Chapter 257 Xuanzi: I have a plan!
At dawn, just as the first hint of light appeared on the horizon, the mist in front of the Body Sect's mountain gate had not yet completely dissipated.
Liu Yuan, dressed in neat white robes, stood quietly in the center of the bluestone plaza outside the mountain gate. His double pupils were slightly closed, but with his heightened senses after awakening his Silver Awakening, he had a complete grasp of every movement within a radius of several miles.
Before long, a series of steady footsteps sounded. Long Aotian took the lead, pushing open the large red wooden door of the mountain gate, followed closely by Chen Lu, Wang Yanfeng, and Gu Tong.
The four looked somewhat serious, each carrying a simple bag. Behind them, Vina and Muxue quickly emerged, their hair still damp with morning dew, their eyes gleaming with barely concealed excitement.
"Is everyone here?"
A deep, thunderous voice suddenly rang in everyone's ears.
In the void, the deep green soul power twisted slightly, and Poison Undying's tower-like body landed steadily at the forefront.
Instead of wearing his usual elaborate sect leader's robes, he changed into a sharp, dark green outfit, which made him look less bulky but added a lot of the majesty of a top-tier expert.
Poison Undying's green eyes swept over the core disciples, finally pausing on Liu Yuan before nodding in satisfaction.
"Set off!"
Without uttering any unnecessary words, Du Bu Si waved his hand, and a dense layer of dark green soul power instantly spread out, enveloping all seven young people, including Liu Yuan and Vina.
The next moment, a large stream of green light shot into the sky, tearing through the thick morning fog and transforming into a giant meteor that sped toward the Western Sun and Moon Empire at an astonishing speed.
Meanwhile, with the approach of the All-Continent Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament, the Douluo Continent, which had been peaceful for five years, finally saw all the major forces mobilize on this day.
Shrek Academy, in front of the main gate.
The morning sunlight shone on the huge statues in Shrek Square, reflecting a cold glow. At this moment, the atmosphere at the main entrance was extremely solemn.
Xuanzi was dressed in a tattered gray robe, holding a huge chicken leg in his right hand and the enormous wine gourd he never parted from in his left. He squatted on the stone steps without any regard for his image, munching on the meat with gusto, oil dripping down his beard.
But ahead of him, the Shrek Academy's team members for this year's competition were already lined up neatly. Huo Yuhao stood in the middle of the line, his eyes deep and calm, his cultivation level clearly showing significant improvement compared to five years ago.
Beside him stood Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and He Caitou, among others, each bearing a heavy expression beyond their years.
Dean of Students Du Weilun stood to the side, his hands clasped together in front of his abdomen, his expression stern. Standing at the very front of the procession, seeing everyone off, were Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the Martial Soul Department of Shrek Academy, and Xian Lin'er, Dean of the Soul Guidance Department.
Yan Shaozhe's white robe was spotless, but his face looked somewhat haggard, and a lingering gloom hung in the depths of his eyes.
He stared intently at Xuanzi, took a step forward, and said in a low and extremely solemn voice, "Elder Xuan, I entrust the safety of you along the way to the Sun Moon Empire, as well as these children, to you."
Xuanzi wiped his mouth with his greasy sleeve, stood up, spat out a chicken bone, glanced at Yan Shaozhe sideways, and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, Shaozhe. I've lived this long, what haven't I seen? With me here, these brats won't get into any trouble."
Yan Shaozhe sighed, his serious expression not relaxing in the slightest, but rather becoming even more somber. He turned around, glanced at Huo Yuhao and the other young disciples, then turned back again, speaking in a voice only they could hear:
"Elder Xuan, as you know, the past five years have been difficult for Shrek Academy. Ever since we lost to the Heavenly Soul Royal Academy in the Star Luo Empire and lost the championship trophy that we had held for thousands of years, the doubts about our academy's reputation on the continent have never ceased. Even many advanced soul master academies that originally belonged to the three great empires have now begun to openly challenge our authority. In the past five years, the quality of the top students recruited by the school has declined considerably."
As Yan Shaozhe spoke, his hands unconsciously clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms, his voice carrying an undisguised anxiety and repression:
"Elder Mu is gone. We at Shrek Academy cannot afford to lose again. Last time, it was due to my incompetence. But this time, it's hosted by the Sun Moon Empire. We not only have to face the Heavenly Soul Royal Academy and that Liu Yuan, but also the Sun Moon Empire's native Soul Master legion. Elder Xuan, this victory is crucial for Shrek Academy. We must bring the championship back. Only in this way can we wash away the shame of the past and bring Shrek Academy's reputation back to its peak!"
As Xuanzi listened to Yan Shaozhe's words, his previously lazy gaze gradually darkened. He hung the wine gourd in his hand on his waist, and a strong, earthy yellow light flashed in his eyes.
"Don't worry," Xuanzi said in a deep voice, his usual playful tone unusually absent. "Last time I was careless. This time, I'll see what kind of trouble that Heavenly Soul Royal Academy and that kid named Liu Yuan can stir up. Shrek Academy is determined to win this championship."
Having said that, Xuanzi waved his hand and turned around to shout at Huo Yuhao and the others, "You little brats, stop standing there! Come with me!"
A large swath of yellow light enveloped the Shrek team, and amidst a muffled whooshing sound, the Shrek team slowly disappeared into the distant horizon, under the expectant gazes of Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er.
It's not just the Body Sect and Shrek Academy.
Inside the imperial palace of Xingluo Empire, Xingluo City.
In a secluded side hall, Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire stood with his hands behind his back. He wore simple casual clothes, but his long-standing authority still made the servants in the hall dare not raise their heads.
In front of Xu Jiawei, Princess Jiujiu, dressed in a gorgeous long gown, stood quietly. Behind her were the top main players of this year's Xingluo National Academy.
"Jiujiu." Xu Jiawei walked slowly to Xu Jiujiu, reached out his hands, and gently patted his sister's shoulders. His eyes were very complicated, filled with affection, but even more so with a heavy sense of expectation.
"Royal brother," Xu Jiujiu called softly.
Xu Jiawei took a deep breath, stared into Xu Jiujiu's eyes, and said in a deep voice, "This journey is long. The Sun Moon Empire is our nemesis, and competing on their territory will inevitably lead to unpredictable situations. But this competition is an excellent opportunity for our Star Luo Empire. Shrek Academy's reputation has plummeted, while the Heavenly Soul Empire is at its peak. If we, Star Luo, want to take the initiative in the upcoming continental landscape, you must achieve outstanding results in this competition. Even if you don't win the championship, you absolutely cannot diminish the prestige of our Star Luo royal family, understand?"
Xu Jiujiu met her brother's gaze with an unprecedented seriousness, bowed slightly and said, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, Jiujiu will do her utmost and will never fail the name of Xingluo."
"Alright. Let's go. The Empire is waiting for your news." Xu Jiawei waved his hand, turned around, and stopped looking at the departing figures of the group.
Meanwhile, in every corner of the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Douling Empire, countless renowned ancient sects and advanced academies also set out for battle on this day. Teams of Soul Masters, representing the pinnacle of the younger generation, converged on the western capital of the Sun Moon Empire from all directions of the Douluo Continent, like rivers flowing into the sea.
In the blink of an eye, another half month has passed.
Half a month later, in the northern border of the Sun Moon Empire, near a desolate mountain range.
The vegetation here is much sparser than that of the original three great empires, and the dark red rocks exposed on the ground exude a cold and desolate atmosphere.
On a slightly dilapidated official road, the Shrek Academy team was hurrying along. The continuous forced march over the past two weeks had left even Huo Yuhao and the others, who possessed the cultivation of Soul King and Soul Master, somewhat exhausted, with the soles of everyone's shoes covered in dark red dust.
Xuanzi, still heavily pregnant, walked at the front, chewing on some kind of grass root.
Suddenly, Xuanzi, who had been walking with his head down, stopped abruptly. His previously cloudy, squinting eyes snapped open in an instant, and two beams of light, sharp as blades, shot towards a dry valley not far away.
"Elder Xuan, what's wrong?" Bei Bei, walking at the front, asked in a low voice, her right hand instinctively reaching for her soul-guiding storage belt. Huo Yuhao was also startled, and his Spirit Eye Martial Soul quietly activated.
Xuanzi didn't speak, but simply raised a finger and gently made a shushing gesture.
The next moment, under the somewhat shocked gazes of the Shrek Academy members, Xuanzi's withered body transformed into an almost transparent afterimage, silently drifting towards the valley.
Inside the valley, the light was extremely dim.
A faint, nauseating stench of blood lingered in the air, mingled with a slight burnt smell. Deep within the valley, behind a massive boulder, an incredibly dense black mist churned violently. From within that mist emanated piercingly agonizing screams, as if countless wronged souls were struggling within it.
In the center of this black mist sat an old man dressed in a black robe, his face ashen. His withered hands were constantly forming strange hand seals, and with each seal, a dark red vengeful spirit was forcibly inhaled into his mouth and nose.
That chilling, evil aura, filled with destruction and slaughter, was undoubtedly the power of an evil soul master. And judging by the sheer volume of that soul power, the oppressive aura emanating from the old man had completely surpassed the limits of an ordinary Soul Douluo, reaching the level of a Titled Douluo!
A lone, Title Douluo-level evil soul master!
Hidden atop the boulder, Xuanzi looked down at the scene. Upon seeing the nine soul rings slowly rising from the black-robed elder and the cruel methods used to torment the wronged souls, Xuanzi showed no anger. Instead, his eyes, which had been somewhat dull from days of travel, suddenly lit up completely.
In that bright light, there gleamed an expression that was almost greedy and ecstatic.
"A Title Douluo-level evil soul master... and within the territory of the Sun Moon Empire..."
Xuanzi stared intently at the black mist, letting out a very low, trembling murmur. An uncontrollable excitement instantly spread across his old face.
Got it!
His mind flashed back to Yan Shaozhe's worried face over the past five years, and to the world's doubts about the Shrek Academy's supervisory team.
He suddenly thought of a way to greatly enhance Shrek Academy's reputation!
(End of chapter)