"In any case, we at Shrek must participate fully. Whoever seizes the Sea God's position will dictate the continent's future," Elder Song said gravely.
"Of course. But the Grail War's Masters are randomly chosen. Who knows which of our students will be the lucky one?" Yan Shaozhe frowned, fully aware of the impact a god could have on the world.
A thousand years ago, it was precisely the gods' intervention that reshaped the continent's order.
"Whoever our Master is, we must give them our full support. We absolutely cannot let the Sea God's position fall into outsiders' hands," Xuan Zi said firmly.
Everyone knew that if Shrek, as the Sea God's inheritors, lost the god's position, the academy's prestige would suffer a huge blow—especially with the Sun Moon Empire as a rival. They couldn't let Sun Moon win.
News of the Grail War spread like wildfire, shaking the soul master world. The chance to inherit a god's position was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating waves of excitement.
Everyone dreamed of being the lucky Master, summoning a powerful Servant, winning the War, and becoming Sea God, gaining unimaginable power and immortality.
…
At the Sun Moon Empire, Crown Prince Xu Tianran was among the first to learn of the Grail War. Outwardly crippled and dismissed as useless, he was in fact a genius, becoming a Titled Douluo in his thirties with his Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon martial soul.
Though aided by resources and medicine, his own talent was key—otherwise, the Sun Moon Empire would have produced an army of Titled Douluos long ago.
Now, sitting in his wheelchair, hand to his forehead, his eyes burned with ambition.
He'd tried everything to regain his manhood, but failed. Of the three things a man desires—power, wealth, women—he'd lost one, so he focused on the other two.
Wealth was no issue; he set his sights on power.
He'd survived the bloody struggle for the throne, hands stained with his brothers' blood, and held the title of Crown Prince at a heavy price.
"If I can become a god, I'll be whole again. Unifying the continent won't be just a dream."
His eyes blazed. Becoming a god had always been a distant fantasy, but now, the opportunity was real. He would seize it at any cost.
He knew that being emperor would only fulfill ambition, but lacking heirs, even uniting the continent would be a hollow victory.
But godhood was different: it meant eternal life, restored health, and descendants—ensuring the Sun Moon Empire's glory continued.
Winning the Grail War and becoming Sea God would grant him everything he wanted.
…
"Such troubled times… The continent is about to be thrown into chaos," mused Xu Jiawei, Emperor of Star Luo, gazing towards the Sun Moon Empire.
He'd long been aware of their ambitions, keeping the White Tiger Duke and elite troops on the border at all times.
Four thousand years ago, they'd defeated the Sun Moon Empire, but time had changed things. The Sun Moon Empire kept advancing, while the original nations stagnated.
His only consolation was the steady rise of Haiyuan City, whose commercial empire covered the continent, constantly bringing in wealth and resources.
With his support, the newly formed Fools recruited many soul masters, who, after training, became a force to be reckoned with—a fallback for the Star Crown line.
After all, Xu Jiujiu was as good as Haiyuan City's mistress.
The Grail War was unexpected, but perhaps not a bad thing. All forces would be drawn in to compete for the godhood, including those usually hidden. Amid chaos, there was opportunity—to probe the Sun Moon Empire's true strength and, if necessary, to align himself with Haiyuan City.
Xu Jiawei was pragmatic—if they lost, they would retreat and regroup. There was no shame in that.
…
In the Heavenly Soul Empire's Body Sect, a strange scene unfolded.
A green poisonous cloud shrouded the sky. Within the sect, soul power built to a peak before erupting like a volcano. The force shattered a mountain, sending stones flying and dust billowing.
Black spatial cracks spread like spiderwebs in the air. "Hahaha, I've done it!" roared a figure in dark green, shooting skyward as a giant phantom appeared behind him, towering a thousand meters.
"Grandpa broke through—wonderful!" Princess Weina of the Heavenly Soul Empire beamed with joy.
Du Busi had broken through to Ultimate Douluo—a massive boost for the Heavenly Soul Empire's security amid the coming chaos.
"This is the power of a Ultimate Douluo—truly incredible! It feels like I could tear space with a wave of my hand."
Du Busi reveled in his new strength. The gap between rank 98 and 99 was vast; with dual soul cores resonating, he was now so strong. He wondered if the yin-yang method could even let him challenge demi-gods.