Shrek Academy.
Sea God Pavilion.
Although it was silent, a repressed fury was spreading in everyone's hearts. Even though the Sun-Moon Empire was still desperately trying to deny and cover up the news of Su Wen's disappearance, Fan Yu had already delivered the confirmed news of Su Wen's death.
They had fallen into a trap set by Mingde Hall.
It was rumored that several elite Sun-Moon Empire soul engineer legions, and even Ye Yushui herself, had acted. Beneath that stretch of sea, an abyssal crater had appeared.
"Elder Mu, what are we waiting for? Let's kill those little bastards Xiao Hongchen and Ma Rulong, then unite with the other three nations and launch a second continental war. Do they really think Shrek is a pushover?!" An elder slammed the table, his eyes blazing with anger.
They had finally found an unparalleled successor, only for him to be lured and killed by the Sun-Moon Empire at their stronghold. They could even imagine Su Wen's despair as he faced the enemy's densely packed legions alone. The stability that Shrek Academy had enjoyed for at least two hundred years—poof—gone!
None of the remaining successors could shoulder the responsibility, especially with the situation so precarious.
Among the younger generation, Ma Xiaotao was hot-tempered and impulsive, Bei Bei was calmer but too weak, and the only one truly capable was Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan.
But with such a dazzling predecessor, even Zhang Lexuan would find it hard to reach the rank of Ultimate Douluo in the future. Moreover, she had only just entered the Title Douluo realm. It would take her a long time to reach the level necessary to take the lead...
In contrast, Su Wen seemed especially precious.
Heaven bless Shrek.
This was also why Su Wen could repeatedly make "arrogant" statements and still receive the steadfast support of the elders. There was no helping it—in this world, weakness is a sin, and strength makes the world yield to you.
Not to mention, Su Wen had a steady personality. His leadership during the Continental Soul Master Academy Tournament had already revealed his natural talent as a leader.
"What about the exchange students from the academy in the Sun-Moon Empire?" Mu En asked softly in reply.
"This... sigh!" That elder gritted his teeth and turned his head.
The meaning was clear.
Su Wen alone was more important than the other nine. Even if they had to abandon those nine now, it was worth it. This continent was just that cruel. Since the other side struck first, they couldn't let themselves be held back by those nine people, could they?
"I do have a question," Mu En said with a smile.
"How did Fan Yu get such precise information, especially with the Sun-Moon Empire guarding that area so strictly now?"
"This..." Elder Lin's eyes narrowed, a trace of deliberation flashing by. "You suspect Fan Yu?"
"Not suspecting, but just a few days ago, the academy discovered Zhou Yi was missing. From the interrogation of the disguised Soul King, we traced the disappearance to about three months ago—right when they set out."
"This was a premeditated escape."
"Of course, it could just be a coincidence." Mu En smiled, looking around at the confused crowd. "But at the very least, it makes Fan Yu's message... intriguing."
"Read Fan Yu's letter again," Mu En waved his hand.
"Yes." Yan Shaozhe quickly stepped forward and read the secret letter aloud once more.
This time, all the elders fell silent. They all noticed something off. The entire letter's tone was heroic and impassioned. Fan Yu expressed his willingness to die for the Academy and urged them not to worry about the exchange students, even encouraging war.
But as for how he obtained the "truthful information," it was glossed over in a single vague sentence.
"Could this letter be Fan Yu trying to stir up trouble between the Sun-Moon Empire and Shrek Academy?" Elder Zhuang pondered.
"No, I doubt he'd have the guts for that. If I'm not mistaken, this letter was dictated by the Sun-Moon Empire," Mu En said leisurely.
"The Sun-Moon Empire?!" Everyone was stunned.
"But the ten elite students from the Sun-Moon Empire are all in our hands, including the grandson of Mingde Hall's head, Jing Hongchen. Why would they provoke us?"
"Look closely—are any of those ten from the royal family?" Mu En asked with a smile.
"This..." Elder Lin suddenly realized, his brow furrowing deeply.
"No wonder. By this logic, Jing Hongchen has long been in danger himself. After all, the Sun-Moon Empire is ruled by the Xu family; Mingde Hall is just a tool. The so-called Hall Master is nothing more than a loyal dog."
"We should have exchanged for a Sun-Moon royal!" Elder Song said angrily.
"We overlooked this. The Sun-Moon Empire always sent Mingde Hall's head to negotiate, probably to downplay the royal family's presence and inflate Jing Hongchen's importance to us. But in reality..."
"Yes." Mu En gently tapped the arm of his golden wooden chair, his voice full of emotion.
"If we really killed Xiao Hongchen, it might push Jing Hongchen to rebel. A rank-nine soul engineer, so close to becoming a Super Douluo, would be a nightmare for the Sun-Moon royal family if he turned against them. Especially as the long-standing head of Mingde Hall—if he caused trouble in Mingdu, the damage would be far greater than anything we outsiders could do. So, it's better for them to use rebellion as a pretext to eliminate him."
"Second, they've probably long been eager for war. If we start it, they turn from the original aggressors (Su Wen's disappearance) into victims. Military morale soars, and they gain the upper hand morally."
"...That Xu brat from the Sun-Moon Empire is truly sinister!!" Xuan Zi finally squeezed out.
Everyone fell silent.
"But Elder Mu, Xiao Wen really is dead..." Yan Shaozhe bit his lip. "Aren't we going to avenge him?!"
"Yes, Elder Mu! How can we swallow this?!"
"..." The elders were once again seething.
"Who said Su Wen is dead?"
Mu En chuckled.
"Elders, long time no see..."
Su Wen's figure appeared in the conference hall. His handsome, spirited face and tall figure made the elders freeze for a moment.
"You brat aren't dead?!" Xuan Zi jumped over and pinched Su Wen's face, incredulous. "How did you survive Ye Yushui's attack? Or was Fan Yu just making it up and the Sun-Moon Empire never surrounded you?"
"She couldn't kill me." Su Wen brushed Xuan Zi's hand away.
"Yeah right..." Xuan Zi pouted. Ye Yushui was an Ultimate Douluo, one of the continent's top powers. Even he wouldn't stand a chance against her.
"You can't, but Xiao Wen can."
Mu En smiled kindly.
But his words were astonishing.
The elders' expressions changed from gentle smiles to disbelief, confusion, and eventually shock—Mu En didn't sound like he was joking at all...
"Elder Mu, what do you mean?" Xuan Zi looked dazed.
"He really did escape from Ye Yushui's hands, Xuan Zi. You have to admit, Xiao Wen could easily defeat you now..." Mu En said with a smile.
…