"The Sun Moon Empire has developed over four thousand years and is now beginning to show its true colors. It holds the geographical advantage, the timing, and the unity of its people. Once it wages war, the other three nations won't be able to resist at all. Just like the Star Luo Empire a few days ago—flattened all the way to the capital in just half a day…" Yan Shaozhe was the first to speak gravely.
Inside a small meeting room.
Several figures—each one a renowned name if seen outside—were now gathered together in a rather inconspicuous little room.
Of course, this was also the very heart of Shrek.
Four thousand years later, the emperors of the original three nations, the master of the Body Sect, and Shrek's acting Pavilion Master, Xuan Zi, were once again gathered together.
"Dean Yan is right. The soul tool technology of the Sun Moon Empire has far exceeded our imagination. A few days ago, they broke through our lines with something they call 'Linked Defense'. Even I couldn't break through it. And with that brat Xu Cheng's influence and prestige, the Sun Moon Empire is united like an iron wall. It'll be hard to incite civil strife. He's the most monstrously talented person I've seen in years—both in strength and strategy. Forget about us hesitating over whether to form an alliance—even if we did, our chances wouldn't even be thirty percent!"
Poison Undying sighed.
Usually flippant and disdainful toward everyone, even his tone had become solemn. He was deeply bound with the Heavenly Soul Empire and couldn't separate himself from its fate. Besides, if the Sun Moon Empire ruled the continent, the Body Sect wouldn't be spared either.
"Old man, that so-called 'Linked Defense'—even you can't crack it?" Xuan Zi questioned, a bit skeptical.
"Heh… Actually, ever since I fought that young man at the tournament a few months ago, I've had firsthand experience of how terrifying soul tools are..." Poison Undying let out a bitter smile and lifted his shirt.
A terrifying scar covered his chest, scabbed over, stretching across most of his torso, even grazing his heart. The sight was visually shocking.
Everyone present gasped in surprise.
"You…" Xuan Zi was stunned.
Poison Undying's expression was calm, as if he had already accepted it.
But the shock this brought to the others was like a stormy wave.
After all, back then, everyone thought it was impressive enough that Xu Cheng could block a single move from Poison Undying using mecha. But when Xu Cheng launched that heaven-shaking move, the crowd had already begun to panic. Seeing Poison Undying's armor break, they had been wide-eyed with disbelief.
Only now, today, did they realize… Poison Undying had been gravely injured!!!
"Yes. I actually shouldn't have lost so badly a few days ago at the Mingdou Mountain Range. It was because of this… the old wound flared up again."
Poison Undying gave a bitter smile.
"The Star Luo Empire is willing to aid Elder Poison in healing." Xu Jiawei spoke up first.
"Then this old man thanks His Majesty…" Poison Undying's expression was complicated. Not long ago, he had helped Dai Hao, which caused a split in the Star Luo Empire. Now that they didn't hold a grudge and were willing to help, how could he not be moved?
"In that case, we can't wait any longer." Yan Shaozhe slammed the table, eyes flashing with determination.
"More and more hidden sects have been leaving Shrek Academy lately. These sects are Shrek's true foundation. If they all defect to the Sun Moon Empire, we'll truly become frogs boiled slowly in warm water."
"We of the Heavenly Soul agree." A short, stout emperor muttered.
"Doulou agrees."
"…"
Several major forces quickly reached a consensus.
"Gentlemen, I have a plan: tunneling!" Poison Undying grinned.
"Tunneling is good, but Mingdu is huge. If we can't pinpoint the location, we'll just be headless flies randomly bumping around. Worse yet… we'd be wasting our precious elite forces." Xu Jiawei frowned slightly.
"Heh, my Body Sect knows the way." Poison Undying chuckled.
"Gentlemen, although the Body Sect has no soul tools, I can guide the way. But we'll need Xuan Zi and your Star Luo Empire's previously purchased tunneling soul tools to carry it out. What say you?"
"Agreed!" ×2
"Excellent. Just in time, Jing Hongchen is planning to host an academy tournament at the Sun Moon Empire's Royal Academy. He wants to show off his students. In that case, why don't we take the opportunity to…" Yan Shaozhe slapped the table.
"But among them are some disciples of hidden families, and even some Shrek students… You…" The Douling Emperor hesitated.
If they went through with this, it would forge an irreconcilable blood feud.
"A matter of no concern. I'll inform Fan Yu in advance about the Shrek students. As for those fence-sitters… hmph, they'll just have to fend for themselves." Yan Shaozhe said coldly.
"..."
...
"The original three nations keeping quiet? Heh, not a chance…" Xu Cheng sneered.
In the original story, once the Sun Moon Empire bared its fangs, that's when those people truly started getting shameless.
But still, they had to be taught a painful lesson.
Slapping their face until it's swollen wasn't enough—they'd have to lose an arm to truly behave.
"What do you think they'll do next?" Xu Zhen casually cast his fishing rod.
They were in the depths of the Sun Moon Imperial Palace.
The surroundings were elegant—finely carved bamboo pavilions, graceful palace maids, and in front of them, the fish hook landing in a clear, pristine pond.
"Whatever they do, I might not control it, but it's not hard to guess… they'll go underground." Xu Cheng clicked his tongue and popped a grape in his mouth, pointing beneath him.
Speaking of which, in the original story, the enemy managed to accurately locate the Mingde Hall—very likely because of an infiltrator. Though, it might not have been a spy. Someone with strong spiritual control could've simply extracted the information.
Though the enemy was hidden and they were in the open, Xu Cheng wasn't nervous at all.
Because just recently, he secretly instructed Xuan Ziwen to begin R&D on this very issue, and yesterday, he got the news: mission complete.
The surveillance system had been upgraded again, especially the underground defense line. With Old Jing and a few researchers from Mingde Hall, it had undergone epic-level enhancements.
Now, as long as someone came within five kilometers of Mingdu, they'd be instantly detected and uploaded to the system. Surveillance spanned ten thousand meters in the sky and three thousand meters underground.
There was even a protective "lid" over the top and bottom. Even if someone tunneled five kilometers deep to try and bypass it, they'd still be caught.
Just yesterday, when Xuan Ziwen reported in, even Xu Cheng was stunned. Truly a research genius—his capabilities far surpassed even Old Jing…
Xu Cheng had always been cautious—especially during turbulent times.
He still remembered vividly how Mingdu was blown up in the original story. If it had been Xu Zhen or Jing Hongchen in charge, they'd never have imagined someone would raid a weapons depot and detonate a Class-9 fixed-installation soul cannon, blasting Mingdu to rubble. Xu Zhen had to retire on the spot…
If the enemy happened to discover the weapons depot, that would truly be a disaster.
"I need to move the remaining depots too," Xu Cheng muttered.
"Those depots are centuries old—used by generations before us. Are you sure about moving them?" Xu Zhen scattered more bait and raised an eyebrow.
"What if the capital gets bombed?" Xu Cheng shrugged.
"The depots are heavily guarded. I don't believe anyone can sneak in." Xu Zhen said confidently.
"And if someone really did sneak in?"
"Then I'll die, simple as that." Xu Zhen spread his hands.
Xu Cheng: "..."
"That Xuan Ziwen is strong—a top-tier talent. Use him well. Don't waste him again." After a while, Xu Zhen finally spoke again.
"You know him?" Xu Cheng asked in surprise.
"Heh, how could I not? When a leader dishes food, he turns the lazy Susan. When a leader opens a door, he gets in first. When a leader toasts, he doesn't drink… truly a 'troublemaker.' Even I know a bit about his antics. He's too stubborn—puts all his points into IQ and has zero EQ." Xu Zhen chuckled and shook his head.
"Back then, he offended a level-nine soul engineer from Mingde Hall due to his rigid ways and got demoted to the fringe. Couldn't even get funding."
"The man you see now is already far more tactful after being tempered."
"I see…" Xu Cheng smiled.
"That girl Lexuan—treat her and him well. Don't let them down. As an emperor, sure, you can have many wives. But there's a world of difference between treating people with integrity and being cold-hearted." Xu Zhen added.
"Big brother-in-law asked you to pass that message?" Xu Cheng grinned.
"You sly fox. That's right. But because of that, I'm now senior to that guy. He still has to thank me! Hahahaha…" Xu Zhen burst out laughing.
-------------
"Huo Yuhao's Grill Stand"
Outside the Sun Moon Empire's Royal Academy.
On a long street bustling with vendors and foot traffic.
Business here had never been slow—after all, those who could attend the Royal Academy were either talented soul tool masters or scions of noble families. The currency they carried started at gold soul coins; copper and iron soul coins were practically nonexistent on this street.
Recently, for reasons unknown, a number of unfamiliar faces had been appearing in Sun Moon Imperial City. They often arrived in groups and were notably wealthy, dressed in lavish clothes. This further fueled the already booming business on the street.
Amidst it all, a small pushcart had gathered a long line in front of it.
"Hey! One at a time, no need to rush!" A stunning young girl with a long ponytail stood proudly next to the cart, cupping her hand like a microphone and calling out to the crowd.
"Yuhao, don't worry—I'm here. If anyone dares to cause trouble, I'll chop off their filthy paws!" Tang Ya's beautiful eyes widened as she glared at the crowd.
As soon as her words fell, the previously rowdy group suddenly fell into order.
Looking at the sweet-looking girl with not-so-sweet words, the crowd collectively shrank back. With her around, who would dare mess around? You'd have to be tired of living.
Many students from the Sun Moon Empire's Royal Academy were present as well—they were well aware of Tang Ya's fiery temper.
What's more, her background was no secret. Rumor had it she was backed by the name at the very bottom of the academy's alumni honor roll, and even the children of imperial nobility didn't dare provoke her.
"Xiao Ya, be careful or you'll scare off Yuhao's customers," Meng Hongchen said, resting her cheek in her hand while munching on a freshly grilled fish skewer.
Quite a few eyes fell on her, but quickly darted away.
"And here's one for Sister Nannan…" Yuhao obediently handed a skewer to the stunning campus beauty, Jiang Nannan, who accepted it politely.
"Alright, today's limit is fifty portions—one gold coin per portion. Sales begin now!"
Saying that, he turned to look at the waiting line.
"Not bad, you're at about thirty percent of my level," Xu Cheng nodded slightly as he finished off the last bite of his skewer, tossed the bamboo stick into the trash, and clapped his hands clean.
Countless fiery gazes landed on him.
Huo Yuhao's business was booming not just because of his skills, but also thanks to Xu Cheng's casually delivered compliment—claiming Yuhao had reached 30% of his own level.
After all, Xu Cheng's cooking was already considered top-tier among his circle of friends.
No one really knew when that reputation had started to spread…
Originally, the group had just planned to take a walk tonight, but unexpectedly ran into Yuhao selling grilled fish. Xu Cheng decided to help call out to customers for fun.
And while he was at it… maybe check in on Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi.
(End of chapter)