"Blood for blood!"
"Fight to the death!"
"Sun Moon Empire, charge!"
Countless soul engineers of the Sun Moon Empire were moved to tears.
The painful defeat from four thousand years ago still haunted the hearts of all citizens of the Sun Moon Empire. It was a deeply humiliating time, when they were forced to sign a defeat treaty, countless resources were drained away, food prices skyrocketed, and commoners struggled even to survive. Within just six months, millions had starved to death.
Had the emperor at the time not stepped forward with a strong hand to stabilize and consolidate the empire, the entire Sun Moon Empire might have been carved up and lost entirely.
Today, the circumstances felt eerily similar.
Faced with blood vengeance, all the soul engineers of the Sun Moon Empire held back a powerful fury in their hearts. Despite being well-prepared for this battle, the enemy's strength was simply too formidable. Teammates continued to fall one after another, others stepped up to take their place. Already, three Title Douluo had fallen, and seven were seriously wounded. As for the lower-ranked soldiers...
If they were to give up now, how could they face the comrades who had fallen?
Morale soared to unprecedented heights.
Inside the academy—
Countless students were flushed with excitement.
Yu Tianlong also shouted loudly, "Fight!"
Though the gesture seemed a little over-the-top, as voices gathered and echoed throughout the trial ground, they surged into the skies, forming the imposing momentum of tens of thousands.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, you must understand where we are," said Mu En calmly, pointing downward. "This is your Sun Moon Empire's imperial capital. Not far away is the Mingde Hall. We had previously restrained our attacks to avoid causing destruction below in order to keep a fallback path. But now… with six Limit Douluo battling, destroying this area is the least of your worries. The entire Mingdu might be leveled…"
"Don't be foolish, Your Highness. If you insist on fighting to the death, your side will suffer the greatest losses." The Undying Poison also spoke in a cold tone.
"Then here comes the question—Old Mu, do I look like an idiot to you?" Xu Cheng grinned.
"No—retreat!!!"
Mu En's expression suddenly changed.
With a loud shout, he tried to pull back.
But in the very next moment—
His figure slowly faded from midair, his aura vanished completely. At the same time, Xu Cheng and Di Tian also disappeared. This scene stunned many of the powerful figures from the original continent. The people from Shrek were even more panicked and confused…
At that exact moment—
Long Xiaoyao, Kong Deming, and the brothers Da Ming and Er Ming stopped fighting. The two brothers looked toward the spot in question, their expressions filled with suspicion.
This technique was extremely strange.
As Limit Douluo, they could naturally sense how completely the trio had vanished—it was as if they had entered another space…
"Master of the Clear Sky Sect, we beg you to find our Pavilion Master!" Xuanzi pleaded in panic.
"I can't do anything…" Da Ming's eyes flickered with shock. Just now, at the moment of Mu En's disappearance, he seemed to sense a wisp of divine power. As a divine priest who had seen true gods and their might, he was particularly sensitive to such things.
He exchanged a glance with Er Ming.
They both saw the same look of confusion and surprise in each other's eyes.
"Big Brother, could it be that the Sun Moon Empire is backed by a god?" Er Ming transmitted a message telepathically.
"Not necessarily. But that burst of power definitely involved divine presence. Whoever pulled Mu En into that space—even if they aren't a god, they must be close to one…"
Da Ming's expression turned grave.
Even if another Limit Douluo joined the fray, the four of them wouldn't flinch.
But once gods were involved, there were too many unknowns.
"Then…" Er Ming hesitated.
"Retreat!" Da Ming took a deep breath and finally made a decision.
"What about Dong'er?"
"If a god is involved, we should report this to Tang San first. The current situation on the continent is too treacherous, and we might not be seeing things clearly ourselves." Da Ming said in a deep voice. "As for Dong'er… we don't need to rush."
"We have no other choice. Damn it, this is a heavy loss." Er Ming complained, then waved his hand and said, "All members of the Clear Sky Sect, retreat with me!"
"What?!!" Xuanzi was dumbfounded.
He blocked their path, flustered. "You can't retreat! Our Pavilion Master hasn't come back yet. If you leave…"
Mu En and Shrek Academy would be left alone against the fiercely staring Sun Moon Empire?
Shrek could be completely wiped out.
Da Ming glanced at Xuanzi indifferently. After a moment of hesitation, he continued, "The enemy's tactics are too mysterious. If we stay, we truly risk total annihilation. Those who wish to leave with us may follow. If not, you may stay and wait for Mu En."
He had no time for further explanation. That he even said this much was only out of respect for Tang San and Shrek.
Normally, he wouldn't mind helping, but now the entire sect was at risk. He wouldn't be foolish enough to stay behind and wait to be pulled into that mysterious space. If only Xu Cheng and Di Tian returned, or if the enemy pulled them in one by one, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"Step aside!"
Er Ming was far less patient.
He shoved Xuanzi aside and began directing the Clear Sky Sect's powerhouses to retreat.
"Your Majesty…"
A man in black robes asked in a low voice.
"This…" Xu Jiawei looked at the Clear Sky Sect and then at Shrek. He knew that if he left now, he would forever offend Shrek. But if he didn't, he risked bringing down the entire Star Luo Empire.
As an emperor, he couldn't afford that gamble.
"Go!"
With a wave of his hand, the surrounding honored guards sighed in relief and began escorting Xu Jiawei away.
"No! You can't leave!" Xuanzi blocked the Star Luo Empire's group, eyes bloodshot.
"Xuanzi, we have no choice either," Wang Qian'er said helplessly.
"No matter what, you're not allowed to leave!" Xuanzi, like a desperate madman, roared in anger, releasing his martial soul and blocking the Star Luo group completely.
"Xuanzi…" Wang Qian'er wanted to persuade further, but a black-robed leader interrupted.
"Xuanzi, our minds are made up. Either fight us, or let us go," the man said coldly. "Besides, Shrek raised the banner this time and led us straight into the enemy's trap. Now that we want to withdraw, what's the problem?"
"You—!" Xuanzi looked like a raging bull, steam puffing from his nose.
"Sorry, Elder Xuan."
Before the Star Luo Grand Worshiper could respond, the Sect Master of the Xuanming Sect gave an apologetic look and spoke softly.
Though they couldn't afford to offend Shrek, after today, it was uncertain whether Shrek would even survive. Rather than fear retaliation, they'd rather save their own lives.
Soon, the majority of the allied forces expressed their stance—retreating with the Clear Sky Sect.
"Elder Xuan, what should we do?" Yan Shaozhe looked troubled.
Qian Duoduo supported the unconscious Elder Song, face tense.
Xian Lin'er gripped her spear tightly, eyes practically burning. As members of Shrek Academy, they had always been the leaders wherever they went. Now, having tasted betrayal, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
"Let's retreat. Just before Mu En was pulled into that space, he seemed to sense something. He sent a message to us elders…" said Elder Lin sorrowfully.
"That's right," Elder Zhuang nodded slightly.
"But… our Uncle Mu is facing the entire Sun Moon Empire alone. Isn't this the same as abandoning him?!!" Xuanzi's eyes were bloodshot.
"It's better than seeing the whole Shrek Academy wiped out." Elder Lin said softly.
"..."
(End of Chapter)