Xu Jiawei came in person

Feng Ling turned and walked out of the main hall, immediately summoning the elder in charge of Shrek City's Shadow Network, and sternly instructed him:

"Use all available personnel to keep a close watch on Ma Xiaotao's movements immediately!"

"Report everything you find: who entered and exited Shrek Academy, when they left Shrek City, and which direction the convoy was heading!"

"Remember, before we arrive, no one should act on their own initiative to disturb the escorts!"

Sunset Forest, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

In a corner of the mountain wall, Huo Yuhao had already swallowed the Ice-Cold Rain Dew and entered Deep Meditation, while Tang San, near the spring, was also refining the Calming Spirit Herb with his eyes closed to repair his damaged Divine Soul.

Yan Shaozhe stood on the shore, his gaze repeatedly falling on the fiery Infernal Delicate Apricot tree beside the Scorching Yang Spring in the distance. His heart burned with desire, and finally, unable to contain himself any longer, he stepped forward and walked to Xuan Zi's side, whispering:

"Xuan Zi, I'd like to discuss with that Immortal Herb first, and bring back a portion of the Ten-Thousand-Year Blazing Gel to the academy. The Evil Fire within Xiaotao's body has been suppressed for too long; if we delay any longer, something unexpected might happen."

Xuan Zi glanced at Tang San, who was meditating with his eyes closed not far away, and lowered his voice to say:

"Stop going back and forth, just have someone bring Xiaotao over."

Let's not even talk about whether our ancestors allowed you to leave.

"That girl's Phoenix Martial Soul has already been corrupted and mutated by Evil Fire. How could a layman like you possibly understand how to prepare the medicine, what to take first, and what to take later?"

Yan Shaozhe hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, and subconsciously turned to look at the Blue-Haired Boy by the spring.

Tang San opened his eyes at that moment and exhaled a breath of stale air.

After thinking for a moment, he spoke coldly:

"Bring her directly into the valley. I'll decide what to do after I've personally examined her Martial Soul."

"This Immortal Herb is extremely potent and incredibly rare. Don't take it back and feed it to your child haphazardly; you'll only waste it."

Upon hearing Tang San's words, Yan Shaozhe was overjoyed and quickly bowed in response:

"Yes! Thank you, Ancestor. I will contact the academy immediately!"

Xuan Zi added another instruction from the side:

"Things are not peaceful outside right now. Send a message back and have Mei'er personally escort you. Before you leave, use a rare ice-attribute treasure to stabilize the Evil Fire within Xiaotao's body. Make sure she doesn't use her Soul Power along the way, lest she reveal her aura."

Yan Shaozhe nodded emphatically, not daring to delay for even a moment. He immediately turned around and quickly left the valley, passing through the outer Poison Miasma miasma and rushing to the Shrek's secret contact point in Heaven Dou City to send the message about luring Ma Xiaotao into the mountains back to the academy.

A few days later, Yan Shaozhe went into the city again to arrange for Ma Xiaotao's arrival, but he met an unexpected guest at the academy's liaison point in Heaven Dou City.

Xu Jiawei sat in the main seat in the hall, with Duke Dai Hao of the White Tiger Duke standing beside him with his hand on his sword. Another Imperial Family Titled Douluo with a profound aura accompanied him by the door.

Yan Shaozhe paused as he stepped across the threshold:

"Your Majesty, why have you come to Heaven Dou City in person?"

Xu Jiawei put down his teacup and looked up at him:

"I've heard that Immortal Herb has been discovered in Sunset Forest. If I were to send someone else, I'm afraid they wouldn't even be able to see Dean Yan. I'll have to make the trip myself."

Yan Shaozhe's heart sank, but he maintained his habitual gentle smile.

"Where did Your Majesty hear these Yan Feng?"

"The talk of 'immortal Immortal Herb' is just hearsay. Xuan Zi and I are simply bringing our disciples here to obtain Soul Ring."

"I've already set aside state affairs to come here personally, and you still want to fool me with this nonsense?" Xu Jiawei's voice suddenly lowered.

Yan Shaozhe's smile vanished, and his expression turned ugly.

They've only been in the mountains for a few days at most?

How did the news, which hadn't even spread inside Shrek Sea God Pavilion, become known to everyone outside?

Gu Mingyuan!

Yan Shaozhe felt a surge of resentment.

In the past few days, only this kid has survived and walked out of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!

This kid must be holding a grudge against the academy; he barely left the forest before spreading the news everywhere.

The thought of that kid taking five immortal Immortal Herb for nothing and leaving behind this mess for the academy, Yan Shaozhe's chest swell with anger.

Knowing that there was no point in hiding it any longer, Yan Shaozhe stopped smiling and stopped trying to conceal it.

"His Majesty's message travels quite quickly."

"The Imperial Family records left by the Star Luo Empire also contain information about events from ten thousand years ago." Xu Jiawei didn't delve into the source of the information and turned to look at Dai Hao beside him.

Dai Hao then stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:

"Our ancestor Dai Mubai once took Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum to cleanse his meridians and marrow, and this event has been recorded in our Dai Family genealogy."

"Your Majesty brought me here today to inquire with the academy whether there are any suitable medicinal herbs for the Star Luo Empire in that Herb Garden."

Yan Shaozhe shook his head directly and replied:

"Immortal-grade herbs are rare to begin with, and even fewer mature over ten thousand years. Besides, there are people within the academy who urgently need treatment right now, so there are simply no spares."

Xu Jiawei immediately replied, "I won't take it for free; I can exchange resources with the academy."

"Whether it's ancient medicinal herbs, rare metals, or other resources, the academy is happy to provide them."

Yan Shaozhe's smile faded slightly.

The mundane items Xu Jiawei mentioned could be purchased by Shrek sooner or later with their abilities; however, keeping those Immortal Herb in their hands would allow the academy to cultivate several more top-tier Soul Master in the future.

He already regarded that Herb Garden as the foundation of the academy's future, and he was unwilling to give it away easily.

Besides, who has the final say now?

"This matter is of great importance, and I cannot make the decision alone," Yan Shaozhe slowly.

"If Your Majesty insists on obtaining the medicine, you may accompany me into the valley to speak with Xuan Zi in person."

Xu Jiawei paused briefly and asked, "Would it be convenient for Duke Dai and this honored guest to accompany me into the mountains?"

Yan Shaozhe twitched the corner of his mouth and smiled, "What, does His Majesty not trust Shrek Academy?"

Xu Jiawei also smiled and said, "When I travel incognito, I must put the minds of those serving me at ease."

Yan Shaozhe nodded in agreement, but a chill had already crept into his heart.

This Star Luo Emperor had better know when to stop.

If he really intends to use his status as emperor and bring along two nobodies to force the academy to hand over the Immortal Herb, then the chair in the Star Luo Imperial Palace may not necessarily be reserved for the Xu Family in the future.

Dai Hao, who holds military power, may not be willing to obey orders, but his eldest son, Dai Yueheng Dai Hao, grew up at the Shrek Academy.

Besides, what difference would it make if we brought another Titled Douluo into the valley?

There are also the Level 98 Xuan Zi and the Ancestor guarding the valley. As for those 100,000-year-old Immortal Herb at the bottom of the valley, now that they have recognized the Ancestor's identity, they should give the Ancestor some face if they really start fighting.

As Xu Jiawei rose to straighten his robes, he naturally turned his head and instructed the Imperial Family attendants who remained outside the liaison point:

"Send a message to the palace, saying that I accompanied Dean Yan into the mountains today to see Xuan Zi."

Yan Shaozhe heard it clearly, his gaze lingered for a moment on the man's dignified face, then he gestured with his hand and said:

"Your Majesty, please."