Sea God Pavilion Deliberations, Heaven Dou Challenge Match [4K]

Shrek City, Shrek Academy, Sea God Pavilion.

Inside the ancient pavilion, the lights blazed brightly. A massive oval table stood in the center, its surface inscribed with intricate soul tool formations where faint light flowed. More than a dozen elders with profound auras sat on either side, every one of them a renowned top expert on the continent.

This was Shrek Academy's highest decision-making body—the Sea God Pavilion.

At the head of the table sat the current Master of the Sea God Pavilion, the demigod-level Heavenly Favor Douluo, Bei Dexun. He appeared to be a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, with a lean face, bright eyes, and long silver-white hair draped over his shoulders. A faint aura of resonance with heaven and earth surrounded him.

Beside him sat his wife, the equally demigod-level Light and Dark Douluo, Long Yeyue. She looked somewhat younger than Bei Dexun and possessed a dignified, beautiful appearance. However, impatience and anger lingered between her brows, while light and darkness alternated around her in an unfathomable display.

"Everyone, I called you here today because of the Spirit Pagoda's recent little moves." Bei Dexun's voice was calm and steady as his gaze swept over the elders on both sides of the table. "I believe you have all heard that the Spirit Pagoda sent a team of young geniuses to intercept our first-year students during their final examinations."

As soon as he finished speaking, Long Yeyue snorted coldly, her tone filled with obvious displeasure. "What is the Spirit Pagoda trying to do? Are they openly making enemies of Shrek Academy? Sending people to intercept our students and interfere with their final exams—is this their way of declaring war?"

"That's right!" A burly elder slammed his palm against the table, his voice booming like a bell. "When has Shrek Academy ever suffered such humiliation? I say we send people straight to the Spirit Pagoda headquarters and demand an explanation! Let them know that Shrek Academy is not so easily bullied!"

"Exactly! We have to show them what we're made of!"

"The Spirit Pagoda has become more and more arrogant over the years. If we don't put them in their place, they may forget who the continent's number one power truly is!"

For a moment, emotions ran high within the Sea God Pavilion. Several elders voiced their agreement, their words fierce and impassioned.

Bei Dexun listened quietly without rushing to state his position. His fingers lightly tapped the tabletop, producing a rhythmic thumping sound, as though he were considering something.

After a long while, he raised a hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.

"Everyone, please calm yourselves." Bei Dexun spoke slowly. Though his voice was not loud, it carried unquestionable authority. "What the Spirit Pagoda has done is indeed improper. But we must also consider this: if we make a grand display of holding the Spirit Pagoda accountable, what will outsiders think?"

He paused before continuing, "The Spirit Pagoda can simply use our own past words against us—'It is only a sparring match between children. Why make such a fuss?' When that happens, Shrek Academy will appear unable to accept defeat, making a big issue out of such a minor matter."

The expressions of several elders shifted slightly. Though unwilling, they had to admit that Bei Dexun made sense.

"Then what does the Pavilion Master mean?" one elder asked.

"Since this is a matter between juniors, let the juniors resolve it themselves," Bei Dexun said. "The Spirit Pagoda sent geniuses to intercept our students because they want to prove that their younger generation is stronger than ours. Then let us grant their wish—send the strongest first-year students from our academy to face the Spirit Pagoda's team in a proper duel in Heaven Dou City."

"A public duel?" Long Yeyue raised her brow. "That is indeed a good idea. It will not make us look like we are bullying the young, and it will let the Spirit Pagoda understand that the geniuses they are so proud of are nothing more than this before Shrek."

"Exactly." Bei Dexun nodded. "I have already had someone prepare the roster. The Spirit Pagoda should have received it by now as well."

As he spoke, he took out a list from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

Seven names were clearly written on the list—

Seven Star Sword Soul Elder—Bai Xiao

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Ancestor—Yu Momo

Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Soul Elder—Ning Xia

Winged Tiger Soul Elder—Han Xiao

Swift Leg Soul Elder—Su Ze

Purple Jade Flute Soul Grandmaster—Ye Zhi

Flame Lord Soul Grandmaster—Lie Yang

"These seven are the finest students in our academy's first year," Bei Dexun said. "With them representing us, they are more than enough to demonstrate Shrek Academy's level."

"Yu Momo is on the list too?" Long Yeyue glanced at the roster, a smile curling at her lips. "I heard he was captured by Spirit Pagoda people in Qingshi City a few days ago. His Soul Power was even sealed, and he was sent to the Spirit Pagoda headquarters. The whole academy knows about it by now. That boy must be holding in a bellyful of anger."

"It is good for him to suffer a setback." Bei Dexun spoke indifferently. "His talent is excellent, but his temperament is too flamboyant, which makes him prone to losses. This is a good chance for him to understand that there is always someone stronger. Still, with Bai Xiao holding the fort, victory should not be a problem this time."

He rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over all the elders present. "Then it is settled. Send word for these seven to prepare and head to Heaven Dou City for a public duel against the Spirit Pagoda's Seven Luminaries Team."

"Yes!" the elders answered in unison.

The soul tool car sped along the highway. Outside the windows, the scenery gradually shifted from rolling hills to open plains, and the outline of Heaven Dou City could already be seen in the distance. Once the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City was no longer the political center, but it remained one of the continent's renowned major cities, grand and imposing.

"We're finally almost at Heaven Dou City." Leng Yaozhu stretched lazily and moved her somewhat stiff shoulders. "Running around these past few days has exhausted me."

"Didn't you say this mission was fun, Sister?" Leng Yulai asked softly from the back seat.

"Beating up Shrek students was fun, but traveling is still too troublesome," Leng Yaozhu said matter-of-factly.

Xiao Cheng smiled but said nothing. He held the steering wheel, his eyes focused on the road ahead.

"Oh, right, Xiao Cheng." Leng Yaozhu suddenly remembered something. "How do you think the other two groups did? Did Qiangu Dongfeng and the others finish their missions?"

"They should have had no problems," Xiao Cheng said. "Qiangu Dongfeng absorbed a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, so he is the strongest among us. Qiangu Qingfeng may be a little cold, but his strength is not bad either. With them looking after things, Zhang Geyang and Xia Zhengleng are no pushovers. There should not be any issue."

"That's true." Leng Yaozhu nodded. "Still, I'm curious about how well Qiangu Qingfeng and Xia Zhengleng worked together. One is ice-cold, and the other is quiet. Did they spend the entire trip without saying a word?"

Xiao Cheng imagined the scene—Qiangu Qingfeng walking ahead with a stiff face, Xia Zhengleng silently following three meters behind him, with no communication whatsoever... He could not help laughing. But remembering that the two of them were a model couple in the original story, he said seriously, "Maybe. But perhaps because neither of them likes talking, they actually work together quite well."

"That makes sense." Leng Yaozhu nodded thoughtfully. "Like an old married couple. They do not need to speak to know what the other is thinking."

"Sister, that comparison is so strange..." Leng Yulai muttered softly.

"What's strange about it? I think it fits perfectly!"

Amid their laughter and conversation, the car entered the boundaries of Heaven Dou City.

"Let's first visit the Heaven Dou City Spirit Pagoda branch and find out what is going on." Xiao Cheng drove toward the city's Spirit Pagoda sub-tower.

The Heaven Dou City Spirit Pagoda sub-tower was far larger than those in the previous cities. It was a towering structure built entirely from silver-white stone, gleaming brilliantly beneath the sunlight.

When Xiao Cheng and the two sisters entered the sub-tower's lobby, they immediately spotted the two groups led by Qiangu Dongfeng and Qiangu Qingfeng, who had arrived earlier.

Qiangu Dongfeng still looked as elegant as ever. He sat leisurely in the lobby's resting area, sipping tea. Zhang Geyang sat beside him and appeared to be in good spirits. Clearly, their mission had gone rather smoothly over the past few days.

Qiangu Qingfeng sat alone in a corner on the other side, resting with his eyes closed and giving off an unmistakable stay-away-from-me aura. Xia Zhengleng sat a short distance beside him, quietly flipping through a music score. Though the two did not speak, the atmosphere between them was harmonious enough.

"Oh, you finally made it!" When Qiangu Dongfeng saw Xiao Cheng and the two sisters, he set down his teacup and greeted them with a smile. "How was the journey? Did everything go smoothly?"

"Not bad." Leng Yaozhu answered casually. "We intercepted nine targets. All victories. What about you?"

"We did not do badly either." Qiangu Dongfeng smiled. "Seven targets, all victories. My brother's group had six targets, all victories as well."

"So our Seven Luminaries Team intercepted a total of twenty-two Shrek students this time and maintained a perfect record?" Leng Yaozhu raised a brow in surprise. "That result should satisfy the Tower Master, right?"

"Probably." Qiangu Dongfeng nodded, but then his tone shifted. "However, this is not over yet."

"What do you mean?" Xiao Cheng keenly caught the deeper meaning in his words.

Qiangu Dongfeng was about to explain when the lobby doors were pushed open.

Xiao Ran walked in alongside an elderly man with white hair and beard. The old man wore a long robe embroidered with the Spirit Pagoda emblem, and his aura was as deep as the sea. He was clearly a Super Douluo-level expert—the master of the Heaven Dou City Spirit Pagoda sub-tower, a Three-Word Battle Armor Master known as the Heaven Dou Mountain Suppressor, Yue Zhenshan.

The two walked to the center of the lobby, both wearing grave expressions.

Xiao Ran swept his gaze over the seven of them before slowly speaking. "There is good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?"

"The good news," Leng Yaozhu said first.

"The good news is that the results of your interception operation have already been sent back to headquarters. The Tower Master is very pleased with your performance, especially since all seven of you maintained perfect records. That has made the Tower Master and the councilors very happy."

Smiles appeared on the faces of all seven.

"What about the bad news?" Xiao Cheng asked.

Xiao Ran exchanged a glance with Yue Zhenshan, after which Yue Zhenshan spoke. "The bad news is that Shrek Academy has already learned of your existence and has responded."

He paused before continuing, "The Sea God Pavilion Master, Bei Dexun, personally ordered Shrek Academy's seven strongest first-year students to hold a public duel against your Seven Luminaries Team in Heaven Dou City."

"A public duel?" Qiangu Dongfeng was slightly startled. "When?"

"Three days from now," Yue Zhenshan said. "The location will be Heaven Dou City's central square. By then, every faction in Heaven Dou City will send people to watch. It is even possible that forces from other cities will send representatives as well."

His eyes swept over the seven, and his tone turned solemn. "This battle concerns not only your personal honor, but also the reputation of the Spirit Pagoda. If you win, the Spirit Pagoda's prestige will rise another level. If you lose..."

He did not finish the sentence, but its meaning was already clear.

The lobby fell into brief silence.

A moment later, Leng Yaozhu was the first to break it. "What's there to fear? If they want to fight, then we fight! Shrek's first-year students are on average three or four years older than us. Even if we lose, it will not be embarrassing. Besides, it is not like we are guaranteed to lose."

"Exactly!" Zhang Geyang chimed in. "Our Seven Luminaries Team is not to be underestimated!"

Xiao Cheng did not speak, but fighting spirit flickered in his eyes as well.

Shrek Academy... were they finally going to clash head-on?

He had waited for this day for a long time.

"Oh, right. Shrek's roster is already out." Yue Zhenshan took a list from his sleeve and handed it to the seven. "Take a look."

The seven gathered around and looked at the names on the list.

"Seven Star Sword Soul Elder Bai Xiao... Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Ancestor Yu Momo... Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Soul Elder Ning Xia... Winged Tiger Soul Elder Han Xiao... Swift Leg Soul Elder Su Ze... Purple Jade Flute Soul Grandmaster Ye Zhi... Flame Lord Soul Grandmaster Lie Yang..."

"This Yu Momo is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon we captured in Qingshi City, right?" Leng Yaozhu asked, pointing at the second name.

"That's right." Xiao Ran nodded. "He is the most outstanding descendant of this generation in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and has considerable talent. Though you captured him once, that was mainly because the three of you joined forces. In a one-on-one fight, aside from Dongfeng, I am afraid none of you could guarantee a win against him."

Upon hearing this, Qiangu Dongfeng's lips curled upward slightly, but he said nothing.

"Seven Star Sword Bai Xiao..." Xiao Cheng's gaze settled on the first name. "His martial soul is the Seven Star Sword, so it should be a weapon martial soul. Since he is listed first, he should be the strongest of the seven."

"Correct," Yue Zhenshan said. "Bai Xiao's Seven Star Sword is a top-tier weapon martial soul passed down since ancient times. It is said to possess some connection with the Big Dipper in the heavens. Though his cultivation is only at the Soul Elder level, his combat power is extremely strong. He once defeated the combined assault of three Soul Masters at the same rank by himself."

"Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Ning Xia..." Leng Yaozhu read the third name, her brows knitting slightly. "Someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Although the emergence of Battle Armor has caused the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to decline greatly, for people like us who do not yet have Battle Armor, the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda's amplification is still quite substantial."

Xiao Cheng silently memorized this information and began considering possible strategies for the match.

"Alright, get some proper rest today," Xiao Ran said. "Starting tomorrow, we will formulate suitable tactics based on the characteristics of Shrek's seven students. Three days from now, it will be up to you."

"Yes!" the seven answered in unison.

After leaving the lobby, Leng Yaozhu stretched lazily, excitement appearing on her face. "We're finally getting a proper fight! Beating up those little nobodies these past few days was pretty boring."

"Sister, don't get too excited..." Leng Yulai said quietly. "Those seven from Shrek are generally ten levels higher than us..."

"What are you afraid of?" Leng Yaozhu patted her sister's shoulder. "We are strong too! Besides, we have three days to prepare. That is enough time to study their weaknesses."

Xiao Cheng looked toward the sky, which was gradually darkening in the distance, and an indescribable sense of disappointment rose within him. He had not expected Shrek Academy to refrain from sending Yun Ming and the others.