"Of course we wouldn't dare."
Xuanzi looked at "Long Xiaoyao" leisurely savoring his wine, his throat bobbing as he swallowed nervously. "You are of the same generation as Mu En, practically... cough like brothers. How could we wish for any harm to come to you? And of course, the same goes for Elder Ye."
Watching Xuanzi's spineless behavior, Xian Liner couldn't help but cover her face in exasperation.
But Xu Cheng merely curled his lips nonchalantly.
"Back then, you didn't act like this. Besides, Mu En's death is partially my fault. If I hadn't sparred with Kong Deming and blocked the Skyblue Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape, Mu En might not have died at their hands."He downed the wine in his cup and calmly observed the pair's reaction.
"..."
After a long silence, Xuanzi finally said, "You had no choice back then. We understand."
"Heh…" Xu Cheng gave a faint smile.
His deliberate control of the conversation shifted all their attention onto him and away from the figure cloaked in a black robe beside him — Xu Lexuan — significantly lowering their vigilance toward her.
"Let's get to it. Why did you come to find me?"
Xu Cheng cut straight to the point.
He toyed with the wine cup in his hand without deliberately mimicking Long Xiaoyao's gestures or demeanor — after all, among the two of them, only Xuanzi had seen Long Xiaoyao a few times, and even then, only in public. They shared no personal connection.
So there was no real fear of being exposed — unless the one across from him was Elder Mu himself. Then maybe…
"Shrek Academy wants to cooperate with the Holy Spirit Cult!" Xuanzi took a deep breath, his expression solemn.
"..."
The air felt still.
Both Xuanzi and Xian Liner locked eyes on "Long Xiaoyao," their expressions slightly tense. If Long Xiaoyao refused — or worse, exposed Shrek Academy — things would turn dire fast.This was the Sun Moon Empire's territory. They wouldn't be able to escape like in the old days.
Unless… the ancestor Tang San descended and helped them.
But that man once said, with the God of Destruction — his mortal enemy — watching closely in the God Realm, divine beings were forbidden from interfering in the mortal world. He could only help in secret.
"Oh?" Xu Cheng raised an eyebrow with a touch of intrigue."You want to cooperate with the Holy Spirit Cult?"
"Yes!" Xuanzi nodded seriously.
"We've contacted a god — the Sea God Tang San from ten thousand years ago. Just like he helped the Clear Sky Clan and Shrek Academy in the past, he plans to train our students on Sea God Island before the tournament. That's why this competition is really only a battle between Shrek and the Clear Sky Clan for first place. But winning the championship is just the first step. The second step…"
Xuanzi hesitated for a moment, then decided to lay everything bare:"That lord has decided to use the power of the God Realm to help us create true powerhouses. If you are willing to join… he can grant you a god position."
"A god position?" Xu Cheng feigned surprise.
"That's right. That lord dominates the God Realm and commands countless deities. The position he's prepared for you is that of a Tier-3 god, named the God of Ashes."Fearing Long Xiaoyao might look down on such a title, Xuanzi quickly added, "Don't underestimate a Tier-3 god. Even though that lord is a God King, the Shrek Seven Devils from ten thousand years ago only became Tier-2 gods at most…"
Xu Cheng smacked his lips.
A Tier-3 god.
Truthfully, both Long Xiaoyao and Mu En were once-in-500-years prodigies. Without Tang San's interference, they could've ascended to the God Realm on merit alone. And now, he was being tossed a favor — and the lowest Tier-3 rank at that…
No wait, below that were even just divine officials.
Xu Cheng shook his head.
Seeing their slightly disappointed and nervous looks, he said with interest,"I am indeed interested in the God Realm. And if I can bring Xi Shui along, even better."
"Whew…" Xuanzi exhaled heavily, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
To be honest, just now, he'd been drenched in cold sweat.If Long Xiaoyao had truly refused, it would've been a total disaster.
"Of course! That lord has long known of your deep bond with Elder Ye. And Elder Ye's talent is also enough to ascend to the God Realm. He's arranged another god position for her — the Goddess of Purity, also a Tier-3 deity," Xian Liner quickly chimed in.
"Well, that's not bad. So, what do you need from me?" Xu Cheng asked while smacking his lips."If you want to topple the Sun Moon Empire, that's no easy feat. To be honest, most of the soul beast world is siding with them — the Star Dou Forest, the Extreme North, the deep sea, and even the Demon Forest. With just me and a heavily injured Xi Shui…"
He purposely looked troubled.
"You need not worry about that," Xian Liner said with a smile.
"No one on the Douluo Continent can rival the Sun Moon Empire anymore. But someone else can crush them. All we need is for you to cooperate from within when the time comes — then we can defeat them!"
As she spoke, she pointed to the sky.
Xu Cheng narrowed his eyes. "The sky? You mean… the God Realm?"
"No, the God Realm is forbidden from interfering in mortal affairs. Naturally, I mean the depths of the universe... That lord refers to this world as a part of the cosmos. And beyond the planes controlled by the God Realm lies another existence — the Abyssal Plane!"
"Under that lord's guidance, in six months at most, they will reach Douluo Star. Their strongest individuals are said to be even stronger than demigods. Although they fall just short of true deities, it's enough to defeat the Sun Moon Empire.Once their forces wear down the Empire, and with your help from the inside — they'll surely collapse!"
Xian Liner grew excited.
Xu Cheng: "..."
Damn it… even aliens are in on this now?
He had known about the Abyssal Plane for a while — but for Tang San to weaponize it against the Sun Moon Empire was just too much.
"Then… how can you be sure the Abyssal Plane will attack the Sun Moon Empire specifically? Are they that lord's… dogs, cough, I mean, subordinates?" Xu Cheng raised a brow.
"Of course not!"
Xian Liner smiled mysteriously.
"That lord said the Sun Moon Empire's current power is nearing the stellar threshold. They've already established outer space defenses around Douluo Star.So when the Abyssal Plane arrives, the Empire will naturally be the first to respond."
"Once their armies are exhausted, we'll seize the chance to strike from within. With your help and the Holy Spirit Cult's infiltration, the Empire doesn't stand a chance!Even if that brat Xu Cheng is some kind of freak, he won't be able to turn the tide!"
"And once the dust settles, that lord will make his move. Under the banner of 'righteousness,' he'll eliminate the Abyssal Plane — and you two will become gods."
Xu Cheng fell silent.
After a long pause, he finally said,"Isn't this… a little immoral? They are protecting the Douluo Star, after all. Using them like this…"
"Uh…" Xian Liner hesitated."Who cares? The Sun Moon Empire deserves to die anyway. As long as we win, anything goes."
"Win…" Xu Cheng choked a bit.
Suddenly, he remembered a famous quote from his past life:
"So good people should just get held at gunpoint?!!"
Time passed in a flash.
The matches before had all concluded, and Match 21 — though only one of four regional brackets — drew nearly 99% of the audience's attention. Even the common folk knew how much was at stake: a true clash of titans.
But unlike ordinary people, academy deans, sect leaders, and faction heads all waited eagerly. Their insight told them this wasn't just a match — but a symbol of the entire continent's political situation.
The Sun Moon Empire vs. the Old Continent.
If the Clear Sky Clan crushed the Sun Moon Empire today, the political balance would shift.Even though the Empire had crushed the old forces of the continent over the years, this tournament served as a microcosm of the greater war.
With endless resources and artificial soul rings, the Empire should have crushed the old world…
But the power the Clear Sky Clan had recently displayed felt… divinely aided.
And in a world where gods actually exist, that wasn't just a metaphor.
Some academies had already pessimistically predicted the Empire's defeat — and the Clear Sky Clan rising proudly, declaring to the world:
"The old age isn't over yet."
Some were thrilled.Some were furious.Some were in utter despair.
On the great chessboard that was the continent, what they gambled wasn't just money — but the lives of themselves and everyone in their sect.One wrong move, and everything would be lost.
"This match… looks quite interesting."
Tang San glanced at the arena.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Because he saw two extremely familiar figures.Well, not quite familiar. It had been over three years since they'd last met.When he first arrived at the Clear Sky Clan, he'd hoped to see his rebellious daughter again — only to hear from Da Ming that she had severed all ties with them and joined the Sun Moon Empire.
He'd been so angry he wanted to drag her back and beat her.
But the very next day, the Empire came knocking — nearly wiping out the sect.
Then came the news that the soul fragment hidden within the Auspicious Beast had been discovered by the Silver Dragon King of the Star Dou Forest.
He almost kicked Da Ming and Er Ming on the spot, consumed with worry. But he himself had already severed contact with the sect.
Three years had passed in a flash.
He didn't expect to see her again now.
She's grown up…
Tang San sighed with emotion.
"What're you staring at?! One more look and I'll slice off your damn head!"
Wang Dong'er exploded as she noticed the lead team from the Clear Sky Clan staring at her. Like a little tiger, she glared at them angrily.
"..."
Tang San's face twitched.
Deprived of a father's love, huh?She really isn't that sweet little girl she used to be.
"Wang Dong'er! Watch your mouth!"
Another youth dressed in the gray-blue robes of the Clear Sky Clan frowned and snapped at her.
"Just because you used to be the Young Master of the Clear Sky Clan doesn't mean I won't beat the crap out of you!"
"Well, well, Tang Yannian, long time no see — getting bold, aren't we?Let's see how much skill you've got in the ring," Wang Dong'er sneered, tossing her long wavy hair and ignoring him completely.
"..."
Tang San narrowed his eyes slightly, watching Wang Dong'er's figure as she walked away.
"All right, everyone get ready. Let's aim to eliminate them as quickly as possible."
"Even though she is… cough, the former Young Sect Master of the Clear Sky Clan, she's now fallen, having joined the Sun Moon Empire. Since that's the case, we'll make her face reality. Let her regret ever leaving the Clear Sky Clan," Tang San said calmly.
If a child doesn't listen, then let her suffer a few hard knocks.
Eventually, she'll realize how dangerous the outside world really is… and then, she'll come back on her own.
Since that's how it is, he wouldn't hold back either.
"Next Match!"
"Clear Sky Clan vs. Sun Moon Empire Royal Academy! Would both academies please enter the arena!"
Just at that moment, the referee's voice echoed through the entire stadium.
"Whoaaa!!"
After a brief moment of silence—
The arena erupted into a roar.
The noise from hundreds of thousands of people was deafening, like it could reach the heavens.
"Dong'er, be careful. That Tang San… he's not simple. He didn't go all out against Cain before—he still had cards up his sleeve," Meng Hongchen whispered into her ear.
"Don't worry, Sister Meng. I'm not some brainless idiot," Wang Dong'er said with a charming smile.
Even some of the Clear Sky disciples across the field were visibly dazed.
The reason?
This time, five girls had stepped into the arena.
And every single one of them… was stunningly beautiful.
Meng Hongchen, Ning Tian, Wang Dong'er, Wang Qiu'er, Tang Ya—
Especially those two goddess-like sisters — they sent shockwaves through the eyes of countless men, who gulped hard.To enjoy such fortune in this lifetime… was that even possible?
"Disgusting." Wang Qiu'er raised her eyebrows.
The way the Clear Sky disciples were looking at them was a bit perverted.
Of course, maybe it was because they were enemies, and she was being biased — but their reactions genuinely pissed her off.
Especially that one in the front — Tang San!
He was just staring straight at her!
"Don't worry, sis. I'll beat him up for you! Beat him real good," Wang Dong'er whispered with a grin.
"Mm!"
Wang Qiu'er nodded, but her expression was slightly suspicious.
There was something else she hadn't said — the way that man looked at her…It wasn't the way a man looked at a beautiful woman —But the way a predator looked at prey.
"Beat him hard," Wang Qiu'er added.
"You got it!" Wang Dong'er bared her little tiger teeth, excitement all over her face.
She couldn't wait to test out the power of her Signal Axe.
When her spirit evolved, it seemed like it had some kind of hidden ability…But no matter how she tried, she'd never been able to activate that mysterious enhancement.
Still, it didn't matter — whatever was meant to come would come in due time!
"Both teams, return to your respective sides of the arena."
The referee spoke.
"Just wait!" Wang Dong'er huffed, glancing at the other side. All five beauties turned and walked toward the arena edge.
Elsewhere — Shrek Academy.
"What's this from the Sun Moon Empire? Only five people?" Xu Sanshi raised an eyebrow.
"That Ning Tian girl just turned eighteen. Wang Dong'er is even in the same class as Dai Huabin.
Wang Qiu'er is a bit more mysterious — she only appeared once, during the last battle at Mingdu, and had the power of a Soul Emperor at the time.
Tang Ya and Meng Hongchen were part of the main team in the last Continental Soul Master Tournament, but…"
He sneered.
"Do they think Xu Cheng is still participating this time?!!"
With a scoff, he said,
"Right now, I finally understand what Elder Mu always meant — that honor is a heavy shackle.
It's the root cause of Shrek Academy's downfall today."
"They won one tournament — and now they're this arrogant, ha…"
(End of Chapter)