Half a month passed in a flash.
Shrek City.
Originally, the Lingbing Square was bustling. Now, it was deathly silent.
At the heart of the square, a thin, sallow-faced man with tangled black hair, hands and feet shackled with soul tool restraints, shuffled onstage, led by two Federation guards.
His image was broadcast on light screens stretching nearly a hundred meters on both sides.
Nearly a million people had gathered here; countless gazes—some contemptuous, some sympathetic—fell on him.
With the Federation network present, news of Cao Dezhi's crimes had long erupted online.
It was all denouncement, all scorn.
After all, as a border general, he'd allowed Abyssal creatures to invade unchecked, causing death on an unimaginable scale.
Of course, Tang Sect and Shrek remained silent. But the few sympathetic glances in the crowd came from Tang Sect members...
Because Vice Sect Master Zang had said: this was a matter of Tang Sect's survival.
Whether Cao acted or not, the other side would have found an excuse to suppress Tang Sect. They weren't mourning the dead millions but mourning that their plan failed, that they didn't manage to kill their enemies with borrowed hands.
To them, the fate of a few million paled in comparison with Tang Sect's eternity.
In their eyes, such "fools" who couldn't comprehend the big picture just didn't understand Tang Sect's sacrifices for the continent—now, framed and forced underground, like rats hiding in the dark.
This injustice!
"Vice Master, aren't we going to save him?!" Du Soul Hall Master Guo Xiaoxu gritted his teeth, his muscles tense, eyes bloodshot, staring at the emaciated Cao Dezhi on stage, his powerful aura barely contained.
"Just say the word, Vice Master, we'd give our lives for him without hesitation!" Li Hall Master Zhao Sun also fumed.
"Pant, pant..."
Zang Xin was breathing heavily. Onstage was the one he loved, surrounded by loyal subordinates, his feelings turbulent.
But—
"No!"
The word was squeezed from his teeth.
This was Shrek City, supposedly the domain of Tang Sect and Shrek.
Yet, now, he had to hide like a rat, while Shrek themselves didn't even dare show their faces.
His only hope was that, after Cao Dezhi's execution, his soul would be reclaimed by the Golden Tree, with the hope of resurrection in the future.
The Tang Sect disciples, hidden in the crowd, all clenched their teeth in fury when they heard this.
Above the stage.
The Spirit Pagoda's Master, Qiangu Dongfeng, took a sip of tea. Though not looking down, his powerful spiritual sense covered most of the square, noting anyone seeming unusual.
Tang Sect excelled at disguise, blending into the city as everyday citizens. Without real intelligence, rooting them out would be virtually impossible.
But today was the perfect chance to identify them.
He also believed that, even though it seemed only himself and Federation Councilman Chen Nian were overseeing the scene, that one was fishing in the shadows.
However, at someone of their level, the big fish he was after was not something a mere Demi-God like Qiangu Dongfeng could interfere with. It all concerned the ultimate struggle of gods on the continent—he could only play his part.
With that person in play, the situation grew ever more complicated.
Shrek Academy had also begun to reveal their true cards. Even now, they feigned weakness, hiding like turtles. Their final moves would not be seen until the last moment.
He didn't mind—many weren't even qualified to take the field...
The Federation itself lacked a proper pretext to act.
If Tang Sect made a move to rescue Cao Dezhi, then the elite Federation Central Legion lurking nearby would immediately act in concert with the Spirit Pagoda to capture Tang Sect's core all at once—eliminating future threats.
"Councilman Chen, want to bet?" Qiangu Dongfeng set down his cup, smiling at Chen Nian.
"My bet is that they don't intervene." Chen Nian's gaze swept over the crowd. "Look, most of them have already withdrawn..."
"Maybe it's just a holding tactic." Qiangu Dongfeng shook his head.
"With Tang Sect's hot heads, a rescue attempt isn't unlikely. But I feel... perhaps someone at Shrek promised them something." Chen Nian's expression deepened as he looked toward Shrek grounds.
"The Golden Tree?"
Even Qiangu Dongfeng went silent. His family claimed three Ultimate Douluos, but such matters concerned the legendary god-level, which was beyond them.
"Is there really a way to resurrect the dead?"
"Hard to say..." Chen Nian adjusted his glasses. "But it's not impossible."
"Otherwise, with Zang Xin's feelings for Cao Dezhi, he wouldn't stand by."
"Hiss..."
"Alright, Master of the Tower, time's up." Chen Nian lifted his wrist, showing his soul tool watch with a smile.
"Let's see how it plays out."
Qiangu Dongfeng took a deep breath, then commanded his subordinates: "Begin!"
"I've done service for the Federation! Shed blood for the Legion! You can't kill me! I want to see the Minister! I want..."
At the center of the square.
A burly man in prison clothes sobbed loudly.
He was one of Cao Dezhi's closest subordinates—who also took part in cutting off comms and suppressing the Blood God Army's leadership.
"Pfft!"
A soul tool laser pierced him through. He was instantly reduced to ashes.
"Wait! I'm innocent—I was forced by Cao Dezhi's Unfeeling Path the whole time..." another one cried.
But before he finished, he too was riddled by rays.
"Pfft!"
"My dad is Blood Seven! If you kill me, my dad will kill you all!" one screamed.
"Yeah, buddy, Blood One's already tied up here—doesn't matter if your dad's the minister, these guns aren't stopping for anyone." The execution captain sneered, waving his hand.
The "second-gen" was vaporized.
"Last one. Cao..."
The captain read the name, then came up to Cao Dezhi, locking eyes. "I'm from Lian City. Know why I'm telling you? Because one of the cities those abyssal monsters destroyed—was my home."
"My family, my lover, my friends—all died in a tragedy that should never have happened."
"So what?" Cao Dezhi looked up at him, eyes empty, unmoved.
"Heh... So I can make sure your death won't be so quick…" The captain's breathing grew ragged and his stare was like a viper.
"..."
...