After greeting Xuanzi again, Xu Jiawei finally led his people away.
"Your Majesty." Cheng Gang walked to Xu Jiawei's side and spoke softly.
Xu Jiawei raised his hand, not letting Cheng Gang continue.
"I have put in a lot of effort to befriend Shrek Academy; this incident nearly ruined it all."
"Your Majesty, Shrek Academy has always stayed out of the affairs of the three great empires. Befriending them might..."
"It's not for that—it's because of the Sun Moon Empire." Xu Jiawei sighed deeply. "Ever since the Sun Moon Empire's imperial family had that incident a few years ago, their border movements have increased. I'm afraid if we wait until then to show goodwill to Shrek Academy, it will be too late."
Hearing this, Cheng Gang glanced back at the Star Emperor Grand Hotel. "Your Majesty, could the news about the hundred-thousand-year soul beast have been spread by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy?"
"If something happened to a Shrek Academy disciple here, the ones benefiting the most would be them. Not only could they weaken a strong opponent in the Soul Fighting Competition, but they could also sow discord between Shrek Academy and us."
"If it really was them, it would actually be simpler." Xu Jiawei frowned tightly. "But... they probably don't have the spare energy to plan this. I'm afraid there are enemies behind this that we don't know about."
"This matter can't be dropped. Take some people and investigate the city—find out where the rumors started."
"Yes."
Downstairs at the Star Emperor Grand Hotel, not long after Xu Jiawei left, someone came over.
"His Majesty has arranged accommodations for everyone. Please follow me."
Lin Xiao glanced toward Shrek Academy; their people had no intention of leaving and were probably waiting for Ma Xiaotao to fully recover.
But recalling the changes in Ma Xiaotao at that moment, full recovery probably wouldn't be so simple.
Withdrawing his gaze, Lin Xiao followed the Star Luo Empire's people toward the new accommodations. However, after taking just a few steps, he saw a shadowy figure drifting toward him unhurriedly.
Lin Xiao stared straight ahead, pretending not to see. A moment later, the Myriad Soul Douluo's voice sounded in his ear.
"The Sect Leader has given the order: the Saintess has emerged. All sect disciples, prepare. Once Shrek Academy leaves Star Luo City, immediately welcome the Saintess back to the sect."
"These few days, keep an eye on the Saintess's movements. If you discover they plan to leave early, inform me at once."
Lin Xiao swept his gaze around and nodded imperceptibly.
Zhongli Wu and the Myriad Soul Douluo had indeed come to probe Ma Xiaotao.
With the Star Luo Empire's Guardian Douluo in the city, acting during the Soul Fighting Competition would naturally provoke the Star Luo Empire.
But once the competition ended, the Holy Spirit Church would only have to deal with Xuanzi alone. It seemed Zhongli Wu was already prepared.
Although an unexpected incident occurred at the Star Emperor Grand Hotel, fortunately, no competing contestants were injured, and the Soul Fighting Competition proceeded as scheduled.
As the competition continued, fewer and fewer teams remained in the arena until only the multi-time defending champion Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, which had challenged multiple times but always failed, were left.
"Senior."
Early in the morning, with some time still before the finals began, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy members had already gathered in the conference room.
As soon as Lin Xiao entered, everyone's gazes focused on him.
"How was your rest last night?" Lin Xiao smiled.
"Yes, we rested well." Ma Rulong, Mi Jia, and the others nodded.
"Good." Lin Xiao's gaze swept over everyone, pausing for a moment on one of the students.
"There's one more thing I need to remind you again: the Invincible Shield is not truly invincible. Although I don't fully agree with Shrek Academy's teaching methods, there is one thing I do agree with—over-relying on the Invincible Shield will make you lose your perception of external dangers."
Lin Xiao sighed lightly in his heart. In his memory, one student from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy had died the moment the shield disappeared, burned to death by Ma Xiaotao's flames precisely because of over-dependence on the Invincible Shield.
After spending so many days with these classmates, he should at least remind them when possible.
While everyone was speaking, the conference room door was suddenly knocked on. Ma Rulong's Grandfather appeared at the doorway.
"Teacher Ma."
"Yes, good thing I made it; I'm not late." Ma Rulong's Grandfather let out a breath of relief, then stepped forward to Ma Rulong. "I've received the news about the attack on the Star Emperor Hotel. This is a soul tool I specially prepared."
As he spoke, a flash of light from his storage soul tool appeared, and a greatsword materialized in his hand.
The moment Lin Xiao saw the greatsword, his eyes flickered slightly, and a name immediately rose in his mind: Sword of Judgment.
"Grandfather, this is?"
Ma Rulong took the greatsword in a daze, asking in confusion.
"Based on the information you sent back, the academy teachers and I discussed it. The student with the highest soul power in Shrek Academy has an impure martial soul. Though we don't know the reason, there should be a power inside her that she cannot fully control."
"This Sword of Judgment uses dark power to draw out the darkness within the opponent, then uses the power of light to judge them. It's perfect for dealing with that contestant."
Ma Rulong's Grandfather's expression turned cold. "This is a level 8 soul tool. You need to activate it using the power of the Chapter of Sacrifice."
"Teacher Ma, the Chapter of Sacrifice affects the user's lifespan. The captain he..." Mi Jia stepped forward to advise, but under Ma Rulong's Grandfather's gaze, the rest of his words went unsaid.
"Remember, this time—you must not fail."
"I understand, Grandfather." Ma Rulong nodded and put away the Sword of Judgment.
"Good." Ma Rulong's Grandfather nodded in satisfaction. "It's almost time. Let's go."
"Senior..." Seeing Ma Rulong's Grandfather leave first, Mi Jia looked toward Lin Xiao.
"It's fine. This sword probably won't get a chance to be used."
Lin Xiao shook his head lightly, and only then did Mi Jia feel relieved and follow.
The outskirts of Star Luo Plaza were lined with soldiers. On both sides, crowds of citizens shouted Shrek Academy's name. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy group walked down the street with somewhat ugly expressions.
"It's okay. This is the Star Luo Empire after all—they naturally don't want to see us win. Once you win this match, people will naturally call your names."
Lin Xiao smiled and comforted them.
"Senior, why do you seem more confident than we are?" Ma Rulong looked back.
"What if I said I've already guessed Shrek Academy's tactics—would you believe me?"
Ma Rulong's Grandfather heard Lin Xiao's words and glanced back, shaking his head in some dissatisfaction.
He had studied Shrek Academy for so many years and wouldn't dare say he had seen through their tactics. Young people really spoke without knowing their limits.
"Really?"
However, contrary to his expectation, Ma Rulong showed no doubt at all—his eyes even lit up.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are 40 early chapters available on Patreon
[email protected]/facficmax10--------(@→a)