Next stop, the Sun Moon Empire; the greedy Shrek Academy (combined chapter)

The Scarlet King huddled in a corner, drawing circles in frustration. His face was bruised and swollen. The pride that once belonged to Ferocious Beast with over 300,000 years of cultivation had been shattered by the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm. He had originally intended to sacrifice himself to this young man, which should have been his honor, but he never expected this.

Apart from a single immortal Immortal Herb with a cultivation period of 100,000 years, everyone else here is stronger than him.

The old man with white hair, in particular, was shrouded in mystery.

"You're lucky, kid..." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm laughed, "You should know that this is my ship to godhood. Even Di Tian might not be qualified to board it then, but you've boarded it ahead of time."

"Become a god?!" The Scarlet King was stunned into silence.

But then he quickly thought of the boy's monstrous talent and the many powerful figures from the Soul Beast Realm and the Human Race surrounding him. With such support, the godhood he had once dreamed of seemed to be not so unattainable after all.

"..."

outside world.

Body Sect.

Another six months have passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the small courtyard.

Lu Cheng exhaled white mist, his body surging with spiritual energy, as if a shackle had shattered. He slowly opened his eyes, clenched his fists, and, feeling the abundant Soul Power within his body, Lu Cheng with slight satisfaction, saying, "Not bad... Level 65."

Half a year ago, thanks to the sacrifice of the Scarlet King, he broke through to level 64 directly, but now his cultivation has slowed down.

He exhaled a breath of stale air.

Pushing open the door to the small courtyard, one is greeted by a beautiful landscape of mountains and rivers. The water reflects the mountains and rivers, bluebirds fly overhead, and there are some old farmers tilling the fields. Along the way, many farmers who look simple and honest but actually possess considerable cultivation levels bow to Lu Cheng and respectfully address him as "Young Master".

Lu Cheng returned the greeting.

Upon arriving at a mountain peak, they found an experimental building that bore a striking resemblance to that of the Sun Moon Empire. Numerous disciples of the Body Sect were coming and going, clearly indicating that this was now the Body Sect's "Soul Tool Department."

With Lu Cheng's strong support, the Body Sect also regards it as a key area for development.

"Xiao Cheng, it's been a long time since I've seen you, the hands-off boss." A figure hurriedly walked out, looking much more haggard. Upon closer inspection, it was Lang Ya, who grabbed Lu Cheng with a hint of resentment and refused to let go.

"Grandmaster, I only went into seclusion for a few days." Lu Cheng's eye twitched.

"What the hell is this called 'a few days'?!" Lang Ya's voice rose an octave, his teeth clenched as he leaned closer, glaring angrily. "Ever since you founded the Soul Tool Department, you've dumped this on me, churning out a bunch of so-called Soul Engineer textbooks, making me learn and teach simultaneously, and also responsible for procuring rare metals, liaising with the Sun Moon Empire, and buying Carving Knife..."

"I am the Grandmaster of the Body Sect, not..."

"Grandmaster, I might have to make another trip to the Sun Moon Empire," Lu Cheng said somewhat guiltily.

"Sun Moon Empire..."

Lang Ya seemed to have lost his mind, and the hand that was gripping Lu Cheng's sleeve loosened.

This is too troublesome. It's better not to study the Soul Tool Department at all; the more you study it, the more complicated it becomes.

The key issue is that this kid put immense pressure on him. He had been relentlessly telling the elders that Soul Tool were the future of the entire continent, and how important they were. Then, he, who was new to Soul Tool, was asked to study the same subject as those guys from the Sun Moon Empire. Most importantly, the sect leader and the elders were completely fooled and gave him extraordinary support, which in turn put pressure on him.

"Don't worry, Grandmaster, I will definitely take over the important task of the Soul Tool Department after I return this time!" Lu Cheng said earnestly.

"Really?" Lang Ya's dim eyes gradually lit up.

"Um!"

After patting his Grandmaster on the shoulder and managing to lure away his strongest employee, Lu Cheng finally smiled. Going from zero to one is the hardest part, and his purpose in going to the Sun Moon Empire this time was naturally to recruit a group of highly skilled talents.

The Sun Moon Empire has no shortage of Soul Engineer.

Of course, there might also be rare metals. Because it occupies a continent on its own and started out with Soul Tool, the Sun Moon Empire's metal reserves are terrifying. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they are comparable to the total reserves of the three original continental kingdoms plus Shrek Academy.

"I'm outta here..."

After inquiring about Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao, it was learned that the two were still studying the Body Essence Secret Technique. The former was originally a member of the Body Martial Soul and had successfully awakened the Gold Rank Awakening, while the latter was particularly interested in body tempering and was therefore still in seclusion within the Body Sect.

As for Tang Ya, she returned to Heaven Dou City and began the rise of the Tang Sect. She recruited many disciples and seemed to be at the height of her power. However, the plaque she worshipped was not for Tang San, but for the family tree that the Grandmaster of the Tang Sect had memorized, which listed several of the true founders of the Tang Sect.

Because these remarks were somewhat shocking, they have not yet become the mainstream in Heaven Dou City. However, Tang San's reputation has obviously been greatly affected. The "betrayal" by the sect he founded is the most fatal blow.

Wei Ling'er went to the Dou Ling Empire to carry out a mission.

Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong'er were both cultivating, so Lu Cheng didn't disturb them and quietly left, this time alone.

Mingdu.

Sun Moon Empire Royal Academy

At the Soul Guidance Teaching Building.

The silver-haired girl leaned on the railing, gazing down at everything below. She seemed to be having a dream, a dream about that boy. In the dream, he was one of the Sun Moon Empire's own people, their junior uncle. He was so powerful and outstanding, becoming the youngest Level 10 Soul Engineer in the Sun Moon Empire. He was handsome and dashing, his figure as solid and steady as a mountain. He was simply... the prince charming that countless women dreamed of.

She naturally succumbed to it as well, and after waking up, she was unable to extricate herself from it for Jiujiu.

I even asked my brother Xiao Hongchen, and he said he had the same dream.

"Perhaps... it's me from another world? Something that happened in another world?" Meng Hongchen smoothed her temples, her beautiful eyes filled with a sense of loss.

In the real world, that guy is there too, that guy named Lu Cheng.

Indeed, it is quite similar.

His posture was exactly the same as that of my junior uncle in my memory, always straight, standing proudly even when those bad guys from the Shrek Academy tried to suppress him.

This is the spirit of a person, not to mention their exceptional talent, which is unparalleled in the world.

What are you thinking about?

Xiao Hongchen, carrying a bottle of cold drink, stood beside the girl and spoke with a smile.

"Brother, do you think... we'll really see each other again?" Meng Hongchen asked wistfully.

In her memory, she loved her junior uncle, but he was forcibly taken away by an Angel God. It is said that her junior uncle died in her arms, and she didn't even have the chance to see him one last time.

"Yes, there will definitely be." Upon hearing this, Xiao Hongchen's expression also turned somewhat melancholy.

"I believe he will participate in the next competition."

"The Body Sect will not mistreat him."

On the other side.

Shrek Academy.

Sea God Pavilion.

After the Continental Soul Master Tournament a few days ago, Shrek Academy's prestige has plummeted, especially in recent years. While its student body is still formidable compared to other academies, it represents a near precipitous decline for the Shrek Academy of the past.

There are no geniuses to cultivate.

This forced the outer academies to lower their assessment standards, barely managing to maintain Shrek Academy's current fig leaf.

In the spacious conference hall.

Many of the elders seemed oblivious to Shrek's current predicament, leisurely sipping tea and munching on chicken legs.

Of course, what sustained them was the sudden miracle.

And the coming of the Son of God.

It has been so long since the glory days of the first generation of Shrek, so long that they themselves have forgotten that they were protected by the gods. Right at the entrance to the outer courtyard, those sculptures are now all renowned deities.

This is their biggest trump card.

Mu En looked around and shook his head inwardly, but did not blame them too much. After all, with the gods around, it was too easy to become lazy and dependent. Even he had unconsciously relaxed a bit.

Within the Golden Ancient Tree lies the rich Life bestowed upon it by the senior Ah Yin.

Although he can't reach his former peak condition, he's at least better than when he was almost half-buried.

"Gentlemen, the purpose of today's Sea God Pavilion assembly is one matter..."

At Mu En's prompting, Yan Shaozhe stepped forward and said solemnly, "Regarding the exchange with the Sun Moon Empire Royal Academy, we plan to send many outstanding students from the Soul Tool Department, such as He Caitou and Ye Xiao... while the Sun Moon Empire will also send disciples such as Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen to our academy for study and observation."

Many of the elders looked slightly taken aback, clearly unaware of the matter.

But seeing Mu En, they knew the matter had already been decided, so they all leaned back strategically, expressed their agreement, and then continued to amuse themselves.

"What, Yan Shaozhe, you didn't send a single Martial Soul Department student this time?" Xian Lin'er mocked.

"This is targeting the Soul Tool Department, what does it have to do with my Martial Soul Department?" Yan Shaozhe calmly, keeping his eyes down.

"Besides, our Martial Soul Department suffered heavy losses in the last competition, damaging our fundamental strength. Among this generation of young disciples, apart from Bei Bei, there are very few who can hold their own. Or perhaps you should send Xu Sanshi?"

"..."

The entire room fell silent.

Everyone knows that a year ago was a pain that Yan Shaozhe will never forget.

His face was swollen from being slapped by an outer disciple, and his reputation is still tarnished. But Bei Bei is of course impossible; he is the genuine Crown Prince of Shrek Academy. Apart from the divine child Tang Wutong, he is the most precious person in the academy. Asking him to be an exchange student hostage... we would have to ask Mu En present here if he would agree.

It seems that Mu En doesn't care much about Bei Bei, focusing all his attention on Shrek, as if he doesn't even have this great-grandson.

But what is the reality?

If something happens to Bei Bei, Shrek will likely be thrown into turmoil. Not to mention, Mu En personally sought out a treasure for Bei Bei's bloodline evolution, a gift from Ah Yin within the Golden Ancient Tree, though it requires him to travel to Sea God Island to participate in trials...

As for Xu Sanshi, that's even more impossible.

Shrek has no reason to offend another enemy for no reason.

Xian Lin'er snorted coldly, but she didn't want to provoke Yan Shaozhe any further or reopen his wounds, so she crossed her arms and quieted down.

"There is one more thing," Yan Shaozhe slowly, glancing around at the many elders.

"According to the Divine Child, a few days ago, she personally went to Sunset Forest, the herb garden where the immortal Immortal Herb were placed ten thousand years ago. The herb garden, which should have been abundant, was completely ransacked by a young man. All of you elders should know the seriousness of this matter."

"..."

The elders were all taken aback, a murderous glint flashing in their eyes.

Elder Song was the first to lose his temper, slamming his fist on the table and standing up abruptly, his eyes wide with anger. "What do you mean? Don't tell me that boy is him!!"

"Indeed, according to the description of that Immortal Herb, it is indeed Lu Cheng." Yan Shaozhe narrowed his eyes and said coldly. "It also coincides with reality. I remember two or three years ago, he stayed away for a long time, and after returning to the academy, he awakened his Blood Pupils Martial Soul for the Second Awakening. It seems he must have gone to Sunset Forest."

"That little beast, he really planned this all along!" Even Xuan Zi said with murderous intent.

"He was wary of the academy from the very beginning! He planned to break with the academy, and even said some righteous words during the competition..."

"Alright, quiet down," Mu En said calmly.

"Further words are pointless. Since he took all the immortal Immortal Herb, what does that mean? I'm sure everyone understands. If he's just a cunning and stingy person, that's one thing... but if he truly considers himself a member of the Body Sect... then I'm afraid..."

The consequences would be unimaginable.

How terrifying would it be if the entire Immortal Herb Garden possessed its Body Sect?

"Heh, given that kid's stinginess and petty manner, Shrek Academy treated him quite well, yet he still did such an ungrateful thing. Not to mention the Body Sect he just came into contact with, he would definitely have taken everything and kept it all for himself." Xuan Zi sneered.

"Not bad." Yan Shaozhe nodded slightly, but a smile appeared on his face.

"So... if we can capture him, wouldn't that mean we'll get all the Immortal Herb?"

"..."

At that moment, all the elders present suddenly breathed a little heavier.

The entire Immortal Herb Garden has enough Immortal Herb for them to enjoy as well.

This means that a realm that seemed impossible to break through in one's lifetime has suddenly become readily available. After all, everyone knows just how extraordinary the effects of Immortal Herb are. I dare not say that I will become a figure like Mu En, but at least... Super Douluo is a sure thing.

"However, that kid is exceptionally quick-witted, and the Body Sect is too mysterious for us to easily integrate into. Therefore, we can only set up spies in Heaven Dou City to gather information. Once we have any intelligence about him..." Yan Shaozhe's eyes narrowed slightly, and his tone became more fervent.

"But what about the Divine Child..." Elder Zhuang hesitated.

"The Divine Child said that if we can truly succeed, aside from the Immortal Herb she keeps, we can distribute the rest among ourselves." Yan Shaozhe curled his lips into a smile.

Everything seemed to be under control.