"Old Cheng, I really envy you…"
Kong Deming let out a light sigh. He didn't envy the prospect of going down in history. At his level, fame and reputation were just fleeting clouds. What he envied was that as a soul tool grandmaster, Cheng had personally developed such a revolutionary soul tool. That was the dream of every pure soul tool researcher.
"To be able to witness the Sun Moon Empire's rise and growth before your death—you're quite fortunate, old man. Live well, and observe how the world changes."
The two elders stood with their hands behind their backs, eyes filled with hope for the future.
Xu Cheng and the others stood behind them, smiles appearing on their faces.
"Xiao Hongchen, cross the name off!"
Yan Shaozhe stared at his little notebook and crossed off the first name on the Sun Moon Empire's exchange student list.
"Ji Juechen… a very pure sword cultivator. Maybe he's worth a try…" He circled the second name and fell into thoughtful silence.
That's right—he, the Martial Soul Department Dean, had also decided to take revenge on the Sun Moon Empire.
Blood for blood—that's tomorrow's business. For now, he decided to try and win over some of the Sun Moon Empire's students.
Why could they brainwash our people, but we can't do the same to theirs?
Shrek Academy had a long history, brilliant achievements, and countless prodigies. Add a bit of incentive… Maybe it could work?
A few minutes later.
"Dean Yan."
Ji Juechen gave a slight bow.
"Heh heh, young friend Ji, I feel like we hit it off right away. We're both sword cultivators—why don't we discuss swordsmanship more in the future…"
Yan Shaozhe greeted him warmly.
"You're a sword cultivator?" Ji Juechen cast a skeptical glance at him.
"Yes! My martial soul is the Radiant Phoenix, but I also have a deep connection with the sword. This treasured sword was gifted by my teacher—I understand a bit of swordsmanship." Yan Shaozhe took a sword off the wall and smiled.
"…"
Ji Juechen paused in thought, then shook his head.
"Dean Yan, why don't you speak plainly? You're trying to recruit me into Shrek Academy, right?"
Yan Shaozhe's mouth twitched. Kids these days were so direct?
Still, he quickly recovered, covering up his moment of awkwardness. "Hahaha, you saw through it, huh? It's just that you're extremely talented—you belong at Shrek. Our academy spans thousands of hectares and possesses countless precious soul bones and rare treasures. As long as you join us, I can guarantee—"
"No need."
Ji Juechen interrupted him calmly.
"Dean Yan, I never studied your martial soul, but do you know how I know you're not a true sword cultivator?"
"Uh… how?"
"Because you don't have the heart of a sword cultivator. Your heart is chaotic. Every sword cultivator I've met has a heart that charges forward fearlessly."
Ji Juechen touched his chest and said coolly, "Here, I can hear it. Your heart isn't sincere. That sword is a fine blade, but in your hands, it will forever be tarnished…"
Yan Shaozhe was speechless.
Maybe he had been too hasty.
He sighed helplessly. "You really won't reconsider?"
Ji Juechen showed no emotion, shook his head, and turned to leave.
But when he reached the office door, he paused, then turned his head to look back at Yan Shaozhe.
Just as a trace of hope lit up in Yan's eyes, Ji spoke solemnly:
"Dean Yan, I am obsessed—but not stupid."
Yan Shaozhe: "…"
"Ma Rulong… forget it."
His pen hovered over the next few names, but he didn't even have the heart to cross them off anymore.
Yan Shaozhe let out a long sigh.
Why could the Sun Moon Empire so easily poach their students, while doing the reverse was so difficult? The problem was becoming clear: the so-called glory they flaunted was just the fragrance of flowers masking the rotting roots beneath…
He opened his palm, revealing a purple ring.
In his mind, he recalled the words Long Xiaoyao had said to him:
"Child, wear it. This is a gift I left behind for my descendants."
"From the Holy Spirit Church?"
Heaven Dou EmpireMaple Leaf City
In a conference room sat the leaders of the most powerful forces on the continent.
At the head of the table was Mu En.
The once bent, frail elder now looked radiant and dignified. He sat at the head seat not just because of his strength, but also for what he represented—Shrek Academy.
Even though the two representatives from the Haotian Sect were slightly stronger, the name "Shrek" held weight beyond comparison. It was a banner that could rally half the continent's power with a single wave.
So with Mu En at the lead, no one objected.
"Everyone, how are the preparations?"
Mu En swept his gaze across the room, voice calm and steady.
"Haotian Sect—three Super Douluo, thirteen Titled Douluo, twenty-two Soul Douluo, and seventy-three Soul Sages—all have infiltrated Maple Leaf City."
The Sky Azure Bull Python folded his arms and said flatly.
His words sent a tremor through the room.
So this is the power of a hidden sect?
Adding in two Limit Douluo, perhaps only Shrek Academy alone could match that force—no other single faction came close.
The Body Sect, having been heavily damaged recently by the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool corps, was nowhere near as strong as before.
Still, this news gave the others a bit of a morale boost.
"Star Luo Empire—two Super Douluo, three Titled Douluo, eleven Soul Douluo…" said Xu Jiawei next.
Their overall strength might be average, but one of the Super Douluo among them was the continent's top support-type soul master.
Just that one person alone could rival a Limit Douluo.
"The state of our Body Sect is well-known. I was heavily injured, several Titled Douluo perished, and half our third-generation disciples (Soul Douluo level) were lost. Now, including myself, we have two Super Douluo, five Titled Douluo, and twenty-seven Soul Douluo," said Du Bushi bitterly.
"No worries. Your personal presence speaks volumes," Mu En quickly reassured him.
Next came representatives from the Heaven Soul Empire, Dou Ling Empire, Xuanming Sect, and others.
But compared to the previous factions, they were more like supplemental forces.
"Alright, everyone. Adding in Shrek Academy, we now have around forty-plus Titled Douluo. This is all we've got—our final hand. Sink or swim. If we win, our descendants will thrive for generations. If we lose…"
Mu En's voice deepened.
Silence fell upon the room.
"But let's stay optimistic. The Sun Moon Empire is strong, yes—but do you think their linked defenses can stop a Limit Douluo?" Mu En smiled faintly.
"Remember the gap before we advanced to the Limit rank—it was a world of difference."
He tapped lightly on the table.
An overwhelming pressure burst forth from his body. Everyone except the two Haotian Sect members turned pale, faces filled with fear.
"This… is a Limit Douluo!"
Mu En smiled.
"As for our mission—it's simple: destroy as much as possible. Especially the younger generation—kill if you can. Leave none alive. Remember: we are the sinners of history. But history… is written by the victors. I don't believe you all made it this far still carrying saintly hearts."
(End of Chapter)