"Fifty li," Yun Ze said calmly.
Di Tian understood immediately and sent his voice outward as well:
"Western suburbs, fifty li. Let your people come here instead."
If the other side named a location and they simply went there, that would be idiotic. Who knew whether an ambush had been set up?
If one claimed that, since they were from Shrek Academy, they wouldn't do such a thing—only a child would believe that.
They were enemies, adversaries who wanted each other dead. Talking about trust in such a situation was nothing short of courting death.
Hearing this, Yun Ming frowned slightly but said nothing, continuing to fly toward the distance.
"Notify them that the location has been changed to fifty li. Have them scout the area in advance and make the necessary arrangements," Yun Ming said.
"Alright," Ya Li nodded. She immediately made a call and informed Zang Xin, who was waiting seventy li out in the western suburbs.
At seventy li west of Bright City, Zang Xin frowned after hearing the news.
The other side was indeed cautious.
After ending the call, he immediately stopped the Tang Sect personnel who were installing soul-guidance devices.
"Pack up. Move to the western suburbs, fifty li out."
Yun Ze and the others did not follow. Instead, they returned directly to Dragon-Phoenix Hall and closed the main gates.
"They're not going?" the deputy director of the Federal Police couldn't help asking. Judging by their behavior, it didn't look like they were preparing to move out.
"Th–they're probably going back to gather manpower," the deputy director of the Medical Bureau said uncertainly.
"They didn't follow," Long Yeyue said.
"Just as they said earlier, they also want to kill us. Under such circumstances, they'll definitely come," Yun Ming said.
"Let's head there first. If they don't come for a long time, we'll evacuate the crowd and directly move against Dragon-Phoenix Hall," Yun Ming added.
As a last resort, he would have no choice but to fight within the city. Any resulting losses would simply be compensated by Shrek Academy.
Yun Ze and the others arrived at the seventh-floor grand conference hall, where all members of Dragon-Phoenix Hall had already gathered.
They were divided into two groups:
one to participate in the battle,
and one to remain behind to guard Dragon-Phoenix Hall.
Lin One through Lin Ten, the King of Ten Thousand Beasts,
seven Dark-Gold Terrorclaw Bears,
a hundred-thousand-year Purple-Gold Mad Bull,
a Golden-Winged Roc,
a Hell Demon Dragon,
and the Emerald Swan.
There were also a ninety-thousand-year Ten-Tailed Dragon Scorpion,
a Dark Spirit Demon Bat,
an eighty-thousand-year Jade Spirit Serpent King,
an Abyss Ghost Jiao,
and a seventy-thousand-year Golden Crocodile King.
This totaled twenty-seven combatants at the Title Douluo level, plus Di Tian, Bear Lord, and Bi Ji—
thirty Title-level combatants in all.
Five soul beasts that had not yet reached the hundred-thousand-year mark still possessed Title-level combat strength due to their powerful bloodlines.
Zi Ji did not participate in the battle.
Dragon-Phoenix Hall needed a level-98 Super Douluo like her to remain behind and guard the base.
"Zi Ji, guard Dragon-Phoenix Hall well. If anyone dares break in, kill them on sight," Gu Yue Na instructed.
"Yes," Zi Ji replied. Though disappointed she wasn't sent into battle, she didn't show any dissatisfaction.
Di Tian opened a massive spatial passage.
Yun Ze and Gu Yue Na entered first, followed by Lin One, Bear Lord, and the others.
Those heading into battle moved swiftly. In less than a minute, everyone had entered the passage.
"Be careful as well. If anything unexpected happens, contact us immediately," Di Tian said to Zi Ji before stepping into the spatial rift himself.
News of the Dragon-Phoenix Hall and Shrek Academy duel at fifty li west of Bright City spread rapidly.
Major media outlets went into a frenzy, immediately organizing teams to rush to the western suburbs. This was earth-shattering news.
Many soul masters also headed west, filled with excitement.
They anticipated a world-shaking battle.
If they could witness it firsthand, their lives would be complete.
"Teacher, have you heard?"
At Sun-Moon Royal Academy, Xu Lin called his teacher, Gu Ming.
"I just heard. Let's go take a look. This battle may affect the future balance of the continent," Gu Ming said solemnly.
"Alright," Xu Lin replied, then hesitated before asking, "Should we help?"
Gu Ming fell silent briefly, thinking rapidly before answering:
"Yes. We help."
"Dragon-Phoenix Hall saved my life. Without their hundred-year life-extension pill, I'd still be a frail old man nearing death."
"I also wouldn't have broken through to the extreme level I long dreamed of."
"This debt of gratitude must be repaid."
"Alright. I'll bring more people," Xu Lin said, then ended the call and began gathering manpower.
The Federal Police Chief,
the Bright City Defense Command Center's commander,
and even the Federal Speaker all received the news and headed for the western suburbs.
"Shrek Academy is dueling Dragon-Phoenix Hall?"
Yu Guanzhi was surprised when he heard the report.
"Yes. This incident has already caused a massive uproar. Media outlets and soul masters are all heading to the western suburbs," the officer reported.
"General, should we intervene?"
Yu Guanzhi frowned, thought for a moment, then sighed helplessly.
"How would we even stop this?"
"Both sides have already agreed to battle. That means they've reached a point where neither can endure anymore."
"And besides…"
Yu Guanzhi paused, looking meaningfully at the officer.
"Why should we stop them?"
The officer froze. Having followed Yu Guanzhi for decades, he immediately understood the implication.
"General… you want them to fight until both sides are badly wounded and exhaust each other's strength?"
"Yes," Yu Guanzhi nodded, hands clasped behind his back as he looked out the window.
"Whether it's Shrek Academy or the newly established Dragon-Phoenix Hall, both are far too powerful."
"So powerful that the Federation can't properly control them."
"Especially Shrek. They don't even take the Federation seriously."
"Decades ago, they stormed into the military without giving us any face at all. In the end, they even forced the military to apologize."
"That incident greatly boosted Shrek Academy's reputation, making the world understand the consequences of offending Shrek."
"But it caused the military to lose all dignity."
"They've contributed to the Federation, that's true—but merit doesn't erase fault. The military has remembered this."
"In recent years, I've been thinking about how to rein Shrek in."
"But due to Yun Ming and Shrek's many powerful experts, I never took action."
"Now, their fierce battle with Dragon-Phoenix Hall gives me hope."
"After this battle, it may be the perfect opportunity to deal with Shrek."
"Dragon-Phoenix Hall is in a better position than Shrek, but they still need to be warned."
"I don't want a second Shrek Academy appearing."
"Wise decision, General. Shrek Academy really does need to be dealt with," the officer said.
He also disliked Shrek Academy—far too arrogant, as if being from Shrek automatically made them superior.
"Let's go," Yu Guanzhi said.
"I want to see for myself who will come out on top."
"It should be Shrek, right? Even if we don't like them, their strength is undeniable," the officer said.
Yu Guanzhi remained silent.
He thought the same—after all, Yun Ming, the number-one powerhouse on the continent, wasn't a title earned for nothing.
(End of chapter)