Sophistry, Leaving Xingdou—Shrek in Turmoil
Within Shrek Academy, the once calm and harmonious atmosphere had completely vanished. Whether it was the outer courtyard or the inner courtyard, everything was now filled with suspicion, confusion, and even suppressed anger.
Rumors were spreading wildly.
It was said that Shrek had secretly allied with the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Master Academy to assassinate the geniuses of other factions. Even worse, there were claims that Shrek had colluded with the infamous evil soul master organization—the Holy Spirit Cult.
The moment these rumors entered Shrek Academy, they caused an enormous uproar.
Although many students refused to believe such accusations, the continued silence from the Dean and Vice Dean of the Martial Soul Department only deepened their doubts.
Some students could no longer endure the uncertainty and directly sought out their teachers, demanding answers.
Among them was Zhang Lexuan, the senior sister of the inner courtyard.
"Elder Mu… are the rumors outside true?"
Standing before the old man resting on a rocking chair, Zhang Lexuan clenched her fists tightly. Deep within her heart, she desperately hoped he would deny everything without hesitation.
Elder Mu slowly opened his sleepy eyes. A faint trace of reproach flickered within his cloudy gaze.
"Le Xuan… do you not trust the academy?"
"I do," Zhang Lexuan replied softly, pressing her lips together. "But with so many rumors spreading… why haven't Dean Yan and Dean Cai come forward to clarify things?"
As the youngest Soul Douluo in Shrek's history for thousands of years, Zhang Lexuan was far from naive. She could not simply ignore what was happening.
"They have been dispatched by me on a mission," Mu En said calmly, his eyes closing once more. It was unclear whether he was tired—or deliberately avoiding her gaze.
"Then… what about Elder Xuan?" Zhang Lexuan pressed on, unwilling to give up.
"I don't know. Xuanzi has always been unruly. Who knows where he has wandered off to."
Mu En waved his hand dismissively. "That is enough. I am tired. You may leave."
Though his answer did not satisfy her, Zhang Lexuan understood she could not press further. She bowed respectfully before turning and leaving.
The moment she was gone, Mu En's eyes snapped open.
The gentleness from before vanished, replaced entirely by cold anger and hidden malice.
"Ontology Sect…"
However, just as he spoke, his expression suddenly changed. His gaze shot toward the direction of Sea God Pavilion.
A faint golden radiance flickered in the distance.
"Not good—the Ancient Golden Tree!"
The Ancient Golden Tree was the very foundation of Shrek Academy, the core that sustained everything. Any disturbance to it was nothing short of a catastrophe.
Without hesitation, Mu En transformed into a streak of light and shot toward Sea God Pavilion.
...
Great Star Dou Forest — Inner Core, Forbidden Zone
Huo Yuhao slowly opened his eyes. A sharp glint passed through his deep pupils before fading into calm.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Finally… my realm has stabilized. Next… it's time to obtain my fourth soul ring."
The fusion and enhancement of the three powers within his body had caused intense rejection, forcing him to spend a long period stabilizing his condition.
Now, he had finally succeeded.
Rising to his feet, Yuhao exhaled slowly.
Although his soul power had already reached level 45, he still lacked his fourth soul ring.
But for this ring, he had long since chosen his target.
"Di Tian."
As soon as he called out, a powerful aura descended from above. A tall figure appeared silently—the Beast God, Di Tian.
Sensing Yuhao's current condition, a trace of joy flashed across Di Tian's face. He immediately lowered his head respectfully.
"My Lord."
Yuhao nodded and asked, "How did the task I assigned you go?"
Di Tian replied in a deep voice, "I have found fifteen soul beasts nearing the end of their lifespan who are willing to become souls. However, most are only at the hundred-year level. Only three have reached the thousand-year level… and none are ten-thousand-year soul beasts."
Before entering seclusion, Yuhao had instructed Di Tian to search for suitable soul beasts willing to transform into spirits.
After all, the Spirit system held immense significance for both humans and soul beasts.
Yuhao was not surprised by the results.
A ten-thousand-year soul beast refusing to become a spirit was completely expected.
Firstly, the Spirit system was still a newly born concept. Even if Yuhao himself was its creator and co-master of soul beasts, many would remain skeptical.
Secondly, even after becoming a spirit, their lifespan would still be limited. If their chosen soul master failed to reach godhood, they would ultimately perish.
The first issue could be resolved with time—once successful examples appeared, doubt would naturally disappear.
As for the second problem…
During these past ten days, Yuhao had discussed it with Electrolux and had already begun to see a possible solution.
However, until it was fully realized, he could not reveal it.
"I understand," Yuhao said calmly. "When the Ontology Sect arrives in twenty days, we will hold the Spirit Contract Ceremony."
Hearing this, Di Tian's eyes lit up with excitement.
For countless years, he had worried about the future of soul beasts. Now, at last, a clear path had emerged.
Yuhao then asked, "How is the Auspicious Beast?"
"Everything is normal," Di Tian replied, though his gaze flickered slightly.
Yuhao did not notice the subtle change.
"Next, I will head to the Sunset Forest. I leave this place to you."
"My Lord, allow me to accompany you," Di Tian said quickly.
Yuhao shook his head with a faint smile.
"As the Beast God of the Star Dou Forest, you cannot leave so easily. Besides… with my current strength, there is little on this continent that can threaten me."
Even before entering the Star Dou Forest, Yuhao had already possessed the strength to slay a Titled Douluo.
Now, after refining the Dragon God Claw and unlocking the Golden Dragon King's seal, his true power had reached an unfathomable level.
Even he himself could not fully measure it.
Di Tian did not doubt him in the slightest.
"Then I wish My Lord success."
Yuhao gave a slight nod. Golden dragon wings unfurled behind him, radiant and imposing.
With a single flap, he soared into the sky.
Di Tian remained where he stood, bowing respectfully until Yuhao's figure completely disappeared.
Even then, he did not move.
...
After leaving the Star Dou Forest, Yuhao initially intended to head toward Star Luo City.
There was someone there he wished to meet.
But after a moment of thought, he changed his mind.
"Forget it. Obtaining my fourth soul ring is more important."
Without hesitation, he accelerated, golden wings cutting through the air as he flew toward the Sunset Forest.
However, what Yuhao failed to notice…
Was that the moment he left the forest—
A hidden gaze had already locked onto him from the shadows.
If you want, I can also align it even more strictly with the original Douluo timeline (like fixing Ontology Sect timing, Rui Shou behavior, or Spirit system accuracy).
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