Shrek Collapse Plan

Listening to Ju Zi's report, Kong Ming'an nodded slightly, a trace of understanding in his eyes.

His many arrangements throughout the Douluo Three Kingdoms could essentially be summed up as economic infiltration, resource plunder, talent poaching, structural infiltration, and control of public opinion.

A war between the Sun Moon Empire and the Douluo Three Kingdoms was inevitable. There was no question that he would stand with the Sun Moon Empire, and that was equally unchangeable.

That was why he had made so many arrangements against the Douluo Three Kingdoms.

Establishing newspapers, for instance, was by no means simply meant to smear Shrek. At its core, it was to use them to build a vast intelligence-gathering network spanning the Douluo Three Kingdoms and quietly control the direction of public opinion.

Using Electrolux's Undead Demiplane as a Transfer Station, they had established an ultra-high-speed information network. This allowed the newspapers under Ming Meng to always obtain news a step ahead of everyone else, giving them an absolute advantage in timeliness and thus a monopoly over the market.

Then there was the Qiming Plan and the recruitment of Shrek graduates. Though Kong Ming'an had a poor impression of Shrek, he had to admit that Shrek truly had an abundance of talent. It would have been a waste not to poach some of them.

He did not necessarily need to recruit those talents directly into the Sun Moon Empire. Using them as the Merchant Guild's outer shell to maintain its operations throughout the Douluo Three Kingdoms was more than enough.

Xu Tianzhen, standing nearby, was completely dumbfounded. Looking at the Youth around her age and listening to his plans involving infiltration, poaching, intelligence, and public opinion, she felt as though her brain could barely keep up.

Who said this guy only did experiments every day, holed himself up in the Laboratory, acted all spaced-out, and was ridiculously easy to push around?!

And you called him easy to push around?!

Xu Tianzhen recalled what Kong Deming had said not long ago about something like, "He can be replaced." She had doubted it before, but now... all she felt was an indescribable agreement.

After hearing Ju Zi's orderly report, Kong Ming'an gained an even greater appreciation for her abilities.

Finally, he asked, "What about the matter I asked you to handle earlier?"

Ju Zi nodded knowingly and took a thin folder from her storage Soul Tool.

"It has been verified. Zhang Lexuan, eighteen years old, Soul Power Level sixty-eight, possesses the 'Moon' Martial Soul, and is extremely powerful. She is the captain of this generation's Shrek's Seven Devils and enjoys considerable prestige within the Academy. As for her background..."

At that moment, Xu Tianzhen, who had been listening intently from the side, suddenly interrupted. She had caught the crucial detail and looked at Kong Ming'an with a confirming tone. "'Moon' Martial Soul?!"

Kong Ming'an seemed to have expected her to realize it. He nodded. "Yes. The branch family I mentioned to Grandfather before was this one."

Having received confirmation, Xu Tianzhen showed a hint of understanding on her pretty face. She said nothing further, though her gaze became even more focused.

Kong Ming'an turned back to Ju Zi. "How effective was the information I asked you to spread?"

"The results were even better than expected." Ju Zi's gaze remained calm.

"We only scattered a few vague fragments of information in places she might come across them, regarding the 'Kong Family of the Sun Moon Empire,' the 'Silver Moon Martial Soul,' and the 'royal Martial Soul inheritance.'

"She grew suspicious and quickly began investigating her own origins. She even posted a commission through our Merchant Guild."

"What about Shrek's dirty secrets?"

"Those were also planted."

Ju Zi took out another document and gently placed it before Kong Ming'an.

"Every piece of dirt we planted is absolutely true, without any embellishment. We made sure she could 'accidentally' discover it while investigating her background.

"However, compared to her origins, she seemed more concerned with Shrek's corruption. Even if it was merely a possibility, she would actively search for evidence.

"And as long as she investigates, our people will deliver the evidence into her hands at the appropriate time.

"At present, based on information supplied from within Shrek, some of the senior elders in the Sea God Pavilion are quite dissatisfied with her bypassing Judgment and directly using private punishment."

"Very good."

Kong Ming'an's tone was approving as he sincerely praised her. "Sister Ju Zi, you did very well."

Ju Zi paused slightly, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curved upward, revealing a faint, almost imperceptible morbid satisfaction.

She gave a slight bow, her tone as respectful as ever. "It was my duty... President."

The report ended there.

Ju Zi did not remain in the office for long and very consciously chose to leave.

Before leaving, however, she gave Xu Tianzhen a small bow, then departed from the room.

The door closed. Only then did Xu Tianzhen finally lose her patience and ask curiously.

"So, Zhang Lexuan is your target?"

"Only part of it. She is indeed very important, since she has the 'Moon' Martial Soul."

"But she should be difficult to recruit, right? Why not simply kill her, as Grandpa Kong suggested? Wouldn't that be easier?"

"Am I really that bloodthirsty?" Kong Ming'an shot Princess Highness an annoyed look before slowly speaking.

"After all, she has the 'Moon' Martial Soul. According to the family records, she can even be considered my clan elder sister. There is no need to kill her outright.

"Besides, her personality actually makes her quite easy to recruit. It will just take some time. And... wouldn't it be more interesting to have her personally wield the blade that dismembers Shrek?"

Kong Ming'an revealed a benevolent smile.

Shrek Academy looked imposing, but it was strong on the outside and weak within. Its internal problems were numerous, and its top-tier combat strength was failing to replenish itself.

Its foundation had long since rotted away. He had merely placed a few more worms in the rotten spots to accelerate the decay, then waited for an opportunity in the future to deliver a fatal blow.

He even had plans for Mu En, the master of the Sea God Pavilion. Unfortunately, the gap in their strength was currently too great, making those plans difficult to carry out.

Forcing its destruction would result in excessive losses. It was easier to dismantle it from within, step by step. During that process, he could also use it as nourishment to cultivate his own forces.

Xu Tianzhen gained a vague understanding, but quickly stopped herself from dwelling on it and forced herself not to investigate the details.

There were some things one was better off knowing less about. Only a mascot could live longer.

As Xu Tianzhen silently recited her code of conduct, she saw a hand suddenly extend before her.

Looking up, Xu Tianzhen blinked, her face full of confusion.

"I said I would show you around Shrek City. I am not the type to break my word." Kong Ming'an smiled faintly.

Xu Tianzhen froze, then her eyes brightened slightly.

She suddenly realized that her fiancé seemed pretty decent after all!

"Let's go!"

Xu Tianzhen grabbed Kong Ming'an's hand and pulled him toward the door.

Shrek Academy, Inner Court.

Inside a Mimicry Cultivation Room, a Girl who looked around seventeen or eighteen sat cross-legged.

She possessed a tranquil temperament and delicate, gentle features. Moonlight flowed across her fair, luminous skin, lending an added touch of cold clarity to the quiet Cultivation Room.

The Girl cultivated silently. Then, at some point, the door to the Mimicry Cultivation Room opened from outside, accompanied by a voice.

"Sister Lexuan, your confinement is over."