Ninth Place: Yan Shaozhe!

[Dou Er Era]

Shrek City.

The plaza in front of the academy's main gate was packed with people.

Reporters from every nation, informants from major factions, and countless citizens who cared about Shrek had gathered until the area was completely impassable.

A month had passed.

Today, Shrek Academy had finally reopened its doors and was holding a press conference for the entire continent.

Under the gaze of countless people,

Yan Shaozhe, dean of the Martial Soul Department and Bright Phoenix Douluo, was dressed in white. Handsome and elegant, he slowly stepped onto the makeshift platform.

Today, he was the spokesperson representing Shrek Academy, tasked with giving the world an explanation.

He looked out at the densely packed crowd and the faces filled with anticipation, doubt, or schadenfreude.

Yan Shaozhe took a deep breath. His surging Soul Power infused his voice, carrying it across the entire plaza.

"Everyone, quiet!"

"A month ago, when the hypocritical conduct of our former teacher, Qiangu Wangyan, was exposed, Shrek suffered a humiliation unlike any in ten thousand years!"

His voice brimmed with anguish, as if he were the greatest victim of all.

"I failed to judge people properly, and I failed in my duty to supervise. I, Yan Shaozhe, and Shrek's entire leadership bear an inescapable responsibility!"

"On behalf of Shrek Academy, I offer my most sincere apologies to every student affected and to all the people who trusted us!"

As he spoke, he bowed deeply to the crowd below.

The gesture was frank and sincere.

The commotion below died down at once.

"But!"

Yan Shaozhe straightened abruptly, his tone turning firm and resolute!

"Knowing we were wrong doesn't mean we'll admit to a crime!"

"For ten thousand years, Shrek Academy has upheld its legacy and made protecting the continent and fighting Evil Soul Masters its duty!"

"We are victims, but we are absolutely not accomplices!"

"Over the past month, under Elder Mu's personal supervision, our academy launched the highest-level internal investigation!"

"We conducted a thorough investigation and treatment of more than three thousand students and five hundred faculty members, ensuring that every poisonously planted seed of Qiangu Wangyan's was rooted out!"

"Today, I can responsibly declare to the entire continent: Shrek is innocent!"

His words were impassioned, and he looked every inch the righteous man.

The aura of his Radiant Phoenix Martial Soul spread out. Everyone who heard his speech couldn't help but feel a sense of trust in him.

"As for the matter revealed on the Sky Screen, concerning the purge of Spirit Hall's remnants..."

"We admit it was true!"

His words sent the crowd into an uproar.

He'd admitted it! Shrek had actually admitted it!

Yan Shaozhe raised a hand to quiet the crowd.

"Our predecessors did act out of self-interest and show favoritism when they dealt with this matter. We will neither tolerate nor evade responsibility for that!"

"Here, I announce the Sea God Pavilion's full list of punishments for this incident!"

"First, every surviving person involved in the purge of Spirit Hall back then will be expelled from the academy, regardless of rank!"

"Second, Shrek will open its oversight channels and invite outstanding alumni from the Star Luo, Heaven Soul, and Spirit Dou Empires to form a Supervision Committee, responsible for overseeing Shrek's internal investigation into Evil Soul Masters!"

"Third, I, Yan Shaozhe, as the current dean of the Martial Soul Department, bear an unavoidable responsibility for failing in my duty to supervise!"

"I hereby request to resign as dean and spend a hundred years in seclusion on the back mountain of the Sea God Pavilion, reflecting on my mistakes!"

Each of the three resolutions was more shocking than the last!

Investigating and correcting themselves, inviting outsiders to oversee the process, and having the dean resign to take responsibility!

What kind of courage and resolve did that take?

Below the stage, countless people who had still been doubtful were visibly moved.

The alumni who had graduated from Shrek were even overcome with emotion, tears in their eyes.

"Well said, Dean Yan!"

"This is the Shrek we know!"

Someone in the crowd shouted first. A moment later, thunderous cheers and applause rang throughout Shrek City.

Watching the crowd's attitude gradually turn in his favor, Yan Shaozhe finally let out a long sigh of relief.

After the press conference ended, Yan Shaozhe returned to the Sea God Pavilion's lounge.

The grief and solemnity on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of smugness he could barely suppress.

"Old Qian, how was that? Did I do all right?"

He lifted his teacup and raised an eyebrow at Qian Duoduo, dean of the Soul Guidance Department.

Qian Duoduo grinned and gave him a thumbs-up.

"Right? More than right!"

"Brilliant move, retreating in order to advance!"

"Resigning and reflecting for a hundred years—you made it sound so real. Once the storm passes, you'll get your position back, and who'll remember any of this?"

"I'd say that once Elder Mu passes away, the Sea God Pavilion Master position will be yours and no one else's!"

"Hahaha, not at all. Elder Xuan is still around. We shouldn't say things like that."

Yan Shaozhe was modest in words, but his smile grew ever brighter.

"Anyway, once this storm blows over, everything will return to normal."

The two exchanged smiles. No more needed to be said.

They both believed that the storm stirred up by the Sky Screen, which had nearly overturned Shrek, was finally about to pass.

But just then!

"Look! What's that?"

A sudden commotion erupted in the plaza outside!

Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo froze, then reflexively looked out the window.

[Douluo I Period]

On the coastal border of the Heaven Dou Empire,

A vicious pursuit and interception was unfolding!

"Boom!!!"

A black great hammer wrapped in boundless killing intent crashed in midair against a massive tail covered in golden scales!

A terrifying storm of energy swept across the wilderness. The earth split apart, and mountains and rocks were reduced to dust!

Tang Hao spat out a mouthful of blood and was hurled back dozens of meters, but he never loosened his grip on the Clear Sky Hammer.

As he swung the hammer, he roared at a figure in the distance, rapidly disappearing into the distance, wrapped in a strange black mist.

"Xiao San, run!"

Behind him, Sea Dragon Douluo, Sea Spear Douluo, and four other Titled Douluo from Sea God Island were drenched in blood, battling the Worship Hall's elders.

But the fight was hopelessly one-sided.

The Spirit Hall side fought with ease, while the people from Sea God Island struggled desperately to hold their ground.

"Tang Hao, and you sea snakes, give it up."

Golden Crocodile Douluo stood with his hands behind his back, his face wearing the cruel smile of a cat toying with a mouse.

"Today, no one can save Tang San!"

Ever since Pope's Palace and the Worship Hall had joined forces, Spirit Hall's entire war machine had swung into action, launching a vast, inescapable hunt for Tang San!

If the Seven Holy Pillar Douluo of Sea God Island hadn't arrived in time, Tang San might not even have had a chance to escape.

"If you want to kill my son, you'll have to step over my corpse!"

Tang Hao's eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a madman!

"Great Sumeru Hammer! Ring Detonation!"

Without hesitation, he detonated the first five Soul Rings on his body!

A force of unimaginable violence poured into the Clear Sky Hammer, sending his aura surging to an unprecedented peak!

"Divine Slaughter's Domain!"

A black-and-red shock wave burst from his body, forcibly driving back several Titled Douluo before him!

At that moment, it was as if he had returned to the days when he'd fought three opponents alone and grievously wounded three of Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo—the His Excellency Haotian of old!

"Come! Fight!"

He roared and charged Spirit Hall's forces once more!

Not far away, Sea Ghost Douluo used his ability to wrap Tang San in black mist, desperately trying to break through the encirclement.

Tang San looked back at his surrounded father and the Sea God Island warriors. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails had already pierced his palms, leaving them slick with blood.

Spirit Hall!

For the humiliation I've suffered today, I, Tang San, will repay you a hundredfold, a thousandfold!

I'll make all of Spirit Hall pay with their lives for my father's!

Just then, an unexpected change occurred!

The sky, which had moments ago echoed with the sounds of battle, suddenly darkened without warning.

Then a familiar golden light descended from above, illuminating the earth.

Whether it was Tang Hao, fighting desperately, Golden Crocodile Douluo, wearing a cruel, mocking smile, or Sea Ghost Douluo and Tang San, fleeing for their lives—

Everyone reflexively stopped what they were doing and looked up in shock.

The Douluo I and Dou Er Eras.

From Skywater City in the Far North Ice Plains to Sea God Island deep beneath the waves;

From the Star Luo Empire to the Sun Moon Continent...

Countless gazes crossed the boundaries of time and space, converging on the same golden Sky Screen spanning the heavens.

"The Sky Screen! It's finally appeared again!"

"After a month of silence, is there finally a new exposure?"

Countless people discussed it excitedly, full of anticipation.

Under the gaze of billions of living beings, a line of fresh golden characters slowly emerged across the Sky Screen.

[Top Ten Hypocrites List!]

[Ninth place: Yan Shaozhe!]

In an instant, the entire world seemed to freeze.

The bustling Shrek Plaza fell into complete silence.

"Clatter."

The teacup slipped from Yan Shaozhe's hand and shattered on the floor.

The smile on his face froze completely.

He felt as though he'd been struck by lightning.

How... could this be?

(Yan Shaozhe's appearance is based on the comic version)