While the six devils were gathering, the Four-Eyed Cat Owl Flender and the formidable Zhao Wuji also appeared.
Looking at the Shrek Six Devils before them, both wore satisfied smiles.
However, when Flender spotted Dugu Feng, his eyelid twitched.
Encountering this ominous star never boded well.
But never mind—at least he was secretly serving the Dugu Family, and the Dugu Family certainly wouldn't interfere with Shrek's development.
"Greetings, Dean, Teacher Zhao!"
"Dean, I've missed you so much!"
"Teacher..."
Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others exaggeratedly embraced Flender and Zhao Wuji.
Flender smiled with surging emotions, saying, "The five-year agreement has arrived, and you've returned just in time. There are still two months until the next Soul Master Competition.
This time, it's our Shrek Academy's moment to reach the pinnacle.
Let me share some good news: the venue for this Soul Master Competition won't be Spirit City.
Last tournament, the death of Star Luo's crown prince made all participating teams question Spirit Hall's impartiality. If they couldn't ensure their students' safety, many Soul Master teams would withdraw.
Therefore, the finals won't be held in Heaven Dou City, Star Luo City, or Spirit City but in a border city relatively close to all three parties.
Xiao San, you'll participate in this competition too."
Flender spoke excitedly, as if already witnessing Shrek Academy's fame spreading across the continent.
"You brats, from now on, every academy will face the youthful storm of Shrek!"
Zhao Wuji grinned, wearing a mischievous smile.
The six devils below exchanged glances, already unable to wait.
"Dean, Teacher, just watch—we'll win the championship without a single loss!" Tang San declared confidently.
"Exactly! I'm joining this time too. With my Soul Emperor strength, who could be my match? I'll even try to defeat seven in a row!"
Xiao Wu's proud expression bordered on arrogance.
The others showed surprise. Since Xiao Wu hadn't participated last time, they assumed she had a special identity to conceal.
Why wasn't she hiding it this time?
Flender was even happier.
The Shrek Six Devils—four Soul Emperors and two Soul Kings—such a lineup could crush the Spirit Hall Golden Generation and overwhelm all teams.
Nearby, Dugu Feng was also in good spirits.
The coming period would be Tang San's time to shine again.
Tang San at the Soul Emperor level would surely capture everyone's attention.
In the years ahead, Tang San and Qian Renxue would undoubtedly be the most dazzling figures on the Douluo Continent.
A short while later, Dugu Feng left Blue Tyrant Academy, while Ning Rongrong stayed behind with Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu.
Having been apart for so long, the Shrek Six Devils needed to spar again to familiarize themselves with each other's strengths.
Ning Rongrong would remain at Shrek Academy for some time.
Soon, the next day arrived.
The sun shone brightly—it was the day of Qian Renxue's ascension to the throne and the Heaven Dou Empire's military parade.
Qian Renxue had waited twenty years for this day, lurking since age nine until twenty-nine, dedicating the prime of her life to the Heaven Dou Empire.
Now that success was finally achieved, even with Qian Renxue's steady temperament, she couldn't resist showing off.
Thus, she intended to flaunt her power.
In the early morning, the Soul Masters of the Dugu Family rode in two carriages toward the imperial palace.
When they reached the central axis of Heaven Dou City, not far from the palace, there was already a guard post every five steps and a sentry every ten steps.
On both sides of the broad central avenue stood Royal Knights, neatly arranged as guards.
Through the carriage curtains, the sunlight reflected sharply off the weapons in the guards' hands.
Carriages continuously joined the procession, slowly moving forward.
In the first carriage of the Dugu Family were Dugu Feng, his father, and Old Snake, attending as honored guests to witness Qian Renxue's ascension.
In the second carriage behind them were Little Snake and over ten Soul Masters from the Dugu Family, who were part of the Royal Soul Master Legion to be inspected by Qian Renxue.
After traveling some distance, this carriage was guided away by the guards to prepare.
Only the carriage carrying the three members of the Dugu Family entered the imperial palace.
Soon, as they approached the Hall of Diligent Governance, the three also disembarked and proceeded on foot.
Dugu Feng immediately spotted a carriage from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School nearby.
"Uncle Ning, Your Excellencies!"
Dugu Feng hurried over to greet them. Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo were all present.
"Brother Dugu, Feng'er, you've arrived!"
Ning Fengzhi nodded to Dugu Shuo and the others, and then everyone walked together toward the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Inside the hall, after Dugu Feng and the others entered, many spectators and nobles vied to show their goodwill.
These were the most powerful factions on the Heaven Dou side. The Wind Sword Sect, the Ge Family, the Ye Family, and the three Soul Douluos from the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy were all arranged on the left and right.
Tang Hao, Tang Xiao, and others who had come to observe the ceremony were not present. Dugu Feng guessed that they did not want to openly provoke the Spirit Hall.
All the factions present were from Heaven Dou City, and Salas from the Spirit Hall had also arrived.
At least on the surface, the Clear Sky Sect was still in seclusion.
Though various factions had gathered, the hall remained relatively quiet, everyone waiting for the appearance of the Qinghe Emperor.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
A deep voice announced.
From the rear of the hall emerged a figure clad in a brilliant golden robe, wearing the Golden Diamond Crown of Radiance, with a straight nose, a square jaw, and an aura of warmth and grandeur.
It was the new Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, Qian Renxue.
Behind Qian Renxue were two rows of maids and eunuchs, along with an elderly royal figure dressed in a bright red robe.
Clearly, they were there to officiate Qian Renxue's coronation ceremony.
Everyone stood up and bowed to Qian Renxue.
What followed was the coronation ritual.
The Heaven Dou royal succession did not involve excessive pomp and ceremony, but there were still many steps.
First, the elderly royal figure beside Qian Renxue delivered a speech, recounting the hardships of the Xue family's founding and praising Qian Renxue's wisdom and prowess, representing the Xue family's endorsement of her imperial position.
Next, Ge Long made an appearance.
Ge Long represented all the nobles and high officials as the spokesperson for the aristocracy.
After these formalities, everyone, led by Qian Renxue, proceeded to a massive swan statue outside the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Here, offerings were made to the deities, and prayers were sent to the heavens.
Legend had it that the first founding emperor of the Xue family had been blessed by a divine bird descending from the sky, allowing his Swan Martial Soul to cultivate rapidly.
His power reached the level of a ninety-ninth-rank Limit Douluo, enabling him to establish the Heaven Dou Empire in one fell swoop.
Perhaps the founding emperor exhausted all the imperial fortune.
Each generation of the royal descendants proved inferior to the last.
Not only did no more Super Douluo above level 95 emerge, but even Titled Douluo became increasingly rare.
In recent generations, there has not even been a single Titled Expert-level powerhouse.
The seemingly mighty empire was, in reality, a hollow shell.
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