Yan Shaozhe smiled bitterly. *"Elder Xuan, if Elder Mu finds out about your attack on the Sun Moon exchange students, we will be severely punished. You know that our teacher has always disapproved of such actions.

And honestly… Shrek Academy has no reason to fear the Sun Moon Empire."*

*"Since the Sun Moon Empire merged with Douluo Continent, they have never been able to match Shrek Academy in terms of top tier powerhouses.

Unless they somehow produce an Extreme Douluo or a theoretical Rank 10 Soul Engineer, they will never be able to challenge us. But that's impossible Sun Moon Empire will never have an Extreme Douluo or a Rank 10 Soul Engineer."*

Xuan Zi listened to Yan Shaozhe's words in silence before responding.

*"Shaozhe, I understand where you're coming from. Shrek Academy has always been the holy land of soul masters, and having some pride is only natural.

But you must remember we must win the next Continental Soul Master Tournament.

We absolutely cannot repeat last time's disgraceful withdrawal.

If we don't take the championship, we will fail to uphold Shrek Academy's ten thousand year legacy."*

Finishing his words, Xuan Zi sighed, took a swig from his wine flask, and let the taste of the liquor calm his emotions.

Yan Shaozhe smiled. *"Elder Xuan, I have confidence in Beibei and his team.

As long as this main squad doesn't get ambushed by inherently evil soul masters like last time, Shrek Academy will absolutely crush all opposition and claim the championship."*

Xuan Zi gazed at Yan Shaozhe. *"The next tournament will be held in Mingdu, the capital of the Sun Moon Empire.

The last tournament's champion was none other than the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.

Naturally, they will do everything in their power to defend their title.

Which means… they will not hesitate to use dirty tricks."*

Yan Shaozhe frowned. "Dirty tricks? Elder Xuan, surely the Sun Moon Empire wouldn't go that far?"

Xuan Zi shook his head and refuted Shaozhe's words, his expression clouded with concern.

*"Shaozhe… never underestimate human ambition.

The Sun Moon Empire's rulers are all power hungry schemers.

To secure another championship, they will resort to any means necessary.

And if they do win again, their confidence will skyrocket, making them more likely to initiate war.

That would throw the entire continent's stability into chaos.

The Soul Master Tournament is more than just a competition it's a way for nations to assert dominance.

Shrek Academy may be a neutral power, but in order to prevent large scale war, we must display the strength of the next generation.

If we make Sun Moon fear us, they will hesitate before taking reckless action."*

In Xuan Zi's mind, the cheating tactics he arranged in the last tournament were not only for Shrek Academy's honor but also to warn the Sun Moon Empire that Shrek still produced endless waves of geniuses.

To him, protecting Shrek's legacy was the key to maintaining peace.

If the Sun Moon Empire cheated, that would mean they were the ones disrupting peace.

Yan Shaozhe fell into deep thought.

Was Xuan Zi's reasoning… correct?

After a long silence, Yan Shaozhe sighed.

*"Very well, Elder Xuan.

I won't inform Elder Mu about this.

When the time comes, I'll make sure Beibei and the others are safely evacuated.

But… Elder Xuan, you must ensure that your identity remains hidden."*

Xuan Zi smiled faintly. "Shaozhe, you've made the right decision."

*"Rest assured, I will successfully ambush those Sun Moon exchange students.

For now, make sure they are protected while inside the academy.

If they die here, it will create unnecessary trouble."*

"I understand, Elder Xuan," Yan Shaozhe nodded. "Beibei and the others haven't returned yet, so if Xiao Hongchen's group suffers an accident, Beibei's situation in Mingdu will become even more dangerous."

Mingdu Outskirts – Mountain Peak

Huo Yuhao led Empress Qiu'er to the mountaintop.

At this hour, the sun had yet to rise, and the sky was still dark.

However, thanks to his Spirit Eyes, Huo Yuhao could see everything around him with perfect clarity.

Huo Yuhao glanced at Qiu'er and said, *"Alright, now we just wait for the sunrise.

Once the sun rises, I will be able to attract some Sunlight Essence.

Yesterday, I absorbed some and left a lingering scent on my body."*

Qiu'er's eyes widened in surprise.

*"Sunlight Essence? So that's why the smell was so enticing!

I can't believe you can actually summon it!"*

Collecting Sunlight Essence was extremely difficult.

Even for her, she had only absorbed a small amount at birth.

That essence was the food of the Dragon God before it consumed chaotic energy a resource incredibly rare and highly beneficial.

She turned toward Huo Yuhao with suspicion.

"Strange… Senior Yuhao, how did you know that the smell I sensed was Sunlight Essence?"

Huo Yuhao's third eye the Eye of Destiny slowly opened on his forehead.

*"Naturally, I saw it through my Eye of Destiny.

Qiu'er, I told you before ever since I obtained this ability, I can glimpse into fate itself.

That includes yours.

I knew you would be interested in this because of your Golden Dragon martial soul.

After all, Dragon God legends are common knowledge in the soul master world."*

Qiu'er froze for a moment.

Huo Yuhao's Eye of Destiny…

Its source was her.

She looked at the smug faced "future Spirit Pagoda Master," her thoughts stuck in her throat.

She couldn't possibly expose herself.

What was she supposed to say?

"Actually, I am the Emperor Auspice Beast you drained of fate energy?"

That would be disastrous.

Most human soul masters were hostile toward soul beasts.

Even though Huo Yuhao was different, since he had created spirit souls, she still felt it was too early to reveal her identity.

For now… she had to stay hidden.

Huo Yuhao observed Qiu'er out of the corner of his eye.

Still wary of me, huh?

In the original timeline, Qiu'er only revealed her true identity when she sacrificed herself.

But if he earned more of her trust, he could directly reveal the truth to her.

That would also give him an opportunity to meet Di Tian in Star Dou Forest.

"The sun is rising!"

Qiu'er pointed at the horizon, her face filled with excitement.

A golden glow spread across the skyline.

Huo Yuhao immediately sat cross legged and began circulating Sun Moon Profound Art.

Instantly, golden flames emerged from the air and gathered around his body.

His eyes glowed with radiant gold.

(End of chapter.)

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