Chapter 55: Killing Isn't Enough, You Even Have to Break Their Spirit?
Dai Huabin's face instantly darkened, but Huo Yuhao didn't give him a chance to recover—he continued pressing.
"Oh? Could it be that you're also a member of Shrek Academy? Funny, I wasn't aware of that. Tell me, is Shrek Academy suddenly a public academy under the Star Luo Empire?"
"Or perhaps… deep down, you don't see yourself as a citizen of the Star Luo Empire, but rather as a 'Shrek person'?"
Xiao Hongchen nearly burst out laughing and had to cover his mouth. Meng Hongchen even turned her back, her shoulders trembling with suppressed mirth.
When they used to spend time with Huo Yuhao, they had never seen this poisonous tongue of his.
And according to intelligence, this young man before them was a descendant of the Star Luo Duke's Mansion. As Yuhao's closest friends, they naturally knew about his deep hatred toward the White Tiger Duke's line.
No wonder. No wonder the usually cold and aloof Yuhao suddenly lashed out with such sharp words.
"You… sharp-tongued brat!" Dai Huabin's voice trembled with anger. If it weren't for the misfortunes he had suffered recently, he would have long since taught Yuhao a "lesson."
"Did I touch a nerve?" Yuhao's eyes glinted coldly. "My apologies then. I admit, I don't know much about the Star Luo Empire's policies. I wasn't aware Shrek had already been annexed by your empire."
He gave a faint smile. "If that offends you… Then so be it."
"Hahaha!" Xiao Hongchen finally lost control and laughed outright.
He swore to himself—he would definitely ask Yuhao for advice later. Clearly, his own ability to show off and mock was far too shallow compared to Yuhao's. The way Yuhao had just insulted all three sides at once left him completely in awe.
"Impudent!"
"Arrogant!"
Ma Xiaotao and several others were already boiling with rage, about to strike. But the Sun Moon contingent wasn't about to back down either—Ma Rulong and his teammates immediately stepped forward.
"So, Shrek's people want to try us first?"
"Then bring it on! Who's afraid of who?!"
Now that they knew Shrek's weakened state, Ma Rulong and others weren't about to show an ounce of fear.
What a joke! A group with nothing but a reputation to their name, strutting around like they were untouchable. Did they really think they were still the overlords of the continent?
They had no idea what "kicking someone when they're down" truly meant!
Even though her blood boiled with fury, Ma Xiaotao was forcibly restrained by Ling Luochen and Beibei.
"Young man, the humiliation you dealt us today—I will repay a hundredfold in the future." Dai Huabin's jaw was clenched so tight it looked like his teeth would shatter.
But Yuhao didn't even flinch.
"Tch. Anyone can spit empty threats. 'Someday, someday'… Why not today? What's wrong? Did your time of the month come early? Admit it—you're just scared. Weaklings should train harder instead of spewing nonsense."
Beibei almost wanted to cry. For the love of the heavens, just let it go! When it comes to trading insults, none of us can compare to this kid. He's tearing them apart without mercy.
Ma Xiaotao barging into someone else's turf had already put them in the wrong, and now Yuhao had utterly crushed their pride in front of everyone. Their faces had been trampled and spat on.
'If you don't dare fight, then why start trouble? Haven't we already caused Shrek enough problems?'
Once Shrek's group slunk away, defeated and humiliated, Ma Rulong and the others exchanged knowing smiles. Xiao Hongchen didn't even bother to hide his amusement.
"Looks like Shrek's really in deep trouble this time."
Meng Hongchen added, "That girl in red earlier—I could sense she's a fire-attribute soul master. But her aura is weak, badly injured. Clearly, she's been seriously wounded."
Lin Xi sneered, "A bunch of fools, injured and don't know how to hide and recover, but instead openly appear in front of people. How ridiculous."
Yuhao only shrugged. "That's Shrek for you. Arrogant to the bone. Their so-called legacy and honor long ago blinded them to reality. For us, that's nothing but good news."
Then he gave a cold smile. "Tell me—if Shrek loses miserably at the tournament, do you think they'll shift the blame? Claim they were ambushed by evil soul masters, all for the 'sake of the continent's stability'?"
The others froze. Ma Rulong scratched his head. "That… sounds far-fetched. Would Shrek really do something that shameless?"
Lin Xi frowned, then hesitated. "But it's not impossible. If they did, it could redirect the audience's attention, helping Shrek preserve its façade of righteousness."
Mijia picked up the thread. "Exactly. All they'd need is to stage it right—wait until they barely defeat a powerful opponent, everyone's hearts burning with admiration for their 'indomitable spirit.' At that moment, announcing they'd been targeted by evil soul masters… the impact would be enormous."
The group quickly pieced together the scenario. And the more they thought about it, the more chillingly plausible it seemed.
If Shrek really had no hope of winning the championship this year, they just might resort to such underhanded theatrics to protect their reputation.
Announce at the tournament that they only lost because they were attacked while defending the continent against evil soul masters—many commoners from the three empires would absolutely buy it.
At that point, no one would bother digging for the truth.
To the public, it would simply be: Shrek fought for the people. Even in defeat, their honor shines bright.
If the Sun Moon Empire wasn't prepared ahead of time, they would have no way to counter such a ploy. After all, who could stand up and say, "It's wrong to fight evil soul masters"?
Meng Hongchen noticed Yuhao's faint smirk. "Yuhao… are you hiding something from us?"
Everyone turned to him again.
"You've all overlooked one crucial detail." Yuhao's gaze sharpened. "Shrek wasn't the victim of an ambush. They were the ones who attacked first—and got slaughtered instead."
"And the one who wiped them out was indeed an evil soul master. But not a Titled Douluo, not even a Soul Douluo… just a Soul King."
"What?!"
The revelation hit them like a thunderclap.
Impossible. Inconceivable. They thought Yuhao was joking.
A single Soul King-level evil soul master, crippling several of Shrek's main team members, forcing them out of the tournament? How could that be real?
"I knew you wouldn't believe me." Yuhao's voice was low, steady. "But this is the truth. My teacher investigated thoroughly. The reality is even more outrageous than you think."
He then explained Shrek's internal 'supervisory group' system, carefully attributing the information to his teacher. Bit by bit, he revealed the entire truth behind Shrek's misfortune.
When he finished, Xiao Hongchen and the others sat in stunned silence.
The academy they had always regarded as their greatest rival… suddenly seemed far less intimidating.
Xiao Hongchen was the first to catch Yuhao's deeper meaning.
"Yuhao… you're saying, if Shrek really tries to cover this up and glorify themselves at the tournament, we can seize the chance to strike back publicly, right?"
Yuhao nodded, satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "Exactly. If they dare act so hypocritically, exposing them at the height of their self-congratulation will be… delicious."
"Imagine it—losing on stage, their main force nearly annihilated by a mere Soul King, and then us standing tall. Shrek will fall from its pedestal, and we… we will ascend upon their corpse."
Their blood boiled; everyone at this moment felt a surge of passion with nowhere to vent.
"Yuhao, we'll follow your lead!"
"That's right! I can't wait to see Shrek's downfall!"
Killing wasn't enough… Now, they would crush Shrek's very spirit.
End of Chapter