CHAPTER 281: The Final Gamble: Rise of the Tianfu Alliance
Chapter 281 – The Final Gamble: Rise of the Tianfu Alliance
"Go for broke? Will you win?" Du Bu Si asked coldly.
Xuan Zi nodded. "We will win."
Everyone turned their gaze toward Xuan Zi. It wasn't as if they hadn't tried besieging Xiao Qiang before, but last time, Shrek nearly lost the chance to recover him at all. And now, Xuan Zi claimed they would win? His usual unreliability made everyone skeptical.
"Don't look at me like that," Xuan Zi waved a hand, trying to appear confident. "I'm serious. This time, in a particular scenario, the advantage is on my side."
Du Bu Si's face darkened as he processed that. "Xuan Zi, this isn't the time for jokes. Jing Hongchen might be lured away with a surprise attack on the palace, but what about those two women? Whether you or I can hold them off is already in question. If Xiao Qiang is freed up, it will be a massacre—worse than what happened two years ago."
"That time, at least we had Tianyang Douluo, a level 97 powerhouse. But now? Apart from you and me, the strongest is Lao Zhao, level 95. Sure, his body martial spirit had a silver-level second awakening, but he's still not Yan Shaozhe's match. This isn't just a gamble—it's suicide!"
Xuan Zi nonchalantly took out another chicken leg and bit into it. "You can't say that. This time is different. For certain reasons, that woman you fought last time—she definitely won't show up on the battlefield."
Du Bu Si's eyes flickered. "What do you mean?"
"I can't say more," Xuan Zi said, shaking his head. "But I'm sure—she won't dare come out here."
"Does Shrek have another trump card?"
"It's not exactly a trump card," Xuan Zi said with a faint smile. "But on this battlefield, due to specific conditions, I hold an advantage. I swear it on my life."
Du Bu Si wanted to curse. Swear it on your life? If words could kill, he'd slap Xuan Zi to death—level 98 or not.
Of course, Xuan Zi knew Du Bu Si didn't believe him. His past actions didn't inspire confidence. But at this point, he could only steel himself and push forward. "I'm not joking with Shrek's future. This might be our one and only chance. In two more years, they'll have more people we can't even hope to beat."
Du Bu Si fell into deep thought. "You're really betting your life on this?"
"Absolutely."
"If you screw this up, I will kill you."
"I understand."
Du Bu Si remained silent. Because of the memory restrictions placed on them at the time, they could not speak or even hint at Mu Qingxue to others. Still, memories of fighting beside her remained vivid in their minds.
With Mu Qingxue still lingering in his thoughts, Du Bu Si began to consider: What kind of threat would make even her stay hidden?
Two years ago, Mu Qingxue had reached a terrifying level. Her Extreme Fire at level 97, under the Twelve-Winged Seraph martial spirit, combined with her fusion-ring burst could temporarily reach the level of an actual Limit Douluo. Unless she had angered multiple Limit Douluo, why else would she stay away?
He recalled the rumors about Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui—two ancient and deadly figures. Though he hadn't been there himself, he knew Ye Xishui was an evil soul master, and Long Xiaoyao… someone infatuated with her.
If both were alive, and allied with Xiao Qiang's side, that kind of power could force even Mu Qingxue into retreat. But then again, unleashing evil soul masters upon the world—destroying the balance and suppressing the angel martial spirit—was that really the right move?
Also… how did Xuan Zi know they were near the Sun Moon Empire's capital? Did he… have contact with the evil soul masters?
Seeing Du Bu Si hesitate, Xuan Zi leaned forward, pressing harder. "Are you doing it or not? This may be our only shot. In two years, Jing Hongchen and the others will grow stronger, and by then, it'll be too late."
Du Bu Si clenched his fists. "Let's do it. If we keep waiting, Shrek is doomed. We'll lose even more terribly in the next All-Continental Advanced Soul Master Competition. Even if we win, it won't bring back the faith of soul masters across the continent. And without Shrek as a central pillar, once the Sun-Moon Empire launches a war of annihilation, the three kingdoms will fall into chaos."
He paused, eyes burning. "We can't just sit and wait for death. We'll hide for now, wait for the Royal Soul Master Academies of Dou Ling and Xing Luo to crumble, and then rally their forces. Xuan Zi, be ready to die for Shrek. This is our final gamble. Whether we win or lose, we may never return. I just hope Shaozhe can hold the fort if we fall."
Following their decision, the team quickly scattered into hiding. Thankfully, their numbers and supplies were small, and the public's attention was fully absorbed by the ongoing All-Continental Advanced Soul Master Competition. No one noticed their disappearance.
As the competition progressed toward its end, all four semi-finalist teams were from the Sun-Moon Empire. Not only were the participants powerful, but they were all core soul masters trained by the empire. The Sun-Moon Emperor was so pleased, he nearly declared an amnesty across the land.
...
In a secluded chamber deep within the Sun-Moon Empire's territory, Du Bu Si now sat at the head of a secret meeting. Around him were representatives from the royal families of Xingluo and Dou Ling.
Though Shrek had fallen from grace, it still retained influence. After all, Du Bu Si was a Level 99 Extreme Douluo, and Xuan Zi, though less reliable, was a Level 98 powerhouse. That alone demanded attention.
Even Princess Jiujiu and the envoys from the Dou Ling Empire did not dare refuse their summons.
A lean camel was still larger than a horse. If Shrek truly collapsed, it would not be the Sun-Moon Empire that would suffer first, but those who failed to ally with them in time.
"Seniors, may I ask why you've gathered us here?" Princess Jiujiu asked stiffly.
"It's simple," Du Bu Si said calmly. "We want you to join a new alliance."
"A new alliance?" she echoed. "What alliance?"
Du Bu Si's eyes burned with resolution.
"The Tianfu Alliance."