The atmosphere in the room grew unbearably heavy, as if the very air had solidified.
Xuan Zi stood where he was, his expression dark and oppressive. The aura of a Super Douluo radiated from his body, making the surrounding space feel thick and viscous. Opposite him, Bei Bei stood firm, his expression resolute, with not the slightest intention of backing down.
The gazes of the two clashed in midair before shifting almost simultaneously toward the remaining members of the Shrek Team, waiting for these young people to give their final answer.
Under this suffocating silence, Huo Yuhao was the first to step forward.
He slowly walked to Bei Bei's side and stopped, determination showing clearly on his pale face. He lifted his head and looked straight into Xuan Zi's eyes. His voice was calm, yet exceptionally clear.
"I agree with Senior Brother Bei Bei. I won't be participating in tomorrow's operation."
Huo Yuhao's declaration was like the first crack in an airtight wall.
Immediately afterward, Wang Donger did not hesitate in the slightest. Her figure flashed as she stepped directly to Huo Yuhao's side.
"If Yuhao isn't going, then I'm not going either," she said matter-of-factly.
To her, Shrek's honor was important—but she trusted Huo Yuhao's and Bei Bei's judgment far more.
With that, two of the team's core members had already taken a clear stand.
Xuan Zi's face instantly turned ugly, the gloom in his eyes igniting into a blazing fury.
He had originally believed that relying on his status as a Shrek elder and invoking the excuse of the continent's greater good would be enough to mobilize these hot-blooded youngsters. What he hadn't expected was how deep Bei Bei's influence ran among this generation—or how deeply Liu Yuan's shadow had already been etched into their minds.
"Good. Very good." Xuan Zi ground his teeth together, his cold gaze sweeping over the remaining students, his voice low and hoarse like a beast's growl.
"And what about the rest of you? Do you also intend to defy orders and become cowards who betray the academy and the greater good?"
Faced with Xuan Zi's nearly threatening interrogation, the next to speak was Xiao Xiao.
She looked at the backs of Huo Yuhao and Wang Donger, memories of the countless life-and-death situations they had faced together flashing through her mind. She knew that at a moment like this, as one of the Shrek Seven Devils, she had to make a choice.
Since Huo Yuhao and Wang Donger had already taken their stand, Xiao Xiao followed without hesitation.
"I'll stay as well," she said softly, then quickly walked to Wang Donger's side.
Seeing this, He Caitou let out a quiet, helpless sigh.
He had always been cautious by nature and had long harbored doubts about such a suicidal covert operation. With Huo Yuhao and the others already making their choice, he naturally followed suit and stood with them.
Then Xu Sanshi moved.
Usually carefree and smiling, his expression was uncharacteristically serious now. He glanced at Bei Bei, then at Xuan Zi, and let out a chuckle that carried unmistakable firmness.
"Elder Xuan, don't glare at me like that. I'm a coward—I can't handle things like assassinating an emperor. I'll stick with Bei Bei. It's safer."
With that, Xu Sanshi walked straight over and stood behind Bei Bei.
Jiang Nannan, who had always been uncomfortable with extreme violence, saw Xu Sanshi's choice and quietly joined him at his side.
At this point, among the original members of the Shrek Team, only Ma Xiaotao remained without a clear stance.
All eyes turned toward her.
As the member with the highest cultivation and the fiercest temperament, Ma Xiaotao had always been a symbol of Shrek's militant strength. She looked at the junior brothers and sisters gathered behind Bei Bei, then glanced at Xuan Zi, whose body trembled with barely restrained fury.
She sighed softly and closed her eyes for several seconds.
When she opened them again, Ma Xiaotao stepped forward and walked to Bei Bei's side.
"I'm sorry, Elder Xuan," she said, her voice carrying deep exhaustion.
"I used to believe that force could solve everything. But this time—and only this time—I choose to trust Bei Bei's judgment."
"Our current state simply isn't suited to taking part in a battle of that scale."
Xuan Zi was nearly driven mad with rage. His already distorted expression flushed a deep purplish red.
He pointed at the group of young people before him, his fingers trembling violently.
"Good! Fine! Every single one of you—your wings have truly grown strong!" He laughed bitterly, his voice echoing through the room and making the windows rattle.
"Fine, fine, fine! A bunch of cowards afraid of death! Idiots! I went to such lengths for you and for the academy, and this is how you repay me—talking about student duties?"
He took a deep breath, his tone turning ice-cold.
"If you want to leave, then leave tomorrow."
"But I will not let this matter rest. Once we return to Shrek Academy, we'll see how I explain this to the Sea God's Pavilion—and how I settle accounts with all of you!"
With that, Xuan Zi flung his sleeves violently, snorted in anger, pushed open the door, and strode out.
The door slammed shut.
The room fell into a deathly silence.
The remaining members of the Shrek Team stared at the doorway Xuan Zi had left through, exchanging uneasy glances. Though they had chosen according to their convictions, the weight of having offended a Super Douluo still pressed heavily on everyone's hearts.
Xu Sanshi broke the silence with a bitter smile. He looked at Bei Bei, worry evident in his voice.
"Bei Bei, we've completely offended Elder Xuan this time. I'm afraid things won't go smoothly for us once we're back."
Bei Bei sighed, pulled over a chair, and sat down.
"There was no other choice. Some things simply can't be followed blindly."
"Before Elder Mu left, he specifically instructed me to protect everyone and seek a path of reconciliation. What Elder Xuan is doing now goes completely against that. If I hadn't stepped in tonight, none of us might have been able to leave tomorrow."
Jiang Nannan stepped forward and asked softly, "Then what do we do now? Elder Xuan has already gone to meet with the Body Sect. This place is about to become a powder keg."
Bei Bei raised his head, resolve returning to his eyes.
"We stick to the original plan. Everyone, go back and pack your things immediately. Don't worry about anything else. Get some rest tonight. At dawn tomorrow, the moment the city gates open, we leave Bright Capital at once."
Everyone nodded and returned to their rooms.
That night, none of the Shrek Team slept soundly.
Outside the windows, Bright Capital remained as prosperous and lively as ever—but beneath that splendor, a suppressed aura of impending slaughter had already begun to seep through the city.
Early the next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, Bei Bei led all the members of the Shrek Team quietly out of the hotel.
They did not go to watch the remaining matches, instead heading straight for the gates of Bright Capital, choosing to withdraw.
At the same time, in a dense forest on the outskirts of the city, Poison Undying of the Body Sect and Xu Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire received news of the Shrek Team's collective departure.
Displeasure filled Poison Undying's withered face. He snorted coldly.
"That old waste Xuan Zi can't even keep a few juniors in line. To have so little prestige—what a disgrace to the title of Super Douluo."
Xu Jiujiu was likewise dissatisfied, but her attention was focused more on the plan ahead.
With the Shrek students gone, the force meant to provide support and sow chaos had vanished entirely, leaving a gaping hole in what had been claimed to be a "seamless" plan.
Elsewhere—
Inside the exclusive rest area of the Sun Moon Royal Academy within the Imperial City, Liu Yuan sat on a wide sofa, reading a brief report just delivered by a secret guard.
The contents were simple: all members of the Shrek Team had left the city at dawn.
The corners of Liu Yuan's mouth lifted slightly into a satisfied smile.
He was pleased with the choice Bei Bei and the others had made.
At the critical moment, Bei Bei had not only shown clear judgment, but had also chosen to trust the advice Liu Yuan had given him outside the restaurant.
"Smart enough not to throw themselves into the grave with that old lunatic," Liu Yuan muttered softly.
He set the report aside, his expression returning to its usual calm and cold composure.
Standing up, he said quietly,
"Now… it's time for me to make my move."
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