"Click--"
Su Wen let out a sigh of appreciation.
This is the beauty of raw power.
With a single punch, his entire body felt invigorated, and the terrifying strength erupting from his bones and muscles completely shattered the linked defensive soul device barrier.
As the dust settled, the head of the Sun Moon Empire's Evil Sovereign Soul Engineer Legion, Wang Yiheng, suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. He slowly crawled up from the ground, a hint of fear and shock in his eyes. "You are...?"
"Su Wen!!!"
"You know me?" Su Wen was a bit surprised.
Gulp—Wang Yiheng's throat bobbed. Of course he did. Years ago, the upper echelons of the Sun Moon Empire had held a high-level meeting and launched a siege plan targeting Su Wen. Naturally, he had seen the information on the target.
"You were supposed to be dead... killed in the Sun Moon Empire by Ye Xishui and—"
He stared at Su Wen, who stood high above with an indifferent expression, as if looking at a vengeful ghost that had crawled up from hell. Fear consumed him.
No matter how tightly you keep secrets, some news will always leak eventually.
The main forces of the Sun Moon Empire had been utterly destroyed, and even Ye Xishui had to personally join two Holy Spirit Cult offerings to bring Su Wen down.
Deploying that kind of force just to deal with a Shrek inner court disciple was already unbelievable in his eyes.
But the problem is—
Even that failed to kill Su Wen...
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten," Su Wen said with a sigh. "I was going to let you go, but now... you've reminded me. Seems I have a mortal grudge with the Sun Moon Empire after all."
"Retreat!!"
Wang Yiheng's eyes went bloodshot as he roared.
Clearly, he knew there was no turning back. Of course, it was the Sun Moon Empire that had first forced matters to this point...
But at this moment, the four beast soul engineer legions of the Sun Moon Empire displayed their formidable discipline. Although nearly half of them had been knocked down, coughing blood, the rest instantly activated linked defensive soul devices, retreating rapidly with the wounded—hundreds of elite men withdrawing in seconds.
This was an impressive sight. Even the powerhouses of the original continent were watching with heavy expressions.
So this is the elite of the Sun Moon Empire, huh.
"Did I say you could leave?"
Su Wen's eyes narrowed.
Even the rats from the Holy Spirit Cult were fleeing in panic.
He slowly raised his palm, pressing down towards the Evil Sovereign Soul Engineer Legion.
"This is..."
Beside him, Qian Lingyun looked up in awe. The thick clouds overhead suddenly parted, revealing a gigantic crack. A magnificent golden light shone through, and an enormous ancient claw seemed to emerge slowly from the rift.
Heaven-Shredding Claw.
"Perish."
Su Wen coldly spat a single word.
The golden giant claw slammed down on the fleeing Evil Sovereign Legion.
Its momentum was boundless. Despair filled Wang Yiheng's eyes as he gazed up at Su Wen far above through the gaps between the claw's fingers.
Boom!
With an earth-shaking crash,
the entire Sun Moon Empire's force was engulfed beneath the claw.
...
With Su Wen's appearance, the entire continent fell silent.
After all, he wiped out an entire beast soul engineer legion by himself, and in a blink at that. Even a Limit Douluo would have trouble accomplishing such a feat.
But once the Sun Moon Empire's war machine started moving, it was hard to stop—a raging storm swept past Shrek Academy, expanding the war to the Heavenly Soul and Star Luo Empires.
At the Star Luo front, fighting in the Mingdou Mountains raged on—nearly every force except for Shrek Academy was caught up in the carnage, both sides covered in blood.
Emperor Xu Jiawei of Star Luo sent repeated pleas to Shrek for reinforcements, but Su Wen persistently delayed responding.
"Little Wen, are you really going to just stand by?" Yan Shaozhe asked worriedly.
"What if the Sun Moon Empire breaks through the Star Luo lines? Wouldn't we—"
"Share the same fate?" Su Wen chuckled.
"Dean, you've got it wrong. We are not the Star Luo Empire's allies—never have been. We only formed an alliance against Sun Moon because we were forced to."
"But now, that's no longer needed."
"The Sun Moon Empire will fall. I'll personally end the Emperor. But before that, I plan to squeeze out all their remaining value."
"For example, let the three original nations of the continent understand their true standing."
"Who becomes Emperor in the future doesn't matter. What matters is—who has the authority to grant the Imperial title as a 'God.'"
Hiss— Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but be shocked.
"This... isn't that a bit too much? Shrek Academy is, after all, a school—a neutral force..."
"Then focus entirely on academics. Completely abandon all politics. No matter who rules in the future, it has nothing to do with us." Su Wen smiled.
"Ah, but..." Yan Shaozhe looked embarrassed.
"If you've chosen this path, be all in. Even if it means establishing a system of divine monarchy, achieving true continental unification for the first time ever matters more than endless wars." Su Wen shook his head and sipped his tea.
"You're right!" Yan Shaozhe drew a deep breath.
His admiration for Su Wen continued to grow.
This kid really is decisive. Even the teachers of my youth can't compare to his drive.
A divine monarchy would mean Shrek stands atop the continent, with all power centralized; the Emperor would be merely a puppet.
Potential risks abound, but no matter what, it would be the continent's first real unification—its significance is self-evident.
"Oh, and one more thing." Yan Shaozhe adjusted his glasses. "The Holy Angel Hall sent a message, inviting you to visit a branch in the west, right at the border of the Heavenly Soul and Star Luo Empires. They say it's extremely important and must be discussed with you personally."
"What could be so important they couldn't write it in a letter?" Su Wen raised a brow.
"Well, they made it very clear they want the Sea God Pavilion Master to visit in person. Qian Lingyun delivered it himself—left right after, too busy to even stay for tea."
"Mhm?" Su Wen frowned.
He felt something sinister was afoot.
But the Holy Angel Hall's strongest was but a rank 98 Super Douluo—not even a full Limit. What could they do to him?
And it was left behind by Qian Renxue anyway.
"Alright, got it."
...
Star Dou Forest, western edge.
Su Wen tread quietly on dry leaves, passing through a dilapidated "temple." Dozens of lifelike angel statues lined the sides, yet the fallen leaves and weathered bronze walls made it clear the place had been abandoned for ages.
"Anyone here?"
Su Wen was a bit puzzled. He didn't believe after witnessing his power, Qian Lingyun would dare stand him up.
But in the next instant—the statues slowly rotated, the angel's sword pointing deep into the main hall.
"Huh?" Su Wen narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Even his vast, boundless spiritual sense had detected nothing unusual.
Unconvinced, he entered.
He followed a winding corridor to a corner, where another statue pointed the way.
Su Wen's gaze sharpened.
He followed it all the way to the door of a secret room.
On the wall was an inscription.
"Open this door, and you will receive an unexpected surprise." Su Wen read aloud, his eyes narrowing: "If there isn't a surprise, Qian Lingyun, you old fox, just wait—"
He pressed the button without hesitation.
The heavy door opened with a slow rumble.
And what he saw inside left him stunned.
Brilliant, holy light dispelled the darkness. A flawless, pure figure stood before Su Wen—none other than the former Qian Renxue, though appearing younger than he remembered, maybe eighteen or nineteen.
"Surprised, Uncle Su?"
The beauty curled her lips into a smile and reached out her hand. With a gentle squeeze, Su Wen found himself pulled through space into the chamber.
The door closed softly behind them.
Qian Renxue's long, beautiful eyes regarded the dazed Su Wen with a trace of longing. Her flawless, supple body pressed close, her graceful nose inhaling his scent. Satisfaction flickered across her stunning face as she spoke softly: "Or maybe I should call you Mr. Su Wen?"
"Ahem, I can explain..." Su Wen's mouth twitched—though holding a beauty, he suddenly felt a chill cross his spine.
A god...
A proper, rank-one god.
No wonder Qian Lingyun dropped off the letter and vanished. Su Wen should have realized—it was "unsafe" precisely because the Angel God was Qian Renxue...
"No need." Qian Renxue's voice was faint. "Uncle Su, do you know what the content of my ninth trial was in the cold Angel God Hall ten millennia ago?"
"It was..."
"It was you!" Qian Renxue's eyes reddened and she hugged Su Wen's neck tightly.
The air seemed to freeze as time passed.
Her golden eyes met his, her cheeks flushing unconsciously as she murmured, "I'm sorry..."
Su Wen: ???
Sorry for what?
Why are you apologizing?!
"I missed you so much... Who told you to leave without a word all those years ago?" Qian Renxue pouted.
"Sorry..." Su Wen sighed lightly.
"No apologies." Qian Renxue said seriously. "If you're sorry, show it with sincerity!"
Su Wen: "..."
"Uncle Su, you'll never run away from me again." Qian Renxue smiled sweetly. "Now that I've become a god, I have enough power to protect us—and if, just if, you try to leave me again..."
"I won't mind locking you in this secret room, where we can be together forever and ever."
Su Wen swallowed nervously.
Looking at the misty-eyed beauty holding him tightly and biting his neck, he wondered if this child was a bit... yandere?
But seeing her, he couldn't help feeling guilty.
He had neglected her, after all.
"In that case, let's begin." Qian Renxue whispered, licking her lips seductively.
The beautiful woman leaned close, pinning Su Wen down against the cold stone floor.
...
The secret room door opened quietly.
Su Wen staggered out, holding the wall for support.
His face was deathly pale; his legs trembled.
Unlike the Silver Dragon King, who had only half-god strength and a weakened body, Qian Renxue was a rank-one god at her peak!
Even the Silver Dragon King at her absolute peak would have to be cautious.
Qian Renxue had shown no mercy.
One could say Su Wen was finally repaying decades of accumulated "debt."
"Uncle Su, are you alright?"
Behind him, a gentle voice sounded. Qian Renxue supported him, bending down with a radiant smile: "Where are you going?"
"Don't tell me—"
"Trying to run again?!!"
Though Qian Renxue's tone was soft, it carried a trace of killing intent.
"I'm here, where could I possibly run..." Su Wen sighed.
"Let me rest. If I keep going, I'll really die."
"Tsk tsk, even you have times this tragic?" In his spiritual sea, Gu Yuena snorted coldly, sourness in her tone.
"Master is actually exhausted—so rare!" Big Eyes teased wickedly.
"I've never seen Master like this." Azure Luan added, a hint of concern in her voice.
"..."
Su Wen felt a wave of gratitude.
In the end, it was always Azure Luan who truly cared for him.
"Master, shall I use my skill to restore you?" Azure Luan suggested.
Su Wen's mouth twisted. "No, no, no!"
If he recovered now, Qian Renxue would wring him dry again.
Better wait for a safe spot to recover.
But just then—
A holy light enveloped Su Wen, instantly restoring all the stamina and spirit he'd just lost. Azure Luan's image appeared in midair, beaming at Su Wen and the pensive Qian Renxue.
"Master, that's as much as I can help."
Su Wen nearly burst into tears.
Just as he was about to explain to Qian Renxue, she leaned forward again: "Uncle Su, didn't you just say you were completely exhausted?"
"I, uh—mmph—"
Before he could finish, Qian Renxue's lips captured his, dragging him back into the secret room.
The heavy doors slid shut once more.
...
"Big Eyes, lock onto a position a thousand years later! Hurry, before I die in there!"
"Tsk tsk, what a useless loser..." Big Eyes clicked her tongue.
"Well, since you insist, let's go—"
…
…
A Thousand Years Later
Shrek City.
Prosperous, and filled with a futuristic, technological vibe.
A dirty little girl crept up close to a vendor, sneakily grabbing a steaming piece of bread and hiding it behind her back as she scuttled sideways like a crab, humming to herself.
Of course, the shopkeeper—who had few customers anyway—noticed her at once. With a flying kick, he sent the little girl tumbling several meters away.
She landed facedown, clutching the bread desperately even as she looked dead.
"Ugh. Disgusting!"
The shopkeeper looked on with obvious distaste, as if afraid of dirtying his hands. Scowling at the now-filthy bread, he stomped down hard.
Crushing it to crumbs, he turned and walked off.
On the busy street, passersby took notice, but most simply stood and watched, unmoved.
"..."
Suddenly, the girl—seemingly frail—leapt up and dashed headlong into a narrow alleyway, all eyes wide with surprise.
From what they'd seen, she shouldn't have survived the shopkeeper's kick.
None of that mattered. The girl dove into the alley and devoured the bread in huge mouthfuls, not caring one bit about the dirt and grime...