As Mu Ye was effortlessly torn apart, a heavy silence fell over both the humans aboard the two massive ships and the sea soul beasts.
"White Sis, should we retreat?" the octopus beast asked the Demon Soul Great White Shark King, Xiao Bai. Their goal had never been to exterminate everyone—only to avenge the Demon Soul Great White Sharks that Tang Wulin had killed.
The "culprit," Mu Ye, was already dead. Continuing the battle any further would change its meaning entirely.
"The person who just died wasn't the one who killed my kin. He is," Xiao Bai declared, lifting her gaze toward Tang Wulin, who had already retreated to the deck. Her eyes radiated intense killing intent.
Although the Demon Emperor had not personally appeared, witnessing the terrifying power of the Demon Emperor had erased the last traces of hesitation in her heart.
With such a powerful sea soul beast secretly protecting her, what did she have to fear?
"I am the Sea God's mount. Sea soul beasts naturally adore me. A hundred-thousand-year beast willingly follows my command, and an even stronger one is protecting me from the shadows."
Xiao Bai was immensely pleased with herself.
The Demon Emperor had personally struck down Mu Ye, which she naturally interpreted as an act of protection for her.
"Shrek Academy's people!" Pan Wen's face darkened. The Shrek Academy's powerhouses were already on their way here.
While handing over Tang Wulin to ensure the safety of everyone on board was clearly the rational choice, how would he explain it to the Shrek Academy's elites when they arrived?
"Esteemed sea soul beast, can you at least tell me what is going on?" Pan Wen asked gravely.
He was trying to stall for time. As long as they could hold out until the Federation's reinforcements arrived, the situation would be resolved.
"Ask him yourself!" Xiao Bai said coldly.
"What happened?" Pan Wen turned toward Tang Wulin and demanded in a heavy tone.
Not just him, but everyone aboard the two ships immediately fixed their gaze on Tang Wulin.
From the start of this disaster, including Pan Wen and Sima Lanxiao, everyone had been completely in the dark.
Cai Yue'er had intentionally provoked the sea soul beasts, and before they knew it, a full-blown battle had erupted.
They had been fighting without even knowing why.
"I..." Tang Wulin opened his mouth but hesitated. Finally, gritting his teeth, he decided to tell the truth.
So many people had already died. There was no way to cover it up anymore.
Even if he chose to stay silent, the Federation's reinforcements would investigate the matter thoroughly upon arrival.
As Tang Wulin recounted the entire series of events, the crowd gradually came to understand the situation—Cai Yue'er had provoked the sea soul beasts on purpose in an attempt to shield Tang Wulin.
Had she chosen to negotiate instead, so many people might not have had to die.
Realizing this, everyone turned their hateful glares toward Tang Wulin and the surviving Shrek Academy students.
The ones who had just perished were their friends and family.
How could they not loathe the true culprit, Tang Wulin?
"Hand over the murderer, or all of you will die with him," Xiao Bai's voice rang out again.
"We need time to consider," Pan Wen replied grimly.
So many lives had been lost. Though Shrek Academy was the true instigator, as the person in charge, he would bear no small amount of responsibility.
Not to mention, he hadn't called for reinforcements at the first opportunity.
Once they returned to the Federation, he would undoubtedly lose his position as a council member.
And if, on top of that, he made an enemy of Shrek Academy, his future would be bleak.
But Pan Wen's words instantly ignited the fury of the people aboard both ships.
"Consider? Consider what? Haven't enough people died already?"
"Shrek Academy was the one who slaughtered the Demon Soul Great White Sharks, and then they deliberately provoked them! Now the sea soul beasts are only asking for the true culprit. You are in charge of this exchange program—are you trying to shield the murderer and make all of us die with him?"
"My senior brothers and sisters are dead! I won't let this slide. When we return to the Douluo Continent, I will demand an explanation from both the Federation and Shrek Academy!"
The crowd erupted in furious protests. They knew they were no match for the sea soul beasts. If they provoked them further, they could all be wiped out.
Some glared at Tang Wulin with venom in their eyes and sneered coldly, "Doesn't Shrek Academy advocate for peaceful coexistence between humans and soul beasts? And yet, you massacred the Demon Soul Great White Sharks, causing so many people to die. Do you feel no remorse?"
"If I were you, I'd step forward and take my own life as an apology to the Demon Soul Great White Shark King."
"Isn't Shrek Academy supposed to stand for justice? Where is your sense of justice now?"
"Because of you, so many people died. Why don't you just die already?"
"What? Are you really going to drag us all to our graves just to protect yourself?"
"I say we tie him up and hand him over to Xiao Bai!"
Hearing Pan Wen still hesitate, the people's rage exploded.
They channeled all their grief and anger toward Tang Wulin and Pan Wen.
One by one, they unleashed their martial souls and advanced on Tang Wulin, determined to seize him and offer him up to Xiao Bai in exchange for their survival.
"I dare anyone to lay a finger on Shrek Academy's people!" Lan Muzi roared, stepping forward and shielding Tang Wulin behind him, his Yang Wood Blade firmly in hand.
Shrek Academy had already suffered heavy casualties. Tang Wulin had barely survived—Lan Muzi would not allow him to be handed over to Xiao Bai.
Tang Wulin had slain many Demon Soul Great White Sharks.
The sea soul beasts had, in turn, lost many of their own in pursuit of revenge.
They now despised Tang Wulin to their very core. If he fell into their hands, he would be utterly annihilated.
Cai Yue'er had provoked the sea soul beasts specifically to protect Tang Wulin.
Many from Shrek Academy had died to protect him.
If they handed him over now, wouldn't those sacrifices have been meaningless?
Lan Muzi refused to let Tang Yinmeng and the others die in vain.
"Shrek Academy! This is Shrek! Very well!" A soul master who had just lost his brother clenched his fists in rage. Seeing Lan Muzi still defending the one responsible for this massacre drove him over the edge.
"Do you think we fear you just because you're from Shrek Academy?"
A Title Douluo stepped forward—Yuan Xi, one of Sima Lanxiao's guards from the Star Luo Empire. His martial soul was a massive, flaming blade: the Blazing Blade.
His title: Blazing Blade Douluo.
As he spoke, Yuan Xi's fifth soul ring lit up, and he slashed five times in rapid succession.
Flames surged into the air, trapping Lan Muzi in a blazing formation—Yuan Xi's fifth soul skill: Flame Formation!
"Shrek Academy sacrificed so many to protect you, and instead of being grateful, you want to throw our students to the sea soul beasts just to save yourselves? Do you even have a conscience?" Lan Muzi roared.
His second soul ring glowed as he activated his second soul skill, Elegance of Spring Snow, instantly shattering Yuan Xi's fifth soul skill.
"This..." Watching the battle erupt, Pan Wen felt an overwhelming urge to cough up blood.
"Lan Muzi, what the hell are you doing?"
He strongly suspected that Lan Muzi was intentionally fanning the flames.
Cai Yue'er had already provoked the sea soul beasts. Now, was Lan Muzi trying to incite a mutiny among the humans?
Cai Yue'er was gravely injured, Tang Yinmeng and the others had perished, and Lan Muzi was overwhelmed with grief. How could he possibly be in the mood to negotiate peacefully?
"Seize Tang Wulin and hand him over to Xiao Bai!"
Now that Lan Muzi had made his move, the others no longer held back. They activated their martial souls and charged toward Tang Wulin.
"Over my dead body!" Lan Muzi growled, donning his immaculate three-word battle armor. His Yang Wood Blade slashed through the air, sending out terrifying blade souls. Even when facing multiple opponents, he showed no fear.
Lan Muzi was one of Shrek Academy's top talents—he had comprehended blade intent at eighteen and blade soul at twenty-one, cementing his position as the future Sea God Pavilion Master.