Heaven Dou City remained bustling. Although traces of battle could still be seen around the city walls, other areas had gradually returned to their former prosperity.
A young man dressed in plain clothes, his skin darkened, walked down the street and sat in a restaurant. It was noon, and the place was already full. Some people were talking loudly, their speech carrying a distinct Sun Moon Empire accent.
"Hello, what would you like to order?"
The young man glanced at the waiter, casually ordered a few dishes, and waved him away. His mental force quietly spread out, enveloping the entire restaurant. Instantly, every conversation flowed clearly into his mind.
Although Heaven Dou City appeared no different on the surface, under the young man's mental force, it was clear that most of those speaking loudly had Sun Moon Empire accents, while the original residents of Heaven Dou City were unwilling to raise their voices.
"Yuhao, what have you discovered?"
The young man was Huo Yuhao in disguise. With his Mimicry Spirit Ability, infiltrating Heaven Dou City had been effortless. On the surface, he looked calm, but within his Sea of Consciousness, he was already communicating with several other presences.
"Based on my mental detection, many Soul Guidance Devices have appeared in Heaven Dou City. Judging from their style, they all seem to originate from the Sun Moon Empire. However, the Empire's plan to promote Soul Guidance Devices does not appear to be going smoothly."
"Yes. No matter how convenient Soul Guidance Devices are, national enmity and blood feuds cannot be set aside so easily." What Huo Yuhao detected naturally could not escape the consciousnesses within his Sea of Consciousness. Heavenly Dream and the Ice Empress remained quiet, while Electrolux sighed softly, seemingly deep in thought.
While Huo Yuhao communicated internally, several voices from nearby entered his ears.
"You said Tianling City was breached?"
"Yes, the news just came this morning."
"Wasn't Tianling City guarded by a Super Douluo from the Body Sect? How was it breached so quickly?"
"Hmph. No matter how powerful a Super Douluo is, can they compare to our Soul Guidance Devices? With the Empire's two great Protector Soul Master Legions working together, even more Super Douluo would be useless."
These words were spoken openly and spread throughout the restaurant. Several people from the Sun Moon Empire immediately gathered together, while those from the former Tianhun Empire lowered their heads even further.
The small movements of the speakers did not escape Huo Yuhao's notice. As they talked, their eyes continuously scanned their surroundings.
Huo Yuhao understood that these people were likely agents deliberately arranged by the Sun Moon Empire to spread such news. Since he was disguised as a Sun Moon Empire citizen, he could only feign pride and reveal a faint smile.
"Heavenly Dream Brother, with Tianling City breached, Liman Plains will be next. There's nothing there to stop the Sun Moon Empire. The Academy might be in danger."
"Yuhao, trust your Academy. With so many experts there, it will not be easily harmed. And think about your Big Brother Wang. Shrek Academy has produced Spirit Masters like him for generations. If Shrek were truly in danger, they would not stand by idly."
"For you right now, obtaining a spirit ring is the most important thing. Think back to Yu Ming City. Only with sufficient strength can you truly help the Academy."
After a brief silence, Huo Yuhao nodded inwardly. "I understand. We will head to the Extremely North Land now."
"Good. It's good that you think this way."
"Heavenly Dream, are you really going to let Yuhao go find the Snow Empress?" The Ice Empress's voice suddenly rang out. "You're seeking death."
"Ice Empress, Yuhao's second Spirit is not like his Spiritual Eye. The spirit rings attached to it cannot use my power to increase their age. Therefore, we must attach spirit rings of the highest possible age."
"Although he is only a Spirit Saint, you know his physical strength. With your Spirit Bone inside him, we can Seal spirit power within it as we did before. There is a chance he can absorb the Snow Empress's spirit ring."
"That's not what I mean," the Ice Empress said, her tone displeased. "The Snow Empress is different from me. Her strength and heart-nature far surpass mine. I only agreed back then out of helplessness. Even if the Snow Empress is facing a bottleneck, she would never agree so easily."
"Perhaps the Snow Empress is also at her limit, Ice Empress. With your relationship, is it truly impossible to persuade her?"
After a short pause, the Ice Empress sighed. "If you insist on letting Yuhao seek out the Snow Empress, I can only guarantee that she will not make things difficult for him. As for persuading her to follow our path, you should give up on that idea early."
"Hehe, that's enough. Let Yuhao try. We lose nothing either way. Besides, even if she refuses, your relationship will make Yuhao's actions in the Extremely North Land much smoother."
---
Outside Shrek City, the Sun Moon Empire's army arrived in a mighty procession, stopping ten kilometers away. Soon after, several beams of light streaked through the air.
The leader was surrounded by nine spirit rings. He wore military armor and a metal helmet that completely concealed his body.
Behind him stood two accompanying figures, one of whom was Mirror Hongchen, the Hall Master of Mingde Hall.
The leader lifted his visor, revealing a relatively young face.
"I am Xu Tianyuan, Prince of the Sun Moon Empire. I invite those within the city to come forth for discussion."
Xu Tianyuan's voice, amplified by a loudspeaker Soul Guidance Device and carried by surging spirit power, echoed throughout Shrek City.
When there was no response from within the city, Xu Tianyuan repeated his words twice.
"All right, all right, we heard you."
An old man appeared atop the walls of Shrek City. It was undoubtedly Xuan Zi. Unlike Xu Tianyuan, his voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached every ear.
"Just say what you want to say."
Xu Tianyuan cupped his fists. "For over a thousand years, the Douluo Continent has been divided, with endless warfare and suffering among the people. His Majesty, Emperor Xu Tianran of the Sun Moon Empire, cannot bear to see such suffering. Therefore, he is determined to unify the Continent and bring lasting peace."
"We have heard that Shrek Academy also harbors good intentions, training generation after generation of talents for the Continent. Such concern for the world aligns perfectly with His Majesty's ideals. Thus, we sincerely invite Shrek Academy to join us in this great cause."
"You certainly have a talent for twisting black and white." Xuan Zi snorted, a faint smile appearing on his face. "If your Sun Moon Empire is truly as benevolent as you claim, then why does the person standing behind you still conceal his face?"
"And what, a few years ago you trespassed into Shrek Academy, and we allowed you to leave. Do you really dare to come back again?"