Xia Yi and Leng Yaozhu didn't bother concealing their presence. They openly returned to the Spirit Pagoda headquarters in Shrek City, bringing along Leng Yulai and Yali.
Seeing that Yali had followed Leng Yaozhu and Xia Yi to the Spirit Pagoda, Long Yeyue was nearly furious to the point of bursting a lung. She clenched her teeth again and said, "Damn Yali. Always claiming she acts for the sake of Shrek Academy, yet she abandoned the Academy at its most critical moment and colluded with its enemies."
"So she framed you? It was all for the sake of Shrek Academy. What's a little grievance compared to that?" Her eyes burned with fury. In her view, no matter the reason, betraying Shrek Academy was unforgivable.
But no matter how much she cursed, she was powerless to change anything.
Right now, Shrek Academy couldn't afford to provoke the Spirit Pagoda any further.
"We should go. If we don't hurry, we might not make it in time." Looking at the fuming Long Yeyue, Chen Xinjie sighed softly.
"All traitors are doomed to miserable ends. One day, Shrek Academy will settle every score." Long Yeyue gritted her teeth and left Shrek Academy with great reluctance, following Chen Xinjie.
Their first stop was the hidden Yuanen Clan.
Back in the day, the wife of the Yuanen Clan's young patriarch—Yuanen Yehui's mother—had broken through to Title Douluo with her Fallen Angel spirit, opening a spatial channel to the Demon Plane.
As a result, the Yuanen Clan was attacked by the demon army.
Skycovering Douluo Yun Ming, leader of Shrek Academy's Sea God's Island, had once led Shrek's elite to assist the Yuanen Clan.
Long Yeyue hoped to persuade the Yuanen Clan's Yuanen Zhentian to lend a hand by invoking this old favor.
"Yuanen Clan, Clear Sky Sect, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan... Hmph! The Sun-Moon Federation dares to label Shrek Academy as traitors? I'll make them see—they're inciting the wrath of the people. Whether Shrek is traitorous or not isn't for these power-hungry schemers to decide." Long Yeyue scoffed coldly. In her mind, she already saw the grand scene: her single command would summon the might of all the hidden clans and sects to Shrek's banner.
When that time came, even the Sun-Moon Federation wouldn't dare defy public outcry.
Both Long Yeyue and Chen Xinjie moved swiftly and soon arrived at the Yuanen Clan's territory.
Yuanen Yehui's home was in the central-eastern part of the continent, not far from Shrek City's original site, just east of the former Star Dou Forest, in a city called Shangling City.
Shangling City was surrounded by mountains, lush with vegetation. The environment here was remarkably well-preserved. As soon as one entered the city, the air felt noticeably fresher, and even the sky looked bluer.
Because the Titan Giant Ape Yuanen Clan was a hidden sect, they didn't live in the bustling city center but in a manor on the western outskirts.
To call it a manor was putting it nicely—realistically, it looked more like a village nestled against the mountains and rivers, backed by dense forest.
Sensing Long Yeyue and Chen Xinjie's arrival, Yuanen Zhentian's expression darkened. He had only recently attended Long Yeyue and Tang Wulin's wedding in Mingdu.
He knew all too well about the conflict between Shrek Academy and the Sun-Moon Federation.
With Long Yeyue showing up now, he didn't even need to think to know why.
Having seen Xia Hong's terrifying strength firsthand in Mingdu, he had absolutely no desire to get involved.
To oppose the entire Sun-Moon Federation—one wrong move, and the Yuanen Clan could be annihilated.
Even with his quasi-god-level cultivation, he would be helpless before the Federation.
And the rest of the Yuanen Clan? They wouldn't stand a chance.
Luckily, Long Yeyue and Chen Xinjie had come too late. Yuanen Zhentian already knew how to deal with them.
If they'd arrived earlier, he really would have had to hide and pretend he wasn't home…
Taking a deep breath, Yuanen Zhentian ordered his people to bring Long Yeyue and Chen Xinjie in.
"I wonder what business brings the two seniors to my Yuanen Clan?" Yuanen Zhentian cupped his hands respectfully. Both Long Yeyue and Chen Xinjie had strength and seniority far above his own, so addressing them as "seniors" was no exaggeration.
"Since you've asked, Titan Douluo, I'll be blunt," Long Yeyue said. "The Sun-Moon Federation has fallen into the hands of power-hungry schemers. They're arresting the families of those who served the War God Temple and the Sea God Army, as well as Shrek Academy graduates. Such tyranny cannot be tolerated. We came to ask you, Titan Douluo, to join us in pressuring the Federation to release the captives."
She smiled confidently. In her eyes, they were on the side of justice. Titan Douluo Yuanen Zhentian would surely agree to her request.
Shrek Academy still had the power to rally the masses.
"Alright!" Sure enough, Yuanen Zhentian nodded without hesitation.
Seeing this, Long Yeyue proudly glanced at Chen Xinjie—as if to say, See? That's the influence of Shrek Academy.
Just a few words, and a Limit Douluo agreed to help them oppose the Sun-Moon Federation.
Clearly, there were still people of integrity in the Douluo Plane.
"But I have one condition," Yuanen Zhentian added, ignoring her smug expression.
"No problem. Speak. As long as it's within Shrek's ability, we'll definitely agree," Long Yeyue replied with a smile.
"It's simple." Yuanen Zhentian smiled faintly and said seriously, "The Eternal Heaven belongs to the Sun-Moon Federation. What you did was theft, plain and simple. As long as Shrek Academy returns the Eternal Heaven to the Federation, I will mobilize the full strength of the Yuanen Clan to help negotiate peace and have the Federation revoke the traitor designation."
Long Yeyue's eyes turned sharp in an instant. "Titan Douluo, are you mocking me?! I can agree to anything—but not that!"
Return the Eternal Heaven?
Impossible.
Shrek Academy and she had sacrificed far too much for the Eternal Heaven.
Returning it would mean all their sacrifices were for nothing.
Long Yeyue would never agree—not in a million years.
"Light and Darkness Douluo," Yuanen Zhentian said, shaking his head. "A weapon like the Eternal Heaven shouldn't be in private hands. It must be returned to the Federation so the people can feel safe. Do you know how many are living in fear because you stole it?"
"Spare me the lectures," Long Yeyue growled, locking her gaze on him. "Don't forget, when your clan was attacked by the Demon Plane, it was Shrek Academy who saved you."
"If you want to talk about favors, then let me ask you—were you there back then?" Yuanen Zhentian retorted coldly.
"Shrek Academy is a collective. What does it matter who went?" Long Yeyue snapped back.
At the time, it had been Yun Ming who led the team. She had been too old and remained in Shrek Academy as a guardian, so of course she hadn't gone.
"Two things. First: It was Skybound Douluo who saved the Yuanen Clan, not you. Second: Your husband Tang Wulin was never personally appointed by the previous Sea God Pavilion Master, the Holy Spirit Douluo, nor did the Pavilion elect him. I don't recognize his authority, and neither does the Yuanen Clan. So if you want to discuss favors, send the Holy Spirit Douluo's personal successor to speak with me." Yuanen Zhentian's tone was cold and unyielding.
(End of Chapter)