The golden glow of the setting sun spilled across Limali Plain. The laughter and cheers of Shrek's Eight Monsters' reunion had yet to fade when the orderly thunder of hooves and clashing armor sounded in the distance—His Majesty Xue Beng, clad in silver-white dragon-patterned battle armor with a sword at his waist, came galloping toward the high slope surrounded by a hundred Imperial Guard knights.
"Teacher!" The moment Xue Beng dismounted, he hurried forward and gave Tang San a deep bow, his tone utterly respectful. "Your disciple Xue Beng greets Teacher!"
Tang San quickly stepped forward to help him up. His brows furrowed slightly, his voice stern yet concerned. "His Majesty is the ruler of a nation and commander of a million troops. Your status is noble; you must not perform such a grand salute. With a great battle imminent, the etiquette between ruler and subject must not be disrupted, lest the soldiers see it and military discipline lose its authority."
Xue Beng straightened and, seeing the resolve in Tang San's eyes, nodded heavily. "This disciple will remember Teacher's teachings! It is only that Teacher's arrival with reinforcements is a blessing for Heaven Dou and for the continent. I was so moved that I lost my composure."
The instant his words fell, a shriek suddenly tore through the sky—distant clouds parted as several hundred figures descended through the air atop their Martial Soul Avatars. Bai He spread the Agility Hall's Cloud Chasing Falcon Avatar, its wings glinting with cold light, followed by dozens of Agility Hall disciples moving as fast as lightning. Tai Tan activated the Great Strength Gorilla Spirit, and when his massive body landed, the ground trembled faintly. The Strength Hall disciples beside him carried enormous siege weapons, their steps steady. Niu Gao's Armored Giant Rhinoceros Spirit radiated