NOVEL NEXT Chapter 115: Chapter 115: The End of Shrek's Honor—If You Can't Win, Take It!
"Boom!"
With a deafening explosion, Ma Xiaotao's body was sent flying like a ragdoll, landing lightly outside the arena.
She was caught in Ling Luochen's arms, who had a complex expression on her face. Without saying a word, she carried Ma Xiaotao back to Shrek's resting area.
Jiang Peng closed his eyes, his mind replaying the events of the match.
From beginning to end, Xu Cheng had only used soul tools. He hadn't even activated a single soul skill. His newly developed soul tool equipment turned the battle into a personal showcase. With effortless ease, he completely dominated Ma Xiaotao, leaving her with no chance to retaliate.
The evil fire she had always prided herself on, even at full power, was completely ineffective against Xu Cheng.
Before this, they thought her evil fire was "suppressed" by Ultimate Ice as a mere coincidence.
But now, they realized—it was intentional.
Because at that moment, no one in the entire arena was his equal.
The audience was silent.
It wasn't just because Shrek's millennia-old honor had collapsed, but also because of the sheer shock Xu Cheng had brought to everyone.
The Academy Tournament was supposed to be a battleground for the continent's top prodigies—a proving ground where new black horses would emerge and young geniuses would "attain their path."
Yet, Xu Cheng was like an unfathomable demon king, mercilessly crushing all the so-called prodigies with an overwhelming power gap.
"A genius? That's just the qualification to stand before him…"
Someone murmured in awe.
"Yeah… Even the elite of Shrek were so easily defeated. What will he be like in a few decades?"
On the City Walls
A heavy silence hung over the scene.
Xu Jiawei gazed at the young man on stage, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes.
"Marshal, it's been a long time since I've seen such a genius…"
"I feel the same," Dai Hao sighed. "It's a pity he wasn't born in Star Luo. If he were, our empire would surely rise to new heights."
Xu Jiawei said, "I even thought about using Jiujiu to win him over."
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" Dai Hao's eyes widened. "He is an absolute loyalist of the Sun-Moon Empire. Even if you sent the princess, it would be futile!"
Xu Jiawei let out a deep sigh. "I know… But his potential makes me hope otherwise. Given enough time, reaching Rank 99 as an Ultimate Douluo is inevitable. Even that far-off realm of legend—becoming a god—might not be impossible for him."
Dai Hao: "…"
Xu Jiawei shook his head. "Forget it… Once the tournament ends, we'll have him detained. Perhaps this will be the end of a genius."
But in truth, if he could have formed an alliance through marriage, even at great risk, he would have been willing…
After all, the Sun-Moon Empire's momentum was unstoppable. Even capturing Xu Cheng might not change the course of history—only delay it.
Shrek Academy—Sea God's Pavilion
"What? Shrek… lost?!"
Elder Song slammed the table in fury.
"We entrusted our millennia-old honor to them! We placed our faith in them! And they lost like this? Losing is one thing, but in the top sixteen?! The top sixteen! Never in my life have I heard of such disgrace befalling Shrek!"
"Shameful! Absolutely shameful!"
Yan Shaozhe lowered his head in silence.
The entire room was filled with an oppressive quiet.
After all, falling in the top sixteen was something no one had anticipated.
Based on their calculations, with the Flower of Life gifted by Star Luo Empire's Wang Xian'er, and with two Soul Emperors—Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng—leading the team, even without Gongyang Mo and the main lineup, they should have easily made it to the semifinals, if not the finals.
But now, the result had left everyone dumbfounded.
Then, Mu En spoke slowly.
"According to the intelligence from Wang Yan, we encountered the Sun-Moon Empire in the round of sixteen. In the team battle, Ma Xiaotao's evil fire was drawn out by a sword, but it was completely suppressed by Xu Cheng. Though she lost, she actually benefited from the encounter—her strength reached its peak."
"To completely suppress Xiaotao's evil fire… Could it be?" Elder Lin's eyes widened in shock.
"Yes, it was Ultimate Ice," Mu En confirmed. "When that boy released his martial soul, even Star Luo Empire's Guardian Hand, Cheng Gang, mistook him for a transformed soul beast. However, at some unknown point, Cheng Gang was mentally manipulated, causing a commotion that made every team in the hotel aware of it…"
"Controlled Cheng Gang? But Cheng Gang is a Title Douluo!" Elder Song was astonished.
"And on the very day Xiaotao reached her peak condition, he defeated her using only soul tools," Mu En said flatly, as if recounting a mundane event.
"…"
Once again, silence fell over the room.
"Is he even human? This is a monster!"
"So much for the pride we held in our martial souls," Mu En looked at Yan Shaozhe. "This boy has proven through his actions—weakness is weakness. No excuses."
"A talent like this must be a once-in-ten-thousand-years event, even in the Sun-Moon Empire." Yan Shaozhe murmured.
"That's exactly why I'm worried," Mu En sighed deeply. "Something big is about to happen."
"Teacher, don't worry! Elder Xuan has already contacted us. A genius like him would make the Star Luo Emperor uneasy too. Their plan is to detain him once the tournament ends. Elder Xuan intends to seize the opportunity and bring him back to Shrek!" Yan Shaozhe grinned.
"All geniuses… are destined to belong to Shrek!"
"…"
Mu En shook his head slightly.
The sight made everyone uneasy.
"Mu En, what do you mean?" Yan Shaozhe asked nervously.
"I have no objections," Mu En said with a faint smile.
But deep down, he let out a silent sigh.
To him, that boy Xu Cheng was no fool. Not only was his strength terrifying, but he also had to be highly intelligent.
If he dared to come to Star Luo's capital, he must have already ensured his escape route.
Although Mu En wasn't sure how, he was certainly curious to find out.
In the Hotel
As the Sun-Moon Empire's team rested, an unexpected visitor arrived.
"Princess, what brings you here?" Ma Rulong frowned but still welcomed the late-night guest.
"I have something to discuss with Xu Cheng," Xu Jiujiu scanned the room, locking eyes with Xu Cheng.
"With me?" Xu Cheng frowned. "Your Highness, you can speak plainly."
"No, come to my room," Xu Jiujiu said firmly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"To… your room?" Xiao Hongchen's eyes widened.
"Is my sister facing another love rival?"
Xu Cheng's mouth twitched.
"What do you mean 'to your room'? And why are you blushing?! Anyone who sees this will think something is going on between us!"
Inside Xu Cheng's Room
Xu Jiujiu sat gracefully on his bed, looking at him seriously.
"Actually… I came to discuss a marriage alliance."
Xu Cheng: "???"
"Could you explain that in more detail?"
Xu Jiujiu's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. Even with her usual proud and elegant demeanor as a princess, she suddenly found herself flustered.
She took a deep breath.
"You and I are both of royal lineage, though from different empires…"
(To be continued)