Bei Bei's expression hardened, and a weight seemed to lift from his shoulders. Meeting Cai Mei'er's gaze, he promised, "Dean, rest assured, as long as I'm here, I will do everything in my power to protect everyone."
Cai Mei'er gave him a deep look, said nothing more, turned around and walked quickly towards the conference room door. She planned to return to the Shrek Academy that very night.
However, just as her hand was about to touch the doorknob, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
She stood at the doorway, lost in thought for a moment.
After a moment, she turned back to Bei Bei and said, "If... I mean, if you really encounter an insurmountable crisis and find yourself in dire straits..."
She paused slightly, as if choosing her words carefully, before finally uttering the unexpected name. "We can try, go find Kong Xuan."
Xu Tianran, the new emperor of the Sun Moon Kingdom, has an open mind and is destined to be an enemy of the original Douluo Three Kingdoms.
Although Cai Mei'er didn't know much about Kong Xuan during his two years as an exchange student at the Shrek Academy, she had a very good impression of him and felt that he and Xu Tianran were not the same kind of people.
She wasn't sure if the opposing team would use any means to harm the trainees during the competition.
Therefore, this can be seen as taking precautions and providing a solution for potential crises.
This surprised Bei Bei, but seeing Cai Mei'er's serious expression, he didn't ask any further questions and replied in a deep voice, "Yes, Dean, I understand!"
Cai Mei'er finally felt relieved. She glanced around at everyone in the conference room one last time, then, without further hesitation, pushed open the door and left, her figure quickly disappearing at the end of the corridor.
The sky was a hazy gray in the early morning, with thick clouds hanging low, obscuring the usual sunrise; only a depressing leaden gray enveloped the fields.
Despite the gloomy weather, the eastern suburbs of Mingdu were already bustling with activity.
The giant spectator stands, which can hold more than 100,000 people, were filled with crowds pouring in from all directions before dawn.
The gloomy weather did nothing to dampen people's enthusiasm, because today, a highly anticipated showdown will take place here— Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy versus Shrek Academy!
The champions and runners-up of the tournament five years ago, two destined rivals symbolizing the pinnacle of the continent's Soul Master World, have unexpectedly clashed in the return round stage!
Everyone sensed that this was no ordinary points-based match, but a showdown destined to be incredibly exciting.
Two hours passed quietly. The thick, dark clouds in the sky seemed to be torn open by an invisible giant hand, and a beam of golden Yangguang pierced through the gloom like a sharp sword, shining on the eastern suburbs of Mingdu.
Before the commotion from the just-concluded match had even completely subsided, the referee's booming voice resounded throughout the arena via the Amplifying Soul Tool: "Next match— Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy versus Shrek Academy!"
"Boom!!!"
The moment the words fell, it was like igniting a long-accumulated powder keg, and the audience surrounding the ring erupted in a thunderous roar of cheers and shouts!
The roar soared into the sky; the ultimate battle that everyone had been eagerly anticipating had finally arrived!
In the VIP seats near Mingdu, Xu Tianran, the new emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, leaned forward slightly, his previously languid posture becoming less relaxed, and the playful smile on his face turning into a serious one.
His gaze fell upon the two teams preparing to enter the arena. He turned his head slightly and whispered to the figure shrouded in a wide black robe beside him, "Grand Preceptor, who do you think will win this match?"
Zhongli Wu's gaze, hidden beneath his wide hood, was like a venomous snake coiling in the shadows, slowly sweeping over the two teams in the preparation area.
He took in both of their expressions, and then his hoarse, deep voice slowly rang out.
" Shrek Academy, though it has a history of ten thousand years, is now rotten and showing signs of decline."
"On the other hand, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is like the rising sun, its momentum unstoppable."
"Given this shift in fortunes, the outcome of this competition is no longer in doubt."
His words were not meant to flatter Xu Tianran beside him, but were a cold judgment based on the absolute difference in strength.
In the eyes of a powerhouse like him, this year's Sun Moon Team was indeed remarkably strong.
Ultimately, he concluded. "The laurel wreath must belong to the Sun Moon."
A barely perceptible smile curved the corners of Zhongli Wu's lips, hidden beneath his hood, as his hoarse voice continued to Youyou in.
"As far as I know, the vast majority of the so-called geniuses who have emerged from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy in recent years are closely related to Kong Xuan."
"Their rise seems to revolve entirely around Kong Xuan alone."
"Hehe, thinking about it, that makes sense. If Jing Hongchen really had the ability to turn lead into gold, why would the Sun Moon Empire have waited until recent years to produce such talents?"
His words, seemingly analyzing the situation, actually concealed malicious intent.
The Holy Spirit Cult headquarters was destroyed by Kong Deming himself. Although there was a reason for this— the Holy Spirit Cult crossed the line first—when has this kind of cult ever reasoned with anyone?
This deep-seated hatred meant that the Holy Spirit Cult Sect and Kong Deming were irreconcilable enemies.
Now that he had the chance to sow discord between Xu Tianran and others, the sect leader naturally wouldn't let it pass.
He keenly noticed Xu Tianran's gradually darkening expression, a hint of triumphant coldness flashing in his eyes beneath his hood, and continued to add fuel to the fire unhurriedly.
"Now that the Worship Hall has clearly opposed His Majesty's initiation of a war on the continent, Kong Xuan, as the grandson of Kong Deming of the Worship Hall Kong Deming, should naturally stand with him."
"The geniuses gathered around him have boundless potential, but I'm afraid... they'll ultimately be unable to be of use to His Majesty."
"What a pity, what a real pity."
His last two "what a pity"s were drawn out, as if carrying endless regret.
In reality, every word was like a knife, precisely piercing Xu Tianran's most sensitive ambition while subtly pushing Kong Xuan and others to the opposite side of this emperor.
Xu Tianran's face darkened completely, as if it could be wrung out of water.
Zhongli Wu's words were like poisoned thorns, precisely piercing his deepest worries.
These exceptionally talented geniuses should have been the cornerstone of the Sun Moon Empire's future conquest of the continent, the sharpest blade in his grand ambitions.
However, if they cannot be used by him, they might even stand against him...
That would no longer be a foundation, but a stumbling block that must be removed!
The slight joy he felt from predicting Japan's victory vanished instantly, replaced by a burning flame of fear, unease, and anger within him.
He abruptly turned his head, his gaze fixed on Zhongli Wu, who was shrouded in black robes beside him, and asked in a very low voice, "Grand Preceptor, the plan you mentioned before... is it truly foolproof?"
He paused, his tone becoming unusually grave. "You must understand, Kong Deming is now practically indistinguishable from a true Limit Douluo!"
Upon hearing Xu Tianran's question, a flash of wild joy crossed Zhongli Wu hood. He thought to himself, "It's done! My instigation has indeed worked!"
He forcefully suppressed his surging emotions, but his voice revealed absolute confidence. "Your Majesty, rest assured, the plan is absolutely flawless. Even Limit Douluo won't be able to leave that place alive!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Tianran fell into a brief silence, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest of the throne, his eyes flashing rapidly as he weighed the pros and cons and risks.
In the end, all hesitation was completely swallowed up by his burning ambition to unify the continent, and a ruthless and resolute light suddenly shone in his eyes.
"Very well!" He practically gritted his teeth as he forced out the decision. "Let's proceed according to the Grand Preceptor's plan! Grand Preceptor, just ask for all the resources and manpower you need, and I... will provide full support!"