"Yes, yes."
The black-robed evil Soul Master below, with his head bowed, trembled all over, answering fearfully and timidly.
"Boom!"
Zhong Liwu simply had no outlet to vent the fury in his heart, and he slapped the throne behind him, smashing it to pieces.
"This is infuriating me to death!"
"Xuan Zi, that old fool, is really ungrateful."
"I kindly extended my hand to help him in his time of peril, yet he had the audacity to bite back and lash out at our Holy Spirit Cult."
"No wonder I barely made a move, and The Three Great Empires of Douluo were already ready to put him to death! He truly deserves to die."
Zhong Liwu kept grumbling non-stop.
In his heart, he had already cursed Xuan Zi's ancestors... no, all eighteen generations of them.
You should know, our Holy Spirit Cult lost a Titled Douluo-level Expert.
And even though Scorpio Douluo Zhang Peng wasn't the most outstanding among the Titled Douluo-level Experts of the Holy Spirit Cult, he was far from the weakest, definitely standing as a pillar of strength.
The Holy Spirit Cult hadn't yet declared their existence to Soul Land, and now they'd lost such a central figure. It would be surprising if he wasn't upset.
"That old bastard Xuan Zi must die; I, the Sect Hierarch, will personally kill him."
Zhong Liwu glared murderously at the great hall's entrance, ready to head to the mountain range where The Three Great Empires of Douluo intersected and fight Xuan Zi to the death.
"Sect Hierarch, please hold back."
The black-robed evil Soul Master, knowing full well that the Sect Hierarch was furious, still had to muster the courage to halt his advance.
Zhong Liwu's brow furrowed, he snorted coldly, "What, you want to teach me how to handle things?"
Upon hearing this, the black-robed evil Soul Master didn't hesitate at all and quickly knelt on the ground with a thud, "Sect Hierarch, you've misunderstood me. I meant to say that there is absolutely no need for you to go to where Tiandou, Dou Spirit, and Xingluo, The Three Great Empires, converge."
Zhong Liwu managed a bitter smile, "Oh? You want to take my place and settle the score with Xuan Zi?"
He didn't underestimate the black-robed evil Soul Master...he truly didn't regard the other as worthy of consideration.
Although those who could stand before him and serve as his confidants were at least Soul Douluo-level powerhouses, they were still not enough compared to someone of Xuan Zi's caliber.
"Sect Hierarch, what I mean is, no one needs to go; Xuan Zi is no longer a problem for us to deal with."
"What?" Zhong Liwu was taken aback.
He genuinely hadn't expected this outcome.
"Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened already."
"News has come back that right after Elder Zhang Peng clashed with Xuan Zi, the Sect Master of the Body Sect, Poison Not Dead, arrived and engaged Xuan Zi in a fierce battle..."
Zhong Liwu listened with rapt attention, only to notice that his subordinate had gone silent. He couldn't help but urge, "Keep talking..."
The black-robed evil Soul Master looked a bit embarrassed, "The battle between the two peerless powerhouses was just too terrifying. Our people dared not get close at all. They could only watch from a great distance.
Therefore, I can't recount the details of their fight for you..."
Zhong Liwu felt rather disappointed, "Then just tell me the outcome, who lost and who won."
The black-robed evil Soul Master let out a sigh of relief inwardly, "Sect Hierarch, the outcome should be that Poison Not Dead won. Because after their battle, our people clearly saw Poison Not Dead leaving, while Xuan Zi did not appear again."
Poison Not Dead won? After Zhong Liwu paused for a moment, he nodded slowly, "That makes sense. Poison Not Dead's strength is indeed above Xuan Zi's. Plus, it's not unreasonable for him to be able to slay Xuan Zi."
"Hehe, I bet that old fool Xuan Zi died with his eyes wide-open, full of regret. Our Holy Spirit Cult was willing to give him sanctuary and let him cling on to his miserable life. He refused, and in the end, he foolishly threw his life away..."
Zhong Liwu felt a schadenfreude glee.
At this moment, he had already forgotten his original intention to subdue Xuan Zi.
"Sect Hierarch, that old fool Xuan Zi was just too ignorant to appreciate what he had, he deserved to die."
The black-robed evil Soul Master hastily chose a few words he knew Zhong Liwu would want to hear.
"That's enough. Since Xuan Zi has already paid the appropriate price, let's not talk about it for now. Our Holy Spirit Cult has still suffered losses."
Zhong Liwu waved his hand, "Go summon all the Elders and managers, and tell them I have an important matter to discuss."
"Yes."
The black-robed evil Soul Master agreed and hurried out of the great hall.
After a while, one powerful figure after another entered the great hall.
The first to arrive was the group of Elders headed by the Holy Spirit Cult's Second Elder, Tian Wu Douluo Nangong Wan.
Nangong Wan, with his extraordinary aura, walked at the forefront.
To his left was the Holy Spirit Cult's third Elder, Ming Lei Douluo, and to his right was the Holy Spirit Cult's Fourth Elder, Hell Douluo.
Following behind them was the Holy Spirit Cult's seventh Elder, Masked Douluo.
As for the other Elders, those in seclusion stayed in seclusion, and some were too occupied with urgent matters to extricate themselves.
After the group of Elders, the Worship Team entered.
However, out of the Holy Spirit Cult's five Great Priests, only two arrived.
It's worth mentioning that Scorpio Douluo Zhang Peng was among the members of the Worship Team.
Unfortunately, he would never again have the chance to be involved in such gatherings.
"Sect Hierarch, may I know what has happened that you've summoned so many of us here?"
Just then, an inquiring voice came from outside the door.
Without a doubt, the person speaking in front of all these Titled Douluo-level experts must also be a force not to be underestimated, certainly another Titled Douluo-level expert.
The crowd subconsciously looked towards the voice, only to see a woman with a graceful and sensual figure slowly walking into the hall.
The crowd quickly averted their eyes elsewhere as if the previous action was just an inadvertent glance.
It couldn't be helped.
In the entire Holy Spirit Cult, there weren't many women they feared, but Feng Ling, the wife of the Vice Sect Hierarch, was definitely one of them.
Apart from her status, Feng Ling's strength was also formidable.
There was a consensus: a woman like her should never be provoked.
After looking around, Zhong Liwu slowly said, "Feng Ling, you should be the last to arrive. Find your seat and sit down."
In the hall, there weren't many with their own seats, but Feng Ling definitely had one.
Once Feng Ling was seated, Zhong Liwu spoke solemnly, "I believe everyone is very curious about what has happened to summon so many Titled Douluo-level experts here.
Alright, I won't keep you in suspense. I called you all here because there is a major matter that I need to inform you all in advance. That is, the name of our Holy Spirit Cult will soon echo throughout the entire Soul Land."
Hissss... so soon?
The crowd was taken aback.
They were all high-ranking members of the Holy Spirit Cult and knew most of the plans. According to the original state of affairs, it would take at least a few more years for the existence of the Holy Spirit Cult to become public knowledge.
"Hahaha, I know your concerns and your doubts, and that's precisely the major event I want to discuss next."
"I have decided to gather our strength and attack Shrek Academy!"
```
"Sect Hierarch, are you serious?"
Nangong Wan's voice was filled with astonishment.
In his view, Zhong Liwu's suggestion was utterly insane.
They knew full well the power of Shrek Academy, and if they were to engage in conflict, it would surely be a major trouble.
It was very likely to result in mutual destruction.
Directly attacking Shrek Academy was not a wise move at all.
Had the Holy Spirit Cult lost their minds, or was Shrek Academy no longer able to bear arms?
"Do you think I'm joking?"
Zhong Liwu glanced at Nangong Wan, "We've just received news that Shrek Academy's Xuan Zi is already dead, and now Shrek Academy can be considered headless.
They don't have a single peak-level expert left, not even many at the Titled Douluo Level. What are we afraid of, a hammer?
Moreover, without eliminating Shrek Academy, it will greatly affect our next plans. After all, Soul Land without the backbone that is Shrek Academy will be nothing but loose sand.
By then, won't the countless souls from the Sky Soul, Dou Spirit, and Xingluo Empires all be ours for the taking?"
It had to be said, Zhong Liwu's plan was in perfect alignment with Ye Xishui's.
Both had set the three great empires of Soul Land as their primary targets.
What they needed to do was also very simple, to create chaos.
Only when Soul Land was truly thrown into turmoil could they benefit from it.
"So that's how it is!"
Upon hearing that Xuan Zi was indeed gone, everyone felt considerably more at ease.
Zhong Liwu's plan didn't seem unacceptable after all.
"Sect Hierarch, when do we set out?"
"I, Nangong Wan, am willing to lead the charge."
Nangong Wan felt that his earlier questioning was somewhat improper, and that it had damaged his image.
He thought he should take action to make up for his earlier mistake.
Zhong Liwu said, "Our plan has been a success. We've already created a rift between the Douluo Three Kingdoms and Shrek Academy. Now, while they don't see each other as sworn enemies, their relationship has certainly become antagonistic.
We must act before they realize the problem and reunite. Otherwise, if they join forces again, that will be quite troublesome."
Zhong Liwu had long had a view on this matter.
After hearing his words, everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
No problem, the Sect Hierarch is absolutely right.
Finally, Zhong Liwu made the final decision, "Elders and guest elders, go prepare. I won't set a time. Depart whenever you're ready!"
With the drop of his voice, no one spoke another word; each hurriedly left the grand hall.
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Shrek Academy.
The door to Dean Yan Shaozhe's room was pushed open as Director Du Weilun burst in hastily.
"Dean... "
"What's the matter, running in here all panicked?"
Yan Shaozhe, who was deep in thought, was startled and asked sternly.
"Dean, please don't be angry. I just received a message from Elder Xuan and came to tell you right away."
Du Weilun spoke timidly.
"Elder Xuan?"
Upon hearing this, Yan Shaozhe's eyes lit up.
This was the best news he had heard.
When He Caitou brought back the tragic experience of the exchange students from Shrek Academy, they immediately sent someone to find Xuan Zi for help.
He knew that Xuan Zi was bent on seeking death, but he wished Xuan Zi could postpone his demise.
Now, as Shrek was in turmoil and peril, they needed a powerful figure to stand firm.
```
Xuan Zi couldn't officially appear in front of people, but she could still operate from behind the scenes.
As long as she returned, everything would be negotiable.
If Xuan Zi truly felt unbearable guilt, she could also seek death after Shrek weathered the crisis.
Or rather, if she was to die, she should at least make her death meaningful.
Penetrating deep into the Sun-Moon Empire and rescuing all the Shrek Academy exchange students trapped there would be a worthy death, wouldn't it?
Unconsciously, Xuan Zi had become the last straw that Dean Yan Shaozhe was clutching at in his heart.
"Alas."
Looking at Yan Shaozhe's anxious expression, Du Weilun sighed internally.
What should he say?
Telling the Dean that Xuan Zi had already passed away, wouldn't that be too much of a blow?
But you can't hide the truth forever, and the Dean would find out sooner or later.
Besides.
There was no point in relying on Xuan Zi anymore; it would be better for the Dean to face reality and think of a practical way to overcome this difficulty.
"Why are you hesitating? Speak up."
Yan Shaozhe had already begun to sense that something was wrong.
With a sigh, Du Weilun said, "Ah, Dean, I've received some rather distressing news.
According to eyewitnesses, it's very likely that Elder Xuan has left this world."
What?
Passed away?
Yan Shaozhe immediately understood the grave implication behind these words.
But still, he found them hard to accept.
"The previous reports said that Xuan Zi was invincible, with none among the Soul Masters of the three great Empires able to harm him, how could he suddenly have died?"
"Eyewitnesses claimed to have seen a towering green giant, and it was that giant who struck down Xuan Zi..."
"Body Sect! Poison Not Dead!"
Yan Shaozhe instantly guessed who that green giant was.
His face turned terribly grim, dark as the bottom of a pot.
"This old rascal really is like an unshakeable demon..."
His voice almost seemed to squeeze out between his teeth, exuding a bone-chilling coldness.
Upon hearing this, Du Weilun couldn't help but shiver.
He could feel that the Dean was truly harboring a murderous intention.
But...
"Dean, please try to stay calm. Currently, seeking revenge directly against the Body Sect is not a wise action..."
Du Weilun quickly tried to dissuade him.
He worded it as diplomatically as he could.
Frankly, it was more than unwise; with their power, seeking revenge against the Body Sect was tantamount to suicide.
It would be like throwing an egg against a rock.
Stealthy growth was their only path at the moment.
Only when a peak power of Grade 98 emerged in Shrek would they truly be able to stand tall again.
"Rest assured, I'm not that impulsive."
Yan Shaozhe waved his hand lightly, signaling to Du Weilun that there was no need to be so tense.
Impulsiveness aside, he did not wish to die.
He was even less inclined to let Shrek Academy fall into an abyss.
After a moment of silence, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but sigh, "Once the news of Xuan Zi's death gets out, it's likely to cause quite a bit of trouble. Those who were already eyeing us hungrily might not hold back any longer."
At those words, Du Weilun's brow furrowed. "The three great Empires still won't leave us alone?"
"It's not the three great Empires, it's the evil Soul Masters," Yan Shaozhe said, shaking his head lightly. "Those people have ruthless ambitions and have long wanted to stir up conflicts among the great nations. Previously, with Elder Mu around, the core cohesion remained, and the major Empires were cautious, willing to heed the directives of Shrek Academy.
Now, even though we exist in name, we are virtually nonexistent. If given the chance, the three great Empires would crumble into disarray."
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