Chapter 96: For the Glory of Shrek!

Tang Wulin, despite having fought against a ten-thousand-year-old sea soul beast in the ocean, had unexpectedly benefited from the ordeal. Under the immense pressure, he had managed to awaken the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline hidden within his Blue Silver Grass martial soul.

However, he wasn't happy at all.

After all, this disaster had started because of him!

The sounds of wailing and sorrow surrounded him. Even though his closest companions had survived, they were all wounded, bearing visible injuries.

At that moment, his heart was filled with guilt.

As they rested on the shore, the powerhouses from various factions of the Sun-Moon Federation finally arrived.

These included, but were not limited to:

Federal officials,

Powerful figures from the factions backing the exchange delegations,

Super Douluos who were Three-Word Battle Armor Masters,

Red-Class Mecha Masters, and more.

The one representing Shrek Academy and holding the fort was none other than Zhuo Shi, the Scarlet Dragon Douluo, Tang Wulin's grandmaster and Wu Zhangkong's teacher.

After offering some words of comfort and asking about the incident, Zhuo Shi listened to Wu Zhangkong's detailed account of what had transpired.

"Sigh—"

A deep sigh escaped Zhuo Shi's lips.

He, too, felt the pain of loss.

He and Cai Yue'er had been members of the Shrek Seven Monsters from a century ago. Their bond was profound.

However, now wasn't the time to dwell in grief.

It was true that humans and soul beasts had always been natural enemies, but this crisis had undeniably been caused by Shrek Academy's students and teachers.

With his Super Douluo-level hearing, Zhuo Shi could clearly pick up the conversations of the other exchange delegations.

They were all placing the blame squarely on Shrek Academy.

Even worse, his students were looking defeated—their spirits were completely crushed.

That could not be allowed!

These young ones were the future leaders of Shrek, the candidates for the new generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters.

He had to reignite their fighting spirit!

Zhuo Shi's Speech

Thinking quickly, Zhuo Shi spoke firmly:

"Children, lift your spirits!"

"You still have to represent Shrek Academy in the upcoming soul battle exchange with Monster Academy."

"Do you intend to let others see you looking so dejected? Do you want to be a laughingstock?"

"Huh?"

The eight students were completely stunned.

After suffering such heavy losses, shouldn't they be returning home?

Hadn't they just heard that several factions were already discussing arrangements to head back to the Sun-Moon Federation?

"Huh, what?" Zhuo Shi's voice deepened.

"You can't even withstand such a small setback?"

"Look back at Shrek Academy's 20,000-year history—how many crises like this have there been?"

"One of the most inspiring and legendary moments happened 10,000 years ago, during the time of the great Ling Bing Douluo."

"Back then, the Shrek delegation was led by the revered Xuan Zi, a former Vice Pavilion Master of the Sea God's Pavilion, and a Super Douluo at Rank 98."

"They participated in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Battle Competition. Along the way, they faced great hardships, battling evil soul masters to protect the continent's peace."

"In the end, among the main team of the Shrek Seven Monsters, one perished, and the remaining six were gravely injured."

"At that critical moment, it was the Shrek Seven Monsters' reserve team—led by none other than our ancestor, Huo Yuhao—that took up the mantle."

"They, with their young and slender shoulders, bore the weight of Shrek's honor and led the reserve team to victory, winning the championship and upholding Shrek's legacy!"

Zhuo Shi then placed his rough, calloused hand on Tang Wulin's shoulder, his gaze firm:

"This moment, right now, is just like that moment in history!"

"Shrek's honor is now in your hands!"

"Especially you, Wulin."

"You are incredibly similar to Huo Yuhao. Both of you were chosen as candidates for the new generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters. Both of you joined the Tang Sect."

"We are all Tang Sect disciples, born to create legends!"

This flood of inspiring words lit a fire in the hearts of the young soul masters.

Their passion burned anew, their fighting spirit reignited.

They could almost see themselves transported back 10,000 years, standing alongside the legendary Shrek Seven Monsters, fighting to win the championship in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Battle Competition.

With their spirits restored, Tang Wulin and his companions looked at each other, their gazes full of determination.

They extended their right hands, stacking them one on top of the other, and declared in unison:

"For the glory of Shrek!"

"We are all Tang Sect disciples, born to create legends!"

"At all costs, we will defend Shrek's honor with our very lives!"

"Today, we are proud to be part of Shrek Academy. In the future, Shrek Academy will be proud of us!"

"..."

Zhuo Shi nodded in satisfaction, pleased with the change in morale.

A Sudden Interruption

Just then, a furious roar shattered the atmosphere:

"Zhuo Shi! Get over here and explain yourself!"

"The sea soul beasts attacked our ships—doesn't Shrek Academy owe us an explanation?!"

Zhuo Shi frowned and turned to see the speaker.

Upon recognizing the person, his furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

"Hmph. Just a member of the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy? Even in his youth, he wasn't my match. Nothing to worry about."

Reassuring the students, Zhuo Shi then strode forward alone to face the gathering of powerful faction leaders.

The Heated Argument

Back at the scene, Tang Wulin and the others couldn't get close, so they could only listen to the heated exchange from a distance.

The Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy's powerhouse demanded angrily:

"Explain?! What's there to explain? The relationship between humans and soul beasts has always been tense! Ships passing through the ocean being attacked is nothing unusual."

Zhuo Shi flatly refused to take responsibility.

If Shrek Academy admitted fault, they would be fully accountable for the entire sea soul beast attack.

That would mean:

They would have to retaliate against the sea soul beasts.

They would be responsible for compensating the families of the fallen and the organizations involved.

This wasn't just any exchange delegation—every faction involved was a major power, and every fallen student was a prodigy.

If Shrek took the blame, the financial burden alone would cripple the academy.

Thus, Zhuo Shi had no choice but to deny responsibility and stall for time.

His opponent was enraged:

"Bullshit!"

"If your students hadn't captured a sea soul beast and provoked a Sea Soul Beast King, none of this would have happened!"

"Shrek Academy is entirely responsible for this disaster!"

Zhuo Shi, however, simply smirked and entered full evasion mode:

"Heh—nonsense."

"Sea soul beasts and Ten-Thousand-Year Kings have appeared on the surface before—even 10,000 years ago."

"How can you prove that this incident is related to Shrek Academy?"

(End of Chapter)