Chapter 261: Shadows Over Shrek, Light from the Empire
"That's not necessary."
Du Bu Si was silent for a moment before speaking through gritted teeth.
Letting Xuan Zi leave Shrek, with his strength as a Level 98 Titled Douluo, wouldn't be punishment—it would be freedom. Even if he returned to the Three Kingdoms of Douluo Continent, his treatment would only be more exalted. No one dared offend a man of that power.
But could Shrek afford to lose Xuan Zi now?
Shrek's overall strength had already declined. Whether they faced the Sun Moon Empire or the Star Dou Great Forest, they were at a distinct disadvantage. Losing Xuan Zi would mean losing not just a powerful protector but also a symbol of strength and deterrence. He was one of the last pillars of high-end combat power holding Shrek and the Body Sect together.
So even though Du Bu Si was furious—furious enough to want to tear Xuan Zi apart after hearing that Long Aotian and the other promising students were killed under his lead—he had no choice but to suppress his rage.
"You're not allowed to take even a single student into the Star Dou Great Forest again!" Du Bu Si finally barked, unable to bear the idea of losing more young talent. "Not even as their teacher!"
Facing a Level 98 Douluo, even Du Bu Si, famed for his arrogance and dominance, could not utter the words "go die."
In this moment, Du Bu Si found himself thinking of the past. At least when Moon was in charge, even if he had to keep his temper in check, he wasn't forced into swallowing humiliation like this. Xuan Zi had done irreparable damage—and yet, Shrek still needed him.
"Then I should just leave." Xuan Zi looked at Du Bu Si, his voice low and full of self-reproach. "I made a terrible mistake. I ruined the future of Shrek and the Body Sect. I have no face to remain in this academy."
But before he could take another step—
"Master Xuan! Shrek can't live without you!"
Beibei knelt before him, tears falling freely.
Then Vina, Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao, and even Wang Donger—still wounded and recovering—also knelt down one after another.
"Master Xuan, please don't go! Shrek needs you!"
Xuan Zi's voice trembled. "Children… why? After all I've done, why are you still kneeling for me?"
"Because we believe in you!" Wang Donger said. "You are still the pillar of Shrek!"
Xuan Zi closed his eyes, his heart overwhelmed with guilt. "Then let me use the rest of my strength to protect Shrek. Let this sinner atone for his mistakes with action."
Du Bu Si: "…"
Earlier, when Yan Shaozhe pleaded on Xuan Zi's behalf, Du Bu Si could resist. But now, seeing this group of injured survivors—the only seeds of Shrek's next generation—beg for Xuan Zi's return, Du Bu Si couldn't hold onto his resentment.
"Then let me redeem myself in Shrek," Xuan Zi said, turning toward Du Bu Si. "Pavilion Master, is that acceptable?"
Du Bu Si forced a nod. "Fine. It's acceptable."
What else could he say? Let them kneel forever? Try to argue in front of this?
There was no trick to fight back against emotion that real.
"Everyone leave. Leave me alone."
Following Du Bu Si's order, the survivors quietly exited the Sea God Pavilion. When the doors closed behind them, Du Bu Si entered a side room with heavy soundproofing and let out a thunderous roar.
"Moon!! What kind of sin did you commit back then?! You left such a burden in Shrek for more than two hundred years! How did you even survive it?!"
He cursed the heavens, the walls, and Moon himself. The emotional storm inside Du Bu Si was nearing collapse. Keeping Xuan Zi around was like being forced to live with a venomous snake under one's bed—but the snake protected your house from wolves.
Now he understood why Moon had chosen Yan Shaozhe, who was only Level 95, over the more powerful Xuan Zi to help Zhang Lexuan hunt for her ninth soul ring. If he had only known earlier… Shrek might not be in this desperate state.
Beibei had damaged his talent with a dangerous drug. His future as a Super Douluo was uncertain.
Long Aotian, once a shining star of the Body Sect, was dead—forever frozen in the realm of a seven-ring Soul Saint.
And the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was fast approaching.
They were like a leaking house facing a torrential storm.
After enduring a long period of internal torment—wanting to kick out Xuan Zi, but knowing he couldn't—Du Bu Si looked wearily at the few remaining elites.
"Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Huo Yuhao, Wang Donger, Vina, Ning Tian… and the last…"
He paused, rubbing his forehead.
Chen Yu, Wang Yanfeng—six-ring Soul Emperors under 20—were also dead. He didn't even have enough Soul Emperors left to form a full team.
If Wang Donger and Ning Tian weren't Soul Emperors, and if Huo Yuhao's soul ring composition wasn't so exceptional, he wouldn't even dare register a team this year.
"Wang Donger, Ning Tian… and the rest of them aren't even Soul Emperors. Huo Yuhao alone won't carry us. At this rate, Shrek might not even rank in the top four…"
Meanwhile, in the capital of the Sun Moon Empire…
Inside a hidden chamber beneath the Xishui League headquarters, Mu Qingxue slowly opened her eyes after a long period of cultivation.
"How do you feel?" Xiao Qiang asked.
"I'm already at the peak of Level 98," Mu Qingxue replied calmly. "Now, I'm confident that even if I face an evil soul master directly, I can kill them."
"Excellent. It's almost time to deal with Zhongli Wu. Once he falls, and you break through to Level 99, the Holy Spirit Church's reign of terror will end." Xiao Qiang's tone was resolute.
Between Mu Qingxue, the Snow Empress, and himself, their side had enough power to crush Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui. With Zhongli Wu gone, the remaining priests and elders of the Church would be easily overrun—especially with Jing Hongchen's support.
But just as Xiao Qiang finished speaking, the doors opened and Feng Ling, the deputy leader of the Holy Spirit Church, entered with a strange expression.
"Son, urgent news from our spies," she said. "The Holy Spirit Church… has gained another saint."
Xiao Qiang: "???"