Western Mountain of Mingdu. The Central Army Group was stationed at the foot of the Western Mountain, inside Yu Guanzhi's military tent.
With Yu Guanzhi pouring soul power into her, Long Yeyue slowly regained consciousness. She collapsed weakly in the chair, breathing faintly as if she could die at any moment.
Her hair was disheveled, her whole body stained with blood, and together with the dim, despairing look in her eyes, she appeared extremely miserable and tragic.
After losing her cultivation, although her physical condition was still stronger than most people, it could not withstand the erosion of time.
With her body heavily injured and her cultivation gone, her bodily functions had sharply declined. Many of her organs had already failed, leaving her only a thin line away from death.
"I've contacted Chen Xinjie," Yu Guanzhi said as he supported a soul communication device capable of video calls with his soul power and placed it in front of Long Yeyue.
Upon hearing the name Chen Xinjie, the dull light in Long Yeyue's eyes brightened slightly.
An image appeared on the soul screen. It was an elderly man with a high nose and deep-set eyes, still fairly handsome.
Although he was already old, he was full of vitality—his spirit even stronger than many young adults. However, at this moment his face was filled with anxiety.
The military uniform on his body was particularly eye-catching. The three stars symbolized the highest honor of the Federation military—Federation Three-Star General, Chen Xinjie.
"Yueyue, what happened to you?"
The moment the old man saw Long Yeyue's condition, he panicked.
He could see her through the screen. Seeing her body covered in blood made his heart ache unbearably.
"I… I'm going to die," Long Yeyue said with difficulty. For her now, even speaking was a struggle.
Seeing Chen Xinjie again—even if only through a screen—stirred her emotions greatly, bringing back many memories.
"No, you won't die! I won't let you die!" Chen Xinjie's voice turned sharp, his emotions surging. He could not accept this reality. How could she possibly die?
Long Yeyue's facial muscles moved slightly, as if she were giving a helpless bitter smile. After a few seconds, she finally spoke again with great difficulty:
"Before I die… I want to ask you for a favor."
Chen Xinjie's body trembled. His nose stung and his eyes reddened. He understood Long Yeyue—given her pride, she would never ask for help unless absolutely forced to.
"Tell me," Chen Xinjie said while holding back tears, his voice already somewhat choked.
Before the video call, Yu Guanzhi had already informed him of Long Yeyue's condition—her cultivation had been crippled, her body heavily injured, and she would not live much longer.
Saying he would not let her die was only his unwillingness to accept reality. In truth, there was nothing he could do.
He was not a god and had no power to change fate against the heavens. No matter how much he wanted to save Long Yeyue, he had no way.
"Help me look after Shrek Academy. This time the academy has lost too many top-tier fighters. Its foundation has been badly damaged."
"If… cough cough…"
Long Yeyue coughed repeatedly, interrupting her words. After several coughs, her spirit suddenly seemed to improve a little.
Seeing this, Chen Xinjie became even more sorrowful. He knew that this was the last flash of vitality before death—the moment of returning light.
Long Yeyue also knew her condition and did not waste time. She continued:
"If the people of the Dragon Phoenix Hall take action against Shrek Academy, I'm afraid the academy won't be able to handle it."
"So I want to ask you—if Shrek Academy faces danger in the future, please step in to help."
She understood Shrek's situation better than anyone. With her, Yun Ming, and Yali all dead, the academy would certainly be inferior to the Dragon Phoenix Hall in terms of top-tier combat power.
Without such top-level fighters, even if the academy's defenses could hold off their attack, the losses would be catastrophic.
At that point the academy would lack any true deterrent power and might face many crises in the future.
"I know it's unfair to drag you into this matter, but I still hope that for the sake of our past relationship, you can help me. I'm begging you."
Long Yeyue felt deeply guilty and conflicted.
She didn't want Chen Xinjie involved because it might put his life in danger.
But from the standpoint of Shrek Academy, she still wanted him to help. Only then could she ensure Shrek's safety.
"I'll help. Since you've asked, I'll definitely help," Chen Xinjie replied without hesitation.
"Thank you," Long Yeyue said sincerely. Her eyes had already become moist. Guilt, reluctance, and many other emotions made tears flow uncontrollably.
Seeing Long Yeyue cry, Chen Xinjie panicked.
"Yueyue, don't cry."
"Don't worry. I will definitely protect Shrek. I won't let that damned Dragon Phoenix Hall destroy it."
His hatred toward the Dragon Phoenix Hall was also deep.
They had killed Guan Yue and five other members of the God of War Hall.
But what he could least accept was what they had done to Long Yeyue. If this revenge was not taken, Chen Xinjie swore he would not consider himself human.
"With those words from you, I can finally be at ease," Long Yeyue said with relief. Her final burden had been lifted.
"Xinjie, don't recklessly go avenge me. There are many powerful experts within the Dragon Phoenix Hall. If you go like that, you'll only be throwing your life away."
She understood Chen Xinjie well. After her death, he would most likely lose control in rage and directly attack the Dragon Phoenix Hall.
"Don't worry. I won't act recklessly," Chen Xinjie said.
Hearing Long Yeyue show concern for him should have made him happy, yet he found himself unable to smile.
Shrek Academy – Sea God Pavilion
Inside the meeting room, not only were Jin Lie and Zhao Yi—members of the Sea God Pavilion—present, but also several powerful figures from the Tang Sect.
The Tang Sect headquarters was located within Shrek City, and it housed the sect's strongest military power.
Those able to attend the Sea God Pavilion meeting were all absolute high-ranking figures of the Tang Sect headquarters. Most of them had once studied at Shrek Academy and could be considered part of Shrek.
In a sense, the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy were practically the same faction.
This was because their leaders often held dual identities.
For example, Yun Ming, the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, was also a member of the Tang Sect. He practiced Tang Sect techniques and served as an honorary elder.
Normally he prioritized Shrek Academy, but if the Tang Sect faced trouble, he would act as a member of the Tang Sect and fight for it.
The opposite was also true.
For example, Zang Xin, the Tang Sect's Vice Sect Master, held the position of Honorary Sea God Pavilion Member at Shrek Academy. Though he did not participate in its daily affairs, his status was equal to Yali's.
The two factions were separate yet intertwined—prospering together and suffering together.
Leading the Tang Sect side was an elderly man.
He sat in a wheelchair, extremely old and nearing the end of his life.
This old man was the previous Tang Sect Master, Bai Fei. Even Zang Xin had to address him as "Grand-uncle Master."
Two hundred years ago, he, Jin Lie, and Zhao Yi had all been members of the Shrek Seven Monsters, and he possessed quasi-god level cultivation.
Of course, although his cultivation realm was that high, his blood vitality had already dried up. The strength he could actually display was only around level 97 or 98.
"Old Jin, what on earth have you been doing?" Bai Fei complained.
"The reputation Shrek Academy built over twenty thousand years is about to be ruined by you people."
Naturally, he was referring to Shrek Academy's scheme to frame the Dragon Phoenix Hall.
Sitting in Yun Ming's former seat, Jin Lie sighed.
"I didn't expect things to develop like this either."