On the arena, after Ma Xiaotao kicked Wei Hong into serious injury and unconsciousness, she shielded He Caitou behind her, then stared coldly at Zheng Zhan.
Zheng Zhan couldn't help but shiver, but he still suppressed the fear in his heart and shielded Xu Tianzhen behind him, praying in his heart that Ma Xiaotao would stop. He was truly afraid; his strength was similar to Wei Hong's, and for Ma Xiaotao to kick Wei Hong into serious injury meant she could do the same to him!
Although Wei Hong was attacked by Ma Xiaotao when he was unprepared, Wei Hong was a standard Spirit Master, and he was just a physically weak Soul Engineer! Moreover, the spirit ring glowing behind this woman was too terrifying. Six black and three red—he had only ever read about such a spirit ring configuration in books!
Below the arena, the Tang Sect members in the waiting area all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Ma Xiaotao save He Caitou. No matter what secrets He Caitou was hiding from them, he was a member of Shrek Academy, the third disciple of the Tang Sect, and a family member to them, like a brother. How could they watch He Caitou be killed and remain indifferent? If their strength hadn't been insufficient, they probably would have already rushed onto the arena to fight alongside He Caitou.
In the rest area, besides Shrek Academy, only the Snow Demon Sect and the Holy Spirit Sect remained. They mostly watched this farce as spectators, but Ma Xiaotao's appearance made both factions look solemn.
"That's... the captain of Shrek Academy's previous competition, isn't it?" Inside the Snow Demon Sect, their leader was also the leader of Di'ao Academy in the previous competition, so he recognized Ma Xiaotao, which made him even more shocked. His face was full of surprise, "She, she's not even twenty-five, yet she's already a Titled Douluo? Shrek Academy is truly not to be underestimated!"
Hearing their leader's words, Vina couldn't help but curl her lips. She wanted to say that a Titled Douluo at twenty-five was nothing; that Zhu Ziyang reaching Titled Douluo at twenty was truly terrifying. However, she ultimately didn't speak, afraid of discouraging her team members.
On the main stage, Ma Xiaotao's appearance also shocked Xu Tianran and the others, especially the Black-Robed Imperial Teacher. He stood up directly, his face gloomy as he watched Ma Xiaotao, a black aura brewing in his hand, ready to strike at any moment. However, after thinking of something, the black aura in his hand dissipated, and he sat back down, but his expression remained terribly grim.
"Shrek Academy, what do you want to do?" Compared to the Black-Robed Imperial Teacher's apprehension, Xu Tianran was extremely furious at this moment. He felt as if his face was being pressed hard into the ground and rubbed. He shouted at Ma Xiaotao.
"What do I want to do? It should be what do *you* want to do?" Ma Xiaotao sneered, "You should know, it was *your* people who first broke the rules and attacked a Tang Sect contestant!"
"That's because he showed great disrespect to my Sun Moon Royal Family!" Xu Tianran said angrily, "Those who disrespect my Royal Family shall be executed!"
This was actually just a high-sounding excuse. Everyone present, except for those who were too slow, understood that Xu Tianran wanted to kill He Caitou simply to nip the problem in the bud.
"I don't know how he showed great disrespect to your Royal Family?" Ma Xiaotao continued to ask knowingly, "Is it because he defeated your princess on the arena? Or did he mention some secret of your Royal Family?"
"Hmph!" Xu Tianran tried hard to maintain his composure, snorting coldly, and said, "He impersonated a member of my Royal Family and insulted me, this Empire's Regent. These two points alone are enough for a death sentence!"
"Firstly, He Caitou is a disciple of our Shrek Academy, and even if he is guilty, it should be decided by our Shrek Academy. Secondly, you say he impersonated a Royal Family member, do you have any evidence? Is it just based on a few words from him? If so, then your late emperor's demise due to the Evil Soul Master rebellion, which your Royal Family announced as a fact, is that false?" Ma Xiaotao sneered, "Finally, didn't he just curse you a few times? As a grown man, and even a monarch, magnanimity is an essential virtue, so can you please not be so narrow-minded!"
"You..." Xu Tianran was practically spitting blood, his face flushed red and seeming to swell a size larger. Ju Zi, sitting beside him, could only try her best to help him calm down. "...Hmph! Very well, I will remember your words!"
With that, Xu Tianran grabbed Ju Zi's hand, placing it on the armrest of his wheelchair. Ju Zi immediately understood his meaning and pushed Xu Tianran away from the main stage.
This farce abruptly ended with Xu Tianran's hasty and embarrassed departure, but its impact was far from over; or rather, it was just the beginning. Its repercussions were destined to spread throughout Mingdu, and even the entire Sun Moon Empire, carried by the tens of thousands of spectators present.
The truth of the Sun Moon Royal Family's internal strife was revealed to the public for the first time, and the facts that the Sun Moon Royal Family and the authorities desperately tried to conceal slowly surfaced. This was merely the most superficial outcome of this farce.
A deeper consequence was the impact on the social balance of the Sun Moon Empire, on the ruling class, and in effect, on the current Royal Family's prestige. After all, an illegitimate claim to the throne is an indelible stain and nightmare for any monarch in any country.
As the saying goes, if the name is not right, then the words are not smooth. Unless one possesses overwhelming military power in the world, no one dares to underestimate the power of public sentiment, nor challenge it. Once the populace no longer trusts the Sun Moon Royal Family, it will be a fatal blow to the Sun Lineage. Unfortunately, the Sun Lineage does not possess such overwhelming power.
Therefore, Xu Tianran chose to leave directly, exiting this place of contention, and then make further plans. Fortunately, the Sun Lineage had gained considerable public support before, so a single farce was not enough to shake their rule. All Xu Tianran had to do next was control public opinion, and then find an opportunity to eliminate Xu Tianhe.
In a corner of the audience stands.
"I say, Xuan Zi, your Shrek Academy is truly impressive! You actually managed to find the Crown Prince of the former Sun Moon Empire dynasty and even got him to willingly betray his own family. Amazing!" Du Busi gave Xuan Zi a thumbs-up, saying with great emotion.
"Haha, this isn't our Academy's ability, but human nature." Xuan Zi didn't even turn his head, eating a chicken leg and drinking wine, then uttered a rather pretentious line, "Those who follow the just path have many helpers; those who deviate from it have few!"
"Pah!" Du Busi, feeling outdone, couldn't help but spit at Xuan Zi, and the spittle landed right on Xuan Zi's chicken leg.
The two immediately froze, and then, the two old men simultaneously vanished from the audience stands. Dozens of miles outside Mingdu, in the mountains, a fierce battle ensued.
On the arena, Zheng Zhan was momentarily bewildered, unsure how this match would be judged, so he stood there stunned.
Xu Tianzhen, who was shielded behind Zheng Zhan, did not remain in a daze. Her eyes were filled with complexity, no longer showing her initial innocence. She looked at He Caitou and said, "Brother He, I will find out the truth of the matter!"
"Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy concedes!" After saying that, the young girl walked off the arena and, supported by her teammates, headed out of the venue.
"I say, can you stop spacing out?" Ma Xiaotao shouted at Zheng Zhan, "Can you announce the match results now?"
"Oh, oh!" Zheng Zhan finally snapped out of it. After a fearful glance at Ma Xiaotao, he immediately announced, "Tang Sect wins!"
Hearing this result, He Caitou couldn't tell if he was happy or sad. He only felt very confused right now. After his fruitless outburst, he realized the consequences of his actions. Would his companions still accept him?
"Let's go, time to get down." Ma Xiaotao said to He Caitou, "You go and explain to Tang Ya and the others yourself."
With that, Ma Xiaotao's figure flickered, and she returned to Zhu Ziyang's side. She immediately chuckled, seeking credit, and said, "How was it? I did pretty well, didn't I?"
"Of course!" Zhu Ziyang smiled and held Ma Xiaotao's small hand, praising her, "Your remark telling Xu Tianran not to be narrow-minded was truly powerful. If Xu Tianran's psychological endurance had been a bit weaker, he probably would have vomited blood."
"Hahahaha!" Ma Xiaotao couldn't help but laugh, saying, "I just said it offhand, I didn't expect it to lead to such a result."
"All in all, well done." Zhu Ziyang concluded the farce. Although it happened suddenly and was beyond his expectations, the outcome was surprisingly good. At least this was a genuine sudden event, not a premeditated attack, which saved a lot of preliminary trouble.