Chapter 274: Is Shrek Academy Playing Me?
Dai Tianling spun around and bellowed into the empty air of his imperial study.
"Go! Immediately! Verify the report! I want complete lists of the survivors and the dead—especially those from Monster Academy! Not a single name missing! And lock down all information about the ambush—if anyone dares spread rumors, execute them on the spot!"
He needed precise details before launching a proper response.
Evil Soul Masters.
They all deserved to die.
"Summon the Prime Minister, the Marshal, and the Chief of Internal Affairs! Have them enter the palace at once!"
His voice dripped with fury. "And dispatch the Shadow Guard! I want the truth of that battlefield uncovered! Was the enemy truly that cunning and powerful—or did something… happen inside Shrek itself!?"
The last two words were spat like venom. Shrek's endless chaos as of late made him suspect the unthinkable—perhaps someone within the academy was hiding their failure, or worse, conspiring under the guise of Evil Soul Masters.
It wasn't paranoia.
Once, he had believed in the academy. Believed in its integrity.
But since moving into Star Luo territory—disaster after disaster.
Could Shrek really be a curse upon his empire?
As his wrath boiled, the entire imperial capital fell silent, weighed down by his killing intent. It was the stillness before a storm.
Several days later—
The footsteps of fate echoed in the grand halls of the Star Luo Palace.
Elder Li, bearing the Sea God Pavilion's official decree, strode down a corridor carpeted in crimson. The normally serene Shrek elder's face was grim, his brows knitted tight, each step heavy with unease.
He had not been summoned by the Prime Minister, nor the Minister of Rites, but directly by Emperor Dai Tianling himself.
That fact alone spoke volumes.
The emperor wasn't just displeased—he was enraged.
Elder Li could understand. Star Luo had poured vast resources into supporting Shrek Academy, investing heavily to nurture new generations of talent. And now, half of them were dead.
Who wouldn't be furious?
He understood—but he was not resigned.
Growth required risk. Talent was forged through hardship.
He too cursed the Evil Soul Masters and longed for their extermination… but the dead could not be revived.
Would Star Luo really turn this tragedy into a wedge between them?
He knew Dai Tianling's temper would explode, and he'd accept his anger. After all, some of the responsibility lay with Shrek.
But there was a line. If the emperor crossed it—then Shrek would not sit quietly.
"I hope His Majesty knows where to stop," he muttered.
Yun Ming's parting advice echoed in his ears: Keep a humble posture, speak calmly.
He would negotiate, yes. But humble himself? Never.
Shrek Academy never bowed.
He represented the Sea God Pavilion—his dignity was Shrek's dignity.
He would not disgrace ten thousand years of legacy.
As the massive doors to the throne room opened, light poured across the gleaming floor, revealing the towering throne and the emperor seated upon it, clad in his golden dragon robes.
Two rows of officials flanked the hall, their gazes fixed upon Elder Li.
No curiosity. Only judgment, anger, and grief.
The pressure in the air was suffocating.
Many of those slain Monster Academy students had been their sons, nephews, or grandsons—children they had sent to Shrek believing it to be the safest, most promising place on the continent.
If one child had died, it might have been seen as misfortune.
But an entire group? That was catastrophe.
Elder Li felt the weight of their fury pressing down on his chest. Taking a steadying breath, he stepped forward, stopped at the base of the stairs, and bowed deeply.
"Elder Li Changsheng of Shrek Academy, under orders from Pavilion Master Yun Ming, greets His Majesty, the Emperor of Star Luo."
There was silence.
Dai Tianling simply stared, the air thick with tension. His gaze was cold enough to kill.
Only after a dozen heartbeats did he speak, his calm tone cutting sharper than a blade.
"Elder Li, you've traveled far. Thank you for coming."
The words were polite—but his voice carried no trace of civility.
"Do you know why I insisted on meeting you personally," he asked, "instead of sending my ministers to handle your academy's envoy?"
Elder Li's chest tightened. The storm had begun.
He bowed again. "Your Majesty, all of Shrek Academy deeply grieves for this tragedy that has occurred upon Star Luo's soil. Pavilion Master Yun Ming has sent me to—"
"Enough!"
The emperor's shout shattered the air, echoing through the chamber like thunder.
That single word carried an anger so raw it eclipsed reason.
Every mention of "unfortunate event" made Dai Tianling's scalp prickle.
Unfortunate? Unfortunate!? Was every thing Shrek brought him an "unfortunate event"?
Couldn't they deliver even one good outcome!?
Were they useless!?
His mind burned with self‑doubt. Was he wrong to bring Shrek into Star Luo at all?
But he forced the thought away.
No—the alliance itself wasn't wrong. But it was time to remind them who the host truly was.
He hadn't brought Shrek here to worship them like gods—or to entertain their pride.
The arrogant Shrek Academy would now pay for its arrogance.
"I don't want your empty condolences!" Dai Tianling roared. "Unfortunate event? You call this a misfortune? Those were the brightest of our empire—the sons and daughters of nobles, the elite of Monster Academy—the very future of Star Luo! And under your so‑called protection, under Shrek's guarantee of safety, they followed you to battle Evil Soul Masters and were annihilated!"
It was fortunate that Dai Lingyu, Dai Yueyan, and Long Yue had survived. Otherwise, the emperor might have lost all control.
He rose from his throne with a sharp motion, descending the steps one by one until his piercing eyes met Elder Li's.
"Tell me," he hissed, "where were your so‑called Super Douluos when the tragedy struck? Were they blind? Were their soul skills for decoration? How could they fail to notice such an attack—fail to protect a single child!? Is this the might of the so‑called number one academy? The guardians of the continent!?"
He slammed the report in his hand against his palm, the parchment crumpling with a loud crack.
It made no sense—Evil Soul Masters had no Super Douluo.
And yet, Shrek's escort, said to be unmatched, had been caught completely unprepared.
It was absurd—so absurd Dai Tianling almost laughed.
Was the "number‑one academy of the continent" mocking him?
He clenched his fists, trembling with fury.
What grudge did Shrek have with him—to humiliate Star Luo again and again!?
(END CHAPTER)
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