Shrek borrowed a hen to lay eggs; Qian Renxue borrowed a knife to kill

Before anyone knew it, a full month had passed since Qian Renxue ascended the throne.

On the surface, Heaven Dou City appeared calm and peaceful for the past month.

With the new emperor's ascension to the throne, the court transitioned smoothly, civil and military officials performed their duties, and the people lived in peace and contentment; everything seemed to be running smoothly.

However, beneath this calm surface, undercurrents are quietly surging.

Prince Xue Xing's Mansion, late at night.

The study was brightly lit, and Prince Xue Xing and the fourth prince Xue Beng sat facing each other.

The uncle and nephew both looked rather grim.

"Uncle, what exactly does my brother mean?" Xue Beng broke the silence first.

"In the past month, apart from purging a group of eunuchs and maids in the palace, he hasn't done anything significant. Does he even know about the preparations we made before?"

Prince Xue Xing shook his head, his expression grave.

He was much older than Xue Beng and had spent decades navigating the treacherous waters of the court. He knew all too well that his newly enthroned nephew was not as gentle and harmless as he appeared on the surface.

Xue Qinghe was known for his benevolence when he was the crown prince, but Prince Xue Xing never believed in that. The imperial family is ruthless; Xue Qinghe showed no mercy when killing his own brothers. How could he possibly be truly benevolent?

"He couldn't possibly be unaware, but we absolutely cannot underestimate him. Xue Qinghe's methods are far more ruthless than you imagine. The fact that he's not taking action against us now doesn't mean he's forgotten about us; it just means he hasn't had the time or resources yet, or..."

"Or what?" Xue Beng pressed.

"Or perhaps he has already laid a trap, just waiting for us to fall into it." Prince Xue Xing's voice was low and hoarse, a deep sense of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Xue Beng's face turned even paler.

Over the years, at Prince Xue Xing's behest, he has always presented himself as a spoiled brat.

He spends his days flirting and causing trouble, never seriously cultivating his skills; to outsiders, he's just a good-for-nothing. But all of this is a facade, a pretense to lower Xue Qinghe's guard, allowing the uncle and nephew to secretly accumulate power and one day seize the throne.

However, man proposes, God disposes.

The Xue Ye's passing was so sudden that they hadn't even had time to complete any of their preparations.

Those court officials he had secretly courted, those supplies he had quietly stockpiled—these were originally his trump cards prepared for seizing the throne, but now they can only be used as tokens to save his own life.

"Uncle Wang, should we... leave Heaven Dou City first?" Xue Beng asked tentatively, "... go to our fiefdom to lay low for a while?"

"Foolish!" Prince Xue Xing hissed. "Leaving Heaven Dou City now would be an admission of guilt. Your father has just passed away, and you're rushing to your fiefdom. What will the court think? What will Xue Qinghe think? He's just looking for an excuse to attack us. Your departure gives him the perfect pretext."

The Xue Beng shrank back after being scolded and dared not say another word.

Prince Xue Xing sighed, his tone softening slightly. "Let's wait and see. He hasn't made a move against us in the past month, which means he doesn't want to break off relations anytime soon."

You continue to play the playboy, eat and drink as you please, and don't give yourself away. Leave everything else to Uncle Wang."

Xue Beng nodded, but his unease did not diminish in the slightest.

Unbeknownst to the uncle and nephew, their every move was already under Qian Renxue's control.

Of the eunuchs and palace maids who were expelled from the palace, more than half were spies planted by Prince Xue Xing.

The reason Qian Renxue didn't directly attack them wasn't because she was soft-hearted, but because she wanted to wait for the right opportunity and the right method to make it seem like the Xue Beng's deaths had nothing to do with her.

And that opportunity will arrive soon.

Meanwhile, at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, a lively scene unfolded.

Qin Ming, the instructor of the Imperial Fighting Team, wore a brand-new robe today and waited at the academy gate early.

"What's wrong with Teacher Qin today?" The members of the Imperial Fighting Team looked at their teacher from afar, who was eagerly waiting, and they looked at each other in confusion.

"I heard that Teacher Qin invited teachers and students from his alma mater, Shrek Academy, to visit and exchange ideas with the Heaven Dou Royal Academy," Captain Xue Yu said casually, arms crossed.

He is the captain of the Imperial Fighting Team, with the Martial Soul Emerald Swan, a level 53 healing-type Soul King, and also a member of a collateral branch of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family. In terms of seniority, he is Xue Beng and Xue Qinghe's cousin.

However, he never got involved in the power struggles within the royal family, focusing solely on his cultivation.

"You mean Shrek Academy?" Vice Captain Yu Tianheng raised an eyebrow.

Xue Yu nodded.

The story begins when the Imperial Fighting Team encountered the Shrek Team in Suotuo City.

The Imperial Fighting Team and the Shrek Team met at the Great Soul Arena in Suotuo City.

On the Imperial Fighting Team's side, Captain Xue Yu stood at the forefront, her Emerald Swan Martial Soul slowly unfolding behind her, its emerald light illuminating the entire Soul Fighting Arena like an emerald palace.

Beside him, Vice Captain Yu Tianheng had already completed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Possession, with purple lightning crackling all around him.

The Shi Mo and Shi Mo brothers stood side by side, their two Black Tortoise Shields already drawn, forming an impenetrable defensive line in front of the group with a thick, earthy-yellow light.

Lei Ling and Yu Feng stood on either side, one Entanglement by silver lightning and the other by a blue whirlwind, ready to strike at any moment.

On Shrek Team's side, Dai Mubai stood at the forefront, his White Tiger Martial Soul already possessed, white tiger stripes appearing on his skin, and his tiger eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Tang San stood in the center of the group, the Blue Silver Grass spreading out beneath his feet like a giant spider web, ready to take control of the entire scene at any moment.

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing stood on either side, while Ma Hongjun and Oscar stood in the back row. One was surrounded by purplish-red Evil Fire, and the other had already begun chanting a soul incantation to make sausages.

Ning Rongrong stood at the very back, the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda slowly rotating in her palm, its seven-colored light ready to be unleashed.

However, the outcome of this battle was never in doubt from the very beginning.

Xue Yu made the first move, and the Emerald Swan's group amplification Soul Skill enveloped the entire Imperial Fighting Team.

A vibrant green light shone down on each team member, causing their strength, speed, defense, and Soul Power recovery rate to surge simultaneously.

That's not all. The Emerald Swan's group healing Soul Skill was also activated, which meant that in the upcoming battle, even if the members of the Imperial Fighting Team were injured, they could recover to full health in a very short time.

The power of Super Martial Soul was on full display at this moment.

"What... what kind of Martial Soul is this?!" Flender stared wide-eyed at the elegant and powerful Emerald Swan behind Xue Yu in disbelief.

Flender had never seen such a powerful support-type Martial Soul, capable of both group buffs and group healing—it was practically a mobile supply station!

Yu Xiaogang's expression also became extremely solemn. He was known as a "Grandmaster" and his research on Martial Soul was unparalleled on the continent, but he had only seen a few words about the Emerald Swan Martial Soul in ancient books.

The rarity of this Martial Soul surpasses that of the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda.

The battle was over in the blink of an eye.

Yu Tianheng and Lei Ling were like two sharp swords drawn from their sheaths. With Xue Yu's enhancement, their speed and strength reached an extremely terrifying level.

The lightning of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon intertwined with the silver lightning of Lei Ling's Lightning Sword, transforming into a purple and silver lightning storm that swept across the entire Soul Fighting Arena.

Dai Mubai's White Tiger Protection Barrier was as fragile as paper in the face of the lightning storm, and was instantly torn to shreds.

Before Tang San's Blue Silver Grass could even take effect, it was blasted into charcoal by lightning.

Although Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were fast, they had nowhere to hide within the range of the lightning storm.

The Shi Mo didn't even make a move.

He simply stood there holding the Black Tortoise Shield, blocking all the aftershocks of the attack and ensuring that not a single bit of damage reached his own back row.

The Shrek Team members lay dead on the Soul Fighting Arena, their bodies charred black and their clothes tattered.

Since their inception, they have encountered formidable opponents, but they have never suffered such a crushing defeat.

The opponent didn't even use their full strength. The Defense System Soul Master holding the shield watched the whole thing from beginning to end, and the captain didn't personally make a move except for releasing an amplification Soul Skill.

Two Power Attack System Soul Master alone wiped out their entire team.

"This... is this the strength of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy 'Imperial Fighting Team?" Dai Mubai gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms.

As a prince of the Star Luo Empire, he had been a chosen one since childhood; how could he have ever suffered such humiliation?

Tang San remained silent, but a flame of resentment burned in his eyes.

He didn't even have time to use his Hidden Weapon, his poison, or his Eight Spider Lances —the battle was already over.

The gap in strength was too great, so great that he didn't even have a chance to use his methods.

Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong lay on the ground, their bodies numb and unable to move.

Ma Hongjun and Oscar both fell into a coma.

After the Soul Fighting ended, Qin Ming personally went to the Shrek Team and bowed deeply to Flender and Yu Xiaogang, his voice filled with excitement. "Dean Flender, Teacher Zhao, it's been so many years, how have you been?"

Flender looked at the spirited young man in front of him, was taken aback at first, then recognized him, and a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, upon learning that Qin Ming was the instructor leading the Imperial Fighting Team, Flender happily patted Qin Ming on the shoulder and exclaimed, "Good lad, it's been a few years, and you've become a teacher at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"

"Qin Ming will keep the dean's teachings in mind. I came here today to help our academy. I would like to ask the dean and Teacher Zhao to lead the junior students to move into the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

The resources at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy are far more abundant than those at the Shrek Academy. I believe that my juniors will definitely shine here.

Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged a glance, a complex expression flashing in their eyes.

To be fair, the conditions at the Shrek Academy were indeed harsh.

Qin Ming then introduced Shrek Academy to the members of the Imperial Fighting Team.

The members of the Imperial Fighting Team stepped forward and bowed, appearing polite and courteous on the surface, but their eyes all carried a hint of scrutiny.

The students and teachers from both teams had a meal together. During the meal, Qin Ming once again persuaded Flender, Zhao Wuji, Yu Xiaogang: "Dean, Teacher Zhao, Grandmaster, the reason why the Imperial Fighting Team is so strong is not only because of their own talent and hard work, but more importantly because of the resources of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Let our juniors join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Here, they can receive the best training. Dean, you must have heard of the pills from the Pill Tower, right? Especially the Mysterious Water Pill, which can increase Innate Soul Power.

With the talent of my juniors, as long as they take one Mysterious Water Pill, their strength will definitely rise to another level.

Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of attraction in each other's eyes.

"Exactly." Qin Ming nodded. "The Mysterious Water Pill from the Pill Tower is a priceless treasure on the continent."

Because the Heaven Dou Empire is a partner of the Pill Tower, it has a greater chance of purchasing pills every year.

If junior students join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, given their talent, the academy will definitely prioritize allocating Mysterious Water Pill to them.

Yu Xiaogang's breathing quickened slightly.

He knew the value of the Mysterious Water Pill better than anyone else. His Soul Power had been stuck at level 29 for many years, and he was unable to break through the bottleneck of level 30.

If he could obtain a Mysterious Water Pill, he would be absolutely confident in breaking through the bottleneck and officially entering the Soul Elder realm.

He paused for a moment, then slowly began, "Flender, I have an idea to use someone else's resources to our advantage... we can..."

Yu Xiaogang explained the method of "borrowing a hen to lay eggs" from the original work to Flender. Flender frowned after hearing it, but ultimately did not refute it.

He admitted that Yu Xiaogang's words made sense, and from a realistic point of view, having these children join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was indeed the best option at present.

"Okay." Flender nodded, then looked at Qin Ming. "Qin Ming, I'm entrusting these children to you."

Qin Ming was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying, "Dean, rest assured, I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

And so, Shrek and his friends began moving.

The Shrek Academy delegation arrived in Heaven Dou City yesterday. Instead of visiting directly, they first presented a visiting card, indicating that they would formally meet with the three members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's teaching committee the following day to discuss the specific details of the Shrek Academy's merger into the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

However, neither Flender nor Yu Xiaogang expected that news of their entry into the city had already reached deep into the palace.

In the imperial study, Qian Renxue sat upright before the dragon desk, holding a secret report that had just been delivered.

The secret report contained detailed information about the Shrek Academy group.

Qian Renxue's gaze lingered on the name "Ning Rongrong" for a moment, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

"Shrek Academy..." she murmured the name, a calculating glint in her golden eyes, "Quite a fine blade."

She put down the confidential report and picked up another file.

That was Xue Beng's recent itinerary. Every day, the Fourth Prince would stroll along the most bustling Vermilion Bird Street in Heaven Dou City, ostensibly to "observe the people's conditions," but in reality, he just wanted to see pretty girls.

We can use Shrek Academy to get rid of Xue Beng, preferably by having Xue Beng killed by Ning Rongrong, so we can also take the opportunity to control Ning Fengzhi.