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Though Tang San was a God King, none of the other four God Kings were weaker than him.
At this moment, Tang San resembled a helpless little girl being bullied by four burly men in a restroom—appearing so weak and powerless.
Tang San's molars nearly shattered from clenching them so hard. In the end, he had no choice but to begrudgingly retract his divine aura, though his heart screamed in fury:
"Ganging up on the weak—you all are courting death!"
At this moment, Huo Yu'er on the screen finally asked Ma Xiaotao once more:
"Now, can you tell me your decision?"
Ma Xiaotao's head hung low, her fiery red hair disheveled and cascading over her shoulders. She appeared utterly defeated.
Facing Huo Yu'er's query, a flicker of madness flashed in Ma Xiaotao 's eyes before she abruptly raised her head and declared:
"Fine, I'll swear my loyalty to you—but I have conditions."
For a defeated person to dare impose conditions left Huo Yu'er instinctively displeased. But before Huo Yu'er could respond, Ma Xiaotao preemptively continued:
"Besides sparing me, you must also spare Elder Xuan and Elder Song. If you agree, I'll not only swear my loyalty to you, but I'll give you my life as well. Whatever you command, I'll do—even if it means dying!"
Elder Xuan, watching Huo Yu'er frown, inwardly cursed Ma Xiaotao for her foolishness.
Throughout history, victory belonged to the strong, and defeat to the weak. Allowing Shrek Academy to continue its legacy was already an act of mercy. How dare Ma Xiaotao demand such conditions?
As Elder Xuan thought, Huo Yu'er had already sentenced Ma Xiaotao to death in her mind.
The future Douluo Continent didn't need any remnants of Tang San's influence. Whether it was Shrek Academy or the Hao Tian Sect, everything would be eradicated under Huo Yu'er's plans.
"Is that so? This is your choice? Very well—"
Huo Yu'er was about to announce the final verdict when Ye Wen's divine fragment within her mind suddenly spoke:
"Agree to her request, Little Yu'er."
???
Huo Yu'er froze mid-sentence, her eyes filled with confusion. This was clearly not part of the plan. However, in her heart, whatever Ye Wen said was unquestionably right. Thus, she humbly inquired:
"Master, may I ask why?"
Ye Wen quickly explained:
"Destroying the Haotian Sect and Shrek Academy is something we can accomplish effortlessly at this point.
But compared to the Haotian Sect, which is bound by blood ties to Tang San and remains fiercely loyal, Shrek Academy's composition is far more complex. Among them are many innocent individuals. If we exterminate them all, it will make you appear heartless and instill fear in those who once benefited from Shrek's legacy.
Though these people are powerless, their sentiments could hinder our efforts to establish faith.
Therefore, instead of outright destruction, I believe it's better to capture Shrek's upper echelons here and fully integrate them into the Tian Xing Federation.
Although Shrek Academy has a ten-thousand-year foundation, under gradual influence, we can not only erase Tang San's lingering influence but also demonstrate to the people of Douluo Continent that you are not a ruthless tyrant."
After listening to Ye Wen's explanation, Huo Yu'er carefully considered and nodded in agreement.
Shrek Academy had countless former students and connections. A complete purge would indeed have significant repercussions for the future of the Douluo Continent.
By bringing Shrek's upper echelons directly to their side, they could not only spite Tang San but also sever Shrek's ties with him completely. Moreover, Huo Yu'er could earn a reputation for benevolence—a masterstroke indeed. No wonder her master was so wise.
Huo Yu'er's silence made Ma Xiaotao , Elder Xuan, and the others uneasy, fearing that a single misstep could lead to the total annihilation of Shrek Academy.
But they didn't know that Huo Yu'er was consulting with Ye Wen to patch up this plan.
Originally, Ye Wen had only intended to dismantle Shrek Academy without resorting to indiscriminate slaughter. After all, a single Limit Douluo and a few Super Douluos were insignificant in the face of the Tian Xing Federation's future where everyone would possess Four-Word Battle Armor—rendering any comeback impossible.
However, Ye Wen hadn't anticipated Tang San's audacity and desperation. He had even gone so far as to strip the divine positions of his former comrades just to stir up trouble.
Though their combat strength was still negligible.
But given Shrek Academy's direct involvement in this top-tier war, it couldn't simply fade into history as originally planned.
After all, "guilt by association" was a principle applicable in any political system.
Shrek Academy's background was far too intricate. Before being overshadowed by Ye Wen's Tian Xing Academy, it had been the educational hub of the three great nations of the Douluo Continent. Countless high-level soul masters and officials had graduated from there. A massive purge of Douluo Continent's soul masters was out of the question.
Thus, Ma Xiaotao's voluntary surrender became a crucial piece in this game.
Accepting Ma Xiaotao meant the Tian Xing Federation wouldn't settle old scores with Shrek Academy.
Adding Elder Xuan and Elder Song to the deal was a minor concession. However, once Ma Xiaotao's conditions were acknowledged by Ye Wen and Huo Yu'er, it also meant that Shrek Academy would fall entirely under the Tian Xing Federation's control.
A political crisis was quietly resolved.
"I accept your conditions," Huo Yu'er's clear, cold voice rang out across the desolate wilderness.
Ma Xiaotao and the two elders, whose hearts had been in their throats, finally let out a deep sigh of relief.
They had survived, and Shrek Academy had been spared. There was nothing more that could make the three of them happier.
However, Huo Yu'er's final words left them with troubled expressions.
"But you should understand how presumptuous your demands were, Ma Xiaotao. As payment, all three of you must swear absolute loyalty to me—and this includes Shrek Academy behind you. If you refuse, I can assure you—the result will be your deaths, the destruction of Shrek Academy, and the collateral damage of countless others."
Huo Yu'er's words essentially reduced the three of them and Shrek Academy's future to slaves and possessions under her control.
But in the end, wasn't Shrek Academy preserved?
This was far better than blindly following Tang Wulin to their doom and losing everything.
In the end, the three submitted and allowed Huo Yu'er to place restrictions on their divine positions. Any betrayal would mean death.
Watching the three leave, Huo Yu'er and her companions refocused their attention on the matter at hand.
It had to be said, as gods, their recovery abilities were remarkable. Tang Wulin, who had been beaten half to death, slowly opened his eyes at this moment.
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