CHAPTER 236: Dragon’s Pride and the Open Conspiracy

Chapter 236: Dragon's Pride and the Open Conspiracy

Seeing Moon En appear, Xuan Zi felt as if the clouds had parted and the sun had finally shone through—Shrek had hope again.

"Moon! Why did you only show up now?" Xuan Zi shouted, voice half-relieved, half-accusatory.

As a fellow member of Shrek and Moon's direct subordinate, Xuan Zi couldn't hide his emotions. None of Shrek's people had died, and seeing their strongest pillar return gave him reassurance. But Du Bu Si, the leader of the Body Sect, had no such relief on his face.

Especially when he saw Moon En now standing tall and straight, no longer hunched or feeble, his aura at full power—Du Bu Si's fury surged. Just moments ago, he'd watched his sect's elders fall in battle, powerless to stop it.

"Du Lao, show some respect!" Xuan Zi barked. "Do you even understand Mu Lao's current state? This is his ninth soul skill—Dragon's Pride. It allows him to return to his peak form temporarily. But once this state ends, all his injuries will erupt at once. We're not in Shrek anymore. There's no Golden Tree here to extend his life. Mu Lao—after using this move—won't live past tomorrow!"

If there weren't still enemies around, Xuan Zi might've gone straight at Du Bu Si.

"Dragon's Pride? Suppresses all injuries?" Du Bu Si's voice was low and grim. "So that's how you managed to break through to level ninety-nine after fighting my brother back then?"

Moon En nodded. "Yes. But the price I paid was severe. That battle gave me the insight to ascend, but the poison I suffered nearly took my life. Even now, though I've reached level ninety-nine, half my life has already been consumed."

Du Bu Si snorted. "Back then, I should've killed you outright. Now look at the cost—we've lost so many Titled Douluo. And don't think I've forgotten—compared to Shrek, the combined Titled Douluo of the three royal families wouldn't even be half as many!"

Moon En sighed and looked toward Xiao Qiang and his group. "This wasn't what I wanted either… Come out. You've been making my instincts scream that I'd die if I moved."

Jing Hongchen and Mu Qingxue didn't understand what Moon En meant. But Xiao Qiang did.

"Sister Jingliu, come out."

As Xiao Qiang finished speaking, a stunning figure materialized from his storage soul guide—Xue Di, the Snow Empress.

She didn't release any spiritual pressure, but both Du Bu Si and Xuan Zi visibly paled. They didn't sense her aura at all—which meant her cultivation was far above theirs.

"Limit Douluo? Impossible!" Xuan Zi gasped, his voice cracking. "How could the Sun Moon Empire have a Limit Douluo?!"

Panic showed on Du Bu Si's face too. Both knew that Moon En was near death. And if this woman was truly a Limit Douluo, Shrek's side had no chance if battle resumed.

"She's the reason you didn't act before?" Du Bu Si asked through gritted teeth.

Moon En nodded. "Yes. I sensed it—if I made a move, I wouldn't just fail… I'd die. That kind of danger only comes from one thing: someone whose power far surpasses my own. I waited, hoping to find a moment to use my trump card. But clearly, we collapsed before that moment came."

"I'm sorry, Elder Mu," Xuan Zi said quietly. "I… I misjudged you."

Moon En waved a hand. "No matter. Let's move forward. But first…" He turned to Xiao Qiang. "Can we talk?"

Jing Hongchen and Mu Qingxue looked to Xue Di. She in turn looked at Xiao Qiang.

"Little brother, it's your decision," she said.

Jing Hongchen's eyelid twitched. He didn't know who this Xue Di was, but one thing was clear—she was far older and stronger than him. And she called Xiao Qiang "little brother"? Just what kind of background did Xiao Qiang have?!

"Talk?" Xiao Qiang's tone was flat. "Negotiation requires leverage. I have a one hundred percent chance of killing all of you and taking your soul bones. So why should I negotiate? Wouldn't it be better to just kill you all?"

"You're right." Moon En's expression didn't change. "You do have the advantage now. But you haven't attacked. Why? Because you know this: a cornered beast can still bite."

"If battle continues, the three of us will die. But you won't walk away unscathed either. I'm no match for that senior beside you—but I've been a Limit Douluo for many decades. If I go all out, I can hold her back for a time."

He pointed at Xuan Zi and Du Bu Si. "Those two—if they fight with the intent to die, they'll drag someone with them. Maybe not you, Xiao Qiang… but what about her?" His gaze shifted to Mu Qingxue.

"She used her Melting Ring already, didn't she? Can she really survive another full-force battle?"

Xiao Qiang turned toward Mu Qingxue. Her face was pale, her aura weak. The Melting Ring gave her the power to fight Du Bu Si's second awakening state, but the price had been steep.

"You understand now, don't you?" Moon En's voice was calm, but firm. "You and Jing Hongchen might survive. But she won't. And if she dies under your command, even if she doesn't blame you… that regret will live in your heart forever."

Xiao Qiang stayed silent. He understood.

This was an open conspiracy—one everyone could see through, yet couldn't avoid.

Mu Qingxue would never betray him. But if she died, even with the Commandment in place, her death would become a scar that no one could erase.

"It seems you understand," Moon En continued. "So, let me make a proposal."

"I, Shrek's Mu En, offer four hundred-thousand-year soul bones, eight fifty-thousand-year soul bones, and… my life."

He pointed at Du Bu Si and Xuan Zi.

"In exchange—let the two of them live."

Xiao Qiang: "…"