Watch Honestly

The young mother emerged from behind the wooden door, cradling her child as she returned home.

The old man opened his door to find his grandson already fast asleep.

He sat on the threshold and lit a pipe, the smoke curling up under the moonlight like a silent sigh.

Damn it, even the tobacco in Shrek City is more expensive than what they sell outside.

Shrek City had returned to "normal."

What they called normal was simply the absence of the Shrek Inspection Team.

News of Xuan Zi's departure traveled faster than he could walk.

As a level 98 Super Douluo of the Sea God Pavilion at Shrek Academy, his every move was closely monitored by the major powers of the continent.

This was not his first time leaving Shrek City, but every departure triggered a chain reaction.

Star Luo Empire, Imperial Palace, Council Hall.

Xu Jiawei set down the secret report in his hand and rubbed his temples.

The report contained only a few words: Xuan Zi has left the city, heading toward White Tiger City.

"Elder Cheng, what is your take on this?"

Cheng Gang stood below the dais, his expression grave. "Your Majesty, Xuan Zi is an elder of the Sea God Pavilion at Shrek Academy and a level 98 Super Douluo.

His target is, in all likelihood, the Martial Soul Academy."

Xu Jiawei was silent for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against the dragon throne. "The Princess just returned from the Martial Soul Academy and said that Shen Zhou harbors no ill will toward the empire."

"Your Majesty, Shrek Academy is not the empire." Cheng Gang paused. "Shrek never asks for an empire's consent when they act."

Xu Jiawei did not speak.

He knew full well what kind of character Shrek Academy possessed.

That place, which hung the sign of "The Continent's Number One Academy," was more overbearing in its bones than any empire.

Under the banner of "maintaining continental stability," they interfered in the internal affairs of major empires, propping up pro-Shrek factions and suppressing regimes that refused to listen.

The Star Luo Empire, the Heaven Dou Empire, the Sun Moon Empire—none had been spared from Shrek's "intervention."

"Elder Cheng, do you think this Xuan Zi will blow things out of proportion?"

Cheng Gang gave a bitter smile. "Your Majesty, you know Xuan Zi's temper as well as I do.

It is certain to escalate; the question is just how much."

Xu Jiawei stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the starry sky outside.

"Issue the decree: have the Princess remain in White Tiger City and closely monitor the movements of the Martial Soul Academy and the Shrek Inspection Team.

If there is any unusual activity, report it immediately."

"Understood."

Xu Jiawei stared out the window, lost in thought.

Shen Zhou... just what kind of person are you?

You've even alarmed Shrek... is this a blessing or a curse?

Heaven Dou Empire, Imperial Palace.

Emperor Li Yelan sat in the imperial study, clutching a secret report with the corners of his mouth curling upward.

"Xuan Zi went to Star Luo? Interesting."

The Prime Minister beside him bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, the Shrek Inspection Team accompanied by Xuan Zi—this lineup doesn't look like they're going out for tea.

According to my intelligence, a Martial Soul Academy has appeared in White Tiger City, with a dean suspected to be a Titled Douluo and several Titled Douluo under his command.

Xuan Zi's trip is likely aimed at them."

Li Yelan raised an eyebrow. A Titled Douluo? Several? Since when did such a force emerge on Star Luo Empire territory?

"Wait and see." Li Yelan tossed the report onto the table and picked up his teacup. "If Shrek and Star Luo want to tear each other apart, I am more than happy to watch."

Sun Moon Empire, Imperial Palace.

Emperor Xu Tiande stood before a map, his brows furrowed.

"Xuan Zi... Shrek Inspection Team... Martial Soul Academy..." He whispered the three names, his fingers tracing lines across the map.

Several civil and military officials stood beside him, none daring to make a sound.

Xu Tiande looked up, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Issue the decree: have the scouts at the border double their efforts and closely monitor the situation in White Tiger City.

If there is any unusual activity, report it immediately."

"Your Majesty, Shrek Academy is suddenly taking action against a newly established academy. Could it have anything to do with us?" a military official asked cautiously.

Xu Tiande sneered. "Whether it has anything to do with the Sun Moon Empire is irrelevant.

What matters is that if Shrek and the Star Luo Empire fall out, it can only benefit us."

"Order the border troops to remain still and wait until they have finished fighting before we do anything."

At the same moment, in the Martial Soul Academy cafeteria.

Shen Zhou put down his chopsticks, his Heavenly Eye opened slightly, and his gaze pierced through the layers of the night to look into the distance.

"More people are coming."

Er Ha, lying beside him and chewing on braised pork, mumbled indistinctly, "Who's coming again, Lao Da?"

"The Shrek Inspection Team.

And... an old man at level ninety-eight."

Er Ha's ears perked up. "Level ninety-eight? Isn't that almost as good as Big Brother?"

"Far from it," Shen Zhou shook his head. "Big Brother is a Peerless Douluo. He's just a Super Douluo, and a trash one at that, who will never break through to the Limit Douluo realm in his lifetime."

Er Ha blinked, and a shocking statement came out of its dog mouth, "Can This Emperor beat him then?"

"You?" Shen Zhou glanced at it. "If you fought seriously, you could last thirty rounds.

If you were fooling around like last time, he'd stew you in ten rounds."

Er Ha shrunk its neck and became obedient.

Shen Zhou stood up and walked towards the Spirit Pagoda.

"Where are you going?" Er Ha asked.

"To inform Big Brother that guests have arrived," Shen Zhou replied without looking back. "A level ninety-eight Super Douluo, bringing a group of brats. They don't come with good intentions.

We need Big Brother to step out and show them what true strength is."

Er Ha jumped up and followed him, its tail wagging happily. "This Emperor wants to go too! This Emperor wants to give that old man a taste of his own medicine!"

"Just don't get yourself pinned to the ground and rubbed by their 'taste of their own medicine'."

"Lao Da, you look down on This Emperor!"

Shen Zhou didn't answer, a slight smile playing on his lips as he walked into the Spirit Pagoda.

Er Ha followed behind him, still muttering.

The figures of the man and the dog disappeared into the tower entrance. The blue light of the Spirit Pagoda flickered slightly, as if sensing something, or perhaps waiting for something.

Meanwhile, on the official road leading to White Tiger City.

Xuan Zi walked at the front of the group, his wine gourd already more than half empty.

He squinted, humming an unknown little tune, his steps light, unlike a person over a hundred years old.

"Elder Xuan, do you think that Martial Soul Academy is really that strong?" Ma Xiaotao couldn't help but ask.

Xuan Zi took a swig of wine and wiped his mouth. "Whether they're strong or not, we'll know when we see.

If it's just bluster, this old man will slap them to death.

If they truly have strength..."

He chuckled twice and didn't continue.

Ma Xiaotao's heart tightened.

She had known Xuan Zi for so many years and had never seen him make that expression.

It wasn't anger, nor was it vigilance, but a kind of... hunger.

Like a hungry wolf spotting prey.

Dai Yueheng walked at the back of the group, silent.

The words from his mother's letter repeatedly appeared in his mind: two hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings.

Hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings... he had only read about them in the Shrek Academy's ancient texts. Apart from Shrek Academy, he had never seen them with his own eyes.

And now, he was about to face an existence with two hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings.

His hand clenched unconsciously.

"Yueheng, nervous?" Ma Xiaotao looked back at him.

"No," Dai Yueheng shook his head.

"Don't pretend," Ma Xiaotao laughed. "I was nervous on my first inspection mission too.

You'll get used to it."

Dai Yueheng didn't speak. Get used to it? How could one get used to something like this?