Another Kind of Genius

Dread filled the hearts of all Seven Devils.

"What is Hu Liena planning?" Tang San wondered as he shook his head. 

"San Ge, will Xiao Shen be okay?" Ning Rongrong hoped.

"The Golden Generation has named her Supreme Pontiff. They can't kill her now without a reason to. Ah! That's it!"

"What, Xiao San?" Dai Mubai asked hurriedly.

"They want her to slip up. To show an allegiance to the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires. If she does, the Elder Hall can sentence her to death and remove her from her position. Hu Liena's keeping her in check!"

Bai Chenxiang nodded. "Hu Liena is now the Head Flamen. She can weigh in on Xiao Shen's punishment as well."

Xiao Wu gritted her teeth. "They dare-!"

Just then, the Golden Iron Triangle walked over with Xue Beng, Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin. Yu Xiaogang's expression contorted with cofnusion.

"Xiao San, what is it? You all look like you've seen the ghost of Bibi Dong."

"Laoshi, the Golden Generation has made their move."

"Eh, what?" Liu Erlong cried.

The group sent to stop the supply chain had returned just the day before, and lovers had reunited.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "San Ge thought we could use Xiao Shen to infiltrate Spirit Empire because of her background. But Hu Liena took advantage."

Flender's eyebrows furrowed. "You little Devils, what happened?"

"Laoshi," Ma Hongjun bemoaned. "Xiao Shen is the Supreme Pontiff!"

The Golden Iron Triangle's faces changed in an instant. Xue Beng looked pensive. Gu Rong and Chen Xin shared a look while Ning Fengzhi frowned. Yu Xiaogang ran forward and gripped his disciple's shoulders.

"Xiao San, is it true?"

Tang San nodded slowly. "Hu Liena is the Head Flamen now. Xiao Shen succeeded her as Supreme Pontiff."

Liu Erlong's nostrils flared. "That damn Spirit Empire! I'm going to go teach them a lesson!"

She turned to storm off, but Xiao Wu caught her wrist. "Mom, Xiao Shen is smart. She should know the predicament she's in. If she can still help us, then it'd be a miracle. But she's made miracles happen before. We just have to trust in her judgement now."

<><><>

Three days later, Spirit Empire attacked.

They rushed from the ruins of Liuying Fortress and launched a surprise hailing of spirit skills. The Shrek Seven Devils, Golden Iron Triangle, and Six Tyrants stood as the joint camp's vanguard.

"Where's Xiao Shen when we need her?!" Shu Jiaxiang cried.

"She's back in the Douluo Divine Realm seeking help from her predecessor!" Gu Xingyun replied.

"Eh, of all times?!" Fang Youyou yelped as a soldier went flying backwards past him. "We're being slaughtered!"

"I don't know, that's just was Senior Tang San said!"

Just then, they saw a majestic beauty descend to the battlefield, facing them. She hovered about five meters in the air.

"XIAO SHEN!" the Shrek Six Tyrants cried happily.

The Shrek Seven Devils and Golden Iron Triangle whipped around. All of them shared the same thought. She's not wearing the Supreme Pontiff crown nor holding the Supreme Pontiff staff. Just what is she up to?

Her even gaze fell on her friends. Guys, I'm so sorry.

"Greetings to Your Majesty!" everyone from Spirit Empire suddenly knelt and cried.

She watched as confusion flickered on her six closest friends' faces. "Your Majesty? Xiao Shen, what's going on?"

Sea Dragon Douluo was apprehensive. Qing Qiangda, Cang Huaban, Bing Dadao, and the Five Terrors didn't understand what was happening.

Jus then, Ru Shenqi's appearance transformed. She retained her clothes but a certain crown and staff appeared in her possession. Raising the Supreme Pontiff staff into the air, she took a deep breath.

"Spirit Empire, on my command!"

Gu Xingyun, Ming Yong, Fang Youyou, Bai Shanxin, Liao Suyin, and Shu Jiaxiang's faces blanched. "Xiao Shen!"

She spoke only one word, "Kill."

Soldiers, the Seven Clans, Flamens, and Elders all shot forward. The spirit masters and soldiers from the two Empires had no choice but to fight with all they had. Ru Shenqi shot away, returning to their camp in the forest. The Golden Generation appeared at her side. Hu Liena smirked.

"Xiao Shen, how does it feel to fight your friends, Seniors, and Teachers again?"

"Don't think I don't know why you're doing this, Head Flamen. You want an excuse to kill me. I won't give you one. Even if it means I'll be estranged from everyone I care about, I will do everything in my power to stay among Spirit Empire's ranks and end this war you started over twenty years ago."

"Such treasonous words you speak," the one wielding Moon Blades sneered. "What makes you think we won't sentence you?"

"Have fun, Elder Xie Yue, killing what's already dead. I don't care about myself any longer. I've already died once and have no heartbeat. Do you really think you Limit Douluo and Titled Douluos can sentence a Quasi-God King to death like you can a mortal?"

For in the time that had passed, Xie Yue had reached the ninety-third rank, and Yan had reached the ninety-second.

"You-!" Yan snapped. "You're nothing but a scourge!"

"And yet, my mother originally wanted me here... with all of you. I'm being filial for once. Aren't you happy that Spirit Empire has a God to defend it?"

"Enough. You are the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Empire. Act like it," Hu Liena warned.

"I never asked to be your Supreme Pontiff. I was perfectly satisfied being the Holy Maiden."

The Golden Generation hmphed. Ru Shenqi sighed and walked towards her tent.

"I need some time to cultivate my aura of death. Go and deal with the two Empires. I'll be out soon."

The three shot away, returning to the battlefield. Once they were gone, a sadness filled the Little God's eyes.

"Only in this way, can I help Sect Leader and Laoshi defeat Spirit Empire for good this time."

She headed into her tent and sat on the bed. Pulling her legs up, she sat in the lotus position and began to cultivate.

<><><>

Meanwhile, back on the battlefield, the Golden Generation appeared and joined the fight. The Titled Douluo level Charm Genie spread its pink mist all over Liuying Gorge. Tang San and Xiao Wu merged for the Coexistence of Two Gods, repelling Spirit Empire's top spirit fusion skill. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's White Tiger of Netherworld took to the skies while the Golden Saint Dragon Luo San Pao roared. The Flamens of Spirit Empire gathered.

Arcana Douluo scoffed. "You've lost your strongest god to us. What makes you think Heaven Dou Empire or Star Luo Empire will win this time around?"

The Shrek Six Tyrants heard her words. "Where's Xiao Shen?! What have you done to her?!"

Just then, the combined voices of Hu Liena and Xie Yue laughed cruelly. "Your Little God has always belonged to Spirit Empire! We are her home and her family! Elder Ru Zuanshi ensured it! Hahahahaha!"

Gu Xingyun froze. "What does Aunt have to do with any of this?"

The two siblings broke apart. Hu Liena shot for him, and the other Tyrants remained highly vigilant as she appeared in their midst. The Three-Tailed Charm Fox smirked.

"Your beloved was promised to Spirit Empire upon her birth. She was crowned Holy Maiden by me in Spirit City at five days old. Xiao Shen never truly belonged to Heaven Dou Empire. Now knowing this, she decided to come home. And lucky for us. We now have a Quai-God King as our Supreme Pontiff."

The Shrek Six Tyrants' faces blanched. "What?! Supreme Pontiff?!"

Huo Wu hearing this, dashing over with Feng Xiaotian right behind her. "You damned fox! Zhi jie and my brother died because of you!!"

Hu Liena simply glanced at her. "Ru Zuanshi died because she betrayed Spirit Empire and withheld her daughter from us. Ru Shenqi was always meant to grow up in Spirit Empire as the Holy Maiden and be our Supreme Pontiff in the future."

"Mentor, enough."

Hu Liena whipped around to see the elegant Ru Shenqi standing just behind her. She bowed her head. "Your Majesty."

"Let me explain to Aunt Huo. She, after all, is still blood of my blood."

"Very well."

Hu Liena retreated, and Ru Shenqi advanced. She didn't even spare her friends a glance as she faced Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian. "Aunt, Uncle, I was born in Spirit City and was registered under Spirit Empire. I saw the records for myself in Supreme Pontiff Palace's library archives. My life in Vast Sea City was a mistake because my mother defected. If Mom and Dad had really wanted to save me from Spirit Empire's reaches, they should've returned to Haishen Island. But instead, they were only cowards who snuck away to Vast Sea City."

"Ru Shenqi, you tricky little--!"

But, the Little God's face didn't reveal any indication she cared. She cut her aunt off. "I have explained myself. There's nothing more for me to say. I'll be going now, Aunt Huo, Uncle Feng."

As she turned to leave, Gu Xingyun reached out and caught her wrist. "Xiao Shen..."

She looked at him. "Your Highness, please let me go. Or else, do you wish to be associated with Spirit Empire?"

He paled. She yanked her hand away when Ming Yong spoke up. "Who coerced you into this? Who told you these lies?"

"They're not lies. They're the records written in the archive. Spirit Empire is very meticulous with noting their members. I've always technically belonged to them. Even the birth record in my old home in Vast Sea City noted that I was born in Spirit City."

Liao Suyin shook her head. "Xiao Shen, you've been hurt by Spirit Empire on so many occasions. Without an excuse like Xingyun's Godhood, how could you willingly go back to them?"

Oh, Suyin, the salvation of Douluo Continent is my excuse.

Not deigning to answer, Ru Shenqi turned and floated back towards her troops. Her friends' gazes turned sad.

Xiao Shen, oh, Xiao Shen. What have you gotten yourself into that you can't confide in us, your best friends?