Chapter 209: Xingluo's Attitude—Let the Commoners Suffer a Little~
"Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!"
Xingluo Federation, Star Luo City.
Inside a lavish chamber, Emperor Dai Tianling stood frozen in disbelief.
The "Revive Tang Sect" operation had failed?
His aide reported that not only had the mission collapsed, but everyone involved had been captured by the Douluo Federation!
All of them—gone?
Dai Tianling's first reaction was pure denial.
No. Impossible!
This plan had Shrek Academy's support—meticulously coordinated in secret, involving only his most loyal confidants. It had consumed vast resources, and now… it had been completely crushed?
How could he believe that?
Yet the documents before him—the letters from surviving contacts, the official communiqué from the Douluo Federation—left no room for doubt.
It was all real.
Another devastating loss for the Xingluo Empire.
Dai Tianling sank into frustration.
He had already poured enormous funds into Shrek Academy, granting them land, money, and authority—giving them everything they demanded to move into Xingluo territory.
He had even handed over Xingluo's pride, Monster Academy, completely reassigning it to Shrek's control.
And still, Shrek had acted like they were doing him a favor—accepting only the Martial Soul Department while rejecting the rest.
Then came the Dragon Valley incident—Shrek's actions destroyed one of Xingluo's most sacred sites, enraging the populace. Dai Tianling had been forced to suppress the outrage, compensating the people with massive resources to calm them down.
And now, under Shrek's supervision, the "Tang Sect Revival Project" had completely failed!
This… this—was this really the legendary Shrek Academy? The mighty institution said to be "Number One Under Heaven"?
Why did it feel like they existed only to bleed Xingluo dry!?
He had envisioned bringing Shrek to Xingluo to "make the empire great again."
Never did he expect—
"No. Stop. Don't think about it."
As Emperor, regret was a poison he couldn't afford to drink.
And besides, with so many powerful cultivators from Shrek on their side, perhaps the investment wasn't entirely wasted.
Dai Tianling clenched his fists, taking a steadying breath.
A nearby minister carefully spoke. "Your Majesty, what of the Federation's official letter?"
Dai Tianling twitched but quickly regained composure.
"It's fine. The mere fact that the Federation sent a formal note means they don't intend to escalate further."
"No matter what it costs—we must rescue our people."
This… was humiliation. Total humiliation.
"But perhaps, Your Majesty, we could send…"
"Silence!" Dai Tianling's voice cracked like thunder.
"All our operatives within the Federation have already been captured! Even our diplomatic mission is under house arrest—and you still want to send more? How? Who would you even send? You?"
The minister shut his mouth instantly.
Ransom it was, then.
"But sire, our treasury…"
Indeed—resources were drained.
Xingluo had spent its wealth on Shrek, on placating public outrage, and on funding this failed Tang Sect operation. The empire was edging toward collapse.
Projects had been cut, research halted, reforms frozen. The Federation wasn't advancing—it was sliding backward.
Dai Tianling gritted his teeth and snatched up a ledger, flipping through page after page marked with red crosses—then added a few more.
"Cut more programs," he said quietly.
The ministers' faces blanched.
"Your Majesty, you can't! Those programs support the people's livelihoods. Cutting them will spark outrage!"
"And the soul tool development plans are vital for national defense—shutting them down will cripple us!"
They pleaded earnestly, knowing how tense the empire already was. Class divisions were deep; the common people's anger was already smoldering. Cutting welfare and research would pour oil onto the fire.
Dai Tianling pressed a hand to his forehead. "I know."
"But there's nothing left to cut!"
"If we don't, how will we pay the Federation's ransom?"
"That's final. If anyone disagrees—you can pay from your own pocket!"
So what if the people suffered a little?
As long as Shrek stood with Xingluo, there would be no real danger.
Shrek Academy, Sea God Pavilion.
Bang!
The sound of splintering wood echoed as Yun Ming slammed his palm onto the table, his face dark as thunderclouds.
It had been years—decades—since anyone had seen him angry.
But now, the calm and graceful Pavilion Master had vanished.
He was furious.
"You—do you still take me for the Sea God Pavilion's Master!?"
Boom!
Divine aura exploded from him, filling the entire hall.
The pressure was suffocating. None of the elders dared meet his gaze; all bowed their heads in silence.
"Speak! I told you to speak!"
One elder finally stammered, "Pavilion Master, that man was beyond even the previous Sea God Pavilion Master's power to defeat! His Death Knights alone each had the strength of Super Douluo—twelve of them, moving as one. We couldn't stop them…"
Boom!
A single punch from Yun Ming sent the man flying through the wall, leaving a massive crater.
"Pavilion Master—that's excessive!" another elder shouted.
Boom!
Another punch—another elder gone.
Titles meant nothing. Titled Douluo? Super Douluo? None could withstand a single blow from Yun Ming.
"You think my orders are suggestions!?" Yun Ming bellowed. "I told you to stop the Death Knights—so why did you let them go!?"
"They slipped right past you! Are you all useless!?"
His roar struck like thunder.
The elders' expressions twisted with indignation.
"Pavilion Master, your words are harsh! Those were twelve Super Douluo working in perfect unison—if we'd fought recklessly, some of us would have died!"
"And besides, they were targeting the Spirit Transmission Tower, not Shrek. Why shouldn't we let them fight each other to the death?"
"Yes! Better that they destroy one another—what harm in that?"
"Exactly! We should've released the Underworld King too—let both sides bleed!"
BOOM!
"Enough!"
The mighty table, crafted from the hardest spirit wood, exploded to splinters beneath Yun Ming's fists.
He stood trembling with rage, Heaven's Spear gleaming in his hands.
"Say that again!"
"I am the Sea God Pavilion Master!"
"We are Shrek Academy!"
"Our duty is to protect this continent—and you stand here cheering for death and chaos!?"
"Would you like me to send you to meet it myself!?"
(END CHAPTER)
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