"Teacher told me… he's found the opportunity to break through.
But what's holding him back isn't comprehension—it's his blood vitality and physical condition."
As they entered the city, Xiao Changfeng led Xu Tianxi and Elder Yue on a slow stroll through the back garden of the Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce Headquarters, explaining Xu Xiaoyun's current state with a solemn weight in his voice.
"Titled Douluo live long lives, yes…
But even someone like my teacher, a Rank 98 Super Douluo, will experience decline in blood essence and bodily functions.
The older one gets, the harder it becomes to take that final step."
"Records show that most Limit Douluo break through before age 200—many even before 150.
Super Douluo above 200 aren't without hope, but the preparation required is immense. Every step must be cautious."
"Teacher is already over 240 years old. He'll need at least three to five years of careful nurturing and recuperation to make his breakthrough attempt more likely.
But if he succeeds, he'll gain another century of life—and truly stand above all others."
Xu Tianxi observed the surrounding garden, mind quietly turning over these revelations. After a moment, he asked:
"Then, Senior Uncle… is there anything we can do to help Master Ancestor?"
At present, the world had only three known Limit Douluo.
Mu En was nearing his natural end.
Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui remained at their peak—both ultimately aligned with the Holy Spirit Cult.
If Xu Tianxi ever ended up in the Sun Moon Empire, he would almost certainly encounter the Holy Spirit Cult and its depravity. He had no ties to Mu En—there was no "blessing of Shrek's incense" to protect him.
Kong Deming, in theory, could offer some protection. But that was mere theory. For now, everything was uncertain. The only real, tangible hope was for Xu Xiaoyun to break through to Limit Douluo.
Xiao Changfeng glanced at Xu Tianxi, a flash of approval in his eyes. He gently shook his head.
"Unless we find a peerless natural treasure, there's nothing we can do.
At their level, even a 100,000-year soul ring or soul bone holds limited value."
"According to Teacher, the current Sect Master of the Body Sect possesses more soul rings and bones than he does—yet has been stuck at Rank 99 for over a hundred years."
"I haven't reached their level yet, but I can faintly sense the difficulty. After entering the Super Douluo realm, every single level becomes incredibly arduous."
They passed a turtle-shaped rock garden. Xu Tianxi raised his brows and smiled lightly.
"Senior Uncle, you're being modest. Master Ancestor always speaks of you with great pride—he holds you in high esteem.
My insight may be limited, but even I can tell: you're stronger than Shrek Academy's current Dean."
Indeed, for Xu Xiaoyun to praise someone so often, Xiao Changfeng had to be exceptionally gifted.
At just under 60 years of age, Xiao Changfeng had already reached Rank 96 Super Douluo. So long as he didn't stagnate like Yan Shaozhe, he had a real chance of reaching Rank 98 before 100.
The famed Holy Dragon Duo and many other Limit Douluo had begun at just such a starting point.
Under the pavilion, Xiao Changfeng chuckled, but then his eyes grew cold. With a wave of his sleeve, he spoke frostily:
"There's no need to speak of that hypocrite Yan Shaozhe.
Back when I went to pay respects at your mother's funeral, I was delayed. Otherwise, your Master wouldn't have needed to act. I would've tested his so-called strength myself."
"Shrek Academy relies on their power and prestige to bully our Xuanming Sect.
But I want to see—with Dragon God Douluo Mu En gone, what will they rely on to maintain their 'supreme status' on the continent?"
As his voice fell, the temperature across the garden dropped sharply.
A pure, chilling aura radiated from Xiao Changfeng's sleeves, biting deep into the bones.
Xu Tianxi quickly retrieved a thick coat from his storage ring, slipping it on to resist the cold. He rubbed his hands and asked:
"Senior Uncle… you're not thinking of attacking Shrek after Mu En passes, are you?"
"Of course not. Even if I went, I couldn't kill anyone."
"The Beast Tide a century ago failed to destroy Shrek City. I certainly couldn't.
Nor would I drag the Xuanming Sect into such a catastrophe."
Xiao Changfeng shook his head. A faint, mysterious smile appeared on his lips.
"The only force capable of destroying Shrek… is the Sun Moon Empire's military."
"We can't make a move—but you can.
Go to the Sun Moon Empire to cultivate.
When the time is right, lead their army back to the Three Kingdoms to avenge your mother.
We'll support you from the shadows. Do you understand?"
He understood.
Defection.
Xu Tianxi's pupils constricted. His heart was full of shock.
So he wasn't the only one in the Xuanming Sect with thoughts of siding with the Sun Moon Empire.
He'd suspected as much—especially given how Xu Xiaoyun had Elder Yue teach him soul engineer techniques. But now it was confirmed: both Xu Xiaoyun and Xiao Changfeng—key figures in the Xuanming Sect—had already begun laying plans to abandon the Three Kingdoms of the Douluo Continent.
And their actions weren't limited to hints.
They had chosen him, Xu Tianxi—their top genius and future strongest cultivator—to train in the Sun Moon Empire.
Given his monstrous talent, this wasn't just a side bet.
This was a full investment.
Xiao Changfeng observed Xu Tianxi's shifting expression and smiled inwardly at his intelligence. He said warmly:
"You're from the Heaven Soul Empire, so I understand if this is hard to accept.
But let me tell you this—your mother wasn't from the Three Kingdoms at all.
She was born in the Sun Moon Empire. And not just that—she was of royal blood."
Xu Tianxi's brow twitched. He wasn't entirely shocked.
"Sun" and "Moon"—as the name implied—the royal family of the Sun Moon Empire had martial souls tied to solar and lunar elements. Sometimes even the rare Purple Radiance Annihilation Dragon.
Their greatest soul master, Kong Deming, held the title Silvermoon Douluo.
His mother's martial soul was Tidal Frost Moon—a perfect thematic fit.
He had long suspected.
Seeing Xu Tianxi's calm reaction, Xiao Changfeng gave a slight nod and continued:
"Your mother came from a cadet branch of the royal family.
Her lineage had served in the military for generations. They were a core pillar of strength for the Sun Moon royal house."
"Your maternal grandfather served in the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Legion, the strongest military force in the empire, second to none.
He was a talented Grade-7 soul engineer, known as a leader among the younger generation."
"You've heard of that legion, haven't you?"
"Of course." Xu Tianxi nodded.
"It's the direct military arm of the emperor himself—stationed in Mingdu, charged with defending the capital and the emperor. Every member is a five-ring or higher soul engineer."
"Exactly." Xiao Changfeng nodded.
"Your great-grandfather, your mother's grandfather, once served as commander of the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion—one of the Four Guardian Hands.
He was a Grade-9 soul engineer, revered by thousands. Their family stood at the apex of the empire."
"Until they were exiled."
Xu Tianxi's eyes glazed for a moment.
If that family truly had such deep roots in the military and royal interests,
How could they be exiled so easily?
Did they betray the empire? Commit treason?
He asked the question—but Xiao Changfeng simply sneered.
"They never betrayed the empire. In fact, they were among its most loyal defenders.
The real traitor was the previous emperor—the one murdered in a coup. That dog deserved what he got."
At this, Elder Yue, who had been silent until now, furrowed his brows.
His face darkened with suppressed hatred.
"Your Grace," he said softly,
"Allow me to explain the rest."
Xiao Changfeng gave him a nod.
"Thank you, Your Grace."
Elder Yue's eyes turned red. His voice trembled.
"Young Master, ever since the two continents collided four thousand years ago, there's never been peace between the Sun Moon Empire and the Heaven Soul and Star Luo Empires."
"Tensions flared often—especially with the Star Luo Empire.
Years ago, the current White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao, launched a brutal assault against our border—just to earn military merit."
"He led the White Tiger lineage's troops and broke three defensive passes.
They slaughtered civilians and executed captured officers, hanging their heads on poles to boast."
"When news reached Mingdu, the entire military was enraged.
Your grandfather and many other rising generals submitted a blood-signed petition, begging to counterattack and avenge our dead."
"But that dog emperor—may he rot in hell—said we should 'prioritize peace' and 'think of the bigger picture.' Nonsense!"
"Your grandfather and his comrades knelt for days at the palace gates.
That beast of a ruler didn't just ignore them—he stripped them of their ranks!"
"When the news got out, the whole country was in an uproar.
The military resisted. Tensions escalated."
"In the end… your entire maternal line was exiled.
Your great-grandfather collapsed in a fit of rage and died at the palace gates.
Several other Grade-8 soul engineers died similarly."
"We were sent to a remote island.
Your grandfather died soon after—killed by a sea soul beast.
Only your mother and a few loyal retainers like us remained…"
Elder Yue was in tears by now, choking on emotion.
"Thankfully…
One day, while hunting soul beasts for your mother's soul ring,
We met Master Xu Xiaoyun—he was fishing offshore, drawn in by the smell of her grilled fish."
"He ate, then helped her kill a soul beast.
They spoke of her past."
"Upon learning the truth, Master Xu took us from that island, made your mother his disciple, and trained her with all his heart.
He later sent her to Shrek Academy."
"In the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament, held in Mingdu itself,
She crushed every Sun Moon team—right in front of that bastard emperor's face!"
"It's just a pity…
That dog emperor died too easily—killed in a palace coup by his own brother."
"That damn mutt got off light…"
Xu Tianxi's eyes narrowed slightly. He took a slow breath.
"Well, that explains it.
That dog emperor really did dig his own grave."