Arriving at Shrek, Xiao Wu is Scared Silly? Xu Zhao: Shrek Seven Devils, Is This All?

Speaking of this, Xu Zhao turned around, his gaze burning as he stared at Niu Gao:

"And when it comes to construction, architecture, and city defense planning, looking across the entire Douluo Continent, who dares to claim superiority over the Defense Clan?"

"What I value is not your defensive power, but your exquisite and ingenious architectural craftsmanship!"

"I want the Defense Clan to become the—chief architects—of this future imperial capital, the greatest in the world!"

BOOM!

Xu Zhao's words were like a thunderbolt, striking hard at the very heart of Niu Gao.

Not cannon fodder.

Not hired muscle.

But chief architects!

He was asking them to build a magnificent imperial capital that would surpass Martial Soul City!

For the Defense Clan, who were obsessed with the art of architecture, this was an irresistible, fatal temptation—it was their lifelong dream!

"Yo... Your Highness, are these words true?!"

Niu Gao stood up abruptly, trembling with excitement. The light erupting from his bell-like eyes was even more intense than when he had realized Xu Zhao was a Title Douluo.

"A ruler does not speak in jest."

Xu Zhao smiled indifferently.

A crown prince is also a ruler!

"Good! Good! Good!"

Niu Gao said the word "good" three times in a row, waved his large hand, and roared with heroic spirit:

"Since Your Highness appreciates us so much, if I, old Niu, were to decline again, I would be ungrateful!"

"When it comes to fighting, I'm not much, but when it comes to building houses, hmph, even the master craftsmen hired by those bastards at Martial Soul Hall aren't fit to carry my shoes!"

"This job, my Defense Clan accepts!

My Defense Clan is willing to submit to the Great Ming Empire!"

At this moment, where was even a trace of Niu Gao's previous wariness?

The pride of being recognized and entrusted with such a heavy responsibility made him eager to grab the blueprints and get to work immediately.

Xu Zhao nodded with satisfaction and raised his wine cup:

"Then let us toast to creating glory together."

"Cheers!"

Niu Gao downed his drink in one gulp, his mood soaring.

However, after putting down the cup, Niu Gao seemed to suddenly remember something. The excitement on his face faded slightly, and a flash of hesitation crossed his eyes.

He rubbed his hands together on the spot and looked at Xu Zhao with some embarrassment:

"That... Your Highness, old Niu has a presumptuous request. I don't know if I should say it."

"Clan Leader Niu, please speak freely."

Xu Zhao was in a good mood and sat back down in his chair.

Niu Gao took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind:

"Actually, besides my Defense Clan, there are three other old brothers who left the Clear Sky Sect back then."

"The Speed Clan, with unparalleled speed, is best at reconnaissance and espionage;"

"The Strength Clan, with excellent forging skills, are natural-born blacksmiths;"

"The Breaking Clan, skilled in pharmacy and poison refinement, possesses incredibly fierce attack power."

Speaking to this point, Niu Gao secretly observed Xu Zhao's expression. Seeing that he was not displeased, he continued:

"Our four clans are like branches of the same tree. Now that my Defense Clan has found a great tree like Your Highness to lean on, I, old Niu, truly cannot bear to watch those three old brothers continue to suffer out there."

"If Your Highness doesn't mind, could you... take them in as well?"

"As long as Your Highness nods, I, old Niu, will write a letter immediately. Even if I have to tie them up, I will drag those three stubborn old fools to the Great Ming Empire for you!"

After finishing, Niu Gao looked at Xu Zhao with hopeful eyes.

He knew this request was a bit excessive; after all, those were three large clans with hundreds of people, not just a few extra mouths to feed.

However, to his surprise.

After hearing this, Xu Zhao did not hesitate at all. Instead, he laughed out loud, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes:

"I thought it was something serious."

"The speed of the Speed Clan, the forging of the Strength Clan, and the pharmacology of the Breaking Clan—these are exactly the talents my Great Ming Empire is most in need of right now!"

"If Clan Leader Niu can invite those three clans to join us, they will be the founding heroes of the Great Ming Empire!"

"Not only will I accept them, I will put them to important use!"

Xu Zhao chuckled inwardly; he had intended to sweep up the Four Single-Attribute Clans in one fell swoop from the very beginning.

He had been worrying about how to broach the subject of having Niu Gao act as his lobbyist, never expecting the old bull to deliver himself to his doorstep.

However, regarding the Strength Clan.

Xu Zhao held no real hope.

After all, that Titan prided himself on being a house slave to Tang Hao.

This was evident from the original story.

"Really?!"

Niu Gao was overjoyed, so excited he nearly knelt before Xu Zhao.

"That's wonderful!

That's just wonderful!"

"Rest assured, Your Highness! The old White Bird of the Speed Clan is so poor he can barely put food on the table, and that old Gorilla of the Strength Clan is a martial arts fanatic. As for the old Goat of the Breaking Clan, though his temper is foul, he listens to me the most!"

"With your word, Your Highness, leave this matter to old Niu!"

Niu Gao patted his chest in assurance, his rugged face blooming with a wide grin.

He seemed to have already envisioned the scene of his brothers from the four clans reuniting, basking under the protection of the Great Ming Empire and restoring their former glory.

At this moment, his loyalty to Xu Zhao reached its absolute peak!

After bidding farewell to the jubilant Niu Gao, who was already preparing to relocate his entire clan, Xu Zhao did not linger in Longxing City.

To him, subduing the Defense Clan was merely a piece placed casually on the board; the real main event was yet to come.

"Brother Zhao, where are we going next?"

Lan Yiyi linked her arm with Xu Zhao's as they stood ten thousand meters in the air, the clouds rushing backward beneath their feet.

Xu Zhao cast his gaze toward the northwest, a playful curve tugging at the corner of his mouth:

"To Heaven Dou City."

"Heaven Dou City?"

Lan Yiyi looked puzzled.

"What are we going there for? Does Brother Zhao intend to capture the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire as well?"

"Capture Xue Qinghe? Heh, that 'Crown Prince' isn't easy to catch, and now is not the time to move against her."

Xu Zhao shook his head, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes:

"I am going to Heaven Dou City to find someone and take back what belongs to me."

"Although I already had people scour the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well clean, leaving not even a single hair behind, I recall that Tang San seems to have privately kept a few fish that slipped through the net, or perhaps he obtained other fortunes elsewhere."

"Since they are gifts from nature, it would be a waste for them to remain in his hands; I might as well keep them safe for him."

With Tang Hao crippled and Tang San currently only a Soul Ancestor.

Toying with him a bit while 'borrowing' the remaining immortal herbs from Tang San for safekeeping.

It was nothing more than a simple matter of convenience.

Heaven Dou City, Shrek Academy.

As the champion team that had just shone brilliantly in the qualifying tournament, there was little festive atmosphere within Shrek Academy at this moment.

The news that Duke Nether had been released and that the Great Sun Prince Mansion had established the Great Ming Empire had not yet arrived.

Zhu Zhuqing was still heavy-hearted over the fact that her father had been captured.

Meanwhile, Tang San and the others were deeply anxious about the upcoming finals and the mysterious and unpredictable Great Sun Prince Mansion.

On the training ground, the Shrek Seven Devils were making their final preparations before departure.

"San, have you checked all your hidden weapons?"

Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, instructing with a stern face:

"The journey to Martial Soul City is long, and with the Great Sun Prince Mansion's allegiances unclear, we must remain vigilant at all times."

(Updated, still three chapters, I'm burnt out!)

(Thanks for the support, and by the way, I'd like to recommend a friend's new book—a story combining the White Tiger Ability Lock with Zhu Zhuqing. If you're interested, feel free to take a look. Please don't flame it just because you don't like the subject matter!)