Upon hearing Xu Sanshi's words, Huo Yuhao's eyes turned a few shades colder, though his face still wore that punch-worthy smile.
Bei Bei's expression darkened as he stared intently at Huo Yuhao. At that moment, what he really wanted was an excuse to immediately report Huo Yuhao's presence in Shrek City to his great-grandfather, Mu En.
He knew well just how extraordinary Huo Yuhao's talent was. Despite only being a Soul Grandmaster back then, Huo Yuhao had demonstrated terrifying potential during the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Possessing the Ultimate Ice martial soul, this prodigy of the Sun Moon Empire posed a threat to the Shrek Academy and the entire Douluo Alliance. Someone like him—either had to be eliminated or brought over by force.
And now, Huo Yuhao had the audacity to appear in Shrek City? Still, Bei Bei wasn't foolish. He didn't make any rash moves. Who knew if Huo Yuhao had brought a Sun Moon Empire powerhouse with him? At the very least, this situation had to be reported to Elder Mu En.
"Sanshi, let's head back to the Academy," Bei Bei whispered via sound transmission.
Xu Sanshi, who shared a tight bond with Bei Bei, immediately understood what he meant.
"Hmph. Until we never meet again."
With those parting words, Bei Bei turned and walked away with Xu Sanshi, not sparing Huo Yuhao's group another glance.
Watching the two disappear into the distance, Meng Hongchen asked curiously,
"Why'd those two from Shrek Academy run off like that? This is their territory. I thought they'd at least try to cause me trouble."
"True. Hmph. Those two gave me no end of trouble back when I was in the Academy," Xiao Hongchen added with a frown.
Huo Yuhao narrowed his eyes slightly, also confused. 'Why flee so fast? If they hate me so much, why not at least exchange a few sarcastic barbs? It wouldn't cost them anything.'
Then he suddenly raised his eyebrows, as if something had just occurred to him.
"I'm guessing... those two probably went back to call for backup. Heh. I bet they're eager to let the elders in Sea God's Pavilion know that this Sun Moon Empire genius is wandering around inside Shrek City."
The Auspicious Beast widened her eyes.
"So they want to call in some Titled Douluo-level humans to arrest you? That's just shameless!"
Meng and Xiao Hongchen both frowned at first, but then their expressions relaxed. Shameless or not, what was there to fear? Even if a Titled Douluo from Shrek Academy came to pick a fight—did they forget that Snow Empress was standing right next to them?
"Hmph. Bei Bei... grandson of Sea God Pavilion's Master, Mu En, huh? I'd actually like to see whether my teacher Long Xiaoyao's old friend would really show up himself," Huo Yuhao thought calmly.
Of course, he knew the elders of Sea God's Pavilion weren't fools. Even if they didn't know about Snow Empress, they'd still suspect a powerful protector from the Sun Moon Empire was by his side. They wouldn't act recklessly. Still—if they did come, maybe he could bait them into revealing more.
"Anyway, don't worry about those irrelevant distractions. Let's just keep enjoying ourselves. As for whether anyone else comes looking for trouble... heh."
A cold smirk crept onto Huo Yuhao's lips.
---
Sea God's Pavilion
Mu En's normally calm and kind face showed rare surprise as he listened to his great-grandson Bei Bei's report.
"Huo Yuhao from the Sun Moon Empire... in Shrek City?"
Honestly, if Huo Yuhao had been a student at Shrek Academy, Mu En would've been thrilled. But unfortunately, the world had no "what ifs." This supremely gifted cultivator belonged to the enemy camp.
Seeing Mu En only stroking his beard with a surprised look, Bei Bei hesitated before speaking.
"Great-grandfather, I believe we can't let Huo Yuhao grow unchecked in the Sun Moon Empire. Don't you think... we should take this opportunity to capture him while he's here?"
His words were, frankly, a bit despicable—far from the righteous image he typically upheld. But for Bei Bei, the future of the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy mattered more than hollow ideals. He also had personal grudges involved. Without them, he wouldn't have suggested such a thing.
Mu En fell silent.
While Bei Bei's suggestion clearly violated the moral uprightness expected from a Light Holy Dragon martial soul bearer, Mu En could understand it—perhaps even agree. A genius who threatened Shrek Academy, who had killed their students... why shouldn't they try to capture him?
But still, Mu En shook his head.
"Bei Bei, remember this: harboring such dark thoughts can interfere with your cultivation of the Light Holy Dragon. I know Tang Ya's disappearance weighs heavily on your heart, and I promise, I'll do all I can to find her."
He sighed.
"But you're not wrong. Still, the Sun Moon Empire isn't full of fools. That Huo Yuhao definitely has a top-level powerhouse protecting him. And don't forget, we still have exchange students in the Sun Moon Empire. Taking action against him would be... unwise."
Bei Bei's face flushed with guilt.
"Yes, Great-grandfather. I promise I won't entertain such thoughts again. And you're right—it's not appropriate. But with your strength... do we really need to worry? This is our home turf."
Mu En shook his head.
"That's where you're mistaken, Bei Bei. The Sun Moon Empire... does have Limit Douluo."
Bei Bei's pupils contracted.
'A Limit Douluo!?'
If someone of that level really was guarding Huo Yuhao, even Mu En in his current state shouldn't act rashly.
"Still, since he's here in Shrek City, there's no reason I shouldn't probe a little. Leave this to me, Bei Bei. I'll handle it."
"Understood, Great-grandfather."
After Bei Bei respectfully took his leave, Mu En stared out into the distance and let out a long sigh.
"Xiao Tao... I wonder how you're doing. I hope the Sun Moon Empire's Royal Soul Engineer Academy is upholding their promise and helping purge the evil fire within you."
Once a cultivator reached the peak—Limit Douluo—their senses toward fate grew more refined. And lately, Mu En had been feeling a heavy weight pressing down on his heart, making it hard to breathe. An unease he couldn't quite shake.
"The future..."
He muttered quietly.
Though he didn't want to believe it, Mu En couldn't help but feel it—Shrek Academy, and perhaps all of the Douluo Alliance, was walking deeper and deeper into darkness.
(End of Chapter)
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