Shrek Academy. Xuan Zi landed hurriedly on Sea God's Island. Without even taking a moment to rest, he rushed straight to the Sea God's Pavilion.
In front of that small wooden house, Mu En was gently rocking in a reclining chair. Only after seeing Xuan Zi arrive in front of him did he slightly lift his gaze.
"Mu En."
Looking at the elderly man before him, who appeared to be on the verge of death, Xuan Zi's anxious mood instantly calmed. Even his voice unconsciously softened.
"Mu En, regarding the Sun Moon Empire side…"
"I received their message, and I have already agreed to it," Mu En said unhurriedly, his voice drifting lightly.
"Agreed to it?" Xuan Zi paused slightly. "But Mu En, the Sun Moon Empire advanced so quickly to occupy the Heavenly Soul Empire. There's no reason for them to suddenly propose such a matter. I'm afraid there's a trick involved."
"How could I not know they have other intentions? But…" Mu En paused slightly before continuing, "When you came, did you notice any changes in Shrek City?"
"I was in a hurry and didn't notice anything at the moment. Has something happened in Shrek City?" Xuan Zi's expression shifted.
"It's not that something happened in Shrek City, but rather that many people from the various sects of the three great empires have arrived in the city."
Cough, cough. Mu En coughed twice. "The sect disciples who participated in the elite competition were all detained by the Sun Moon Empire. Now they've spread the word, and people from every sect want us to step forward to rescue their disciples."
"These past few days, people from all over have been coming to Shrek City. There are constantly people coming to our door. Right now, there should still be quite a few gathered at the academy gates."
"These people!" Xuan Zi's expression changed, his fists clenching slightly. "Their disciples were detained by the Sun Moon Empire, yet instead of thinking about heading to the battlefield to fight the Sun Moon Empire, they come looking for us—what kind of nonsense is this?"
"Enough." Mu En lightly raised his hand. "As the number one academy on the Douluo Continent, since we enjoy such a status, we naturally must bear the corresponding responsibility."
"You need to temper your temper a bit. In the future, when you go out, you will represent the entire Shrek Academy. You must think three times before acting; don't be so impulsive."
"Mu En, your health…?" Xuan Zi's expression kept changing upon hearing this. These words from Mu En struck him painfully; it almost sounded like he was giving final instructions.
"No need to be like this. I know my own body," Mu En interrupted Xuan Zi once again, sighing lightly. "In life, one inevitably makes mistakes. Some things should not have been that way; it was my momentary softness back then."
"Since it was my mistake, naturally, I must be the one to end it. Cough, cough." Mu En coughed twice more, his voice growing fainter and fainter. "Xuan Zi, go and call all those in the academy who are above Rank 9."
"Yes." Xuan Zi responded, then added, "However, Mu En and Hui Qun did not return with me."
"Did you two discover something?"
"Yes… Yuhao. He is being taken to the headquarters by people from the Holy Spirit Cult. He wants to use this chance to locate the Holy Spirit Cult's headquarters."
"Yuhao…" Mu En's eyes opened slightly wider. "Sigh, this child… Never mind. Yuhao has always had his own ideas. At this point, I can no longer help him. I can only hope he doesn't meet with any mishap."
"I understand about Hui Qun. You go notify the others first."
"Yes."
As Xuan Zi left, the front of the Sea God's Pavilion became quiet once more. The reclining chair beneath Mu En stopped rocking. He lay there motionless, his breathing almost ceasing.
"Mu En."
Not long after, another person arrived in front of the Sea God's Pavilion.
"Lexuan, you received Xuan Zi's notice?" As Mu En spoke, he was about to raise his hand, but Zhang Lexuan gently pressed it down.
"Mu En, you still need to conserve your strength to deal with the challenge from the Sun Moon Empire. Please rest well."
"You could tell?" The corners of Mu En's mouth moved slightly, as if he gave a faint smile. "Since you're here, stay and talk with me for a while."
"Mm." Zhang Lexuan nodded gently but did not take the initiative to speak.
"I have let you down," Mu En said, pausing slightly. "But I still hope that because of me, you will not harbor resentment toward the academy. For this gamble with the Sun Moon Empire, I do not intend to have you participate."
"Mu En…"
"Cough, listen to me finish. I want to hand the Martial Soul Department over to you."
"You've also seen the news from the front lines. It is precisely because our vision has failed to keep up with the changes in this world that we have ended up in our current situation. Only young people like you can truly bring about change to Shrek Academy."
After saying all this in one breath, Mu En seemed somewhat tired. He let out a long breath and, after pausing for a long while, spoke again. "The future direction of Shrek Academy will eventually be decided by all of you."
"Finally, I can see that your feelings have undergone some changes. There is no need to dwell on it. As long as you feel you have no guilt in your heart, go ahead and do it boldly."
After Mu En finished speaking, he closed his eyes once more. Sensing the approaching presence of others, Zhang Lexuan lowered her gaze slightly and said no more.
In just half a day, news of Shrek Academy's gamble with the Sun Moon Empire spread throughout the entirety of Shrek City. Then, following the people from various sects gathered in Shrek City, it spread across the entire continent.
In an instant, many people developed the desire to go to Heaven Dou City to watch the battle. Even some reclusive sects heard the news and quietly descended the mountain.
Unlike the Soul Fighting Competition or the Elite Competition, this was a battle between Titled Douluo. One side was the powerful Sun Moon Empire, while the other was Shrek Academy, renowned as the number one soul master academy on the continent. No one was uninterested in the outcome of their clash.
If one could comprehend even half a move or gain some insight from watching them fight, it would be an extremely rare opportunity.
"Elder Kong, how are the preparations on the side of the Evil Soul Forest?"
In the imperial palace of Ming City, Xu Tianran was also making preparations for the upcoming gamble, though exactly what he was preparing remained unknown to most.
"All the soul tools have been deployed. At that time, I will personally head to Heaven Dou City. From then on, Shrek Academy will no longer be a threat to the empire, and the Holy Spirit Cult will cease to exist within the empire."
"Good!" Xu Tianran laughed heartily. "Since it is Elder Kong taking action, it must be foolproof."
Xu Tianran had absolute confidence in the old man before him. The reason he had moved so quickly against the Holy Spirit Cult was precisely that this person had already broken through to Rank 95, becoming a true Rank 10 soul engineer.
Kong Deming came from the imperial family, and his loyalty to the Sun Moon Empire needed no further doubt. In Xu Tianran's view, as long as Kong Deming was in charge, the power of the Holy Spirit Cult had become indispensable.
After entering the Heavenly Soul Empire territory, the actions of the Holy Spirit Cult had caused some dissatisfaction among the soldiers in the army. Now, it was time to give them an explanation.
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