The announcement from the Sun Moon Empire plunged the common people of the Douluo Continent into unprecedented shock.
From the streets and alleys of the Bright Capital to the city-states that once belonged to the Three Great Empires, discussions erupted everywhere.
"Is the Sun Moon Empire really going to execute Xuan Zi? That's Shrek Academy's second-in-command—a Rank 98 Super Douluo! Isn't this the Sun Moon Empire tearing off its mask and declaring war on Shrek outright?" a Spirit Master said in disbelief as he set down his wine cup in a tavern.
"So what if they do?" his companion replied in a lowered, serious voice. "Can't you see the situation clearly now?"
"Shrek Academy and the Star Luo Empire already sent assassins into a duke's mansion and even the imperial palace."
"If you were the Sun Moon Emperor and someone tried to kill you, would you still talk about friendship?"
"If they don't kill Xuan Zi, how can the Sun Moon Empire establish its prestige across the continent? This is killing the chicken to warn the monkeys."
"That's true. I just never expected Shrek Academy to sink into this kind of mess. I used to think of it as a pure land, but now it seems no one can escape power struggles."
"I just don't know what Shrek Academy will do next. If that old monster Mu En personally takes action, the Douluo Continent will truly be turned upside down."
Meanwhile, inside the Duke's Mansion, Liu Yuan also felt a faint shock when he learned of the "execution in three days."
Standing on the largely restored terrace, he gazed toward the imperial palace.
Originally, he had assumed the Sun Moon Emperor would use Xuan Zi as a bargaining chip—extorting vast resources or Soul Engineer technology from Shrek Academy to further weaken its foundations.
He hadn't expected the Emperor's methods to be even more ruthless and decisive.
"This Sun Moon Emperor really is someone who kills decisively, leaving no room at all," Liu Yuan muttered, a faint smile curving at the corner of his mouth.
He quickly regained his composure. In his eyes, this outcome was actually the most beneficial.
"And that's fine too. We can't just let a hidden danger like Xuan Zi go, can we?"
"With Xuan Zi's temperament, if he returns to Shrek this time, he'll obsessively look for chances to take revenge on me. Since we're already mortal enemies, cutting the weeds and eliminating the roots is the only correct choice."
Leaning back into his chair, Liu Yuan tapped the armrest rhythmically. "Then let's see how this execution plays out in three days. Where, exactly, is Shrek Academy's bottom line?"
At the same time, inside the Sea Gods Pavilion of Shrek Academy.
Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er, Cai Meier, and several other veteran figures rushed to find Mu En once more.
"Elder Mu! There's no time!" Yan Shaozhe cried. "The Sun Moon Empire's execution order has spread across the entire continent! In three days, they'll execute Elder Xuan at Mingdu Plaza!"
Overwhelmed by anxiety, his voice turned hoarse as he dropped to his knees before Mu En's rocking chair.
"Are we really not going to save him? If we just watch Elder Xuan die beneath the butcher's blade, Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year dignity will vanish!"
Mu En sat with his eyes closed, his expression calm as an ancient well.
When he heard Yan Shaozhe's plea, he did not open his eyes. His voice, however, was utterly resolute.
"We are not going."
Those words struck everyone present like a hammer.
"Teacher!" Yan Shaozhe lifted his head abruptly, his eyes filled with confusion and anguish.
Mu En slowly opened his eyes and fixed Yan Shaozhe with a sharp gaze. His voice was deep and firm.
"I'll say it again. We are not going."
"Not only am I not going, I hereby order that none of you may go either."
"If anyone dares to head to the Bright Capital without permission, then I will consider that I never taught you. From that moment on, you will be expelled from the sect and will no longer be part of Shrek."
Yan Shaozhe felt as though he were burning with anxiety.
Seeing Mu En's unyielding stance, he knew the Pavilion Master of the Sea Gods Pavilion had already made his final decision.
Yet he could not understand why his teacher—who had always protected his own—would act so coldly this time.
The Sea Gods Pavilion fell into a suffocating silence, broken only by Yan Shaozhe's heavy breathing.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the Bright Capital, within a secret underground palace of the Holy Spirit Cult.
Xu Tianran sat in a wheelchair, his eyes sinister. Standing quietly in the shadows before him was Ye Xishui, the Supreme Cult Master.
"I didn't expect this to escalate so far—publicly executing a Super Douluo," Ye Xishui said flatly. "That old Xuan Zi may have a terrible reputation, but his strength is real."
"Executing a Rank 98 Spirit Master like this… it's truly unprecedented in the history of the Douluo Continent."
Xu Tianran let out a cold snort, gripping the armrest of his wheelchair.
"Who's being executed doesn't matter. Even if it were a pig, as long as it serves the goal, I have no objections."
"What matters is how we use the chaos caused by this execution to reap the greatest benefit."
Ye Xishui looked at him, a trace of amusement flashing in her eyes. "The execution of Xuan Zi was decided by the Emperor and the Hall of Worship. The entire city is already under martial law. Judging by Your Highness's tone, you still want to make a move at the execution ground?"
"Why not?" A cruel smile curled Xu Tianran's lips. "All these years, we've been secretly poisoning my father with the Holy Spirit Cult's medicine, eroding his life little by little. Unfortunately, the old thing is stubbornly tough—he won't die anytime soon."
"This execution is a chance for him to establish prestige. But for me, it's a gift from the heavens."
Lowering his voice, Xu Tianran spoke with morbid intensity.
"Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen will definitely be guarding the execution site to ensure Xuan Zi dies."
"If we use the Holy Spirit Cult's strength to find the right moment, stage a rescue, and let Xuan Zi escape, it will inevitably draw their attention away. When that happens, the palace defenses will be empty, and we can strike directly into the inner palace and kill my father."
"Once that happens, the situation will be settled. Everyone will assume that Shrek Academy's experts launched a desperate counterattack—assassinating the Emperor to save Xuan Zi."
"The blame for killing my father will fall squarely on Shrek Academy and people like Xuan Zi once again."
Xu Tianran spread his hands, his eyes blazing with ambition.
"As Crown Prince, I'll naturally ascend the throne after the Emperor is assassinated. Not only will my name be cleared, but I'll also be able to legitimately lead the national army to crusade against Shrek."
"This execution is my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
After hearing this entire scheme of patricide and usurpation, Ye Xishui fell silent for a moment before letting out a chilling laugh.
"You truly are a 'filial son,' Xu Tianran."
Xu Tianran paid no heed to the mockery. He sneered and looked toward the imperial palace.
"Family bonds are worthless on the path to imperial power."
"The Sun Moon Empire needs a new emperor—one who can command the Soul Engineer legions to trample the entire continent and force every sect to submit."
"And I am the most suitable candidate."
The lights of the underground palace flickered, illuminating Xu Tianran's twisted expression. In the shadow of the coming execution, a conspiracy capable of overturning the Sun Moon Empire's imperial power was already taking shape.
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