Chapter 625 - 625: The Catastrophic News from Heavenly Soul

It was now painfully clear Mu En's chances of preserving his soul within the Golden Tree and continuing to protect Shrek Academy after death were slim to none.

Under these circumstances, Xuanzi's presence became crucial.

Despite his countless mistakes, he was still a Rank 98 Super Douluo.

Against powerful enemies, he could alleviate the burden on Shrek Academy.

The academy's elders had suffered heavy casualties, drastically reducing the number of top-tier powerhouses available.

With war at their doorstep, Xuanzi had become more valuable than ever.

Mu En looked at him coldly.

"Xuanzi, your mistakes have not only caused immense losses for Shrek Academy but have also dealt a severe blow to the Star Luo Empire.

By all rights, I should impose the harshest of punishments upon you.

However, considering that war has already begun and every fighter counts, I am giving you a chance to redeem yourself.

You and Lin'er will return to the Star Luo Empire and continue aiding them in battle.

However, you must follow orders.

Lin'er, if Xuanzi refuses to obey commands and tries to issue his own, you must ensure that no one follows him."

"Understood, Elder Mu!" Xian Lin'er answered firmly.

Despite her deep resentment toward Xuanzi, she understood that given Shrek Academy's current weakened state and the looming threat of the Sun-Moon Empire, a severe punishment was impossible.

If the Sun-Moon Empire succeeded in uniting the continent, Shrek Academy would be in grave peril.

Like it or not, Xuanzi was still an asset to the academy.

Xuanzi sighed and nodded.

"Yes, Elder Mu."

Yan Shaozhe, standing nearby, remained silent, his expression dark.

He knew that once his teacher made a decision, there was no changing it.

His efforts to convince Mu En had completely failed.

But his hatred for Xuanzi did not fade in the slightest.

Suddenly, the sound of rushing wind and rolling thunder tore through the rain.

A figure shot through the storm, landing at the entrance of the Sea God's Pavilion.

Everyone turned to look Beast King Gong Changlong had arrived.

As the head of the Shrek Beast Arena, Gong Changlong was not an elder due to his lower cultivation level, but he was a recognized powerhouse within the academy.

"Changlong, why aren't you at the Beast Arena? What brings you here?" Xuanzi asked, puzzled.

Gong Changlong's face was grim, his breath ragged, and his expression panicked.

"Something terrible has happened!"

At those words, everyone tensed.

In times like these, any bad news was disastrous.

Mu En frowned.

"Changlong, speak. What happened?"

Gong Changlong's lips tightened, his expression bitter.

"Elder Mu, I just received intelligence the Heavenly Soul Empire has officially merged with the Sun-Moon Empire!

The Sun-Moon Army has already stationed troops in key cities throughout the Heavenly Soul Empire!"

"WHAT?!"

Mu En's face twisted in shock.

His frail hands gripped the armrests of his wheelchair so tightly that the veins on his hands bulged.

Had the wheelchair not been made of special material, it would have been crushed to dust.

The others were equally dumbfounded, staring at Gong Changlong in disbelief.

The news was simply too unreal.

The Heavenly Soul Empire had surrendered without a fight?

This was like a hammer blow to Shrek Academy's strongest forces.

There was no doubt this was terrible news for them.

Shrek Academy was located in the southeastern part of the Heavenly Soul Empire.

Now, the Sun-Moon Army could march straight to Shrek City and directly threaten the academy.

And to make matters worse, the Great Star Dou Forest lay to the southeast home to soul beasts that already harbored deep resentment toward humanity.

If the Sun-Moon Army pressed forward and the soul beasts chose this moment to break the peace treaty and launch a beast tide, Shrek Academy would be trapped, besieged on all sides.

Destruction would be inevitable.

BANG!

Xuanzi slammed his fist into the ground, leaving a deep crater as mud and stone scattered in all directions.

His teeth clenched in fury.

"The Three Empires of Douluo have always stood united against the Sun-Moon Empire!

It's impossible that the Heavenly Soul Empire surrendered voluntarily!

The only explanation is that while we were focused on the war with Star Luo, the Sun-Moon Empire secretly launched a surprise attack on Heavenly Soul, capturing the imperial family and forcing them to surrender.

Those Sun-Moon bastards are despicable!"

Even though his words sounded like hindsight wisdom, everyone present found his analysis logical.

Yan Shaozhe's voice was grim.

"Now that the Heavenly Soul Empire has fallen, even if the Sun-Moon Empire takes time to stabilize its rule and secure its territory before launching another offensive…

It's clear that their next target will be either Shrek Academy, the Star Luo Empire, or the Dou Ling Empire."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Mu En's expression darkened.

The situation had already been dire.

Now, it had become catastrophic.

The burden on his shoulders grew heavier, but giving up was not an option.

For the sake of Shrek Academy's legacy, he had to find a path forward.

If the Sun-Moon Empire decided to attack Shrek Academy, they would undoubtedly send a powerhouse on par with an Ultimate Douluo someone like Kong Deming.

But Kong Deming was still a Rank 98 Super Douluo.

Even if Mu En himself weren't in a deteriorating state, he still had no confidence that he could defeat him.

His voice was heavy with determination.

"Shaozhe, issue orders to Shrek's intelligence networks. Spread the news of the Sun-Moon Empire's expansion and make it clear that war is inevitable.

Use my name to summon the reclusive powerhouses of the Three Empires to Shrek Academy. We must unite against the Sun-Moon Empire!"

There were many powerful individuals across the continent who had once studied at Shrek Academy.

Most had already joined the fight against the Sun-Moon Empire.

However, some had chosen to live in seclusion.

Although Shrek's prestige had waned in recent years, invoking the greater cause of resisting the Sun-Moon Empire might bring them back just as the legendary Shrek Headmaster had rallied the continent four thousand years ago.

"Understood, Teacher!" Yan Shaozhe nodded.

Mu En then turned to Xuanzi and Xian Lin'er.

"Xuanzi, Lin'er, take another group of students and head for the Star Luo Empire.

Lin'er, remember these students are to follow your orders, not Xuanzi's.

Xuanzi, you will not give them commands."

"Understood, Elder Mu!" both replied in unison.

Finally, Mu En's gaze landed on Gong Changlong.

"Changlong, bring Wang Dong and Ning Tian here immediately. Make it quick!"

"I'll get them right away!" Gong Changlong responded, before swiftly departing.

The four of them left the pavilion, their figures quickly vanishing into the storm.

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