Heaven Dou City, not far from Sunset Forest.
Qian Renxue and the others soon fled back to the palace to report.
They summarized the latest situation for Xue Ye, and the old man trembled all over as he listened.
What did it mean that a highly paid enshrined expert had defected to the enemy and become their envoy, delivering an ultimatum to the empire?
Before he could even process that, he heard that a great army was bearing down on them, and the elite legion stationed nearby had already been wiped out?
" Sect Master Ning... is all this true?"
Xue Ye forced himself to remain calm, cold sweat trickling down his temples.
He stared at Qian Renxue and the representatives from each faction below, before finally fixing his gaze on Ning Fengzhi.
If the royal family had one most reliable ally, it was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. There were things he would believe only if Ning Fengzhi said them.
"Sorry, Your Majesty. I've failed your trust. It's all true. Our enemy is far too powerful."
"For your safety, I urge you to respond as soon as possible. Heaven Dou City isn't far from where this happened. I'm afraid..."
He didn't say anything more.
He could offer advice, but the decision was still the emperor's.
Xue Ye turned his gaze to Yu Yuanzhen, then to his son, "Xue Qinghe."
In a weak, aged voice, he asked them to confirm it again and again. In the end, he had no choice but to believe them.
"Then we'll proceed as you suggested. Notify the surrounding armies at once and have them return to repel the enemy invasion."
"Qinghe, you can handle the specific arrangements yourself. And you members of Spirit Hall—what do you intend to do?"
A glimmer of hope appeared in Xue Ye's eyes.
At a time like this, of course he hoped to find reinforcements.
Of the three great powers in Douluo, Spirit Hall controlled the Soul Master resources, while Star Luo was known for its powerful military.
Heaven Dou, meanwhile, had nothing going for it. All its experts were allies brought in from outside, and its legions were merely average.
In ordinary times, Spirit Hall balanced them out, so the difference wasn't obvious. But when their very survival was at stake, their disadvantage became glaring.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Spirit Hall's purpose is to maintain order across Douluo. We naturally won't stand by and let an unknown power run amok. We'll take part in the battles to come as well."
The two enshrined experts, Thousand Jun and Falling Devil, had attended the meeting together. Seeing the moment, they immediately made their position clear.
It sounded friendly, but it was all part of the plan. Let the crown prince handle troop mobilization? Wouldn't that be practically handing it all to them?
In a sense, the [Holy Demon Federation]'s actions had given Qian Renxue a chance to consolidate control over the Heaven Dou Empire's army.
If they could withstand the attacks to come, then once the war ended, she could immediately launch a coup, remove Xue Ye from the throne, and carry out her plan to overthrow the empire.
"Good, good. Thank you all for your efforts, members of Spirit Hall."
"Go and get to work. Finish the defensive fortifications as soon as possible."
"We absolutely can't let that mysterious power reach Heaven Dou City. Qinghe, make sure you cooperate with everyone."
What else could Qian Renxue do after hearing that? Naturally, she put on a show of respectful enthusiasm and gladly accepted the appointment.
Before long, the various factions began making preparations. Large numbers of Heaven Dou Empire troops headed toward the imperial capital to reinforce it, sending shock waves across the continent.
At the same time, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, mindful that when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold, also answered the call and joined the defensive line. After all, both families were based just outside Heaven Dou City.
As for Spirit Hall? In a rare public declaration, it announced that the Soul Masters from its branch in the capital would temporarily be placed under Crown Prince "Xue Qinghe's" command. It looked generous, but it was just moving things from one hand to the other.
One way or another, after all this commotion, the empire had effectively admitted that it had already lost the previous battle.
Combined with the news Han Qian had deliberately spread far and wide through the passersby he'd let go, the truth gradually became known even to many who hadn't paid attention before.
A mysterious, unknown power had appeared in Sunset Forest, with multiple Titled Douluo and an army of monstrous strength. It had already clashed with the Heaven Dou Empire.
At present, it occupied a vast stretch of imperial territory not far outside Heaven Dou City. Yet the empire, which outsiders had thought powerful, had no plans to take it back. Instead, it seemed to have cowered and started building a defensive line.
All these signs pointed to one undeniable fact.
The Heaven Dou Empire had no confidence it could defeat its opponent.
So when emergency conscription orders and recruitment notices for independent Soul Masters appeared across the cities, hardly anyone answered the call.
Even within Heaven Dou Royal Academy, students were divided over whether they should take part in the fighting. The tension among them grew suffocating.
"That's the situation. As members of the academy, you are required to report for assignment."
"Report to the assembly point at the South Gate by noon tomorrow. Make sure you're on time."
Inside the campus, a staff member in charge of emergency conscription stepped out of a secluded dormitory building where Shrek was staying.
They couldn't force orders on nobles with powerful connections, of course. But there was no need to show any courtesy to a few newcomers from ordinary backgrounds.
After delivering the message, he didn't even give them a chance to ask questions. He disappeared around the corner, leaving Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar staring at one another.
"Xiao San, what do we do? Do we really have to fight? I heard that power called the [Holy Demon Federation] is absurdly strong!"
"Are you kidding me? I'm a prince of the Star Luo Empire. I've kept my identity secret, but how could I possibly fight for an enemy nation?"
"Everyone, we need to decide quickly. How about we go talk to Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing? They must've been conscripted too. I just wonder what the teachers will do."
Because Lin Feng had begun his plan to conquer Douluo, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo had been captured unexpectedly and then surrendered.
The timeline had been distorted. By now, Shrek's group had been part of the Royal Academy for quite some time.
They didn't feel any sense of belonging. Flender had accepted the invitation to "borrow a hen to lay an egg."
Taking advantage of the academy's teaching facilities and resources, and enjoying the benefits, was fine. But risking their lives for the academy—or even the empire? That needed careful consideration!
So Tang San and the others were in low spirits.
They were racking their brains over what to do when they suddenly heard footsteps approaching.
The dean, Flender, vice dean Zhao Wuji, and the useless Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang came running over together.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing followed behind them. Apart from Ning Rongrong, who'd been ordered to return home, the entire Shrek core group was there.
"Xiao San, they came for you too?"
Yu Xiaogang was panicking inside, but pretended to be calm and solemn.
"Yes. Could it be that they came for you too, Dean, Vice Dean, and Teacher...?"
Tang San replied instinctively, then realized that his question might have been a little insulting.
Yu Xiaogang was a Soul Master, sure, but with his Mutated Martial Soul, Luo Sanpao, others might not think much of him.
"Mm. Even a worthless cripple like me, looked down on by everyone, was ordered to report for conscription. That shows just how dire the situation is."
Unexpectedly, Yu Xiaogang nodded. At least he had some self-awareness. He knew he was useless to the point of absurdity, and understood that things were terribly bad.
As he spoke, his expression grew even more serious. He looked around at everyone present, as if he'd already made up his mind, then announced his plan.
"Even with security this tight, we have to escape!"
"From the intelligence we've gathered, Heaven Dou is bound to lose."
"Xiao San and the others have a bright future ahead of them, with limitless potential. How could they die in a place like this?"
"If we can't stay in Heaven Dou, then we'll go to Star Luo. Mubai is at least a prince of the empire. He can surely find us somewhere to stay!"
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