Inside the private room, four figures were already waiting: Chang Li, Jinhsi, Keqing, and Ningguang.
While Lu Jingming was the nominal City Lord of Haiyuan City, the core responsibilities for daily operations, strategic planning, and handling various affairs lay with these four exceptionally capable women.
The arrival of Wu Ming and the remnants of Shrek Academy, and their meeting with Zhang Lexuan, were naturally known to them immediately.
Seeing Zhang Lexuan enter, Keqing was the first to speak. Her delicate eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and her fingertip lightly tapped the table, expressing her concern:
"Lexuan, we are aware of the situation. While taking in these students and helping to rebuild Shrek Academy will indeed allow us to quickly absorb its reputation and legacy, Shrek Academy has a ten-thousand-year heritage. Its internal concepts are deeply ingrained, and its ideology has long been solidified, placing extreme importance on so-called independence and glory."
"I worry that even with our help in the reconstruction, getting them to genuinely integrate into Haiyuan City's system, to forget or let go of their past glory and obstinacy, will be far from easy. Future complications are inevitable."
Her concern stemmed from her understanding of the inertia of old powers; those who prepare are successful, those who don't are defeated.
Before Zhang Lexuan could reply, Ningguang slowly walked up to the massive floor-to-ceiling window. Her gaze seemed to pierce through the building, accurately landing in the direction of Xiao Xiao, Wu Ming, and the others.
She wore a faint smile of worldly insight on her lips, her voice pleasant and composed:
"Keqing's concern is reasonable. In the past, facing a complete Shrek Academy, this would indeed be an almost impossible task. But now, times have changed."
She paused, then continued.
"The crux of the matter is not the abstract concept of Shrek Academy, but who specifically represents it."
"Currently, the fate of the older generation powerhouses like Xuan Zi is unknown, and pillars like Yan Shaozhe have fallen in battle. What remains is only a group of young people who have suddenly lost their support, whose homes are destroyed, whose teachers and elders are gone, and who are filled with confusion and helplessness about the future."
"Their hierarchy of needs is currently very basic—survival, safety, and a place where they can anchor the name of Shrek."
Chang Li, leaning lazily on a comfortable couch, let out a soft laugh upon hearing this, chiming in:
"Ningguang is right. A group of students, the oldest barely over twenty, most of whom only had to focus on cultivation before, no matter how gifted, how much do they truly understand about controlling people's minds, managing influence, or long-term planning?"
"What they need most now is a life raft, a guidance that can lead them out of their predicament, and we happen to be able to provide all of that."
Her tone carried a composure based on the disparity in strength, which was not contempt but a sober realization.
Jinhsi's gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on Zhang Lexuan. Her voice was clear and melodious.
"There is no need to worry excessively. Shrek Academy's glory is a thing of the past. In the future, it will, just like St. Freya Academy, become one of the Soul Master Academies under Haiyuan City, cultivating talent for us and contributing its due value."
"Even in its heyday, Haiyuan City's current accumulated strength and foundation would be sufficient to handle it, let alone in the current circumstances."
She paused, her tone sharpening slightly.
"If we can't even integrate a team that has lost its anchor and guide a group of lost youngsters, wouldn't we appear too incompetent? And how could we be worthy of A-Ming's trust to guard and expand this city?"
Jinhsi's words caused Ningguang, Keqing, and the others to focus their expressions. Since Lu Jingming trusted them so much and fully handed over the military and political power to them, they could not possibly betray that trust.
Although they all knew this was due to Lu Jingming's personality—he preferred to be a hands-off boss—it did not stop them from reciprocating this trust.
Jinhsi's statement also represented the consensus of the core decision-makers present.
This was not just an opportunity to absorb external resources, but also a test of their own capabilities and strategies.
Zhang Lexuan nodded slightly after hearing her sisters' remarks, a flash of insight in her eyes.
The upcoming work was not merely about providing venues and resources. It also required subtly guiding Wu Ming and the others, ensuring the nascent Shrek carried the imprint of Haiyuan City from its very inception.
This was a delicate operation, requiring patience, wisdom, and an appropriate display of power.
"Alright, the reconstruction of Shrek Academy is tentatively decided. Subsequent details can be followed up by those below."
Chang Li gently tapped the smooth tabletop, drawing everyone's attention back. Her voice was steady, tinged with gravity.
"Next, we must seriously discuss the pressing threat—the movements of the Sun Moon Empire."
The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted from internal integration discussions to external strategic assessment.
Everyone knew that peace on the continent was hanging by a thread.
"The specific situation has been largely grasped through the Simulated Universe and various intelligence networks," Chang Li continued, her fingertip unconsciously tracing lines on the tabletop.
"Although the Holy Grail War in Ming Dou unexpectedly ended due to the opening of the space-time channel, the consequences are far from settled. Most crucially, not all participating Servants have withdrawn, especially the two Great Lords of the Annihilation Gang, who still remain entrenched in the Sun Moon Empire."
"Although the Anti-Matter Legion under their command suffered catastrophic losses in the final earth-shattering explosion, with barely one in ten surviving, the remaining power is still considerable. More importantly, the foundational Soul Tool technology and military depth of the Sun Moon Empire itself were not fundamentally damaged by Ming Dou's destruction."
Keqing stood by the window with her arms crossed, a calm light flickering in her purple eyes. Her signature twin tails swayed gently with her slight head shake.
"Xu Tianran's manipulation of public opinion was indeed vicious. He perfectly shifted the bloody hatred for Ming Dou's destruction onto Shrek Academy and the three empires."
"Currently, the calls for revenge within the Sun Moon Empire have become a raging fire. Even if there are a few clear-headed individuals domestically, their voices are minuscule amidst the country's indignation and the torrent of ignorance regarding the truth. They are forced to follow the current."
Zhang Lexuan sighed, a hint of helplessness on her face.
"Even if someone knew part of the inside story, no one would believe them if they spoke out. Who would believe that the symbol of the empire's glory, Ming Dou, was destroyed because of actions initiated by the empire's own high-ranking officials? Such a truth is too preposterous."
Ningguang nodded in agreement. She slowly walked to the wine cabinet, poured herself a small glass of amber liquid, and her eyes deepened.
"Exactly. The truth is meaningless at this moment. The Sun Moon Empire's propaganda machine has firmly occupied the moral high ground, or rather, the high ground of tragedy."
"The empire's populace has been completely enraged by the massive losses and official guidance. Talk of war and revenge fills every city, every corner. In this collective emotional state, the space for rational thought has been compressed to a minimum."
Jinhsi's gaze shifted from the group, once again looking out the window.
The lingering sunset stained the sky orange-red, yet it carried the oppressiveness of a looming storm.
Her voice was soft, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
"Overall, a full-scale war is inevitable. However, the outbreak of war will not happen overnight. I believe the time frame might be delayed by one to two years."
"I agree with Jinhsi's assessment," Chang Li took over, analyzing rationally.
"The primary reason is reconstruction. Rebuilding a completely destroyed capital, especially one the size of Ming Dou, is no easy feat. Even with the Sun Moon Empire's top-tier Soul Tool technology and mobilization of massive resources, it will take at least a year to accomplish, even if they choose to convert the current New Ming Dou into the capital."
"Secondly, Xu Tianran has just ascended the throne. While his position is stable, internal factions within the empire still require time for integration and appeasement, and for him to consolidate power completely. All of this requires time."
Keqing walked to the center of the room, and a map of the Douluo Continent, composed of projected light, appeared.
Pointing at the clear demarcation of forces on the map, she calmly stated the results of the Simulated Universe's big data analysis:
"Once internal integration and war preparations are complete, the direction of the Sun Moon Empire's military thrust is virtually predictable. Based on our comparative analysis of both sides' strength—including conventional military power, number of Soul Masters, and high-end combat power—the conclusion is that without significant external variables intervening, the three-nation alliance of the original Douluo Continent will find it extremely difficult to withstand the full-force attack of the Sun Moon Empire."
Ningguang gently swirled the wine glass in her hand, interjecting, her voice carrying a sense of melancholy:
"Big data simulated several possible invasion routes. The highest probability scenario is that the Sun Moon Empire will concentrate superior forces, using the Heaven Dou Empire as the primary breakthrough point. Once they tear open the Heaven Dou Empire's defenses, they can drive deep, directly threatening the Star Luo Empire's heartland, and strategically flanking the Dou Spirit Empire. The Heaven Dou Empire will become the embankment that first bears the brunt of this storm."
"War..."
Jinhsi sighed faintly, a hint of distress passing through her eyes.
"Many people are going to die, after all."
But she quickly reined in her emotions, knowing this was an inevitable process of continental grievances erupting and the changing of power, a great trend that human effort could hardly reverse.
The Simulated Universe's deduction also showed that only through this period of pain would the continent usher in a new order and glory.
Keqing brought the topic back to reality.
"Therefore, our Haiyuan City must also plan ahead. The Fatui, the Night Watch, the Golden Guards, and the Molten Knights need a new round of expansion and training to cope with the upcoming war. After all, we are all clear on what A-Ming intends to do."
"The expansion plan can be launched immediately. Overall, time is on our side," Chang Li nodded and said.
"With Haiyuan City's current strength and resources, there is ample time to complete the expansion and form combat readiness. Even with the current military strength, it is enough to ensure A-Ming's plan can proceed."
Mentioning the Molten Knights, Chang Li showed a helpless, wry smile.
"However, the expansion of the Molten Knights might encounter a slight problem. That girl, Firefly, ran off with A-Ming to that parallel world. She is the soul and core of the Knights. Without her personally overseeing, the Molten Knights should not be expanded."
Her tone contained a touch of resignation towards Lu Jingming's indulgence of Firefly, yet also a barely noticeable hint of affection.
"A-Ming, too. He knew the Molten Knights couldn't function without her, yet he still let her follow him. Thankfully, the current size of the Molten Knights is enough to handle potential battles at this stage."
Upon hearing this, Keqing couldn't help but roll her eyes, then added:
"When has he not been like this with us? No matter how detailed the plan, no matter how grand the blueprint, if we think it's inappropriate, or if we just pout a little, he can change or even overturn it without hesitation. Sometimes I truly don't know whether to call him too lacking in principle, or..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was self-evident: Lu Jingming's regard for the people around him had already transcended ordinary boundaries.
Jinhsi, Ningguang, and the others exchanged glances, warm smiles unconsciously blooming on their lips.
Hadn't they, too, gradually let down their guard precisely because of Lu Jingming's almost obsessive cherish, finally willing to gather around him?
Even knowing that his heart held more than one person, this unique, highest-priority level of care and respect was enough for them to choose to accept each other and collectively build this special home that was Haiyuan City.
Deep within Haiyuan City, Big Herta's private laboratory.
The scene here was drastically different from the mainstream Soul Tool technology style of the Douluo Continent. The minimalist, cool-toned metal walls had a matte finish. Countless intricately shaped, precise instruments operated silently as if they possessed life, their indicator lights blinking regularly in faint blue or light green, creating a futuristic tableau.
The air was filled with the fresh scent of specialized energy fluids and the faint smell of highly effective disinfectant, highlighting the pursuit of cleanliness and precision in this place.
In the core position of the laboratory stood a massive cylindrical transparent cultivation pod. Light green life-sustaining fluid, like the finest jade solution, flowed slowly within.
Shangguan Wei'er, her eyes tightly closed, was suspended inside, her beautiful face slightly contorted in pain.
A dark purple, crack-like brand pulsed faintly on her brow, constantly radiating a heart-stopping aura of Destruction aimed at ending all things.
Herta herself stood in front of the cultivation pod with her arms crossed.
She was wearing her signature, exquisite dress with its mysterious witch style, forming a strong yet surprisingly harmonious visual contrast with the extremely rational high-tech environment surrounding her.
There were no obvious emotional fluctuations on her face, only the focused and critical attitude of a top connoisseur examining a peculiar exhibit.
"So, this is the imprint Phantylia left?"
Herta's voice carried a hint of almost imperceptible interest, as if she had discovered a new toy, but it was predominantly a condescending tone of judgment.
"The energy structure is somewhat interesting, filled with pure intent for destruction. It doesn't follow the conventional path of damage, instead directly targeting the life source and soul imprint for erosion and conversion... Hmm, it's a somewhat creative way to wreak havoc."
Her evaluation was calm to the point of being cold, as if Shangguan Wei'er's life and death were not the primary concern, but the phenomenon of the Destruction imprint on her body itself was the only thing worth observing.
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