These are all the reasons why Huo Yuhao cannot give up his studies in Soul Guiding.
In the span of a year, even while training with the military, he hasn't abandoned his research on soul-guiding devices.
Although he hasn't formally broken through to become an eighth-level Soul Guide, he is stuck at a critical point, and perhaps during his cultivation within the Sea God Pavilion, he might be able to understand it in one go and successfully become an eighth-level Soul Guide. He may even be able to construct his advanced battle armor's core array within the Sea God Pavilion.
...
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen have also made respective progress. Their intermediate battle armor has been significantly improved, and at Su Yu's suggestion, they have enhanced it to amplify their Soul Fusion Skill.
The battle armor on both of them will integrate into their Soul Fusion Skill, further amplifying them.
However, the power of Red Dust Attachment still does not reach the level of a true Super Douluo.
After all, fighting across so many levels is utterly outrageous.
As for Bai Feng, well, he indeed poses no threat to these elders.
However, merely the misjudgment of Su Yu and Huo Yuhao's strength has led the elders into unnecessary distress.
...
"Dean Qian, we meet again." Su Yu broke the silence.
Qian Duoduo also ended his seclusion and was called out to respond to potential changes.
However, nothing changed.
Because of what Su Yu said next, the hearts of the elders in the Sea God Pavilion sank, knowing their previous notions were completely futile.
"I've heard your academy somehow obtained the inheritance of soul-guiding technology. However, I think even if you acquired the legacy, it's impossible for you to fully digest it within just a year. For instance, the ninth-level fixed soul-guided cannon—you should not be able to handle it, nor dismantle it, right?"
Su Yu recalled a part of the original story where Jing Hongchen brought many soul-guided cannons to Shrek City, pre-set them outside Shrek City, and entered the city afterward.
He would not make such a mistake.
Even if he feels Shrek lacks the capability to dismantle the pre-arranged ninth-level soul-guided cannons, he's still placed other triggering methods around them.
Especially since no one present can surpass Su Yu's level of spiritual power, there's absolutely no chance they could try to dismantle those ninth-level fixed soul-guided cannons without his notice.
...
The elders suddenly felt a chilling stiffness along their scalps.
Ninth-level fixed soul-guided cannon!
Damn it, has Su Yu really placed such things outside of Shrek City?
The fixed soul-guided cannons that truly exploded in Douluo Continent were only at level eight, more than six years ago, when Martial God Douluo ambushed the Sun and Moon Royal Team during their return. Back then, the Sun and Moon Empire used only a few on the Celestial Soul Empire.
But just in numerical deduction, the power of a ninth-level fixed soul-guided cannon is genuinely terrifying.
It's likely comparable to a strike from an Extreme Douluo.
Perhaps a single ninth-level fixed soul-guided shell might not entirely annihilate even a ninety-eight or ninety-seven level Super Douluo, but one cannot deny its sheer destructive potential in simple terms.
Especially for a force bound to immovable industries.
Once targeted by a ninth-level fixed soul-guided cannon, it requires acquiescence.
The elders present might muster their utmost to escape the explosion range the moment the ninth-level fixed soul-guided cannon fires, yet the millennium foundation of Shrek Academy would be utterly obliterated.
Moreover, if they bear the brunt of this ninth-level fixed soul-guided shell's destruction to protect the academy, the destructive value of the ninth-level fixed soul-guided cannon becomes significant.
An all-out strike from an Extreme Douluo!
And—
In the next moment of the elders' sinking hearts, multiple threats of sufficient danger to their lives emerged, intensifying their unease.
Ninth-level fixed soul-guided cannon!
And not just one!
Inside each soul-guided cannon, perhaps there's not just one shell!
Hiss~~~
Qian Duoduo involuntarily drew in a deep breath.
The technology for fixed soul-guided cannons isn't particularly advanced, prioritizing resource accumulation utilization, while the most intricate aspect is utilizing large quantities of explosive rare metals along with the core array, balancing conflicts, and detonating during explosions to maximize conflicts.
Consequently, each fixed soul-guided cannon is exorbitantly costlier than soul-guiding devices of the same level, costing several, even dozens of times more!
The rare metals consumed in crafting a ninth-level fixed soul-guided shell could potentially manufacture five to ten ninth-level soul-guiding devices!
This includes the fail rate of crafting ninth-level soul-guiding devices.
This time, Su Yu actually deployed three ninth-level fixed soul-guided cannons outside Shrek City, with at least three ninth-level fixed soul-guided shells loaded!
Is this the Sun and Moon Empire's entire stock brought over?
Indeed.
Given the significance of Su Yu and Huo Yuhao, it surely seems warranted.
Ensuring their safety justifies wielding these ninth-level fixed soul-guided shells.
However, amidst these fleeting thoughts, the elders considered another aspect.
Are these ninth-level fixed soul-guided cannons truly just for safeguarding Su Yu and the others?
The fixed soul-guided shells not only render Su Yu and the others impervious to external intervention but also shield them from other threats!
The Sun and Moon Empire is launching an assault again!
The elders, perceptive enough, soon reached this realization.
They've barely corrected for over four months; is the Sun and Moon Empire attacking again?
Four months, too brief.
Too brief for the Xingluo Empire to recuperate the losses suffered in the previous war.
...
Mingdu Mountain Range.
The Sun and Moon Army's core location.
Inside a massive tent, numerous ninth-level Soul Guides and generals assembled.
"Your Highness, these are His Majesty's intentions," a ninth-level Soul Guide said.
Orange, her eyes closed, adjusting her mindset.
The ninth-level Soul Guide had made Xu Tianran's commands amply clear.
The plan was to exploit the opportunity of the five great geniuses entering Shrek for cultivation, launching an attack.
By ensnaring Shrek's top combat force with Su Yu and others, they would render Xingluo Empire toothless of significant aid.
This was the Sun and Moon Empire's chance to seize Xingluo Empire at minimal cost.
However, this plan entirely relied on Su Yu and the others confronting Shrek's desperate retaliation.
If Shrek's upper echelon was determined to withstand the ninth-level fixed soul-guided shell and capture Su Yu and others while rushing to aid Xingluo Empire, Su Yu and others would be in grave peril.
But Xu Tianran's order was issued.
For now, Orange could not defy Xu Tianran's directive.
"Transmit my orders: all forces advance simultaneously, pushing the Mingdu battlefield into Xingluo Empire's territory within three days. Xingluo Eastern Battlefield to proceed concurrently!"
Orange opened her eyes, commanding.
Numerous ninth-level Soul Guides responded in agreement.
"By your command!"
The ninth-level Soul Guide tasked with relaying messages felt a strange vibe, observing the numerous generals and ninth-level Soul Guides obediently taking orders—they felt an inexplicable unease.
However, in the military, absolute obedience to orders is law. Once a general issues a command, a leader accepts it; this seemed normal.
...
Shrek City.
"Dean Qian, your wife is currently visiting my Mingde Hall. Under the current favorable condition, perhaps Dean Qian could visit, we aren't without human compassion."
Yan Shaozhe's face darkened, saying, "Su Yu, stop sowing discord!"
"Oh, Dean Yan seems to hold considerable sway in Shrek," Su Yu glanced at Yan Shaozhe, adding, "By the way, did you verify the information I gave you a year ago?"
"Hmph, utter nonsense!" Xuanzi stepped forward, blocking in front of Yan Shaozhe, retorting with anger.
They couldn't have investigated covertly.
The results were inconclusive.
This already spoke volumes.
Yan Shaozhe's parents and even his grandparents' information was ascertainable.
However, tracing further provided not the slightest clue!
And Yan Shaozhe's grandparents were merely ordinary people; their parents' traces, Shrek Academy, unable to unearth even the tiniest bit...