Chapter 98: Oh No, Shrek Has Been Targeted by the Holy Spirit Church
Meanwhile, at a secret hideout of Evil Soul Masters.
"Has the news been sent out?"
"Don't worry. That Shrek Academy student's Martial Soul has mutated into the Evil Fire Phoenix, which is virtually identical to our Vice Sect Master's Martial Soul. Her venerable self has replied, expressing great interest, saying that perhaps the Holy Maiden of our Holy Church will soon take her place."
"The Vice Sect Master, His Majesty the Evil Phoenix Douluo, is coming?"
"Yes, and also the Sixth Elder, Scorpion Tiger Douluo, and the Second Elder, Nangong Wan. With two Super Douluo and one Titled Douluo at rank 93, what can those two old fellows from Shrek do to stop them?"
"Heheheh!!"
They had already thoroughly investigated the information. Shrek's Taotie Douluo is a rank 98 Super Douluo, but the rank 97 His Majesty the Evil Phoenix Douluo is enough to handle him.
Then, the Sixth Elder will restrain that healing-type Titled Douluo from Shrek, and Scorpion Tiger Douluo and majesty Nangong Wan will make her move to snatch the person. Perfect.
An Inner Court disciple of Shrek Academy, a member of the Shrek Seven Devils, and the team captain in this tournament—her talent is obvious.
And now, this person might become the Holy Maiden of their Holy Church. The rewards if successful are simply unimaginable.
As for Shrek, they can't even defeat a Soul King Evil Soul Master from their own sect. What right do they have to deal with His Majesty the Evil Phoenix Douluo and the others? The matter is mostly settled.
The scene shifts to the outskirts of Star Luo City.
Xuan Zi, who was venting his frustration on Huang Jinxu, had no idea that Ma Xiaotao had been targeted by the Holy Spirit Church.
He was vexed and had nowhere to vent, so he came up with an excuse to trick Huang Jinxu, a rank 95 Super Douluo from Star Luo Empire, out just to beat him up.
(Protector Douluo Cheng Gang: Thanks to Huang Jinxu for taking the blame.)
You ask why? Of course, it's because he was unhappy. When the Shrek team members had an incident, this guy, as a referee, didn't notice or stop it immediately. That's it—no other reason.
Huang Jinxu was inexplicably beaten into a pig's head, his face swollen as a Super Douluo's swept to the ground. He hated Xuan Zi to the core, but there was nothing he could do. The gap between rank 95 and rank 98 was like a chasm; he was no match for Xuan Zi.
However, a Super Douluo of an empire being so humiliated—seeing Xuan Zi utterly unconcerned, drinking and eating meat with a smug look—had deeply ingrained resentment towards Xuan Zi and Shrek.
Fortunately, no one saw it. For now, he would endure it. One day, he would make Xuan Zi pay and make Shrek pay.
Xuan Zi, damn you! Why are you showing off your power?!
You are the boss now, but that doesn't mean you'll always be the boss. Old man, there will come a day when you can't do it anymore!
"Huh? What, you're not convinced, kid?"
"Convinced, of course I am! How could I not be convinced!"
"…"
You, who seek fame and reputation, you who stoop to petty schemes—why don't you dare to fight Sun Moon Empire and the Body Sect? You come here to show off your power to him. Just wait!
The next day, the finals of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.
Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy vs. Star Luo Academy.
"It's Princess Jiujiu! Princess Jiujiu is on stage! Go for it!!"
"Long live the Star Luo Empire!!"
In the stands, the Star Luo audience was all excited. Their country's team had actually made it to the finals—something rare in the past.
Although they didn't face Shrek, as long as they defeated Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy in this final match, the Star Luo Empire would win the championship.
This would be the first time. The championship had long been an unattainable dream for the Sun Moon Empire, and it was equally so for the Star Luo Empire.
It's baffling why academies from all over the continent continue to participate in a tournament where the championship has been dominated by one entity for so many years. If it were in Huo Yuhao's original era, restrictive rules would have been put in place long ago. If the champion is always the same, what's the point of others competing?
Oh, they set up a stage just to highlight Shrek's glory. He wonders if the emperors' brains are filled with water. Is this the power of the Sea God? Truly terrifying.
Shrek's spectator seats.
Wang Dong, Su Tong, Ning Tian, and Jiang Nan-nan stayed behind, secretly protected by Elder Zhuang Lao.
Shrek's mission was over. They had suffered a crushing defeat, but the subsequent matters became easier.
Elder Zhuang, originally a temporary replacement sent by Shrek to treat the team members, thought it didn't matter whether they won or lost, so he didn't need to worry too much at this point.
As Shrek's healing-type Super Douluo, he was usually mild-tempered, and his thoughts aligned with Mu En's. The glory of ten thousand years had weighed heavily on Shrek. Now that they had lost, perhaps it wasn't a bad thing.
Of course, it would be even better if Xuan Zi, that scoundrel, hadn't caused so many troubles.
Now he didn't care too much—just protecting these young ones like Wang Dong and Su Tong. Whatever had happened had already happened; others couldn't find trouble with them.
Ling Luochen and Zhu Lu left with Xuan Zi. After he returned last night, he brought back the injured Bei Bei, Caitou, and Ma Xiaotao to the academy.
As the saying goes, a fall into the pit is a gain in your wit. We just hope that old Xuan Zi can be more serious and not cause trouble again due to drunkenness. Xiaotao and the others really can't take more trouble.
Hopefully.
Not again, and not a third time. No more accidents, right? It shouldn't happen, right?
"Look! The Sun Moon team is entering!"
"It's Huo Yuhao. After what happened yesterday, is he playing again today?"
"Nonsense, he's so strong, why wouldn't he?"
"By the way, where's White Tiger Duke? Also, do you know what happened with yesterday's explosion?"
"He left long ago. Don't forget, Dai Huabin died at Huo Yuhao's hands. After all those things yesterday, if it were me, I wouldn't have the face to stay here either."
"The two explosions yesterday—His Majesty said they seemed accidental, so no need to worry."
"Sigh, this is retribution for being promiscuous. You say you can't control your urges—who can you blame?"
"Actually, I feel quite sorry for Huo Yuhao. So weak, yet he dared to go to the Sun Moon Empire alone. I wonder if it's our Star Luo Empire's sorrow or Sun Moon Empire's luck!"
"What a shame. Such a peerless genius should have been from our Star Luo Empire."
"Oh, come on. I don't believe such a genius was unknown before. Wasn't it suppressed by White Tiger Duke's Mansion? A genius you don't want, others will naturally rush to claim!"
"Hey, whose side are you on?"
"I help justice, not family!"
"Then who's right?"
"Whoever I support is right!"
"Oh my~"
"…"
On the Sun Moon team side.
Xiao Hongchen spread his hands, listening to the surrounding chatter and smiling.
"This is good, Yuhao. You've truly become famous now."
"Not only in our Sun Moon Empire, but when you grow stronger, your deeds will be endlessly recounted across the Douluo Three Empires."
Ma Rulong scratched his head. "With Elder Kong's speech yesterday, I wonder how many common people from the original Douluo Three Empires—who can't survive—will come to our Sun Moon Empire."
Huo Yuhao shook his head. Ma Rulong's view was too shallow. An emperor like Xu Jiawei—no, any normal emperor—would not allow such deeds from yesterday to be widely publicized among the common people.
Not only would it cause the Star Luo Empire to lose face, but the common people at the bottom struggle to survive—where would they have time to consider emigration? Not everyone has his courage and luck.
Putting everything else aside, just consider the Ming Dou Mountain Range. How could those common people break through the military encampments? It's simply unrealistic.
But not publicizing it doesn't mean the audience who watched yesterday won't discuss it. The purpose is actually to plant a seed—who knows if it will become the last straw that breaks the Star Luo Empire's back later.
"Alright, this match is our decisive battle. Everyone, give it your all. Although Star Luo Team's overall strength is limited, we can't stumble in this final."
Lin Jiayi and Elder Ma spoke at the right time. The strategy was set. Now, they just had to defeat the Star Luo Team and win the championship of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.
Eliminating Shrek, stopping them at the semifinals, and then defeating the host—the Star Luo Empire—to take the title would greatly crush the Star Luo Empire's morale. When they returned to Mingdu, no one could imagine what kind of reception awaited them.
This was the first time—truly—that the Sun Moon Empire had won the tournament. Everyone knew what that meant.
In politics, military, public opinion, personal status, resource allocation, noble titles, military ranks, and honors—such a victory would push them to the pinnacle.
—
End of Chapter