The thoughts racing through Bei Bei's mind were clearly mirrored by Huo Yuhao, who stood beside him.
Under the lamplight, Huo Yuhao's expression flickered. His breathing had grown slightly hurried, his heart pounding violently from the shock of the insane plan Xuan Zi had just laid out.
However, Huo Yuhao knew very well that when it came to handling sect affairs and large-scale power struggles, his experience was far inferior to Bei Bei's.
More importantly, he trusted Bei Bei completely.
So he did not rush to voice his own stance. Instead, he turned his head and gave Bei Bei a deep look—one filled with inquiry and support—silently signaling for Bei Bei to take the lead.
Receiving that look, Bei Bei took a deep breath. He forcefully suppressed the turbulent emotions surging within him and looked straight at Xuan Zi, who sat in the center of the sofa with a gloomy expression. His voice was calm, yet probing.
"But Elder Xuan, this kind of action wasn't part of the plan we made before setting out, was it?"
Xuan Zi's grip on his wine gourd tightened, and a subtle change flashed across his face.
In an environment as strictly hierarchical as Shrek Academy, he had assumed that in front of a Super Douluo like himself, these juniors would obey orders without question—even if they harbored doubts.
He hadn't expected Bei Bei to challenge him so directly.
"It wasn't," Xuan Zi admitted coldly, his tone carrying unquestionable authority.
"But plans can't keep up with changes. The situation has reached a point where it must change. Bei Bei, do you have a problem with my arrangements?"
"I believe this matter is extremely improper."
Bei Bei did not flinch under Xuan Zi's pressure. He stepped forward half a pace, meeting Xuan Zi's gaze head-on.
"Elder Xuan, our identity in coming to Bright Capital this time is that of Shrek Academy's competing students."
"Our duty is to participate in the competition and fight for glory on the stage."
"But joining forces with the Body Sect to raid warehouses and assassinate the Emperor after the competition—what exactly does that mean?"
"Is it because we lost on the stage that we now intend to use private violence to forcibly regain our standing?"
"Or has Shrek Academy decided to completely abandon its neutral position and openly throw itself into the political power struggles between empires?"
"We are students. We have neither the obligation nor the necessity to take part in an operation like this."
Xuan Zi's expression turned extremely ugly.
If the one standing before him were an ordinary Inner Court disciple, his volatile temper would have already driven him to strike out and punish such insolence.
But Bei Bei's identity was far too special.
He was not only a direct descendant of the Sea God's Pavilion Master, Mu En, but also the great-great-grandson Mu En cherished most during his lifetime.
Because of this, Xuan Zi could only forcibly suppress the raging fury in his chest and speak through clenched teeth.
"Bei Bei, mind your words! Everything I do is for Shrek Academy's thousand-year glory—and even for the safety of the entire Douluo Continent!"
"You've seen how rapidly the Sun Moon Empire's spirit tool technology has developed over the years. If they're allowed to expand unchecked, it won't be long before they launch a war of aggression against the three great empires of the original Douluo Continent."
"When that happens and countless lives are lost, will you take responsibility? What we're doing now is cutting off the threat at its source!"
Hearing these lofty justifications, a cold, mocking smile crept onto the corner of Bei Bei's mouth.
He recalled the meaningful look Liu Yuan had given him at the restaurant entrance, then compared it to Xuan Zi's agitated expression before him. For the first time, everything felt painfully clear.
He tore away Xuan Zi's last fig leaf without hesitation.
"But Elder Xuan, won't doing this cause even greater bloodshed?"
"Assassinating an emperor and blowing up warehouses in someone else's imperial capital is essentially a formal declaration of war against the Sun Moon Empire on behalf of the entire Douluo Continent."
"When that happens, do you think the Sun Moon Empire will simply swallow it because an emperor died or a few warehouses were destroyed?"
"Their rage will be vented directly onto civilians along the borders."
"And more than that…" Bei Bei's gaze sharpened.
"I seriously question whether you're truly doing this for the Douluo Continent—or whether it's because Shrek has been trampled underfoot in two consecutive tournaments, leaving you humiliated and unable to accept it, so you want to use extreme violence to vent your anger and patch up your shattered pride."
"Shut up!"
Xuan Zi finally exploded.
He leapt to his feet, and the terrifying pressure of a Super Douluo instantly flooded the room. The surrounding furniture screeched as it was forced backward by the overwhelming aura.
Bei Bei's words were like knives, cutting straight into the darkest recesses of Xuan Zi's heart.
Indeed, concern for the continent was an excuse—but the crushing defeats of the past two days were a far more immediate reason.
As the team leader, Xuan Zi could not accept Shrek losing its halo under his watch.
He desperately needed a grand act of destruction to prove to the world that Shrek still possessed the power to dominate everything.
With his inner thoughts exposed, he could only use rage to cover them up.
"Bei Bei, don't forget who you are—and don't forget that I am the supreme commander of this operation!"
Xuan Zi stared at him intently, danger flickering in his eyes.
Bei Bei shook his head. There was no blind obedience left on his face—only calm, clear-headed resolve.
"As the captain of the Shrek Team, I believe your decision is unreasonable. And…"
He paused.
Liu Yuan's warning echoed loudly in his mind.
He wanted to repeat those words—to tell Xuan Zi that the other side was already prepared. But in the end, he restrained himself. Revealing Liu Yuan's identity would not dissuade Xuan Zi; it would only expose Liu Yuan's position and betray his trust.
So Bei Bei changed his approach.
"Elder Xuan, please think clearly. This is Bright Capital—the imperial capital of the Sun Moon Empire—not Shrek City."
"The plan you believe to be foolproof has very likely already been exposed under the surveillance of a territory they've controlled for thousands of years."
"If we students blindly follow you into this operation, we won't be helping—we'll be throwing our lives away."
"Exposed? Impossible!" Xuan Zi snorted coldly, blind confidence filling his voice.
"We're joining forces with Poison Undying of the Body Sect, as well as two top-tier forces sent by the Star Luo imperial family."
"With three sides cooperating and experts gathered, there's no power in Bright Capital that can stop us. Nothing will go wrong."
Seeing Xuan Zi's stubborn, almost deranged expression, Bei Bei knew further persuasion was pointless.
He had done his duty as a junior and as a captain. He had no intention of walking this mad path with Xuan Zi.
He stated his final position clearly, his voice calm yet firm.
"No matter what, I will not participate in this operation."
"And I will not allow my teammates to be dragged into a certain-death suicide mission without a formal, official order from the academy."
After speaking, Bei Bei turned around to face the other members of the Shrek Team, who had gathered at the doorway because of the argument.
Wang Donger, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, He Caitou, and the others were all standing there now, their faces filled with confusion and deep concern.
Bei Bei took a deep breath and asked quietly,
"You've all heard what's going on."
"Elder Xuan wants us to cooperate with the Body Sect and launch a general offensive after the tournament. But I believe that road leads only to death."
"Tell me—will you follow Elder Xuan's arrangement and charge into this attack, or will you choose to come with me and withdraw safely, as students should?"