The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's representative team departed from Star Luo City. With the aid of their flight-type soul tools, they reached Yuming Pass a few days later.
"We should be within range of the border base station here."
The leading teacher took out a prototype soul communicator — a project rushed to completion by several soul engineers of Mingde Hall working day and night — and sent a message to Jing Hongchen, who was waiting on the Sun Moon Empire's border.
This communicator had been specially developed for this Soul Master Tournament. It could only send and receive simple text messages; as for other complex functions, it had none.
Ma Rulong stretched lazily.
"Finally going home! Defeating Shrek Academy and bringing back the championship — even if I quit school the moment we return, it would all be worth it!"
The leading teacher said with a sinister undertone:
"Shall I file a report to the Academic Affairs Office, then?"
Ma Rulong instantly waved his hands.
"No need for that!"
Just as the group presented their documents to the border soldiers and were about to pass through, a vast and oppressive aura suddenly descended from the sky. Xuan Zi, his soul power fully unleashed, hovered in midair, staring down at them.
The leading teacher and Gu Lingjun immediately stepped forward to shield the team members, their expressions tense as they looked at Xuan Zi.
"Senior, what is your intention?" the teacher asked nervously.
Could it be that Xuan Zi, feeling humiliated by Shrek Academy's loss to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, had come to silence them? If this terrifying powerhouse made a move, who here could possibly stop him?
The teacher didn't hesitate and immediately relayed the situation to Jing Hongchen, who was waiting on the Sun Moon Empire's side of the border.
Xuan Zi had tracked Long Xiaoyao's trail all the way to Yuming Pass, only to lose it entirely. If an Ultimate Douluo wanted to conceal himself, someone of Xuan Zi's level had no chance of finding him.
Could it be that Long Xiaoyao had gone to the Sun Moon Empire?
Impossible. Why would he go there?
Hovering above, Xuan Zi contemplated in silence for a moment, then turned to the border soldiers on one side, his voice cold:
"I am from Shrek Academy. Have you seen anyone suspicious flying into the Sun Moon Empire from here?"
The soldiers, hearing he was from Shrek, quickly bowed respectfully and replied:
"Reporting to sir, we have not seen any suspicious individuals! If we had to name anyone… well, there are these people from the Sun Moon Empire…"
They pointed at Jiang Shengyu's group.
Xuan Zi glanced at them, then shook his head.
"Not them."
Not long after his words, another powerful aura surged in from the Sun Moon Empire's side, landing atop Yuming Pass's battlements.
The garrison soldiers went on high alert, aiming their defensive soul tools at the newcomer.
With Dai Hao still in Star Luo City and not yet returned, if something happened at Yuming Pass, no punishment would be enough to atone for it.
Jing Hongchen had rushed here from the Sun Moon Empire's checkpoint as soon as he heard that a Shrek powerhouse was blocking the way. The tournament representatives were among the most outstanding of the Sun Moon Empire's younger generation — nothing could be allowed to happen to them.
"Taotie Douluo! With your status, isn't it a bit beneath you to bully juniors?" Jing Hongchen said from the battlements, fixing his gaze on Xuan Zi.
Xuan Zi cast him a glance, his tone deep:
"It seems Shao Zhe was right — soul tools do indeed have their merits. You are but Level 94, yet in front of me you can still hold such confidence."
Hearing this, Jing Hongchen felt no pride.
As the master of Mingde Hall, he possessed ninth-tier soul tools of exceptional quality, and thus had the confidence to stand against Xuan Zi without losing outright. But if it came to protecting the younger generation here, that would be another matter entirely.
Noticing Jing Hongchen's sidelong glance at Jiang Shengyu and the others, Xuan Zi said:
"Rest assured, I am not so petty. I have no interest in harming your students. I only have one question: have you detected any suspicious individuals entering your Sun Moon Empire?"
Jing Hongchen shook his head slowly.
"Taotie Douluo, you must be joking. If even you cannot capture him, how could we possibly detect his presence?"
Though he said this outwardly, Jing Hongchen's heart was unsettled.
A powerhouse beyond even Xuan Zi's grasp entering the Sun Moon Empire? This was no small matter. He would have to report this to Kong Deming immediately upon returning.
Seeing no sign of falsehood in Jing Hongchen's reply, Xuan Zi fell silent.
Jing Hongchen, noting his lack of further words, continued:
"Taotie Douluo, if there is nothing else, I will be taking my people back now."
Just as Xuan Zi was about to agree, an aged voice spoke before he could answer:
"Hall Master Hongchen, please stay a moment."
In the next instant, a streak of golden light shot in from behind Xuan Zi, condensing into a tall, imposing figure at his side. This was Mu En.
At this moment, all trace of the frailty he showed at the Academy was gone.
Sensing the terrifying aura, Jing Hongchen's expression turned grave in an instant.
Against Xuan Zi, he still had the confidence to rely on his ninth-tier soul tools to fight and retreat safely. But before the man shrouded in golden light now, he felt utterly powerless to resist.
"Elder Mu!" Xuan Zi straightened and cupped his fists toward him.
Hearing Xuan Zi's address, Jing Hongchen's eyes widened in realization.
This golden-lit figure was surely the Ultimate Douluo Jiang Qingtong had spoken of — Shrek Academy's true authority, the master of the Sea God Pavilion, Dragon God Douluo Mu En.
And judging from this, it likely wasn't even his true body present.
If even a projection could exert such crushing pressure… Ultimate Douluo were indeed terrifying beyond measure.
Mu En inclined his head, his gaze falling on Jing Hongchen.
"Hall Master Hongchen, this old man's name is Mu En. It is our first meeting. If Xuan Zi has been lacking in courtesy, I hope you will forgive him."
Jing Hongchen adjusted his posture and bowed slightly.
"I greet Senior."
"No need to be tense. I am not here to fight."
Mu En waved a hand and continued:
"Hall Master Hongchen, I have visited your Mingde Hall before. Soul tools are indeed a great aid to soul masters. Therefore, I have a proposal — would you be willing for Shrek Academy and your academy to engage in student exchanges?"
He had been to Mingde Hall?
And they hadn't even noticed?
The revelation hit Jing Hongchen like a plunge into icy water. His back went cold.
If what Mu En said was true, then Mingde Hall was essentially defenseless before him. If Mu En had intended to do something there, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Seeing the shock on Jing Hongchen's face, Mu En waited a moment, then asked:
"Hall Master Hongchen, what is your opinion?"
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