The Star Luo Empire, the Dai and Zhu families! They were almost the symbols of the highest power and martial might in the Star Luo Empire! Especially the Dai family—they were the imperial royalty! Furthermore, the Zhu family's Netherworld Spirit Cat and the Dai family's White Tiger Spirit possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill of peerless power—the Netherworld White Tiger!
No one could have imagined that the partners who trained, played, and faced life and death together in the academy every day would have such a startling background!
Flender and Grandmaster looked at each other; both of them were among the few who knew the identities of Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
"The reason Zhu Qing and I left Star Luo, came to Heaven Dou, and joined Shrek is because of... the cruel succession rules of the Star Luo royalty." Dai Mubai's voice carried suppressed pain and a faint, imperceptible trace of fear. "In the struggle for the Star Luo throne, there is no way back. For the loser, the best outcome is to have their Soul Power stripped away and be imprisoned for life. More often than not... it is death."
The living room fell into a deathly silence, with only Dai Mubai's heavy voice echoing through the air.
"My elder brother, Davis, is six years older than me. Whether in terms of talent, strength, or influence, he far surpasses me. According to the rules, the competition for our generation has almost no suspense left. Zhu Qing and I leaving Star Luo for Heaven Dou was, in a sense, a form of... flight. We didn't want to die, nor did we want to be reduced to useless people."
Zhu Zhuqing tightly gripped Dai Mubai's hand. A flash of sorrow crossed her cold, beautiful face, but her eyes remained exceptionally firm.
"However, escaping doesn't solve the problem." Dai Mubai looked up, the fire of indignation burning within his Evil Eye. "As long as we are still alive, as long as we still possess the White Tiger and the Netherworld Spirit Cat spirits, this competition will never end. Davis, as well as Zhu Zhuqing, will never let us go. For this Grand Finals, the Star Luo Royal Academy team is the very team led by Davis."
He looked toward Tang San, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Ning Rongrong, his eyes filled with plea. "Brothers, Rongrong. If... if in the subsequent matches we are unfortunate enough to draw the Star Luo Royal Academy, I beg you to help me and Zhu Qing win this match!"
He took a deep breath and spoke almost word for word: "This is not just about the victory or loss of a match. It concerns the life and death of Zhu Qing and me; it concerns our future fate! If we lose, Davis will never pass up this opportunity to 'righteously' defeat or even... kill me in front of everyone. In the rules of the competition, blades have no eyes. And because of this failure, Zhu Qing and I will completely lose our last bit of capital and hope for struggle. What awaits us will likely be being escorted back to Star Luo to receive that cruel 'punishment'."
"So, I'm counting on you!" Dai Mubai gave everyone a deep bow. Zhu Zhuqing followed him, bending her straight spine.
In the living room, one could hear a pin drop. Everyone was shocked by this sudden truth and the cruel reality revealed in Dai Mubai's words. They knew competition in the Star Luo Empire was fierce, but they hadn't expected it to be so bloody that even princes and princesses could hardly escape.
Tang San slowly stood up, walked to Dai Mubai's side, and helped him up. Although he himself bore a deep-seated hatred and immense pressure, hearing his partner's direct and desperate plea caused the fire of shared empathy in his heart to ignite once more.
"Boss Dai," Tang San's voice was somewhat raspy, but his gaze was exceptionally sharp. "We are brothers. Your enemy is our enemy. If we meet them, we will give our all to win!"
"That's right! Boss Dai, Zhu Qing, don't worry!" Ma Hongjun patted his chest, his chubby face full of righteous indignation. "To hell with some eldest prince! If he dares touch my brother, Lord Fatty here will burn him to death!"
Oscar also nodded heavily. Though he didn't say any grand words, the determination in his eyes was self-evident.
Ning Rongrong's eyes were slightly red as she nodded vigorously. "Boss Dai, Zhu Qing, we will definitely help you! My Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda exists to protect my partners!"
Flender, Grandmaster, and the others looked at each other, seeing the gravity and resolve in each other's eyes. Flender said in a deep voice, "Mu Bai, Zhu Qing, since you are students of our Shrek, we as teachers will naturally not sit idly by. During the tournament, we will formulate the most perfect tactics to help you. However," he shifted his tone, his voice becoming serious, "you must also remember that the key to victory ultimately lies with yourselves. Especially your Martial Soul Fusion Skill; you must unleash its maximum power!"
Looking at the unhesitating support of their partners and teachers, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing felt their eyes grow warm. In the Star Luo Empire, all they felt was cold competition and omnipresent murderous intent. But at Shrek, they had found partners to whom they could entrust their backs and teachers who truly cared for them.
"Thank you... thank you, everyone!" Dai Mubai's voice was slightly choked as he clenched his fist tightly. Zhu Zhuqing also gave a soft "mm," a warm current surging beneath her cold exterior.
Because of the exposure of Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's identities and their connection to the cruel struggle at the highest levels of the Star Luo Empire, the fate of Shrek became even more tightly intertwined. Future matches were destined to carry a much heavier meaning.
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang slowly stood up, his gaze calmly sweeping over Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing as he said solemnly, "Mu Bai, Zhu Qing, you being able to be honest at this moment and entrust your lives to the academy and your partners is a trust we will not fail. Shrek will always be your shield."
Flender also nodded, adjusting his glasses. The gaze behind the lenses carried his usual protectiveness and sharpness. "The rules of the Star Luo royalty are indeed something else. However, since we are now grasshoppers on the same string, we must pull together as one. But let me say the unpleasant truth first: determination alone isn't enough; you must be clear on where the gap lies."
He paused for a moment, his tone serious. "Mu Bai, Zhu Qing, there is a question you must answer truthfully. Regarding the Netherworld White Tiger Martial Soul Fusion Skill, how large is the strength gap between you and Davis and Zhu Zhuqing? I mean, in a situation where both sides go all out without considering interference from other teammates."
This question went straight to the heart of the matter. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing looked at each other, both seeing the solemnity in the other's eyes. Dai Mubai took a deep breath, his voice dry. "It's large. They are six years older than us, and their Soul Power levels far exceed ours. Especially my elder brother Davis—I'm afraid he is already close to or has even reached the Soul Emperor level. Their Netherworld White Tiger, whether in terms of duration, power, or the precision of control, far exceeds our current level. If we clash head-on, our chances of winning are... very low."
Zhu Zhuqing added, her voice cold and objective: "Furthermore, their coordination and chemistry have been honed over a much longer period. However..." A sharp light flashed in her eyes. "Our advantage lies in the element of surprise, in our determination to fight a final stand, and also in the fact that... we have partners they do not have."
"I understand." Grandmaster nodded. He didn't show any sign of dejection; instead, a calculating light flashed in his eyes. "There is a gap in strength, but it is not insurmountable. A duel between Netherworld White Tigers is not necessarily the only way to decide victory. We need more flexible and varied tactics to bring the team's advantages into full play. Mu Bai, Zhu Qing, for the coming period, you should eat and live together; unless absolutely necessary, do not separate. Keep your auras linked to each other at every moment."
He looked toward Tang San. "Little San, how is your recovery? Remember, within Spirit City, especially on the battlefield, you must be extremely cautious. Certain methods of yours must never be easily exposed, lest they draw unnecessary attention or even calamity."
Tang San understood what Grandmaster was referring to and said solemnly, "Teacher, rest assured, I know what I'm doing. My injuries have basically healed completely and won't affect my fighting. The circulation of my Soul Power is also essentially free of obstructions."
Grandmaster nodded slightly and said no more, but in his mind, he had already begun to meticulously calculate how to maximize the entire team's combat power to face that almost inevitable life-and-death battle against the Star Luo Royal Academy. The fate of Shrek was now tightly bound to a cruel struggle that transcended the competition itself.