Chapter 402: Juzi
Within Shrek Academy stood Sea God's Island. The island had many structures, but none as grand as the Sea God's Pavilion, located at its very heart. The pavilion spanned six towering floors, each over ten meters high, exuding an air of magnificence. However, due to the constant mist surrounding Sea God's Island, the pavilion remained hazy and indistinct from the outer courtyard of the academy.
This place was the core of Shrek Academy the residence of the Elders' Hall and the true heart of the academy. Countless confidential records, ancient texts, and invaluable treasures were stored within.
Of course, where there were treasures, there were thieves.
Over the years, countless so called "top experts" from the continent had attempted to infiltrate the Sea God's Pavilion, hoping to steal its riches. But not once had an intruder entered and lived to tell the tale.
Whenever a major issue arose, the academy's highest ranking officials would convene here for a council meeting.
Sea God's Pavilion – Council Chamber
Inside the grand council chamber, ten people sat around an oval shaped table. At the head of the table, positioned on a reclining chair, lay Mu En one of the last remaining Ultimate Douluos, looking as if he were half dead.
"Since everyone is here, let's begin the meeting," Mu En murmured, his voice weak yet commanding. "Shao Zhe, you take charge."
"Yes, teacher."
Yan Shao Zhe stood up and respectfully bowed to Mu En.
The moment Mu En spoke, the veteran elders of Shrek straightened their backs, adopting solemn expressions.
Yan Shao Zhe surveyed the room, then addressed them.
"Teacher, esteemed elders… Today's meeting is to discuss how we should handle Huo Yuhao. Should we recruit him? Observe from the sidelines? Or..."
He made a throat cutting gesture. The meaning was obvious.
"Putting aside whether that so called question and answer video was true or false," an elder spoke coldly, "did you seriously just let Huo Yuhao walk away?"
"What else could we do?" another elder countered. "If the video is true, then keeping him here against his will would come at a terrible cost one we might not be able to afford!"
"And let's be honest," an elderly woman sighed, "Shrek Academy isn't the only force watching him now."
She didn't need to continue the implication was clear.
The Sea God himself, Tang San, had set his sights on Huo Yuhao.
That meant Huo Yuhao and Tang San were bound to be enemies.
And Shrek?
Shrek belonged to Tang San.
Huo Yuhao would never stay here, knowing what the future held.
If they forced him to, if they pushed him to the brink, he would become an enemy of Shrek. And when that happened, the entire academy could be wiped out.
Thus, after a heated debate, the council finally reached a decision:
They would observe for now.
If they could recruit him, they would.
If not… they would find an opportunity to eliminate him.
After all, what was a "Child of Destiny" but someone with slightly better luck?
They refused to believe that Shrek, with all its power, couldn't kill a single man if it truly went all out.
Of course, what they failed to understand was the true weight of being a Child of Destiny.
Killing him?
Not unless their power was so overwhelming that they could ignore fate itself.
Or unless a God personally intervened.
Otherwise?
Trying to kill Huo Yuhao on his own turf was nothing short of suicide.
A Web of Spies
Similar meetings were held all across the continent.
The conclusions?
Almost identical to Shrek's.
Observe.
Try to recruit him.
And, if possible, steal his fortunes for themselves.
As a result, spies from various factions mobilized, tailing Huo Yuhao's every move, eager to leech off his luck.
Huo Yuhao, meanwhile, was growing increasingly frustrated.
No matter where he went, he could feel eyes on him.
For the first time, he truly understood the burden of being famous.
It was downright annoying.
Sun Moon Empire – Mingdu
The capital of the Sun Moon Empire, known as Mingdu, was the largest and most technologically advanced city on the continent.
Towering skyscrapers stretched into the sky, with soul devices woven into daily life. Unlike the other nations, Mingdu had evolved into a modern metropolis a city that, at night, shone as brightly as the stars above.
Among the city's many districts, one stood out.
A vast, hexagonal compound illuminated by thousands of lights, as large as a mid sized city on its own.
This was the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
"So… That's My Future?"
A young girl stood near a window, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders.
She was Juzi one of the female leads revealed in the video.
Her expression was dazed, lost in thought.
The video had changed everything for her.
She had always been a woman of fate.
Once, she had a happy family loving parents, a peaceful life.
Then, the Star Luo Empire invaded.
Massacred her people.
Slaughtered her father.
Left her mother grieving until she, too, passed away.
Leaving Juzi an orphan.
Forced to wander, homeless, alone.
And so, she swore vengeance.
She vowed to slaughter the White Tiger Duke, to annihilate Star Luo Empire, to avenge her family in blood.
But now…
That damned video had revealed the cruelest irony of all.
She had fallen in love with the son of her sworn enemy.
She had borne the child of the man whose bloodline she had vowed to exterminate.
She had ensured that the enemy's legacy endured.
How… laughable.
How pathetic.
How utterly, disgustingly, tragic.
Juzi trembled with rage.
A part of her was grateful for the video.
If she had never known…
She would have walked straight into that nightmare of a future.
She had made her decision.
She would never entangle herself with Huo Yuhao.
Not even if he was the so called "Child of Destiny."
Not even if his future seemed limitless.
From now on, she would dedicate everything her life, her soul, her very being to her revenge.
She would never let emotions blind her again.
She would never betray her parents' memory.
And she would never, ever allow herself to love Huo Yuhao.
Not in this lifetime.
(End of Chapter)
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