Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Amidst three ceremonial cannon blasts, the Star Luo Empire personally came to the city walls to welcome Xu Cheng, all with beaming smiles. This time, however, the smiles weren't forced. Xu Jiawei had come to terms with the idea of boarding the great ship that was the Sun-Moon Empire—an example of knowing when to bend and when to stand tall.
Citizens of the Star Luo capital lined the streets in welcome. The entire city celebrated, as if it were their own army returning in victory.
In reality, the only ones looking downcast and miserable were the old nobles trailing behind Xu Jiawei. In the past, with Xu Jiawei shielding them, they had been free to enjoy their privileges. But now, to everyone's surprise...
Their emperor, Xu Jiawei, had freaking defected!!!
And this new "master" was even more ruthless—he had recently purged their former leader, Sarokai, without leaving a single trace. This naturally sparked a sense of looming crisis among them.
Surprisingly, the commoners were overjoyed.
This was largely thanks to Xu Cheng's successful cultural export strategy. With the low cost of shadow crystals and the rapid spread of film and television across the three nations, the Sun-Moon Empire had become, in the eyes of the people, a symbol of civilization, advancement, and the future. After all, the cyber cities shown in those films—the towering skyscrapers, the bizarre and powerful soul tools—had subconsciously influenced the masses.
If even the commoners in the Star Luo capital—the emperor's own backyard—could be swayed this much, the effect in the provinces was even greater.
Recently, many commoners had begun smuggling their entire families across the border into the Sun-Moon Empire. According to Jing Hongchen's statistics, in the past month alone, the number reached two to three hundred thousand.
"Is that the Sun-Moon Empire's army?"
"A civilized force! The future of Douluo!"
"You can just feel the air of freedom and democracy from them!"
"..."
The commoners looked at the Sun-Moon soul engineer regiment aboard their airships, their eyes gleaming with yearning.
At least among the general populace, the Sun-Moon Empire had already become the savior of Douluo Continent. Their cultural propaganda had worked: first by equating soul tools with the future. Once that belief took root, the Sun-Moon Empire, with its overwhelming technological lead in soul tools, naturally became the dreamland everyone aspired to.
Xu Jiawei followed behind Xu Cheng, gazing at the massive crowds on both sides of the road—people more excited than when seeing him. His expression was complicated…
With the hearts of the people already won, what did he have left to fight with?
"You win…" he took a deep breath.
"I didn't expect our roles to reverse so quickly. I remember the last time… sigh."
"The Star Luo Empire is vast and rich in resources, but its flaws are equally clear… It's been bled dry by Shrek for too long, and it can't stand up anymore. The Heaven Soul Empire and Douluo are similar, but at least Heaven Soul has the Body Sect for support," Xu Cheng said softly.
"Star Luo is further burdened with a messy noble system. Bloodsuckers inside and out—its fall was only a matter of time."
"Then... does Star Luo have no hope at all?" Xu Jiawei asked, bewildered.
"Oh, it has hope," Xu Cheng smiled faintly.
Seeing Xu Jiawei's look of surprise, he pointed to himself:
"If I had been born in the Star Luo Empire, maybe then."
Xu Jiawei: "..."
"Winners take all. My Xingguan Sect is willing to pledge allegiance to the Sun-Moon Empire."
Xu Jiawei let out a long breath, as though unburdened of many things.
This was the first time he had said it aloud himself.
"Agreed," Xu Cheng replied with a smile.
He said Xingguan Sect, not Star Luo Empire—revealing the other party's true intent.
"But for now, I won't take over Star Luo. You'll remain emperor for the time being," Xu Cheng added after some thought.
"Alright!" Xu Jiawei agreed without hesitation.
"Second, the Sun-Moon Empire will station troops at the Star Luo border—you'll need to cooperate with this."
"Understood. All of Star Luo's resources are at your disposal," Xu Jiawei said solemnly. "Including the military."
"What? What is Xu Jiawei trying to do!?"
Sea God Pavilion
Elder Song slammed the table in fury. Pain shot through her bandaged hand, and she quickly pulled back, her face twisting.
She had barely survived being struck by Di Tian, and though saved, the injury was grave. Only after extensive treatment from Elder Zhuang did she slowly recover.
"Sigh, we should've seen this coming," Elder Zhuang said gloomily. "Even if Xu Jiawei had wanted to warn us, the Sun-Moon Empire wouldn't have allowed it. The Clear Sky Sect… is fated for this calamity."
"Can't that Xu Jiawei be more courageous?!! Like some spineless coward, letting the Sun-Moon Empire toy with him. Isn't he afraid of how he'll face his ancestors after death?!" Elder Song snapped.
She hadn't considered that one cannot both make the horse run fast and deny it grass—they had always wanted to reap all the benefits without paying the cost.
If only Shrek, the Body Sect, and others hadn't kicked Star Luo while it was down over the White Tiger Duke issue and the border disputes—maybe Xu Jiawei's heart wouldn't have gone so cold.
"The Star Luo Empire seems determined to defect. But its geographical position is critical—it borders all of us. This means the Sun-Moon Empire could use it to directly threaten us," Elder Lin said grimly.
"Exactly. Although Shrek City is located in the Heaven Soul Empire, the Star Luo border isn't far. If the enemy swallows Heaven Soul territory and cuts us off from Star Dou Forest, then…" Yan Shaozhe's tone grew heavy.
That forest had long been the lifeline of Shrek Academy.
For millennia, Shrek had relied on two key advantages:
Top-tier talent (bloodlines) from the three nations.
The Star Dou Forest, a treasure trove.
Over the years, Shrek had drawn endless soul rings and bones from the forest. They were so extravagant that they nearly wiped out an entire species just to build a spiritual training room—showing just how much they'd plundered.
Now, it seemed the Sun-Moon Empire wanted to sever that lifeline.
"Then let's fight!!!" Xian Lin'er shouted angrily, gripping her spear, her aura surging with battle intent.
"The Sun-Moon Empire killed our teacher and now wants to uproot us. Let's go to war if that's what it takes!"
"..." Seated at the head, Xuanzi remained silent.
He took another swig from his gourd of wine, his expression sorrowful.
"If only you were still here, Granduncle… What would your decision be?"
"Now, I finally understand the loneliness of power."
"Absurd! What's Shrek's only advantage left? The existence of Ancestor A Yin! She protects us. Without her, do you think we could withstand the Sun-Moon Empire's assault?" Yan Shaozhe snapped.
"You want to die? Fine. Just don't drag Shrek down with you!"
"You!!!" Xian Lin'er's eyes were bloodshot.
"It's just the truth. The teacher gave his life so we could survive. If you throw away Shrek's legacy on a whim, hmph…" Yan Shaozhe sneered coldly.
"Sigh…"
Watching the heated argument unfold…
Xuanzi took another drink, lost in thought.
Where does Shrek's future lie now…?
End of Chapter)