You wouldn't want Shrek Academy's reputation to be damaged because of you, would you?

Before leaving the Evil Demon Forest, Xu Tianming sealed the soul power within Zhang Lexuan's body and placed a pair of Sun Moon Empire-made shackles on her.

Once fully fitted, these shackles suppressed the flow of soul power within a soul master's body. Not only could their soul power not recover, but even drawing upon the slightest trace of it became extraordinarily difficult. Even a titled Douluo-level powerhouse bound by these specially made shackles would not be able to break free easily.

"Don't look at me like that. When all was said and done, what happened today was all because of you. If you hadn't come up to me of your own accord, how would you have ended up like this?"

"Mm! Mmph!"

Seeing that the gagged Zhang Lexuan seemed to want to speak, Xu Tianming did not make things too difficult for her.

"You can speak, but before you open your mouth, I advise you to think carefully about what should and should not be said. Otherwise, if you make me unhappy, you definitely won't have a good time."

Zhang Lexuan was deeply displeased at being threatened.

But circumstances were stronger than she was. At this moment, completely at another's mercy, she could only nod obediently to show that she understood.

Seeing this, Xu Tianming walked over and removed the object stuffed in her mouth.

With the restraint in her mouth gone, Zhang Lexuan immediately took several deep breaths. After catching her breath, she suppressed her anger and asked in a barely calm tone,

"What exactly do you want? I'm from Shrek Academy! Aren't you afraid Shrek Academy will hold you accountable for restricting my personal freedom?"

"Tsk, you still don't seem to understand how serious this is. Has Shrek Academy never considered training the intelligence of you genius soul masters?"

"What do you mean?!"

Xu Tianming gave her a pitying look and patiently explained,

"What happened today could be made into either a big matter or a small one. If you and I were both ordinary people without any particular status, then it would have ended there."

"But you happen to be from Shrek Academy, while I happen to be a prince of the Sun Moon Empire. So, I can entirely regard what happened today as someone from Shrek Academy colluding with evil soul masters in an attempt to murder me, a prince!"

"Based on that reason, it is perfectly reasonable for me to detain you, the culprit, and demand an explanation from Shrek Academy afterward, isn't it?"

At those words, Zhang Lexuan's face immediately turned red.

"That's not what happened! This was just an accident! You clearly know the full story! How can you slander me out of thin air?"

"See? You're getting worked up again. What do you mean, slandering you? What evidence do you have to prove to me that you're innocent?"

Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan instinctively tried to defend herself.

"That evil soul master's final words, you clearly—"

However, before she could finish, Xu Tianming cut her off.

"Don't mention that evil soul master! If I remember correctly, that evil soul master ultimately died by your hand. Who knows whether the two of you had colluded beforehand?"

Those words left Zhang Lexuan speechless.

She could not understand it.

How could there be such a shameless person in this world?

That handsome face was completely wasted on him!

Seeing Zhang Lexuan already gasping in anger, Xu Tianming decisively twisted the knife.

"Almost forgot to mention, to prevent unnecessary accidents, I always carry a specially made recording soul device whenever I go out, recording everything I encounter. That includes the moment my sister and I were about to leave the Evil Demon Forest, when a group of evil soul masters you led surrounded us."

"If I were to release that recording to the entire continent and publicly demand an explanation from Shrek Academy over it... how do you think those people at Shrek Academy would view you then?"

Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan's eyes widened.

"No! You can't do that!"

"Oh? Why can't I? As long as I release this recording to the entire continent, I can both damage Shrek Academy's reputation and most likely obtain a generous compensation from Shrek Academy. Such a win-win opportunity is something I'd love to encounter a few more times!"

Cold sweat was already beginning to appear on Zhang Lexuan's forehead.

"You're dreaming! Shrek Academy's stance has always been irreconcilable with evil soul masters, and everyone in the world knows that! You think you can tarnish Shrek Academy's good name with just this recording? Dream on!"

Seeing that she was still putting up a brave front, Xu Tianming intensified his pressure.

"Perhaps you're right. This evidence alone may indeed make it difficult to inflict any overly severe damage on Shrek Academy's reputation in the short term. But have you considered this?"

"Not only the Sun Moon Empire, but Star Luo, Heaven Soul Empire, and Dou Ling Empire as well—the whole world has long suffered under Shrek Academy. If the Sun Moon Empire takes the lead in condemning Shrek Academy, do you think the other powers in the world will blindly support Shrek, or stand aside coldly and wait to watch Shrek Academy make a fool of itself?"

"Once the seed of doubt is planted, it becomes difficult to uproot. Shrek Academy's flawless image of purity before the world, built over ten thousand years, is about to come crashing down because of you. Perhaps Shrek Academy can weather this crisis with its powerful foundation, but have you considered what will happen to you, the main culprit behind this incident?"

Xu Tianming's words had struck directly at Zhang Lexuan's weak spot.

She truly believed that Shrek Academy would not be affected by this matter.

But one could never be too careful!

Elder Mu of Shrek Academy had shown her great kindness. Several years ago, he had not only saved her life, but had also helped wipe out her enemies' entire family.

Those two acts alone were enough for her to devote the rest of her life to Shrek Academy, shedding blood and giving her life for it. Not to mention that Shrek Academy had also invested enormous cultivation resources into training her over the years.

No matter what, she could not allow Shrek Academy's reputation to be affected because of her. Even if it cost her life, Zhang Lexuan would not hesitate!

"Stop saying such things. The reason you've said so much to me is probably because you want something from me, isn't it? Just say it. What do you need me to do before you can promise not to use this matter to damage Shrek Academy's reputation?"

Seeing that Zhang Lexuan was already inclined to yield, Xu Tianming nodded in satisfaction.

"Please get this straight. It isn't about what I need you to do; it's about what you can offer me. If the value you can provide fails to satisfy me, then I can only find a way to bite off a piece of Shrek Academy big enough to fill my stomach."

What value could she offer?

Upon hearing that question, Zhang Lexuan fell into deep thought.

Her current soul power was Rank 72. Although her combat strength far surpassed that of soul masters at the same rank, given Xu Tianming's status, he likely did not lack powerful protectors at his side.

But other than her own strength, what other value could she provide?

Have her betray specific intelligence about Shrek Academy?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Rather than betray Shrek Academy, she would rather kill herself!

After thinking for a long while, Zhang Lexuan suddenly remembered that Xu Tianming before her was a man.

And she, at least, counted as a stunningly beautiful woman...

Could it be...