With their own laws and their own army, Shrek Academy could be considered a small principality. They just hadn't publicly declared it, but there wasn't much difference.
This made the two great empires very uneasy. What was Shrek planning? Were they going to rebel, emulating the former Spirit Hall?
The key was that Shrek actually had the strength. More than seventy percent of the famous powerhouses in the Soul Master world came from Shrek Academy. They had truly achieved a situation where their students were everywhere, except for the Sun Moon Empire.
Xu Jiawei believed that as long as Shrek Academy called out, those guys in the empire who had graduated from Shrek would probably defect on the spot.
After all, something similar had happened before. That was over four thousand years ago, when the original Douluo three kingdoms were at war with the Sun Moon Empire. The Sun Moon Empire had the advantage in Soul Guidance Devices, and the original Douluo three kingdoms were losing ground. In the end, it was the then-president of Shrek Academy who issued a Shrek Summoning Order and gathered a large number of powerhouses who had graduated from Shrek, driving back the Sun Moon Empire.
Although the original Douluo three kingdoms won the war because of Shrek's help, this also sounded the alarm for the three kingdoms, because after the Shrek Summoning Order was issued, the officers who originally belonged to the empire's army actually broke away from the empire and followed Shrek's call.
For a military leader to obey the orders of another force, that was terrifying.
Therefore, although the three countries hadn't overtly targeted Shrek Academy in recent years, they had remained vigilant. Those graduating from Shrek Academy, while seemingly well-regarded, were actually excluded from the decision-making levels of the three countries, constantly monitored.
Seeing Shrek Academy's current predicament, Xu Jiawei couldn't help but be excited. He was already strategizing how to spread this news.
It was foreseeable that news of Shrek Academy cultivating evil soul masters would significantly damage their reputation, something Xu Jiawei was very pleased about.
If those talented soul masters developed reservations about Shrek Academy because of this, it would be even better. That would make it easier for the empire to recruit them. After all, the pie was only so big, and Shrek Academy had taken too much in recent years.
Ignoring Xu Jiawei's rich inner thoughts, Xuanzi was currently fuming, his seven orifices practically smoking. He pointed a finger at Huo Yuhao, and after a long pause, managed to blurt out, "What does this have to do with me? Besides, it was Yan Shaozhe who failed in his teaching; he doesn't represent all of Shrek Academy."
Hearing Xuanzi's words, Du Busi, still high in the sky, couldn't help but burst out laughing internally, thinking that Xuanzi had become really disheartened over the years. Not only had his strength not improved, but his mind wasn't as sharp either. Could it be that drinking too much had affected his intelligence?
Xu Jiawei also found it amusing, secretly thinking that the old man didn't think before he spoke. If he previously wanted outsiders to be disappointed in Shrek Academy, then Xuanzi's words now might lead to the students of Shrek Academy becoming estranged.
Sure enough, after Xuanzi spoke, the faces of Dai Yaoheng, Ling Luochen, Jiang Nannan, and other members of the Shrek Academy team turned grim. When something went wrong, the first reaction was to shirk responsibility instead of solving the problem. Was this really the Shrek Academy they knew?
Huo Yuhao was also stunned. Wow, this was like using Shrek Academy's reputation, built over many years, to commit suicide. Huo Yuhao was speechless; they say the older you get, the wiser you become, but apparently that wasn't always the case. He suspected Xuanzi's brain was filled with mush.
Could he have been drinking the "Gazi" brand's century-old wine?
But this was good news. If he had to have an opponent, Huo Yuhao would much prefer a pig-like opponent, just like Xuanzi.
Realizing the strange gazes directed at him, Xuanzi also understood the foolish things he'd said in his haste, and glared at Huo Yuhao.
For the first time, intense killing intent surged from Xuanzi. This was the guy who, ungratefully, had left Shrek Academy. It was this guy who caused Xiao Tao's martial soul to mutate, and it was also this guy who exposed Shrek Academy's scandals to the public.
He could sense Huo Yuhao's animosity towards Shrek Academy. If it were an ordinary person, he wouldn't care; plenty of people disliked Shrek Academy, but they couldn't do anything about it.
But this guy was different. This guy, at the Soul Ancestor rank, had consecutively defeated several Shrek Academy students, and now even Xiao Tao, a Soul Emperor, had lost to him.
Spiritual power far exceeding his level, combat strength far exceeding his level, dual martial souls, a talent domain, a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, external soul bone… Such talent, such opportunity, this kind of person was terrifying. He was a monster, no, monster wasn't enough to describe him.
In short, since this kind of person couldn't serve Shrek Academy, then he absolutely couldn't be allowed to grow. He must be nipped in the bud, or the consequences would be endless.
The surging killing intent and Xuanzi's formidable ninety-eight level soul power pressed down on Huo Yuhao simultaneously, as tangible as could be. Xuanzi's intentions were laid bare.
Facing the immense pressure brought by Xuanzi, Huo Yuhao released his domain, shrinking its range to defend against the oppressive force around him.
Even though Xuanzi was only using pure soul power and killing intent to exert pressure, Huo Yuhao felt unprecedented strain. Even the surrounding Broken Demon Domain trembled slightly, showing signs of collapse.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. To think he's a ninety-eight level Super Douluo, and so terrifying. If he didn't have his master backing him, he would probably have already turned to dust.
"Heh, what is it, Taotie Douluo? Are you trying to kill me and silence me?" Despite the overwhelming pressure, Huo Yuhao still taunted.
"Hmph, I'd like to see who dares to bully my disciple." Du Busi's aged, deep voice echoed, and he immediately appeared in front of Huo Yuhao.
The instant Du Busi appeared, the pressure Xuanzi exerted vanished without a trace.
"Old monster Du, are you trying to stop me?" Xuanzi stared coldly at Du Busi, his tone harsh, but a careful observer would notice the flickering light in his eyes. Clearly, he wasn't as confident as he appeared when facing Du Busi.
Du Busi glanced contemptuously at Xuanzi, sneering, "Heh, Xuanzi, you've really gone downhill over the years. Bullying the young, you have the gall! You want to touch my disciple? Aren't you afraid I'll dismantle your old bones first?"
"You..." Xuanzi was furious, his old face turning crimson with rage as the terrifying aura of a Super Douluo emanated from him.
Crack, crack, crack! The ice-sealed arena shattered inch by inch, centered around Xuanzi. Finally, after repeated destruction, the arena completely collapsed with the sound of exploding rocks.
Those near the arena retreated one after another. For ordinary people, a Title Douluo represented the peak of power in this world. What was about to happen would likely be a battle of gods, and it was best for their little arms and legs to stay far away.
(End of Chapter)