A war that swept across the continent and devoured countless Life finally came to a temporary halt after burning for a full year and three months.
However, how long can this ceasefire last? No one dares to say for sure.
In the hearts of the high-ranking officials and civilians of the original Douluo Three Kingdoms, this so-called "peace talks" were more like a forced respite; at least they did not hold much hope.
They had long harbored deep fears and apprehension towards the Sun Moon Empire, especially Emperor Xu Tianran's expansionist ambitions.
If Xu Tianran were to lead the peace talks, they might not even be willing to approach the negotiating table.
The person who truly made them willing to sit down and talk was Kong Deming, the master of the Sun Moon Worship Hall!
The Worship Hall did not participate in the invasion of the Sun Moon Empire, a fact that was clear to Douluo Three Kingdoms; otherwise, the war they faced would have been even more hopeless.
The Worship Hall had previously made deals with the Star Luo Empire, and not long ago, Kong Deming even rescued three Titled Douluo from the Star Luo Empire in Ten Thousand Stars City.
All these reasons combined are what made the original Douluo Three Kingdoms willing to temporarily put aside their fighting and hold this so-called peace talks!
In any case, gaining a valuable period of rest to rebuild defenses, heal wounds, and reassure the public are all urgent needs for all three parties.
Thus, in an atmosphere permeated with distrust and wariness, yet mixed with weariness and a faint hope, the peace talks were finally about to begin.
The peace talks were scheduled for the tenth day after the fall of Ten Thousand Stars City, and the location was Qianxin City.
This is a small town located at the current border of the former Heavenly Soul, Star Luo Empire, and Sun Moon kingdoms.
This once deserted town became a gathering place for almost all the top experts from across the continent on this day.
Qianxin City, several figures broke through the clouds and landed steadily on an open area on the outskirts of the city.
Their flowing robes revealed a profound foundation of Soul Power, clearly indicating that they were a group of high-level Soul Master with extraordinary cultivation.
Dozens of similar groups have appeared on the outskirts of this small town today, all clearly there for peace talks.
Within the group, a gentle-looking young man asked in a low voice, " Xuan Zi, today's meeting is a peace talk between the Sun Moon and the Three Kingdoms. Why was Shrek specifically invited to attend?"
The old man he called " Xuan Zi " was none other than Xuan Zi, the current head of the Sea God Pavilion at the Shrek Academy, and this group of people were from the Shrek Academy.
Two years have passed, and Xuan Zi, who was seriously injured in Qiankun Asking Love Valley, has recovered.
The carefree and unrestrained air he once had has been tempered, replaced by a calm and steadfast demeanor like that of an ancient pine tree.
Xuan Zi has experienced many changes over the years, and his personality has also changed due to the trials and tribulations of life.
Upon hearing this, he did not answer immediately, but instead raised his eyes, his gaze slowly sweeping across the Qianxin City, which had been ravaged by war.
After a moment, he slowly spoke, "I am not entirely clear about the specific reasons either, but with all the top forces on the continent gathered here, this matter is probably far more complex than a simple ceasefire negotiation."
He turned his head slightly to look at the young man beside him and said, " Bei Bei, from now on you can't just bury yourself in cultivation; you also need to pay more attention to the situation on this continent."
That's right, this young man is Bei Bei.
He is currently being groomed as the future leader of the Sea God Pavilion, which is why he was brought along by his teachers to participate in this peace talk.
Bei Bei's expression hardened, and she nodded respectfully. "I understand, Xuan Zi."
Xuan Zi said no more, and took the lead, leading the group toward the open city gate of Qianxin City.
Many figures had already gathered in the city, all of them powerful figures from well-known and influential forces on the continent.
When the iconic dark green uniforms of the Shrek Academy appeared, gazes immediately fell upon them from all directions.
Even after the deaths of Mu En and the defection of Yan Shaozhe, Shrek Academy may no longer be worthy of the title of the number one academy on the continent. However, even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse, and Shrek Academy is still a first-class power on the continent.
These gazes contained inquiry, scrutiny, and amusement, but lacked the former reverence for the continent's premier academy.
Many people even started whispering among themselves, clearly not saying anything nice.
I heard someone say that Shrek Academy was so afraid of the Sun Moon and Sun Moon Academy that they dared not oppose them.
One of Shrek's Inner Court teachers instantly blushed, his chest heaved, and his Soul Power surged uncontrollably, looking as if he was about to make a move.
That's enough.
Xuan Zi's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable force, instantly suppressing the teacher's anger and stopping his actions.
"To make a big fuss over a few idle words only makes one a laughingstock and shows a lack of composure."
" Shrek's worth is never determined by what others say."
"Snort!"
The teacher suppressed his anger, letting out a heavy snort. Though he didn't strike again, his resentment was still palpable. He couldn't help but mutter, " Xuan Zi, if we had lent a hand to the Three Kingdoms back then, would these people dare to speak so idle words today!"
Xuan Zi glanced at the few people who had already disappeared into the crowd in the distance, and slowly withdrew his gaze.
He was silent for a moment, his voice revealing a sense of desolation and indifference. "Thousands of years ago, if it weren't for Shrek's efforts to turn the tide, the Douluo Three Kingdoms would probably have already been incorporated into the Sun and Sun Moon Empire."
"It seems many people have completely forgotten about this old story."
Upon hearing this, the breaths of those around them caught in their throats, and a surge of anger mixed with resentment and sorrow rose from the depths of their hearts.
Yes, the academy once saved the continent from peril, and the survival of the Douluo Three Kingdoms is all thanks to the Shrek Academy's help back then.
But will this achievement and prestige simply be washed away by time?
Xuan Zi looked at the still indignant teacher and said, "As for why we didn't intervene in the war this time, firstly, the academy has undergone changes and its strength is no longer what it used to be, so it needs time to recuperate; and secondly..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. " The Sun Moon Empire's Worship Hall has yet to truly intervene. If Shrek Academy rashly joins the battle, causing the balance of power to tilt excessively, who dares to say that the Worship Hall won't lend a hand to Xu Tianran!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions tightened, and they all nodded in agreement.
No one can fully fathom the true depths of the Sun Moon Worship Hall, but it is a universally acknowledged fact that Kong Deming possesses the strength of Limit Douluo.
If Shrek's involvement in the war prompts his personal intervention, the situation could spiral out of control, with unpredictable consequences.
With this in mind, the pent-up frustration in everyone's hearts seemed to have found an outlet.
Yes, although Shrek did not directly participate in the battle, their very existence served as an invisible check and balance, restraining the enemy's most formidable Worship Hall.
Isn't this a contribution in itself?
Thinking of this, the teachers' straight backs seemed to become even more upright, and their eyes, which had been lowered due to criticism, were raised again.
When he glanced around, his eyes held less resentment and more composure and a hint of arrogance.
Even his gait became more steady without him realizing it, his head slightly raised, carrying the undiminished pride of a Shrek Soul Master.
Xuan Zi observed all these subtle changes without saying anything more, only a barely perceptible complex expression flashed deep in his eyes.
Maintaining the faith and morale of a large organization sometimes requires historical glory, and sometimes it requires realistic, even slightly self-comforting, interpretations.
Shrek's path will ultimately be paved by themselves, step by step, in this era of transition, where doubt and expectation coexist.