Almost simultaneously, Sunward Douluo and the representative of the Heavenly Soul Empire, both with extremely grave expressions, gave the same order to their respective subordinates.
At this moment, the powerhouses of the three great empires temporarily set aside their usual calculations, estrangement, and rivalry.
They were all shocked by this sudden disaster and potential threat, which far exceeded their imagination and understanding. Instinctively, they chose the most urgent and important response strategy.
Self-preservation, and at all costs, to quickly uncover the true identity of that mysterious enemy.
"Miss Wu Ming, and all the friends from Shrek,"
Skyhawk Douluo turned his gaze to Wu Ming and the others, his tone easing a little, with a hint of barely perceptible reassurance.
"The aura of destruction lingers heavily here, energy is chaotic, which is very disadvantageous for your recovery. For now, please come with us back to settle in Star Luo City. Your safety is of utmost importance. As for the details about the enemy, we still need to question you more thoroughly."
He knew very well that without the backing of Shrek Academy, Wu Ming and the others were currently weak and isolated.
But he would never dare neglect them in the slightest.
Because the Pavilion Master of Sea God Pavilion, Xuan Zi, as well as several elders and many elite inner court disciples were still alive, currently in Mingdu.
The true core seed of Shrek Academy had not been cut off.
Although the three great empires were happy to see Shrek's strength weakened, in this strange and dangerous sensitive period, if Shrek were truly uprooted, causing the balance of the continent to collapse, it would be a truly catastrophic earthquake.
Wu Ming, Chu Qingtian, and the others exchanged glances, their eyes full of unbearable sorrow and reluctance to leave this land soaked with their teachers' blood and the glory of the academy.
But they understood Skyhawk Douluo's words were correct.
With tears in their eyes, they cast one last, deep look at that endless abyss symbolizing destruction and the end, and nodded heavily.
"So it's true… Shrek City… has fallen!"
…
In the Star Luo City royal palace, Xu Jiawei received Skyhawk Douluo's intelligence via a special communication soul tool at the first possible moment.
Upon hearing the news of the beast tide retreating and Shrek City's complete destruction, this always calm emperor actually knocked over the glass teacup on his desk.
The warm tea quickly seeped into the expensive velvet carpet, leaving a deep brown stain, like his complex and unspeakable feelings, silently spreading.
Sunlight streamed through the intricately carved window lattice, casting a checkerboard of light and shadow on his handsome, dignified face, but it could not brighten the deep, dark pool in his eyes.
Within that pool, there was regret and reflection, but even more so—a sense of relief that he could not help but admit.
As the emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiawei perhaps had the deepest and most complex feelings toward Shrek Academy among the three monarchs.
In his youth, he once entered Shrek Academy incognito as an ordinary student. During that pure and passionate time, he not only learned advanced soul master skills and knowledge but also engraved upon his heart a sincere affection for that academy sanctuary.
Even after ascending the throne, every now and then, in the midst of reviewing documents, he would recall the sweat on Shrek's broad training grounds, the rippling waters of Sea God Lake, and the faces of classmates who practiced and drank together.
But that rare friendship had long since been repeatedly weighed and tempered over decades of royal intrigue, gradually becoming diluted and distant.
He knew better than anyone that he was, first and foremost, the monarch of the Star Luo Empire, bearing the fate of billions, and only secondly that former Shrek student.
The fall of Shrek Academy meant the complete collapse of a balance that had lasted thousands of years on the Douluo Continent—the old order was gone, and a new order was about to rise.
His Star Crown Sect had already connected with Haiyuan City through Xu Jiujiu in advance, betting early on the dark horse, Lu Jingming.
"Your Majesty, Lord Skyhawk Douluo also reports that a handful of inner court Shrek disciples survived. He asks for permission to bring them to Star Luo City for proper protection."
The captain of the guards beside him spoke in a low voice, as if afraid to disturb the emperor's thoughts.
"Also, there is still no news from Mingdu. Our spies report that all long-distance communication soul tools within the Sun Moon Empire seem to have been completely blocked by some powerful force. All signals have been cut off."
Xu Jiawei nodded slightly, his fingers tapping on the rosewood desk with a steady sound.
The other two empires might still be reeling from the shocking news of Shrek's fall and worrying about the total blackout from Mingdu, but he already, through Xu Jiujiu's channel, knew the inside story.
Mingdu had been captured by that so-called Antimatter Legion, and for safety, Lu Jingming had used incomprehensible spatial technology to send Xu Jiujiu, Ye Guyi, and other weaker individuals safely back to Haiyuan City.
Because of this, Xu Jiujiu was able to use a communication soul tool to send firsthand intelligence back to Star Luo, giving him a significant lead over Heavenly Soul and Dou Ling in understanding the truth.
Thinking of this, Xu Jiawei once again marveled at the unfathomable depth of Haiyuan City.
Just this ability to ignore distance and open spatial channels at will was enough to ensure Haiyuan City an invincible position in any conflict or crisis.
Able to advance or retreat at will, this nearly zero-risk strategic mobility was an absolute advantage that no empire's large, soul tool-dependent army could match.
All the more reason for him to be certain of his earlier decision: betting the future of Star Crown Sect on Lu Jingming might be the most visionary and decisive choice he had made since ascending the throne.
"Relay my orders."
Xu Jiawei's voice instantly turned cold and majestic, full of unquestionable authority.
"From this moment, mobilize the main forces of the Northern and Eastern border armies. Order the entire Fifth and Sixth Royal Soul Master Legions to assemble and advance to the border of the Star Dou Great Forest to build defensive positions. Without my decree, no one is to cross the border without permission. But if attacked by soul beasts, they may retaliate with full force."
The guard captain was visibly shaken by this large-scale mobilization order, but he had no doubt, and immediately bowed to accept the command.
"As you command, Your Majesty. I will see it done at once."
Xu Jiawei slowly paced to the window, hands behind his back, gazing out at the majestic, densely packed city buildings, his eyes shining with depth.
He knew in his heart that there were many suspicious points behind this beast tide.
Soul beasts were strong, but to say they could push the millennia-old, powerhouse-filled Shrek Academy to total destruction, even with a Super Douluo above level ninety-five like Yan Shaozhe unable to escape, was too abnormal—against all logic.
More importantly, this brutal battle brought no real benefit to the soul beasts.
According to frontline reports, the soul beasts of Star Dou Forest suffered heavy losses as well—judging by the remains, they had lost at least tens of thousands.
With Di Tian's cautious and calculating nature, he would never do something as stupid as losing eight hundred to kill a thousand. It made no sense for the soul beasts.
The only explanation was that the soul beasts had also been used, becoming pawns for some hidden mastermind.
And for someone to possess such means, able to even manipulate and force Di Tian to launch such a massive beast tide… made him recall the chilling name from Xu Jiujiu's information: Lord Ravager.
Lu Jingming kept little from Xu Jiujiu. Although she did not know his exact plans, she knew some things, such as the existence of the second Lord Ravager, Phantylia.
After all, she had returned to Haiyuan City with Ye Guyi, and she also knew something about the Robin and Herta speculation.
But truth was truth, politics was politics.
Whether or not the soul beasts had been used, the fall of Shrek City demanded a clear account.
If the three great empires did nothing at this time, it would not only chill the hearts of all soul masters across the continent, but also make every force inside and outside their borders believe the empires were weak and easy to bully, destroying their prestige.
Thus, massing troops on the border and putting immense pressure on the Star Dou Forest was not just for the soul beasts to see, but for the world.
The Star Luo Empire would never stand by and watch the order of the continent trampled upon. They had both the determination and the ability to maintain their authority and stability.
"If necessary…"
Xu Jiawei pondered for a moment, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
"We may consider forming a temporary alliance with the Heavenly Soul and Dou Ling Empires for joint action."
"If the fierce beasts of Star Dou Forest remain stubborn, refuse communication, and continue to show hostility…"
He paused, his voice sinking.
"We do not rule out the possibility of the three empires joining forces to thoroughly purge the Star Dou Forest."
If this had been said before, it would have been pure fantasy.
Back then, human soul masters completely relied on hunting soul beasts for spirit rings—the soul beasts were an indispensable core resource on the path of a soul master.
Even if Star Dou Forest repeatedly launched beast tides, the empires would at most send troops to help Shrek resist, never dreaming of, or daring to imagine, counterattacking or wiping out the soul beasts.
...
Bonus chapter at 100 PS