Xu Jiujing stood frozen, her expression blank. Her mind went numb, emotions in turmoil. She wanted nothing more than to shrink away like a frightened quail and flee from this overwhelming presence.
Until today, she had never felt such intense fear in the face of a peer—another young genius.
But this man before her… he didn't feel like a youth at all. He radiated the presence of a battle-worn elder with deep insight into the ways of the world. Even her brother, Xu Jiawei, Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, had never made her feel like this.
Feeling the oppressive force of his presence, tears welled up in Xu Jiujing's eyes. She choked back sobs and asked quietly:
"You shouldn't have told me all this… Just who are you?
When has Shrek Academy ever produced someone like you?"
"I've met Dai Yueheng, eldest son of the White Tiger Duke. Whether in presence or intelligence, he's leagues below you…"
Xu Tianxi gave her a mysterious smile and said evenly:
"Who I am doesn't matter. I'm not listed in the official Inner Court records.
You won't find me, and there's no need to try—just as Shrek rarely bothers to investigate how many Title Douluo your Worship Hall is hiding."
"Surely, Your Highness doesn't naively believe that a thousand-year-old academy like Shrek would make all its secrets so easily discoverable?"
"As for Dai Yueheng, he's not bad. Barely worth a glance.
In the next generation of Shrek's Seven Monsters, apart from Ma Xiaotao, the protégé of Dean Yan Shaozhe, he's the one leading the team."
"If you could defeat him, maybe you'd barely keep up with my footsteps.
After all, you're a little younger than he is."
Xu Jiujing's voice suddenly rose, filled with alarm:
"Are you trying to stir up conflict between the Imperial Family and the White Tiger Duke's household?!"
Xu Tianxi sighed and spread his hands in mock helplessness.
"Here we go again. Your Highness really is a dishonest one."
"A soul master should act like a soul master. To become truly strong, one must face their heart honestly.
Only then can you push forward and scale new heights."
"Don't feed me that nonsense about how your Xu clan and the Dai clan are like family, or that your brother and Dai Hao are like blood brothers.
You'll only make people laugh."
"The Dai clan has held military power for over four thousand years—descendants of the former imperial line. A threat, no question."
"Unless your whole family are cowards, you should've already thought of how to deal with them."
"If you don't even dare challenge a mere Duke's household, then it's clear you lack the guts to confront Shrek Academy.
You're just clay that can't be molded."
With those words, Xu Tianxi shoved aside the dazed and trembling princess and made to leave.
As expected, she called out to him. Her voice was clear, trembling with resolve:
"Two years from now, at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament,
I will lead my academy's team and face Shrek in battle!"
"Oh?" Xu Tianxi didn't even turn around. His tone remained indifferent. "I hope it's entertaining."
Xu Jiujing stood still for a moment. Her confused gaze gradually sharpened. She clenched her teeth.
"Thank you… for revealing the reality of this world to me.
And for teaching me how I must cultivate from now on.
You are the teacher I respect most—and the enemy I hate most!"
"Heh, then I suppose I should thank Your Highness for the recognition," Xu Tianxi replied with a light smile.
"You're the most astonishing genius I've ever seen," Xu Jiujing continued, voice now calm.
"If I could draw you to our Star Luo Empire, I'd pay any price—even offer myself."
"But I know that's impossible. You have your ideals.
You would never lower yourself to care about us."
Her tone was sincere. She had thought deeply about it the night before.
If she had been a Shrek disciple, perhaps she, too, would have considered protecting the continent the highest ideal—would have looked down on the three empires.
But she wasn't. She was a Star Luo princess.
Her position was fixed. Her loyalty was not a choice.
"So you must be careful.
Be very careful not to let this student you've personally forced into being—
find the chance to rip off your mask."
"Because even I don't know… what I'll do to you then."
Her voice was cold as frost.
Xu Tianxi narrowed his eyes, then smirked.
"Save that kind of speech for when you've at least reached Soul King.
Otherwise, every word you say is enough reason for me to kill you three times over."
"As for your games with the Inner Court's idiots—well, I'll be watching."
He didn't stay a moment longer. He tapped his foot, took to the skies, and vanished.
Shrek Academy... I hope you enjoy this little gift I've prepared for you.
In the courtyard below, Xu Jiujing clenched her teeth.
She stared in the direction he'd vanished, determination burning in her eyes.
"Just wait… Two years from now, I'll show you how I've changed!"
"I'll make those Inner Court disciples you scorn eat their words!"
A brilliant gold light lit up from the center of her forehead—a diamond-shaped gemstone that rose into the air, unfolding into a radiant, starry crown that hovered over her head.
Two yellow, two purple—four soul rings rose beneath her feet.
This was her Star Crown Martial Soul, shining with majestic brilliance.
She gazed at it with deep affection, a fierce fire igniting in her heart.
"We of the Xu clan are no mere copy of the Xue clan of the Dou Ling Empire.
The Star Crown Martial Soul is superior to most top-tier spirits."
"If I give it my all—and with the full resources of the Star Luo Empire—becoming a Soul Emperor in two years is not out of reach!"
"Your Highness, is he gone?" came Elder Mo's voice from outside the door.
He and Huang Xingyun led the team up, cautious and wary.
Seeing Xu Jiujing's aura flaring with soul power, they feared that Inner Court lunatic had humiliated her again.
A man who had forced a princess to kneel and kill, what else wouldn't he do?
"He's gone. Don't concern yourselves with him."
Xu Jiujing turned, face expressionless, her beauty marred by exhaustion.
"Our mission has failed. Pack up. Take Xiao Jie and return to the capital."
"You will all report last night's events to my brother, word for word.
Don't worry about making him angry. I killed the person—I'll take full responsibility."
Their objectives had been twofold: secure a suitable fifth ring for Chen Xiaojie, and eliminate the Hatred Demon Soul assassin group.
Both were now impossible.
Chen Xiaojie had been seriously injured and was already sent to a military hospital.
As for the assassin group?
Xu Jiujing had no idea how powerful they were, but—
"Now that the demon has taken an interest in them,
if they even leave behind a corpse, it's probably because he was feeling merciful."
Yes, she could curse him for being a bastard.
But she could never question his strength—nor his intent when it came to hunting Evil Soul Masters.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Elder Mo and the others breathed sighs of relief. Their gratitude was written plainly on their faces.
Then, the six members of the Star Luo Royal Academy exchanged looks—and knelt on one knee before her, right fists to chest.
"Your Highness saved our lives. From this day forth, we are yours to command!"
Had she not stepped forward last night, their fates would have been miserable—
even if that demon didn't bother to kill them, humiliation or ruin was certain.
They had learned soul cultivation to earn futures. Swearing loyalty to the princess was no shame.
Xu Jiujing's expression rippled briefly, then stilled. She gave a light nod.
"Rise. We're going home."
To gain the absolute loyalty of these people—her suffering the night before was not in vain.
They couldn't fight that monster, but they might still be useful against other Shrek disciples.
Most of them had potential to reach Title Douluo. She would request more cultivation resources for them from her brother.
One day, I will become a Title Douluo. A Super Douluo. I will pursue the very limit of human potential.
Even if it means throwing myself into the fire, I will unmask you. I swear it!
As she stepped from the now-empty inn, a mad glint flickered in her eyes.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin