Sorry 1 chapter, because Im busy
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"If there is resonance with my bloodline, it might not be impossible to try." Mu En said calmly.
"This…" Elder Zhuang pondered.
Everyone exchanged glances. After all, Xu Cheng's monstrous talent wasn't just hype—it had been proven step by step. Without using a mecha, he could utterly defeat a fully powered Ma Xiaotao. He already had the power of a Soul King a year ago in the tournament. Four years later, he was likely at least a Soul Sage by now.
Bebé was currently at the peak of Soul Ancestor, about to obtain his fifth soul ring. His talent wasn't weak, but facing Xu Cheng—even with a bloodline boost—would likely still be...
"Ancestor A-Yin will help preserve part of my soul power, sealing it within Bebé. At that time, his changes will not just be in martial soul but also an elevation in soul power," Mu En said blandly.
"I see." Elder Zhuang sighed in relief.
This wasn't just washing bloodlines anymore—it was more like a soul power baptism.
With this, the next tournament four years later really had some hope.
"Ancestor A-Yin, soul power infusion… I've fought for the academy for a hundred years, why should all the benefits go to him?" Yan Shaozhe glanced coldly at Bebé, his eyes full of resentment.
If the heir to Sea God's Pavilion had been Zhang Lexuan, he would have had no complaints. Her character, elegance, and dignity made her the perfect representative of Shrek Academy.
But Bebé?
Isn't he just a damned simp?!!
You'd rather choose a simp over me? Teacher… you really...
Outside Sea God's Pavilion
The meeting dispersed.
Yan Shaozhe stood atop a towering ancient tree, overlooking Sea God Island. Though mist covered the surroundings, it couldn't obscure his sight.
"Enough, don't overthink it. Elder Mu has been our teacher for so many years—you should know his character. He's always put the academy first. Bebé has barely received any of his attention since birth. He's doing this for the future of the academy," Qian Duoduo appeared beside him, sighing softly.
"Wasn't Zhang Lexuan his child bride? He made a special trip to the Heavenly Soul Empire and brought back that little girl. And that's not called favoritism? For his great-grandson, he wiped out an entire clan. Tell me, what would you call favoritism?" Yan Shaozhe said coldly.
"You're just speculating. Don't frame Elder Mu like that!" Qian Duoduo frowned.
"It's the truth. Don't pretend you believe his excuse. Just 'coincidentally' found a little girl? With a top-tier martial soul and talent? If coincidences like that were real, I'd be out wandering all nations every day!" Yan Shaozhe said angrily.
"The academy can't afford any more instability…" Qian Duoduo finally spoke after a long silence.
"Hmph, so you know! You duped the elders earlier, saying we should imitate the Sun Moon Empire and develop a so-called soul tool carrier. And what happened? We threw real money into it and got nothing back but ridicule. Shrek lost face too."
"Soul tools take time! Shrek didn't have the time to develop them properly. Under pressure from enemies, we panicked and tried to catch up quickly. But how? The other side has developed theirs over tens of thousands of years—you think we can match that in days?"
"I think our teacher… has grown old." Yan Shaozhe said flatly.
"You! There are lines you can't cross!" Qian Duoduo snapped.
"Hmph, I love the academy more than you or any of you ever could," Yan Shaozhe glanced coldly at him. "If I had to sacrifice myself right now to save the academy, I'd do it without hesitation!"
"And you think I wouldn't?" Qian Duoduo was incensed. "You think you're the only one loyal? I'm no less! But soul tools are the future! You cling to the past, and you'll only be abandoned by the times! If we don't start, we'll never catch up! Only by chasing can there be hope!"
"Hmph. I won't argue with you." Yan Shaozhe waved dismissively.
His figure vanished into the air.
"Sigh…"
Qian Duoduo sighed deeply after a long pause.
As classmates, the four of them had walked through the same era. Once the closest of peers, now…
Inside Sea God's Pavilion
Mu En gently comforted Bebé.
"The Ancestor will not leave. My soul is bound by a contract to the Golden Tree through Ancestor A-Yin. After death, my soul will enter the tree to guard the academy—and you—forever."
"Taking over Sea God's Pavilion is no easy task. Even with my soul infusion, your path will be long. Internal and external threats alike cannot be taken lightly. Shrek Academy is a great ship. As the helmsman of a top force, you must put the academy's interests above all else."
"Ancestor…" Bebé bit his lip, holding back tears.
"Heh, I've still got two years. Even if I were paralyzed in a wheelchair, a hundred years of life would not match the joy of these next two years," Mu En said kindly.
"There's something else you should know." He sighed.
"About Zhang Lexuan…"
Shrek City
Bustling and lively.
With its variety of shops, Xu Cheng and the two girls only managed to visit less than half in one day.
"Is it time?" Gu Yuena asked softly, gently touching the hairpin Xu Cheng had insisted on buying her. He said it suited her, like a beauty from ancient times.
It wasn't expensive, but in thousands of years, it was her first gift.
The dragon lady felt secretly delighted.
"Just about." Xu Cheng put down the teacup and glanced toward a prominent building in the city—Treasure Gathering Pavilion.
It towered hundreds of meters high, piercing the clouds. Its prominence made it visible from anywhere in the city.
"Shrek Academy's auction is held at the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. If you see something you like, just say the word." Xu Cheng smiled.
"Alright." Gu Yuena replied simply.
The appointed time.
He was to meet Xiao Hongchen, who had brought Ji Juechen, Ma Rulong, and others. Xu Cheng clearly had no intention of hiding his identity—too troublesome and unnecessary.
If the Sun Moon Empire didn't show up, Shrek Academy would probably get suspicious…
But showing up personally would surely shock them.
After all, he had never set foot here before.
Treasure Gathering Pavilion Entrance
Already crowded.
But there were no commoners present. Today, only nobles—at the very least—were eligible. High-ranking aristocrats, state representatives—people of significance entered in succession. The attendant's calls grew louder.
"Miss, we're here…" Granny Manyi reminded softly.
The girl sat inside the carriage, dazed.
"Oh, I know, Granny." She nodded slightly, recalling her brother's instructions.
"Shrek Academy is wealthy. If they're holding an auction, it's likely to free up capital for investment. Even if Star Luo Empire already invested part, we can still scrape together more funds. Buy anything useful, don't miss this chance…"
"Phew…" Xu Jiujing exhaled softly.
The continent's current situation felt increasingly uncertain.
Something felt… off, though she couldn't explain it.
She tidied up and stepped down from the carriage.
Not far off, the crowd stirred at the sight of her.
Beautiful, elegant, and of noble identity—the Princess…
"Let's go, Your Highness. Ignore them. Those blocked outside are either commoners or fallen nobles. Shrek set entry requirements for this auction," Granny Manyi said calmly.
"Mm." The girl nodded slightly, lifted her gown, and walked inside.
"Announcing: Her Highness Princess Xu Jiujing of the Star Luo Empire!"
Dozens of young women in qipaos stood at the entrance, about seventeen or eighteen years old. One woman in red at the front announced loudly.
Inside, those still mingling on the first floor turned their eyes toward the entrance.
Even if Star Luo had declined, pushed into a capital defense war by the Sun Moon Empire, no one here dared mock. If anything, Tianhun and Douling Kingdoms were even worse...
Xu Jiujing's face was composed as she entered with graceful steps.
"Jiujing-jie!" a bright female voice called.
"Vina, and Muxue…" Xu Jiujing smiled and turned to the two girls.
The three of them truly supported each other.
After the Sun Moon Empire's invasion, the original three kingdoms had set aside their rivalries and formed a quiet alliance.
In fact, it seemed the three kingdoms were now led by women—princesses stepping forward, while princes had yet to show promise. Especially the Tianhun Empire, whose emperor even considered grooming Muxue as the next empress, given her status as the Holy Maiden of the Body Sect…
"So many notable guests today: Body Sect's Saint Son Long Aotian, Seven Treasure Glazed Sect Master Ning Hao, Earth Dragon Sect Master Nan Shuishui, Clear Sky Sect Elder Tang Wen, Xuanming Sect's Master…" Muxue said brightly.
"Long Aotian?" Xu Jiujing glanced into the hall. A tall young man stood with striking features—clearly a top-tier genius.
She smirked slightly, then glanced at Vina with a teasing glint.
"Jiujing-jie!" Vina blushed and lowered her head shyly.
So the rumors were true…
Xu Jiujing sighed inwardly.
It's said Long Aotian was a romantic, which probably explained the Body Sect's close ties with the Tianhun Empire…
As the three girls chatted and laughed, ready to enter—
A sudden voice called from outside:
"His Highness, Prince Xu Cheng of the Sun Moon Empire, has arrived!"
In that instant—
Countless gazes within Treasure Gathering Pavilion turned to the striking figure below.
Though his attire was plain, no one dared look down on him. Surrounded by two girls and others like Ma Rulong and Xiao Hongchen, he walked like a star among stars.
"Him?! From the Sun Moon Empire?!" Xu Jiujing's heart skipped a beat. She turned to look at the familiar yet distant, ridiculously handsome young man approaching.
"…"
Muxue covered her lips in shock, her eyes wide.
The last time they met was at the Continental Academy Tournament.
He had stunned everyone with his power, defeated Shrek Academy, and escaped through a siege of Title Douluo and even Super Douluo. His calm demeanor in crisis was unforgettable.
Though an enemy… he was incredibly handsome.
Objectively, he was the dream prince of countless girls across the continent—even some Shrek students secretly admired him after the tournament.
He was simply too monstrous…
Rooftop of Sea God Pavilion
An old woman's eyes showed surprise.
Then she smiled: "That boy never came within a hundred miles of Shrek Academy. Now, he walks right in…"
Xu Cheng was a deadly threat to Shrek and the three original nations.
He had stabilized the Sun Moon Empire, eliminated rival nobles, consolidated power—and he was the Holy Son of the Holy Spirit Church, uniting two superpowers.
If he were removed…
She pondered for a moment, then told the girl supporting her, "Inform Elder Mu. Summon the elders. We must hold another meeting before the auction begins."
"Yes!" the girl obeyed and left.
The old woman remained, watching from above, eyes gleaming.
"Princess, long time no see." Xu Cheng smiled at Xu Jiujing.
She was gorgeously dressed, wearing light makeup. Her beauty outshone nearly everyone present. Under the lights, she was captivating.
Half a year ago, she came to his room, pleading for a political marriage to save his life.
She had seemed so sincere…
Honestly, if he had no backup plans, he might have agreed.
But of course—he always had a plan.
Still, a fallen princess offering herself to her enemy to save her people, with a blend of shame and stubbornness… that was charming.
Xu Cheng smiled at her—elegant, regal, a real royal princess.
"I didn't expect it to be you," Xu Jiujing said, her eyes complicated.
Clearly, she hadn't anticipated this.
"What, unhappy to see me?" Xu Cheng teased.
"No… I—" Xu Jiujing frowned and glared at him. "Granny Manyi, let's go!"
The old woman glanced at Xu Cheng. "Since you're of the Sun Moon Empire, you'd best not trifle with too many women. If you deceive my princess, I'll give my life to make sure you suffer."
Her voice was barely a whisper—even Xu Jiujing didn't hear.
Xu Cheng grinned.
"You're not wrong. If I were you, I'd worry too. But I hate threats…"
He glanced coolly at Manyi.
In her shocked eyes—
Blood-red flooded the world.
Everything was swallowed by crimson. Above, the sun and moon hung simultaneously—as if in another realm.
"Where is this?!" Manyi cried in terror.
To trap a Title Douluo into an illusion unnoticed—his powers were terrifying!
"If I wanted to kill you, it wouldn't take much." Xu Cheng stood before her, looking down like she was an ant.
"Know your limits. Don't think a mere Title Douluo can talk to me that way."
(End of Chapter)