"Grandfather, the Holy War is about to begin," Huo Yuhao said as he soared through the skies with Kong Deming, using soul tool flight devices to travel back from Shrek City to Mingdu.
Kong Deming gently nodded, his aged face carrying an expression of anticipation. "Indeed. I never thought that within my lifetime, I would witness the day the continent would be renamed under the Sun-Moon Empire. All of this is thanks to you, Yuhao."
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly but said no more.
"Grandfather, do you think the Three Kingdoms of Douluo will accept Shrek Academy's persuasion to surrender? Without Shrek's support, they have virtually no chance of winning."
Kong Deming pondered for a moment, his gaze growing colder. "Hmph. Pain must be personally experienced to be understood. Whether they surrender or not, the ultimate victory will be ours."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Meanwhile, Wang Dong looked at Huo Yuhao with a complicated expression.
Since Huo Yuhao left the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy to travel to the Extreme North, she hadn't seen him once, instead studying under different instructors. She never thought their reunion would also be their farewell.
The Shrek Academy exchange students were gathered outside the Academy gates, ready to board the military trucks that would escort them out of the Sun-Moon Empire.
Xu Sanshi, known as He Caitou, gazed at the steel beasts - the green armored trucks - with eyes full of mixed emotions. Over the past year, he'd witnessed the rapid progress of the Sun-Moon Empire's soul tool technologies. As someone intimately familiar with such devices, he knew clearly: the Sun-Moon Empire was no longer an opponent that the Three Kingdoms could hope to resist.
Facing a bleak future, He Caitou and a few others had bowed to Huo Yuhao's pressure and sworn allegiance to Mingde Hall. The conversation from last night still echoed in his mind:
"Heh, Xu He, Shrek Academy has already signed a non-aggression pact with us. The Three Kingdoms have no chance. If you don't believe me, you'll see soon enough when you return."
"Xu He, Mingde Hall will need you in the future. Surely, you'd love to see Xu Tiannan dead. If so, pledge yourself to us honestly and faithfully."
In Huo Yuhao's eyes, Xu He - bearing both the royal bloodline of the Sun-Moon Empire and having been subjected to the Undead Servant spell, rendering him incapable of defying his will - was the perfect puppet emperor.
Ma Xiaotao stood nearby, arms crossed arrogantly, shooting a sideways glance at Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong with a conflicted gaze.
'He really did purge my Evil Fire.'
After absorbing the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow, Huo Yuhao had easily dispelled the Evil Fire within Ma Xiaotao upon returning to the Academy. With the enhanced power of his Ultimate Ice soul force, it had been effortless.
'Am I really about to leave him...?' Ma Xiaotao thought. Despite the Evil Fire being purged, within her heart, the fire named Huo Yuhao still burned uncontrollably. Under his influence, her mind and body had already been conquered in another, subtler way - just like Xu He.
"Teacher Fan Yu, I'm going to the restroom," Ma Xiaotao stammered, her face flushing red as she rushed away.
Huo Yuhao merely glanced at the trembling Ma Xiaotao struggling to maintain control, a faint cold smile curling his lips. He then turned to Wang Dong and said flatly:
"This is goodbye. You've done well learning soul tool knowledge these past few years. You should be able to stand on your own back in the Three Kingdoms."
Wang Dong lowered her head, feeling an overwhelming sadness. Was this really goodbye?
During the year without Huo Yuhao, she had sorted out her feelings. No longer did she resist that strange affection toward him; she chose to accept it quietly. Even if there was no future between them, just thinking this way made her feel better.
"Mhm."
"Once Ma Xiaotao returns, we should prepare to depart," Fan Yu's voice came from behind as he spoke to Jing Hongchen.
Fan Yu looked at the ever-smiling Jing Hongchen, his expression complicated. Compared to He Caitou, he could see even more clearly: today's Sun-Moon Empire soul tool technology had reached an overwhelming peak, especially with inventions like the sealed milk bottles. In just a few years, the exchange students and teachers had only skimmed the surface of what was available, and even that would take years to digest.
Just a few days ago, Fan Yu had received a classified message from Sea God's Pavilion: Shrek Academy would not resist the war against the Sun-Moon Empire. This decision came directly from Elder Mu En.
The Three Kingdoms were doomed.
Wang Dong was unaware of all this. Her mind was entirely occupied by thoughts of Huo Yuhao. She suddenly raised her head and looked at him with her large blue-purple eyes.
"Will I... have a chance to see you again?"
Huo Yuhao showed no expression, but internally, his heart trembled.
'Sister, not until Tang San is dealt with. Before that, I really don't want to meet you again.'
"Perhaps," he said simply.
But those short words made Wang Dong's eyes light up. She nodded gently.
"I will work on spreading civilian soul tools across the Three Kingdoms. Goodbye."
Turning around, she rejoined the departing exchange students.
Watching her back, Huo Yuhao sighed softly. Fate was truly unpredictable. If not for the existence of Tang San, he and Wang Dong might have had a future together.
After some time, the exchange students boarded the military trucks, and the rumble of soul engines sounded as the convoy departed the Academy.
"They're gone, Master," Huo Yuhao said, standing beside Jing Hongchen.
Jing Hongchen nodded slightly.
"Yes. Once they return, Shrek Academy's persuasion to the Three Kingdoms should begin."
Huo Yuhao clenched his fists tightly.
The day of revenge was drawing closer.
As for the Star Luo Empire, with his dear father Dai Hao serving as the Marshal, surrender seemed unlikely.
With Princess Tian'er and Lady Mu Xue of the Heavenly Soul Empire in their grasp, perhaps they could persuade the Heavenly Soul Empire to surrender, but it was not certain. Using those two to influence key battles in the future war would likely be more effective.
---
At Shrek Academy, inside the Sea God's Pavilion.
The moment the exchange students returned, the Pavilion convened an unprecedented, urgent and critical meeting.
Around the massive golden tree-formed table, some Elders sighed heavily, others wore expressions of rage and helplessness.
The atmosphere within the Pavilion was deathly silent and oppressively bleak.
(End of Chapter)
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