Farce at the Meeting

"Actually, the purpose of this meeting is simple: to discuss investigating the changes in the Star Dou Great Forest."

"However, because of the Fierce Beasts within the Star Dou Great Forest, sending Titled Douluo from a single faction would practically be sending them to their deaths. That is why everyone has gathered at Shrek Academy to discuss a joint investigation."

After briefly explaining the purpose of the meeting, Mu En said no more. Shrek's goal was simply to further increase its influence while reminding the powers of the world that Shrek Academy was still the number one academy under heaven.

"Before heading to the Star Dou Great Forest, I hope everyone can share the intelligence they possess. At the very least, it may greatly improve the safety of our investigation."

Yan Shaozhe stepped forward to speak in Mu En's place, but his words made everyone look at one another. The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

Yan Shaozhe was uneasy. They claimed they would investigate together, but these factions had surely already secretly sent people into the Star Dou Great Forest to gather intelligence. That was indeed the case. Most of the scouts had died before sending back any news, while those who returned alive had brought little of value.

But Shrek Academy was merely an academy. Although Yan Shaozhe believed his teachers would all be willing to sacrifice themselves for Shrek Academy, he did not think they should die like this.

Shrek Academy had once made an agreement with the Fierce Beasts. High-level soul masters could not enter, while low-level soul masters would only be sent to their deaths. Yet they could not blindly follow the others into the Star Dou Great Forest without knowing anything. In the end, Yan Shaozhe shamelessly relied on his teacher's prestige in hopes of obtaining some intelligence for free.

Obviously, Shrek Academy wanted to freeload off everyone's intelligence. The major factions had paid considerable prices to obtain that intelligence amid the chaos, but because of Shrek Academy's influence, they had no choice but to reveal part of it.

"According to the intelligence sent back by our scouts, something appears to have happened in the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest. High-level ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts have all fled from there and are wandering through the mixed region."

Jing Hongchen was the first to respond to Yan Shaozhe's call with a cheerful smile, revealing the intelligence gathered by the Sun Moon Empire. The two behind him stared at their grandfather in surprise.

Though he had shared intelligence, everyone else at the table instead looked at Jing Hongchen with contempt.

If one said that the areas where ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts were active had changed was useless, Shrek Academy truly did not know about it. Even Titled Douluo could die when besieged by several high-level ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts, so it did make them more vigilant. But if one said it was useful, every major faction already knew it.

Still, Jing Hongchen had indeed shared intelligence. It was now someone else's turn. The intelligence everyone had obtained was roughly the same, and the later someone spoke, the more important the information they could reveal. That was why everyone despised Jing Hongchen for offering intelligence that was practically worthless.

Jing Hongchen merely looked at the crowd with a smiling face, utterly unconcerned.

To be honest, he had not held much hope for anyone else's intelligence. What age was this? They were still sending people to gather information. The Sun Moon Empire's latest high-altitude detector had already been dispatched and obtained quite a bit of intelligence. Unfortunately, it had been shot down before approaching the core region, which had pained Jing Hongchen for quite some time.

Seeing Jing Hongchen take the lead, and with the Sun Moon Empire having spoken, the Douluo Three Kingdoms could hardly remain silent. They helplessly disclosed some unimportant intelligence.

When it came to the Body Sect, Du Busi slammed the table and rose to his feet, spittle flying as he berated Yan Shaozhe.

"Is your Shrek a bunch of beggars? You keep freeloading here. If I were from Shrek Academy, I'd be too ashamed to face the seniors beneath the ground. Every day, you shamelessly try to gain something without doing any work."

Yan Shaozhe's face flushed red from the rebuke, and the elders were all burning with rage. Er Ming and the various empires watched from the side, while Mu En let out a faint sigh from his recliner.

Only Xuan Zi—great Grand Elder of the Holy Spirit Cult, Shrek Academy's second-strongest expert, master of unexpected incidents—bravely stepped forward to trade insults with Du Busi.

"Bullshit!"

Du Busi placed his hands on his hips and sneered.

"What number one academy under heaven? You'd better wash up and go to sleep. A major power that still has to beg others for this little bit of intelligence—do you have any shame?"

Du Busi was delighted. Du Busi felt wonderful. Because the Body Sect acted freely and valued doing whatever they pleased, they often lacked the moral high ground. Now that he finally had reason on his side, and his opponent was Shrek Academy, how could he not go all out?

"Shrek Academy will send two additional Titled Douluo, and Xuan Zi will go as well."

Mu En's voice rang out, putting an end to this farce.

Du Busi thought it over and decided not to keep pressing the matter. Once he reached Rank 99, he would spread this affair across the world.

Mu En was exhausted. He had also agreed to this matter because his disciple had said he did not want to sacrifice Shrek Academy's teachers and students by sending them into a place with unknown dangers. After some thought, Mu En had still agreed. After all, Shrek remained the most important thing in his eyes.

Who would have thought Du Busi would be nothing like his brother, becoming such a bastard who feared neither heaven nor earth? Shrek's reputation had been completely dragged through the mud.

His own disciple was even indecisive whenever trouble arose. In this matter, he lacked even Xuan Zi's resolve. Mu En grew increasingly worried about Shrek Academy's future after he was gone.

The various empires were all watching the show. Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen suddenly felt that Shrek was not quite so mythical after all. It even had to freeload for intelligence.

Xu Jiujiu was laughing wildly inside as well. Her brother had long been displeased by Shrek Academy's inspection corps wandering around Star Luo Empire territory, and she had not expected to encounter so many incidents after only two days here.

Er Ming said nothing. He merely watched the farce in silence, wanting only to laugh.

Humans were like this. No matter how high their status, there would always be all kinds of conflicts. They could almost never truly unite.

The people before him could be considered among the continent's highest-ranking figures, yet they had still made such a mess of things. The world was nothing more than one enormous amateur troupe.

"Next, let us discuss how to arrange the subsequent operation."

There was an almost imperceptible sorrow in Mu En's voice.

"The Sun Moon Empire will send two Rank 9 Soul Engineers."

Jing Hongchen said with a beaming smile.

"Additionally, His Majesty has approved my bringing several Rank 9 Soul Guidance Cannon Shells, just in case. Just in case."

The expressions of the people from the other nations turned strange. Truthfully, they had considered killing the Sun Moon Empire's people in the Star Dou Great Forest, but now that the other side had brought out Rank 9 Soul Guidance Cannon Shells, they could only exchange glances and inwardly lament the loss of that chance.

"The Star Luo Empire will send two Titled Douluo."

Xu Jiujiu also felt some pain. Losing even one would be difficult to make up for, but with two people supporting each other, their safety would be greater. They had no choice but to send them.

Dou Ling and Heavenly Soul stated that they could only send one Titled Douluo each, though they would offer their full support afterward. They knew their own circumstances well—there truly were not many Titled Douluo in their empires.

"The Body Sect will send Old Xu and me. Two Titled Douluo."

Du Busi said carelessly. As the sect master, he did not gamble on this. He left the Golden Body Douluo behind and took another Titled Douluo with him.

"Shrek Academy will send three Titled Douluo. Xuan Zi will lead the team, and Lin Er and Mei Er will both go."

Mu En finalized Shrek Academy's team. Three Super Douluo could be considered compensation for freeloading off everyone's intelligence.

The entire investigation team was thus settled. Eleven Titled Douluo would head to the Star Dou Great Forest. It was an undeniably formidable lineup.

The last time so many Titled Douluo had formed a team was during the continental war thousands of years ago, when Shrek Academy had called upon the Titled Douluo of the world to form a force and invade the Sun Moon Empire.

..."Grand Elder, the major factions have already arrived at Shrek Academy."

Zhang Peng came behind Long Xiaoyao and reported respectfully.

Please keep reading and vote. There seems to be a PK2 as well—I still really want to advance.