Chapter 4 - Xu Xiaoyun: If Long Xiaoyao Could Join the Sun Moon Empire, What Scruples Should My Xuanming Sect Have!

Yan Shaozhe was knocked out and taken away. Zhang Lexuan had no choice but to take her leave as well.

As the three of them walked out to the open space beyond the courtyard, Zhang Lexuan retrieved a red token from the storage jade bracelet on her fair wrist and solemnly placed it in Xu Tianxi's hand.

"Tianxi, this is a token representing my identity as an Inner Court disciple of Shrek Academy. Keep it safe—it may be of use someday."

Today, aside from sending her final farewell to Sister Xiyue, she had also considered taking Xu Tianxi back to the Inner Court of Shrek. Now that she had become a Spirit Douluo, she had the ability to take care of him—perhaps even help him and Beibei grow together.

But things rarely go as planned. The Dean's attitude had been far too excessive, provoking Old Ancestor Xu Xiaoyun's fury. Now, these words she could no longer say.

Hopefully, Tianxi wouldn't grow to resent Shrek. Though the Academy's upper echelons were hardly exemplary in character, their strength was undeniably real…

Xu Tianxi nodded and replied with a simple "Okay." Zhang Lexuan's eyes curved gently into a smile. She affectionately patted the boy's still-tender forehead, then bid Xu Xiaoyun farewell and took to the skies, departing the Xuanming Sect.

Not long after, she found Yan Shaozhe lying unconscious like a dead dog. A strange expression flickered across her bright, pale face.

Dean Yan had lived a smooth-sailing life, yet today he suffered such a humiliating disgrace. Who knew if the shock would be too much for him?

His martial soul was the Radiant Phoenix, but he lacked the magnanimity his spirit should've endowed him with. He might seek revenge, so she'd have to explain everything to Elder Mu in detail. Hopefully, the old man would keep him in check.

Thankfully… Shrek still had Elder Mu, someone who understood the bigger picture…

—

On the other side, Xu Tianxi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, slowly exhaling as his chest heaved.

Slapping someone in the heat of the moment felt great, but thinking back… it was a bit much.

He had slapped a Super Douluo before even awakening his martial soul! That kind of feat had to be one of a kind, right?

Oh—wait. He'd forgotten about that Death God Envoy. That guy had exploded half of Shrek's Inner Court students with just Soul King cultivation and even escaped from a Level 98 Super Douluo. Compared to him, Tianxi's accomplishment paled.

As these thoughts ran through his mind, a strong hand landed firmly on his shoulder. Xu Tianxi turned his head to see Xu Xiaoyun had reverted to his original, feeble old-man appearance, his kindly smile showing no sign of his prior dominance.

"So, little Tianxi, how did it feel to slap that bastard? Satisfied?"

Xu Tianxi nodded. There was something cathartic about the simplest of actions. All the frustration in his heart had landed on Yan Shaozhe's aging face.

Xu Xiaoyun laughed even more heartily, but then his expression changed as he spoke with a touch of regret.

"But now, you won't be able to go to Shrek to cultivate like your second brother. You'll have to stay within the sect for the next few years. I don't like that place either, but it truly does offer the best cultivation resources and companions."

Xu Tianxi knew his second brother referred to Xu Sanshi, who had entered Shrek last year at a very young age.

But that had little to do with him. He felt next to nothing for Xu Sanshi. As for Shrek—what he felt was malice, pure and bitter.

Meeting Xu Xiaoyun's gentle gaze, he gritted his teeth and said:

"The Dean of Shrek Academy? He's nothing special. If you're willing to teach me, Master Ancestor, you'll definitely be better than him! And those people from Shrek… Aunt Xuan is nice, but that Yan Shaozhe is utterly shameless! The ones responsible for my mother's death? They're monsters!"

Simply put: both of them deserved to die.

"Hahaha… You're absolutely right! Your Master Ancestor's abilities far surpass that bastard's! They may be the so-called number one academy on the continent, but our Xuanming Sect is one of the most powerful hidden sects in the world! Let your second brother have that hellhole!"

Xu Xiaoyun laughed heartily, giving the boy's shoulder a firm pat. His voice lowered, filled with a deep, almost fatherly warmth.

"In another half-month, you'll awaken your martial soul. Take this time to rest. Don't dwell on your mother's death too much. We will make Shrek give us an explanation—sooner or later."

With that, he waved his hand, summoning Chen Wu and Elder Yue, who had been sent away earlier. After giving the two some instructions, he took off into the wind.

Xu Tianxi watched his departure, his gaze shifting subtly before he suddenly called out:

"Master Ancestor, what if Shrek comes looking for trouble?"

"Don't worry, kid. Shrek has taken plenty of favors from us over the years. The Sea God's Pavilion still has people with clear minds. As long as I'm alive, they won't dare!"

Xu Xiaoyun's powerful voice echoed through the skies until he vanished from sight.

"Young Master, what should we do now?" Chen Wu asked, somewhat dimwittedly.

Xu Tianxi glanced at him and answered without hesitation:

"Sleep. I'm tired."

This whole transmigration thing was just too fantastical—still hard to process all at once.

But since he was here, might as well get some rest first.

Late at night, inside Xuanming Sect's ancestral hall, Xu Xiaoyun silently entered. He gazed mournfully at the woman lying peacefully within the circle of funeral wreaths. His right fist clenched tightly.

He stepped forward and gently lifted a middle-aged man seated cross-legged before the wreath, casting him a look.

Xuanwu Displacement silently activated, and the two vanished in a flash of black light, reappearing in a hidden chamber.

The man looked to be in his early thirties—thick brows, tiger-like eyes, strong features—and wore black mourning robes. He still looked dazed, only managing to speak after a moment.

"Great-Grandfather, what's the matter? What's so urgent that you had to pull me aside now?"

Xu Xiaoyun's sharp eyes gleamed as he declared:

"This is no minor matter. It's a major one. As the current Head of the Xu Clan, you must know."

This man was Xu Fu, father of Xu Tianxi and Xu Sanshi, and the current head of the Xu family.

Xu Fu looked even more baffled.

"Come now, Great-Grandfather, everyone knows I'm just a token head. You Elders are the real decision-makers."

Xu Xiaoyun shook his head and spoke calmly:

"Don't belittle yourself. Your talent may not match your senior brother's, but you're still exceptional. Reaching my level is not impossible. My time is limited, and one day, you and your senior brother will bear the weight of the sect."

"More importantly, this matter concerns you directly. You must listen."

Xu Fu straightened up and bowed solemnly.

"This grandson shall heed your guidance!"

Having been taught by Xu Xiaoyun himself, and referring to his senior and junior fellow disciples as "Senior Brother" and "Junior Sister," Xu Fu held deep respect for the old man.

Xu Xiaoyun nodded and began:

"It's simple. In a few years, I intend to send your son, Tianxi, to cultivate in the Sun Moon Empire. What do you think?"

"Huh?!" Xu Fu's jaw dropped.

"And you… will go into seclusion for the next few years. I'll publicly declare you've joined me in closed-door cultivation. This will make it seem like Tianxi has no support and isn't close to Xuanming Sect. That way, any outside forces investing in him won't worry he'll betray them."

"Huh?!??"

Xu Fu was utterly stunned, his mind spinning with conflicting emotions.

Xu Xiaoyun raised his hand to silence him.

"This is a decision I made after much deliberation. There are two reasons.

First, for the sake of our Xuanming Sect's legacy. You know your junior sister's background—descended from a royal branch exiled by the previous emperor of the Sun Moon Empire. Tianxi's identity is special. Now that he's slapped Shrek's dean and the previous royal family is extinct, he'll gain the trust and support of Sun Moon's new rulers.

Second, I owe a blood debt to Shrek Academy. I personally escorted your junior sister to Shrek City years ago. Elder Mu promised to care for her. We've supported Shrek's development for years—and this is how they repay us?! I won't stand for it!"

"And that Yan Shaozhe! Today, he bullied Tianxi right in front of me and even tried to shift the blame onto your junior sister just to defend that bastard Xuanzi! Outrageous!"

CRACK!

Xu Xiaoyun's palm smashed down on a potted plant, shattering it to pieces.

Xu Fu nodded fervently, his eyes gleaming as realization dawned.

"So you want to do what you did before—sending Senior Brother to Star Luo Empire to spite Heaven Dou, and Junior Sister to Shrek to spite Sun Moon—now send Tianxi to Sun Moon to spite Shrek?"

"Exactly! Since Shrek has no righteousness, I shall have no mercy!"

Xu Xiaoyun's eyes glowed darkly with boundless fury.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Compared to what Shrek had lost, his own loss was real—his disciple had died.

And Xuanzi, the main culprit, was still alive and well, eating and drinking in Shrek, set to become the next Sea God's Pavilion Master. That blood debt? He'd likely never collect.

He couldn't act recklessly for the sake of the clan—but Xu Tianxi could. Once he entered the Sun Moon Empire, his future would be full of possibilities.

Thinking of Xuanzi and Yan Shaozhe's smug faces, Xu Xiaoyun narrowed his eyes, white beard fluttering with frost.

"Hmph! Even Long Xiaoyao has sided with the Sun Moon Empire. What does our Xuanming Sect have to fear?"

"The way I see it, the Douluo Three Kingdoms are doomed. Instead of bowing our heads later, we should place our bet early!"

"What?! Long Xiaoyao!? The Dark Holy Dragon of your generation joined the Sun Moon Empire?! That's… that's impossible!"

Xu Fu was stunned beyond belief. Long Xiaoyao was a legend from over two centuries ago, a peer of Mu En, long believed to have vanished a hundred years ago.

Now Xu Xiaoyun claimed the man was not only alive—but a supporter of the Sun Moon Empire?!

"Yes, that old bastard. When I heard the royal family had been wiped out in a coup, I went to investigate and found traces of something… unusual. Just as I was about to dig deeper, Long Xiaoyao showed up and blocked me. We even exchanged a few blows."

Xu Xiaoyun's eyes darkened.

"He's an Ultimate Douluo now. Unless we fight at sea, I have no chance of beating him. I can only defend myself.

Mu En is a cripple, barely hanging on. Once he's gone, no one in the Douluo Alliance can stand against Long Xiaoyao."

"If I were the Sun Moon Emperor, I'd strike the moment Mu En dies—before Long Xiaoyao passes—to conquer the continent and unify the world!"

"The last emperor was a coward who let Star Luo beat him down and still insisted on peace, even exiling his own hawkish generals. That destroyed their morale. But this new emperor? He's a different breed.

In recent years, I've clearly sensed a massive build-up of Sun Moon's military power. They've even created soul tools that threaten my very life. Given time, the decaying Three Kingdoms—and even Shrek—won't stand a chance."

"Since the outcome is inevitable, our Xuanming Sect must make its choice."

"But Great-Grandfather, we…"