"Is there really any need to make things this complicated? If they dare come and make trouble, then we'll just fight them. What, are we supposed to be afraid of them?" Xiong Jun said with a domineering air.
Di Tian gave Xiong Jun a side-eye, clearly not interested in talking to this musclebound, simple-headed brute.
Yun Ze took another sip of water and said, "This isn't about being afraid or not. It's about standing on the side of reason."
"If we directly admit that Dragon Phoenix Hall abducted Tang Wulin, then Dragon Phoenix Hall's reputation will be ruined."
"The public's resentment, other factions' wariness, politicians and the military keeping their distance—all of this would deal a massive blow to Dragon Phoenix Hall. If we can avoid that, we absolutely should."
"As long as we can flip black and white, deny that we abducted Tang Wulin, then we have the moral high ground. If Shrek insists on making trouble with us, we'll become the victims in this incident. At that point, even if we clash head-on with Shrek Academy, we'll be the side in the right, and we'll be able to gain quite a bit of support."
"If we can gain an advantage in battle just by using words, why should we admit to anything outright?"
"That makes sense!" Xiong Jun's eyes lit up, a look of sudden realization washing over his face.
Di Tian and Gu Yue Na both glanced at Xiong Jun and shook their heads. This guy's brain really didn't fire on all cylinders.
"When the Shrek people come to cause trouble, just notify Gu Lao and Dean Xu Lin. Have them come help," Yun Ze continued.
"At the same time, inform all the major media outlets. As long as they get wind of this, they'll be scrambling to report it. The entire Federation will see this live. The bigger the impact, the better it is for us."
Yun Ze said this to Gu Yue Na. She smiled faintly and nodded, faint anticipation flickering in her eyes at the thought of Shrek Academy coming to make trouble.
"At that time, you'll still need to deal with that Yun Ming. Quickly restore your soul power, and also think carefully about what to say when the time comes—don't slip up," Yun Ze said.
"Alright," Di Tian responded.
After a few more words of instruction, Yun Ze sat cross-legged and began meditating, absorbing the energy of heaven and earth to replenish the blood essence he had just lost.
His blood wasn't something he could just spill casually. Even if it wasn't heart's blood, losing a single drop was still a considerable loss to his life force.
Gu Yue Na left with Di Tian and Xiong Jun to handle the preparations. They weren't as calm as Yun Ze, who could remain unshaken in the face of danger.
A powerful enemy would soon arrive, yet Yun Ze still behaved as if nothing had happened, meditating calmly. One had to respect his state of mind.
The three of them, on the other hand, were tense—especially Di Tian, who bore the greatest pressure, constantly thinking of how to speak later without leaving any gaps in the story.
A brief meeting was held on the ninth floor conference room, presided over by Gu Yue Na. Yun Ze didn't participate, remaining on the tenth floor to meditate.
The meeting was simple: syncing their stories, while also preparing everyone for a possible fight.
Gu Yue Na personally called the Ten Thousand Beast King and the Beast Spirit, two powerful fierce beasts, summoning them to return to Mingdu immediately to deal with any potential outbreak of combat.
Those soul beasts who had gone out would also be recalled. For the time being, their search for spiritual treasures in the mountains, rivers, and lakes would stop.
More than an hour passed in a rush. Two beams of light appeared in the distance, rapidly approaching Mingdu.
Looking carefully, it became clear they weren't beams of light at all, but four people, moving so fast that from afar they looked like streaks of light.
In fact, it wasn't just two people—it was four. One was being carried on the back of an old man, while another was held around the waist by a younger man as they flew.
In Mingdu's city defense center, two fast-moving blips on radar caught the attention of the staff.
Seconds later, five purple mechas and one black mecha launched from the northern city defense base, thrusters blazing as they rapidly accelerated toward the two blips.
Mingdu's city defense was divided into five bases, located in the east, south, west, north, and the central headquarters.
This time, it was the northern base responding, dispatching mechas to intercept the fast-approaching objects.
"You have entered Mingdu airspace. Immediately slow down and stop for inspection, or you will be treated as illegal intruders. We are authorized to kill you."
"Repeat: You have entered Mingdu airspace. Immediately slow down and stop for inspection, or you will be treated as illegal intruders. We are authorized to kill you."
The voice came from the black mecha at the lead, amplified so much that it could be heard even a kilometer or two away.
"Get lost!" a thunderous roar came from afar, the sound rolling like crashing waves, carrying terrifying energy. The sheer sound force slowed the advance of the black and purple mechas.
The soul masters inside the mechas were shaken to the core, eardrums aching, hearts pounding as the sheer force of those two words stunned them. None dared to attack.
The four flying figures ignored the warnings entirely, their speed undiminished, passing directly by the mechas.
The six mechas could only watch them streak past, too terrified to even shout further warnings, let alone stop them.
The Contra-ranked soul master in the black mecha was the first to recover, immediately pressing the call button:
"Calling headquarters, calling headquarters! The flying objects just now were human—suspected Titled Douluo! We cannot stop them. Requesting backup, requesting backup!"
While reporting, the Contra soul master suppressed his fear and flew after them, needing to keep track and report their position.
"Wooooo…" Alarms blared in central Mingdu, a booming announcement echoing:
"You two, stop immediately, or you will be classified as kill-on-sight targets. Final warning: stop immediately, or you will be classified as kill-on-sight targets."
"If you don't want to anger Shrek Academy, then by all means—try," Yun Ming's cold voice rang out.
He was somewhat familiar with Mingdu's city defense capabilities. If they truly classified him as a kill-on-sight target, things could get troublesome.
Their current goal was Dragon Phoenix Hall. Any avoidable trouble had best be avoided.
The ninth-grade paralysis soul-guided cannons at the northern base, which had been preparing to aim, stopped rotating. Clearly, the words "Shrek Academy" had struck fear into them.
"This incident is serious. Get me a line to City Defense Headquarters immediately," the northern gate's defense commander ordered.
Dragon Phoenix Hall sat on a bustling street, teeming with people, still operating normally at this time. Many customers were entering—some to buy elixirs, others to buy metals.
From a distance, the two beams of light drew closer, catching the attention of some, while more sensitive soul masters felt a wave of danger and tensed their bodies.
Swish! A sharp tearing sound rang out in the sky. A long spear appeared out of nowhere, blazing with searing white incandescence, shooting straight at the building where Dragon Phoenix Hall was located.
The energy in the spear was carefully restrained. Though it carried enough terrifying power to reduce the entire building to rubble, not a trace of it leaked during flight.
Yun Ming was furious, but not irrational. There were many civilians nearby; if he unleashed the full might of the Heaven-Piercing Spear, thousands would die instantly from the shockwave alone.
His hatred was for Dragon Phoenix Hall. He would avoid harming innocents wherever possible.
But only as much as possible. Those inside Dragon Phoenix Hall, however—he could not protect them.
They could only blame their bad luck for being there.
If blame was due, it was for choosing to walk into Dragon Phoenix Hall at all!
(End of Chapter)