Arc 9The Empire’s Rising Power
Xu Cheng exposed Shrek’s plot, demonstrated the Sun Moon Empire’s strength, and tightened his hold over Mingdu while building new alliances and pursuing soul-tool research. The arc left Ye Guyi under Ye Cheng’s protection and training, with a contest set four years away and Xu Cheng’s wider plans still unfolding.
- Ji Juechen defeated challengers at Shrek Academy as Zhang Lexuan was recalled, and He Caitou learned that Shrek wanted him to fight Xu Cheng.
- Xu Cheng offered Ning Tian’s Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect discounted mecha and soul tools, then arrested Zhang Lexuan, Fan Yu, He Caitou, and other Shrek students after exposing their plot.
- Xu Cheng launched a rapid campaign into the Star Luo Empire, showed that his forces could reach its capital, and withdrew after leaving the message, “We were here.”
- Xu Cheng revealed Mu En’s role in the massacre of Zhang Lexuan’s family, then freed the Shrek students while restricting them to the Sun Moon Empire for three years.
- Xu Cheng strengthened Mingdu’s defenses as the Original Three Kingdoms and Shrek planned an underground attack, while Mu En’s restored vitality let him repel a Holy Spirit Cult assault on Shrek City.
- Xu Cheng bound Shangguan Wei'er to his service and began building ties with the Ordinary Alliance, while Wang Qiu’er and the Silver Dragon King entered contracts with him and Elder Cheng demonstrated an artificial soul ring.
- Tang San recruited Dai Huabin for a rebuilt Shrek Seven Devils, while the grand dukes considered rebellion and Xu Cheng accepted a contest plan involving Ye Guyi.
- Ye Cheng pledged to protect and train Ye Guyi for the contest four years later, then introduced Xu Cheng as the Holy Spirit Cult’s Holy Son.