Within the Moon South Marquis' estate, in the reception hall.
Elder Song had been respectfully seated at the highest seat arranged by Yin Zhengqi, who sat just below her. Zhu Ziyang and Zhang Lexuan stood behind Elder Song.
"Senior, may I ask your name?" Yin Zhengqi asked respectfully.
"I'm surnamed Song. My title is Divine Eagle," Elder Song replied with a kind smile. Since they were here to seek cooperation, not stir up trouble, there was no need to act haughty.
"Then I'll boldly address you as Elder Song!" Yin Zhengqi relaxed a little upon seeing her friendly demeanor. At least this Divine Eagle Douluo wasn't here to cause problems. Although the Moon South Archipelago was remote, Yin Zhengqi had never heard of Divine Eagle Douluo and was curious. "Elder Song, may I ask the reason for your visit?"
"No need for formality, Marquis," Elder Song said with a chuckle. "I've come on behalf of Shrek Academy."
"Shrek Academy!" Yin Zhengqi's expression shifted to one of shock. Though the archipelago was remote, even he had heard of the famous Shrek Academy. In his youth, he had even dreamed of visiting it. Now he was puzzled—what could connect the Yin Clan and Shrek Academy? What were they here for?
"I'm here to discuss a matter that concerns the future of your clan," said Elder Song with a warm smile.
"I'm all ears, please explain!" Yin Zhengqi was more confused than ever.
"The imperial Moon lineage's surviving descendants," Elder Song said simply.
The moment the words left her mouth, Yin Zhengqi's expression darkened.
"Senior, what about them?" He recalled a reckless side branch from the Moon lineage who had once contacted Shrek Academy behind his father's back. Could that be the reason for their visit? But that was fifty years ago—surely that guy had been fed to the fishes by now.
"You need not be so tense," Elder Song said casually. "We at Shrek Academy are well aware of the Yin Clan's connection to the Moon lineage. After the Moon Devouring Palace coup, I'm sure your clan suffered as well. I don't believe your loyalty to the current ruling Sun lineage is wholehearted. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be openly sheltering the Moon lineage's remnants."
"Senior, this matter has nothing to do with your academy," Yin Zhengqi responded darkly. Even though she was a Title Douluo, he was clearly displeased that she was discussing such sensitive topics. "If Shrek Academy intends to use this as a way to subvert our Sun Moon Empire, you're wasting your time. Though we resent the Sun lineage's rule, the Yin Clan would never betray the Empire."
"Marquis, you underestimate Shrek Academy. If we ever intend to confront the Sun Moon Empire, it will be with open strength, not underhanded tricks," Elder Song said firmly. "Your loyalty is admirable. But are you truly willing to be wiped out by the Sun lineage? You've sheltered the Moon lineage's remnants—was that not in hopes of restoring them to the throne someday?"
"Uh..." Yin Zhengqi was momentarily speechless. She had hit the mark. That was indeed the Yin Clan's long-standing goal for generations. He could only snort coldly and say, "That is our internal matter. It's none of your concern!"
"And does the Yin Clan still have the strength for that?" Zhang Lexuan, standing behind Elder Song, sneered. Ever since they decided to carry out the Empress Project, she had been studying up on the Dou Spirit Empire's history and the Yin Clan's current state. "Do you even have a hundred members left? How many Title Douluo do you still have? And those Moon lineage remnants you're hiding—are they even qualified to claim the throne?"
"You... how insolent!" Yin Zhengqi was infuriated by her words. His pressure as a Soul Douluo surged toward her.
But neither Elder Song nor Zhang Lexuan flinched. Lexuan unleashed her own Soul Douluo pressure, effortlessly crushing his aura.
Yin Zhengqi stumbled back two or three steps, staring at her in disbelief. His tone turned bitter. "Soul Douluo... as expected of Shrek Academy."
He hadn't expected this young woman, who looked barely twenty, to also be a Soul Douluo—and stronger than him at that. He felt utterly defeated, like his seventy years of life had been lived in vain.
"Lexuan, mind your manners," Elder Song said with mock sternness, then turned to Yin Zhengqi and continued, "Marquis, your clan wants to see the Moon lineage restored to the throne. So do we. Why not work together? You have the name. We have the power. It's a win-win situation."
"And the imperial court ends up as Shrek Academy's puppet?" Yin Zhengqi sneered. "If that's not underhanded, what is?"
"We only want to reclaim what belongs to the Moon lineage!" Zhang Lexuan said coldly.
"Reclaim what belongs to them?" Yin Zhengqi narrowed his eyes at her, then turned back to Elder Song. "Senior, you should leave. The Yin Clan will not cooperate with you. In my view, working with you is no different than dancing with tigers. Better to be purged by the Xu Clan than to be cursed as traitors by history."
"I know what concerns you," Elder Song said calmly. "On behalf of Shrek Academy, I can guarantee—we have no intention of controlling the imperial family. Our only aim is to help the Moon lineage reclaim their rightful place."
"And what benefit is that to Shrek Academy?" Yin Zhengqi asked. "I don't believe your academy would do something without profit."
"Heh." Elder Song smiled, then gently pulled Zhang Lexuan forward. "We're doing this... for this child."
"Her?" Yin Zhengqi was confused. He looked at Zhang Lexuan, not understanding what Elder Song meant.
Zhang Lexuan didn't speak. Instead, she chose to let her actions speak. A brilliant silver full moon rose behind her, accompanied by eight soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, red. A delicate crescent-shaped soul mark formed on her brow, exuding silver brilliance and divine grace.
She had once thought the soul mark was just an ordinary one. But after learning the history of the Moon and Sun lineages, she realized—it was the symbol of the imperial Moon bloodline.
"This... this..." Yin Zhengqi was speechless. Her red soul ring startled him, but the moon martial soul and that soul mark shook him to his core.
"As you can see, I am a direct descendant of the Moon lineage," Zhang Lexuan declared with a hint of pride.
"A true Moon martial soul!" Yin Zhengqi was dumbfounded. His hands trembled, and a silver crescent moon blade appeared in his hand, accompanied by eight soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black. This was his martial soul, the Silver Moon Crescent Blade—the most common martial soul among the Yin Clan.
Feeling his martial soul tremble joyfully in response to Zhang Lexuan's presence, he was now certain—this girl was a true direct descendant of the Moon lineage, unseen for over a century.
"Which branch of the Moon lineage do you descend from?" a hoarse, hunched old woman suddenly appeared in the room, grabbing Zhang Lexuan's hand with excitement.
Her sudden appearance caused Elder Song's expression to shift slightly, though she didn't move—clearly, she had already sensed this woman. Zhu Ziyang, on the other hand, eyed the old woman with great interest. Judging by her presence, she was clearly a Title Douluo.
Shrek Academy didn't know much about the Yin Clan in the Moon South Archipelago. Apart from each generation's clan leader, only high-level combatants were on their radar. Yet according to their intel, the Yin Clan currently had no Title Douluo. This woman's appearance either meant their intel was flawed—or she was not a Yin Clan member.
Of course, it could also be the Yin Clan's hidden trump card. After all, a clan with ten thousand years of history would surely have some hidden strength.
When Yin Zhengqi saw the old woman, he immediately snapped out of his daze, dismissed his martial soul, and bowed with utmost reverence. "Your Excellency, High Priestess!"
That special title instantly caught Zhu Ziyang's attention.
"High Priestess" implied that she was part of a religious order. But the title "Your Excellency" also suggested royal or noble blood.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.