Inside the Sea God's Pavilion conference hall, the already solemn atmosphere grew even heavier after Huo Yuhao voiced his firm opposition.
Xuan Zi sat in the Pavilion Master's seat, his wine gourd suspended in midair. His expression, sharpened by his recent breakthrough, darkened slightly at being interrupted.
He slowly lowered the wine gourd and fixed his gaze on Huo Yuhao. Though he deliberately restrained the aura of a Rank 99 Limit Douluo, the oppressive pressure still caused the air at the rear of the hall to feel unbearably heavy.
"Yuhao," Xuan Zi said in a hoarse voice, "I know you are grieving your teacher and don't wish to see Shrek fall into further turmoil."
"But you're still too young. What you've seen is only the surface. The Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology has already reached the point where it can threaten even Titled Douluo. If we continue waiting passively, then once Liu Yuan and the Sun Moon Empire gain complete control, the entire Douluo Continent will fall under their rule."
"This is no longer a matter for debate. It is Shrek's fight for survival."
Huo Yuhao remained calm despite Xuan Zi's imposing tone. He stood upright, determination and concern evident in his eyes.
He had personally visited Bright Capital. He had witnessed the Duke's Mansion's nearly flawless defensive systems and sensed the unimaginable power hidden within Liu Yuan.
"Elder Xuan," Huo Yuhao replied steadily, "it's precisely because I've seen their true strength that I can say with certainty—launching a preemptive war is a path to destruction."
"The combined armies of the two empires would never be able to break through defensive soul tool fortifications on that scale. What we should be doing now is developing countermeasures and defensive technologies, not starting a war while we remain at such a disadvantage."
Xuan Zi let out a cold laugh.
"Words alone accomplish nothing."
He swept his gaze across the gathered elders.
"The Sea God's Pavilion has always made decisions through collective discussion. Since there are objections, we'll settle Shrek's future according to our rules—with a vote."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Shaozhe, as vice dean, was the first to raise his hand.
His expression was weary, but his faith in Xuan Zi's strength and his concern over the Sun Moon Empire's rapid rise left him without hesitation.
Soon afterward, elders such as Qian Duoduo and Xian Lin'er also raised their hands.
To them, the dominance of Spirit Masters over the past ten thousand years could never be shaken. Xuan Zi's breakthrough to Rank 99 only reinforced their confidence while masking their fear of the unknown advances in soul tool technology.
The results came quickly.
Aside from a handful of elders who abstained, the overwhelming majority supported Xuan Zi.
Huo Yuhao's lone objection was completely drowned out by the vote.
Thus, the Sea God's Pavilion officially adopted its policy:
Contact the Star Luo Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire, rebuild the alliance, gather military strength, and prepare for an all-out war against the Sun Moon Empire.
---
After the meeting adjourned, Huo Yuhao walked out of the Sea God's Pavilion in silence.
The golden radiance of the Golden Tree still illuminated the academy, but to him, the light had never seemed so bleak.
He wasn't disappointed in any single individual.
He was disappointed in Shrek Academy itself—its arrogance and unwillingness to change.
Instead of returning to his residence, Huo Yuhao gathered Bei Bei, He Caitou, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, and the rest of the Shrek Seven Devils in a quiet room beside the Sea God's Pavilion.
After hearing Huo Yuhao recount the meeting and its outcome in full, the room fell into complete silence.
"An all-out war?"
Bei Bei's usually gentle expression stiffened in shock. The teacup in his hand trembled, spilling water across the table.
"Elder Mu has only just passed away, and Elder Xuan already wants to mobilize the entire continent to attack the Sun Moon Empire? This is madness."
As someone who had once been a prince of the Sun Moon Empire, He Caitou understood better than anyone the terrifying destructive power of soul tools.
He slammed his fist onto the table.
"Have they lost their minds? Do they even know how powerful stationary soul cannon arrays have become?"
"They can blanket entire battlefields with saturation bombardment. No matter how strong a group of Spirit Masters may be, they'll eventually be overwhelmed and annihilated."
Xu Sanshi frowned deeply.
"A war on this scale..." he muttered.
"Once it begins, there's no turning back. If Shrek and the two empires lose, the entire history of the continent will be rewritten."
To Huo Yuhao's surprise, everyone shared the same opinion.
Having traveled the continent and experienced the changing times firsthand, they understood the Sun Moon Empire far better than the elders who had remained secluded within the Sea God's Pavilion.
"We can't just stand by."
After a long silence, Bei Bei's eyes gradually became resolute.
"Yuhao, we'll go with you and try to persuade them one last time."
"Even if we can't change their decision, we must at least convince them to delay the offensive and gather more intelligence."
"Elder Xuan has only recently broken through. Perhaps he's become overly confident. If we, as the younger generation, sincerely offer our advice, he may still be willing to listen."
---
Together, the members of the Shrek Seven Devils returned to the tightly closed gates of the Sea God's Pavilion.
By now, night had fallen.
White funeral banners fluttered quietly in the cold wind.
Xuan Zi stood alone on the pavilion balcony, wine gourd in hand, gazing over the distant lights of Shrek City.
When he saw Huo Yuhao leading the others back, he frowned slightly.
"What brings you here?"
His voice drifted down with the evening breeze, carrying the authority of the Pavilion Master.
Bei Bei stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and spoke sincerely.
"Elder Xuan, we've come to petition."
"We truly believe declaring war on the Sun Moon Empire carries far too much risk."
"We've spent years traveling outside Shrek and have personally witnessed how rapidly the Sun Moon Empire's technology has advanced."
"That level of power is beyond what the flesh and blood of Spirit Masters can withstand."
"We ask you and the elders to reconsider."
"If war begins, countless civilians and Spirit Masters alike will perish."
Before Xuan Zi could answer, Yan Shaozhe stepped out from the pavilion.
Looking at his outstanding disciples, his eyes revealed both helplessness and resolve.
"Bei Bei... all of you."
He sighed softly.
"This decision was made through a formal vote of the Sea God's Pavilion."
"It is Shrek's responsibility to preserve the peace that has existed on the continent for the past ten thousand years."
"The Sun Moon Empire's expansion has already crossed our bottom line."
"Your duty is to obey the Pavilion's decisions—not question the Pavilion Master's authority."
Xuan Zi took another long drink before turning to look down at them.
His tone had become completely uncompromising.
"This old man has already sent out the secret orders."
"There is no room left for negotiation."
"If you still consider yourselves disciples of Shrek Academy, then return and prepare for war."
"If you're afraid..."
"Then take off your academy uniforms."
The rejection was absolute.
There was no room for discussion.
Huo Yuhao stood silently among his companions.
Looking at the once-respected elder standing proudly on the balcony, he suddenly felt as though he were staring at a complete stranger.
The disappointment in his heart reached its limit.
He understood that Xuan Zi's recent breakthrough to Rank 99 had filled him with overwhelming confidence—confidence so great that it had become blind arrogance.
Their attempt at persuasion had failed once again.
The members of the Shrek Seven Devils stood quietly beneath the cold night sky, every face heavy with concern.
For the first time, they realized that the academy which had always claimed to uphold neutrality and justice was now walking toward the brink of destruction because of the stubbornness and radical decisions of those leading it.
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