Chapter 326: I Have Shed Blood and Earned Merit for Shrek
Jing Hongchen had always known that Xu Tianzhen was spoiled. From childhood to adulthood, she had been a willful person. After all, she had once set fire to a palace within the Sun Moon Imperial Palace and had only received a verbal reprimand from the emperor no real punishment at all.
But that was an internal royal affair.
He never expected Xu Tianzhen to openly ask Huo Yuhao about his love life in front of so many people. The audience consisted of individuals from all over the Douluo Continent. As a princess, how could she say something like that in public?
It was utterly outrageous! Not only was she damaging the reputation of the Sun Moon Royal Family, but she was also interfering with his plans to make Huo Yuhao his grandson in law.
Jing Hongchen clenched his fist inside his sleeve, muttering to himself. Could this be something Xu Tianran told her to do? No… with her personality, she wouldn't follow orders so obediently.
Huo Yuhao looked at Xu Tianzhen, momentarily stunned, before replying, "No."
Xu Tianzhen's eyes lit up. "Then, would you consider becoming "
"Enough, Tianzhen! Step down." Xu Tianran's authoritative voice rang out from the high platform.
He thought to himself that Xu Tianzhen was being far too impatient. With Huo Yuhao's current status, it wasn't like he could just force an arranged marriage on him. If he were to become a prince consort, it had to be based on mutual feelings.
But right now, Xu Tianzhen and Huo Yuhao had only just met. If she pushed too hard, she would definitely be rejected, which would only cause her unnecessary frustration.
It was better to wait until their relationship developed naturally and let Huo Yuhao bring it up himself in the future.
Xu Tianzhen was displeased, but with so many people watching, she couldn't openly disregard Xu Tianran's authority. After all, he was the Regent he had an image to maintain.
Still, she turned to the referee and declared, "Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy also concedes! No other team members will compete."
As the most favored princess and captain of Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy, she had the right to make that decision.
The referee nodded. "I declare the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy the winner!"
The members and instructors of Mingdu Soul Engineer Academy all sighed in relief. They knew Xu Tianzhen had made the right call after all, their academy had never been a match for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Besides, they were all from the Sun Moon Empire. There was no need to fight to the bitter end.
If they exhausted themselves here, Shrek Academy might swoop in and take advantage of their weakened state, which would be an absolute loss for them.
Shrek Academy Waiting Area
Xu Sanshi retracted his gaze, his expression serious. "I didn't expect Huo Yuhao to win in the end. But something feels off. He's only a Soul Emperor, yet he stood still, taking all of Xu Tianzhen's attacks without dodging or even using a soul tool.
He's a spiritual type soul master! That doesn't make sense.
I suspect his soul bones contain some extremely unique defensive abilities. However, based on what I've observed, there must be a major flaw in those abilities. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stood there, waiting for Xu Tianzhen to release all her soul skills before finally launching a counterattack."
Cai Mei'er smiled. "You're right, Sanshi. Just from watching a single match, you've analyzed so much. The academy made the right choice in selecting you as captain.
But if you end up facing Huo Yuhao later in the tournament, do you think you can win? The power he displayed doesn't seem like something a Soul Emperor should be capable of."
A confident smile appeared on Xu Sanshi's face. He glanced at Jiang Nannan before replying casually, "If Huo Yuhao goes all out, it might be tricky… but I'll still win. After all, I'm the strongest member of Shrek Academy's battle team!"
He then turned to the academy head and declared, "Dean, once we fight the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, you'll see how right I was."
As he spoke, his eyes drifted toward Jiang Nannan. "Nannan, don't worry. During the tournament, I'll make sure to protect you. If anyone tries to harm you, they'll have to get through me first."
Hearing this, Jiang Nannan's expression stiffened. Her irritation toward Xu Sanshi only deepened.
Shrek Academy – Sea God's Pavilion
Mu En sat in his chair, eyes closed. In front of him knelt an aged figure Xuan Zi, who had rushed back to Shrek Academy without rest.
"Xuan Zi, you've made a grave mistake. Because of your actions, Shrek Academy's reputation will inevitably decline. The academy's interests will suffer in the future due to your public confession.
So I have to ask why did you do it?"
Mu En slowly opened his eyes, staring at Xuan Zi, waiting for his answer.
Xuan Zi remained prostrate, head lowered. "Mu Lao, my father was your senior martial brother, so you watched me grow up. That's why I'm going to be honest with you. I hope you can understand.
I know my actions have severely impacted the academy's reputation and interests.
But I had to survive only then could I continue to contribute to the academy."
"You know I am not someone who fears death. Everything I have done has been for Shrek Academy!
If I had died in the Sun Moon Empire, or if I remained imprisoned there, Shrek Academy would have been finished!
I am the second strongest in Shrek Academy. I have to think about the future. The academy cannot afford to lose me!"
Mu En felt a wave of anger rise in his chest. If not for that very reason, I never would have placed so much responsibility on Xuan Zi.
He has failed too many times so many that even I find it unreasonable.
Fortunately, he had already arranged for Yan Shao Zhe to take over his position. Before he died, he had to ensure that Yan Shao Zhe's strength at least matched Xuan Zi's.
After all, Mu En had watched Yan Shao Zhe grow up. He knew his personality he was far more reliable than Xuan Zi.
If Yan Shao Zhe became the next academy master, Mu En could rest easy.
"Xuan Zi!" Mu En's gaze bore into him. "I have given you many chances. And yet, you continue to make mistakes.
This time, your mistake is severe.
According to the rules of the Sea God's Pavilion, I should punish you harshly."
He wasn't actually planning to punish Xuan Zi severely some things had to be said for formality's sake.
Even though he no longer intended for Xuan Zi to be the next master of the Sea God's Pavilion, Xuan Zi's strength still made him an important asset to Shrek Academy.
Xuan Zi's face changed slightly. "Mu Lao, I have shed blood for the academy. I have earned merit for the academy. Do you think I still have a chance?"
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