Chapter 210 Shrek's defenses crumble! They're even going to execute Ma Xiaotao themselves?
After reaching an agreement with the Heavenly Soul Emperor, Liu Yuan and Du Busi wasted no time.
They used the royal family's special passage to secretly transfer Ma Xiaotao to the most heavily guarded prison in the capital of the Heavenly Soul Empire.
This place is protected by a soul guide seal year-round, and is specifically used to detain serious criminals, with dedicated personnel monitoring it at all times.
Ma Xiaotao was locked in the lowest level of the Xuan Tie prison cell, her body bound by dozens of chains reinforced with soul-binding devices.
At the same time, an official announcement, through the official channels of the Heavenly Soul Empire, spread throughout the continent at top speed.
The announcement was straightforward: Ma Xiaotao, a core disciple of Shrek Academy's inner court, has been arrested in the Sun and Moon Forest for practicing evil arts and falling into the trap of becoming an evil soul master.
The Heavenly Soul Royal Family has scheduled a public execution ceremony to be held in the central square of the Imperial Capital a month from now.
The authenticity of this document is beyond doubt because it bears the imperial seal.
The news caused an uproar throughout the entire Douluo Continent.
On the streets of the capital, in teahouses and taverns, almost everyone was talking about this matter.
The public's reaction was mostly one of shock.
"Ma Xiaotao? Are you sure it's the Ma Xiaotao from Shrek Academy?"
A middle-aged Soul Master drinking in a tavern looked on incredulously.
"That's a genius that Shrek Academy only sees once in a century. I saw her brilliance in the Soul Master Competition, how dazzling she was, how could she possibly become an evil Soul Master?"
"This is a royal announcement; it can't be fake, can it?" someone nearby retorted.
"If it were fake, Shrek Academy would have refuted it long ago. Have you seen any activity from Shrek these past few days? It's eerily quiet."
"I must go see the public execution in a month."
"I'll go too. We'll know for sure if it's true or not with just one look. If it is, then Shrek Academy's reputation built up over the years will really be ruined."
Public discussion continues to escalate.
Some people were there just to watch the spectacle, while others began to have doubts about Shrek Academy's long-standing authority.
Regardless, the execution, scheduled for a month from now, has become the focus of attention across the entire mainland.
...
Sun and Moon Empire, Ming Capital.
Inside the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, Jing Hongchen sat behind a large desk, holding a secret report transmitted through the intelligence network in his hand.
His lips curled upwards, revealing a meaningful smile.
"Ma Xiaotao... Shrek Academy's number one genius actually capsized in a place like this."
Jing Hongchen gently placed the secret report on the table and looked out the window.
He was well aware of the political logic behind it.
This is not a simple trial; it is a political strangulation of Shrek Academy.
The people from the Body Sect clearly didn't just want to kill an evil soul master; they wanted to use Ma Xiaotao to force Shrek Academy into a dilemma.
Saving people? That would mean Shrek Academy openly protecting an evil spirit master, and its righteous image built up over many years would completely collapse.
Not save her? She's their own core genius. If they just stand by and watch her be executed, Shrek Academy's cohesion in the Soul Master world will suffer a severe blow.
"Interesting," Jing Hongchen muttered to himself. "How are those old guys at Shrek Academy planning to choose this time?"
He did not resort to any means of intervention.
As a member of the Sun Moon Empire, the wisest course of action at this time is to wait and see.
Watching Shrek Academy struggle in the vortex of public opinion was a rare treat for him.
...
In contrast to Mingdu's detached, spectator-like attitude, the atmosphere at the Holy Spirit Cult headquarters on the other side of the mainland was dark and somber.
In the dimly lit hall, two figures stood silently.
Zhongli Wu flipped through the announcement from the Heavenly Soul Empire in his hand, his expression extremely unpleasant.
Beside him, Ye Xishui's weathered eyes gleamed with a cold light.
"The Holy Maiden is in their hands," Zhongli Wu said, his voice hoarse.
"They actually want to execute him in public. What are these lunatics from the Body Sect trying to do?"
Ye Xishui slowly raised her hand, her fingertips tapping lightly on the table, producing a heart-stopping sound.
"Whatever they want to do, the Holy Maiden cannot die. She is the core of the sect's future plans and the key to nurturing that 'creation'. Since the Body Sect dares to make such a big fuss, then we'll show them who the true ruler of this land really is."
"Pass down the order: mobilize all personnel within the Heavenly Soul Empire." Ye Xishui's voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable killing intent. "We must rescue the Holy Maiden at the execution ceremony a month from now. Perfect timing! Now that Mu En is dead, the only two remaining Limit Douluo on the entire Douluo Continent are both in our Holy Spirit Cult. It's time to let the continent know of our existence..."
...
at the same time.
Shrek Academy, inside the Sea God Pavilion.
Yan Shaozhe sat in his office, surrounded by piles of intelligence reports sent back by Huo Yuhao.
He has not slept for three days since he learned that Ma Xiaotao had been publicly executed.
The college's senior management held meeting after meeting, but the result of each meeting was the same—no solution could be found.
They could not publicly refute the announcement from the Heavenly Soul Royal Family, because if they did, they would need to provide evidence that Ma Xiaotao was not in their hands, but the fact was that she was indeed in their hands.
If they choose to seize people by force, it will play right into the hands of the Body Sect, directly escalating into war.
There was a knock on the office door.
A professor from another department, who was in charge of intelligence gathering, walked in. He was very pale and was holding a newly received urgent intelligence report.
"Dean," the teacher's voice trembled, "news just came back from the capital. The Heavenly Soul Royal Family has confirmed the execution list and the venue. Moreover, they have sent an invitation to Shrek Academy."
Yan Shaozhe suddenly looked up.
His eyes were bloodshot.
"An invitation?"
"Yes. They requested that Shrek Academy personally execute the evil soul master Ma Xiaotao..." The teacher lowered his head, not daring to look at Yan Shaozhe's expression.
Yan Shaozhe suddenly stood up. In that instant, the soul power in his body was released uncontrollably, and the decorations in the office shattered instantly under the enormous pressure.
His chest heaved violently, and his whole body trembled violently with anger and resentment.
He never expected the other party to be so arrogant.
Detaining people, intending to publicly execute them, and then making them use the knives themselves?
This is like slapping Shrek in the face, and Shrek members have to watch the slap land on their faces.
Yan Shaozhe looked out the window. The sun was shining brightly, yet it sent a chill down his spine. He knew very well that from this moment on, the prestige of Shrek Academy, built up over the past century, was slowly crumbling away.
(End of chapter)