"Mu En," his voice steadied somewhat,
"the reason I stand here at this moment is because I am a student of Shrek Academy."
"But at the same time," he paused, profound pain and resolve showing in his eyes,
"I am also Xue Lingxun's only son, the only surviving grandson of the late Dou Ling Emperor, with the blood of the Dou Ling Imperial Family flowing through my veins.
I cannot sever myself from this identity. It is precisely because of this identity that my mother and the Mysterious Underworld Sect are facing an imminent catastrophe."
Then, he put forth a compromise proposal so shocking it could shatter the heavens,
"We are willing to permanently relinquish all legal claims and inheritance rights to the throne of the Dou Ling Empire!"
The moment those words were spoken, even Yan Shaozhe, standing nearby, showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Giving up their legitimate claim was practically the most precious and dangerous political asset held by the Dou Ling Remnants.
Xu Sanshi continued, his tone utterly resolute,
"We only hope to use this renunciation as a bargaining chip in exchange for a relatively peaceful outcome.
Specifically, we ask the Academy to intervene.
Help the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire halt all military hostilities along their current lines of actual control and recognize the status quo."
Xu Sanshi's voice trembled slightly, yet remained exceptionally firm,
"The Heaven Dou Empire must cease its pursuit and persecution of every surviving bloodline of the Dou Ling Imperial Family!
They must grant them, including my mother, a chance to live."
"His Majesty the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire has already agreed to this proposal.
They are willing to accept the status quo and, under the Academy's guarantee, promise not to threaten my mother's