The Seven Old Devils of Devil Island (Four Thousand)
Following Huo Yuhao's command, the small soul-guided ship silently started up and smoothly sailed away from the port, heading towards the depths of the Northern Sea. The ship was not slow, but it was exceptionally stable, demonstrating its excellent performance.
Huo Yuhao stood on the foredeck, gazing at the gradually darkening sea and sky. Shen Yue accompanied him, estimating the route information and estimated arrival time.
Shen Xing, trying to appear useful, went to check the operational status of the ship's detection equipment.
Yes, it's definitely not that she wanted to stay away from Huo Yuhao, absolutely not!
Shen Yue watched this scene helplessly. She had brought Shen Xing in, hoping to use the fact that Shen Xing had met Huo Yuhao several times to ease the atmosphere and get closer to him. She didn't expect her younger sister to be so useless at this crucial moment, actually getting so nervous that she avoided it.
"Your Majesty," Shen Yue apologized, "Shen Xing has not yet adapted to your new status and has been somewhat impolite. Please forgive me."
"No need to start the conversation so abruptly." Huo Yuhao saw through her thoughts and chuckled, "There's still time before we reach Devil Island. Just say what you want to talk about. Since I've chosen to travel on the ship you've prepared, we'll have time to exchange a few words."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yue smiled bitterly to herself.
Her thoughts were likely seen through at a glance by this god who had lived for countless years. Moreover, those who could become gods were all exceptionally talented, with experience far exceeding that of ordinary people. To try to outsmart them was tantamount to showing off one's limited skills before an expert.
Gods of the Divine Realm: Hard to say----
Shen Yue, who had only a strange filter on God in her heart, pondered for a moment and simply let go of those unnecessary concerns, and her expression became much more natural.
In the face of such a presence, since it has been pointed out, it's better to be open and honest to gain more goodwill. Moreover, this is a rare opportunity, a window to obtain some high-level information.
Shen Yue pondered for a moment, then, instead of deliberately seeking out the topic of "safety," asked directly, "Since Your Majesty doesn't mind, then I'll take the liberty of asking. My younger sister previously shared some immature opinions with you; I wonder what your views are on the Dove Faction?"
Shen Xing, who was secretly watching this scene, was tense all over, wishing he could disappear into a hole.
She shouldn't be on the ship!
Recalling her naive remarks from back then, Shen Xing felt her cheeks burning, and wished she could immediately jump into the sea and swim back to shore.
Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao revealed a somewhat amused expression. He glanced at Shen Xing, who was pretending to be busy but actually listening intently, and then looked at Shen Yue, saying in a calm tone, "Whether it's Dove Faction or Hawk Faction, they are essentially based on different choices regarding the future security path of the mainland."
There is no absolute superiority or inferiority; the key lies in recognizing the true enemy and whether one can unite in crucial moments.
"In my personal opinion, you have placed too much trust in Shrek in the past. And even if you are conservative, you need to come up with practical solutions to the Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling conflicts, instead of placing your hopes for peace on the enemy!"
To be fair, Huo Yuhao felt that, whether in the original story or now, the Federation Dove Faction seemed to only oppose the Douluo Federation initiating a war. But they never considered the question of how the Douluo Federation should quickly counterattack if the Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling grew up and fought to the death.
It's as if they'll surrender if we just wait—
Okay, it's still an improvement over the original work. At least the Dove Faction in this world have the idea of gradually squeezing out the living space of the Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling through their advantage of Soul Spirit.
But strictly speaking, he was the one who did it.
While it's true that Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling surrendered in the original story, placing their hopes on the enemy was undoubtedly foolish. What if the battle between the Douluo Federation and the Abyss Plane resulted in a Pyrrhic victory, and Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling stabbed them in the back again?
Has it returned to the era of the Three Kingdoms?
"Oppose war only if you have the ability to resolve the threats from the Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling through other means."
"Specifically regarding Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling, what's needed isn't to fantasize that they won't go to war with the Federation, but rather to develop a comprehensive strategy that ensures they must surrender or cannot pose a substantial threat."
Huo Yuhao paused, his voice turning icy, "Subduing the enemy without fighting is an ancient art. But given the disparity in strength between the Federation and Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling, the fact that even the Dove Faction haven't achieved this over the years is itself a failure!"
The Federation's strength is so far inferior to that of the Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling, and it has been thousands of Thousand Years since the discovery of the Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling Continent. The Dove Faction have not achieved any real results in all these years, so you can imagine how unrealistic their propositions are, or rather, how naive they are.
If the preceding words only made Shen Yue ponder deeply, then the last sentence truly struck her like a thunderbolt.
Yes, after all these years, the Holy Spirit Cult has been able to gradually gain control of the Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling. With their Dove Faction strength, surely they can do the same?
No, it's not that I can't do it, but that I've never truly made up my mind or given it my all.
This is the most fatal weakness of the Dove Faction —a lack of the iron will and meticulous methods to translate their ideals into reality. They hope to influence wolves through peaceful means, focusing solely on preventing war, yet they are unwilling to forge even the whip and cage to tame them.
Shen Yue felt a surge of burning shame welling up inside her.
Although Shrek is the Dove Faction figure of the doves, it is a fact that Dove Faction have not achieved anything tangible over the years. They oppose a solution but have not offered alternatives or tangible results, which has proven their failure.
No wonder even a force like the Spirit Pagoda, which prioritizes people's livelihoods, has never supported the Dove Faction.
"The best strategy is to attack the enemy's plans; the next best is to disrupt their alliances; the next best is to attack their army; and the worst is to besiege their cities. War is never the only option. If a conservative approach is chosen, then a feasible plan must be developed and tangible results achieved."
Huo Yuhao's tone returned to calm, "Otherwise, they wouldn't be Dove Faction, but empty talkers, and in the end, they'll only harm themselves and others."
Shen Yue took a deep breath, suppressing the surging shame and realization, and was about to thank the other party for their guidance when she heard a voice speak first.
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty!"
Shen Xing walked over at some point, bowed, and it was clear that she had just overheard their conversation.
Seeing this, Shen Yue smiled slightly and bowed in return, saying, "Your Majesty 'Shen Yue teachings are etched in my heart. From this day forward, the Northern Sea Legion and the Shen Family will prioritize strategy, rely on strength, and demonstrate our capabilities, never again engaging in empty talk that harms the nation!"
Huo Yuhao nodded slightly, looked at Shen Xing was no longer so nervous, and smiled, "What, not planning to keep hiding anymore?"
Shen Xing blushed and lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, but did not continue to avoid Huo Yuhao.
She felt she could learn a lot here, as previous conversations with the other party had never been this in-depth.
Time passed as we talked, and the seascape ahead had become completely different.
The sky was covered by thick, gray-black clouds, and the sea turned a deep, almost black color, with turbulent waves carrying an unnatural turbulence.
At the edge of the field of vision, one can see black islands covered with black forests, Life Force plants that have been carbonized.
It is indeed the Devil Archipelago!
Staring at the scene in her field of vision, Shen Yue's eyelids twitched.
As a forbidden zone under the jurisdiction of the Northern Sea Legion, Devil Island has always been regarded as a Life's- land.
There is no Power of Heaven and Earth there, so soul masters who enter cannot recover their Soul Power and their Life Force will continue to drain away. Over time, they will die from exhaustion of their Life Force.
To be honest, she didn't quite understand Huo Yuhao's purpose in going there. Although Shrek members would come from time to time, it was more like a training exercise. After all, this place had been explored before, and good things had been taken away.
However, Shen Yue was self-aware enough to know that the gods' insight and considerations were far beyond her comprehension, so she focused on carrying out orders.
However, after thinking for a moment, she still asked, "Your Majesty, is there anything else we can do for you?"
Huo Yuhao shook his head. "The environment inside is not suitable for you to go. You can stay here."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's vision blurred, and Huo Yuhao disappeared from sight.
Only on the island ahead, there was another figure.
Shen Yue paused for a moment, then her expression returned to its cold and capable state. "All personnel, listen up! Deploy anchor immediately and activate the highest level of concealment and protection soul guidance array. All detection equipment, point towards Devil Island and monitor all energy and spatial fluctuations! Communications department, maintain uninterrupted communication with the Spirit Pagoda and Legion headquarters, and be ready to report any anomalies at any time!"
Now that Huo Yuhao has entered the territory of the Northern Sea Legion, they are responsible for his safety. Although she felt that he might not need it, whether or not to do so was a matter of attitude.
Huo Yuhao arrived at the island in the archipelago with the strongest aura of Destruction.
There were no roads or living creatures in sight, only black, carbonized trees.
Huo Yuhao glanced around, sensing the surrounding environment devoid of any spiritual energy, then ignored it and went straight in.
He had seen this kind of environment, similar to the era of the dead, several times before, and didn't find it strange.
After walking for several tens of minutes, Huo Yuhao stopped when he saw the dark purple light.
The purplish-black light flickered intermittently, giving off a terrifying sense of desolation.
Faced with that energy, Huo Yuhao had the illusion that his whole body was being cut by knives, but a faint smile appeared on his face.
Found it, this is it.
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, used his Soul Power to protect himself, and stepped into the interior shrouded in dark purple light.
Although I didn't use my full strength, breaking through the radiation effects caused by the edge of this Power of Destruction power was still quite easy.
After all, his cultivation level is much higher than when the original Shrek Seven Monsters arrived. Don't be fooled by the fact that he is now Soul Saint. After condensing the Yin-Yang Complementary Twin Soul Cores, even ordinary Titled Douluo wouldn't dare to say that they are stronger than him in terms of cultivation.
To be honest, his current path is somewhat similar to that of the Little Dragon God; his Soul Power Level and cultivation are no longer on par, only he's not as outrageous as the Little Dragon God.
After all, the opponent had broken through level 50 and even nearly absorbed the Life essence of a planet to create an artificial Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and three Hundred Thousand Years Immortal Herb —something he really couldn't do.
When Huo Yuhao stepped into the energy shield, in addition to feeling the pressure from the aura of Destruction, an illusion appeared before his eyes, trying to interfere with his progress.
Huo Yuhao narrowed his eyes, easily breaking the illusion simply by releasing his Divine Power, and continued walking forward.
Several seconds later, his vision cleared, the pressure around him vanished, and the scenery before him changed; he found himself in a valley.
Unlike the previous scene, the surroundings were not suffocating darkness. Soft light shone down from the sky, enveloping the entire valley in a hazy glow. Underfoot was thick moss and decaying leaves, and one could sense the rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth in the air.
In the distance, a purplish-black beam of light shot into the sky.
"That's where the fragments of the Power of Destruction are located."
Huo Yuhao confirmed the location, but instead of heading there immediately, he turned his gaze to the old man in front of him.
This person was about 1.8 meters tall, but his back was hunched over, as if he were carrying the heavy burden of years. His gray hair fell messily, covering most of his forehead.
Seeing that the person before him had noticed him so quickly, the old man let out a hoarse laugh. "Not bad, you managed to come in on your own. But more surprising than that is your cultivation level and age. I see the shadow of that kid Yun Ming in you, no—that Divine Power at the Spirit Domain Realm level, you are even more terrifying than him."
Although the old man wore a smile, he was no less terrified inside. Trapped on Devil Island, he was unaware of the outside world. Upon first seeing Huo Yuhao, he was naturally astonished by the talent and strength he displayed.
"Does Your Excellency consider me a junior from Shrek?" Huo Yuhao asked calmly. "Then I need to clarify, I am not a member of Shrek."
The Old Devil Destruction suppressed the shock in his heart and raised an eyebrow. "While I have confidence in the academy, I'm not so narcissistic as to consider all geniuses as members of the academy. Besides, I haven't heard the academy say they're sending anyone here for training, and you're the only one who came, even being picked up by the Northern Sea Legion. Naturally, we won't treat you as one of our academy's members."
"So, you're saying you're treating me like an unwelcome guest who needs to be sent away? The illusion just now was probably meant to make me leave Devil Island on my own. I wonder which of the seven people here was behind it?"
Huo Yuhao's gaze lingered for a moment on the old man in front of him and the six empty spaces.
The Old Devil Destruction's pupils contracted slightly, and he looked at him with a serious expression.
In the six directions Huo Yuhao had previously scanned, the air rippled slightly, and six aged figures appeared almost simultaneously.
Including the Old Devil Destruction, there were a total of seven figures and seven pairs of eyes, all of which were now fixed on Huo Yuhao. Surprise, scrutiny, and doubt were intertwined in their eyes.
The Seven Old Devils of Devil Island.
They were the Shrek Seven Monsters from Thousand Years ago. When they explored Devil Island, their bodies were all destroyed when they came into contact with fragments of Power of Destruction. However, their souls were nourished by Life energy and did not dissipate, so they survived.
Unable to leave Devil Island, they remained there, using various cruel methods to train the geniuses sent by Shrek, ostensibly to torment their minds and bodies and temper their will.
However, according to the documents, Huo Yuhao discovered that some of the experiences of these seven people differed from the original plot. The reason these seven people came to investigate Devil Island was actually for the Divine Tool.
When Devil Island was created, the environment was harsh due to the impact of the Destruction Fragment, and the Federation did not dare to explore it rashly.
However, not long after, strange phenomena appeared in other parts of Douluo, accompanied by opportunities from the Divine Realm. With the discovery of some divine Divine Tool from the Divine Realm, various factions on the continent could no longer sit still and began to explore places that interested them.
On Devil Island, the seven Shi Nian and impetuous Seven Old Devils, driven by their desire for the Divine Tool, also ventured there.
And then—as mentioned above—they became what they are today. They were among the few unlucky ones in that era of both opportunity and danger.
After a long silence, it was the Old Devil Destruction who spoke first.
"Boy, we don't know who you are. But Thousand Years ago, we perished while exploring Devil Island, leaving only our souls. This place should belong to the Shrek Academy. You should leave."
Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao glanced at him with an ambiguous expression. His gaze was calm, yet it made the Old Devil Destruction feel a long-lost unease, as if his soul had been seen through.
"Your demise here is your own choice and the price you pay. To die for an opportunity and then claim that opportunity as your own is illogical. However, given that you have lived here for Thousand Years, and the Federation has indeed tacitly granted this place to Shrek, I will not say more."
Huo Yuhao paused, then said indifferently, "However, since this place belongs to Shrek, now that Shrek Academy has been destroyed, the ownership of this forbidden land should be re-determined!"
"What did you say?!!!"
Upon hearing the words "Shrek is destroyed," the souls of the seven old demons trembled violently, and for the first time, an undisguised look of horror and bewilderment appeared on their faces.