"Nice cursing..."Chu Qingtian secretly gave a thumbs-up.
Meanwhile, the faces of the high-ranking Shrek Academy officials had already turned extremely grim.
"Enough! Shut up, all of you!"
Yan Shaozhe glared at a group of inner court students.
He cast a complicated glance at Zhang Lexuan.
"Elder Xuan, prepare for a forced breakthrough. If we delay any longer, the enemy might catch up."
Although Kong Deming and Long Xiaoyao had gone after the Hao Tian Sect because of Er Ming and Da Ming to prevent a counterattack, the tide of battle could change in an instant. If Di Tian and Xu Cheng managed to finish off Elder Mu and joined the fight, Shrek Academy would be in deep trouble.
He wasn't afraid of dying — because of Long Xiaoyao, the Sun Moon Empire would never kill him — but the devastation of Shrek Academy was something he couldn't accept.
"Alright, break through!"
Elder Xuan took a deep breath.
"Great cursing, Senior Sister."
Ma Xiaotao listened to the voice coming from her communication soul tool and exhaled deeply, her expression tinged with emotion. The camera view widened — in her hand, she was gripping a Soul Saint by the neck. The man's face was twisted in fear, unable to escape.
"Die!"
Black flames ignited from her palm. In an instant, the Soul Saint was consumed by the evil fire, leaving not even bones behind.
"Ma Xiaotao! Are you insane? We're from the Heavenly Soul Empire!"
Another figure recognized her — after all, she had been the captain of Shrek Academy's team in the Continental Soul Master Tournament a year ago. Her fighting style, martial soul, and soul skills were all distinctive.
"Insane? Heh. I'm not insane. You're thinking of Ma Xiaotao from Shrek Academy. But I am now... Ma Xiaotao of the Holy Spirit Church."
The beauty curled her lips in a smile and joined the surrounding Holy Spirit Church powerhouses in the chase.
"Pfft—!"
In the Underworld.
Mu En suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, his breath weak. He forced himself to stand, looking up at the proud figure of Di Tian in the sky, and at Xu Cheng smiling not far away.
"Never thought... I'd fall into the hands of a child. Truly... ironic."
Mu En wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his expression dim.
"Any last words, Elder Mu? I'll make sure they get delivered," Xu Cheng chirped.
Mu En glanced at him but didn't respond.
Still, concern lingered in his heart.
The moment he was pulled into this space, he sensed something was wrong and immediately sent a message to Elder Xuan and the others not to worry about him. But it had all happened so fast — there were many things he hadn't had time to explain... including the things he carried.
As a Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, the most valuable items were typically carried on oneself.
After all, even in the Sea God Pavilion, nothing was more secure than a Limit Douluo's body.But who would have thought he'd face such a situation?
"Heh..."
Seeing that Mu En ignored him, Xu Cheng opened a light screen.
On the screen was the real-time scene of various forces attempting to break through
Mingdu's siege from four directions. Of course, Shrek's group was the primary focus.
Naturally, Mu En's attention was drawn.
He watched the scene where Zhang Lexuan scolded the elders.
Mu En slowly closed his eyes.
His fists clenched unconsciously.
But things had reached this point — there was no turning back.
In truth, he had anticipated Zhang Lexuan would notice something was wrong.He understood her personality well.
As long as the Academy raised her, the debt of gratitude could never be erased.
So even if Zhang Lexuan were furious, she would only target him personally.
Toward the Academy, she would bury her resentment deep within and still act as a qualified Pavilion Master.
But of all his calculations, he missed one crucial fact —
Zhang Lexuan was of royal blood from the Sun Moon Empire.
Truly... fate plays cruel tricks.
"Shrek Academy's model is deeply flawed. It's clear you've been trying to remedy it, but to suddenly change a ship that's been sailing for ten thousand years? Unless you're a god, even a Limit Douluo can't manage that," Xu Cheng said softly.
The two stood side by side, watching the light screen.
The scene was somewhat eerie.
Within the screen, artillery roared, soul skills and soul rings dazzled, and the sounds of battle shook the heavens.
Yet in the Underworld, the two were eerily calm.
"Yes... Shrek is like a ten-thousand-year-old tree — glorious on the outside, but rotten within," Mu En sighed, admitting the truth.
"In my life, I've done many wrongs, but also many good things — for the continent, for the Academy. If not for you, maybe Shrek wouldn't fall. Even if it's rotten, it has a foundation laid over ten thousand years. It could survive another ten thousand. But..."
"So, do you think this world is better with me in it, or without me?" Xu Cheng smiled, as if two close friends were casually chatting.
"From Shrek's perspective, better without you. From the continent's view..." Mu En also smiled. "What a pity... if only you were one of Shrek's."
"But the world doesn't deal in what-ifs, does it?"
"Tell me, what are your terms to let them go?" Mu En suddenly asked.
"As expected of Elder Mu..." Xu Cheng laughed.
"I'm not blind. Elder Xuan and the others gave it their all but still couldn't shake the Sun Moon Empire's defenses. And if you're showing me this light screen now, you have another goal," Mu En said calmly.
"Of course. But I won't make unreasonable demands."
"Good."
"Just hand over your ring, and they'll be allowed to leave safely," Xu Cheng said, smacking his lips.
"A storage soul tool?"
Mu En was momentarily stunned.
A flicker of conflict passed through his eyes, but he still nodded slightly.
"Alright."
He slowly removed the ring — a diamond ring — and handed it to Xu Cheng after a deep breath.
"Elder Mu, you're straightforward. I appreciate it."
Xu Cheng smiled.
In an instant, the battlefield on the screen changed.
Elder Xuan's face lit up with joy.
"Now! Follow me!"
Immediately, the remaining Shrek Academy members followed Elder Xuan, charging out of the city.
"Of course, this deal only covers the rest of Shrek Academy. You, however, must stay here," Xu Cheng added with a smile.
"Heh, naturally. Even if I wanted to leave... could I?"
Mu En smiled bitterly.
"In that case — Dragon God, farewell."
Xu Cheng pursed his lips.
A divine aura surged out of Mu En's body, slowly dispersing into the surrounding space.
But the aura seemed lost — this wasn't the Douluo Continent. It didn't know where to go.
"This is the Underworld. In time, your soul will follow the cycle and return to the continent," Xu Cheng said softly.
"Hum—!"
The aura finally dispersed.
At the same time, Mu En's body became fainter, more transparent...
Until he turned into a beam of light, vanishing from the realm.
Xu Cheng smacked his lips, his expression a mix of emotions.
Even though Di Tian would've finished the job anyway, Mu En's dignified farewell was still moving.
But then he glanced at the ring in his hand — and at the surge of energy in the Underworld — and smiled.
Profit!
(End of Chapter)