CHAPTER 112: The Weight of Defeat and the Glimmer of Strategy

Chapter 112: The Weight of Defeat and the Glimmer of Strategy

Qiang Yan Shaozhe stood in front of the assembled elders of the Sea God Pavilion, his expression twitching with unease.

"Xuan Lao, this was just a regular competition. There was no need to summon all the elders here like this," he said, trying to downplay the situation.

Admitting Shrek's crushing defeat in front of the Pavilion's top authorities—especially with how badly they had lost—was no small burden for Yan Shaozhe.

But Xuan Lao was having none of it.

"No need? Shaozhe, Shrek has invested tremendous effort into this competition, and the students have shed blood and sweat. How can the outcome be hidden from those who've dedicated their lives to this Academy?"

He stood tall, his tone righteous. "Regardless of the result, their dedication must be acknowledged. We owe it to these children who continue striving for Shrek's glory!"

Yan Shaozhe bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment. "You're right, Xuan Lao. That was a lapse in judgment. No matter the result, they are still our pride—they are Shrek's children."

Xuan Lao nodded with satisfaction. "Exactly. Now then, let the results be made known to all—loudly and clearly."

Yan Shaozhe took a deep breath. "Elders, in this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament… we finished as runner-up."

Cheers started to rise, but Xuan Lao cut in with a proud chuckle, "Ah, as expected of Shrek Academy! Even under such challenging—"

He suddenly paused, his smile freezing.

"What did you just say?"

Yan Shaozhe repeated calmly, "We came second. The champions are the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy."

Xuan Lao's eyes widened in disbelief.

"…The champions are the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?"

"Yes," Shaozhe confirmed. "Although Ma Rulong was their only Soul Emperor, a student named Xiao Qiang was instrumental in their victory. Despite Dai Yueheng defeating Xiao Hongchen after using a chocolate-induced burst state, both he and Ling Luochen were eventually defeated by Xiao Qiang."

Xuan Lao's face darkened. "Impossible! Completely impossible!"

His voice rose to a shout. "Dai Yueheng is a Soul Emperor of Shrek Academy! Ling Luochen is a Soul King! Even alone, either of them should have crushed a mere Soul King from the Sun Moon Empire!"

So shaken was he by the news that the dignified, level-98 Titled Douluo staggered in place, barely able to remain standing.

"Xuan Lao!"

"Master Xuan, please calm yourself!"

Xian Lin'er and the other elders rushed to support him. Though his spirit power made it impossible for him to faint, the emotional blow was overwhelming.

Tears welled in Xuan Lao's eyes. "It's my fault… I'm the one who failed Shrek. If not for my mistake, the original Shrek Seven Devils wouldn't have died. If they had lived, the Sun Moon Empire wouldn't have grown so bold, and we wouldn't have lost this tournament!"

"Master Mu… I have no face to remain in Shrek!"

Yan Shaozhe quickly stepped forward to reassure him. "Please, Xuan Lao, this isn't your fault. If anything, the blame lies with Dai Yueheng!"

He continued hurriedly, "When facing the evil soul master, he only used a Soul Shield on himself. If he had deployed it to protect the others, the rest of the team might have survived."

Of course, Shaozhe conveniently skipped over the fact that it was Xuan Lao who had personally assured them that no protection would be needed—and had instructed Dai Yueheng to conserve his Soul Shields.

Still, Elder Mu was growing weaker by the day, and Xuan Lao was now the pillar holding up Shrek's future. Losing him would be catastrophic. For now, Shaozhe had to soothe his emotions and plan how to handle the rest later—perhaps have Dai Yueheng personally apologize once he recovered.

"Yes, this is all Dai Yueheng's doing," Cai Mei'er agreed, echoing her husband. "In the final rounds, we had the upper hand. Yet he still lost to a mere Five-Ring Soul King from the Sun Moon Empire. Clearly, he's the one at fault. It has nothing to do with you, Xuan Lao."

Whether or not she truly believed that didn't matter. Dai Yueheng was a Soul Emperor; if they lost him, it would sting—but it wouldn't cripple the Academy. But Xuan Lao? He was irreplaceable. They needed him to hold the line until Yan Shaozhe, Zhang Lexuan, and others were ready to step up.

Eventually, with the comfort and reassurances of the elders, Xuan Lao slowly emerged from his sorrow, at least outwardly.

Then Moon En, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "Xuan Zi, Shaozhe, what exactly happened in this tournament? I want the full story. Spare no detail."

After a meal and some wine, Xuan Lao nodded, and Yan Shaozhe began his report. Moon En listened in grim silence as the events unfolded.

By the end, even he—known for his composure—felt as if darkness had closed in on his vision.

Beibei had been critically injured. Zhang Lexuan had been used as a bargaining chip and taken by the Sun Moon Empire. Ma Xiaotao's martial soul had mutated into a black Fire Phoenix—confirming her transformation into a true evil soul master. And in the end, Shrek had lost the competition in every way imaginable.

Not only had they been defeated, but they had also lost face and sacrificed their own.

A bitter sigh escaped Moon En's lips. "We've lost both our troops and our pride…"

"Teacher," Yan Shaozhe said quickly, "please don't worry too much. This was just one tournament. Our team was incomplete. I'm confident that we'll reclaim our honor in the next one."

Moon En narrowed his eyes. "Do we have anyone who can face this Xiao Qiang in the next tournament?"

Yan Shaozhe's face turned serious. "Currently… no one. But I've looked into him. He has twin martial souls, one of which is ice-based. So, I reached out to the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire and arranged for a very special prize to be offered."

He paused, then explained, "A left arm soul bone from the Ice Jade Scorpion—estimated to be between 50,000 and 70,000 years old. It's a temptation no ice attribute soul master could refuse. Once he fuses with it, it will be impossible for him to participate in the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Competition."

Moon En stared at him. "What if he doesn't fuse with it?"

Yan Shaozhe hesitated. "Given his contributions to this tournament and his status as Jing Hongchen's personal disciple, even if he doesn't absorb it, there's no issue with granting him the reward. It's better if we do."

Moon En leaned back slightly, then gave a rare, calculating smile. "Very well. As it happens, I need to visit the Sun Moon Empire anyway to bring Lexuan back. While I'm there… I suppose I'll pay a visit to this boy named Xiao Qiang."