Chapter 35 Xuan Zi's Punishment_2

"If we broadcast this far and wide, then I..."

Xuan Zi immediately thought of himself.

What he left unsaid was: where would the Drumstick Douluo's face go?

A level 98 Titled Douluo, allowing several Soul Kings to be killed right under his watch and a Soul Emperor to be gravely injured, wouldn't that be disgracefully losing face?

"Hmph, you still care about saving face."

Elder Mu couldn't help but snort disdainfully, then turned to Yan Shaozhe and said, "Shaozhe, your suggestion is very good, let's do it that way."

"However, regarding Xuan Zi's defeat, let's not speak of it. Just say that Xuan Zi was entangled by an evil Soul Master of the Titled Douluo Level at that time, engaging in a fierce battle and simply had no time to look after the others."

"Also, about the evil Soul Master in the cave, don't say it was a Soul King..."

Yan Shaozhe immediately understood and responded, "Elder Mu, rest assured. I will declare to the outside that the enemies the children encountered were several Soul Sages..."

Yes... Elder Mu nodded slightly. The Shrek Main Team fighting against several Soul Sages, that was a plausible story, and it wouldn't seem too far-fetched due to an immense gap in ranks.

Thinking this, he couldn't help but take a second look at Yan Shaozhe.

He was reassured with Yan Shaozhe's handling of matters.

What a pity.

It was just that his status wasn't legitimate, and his cultivation level was still low, otherwise, handing over Shrek's future to him might have been a good choice.

With no objections to Yan Shaozhe's suggestion, Elder Mu turned his gaze back to Xuan Zi, "I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself. You will follow Shaozhe back to the academy soon. Once Shaozhe has selected the participants, you are responsible for bringing them to Xingluo City. Remember, you cannot afford another failure this time."

The competition was about to start, and there wasn't much time left.

Taking the team to Xingluo City also required harmonizing everyone's coordination.

After all, the Soul Master competition wasn't about one person's glory but the honor of a group.

"Elder Mu, rest assured, I will stay close to them every step of the way and safely bring these kids to Xingluo City.

If anyone daredevil enough tries to harm these kids, they'll have to step over my dead body," Xuan Zi said, nodding vigorously and swinging his fists emphatically.

Everyone listening couldn't help but twitch their lips at his words.

You said the same when you took Ma Xiaotao and the others away. And the same before that when you took Zhang Lexuan and others to the Aquipeia Forest. But when have you ever managed it?

For the love of all that's good, please spare these kids once.

They're innocent.

But, as much as they grumbled inwardly, these thoughts were kept to themselves by the group.

...

Xingluo City.

Imperial palace.

"Your Majesty, the Duke Baihu is bound to strut proudly at this Soul Master competition.

Among the 14 members of the Shrek Academy Main Team and the reserves, each team has a son of Duke Baihu."

Dressed in a splendid gown with exquisite makeup, Xu Jiujiu looked at the list of Shrek Academy's competition participants, her beautiful eyes shining with admiration.

"Indeed. The generation represented by the Duke Baihu's Mansion is extraordinary.

Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin can be regarded as the twin stars of the white tiger, and if they do not suffer premature deaths or accidents causing bodily harm, with their straightforward cultivation, both brothers will become Titled Douluos in the future.

If our family could produce as many exceptionally talented geniuses, I'd probably wake up laughing even in my sleep," Xu Jiawei said with a mix of admiration and barely concealed envy.

Although the Xingluo Empire had many strong Titled Douluo Level warriors, those warriors were supporters of imperial power and didn't represent the Xu family.

"Your Majesty, don't be impatient. Who knows, perhaps one generation of our family will produce even more outstanding descendants," Xu Jiujiu blinked, comforting Xu Jiawei.

"Let's hope so," Xu Jiawei shook his head.

Geniuses aren't so easily born.

All one can do is leave it to fate.

"By the way, I've already had someone rewrite a copy of the Shrek Academy competition roster to send to Dai Hao, and I've instructed them to let him know that as long as it doesn't affect the situation at the frontier, he can temporarily lay aside his duties, make arrangements, and return to Xingluo City to watch the Soul Master competition."

"That's indeed a good move. After all, Duke Baihu hasn't been back to Xingluo City for a long time. This would be a suitable opportunity for him to see how outstanding his sons are and also visit his family. It also shows Your Majesty's warmth."

Xu Jiujiu nodded slightly.

She also thought that Xu Jiawei had been very considerate.

"Tap tap tap."

Suddenly, a rapid succession of footsteps came from outside the door, followed by a voice.

"Your Majesty, I have a matter to report," the voice announced.

Xu Jiujiu glanced towards the door and quietly moved to one side.

"Come in and speak," Xu Jiawei said, his demeanor suddenly assuming an air of authority as he allowed the guard to enter the throne room.

Xu Jiawei was somewhat surprised that the usually astute and self-controlled guard couldn't restrain himself today.

His face was pale, his whole body trembling.

"What's got you so panicked?"

Xu Jiawei did not reprimand the guard, for he knew that something important must have happened to cause such a shock in him.

"The people from Shrek Academy have entered the city..."

"Hmm?"

Xu Jiawei frowned.

Is that all?

He couldn't help but mutter to himself, What's there to be nervous about?

From the guard's expression, he felt as if it wasn't Shrek Academy that had entered the city, but the Sun-Moon Empire's grand army...

"Your Majesty, the people from Shrek entering the city aren't 14, including the teachers, there are only 9 of them..."

"And among these people, except for Ma Xiaotao, the rest are reserve team members. The teacher leading the team said that unless there is a major accident, the competition will be participated in by these reserve team members!"

The guard hurriedly said with his head bowed.

"What?"

Xu Jiawei was stunned, "Members of the reserve team. Their average strength is just at the Soul Elder realm, does Shrek Academy intend to compete with such strength? They can't be joking.

Do they intend to hand over the championship of this Soul Master competition to Sun-Moon Empire on a silver platter?"

The Sun-Moon Imperial Soul Guidance Academy is very strong, and in the past Shrek Academy was able to firmly suppress them.

But now Shrek Academy is fielding such a rubbish team, who can still confidently defeat them?

Besides, if the Sun-Moon Empire were to win the championship, it would be a disgrace for the other three countries."

"It's indeed not a joke..."

The guard nodded with difficulty.

"Where are the main team members then?"

"Could they be dead?"

Xu Jiawei angrily slapped the armrest of his chair.

The people here were all his confidants, so he didn't mind his choice of words.

The guard bowed his head, beads of sweat dropping from his cheeks to the floor.

He knew the Emperor was furiously angry, on the verge of losing his temper.

"Your Majesty, you really do have divine insight..."

"The main team members indeed encountered an accident, some have paid with their lives permanently, while others are seriously injured."

"Those who could come have come... those who couldn't have been sent back to the academy."

What?

After hearing the guard's report, Xu Jiawei and Jiu Jiu's faces showed shock!

This outcome really took them by surprise?

"What exactly happened? Tell me in detail!"

Hearing Xu Jiawei's question, the guard did not dare to delay, and quickly recounted what he had heard from Wang Yan to Xu Jiawei.

Xu Jiawei and his sister Jiu Jiu listened attentively, their expressions growing more solemn, but their faces becoming paler.

No matter what, they couldn't have imagined that Shrek would suffer such heavy losses due to those evil Soul Masters in the Ming Dou Mountain Range.

"Of the 7 who entered the cave, four are dead and three are seriously injured. Fortunately, the son of Duke Baihu Dai Hao, Dai Yueheng, is only seriously injured and has kept his life..."

"Seriously injured? To what extent?"

"I'm afraid... he will never be able to breakthrough to a Soul Sage or higher realm ever again..."

"Hiss..."

Xu Jiawei couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air.

For a genius who had the potential to become a Titled Douluo, to be confined to the Soul Emperor realm for life, that might be even more painful than death, might it not?

...

Meanwhile,

At the border,

Inside the military camp,

Duke Baihu Dai Hao was celebrating with his many war commanders in the barracks.

He was happy today.

News had just come from Xingluo City that in this continent-wide Soul Master competition, two of his sons had secured places in the Shrek Academy team; how could he not be thrilled?

After all, representing Shrek Academy in the competition meant unlimited potential and likely no issue in becoming a Titled Douluo in the future.

Which meant, once these two children had grown up, the Dai family would have two Titled Douluo level powerhouses!