Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

"Shaozhe, are you suggesting that someone is targeting Shrek?"

An elderly woman dressed in simple clothing among the Pavilion Elders slowly spoke.

"Senior Song, also..." Yan Shaozhe continued,

"He Caitou also said that he is originally from the Sun Moon Empire. In this competition, he discovered someone who shouldn't have appeared on this stage—Xu Cheng!"

"Him!" Qian Duoduo exclaimed in shock.

"Duoduo, you know him?" Mu En turned his head slightly and asked warmly.

"In the field of soul tools, he is well known to everyone. He is the highest-ranking figure in the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool research, the last disciple of Cheng Baiqing, and also a prince of the Sun Moon Empire. It is even said... he is the Holy Son of the Holy Spirit Cult."

Qian Duoduo spoke with a grave expression.

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the room instantly froze.

With so many titles stacked together, it was clear how terrifying this person's talent was.

Furthermore, just the mention of the Holy Spirit Cult made all the elders immediately understand what Yan Shaozhe was implying…

After all, during the Mingdou Mountain Range incident, the ones responsible for the heavy casualties in the inner court were precisely the evil soul masters.

"Despicable!"

Xuanzi roared in anger.

A terrifying aura surged from within him, his earthy yellow soul power almost solidifying as it shot toward the sky.

"I will go to Xingluo right now and make him wish for death!"

Ever since the incident, Xuanzi had been unable to eat or sleep properly, nearly succumbing to inner demons. Now that he heard the root cause, his fury nearly consumed him.

"Xuanzi," Mu En called out softly.

"Mu Lao!" Xuanzi turned his head, grief and anger in his expression.

"Shaozhe, I understand your point. In the end, this is the doing of the Holy Spirit Cult—everything is a scheme targeting our Shrek Academy. But have you all considered something…"

Mu En said indifferently.

"They may be luring the Shrek team forward, or they may have set a trap. But does that mean, because of this, Xuanzi, your carelessness, which led to the students' injuries, can simply be ignored?"

"Releasing your anger on the Holy Spirit Cult may feel satisfying, but then what? The next time you lead a team and another problem arises, who will you blame then?"

"..."

Xuanzi's face slowly became dazed, and then he lowered his head, retracting his aura and sitting back down in silence.

Mu En sighed helplessly.

This was the harshest he had ever spoken, but there was no choice—his time was running out…

"And even if we make a big scene, what will it achieve?" Mu En continued, "To the outside world, it will only expose Xuanzi's incompetence and invite further suspicion."

"..."

The atmosphere in the room became heavy.

Even Qian Duoduo dared not breathe too loudly.

"Xuanzi, my time is short," Mu En looked at the downcast Xuanzi and spoke gently, "I can no longer lecture or reprimand you like a child. Before I pass, I want to see you take up the mantle of Shrek Academy, especially in these turbulent times…"

Xuanzi looked up at the elderly man seated in the recliner, his frail body barely able to sit upright. The years had carved deep marks into his face, yet his eyes remained deep and vast as the sea.

In that moment, the image overlapped with the one in his memory—the tall, handsome young man he once admired.

The difference was, back then, he looked up to him with respect, but now, he was looking down…

This old man had truly given his entire life to Shrek Academy.

"I'm sorry, Martial Uncle."

Xuanzi turned his head aside, his voice filled with guilt.

"Shrek's burden is heavy, incredibly heavy. It is like a great ship drifting in a violent storm. No matter how long or wide it is, in the vast ocean, it is still but a fragile vessel that could capsize at any moment…"

"Teacher, don't say such things. You—" Yan Shaozhe hurriedly interjected.

"I know my own body. I have three years left at most." Mu En slowly closed his eyes.

"What?!!"

Elder Lin looked toward Elder Zhuang in alarm.

Under everyone's gaze, the latter could only sigh and nod. "Mu Lao's illness has reached an incurable stage. With my strength, I can only keep his consciousness clear. Three years is already a conservative estimate…"

Hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Mu Lao's presence was like an anchor for all of Shrek Academy. With him around, there was always a sense of reassurance—no matter what happened, he would be there to take care of it.

But once he passed away, the blow to Shrek Academy would be immeasurable.

"What about that one in the Star Luo Empire?" Elder Song asked.

"…"

Elder Zhuang remained silent and shook his head.

"Enough, let's not be too pessimistic," Mu En said softly.

"We still have three years. Besides, the outside world doesn't even know I'm still alive—most people assume I have already passed. We've managed all these years, haven't we?"

"Xuanzi, your only flaw is your impatience. If you can overcome it, with your strength as a Rank 98 Super Douluo, you may even break through the limit. If that happens, Shrek will truly be secure."

"Mu Lao…"

Xuanzi lowered his head in guilt.

Reaching Rank 99 was unimaginably difficult. Even with his top-tier bloodline, talent, and unlimited resources, he had been stuck for thirty years without making any progress…

"Alright, we have digressed too far from the original purpose of this meeting," Mu En said calmly.

"Since that's the case, we will give our all in eradicating the evil soul masters, showing no mercy. Xuanzi, you will go to Star Luo City to ensure that the Sun Moon Empire's team does not pull any tricks against Shrek Academy. As for victory or defeat…"

"As long as they do not cheat or deliberately target us, then no matter the outcome, we can accept it."

"Understood…"

As the referee's voice rang out, all the members of the Hundred Spirits Academy instantly released their soul rings.

Three Soul Kings, four Soul Elders.

Their captain, Tian Wen, wore a cold and ruthless expression.

The opposing team might be from the Sun Moon Empire, but judging by their age, they were clearly all reserve members—not a single main team member among them.

What, did they think so little of his Hundred Spirits Academy?

This was an elimination round!

Were they blatantly declaring to the world that even their reserves could win easily?

"Arrogant fools, hmph!"

Tian Wen sneered.

Being ranked among the top three academies of the Dou Ling Empire, they naturally had their own trump cards.

They specialized in melee soul tools, and their expertise in this field was on par with the Sun Moon Empire.

In an instant—

A Soul King took up a soul tool cannon for support.

The remaining six wielded a variety of melee soul tools and charged at the Sun Moon Empire's team.

Captain Tian Wen led the charge, wielding a metallic spear. As golden light gleamed along its edges, he exuded a formidable presence.

Yet on the Sun Moon Empire's side, the scene was entirely different.

Their entire team stood still, watching like spectators, completely unperturbed.

Xu Cheng raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Not bad, but…"

In the next instant—

He smirked.

The sky suddenly darkened.

A crimson glow bathed the battlefield, and countless spectators looked up in horror. The bright sun had disappeared, replaced by a crescent blood moon.

"Red Moon!"