He couldn't even imagine Beibei's reaction upon learning the truth.
His fists clenched so tightly his nails pierced his palms, drawing blood—but he didn't even seem to notice.
The surrounding guards didn't touch him. Xu Cheng had waved them off and ordered them to protect Xu Sanshi.
"You deserve to die!" Xuan Zi roared louder.
Earth-toned soul power surged around him, forming a massive hand that again slammed toward Xu Sanshi. The pressure of a near-Limit Douluo was evident. Even though the Sun-Moon guards tried to stop him, he would kill this traitor before the empire's true top experts arrived.
He didn't care if it meant war. The Sun-Moon Empire was already their mortal enemy.
"If you want to disgrace him publicly, that's none of my business."
In the sky, Xu Cheng stood with hands behind his back, calmly watching the terrifying soul force approaching."But if you want his life… then I must intervene."
With that, he extended a single finger and lightly tapped the massive hand.
Boom!
That awe-inspiring attack instantly shattered into countless sparkling fragments, dissipating like stardust—just like before.
Silence.
The entire place fell completely silent.
Countless eyes stared in stunned disbelief at Xu Cheng.
How is this possible…?
Even a fool could see Xuan Zi was no average soul master. Some even recognized him—Shrek Academy's strongest known expert, the Gluttonous Douluo, a Level 98 Super Douluo, one of the most powerful people on the continent.
But this youth—who looked almost too young to believe—had crushed his attack with a single finger?!!
"Has the world gone mad—or is it just me?"
Those who previously guessed Xu Cheng was some noble's son now realized: the guards respected him not for his identity, but for his power.
"Impossible!"
Xuan Zi's pupils shrank in horror.
He knew that his attack just now wasn't a mere probe. It carried over 70% of his full power!
And Xu Cheng had dismissed it casually?
"Xu Cheng… have you… become a god?!!"
He gulped hard. It sounded crazy, but everything pointed to that conclusion.
"Woah~"
As Xuan Zi said that—
The crowd erupted.
A god?!
The kind of beings found only in distant legends, in bard songs and ancient ruins. Never had they seen one in real life.
And now… Xu Cheng?
"No way! I thought he died during those three quiet years…"
"The current emperor of the Sun-Moon Empire? It really is him? Even if he's not a god, being this powerful at just twenty is insane! I thought this year's tournament would be close, but…"
"He's the main reason the Sun-Moon Empire forced the original continent to the brink. Turns out, he didn't join the royal academy team not because he feared the rising talents like Tang San, Long Aotian, or Beibei—but because…"
"…he's already stepped into the realm of top-tier experts."
"Maybe he really is a god? This young?"
"No… his power, though immense, still feels like that of a man. Not a god."
"So handsome… and that aura… If he was the dream lover of tournament girls before, now he'll be the dream of the entire continent."
"Why didn't you participate in the tournament?" Xuan Zi swallowed nervously.
"If I had, what meaning would the tournament have?" Xu Cheng replied with a gentle smile.
Xuan Zi twitched at the arrogance of the words—but strangely, they didn't feel out of place. Even he instinctively felt it was true.
"No, something's wrong. What happened to you in those three years? How did you grow this strong?!"
Xu Cheng's smile slowly faded.
"Elder Xuan, I'm not in the mood to keep arguing. You have three seconds to disappear from my sight. Otherwise… launching an attack in Mingdu won't be overlooked so easily."
"..."
Xuan Zi froze.
This kid was still temperamental—but now, far more imposing than before. Even Xuan Zi found himself momentarily overwhelmed.
"Three."
Xu Cheng spoke softly.
Seeing he was serious, Xuan Zi clenched his teeth, glanced at the dejected Xu Sanshi, and gave a furious snort before turning and leaving.
This scene sparked yet another wave of gasps.
A top-tier powerhouse like Xuan Zi—forced to retreat by Xu Cheng, utterly disgraced.
Any other expert of the same level would have at least shown some pride, even if on foreign soil. But not Xuan Zi—his retreat proved something else:
Xu Cheng's strength was truly unfathomable…
Ignoring the blushing girls and awed murmurs below, Xu Cheng vanished and reappeared beside Xu Sanshi.
"Didn't expect to be discovered before you even started, huh?" He patted Xu Sanshi's shoulder with a smile.
"Y-you predicted this?!" Xu Sanshi trembled, terrified. Had Xu Cheng planned this all?
"Not quite. You're the ones begging to live now—Xuanming Sect and Douling Empire. I have no need to waste my energy on meaningless things."
Xu Sanshi fell silent.
He couldn't argue—even Xu Cheng said his two factions weren't worth recruiting.
If a real continental war broke out, the Sun-Moon Empire wouldn't waste effort on them. Its powerful army would crush the Heavenly Soul Empire, Shrek Academy, Douling Empire—all in a flash, as the collapse of the old alliance had shown.
Xu Cheng waved his hand and sat back in his previous seat next to Jiang Nannan, casually sipping tea."You didn't even consider your little girlfriend's situation, huh? Elder Xuan's not exactly merciful. The rage he couldn't vent on you…"
"No!"
Xu Sanshi's eyes widened.
He hadn't considered Tian Tian at all—he never imagined Xuan Zi would find him. But now that he had, Tian Tian was in danger!
"Ha… why isn't Senior Sanshi back yet?" Lan Susu yawned.
"Maybe he got lost?" Xie Huanyue said dumbly, munching on chips.
"Who cares? We don't have more matches anyway." Zhou Sichen said lazily."Maybe he went chasing girls. A not-even-twenty Soul Douluo, with that rugged charm—tons of girls would throw themselves at—ow! Ruoruo, why'd you pinch me?"
Lan Ruoruo glared at him, gesturing subtly to the girl leaning on the railing—Tian Tian, who was pretending not to care but was clearly eavesdropping.
"Ah… hahaha… Senior Sanshi is actually very loyal! Back when he chased Jiang Nannan, he never gave up, right?"
Lan Ruoruo: "…"
Shrek group: "…"
"You should stop talking." Cao Jinxuan said, exasperated."You always say the wrong thing. If you can't help, at least don't make things worse."
"I—"
Just as Zhou Sichen tried to argue—
Two figures approached from a distance.
It was the Sun-Moon Empire's Royal Battle Team—and their target was clearly them.
"Why are they coming over?" Zhou Sichen tensed.
It was Wang Dong'er and Wang Qiu'er, the same twin sisters who had severed Tang San's arm earlier. Even though they weren't showing any soul power now, their performance yesterday was unforgettable.
Cao Jinxuan's legs even went a little weak as he glanced around, wondering if he could escape if things turned violent…
"..."
Beibei frowned slightly and slowly stood up, walking to the front.
"This is the resting area for Shrek Academy. You from the Sun-Moon Empire should be over there." He stared coldly at the two girls.
"We're here to find someone." Wang Dong'er crossed her arms with a disdainful tone.
"Who?" Beibei asked, confused.
"A girl named Tiantian…" Wang Dong'er raised an eyebrow and looked past Beibei, scanning the crowd behind him.
"She's from Shrek Academy. There's no way she's going with you." Beibei snorted coldly, his gaze growing increasingly unfriendly.
To try and snatch someone away so brazenly—did they really think he, Beibei the Thunderbolt, was someone to be ignored?
"Hey, girl. Xu Sanshi has defected. Are you sure you want to stay here?" Wang Dong'er ignored Beibei and looked straight at the figure hiding in the crowd.
"What did you say?!!"
Everyone froze in shock.
Beibei was the first to react, his voice filled with fury.
The other side was using this kind of lie to deceive them—did they really think he was that gullible…?
"..."
But in the very next moment—
Tiantian's eyes filled with shock, as if she suddenly remembered something. She lowered her head and quickly walked past Beibei toward Wang Dong'er.
"Tiantian, you…"
Beibei was stunned.
"Let her go. The farther the better! They're all a bunch of damn traitors anyway!"A heavy and furious voice roared from behind.
"Elder Xuan…"
Everyone turned around, only to see Xuan Zi storming over in a fit of rage.
"Did Sanshi really…" Beibei asked in disbelief.
"That guy's a damn traitor! A beast! Don't ever mention him to me again!"Xuan Zi waved his hand harshly, his gaze fixed hatefully on Tiantian.
Wang Qiu'er took a small step forward, blocking his line of sight.
Her expression was cold as she swept her eyes over the crowd."Stay in Shrek... and wait to die?"
"You!!!"
Xuan Zi's fury was completely ignited.
"Elder Xuan, don't get so worked up."
A round, pudgy figure appeared to the side. With a wave of his hand, he blocked all of Xuan Zi's soul pressure."People seek higher ground, water flows to lower places—it's only natural. Besides, Xu Sanshi has no reason to drag the Xuanming Sect down with you all, now does he? Hahaha."
Jing Hongchen wore a face full of smiles.
Though he had stepped down from his position as Academy Head, the mischievous old man still couldn't sit still. He had taken up the role of judge for the tournament, and his gaze had been on this side the whole time. Once he learned what happened in the heart of Mingdu, he rushed over, afraid Wang Dong'er and Wang Qiu'er might suffer any loss.
"You've gotten stronger too…"
Xuan Zi took a deep breath, suspicion and surprise in his eyes.
"My potential's not exhausted yet. I'm just over a hundred. Haven't you grown stronger as well? You're practically at the threshold of becoming a Limit Douluo."Jing Hongchen beamed.
"Hmph."
Xuan Zi could only snort in powerless frustration—then turn and walk away in fury.
(End of Chapter)