"Hahahaha, Your Majesty Star Luo, there's no need to be nervous. This Hall Master is only here to ensure the safety of our students. It's just that I didn't expect the number one academy, renowned throughout the world, to be so vicious and shameless!"
Jing Hongchen laughed uproariously, loudly denouncing Shrek's despicable actions. Then, he spread his arms wide and shouted, "The Four Kingdoms' Masses are watching with millions of eyes; the whole world can see clearly!"
"It was Shrek's students who initiated the killing, murdering three excellent students from our Sun Moon Empire's Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy. The teachers and students of Mingdu Academy went forward to seek justice but were denied, and instead were forcibly oppressed by Shrek's Dean, who relied on their Titled Douluo cultivation!"
"Today, for the sake of kinship and for the safety of all students from participating academies, this Hall Master must take action to apprehend this arrogant and shameless person and seek justice! Beyond that, I have no other intentions."
While speaking passionately, Jing Hongchen used a Soul Guided Device to remotely contact Xu Tianxi: "Tianxi, I've used everything from the script you gave me beforehand. Quickly think of anything else that's suitable."
Xu Tianxi rubbed the Soul Guided Device in his ear, his face flushing with shame as his mind raced. He transmitted:
"You must not limit yourself to just the affairs of our Sun Moon Empire. You need to expand Shrek's actions to threaten everyone present and sever Shrek's ties with the Three Great Empires."
"Additionally, use Dean Cai as leverage to extort Shrek severely, and then use some of the benefits gained from that extortion to bestow favors upon the Original Three Kingdoms, such as sponsoring the Grand Competition rewards—"
Jing Hongchen's eyes gleamed as he responded, "Easy, easy, I know what to say. Heh heh, today, Shrek will bleed profusely."
As the two cunning individuals, one old and one young, from the Sun Moon Battle Team settled their schemes, Xu Jiawei from the Star Luo Empire, needing to maintain order, had to engage in negotiations after a brief ponder.
"Since that's the case, what kind of justice does the Mingde Hall Master seek?"
"When people die in a competition, pensions must be paid. This is only right and proper. Normally, such pensions would be covered by Your Majesty, but how could this Hall Master be someone who doesn't understand reason? Shrek deliberately killed people, so Shrek must pay this pension!"
Jing Hongchen seemed to be considering Xu Jiawei's interests greatly. With one hand gripping Cai Meier's neck, he said very calmly and naturally:
"They, Shrek, killed three people, so they must produce three top-tier Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones. This Hall Master saw clearly that they disregarded the rules as early as the elimination rounds, even inflicting heavy blows after their opponents had already surrendered. They simply don't show any respect for Your Majesty!"
"Therefore, another Soul Bone must be added to this account! This Hall Master doesn't want this Soul Bone; it's for the academies participating in this Grand Competition, as this Hall Master's sponsorship for the Runner-up prize."
Xu Jiawei's face twitched. You're so skilled at this; you must have done it many times before, haven't you?
Among the Star Luo Royal Academy team, a certain princess, who wished to remain anonymous, inexplicably turned completely pale,
but then, like a hundred flowers blooming, her expression became exceptionally radiant.
Remembering one's own dark history is certainly painful, but remembering others falling to the same or even worse fates only brings joy.
Shrek, oh Shrek, you've finally met your match!
As Jing Hongchen's words fell, before Xu Jiawei could think of how to refuse, a commotion erupted from Shrek Academy below.
When Ma Xiaotao heard that Shrek would have to pay four precious Soul Bones because they had killed a few people, a surge of anger rushed to her head. She immediately pointed at Jing Hongchen and began to curse him, leaving no time for Zhang Lexuan, who was beside her, to stop her.
"You utterly shameless old geezer, you old bandit, what right do you have to demand Shrek's Soul Bones!"
"Oh?" Jing Hongchen looked at Ma Xiaotao in surprise, the corners of his mouth uncontrollably curving upward.
This madwoman taught by Shrek is truly a first-class idiot. One sentence from her is worth ten from me.
"To be so self-righteous after killing people, it seems that in your Shrek's eyes, human lives are truly worthless."
Jing Hongchen smiled in anger, using Soul Power to amplify his voice, creating an imposing effect as if broadcasting to the entire Star Luo City:
"The students from every academy present are top elites of the Douluo Continent. You recklessly initiated killings and refuse to compensate. Do you think everyone is beneath you, unworthy of your Shrek's Soul Bones? Or do you believe yourselves superior to the Four Great Empires, and no longer consider anyone outside of Shrek to be human!"
Jing Hongchen's roar echoed throughout Star Luo City and beyond, deliberately controlling his aura to press down entirely on Ma Xiaotao.
Zhang Lexuan quickly stepped in front of Ma Xiaotao to shield her, but she was also shaken back repeatedly, her pretty face paling.
Although Jing Hongchen's cultivation was only Level Ninety-Three, he was equipped with a set of excellent Soul Guided Devices, and his explosive aura could rival a top-tier Super Douluo.
Zhang Lexuan could barely resist, but Ma Xiaotao was already so overwhelmed that her mind was dazed, unable to speak for a moment. She could only stare at Jing Hongchen with anger-filled peach-colored eyes.
Jing Hongchen was unfazed, looking directly at the leading Zhang Lexuan and saying:
"Stop the nonsense. Whether you call it blackmail or seeking justice, your Shrek's Dean is currently in this Hall Master's hands. If you want her back in one piece, exchange her for four Soul Bones."
"Deliver the Soul Bones within three days. It's a hand-off of money for the person. If I don't see the Soul Bones, or if you Shrek use any underhanded methods with the Soul Bones, then don't blame this Hall Master for crippling your Titled Douluo! You can bet on whether this Hall Master dares to!"
If Ma Xiaotao could still speak, she would surely have yelled, "You dare!" But at this moment, she was not only suppressed by Jing Hongchen's aura but also held down by Zhang Lexuan.
Zhang Lexuan was ultimately much clearer-headed than Ma Xiaotao. After taking a deep breath, she made a decision. With the Star Luo Emperor remaining silent, clearly unwilling to help, Shrek would have to rely on itself to rescue her.
"Alright, on behalf of Shrek, I agree. Within three days, four top-tier Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones will be presented in full. But during this time, you must guarantee Dean Cai's absolute safety. If anything happens to her, Shrek will never—"
"There's no need for those meaningless threats. This Hall Master is a respectable person. Within three days, at most, I will seal her Soul Power; I won't do anything else to her."
Jing Hongchen waved his hand, interrupting Zhang Lexuan's words, then looked at Xu Jiawei and smiled:
"Your Majesty Star Luo, I've settled matters with Shrek. Now, let's discuss the competition referees."
?
"It's not that this Hall Master looks down on your country's referees, but the top students in this Grand Competition possess Soul Emperor level combat power, and referees with Soul Sage cultivation will inevitably be overwhelmed. This Hall Master believes it would be best for your country to dispatch stronger individuals to serve as referees."
"This would not only ensure the safety of the competition but also demonstrate your country's strength."
Xu Jiawei's expression clouded slightly upon hearing this, then he nodded in agreement: "Hall Master Hongchen's words, I believe, are sound. In that case, for the subsequent matches, how about having Senior Heavenly Fiend Douluo Huang Jinxu serve as the referee?"
Xu Jiawei waved his sleeve, pointing to the Guardian Douluo to Jing Hongchen's east, a proud smile on his face.
Heavenly Fiend Douluo's Martial Soul was powerful, and although his Soul Power was only Level Ninety-One or Ninety-Two, his strength could approach or even rival a Super Douluo.
Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen was still pondering when Xu Tianxi below him changed his expression and immediately used the intercom to transmit to Jing Hongchen:
"Heavenly Fiend Lone Star cannot be the referee! I suggest, Hall Master, that you recommend Star Shattering Douluo, the strongest of the four. This person's Martial Soul possesses spatial power, making him suitable for emergency situations."
"In the original story, Heavenly Fiend Douluo served as the referee for the finals, and three people from the Sun Moon Empire even died, and it seems he wasn't even doing it intentionally!"
This was even more terrifying, indicating that while his attitude was fine, his competence was severely lacking.
Of course, it could also be that his "Heavenly Fiend Lone Star" Martial Soul had taken effect, impacting the Sun Moon team. Regardless, there was no way this guy would be allowed to be a referee again.
Jing Hongchen received the telepathic message and immediately responded, "Your Majesty, the Heavenly Fiend Douluo has always been accustomed to acting alone, and his Martial Soul—well, it's probably not suited for this kind of occasion. I believe it would be better to have the most powerful Star Shattering Douluo serve as the referee."
Xu Jiawei's mouth twitched. So, you're also aware of the Heavenly Fiend Lone Star rumors.
The Heavenly Fiend Douluo's face stiffened slightly, but he found it difficult to defend himself; his impeccable record of outliving all his friends and family was too "glorious."
"Alright, since Hall Master Hongchen recommends it, then the Star Shattering Douluo will have to bear the burden."
Jing Hongchen's words made sense, and Xu Jiawei had no reason to refuse. He called out to the Star Shattering Douluo, who nodded in assent.
"Then I thank Your Majesty. I've long heard of Star Luo's wise and decisive Emperor, and seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation."
Jing Hongchen, having done a good deed, didn't mind flattering Xu Jiawei a bit. He chuckled and landed back on the ground, appearing before the Sun Moon Battle Team.
He knew that from now on, he had to guard this place constantly. Shrek's bottom line was so low that he didn't dare to even think about leaving.
The teachers and students from Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy rushed over, expressing their immense gratitude to Jing Hongchen, repeatedly saying that Hall Master Hongchen truly lived up to his reputation as a respected elder of the Sun Moon Empire, and that this kindness would never be forgotten.
Influenced by this, the other Sun Moon Empire academies still in the resting area also came to pay their respects to Jing Hongchen, the unofficial top Level 9 Soul Engineer of the Sun Moon Empire. For a time, there was a veritable stream of people, all flocking to him as if on a pilgrimage.
They hadn't truly understood before, but seeing Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy so miserably oppressed today, they realized how important it was to have a powerful individual from their own country stand up for them.
Who could guarantee that they wouldn't encounter such a situation? Looking across the Sun Moon Empire, besides the Mingde Hall Master, who else could suppress Shrek and speak to the Star Luo Emperor as an equal?
This was definitely a very strong backer!
Jing Hongchen laughed heartily, waving his hand in humility while also introducing Xu Tianxi and Xiao Hongchen to everyone:
"You all don't need to credit me entirely. If it weren't for this student and my grandson from our academy sending out the SOS Signal, I might still have had some reservations."
The people from the various academies understood and immediately sought out Xu Tianxi and Xiao Hongchen. All sorts of complimentary words, which the two had heard to no end, flowed incessantly from the mouths of the team leaders, making their faces stiffen from smiling.
Xu Tianxi, especially, who had set off the fireworks, was warmly addressed as "Young Master Kong" and "Brother Kong" by a group of academy captains who were a few years older than him.
While responding to everyone, Xu Tianxi thought to himself, Fortunately, I changed my surname. If I had used "Xu," Xu Tianran and those princes would surely have come from the Sun Moon to Star Luo City overnight, plotting how to kill me.
However, even if he didn't use the surname Xu, with this incident getting out, Xu Tianran and those princes wouldn't be able to rest easy about him. Perhaps as soon as he returned to the academy, they would come looking for him.
He wasn't worried about them coming openly, but the hidden threats were what truly bothered him. He hoped they wouldn't unnecessarily come to cause trouble for him; otherwise, he wouldn't mind changing the palace gate into the Black Tortoise Gate.
Calculating their seniority, those princes were his cousins, weren't they?
The night the round-robin concluded.
The Sun Moon Battle Team once again received an invitation from the Starlight Auction House:
"To meet the long-term development needs of various academies, Sects, and merchant associations, our establishment has meticulously prepared a batch of top-tier auction items. We sincerely invite His Majesty Jing Hongchen to lead his team to attend (this auction will feature a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone and unprecedented, peerless grand gifts)."
"Venue: Auction Hall One, Room Three; Time: Beginning at Xu Hour Third Quarter."
Jing Hongchen scrutinized the invitation, found no issues, and with a grand sweep of his hand, announced their departure to acquire goods.
As they made their way, Jing Hongchen seemed to recall something and telepathically messaged Xu Tianxi:
"By the way, Tianxi, your Senior Martial Uncle and the others have also arrived. They might also participate in this auction."
Xu Tianxi's eyes flickered. "They came too?"
"Yes, it seems they're here to capture that Evil Soul Master who blew up Shrek in the Ming Dou Mountain Range. I wonder if they've succeeded yet—."
Xu Tianxi: The Death God Envoy's illustrious resume gains another entry. After escaping from a Level 98 Super Douluo, a Level Ninety-Seven Super Douluo is now personally leading a team to capture him. If he can still survive this, perhaps the Holy Spirit Church's Sect Master should step down and yield his position.
-----------
Translation by: randomtranslator.com
Read 2500+ original & fanfic translations and Translate for Free at: randomtranslator.com