We are up to 'Chapter 889: Bibi Dong - Strange - Part 1' on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
------------------------------------------------------
Ye Wen had no idea what kind of nonsense Xuan Zi was overthinking this time. His visit here was purely to help Huo Yu'er accumulate some resources in advance, ensuring that she wouldn't face an awkward financial predicament when the time came to act.
I truly am such a great master~
After "exposing" Ye Wen's supposed scheme, Xuan Zi quickly reassured the inner court students.
Dai Yueheng and the others were utterly confused and had already mentally prepared themselves to shoulder part of the debt. To their surprise, Xuan Zi simply erased it entirely.
Though they didn't understand why, young hearts were simple—so long as he wasn't asking for money or causing harm, they were content.
The group from Shrek's inner court soon returned to a harmonious atmosphere.
But soon, Xuan Zi's expression darkened again.
This was because Ye Wen hadn't left. Instead, he had joined them in setting up a campfire and starting a barbecue party.
For the inner court members, killing was already routine. They weren't overly disturbed by the earlier hellish scene; on the contrary, their unsettled nerves made them ravenous, and they sought to suppress their inner panic through gluttony.
This scene would have been perfectly fine if not for the presence of an outsider.
"Lord Tian Xing, may I ask why you're still here?" Xuan Zi asked cautiously.
The others ate in silence, having already quietly exchanged information about Ye Wen earlier. They knew that this seemingly refined young man was none other than the recently infamous 99th-level Supreme Douluo who had shaken the continent.
Ye Wen smiled faintly, as if amused. "Are you afraid of me?"
How could he possibly admit such a shameful truth? Didn't he, a 98th-level Taotie Douluo, have any pride?
Xuan Zi chose to remain silent.
Unbothered, Ye Wen took another skewer of grilled meat and chewed thoughtfully, muttering as if to himself:
"Don't worry. I bear no ill will toward Shrek. My main reason for coming out of seclusion is that my sect has been hidden for too long. Now, I'm the only one left. If I don't pass it on, the name of the Tian Xing Sect will be completely lost. Though I doubt you've heard of it, I'd like it to continue in the lower regions of Douluo.
Moreover, instead of focusing on me, Shrek should pay more attention to the Sun Moon Empire. It's already been heavily infiltrated by the Holy Spirit Sect. They also have a Supreme Douluo over there—and he's your sworn enemy, hehehe."
Ye Wen felt his earlier hints had been too subtle for Xuan Zi's peculiar thought process. It was better to spell things out clearly.
Only by thoroughly stirring up the waters of the continent could the Tian Xing Academy truly thrive.
Sigh, I really am such a devoted master, going to great lengths for my disciple~
As expected, upon hearing Ye Wen's specific explanation, Xuan Zi's pupils trembled violently.
"The Holy Spirit Sect is in the Sun Moon Empire!?" Xuan Zi exclaimed in shock.
Ye Wen casually flipped the meat on the grill, speaking nonchalantly:
"You didn't know?
I thought Shrek's intelligence network would be aware of this. After all, such a large organization of evil soul masters can't hide without the cover of an entire nation.
And currently, the only place on the Douluo Continent willing to shelter those deranged individuals is the Sun Moon Empire, which lacks top-tier soul masters.
Isn't this easy to guess? Coincidentally, I was bored recently and took a stroll over there. I did discover quite a few evil soul masters, but given my current position, I couldn't act. So, I left them alone."
Ye Wen took another bite of grilled meat and then patted Xuan Zi lightly on the shoulder.
"You need to work hard, Xuan Zi. If you don't break through to the 99th level soon, Shrek will be in grave danger. After all, Shrek is supposed to be the righteous ally, isn't it?"
At this moment, Xuan Zi's entire body trembled. The information Ye Wen provided was incredibly specific, and the implications were terrifying.
Those who reached the rank of Titled Douluo were all considered chosen ones. However, beyond the 95th level, personal insight and the potential of one's martial soul became the deciding factors.
It was no exaggeration to say that every Titled Douluo above the 95th level on the Douluo Continent possessed at least a top-tier martial soul. Those like Xuan Zi and Du Bu Si even had super martial souls.
This meant they could no longer rely on their martial souls to overwhelm each other.
Even a single rank difference—one level higher or lower—was like the difference between heaven and earth.
Thinking about Shrek without Mu En, with only himself, a 98th-level Super Douluo, as its pillar, and considering the blood feud Shrek had accumulated over the years by hunting evil soul masters, Xuan Zi was certain that once Mu En passed away, Shrek would face relentless retaliation from the Holy Spirit Sect.
This was no longer the time to worry about whether the Tian Xing Academy would replace Shrek—it was now a matter of life and death for Shrek.
No matter how Xuan Zi thought about it, the future he envisioned was bleak. He absolutely couldn't defeat a 99th-level Supreme Douluo.
"This can't go on… I must bring this information back to Elder Mu. Shrek Academy's future cannot end in my hands," Xuan Zi thought anxiously.
At this moment, Ye Wen's voice rang out again: "It seems you've understood. So, work hard."
Bitterly, Xuan Zi nodded. Inwardly, he even felt a trace of gratitude toward Ye Wen.
From the start of their conversation, Ye Wen had used soul power to isolate their voices, preventing this critical piece of intelligence from leaking.
Xuan Zi dared not imagine how Shrek's carefully nurtured inner court disciples might react if they learned about such a formidable enemy.
Ye Wen lifted the soul barrier and resumed eating the barbecue. Surprisingly, it was quite flavorful.
However, as he ate, his gaze fell on Ma Xiaotao.
It was strange—ten thousand years had passed, yet Ma Hongjun's bloodline inheritance seemed oddly limited. Could it really be a single-line succession? Ma Xiaotao didn't even have a family background to rely on anymore.
But Ye Wen brushed aside this thought, as a new idea began to take shape.
Shrek had the son of the God King but lacked the destined child. Its future was indeed worrisome. He had hoped Shrek would draw more fire from the Sun Moon Empire.
So… the Blue Silver Holy Maiden is gone. Removing the other Fire Phoenix Holy Maiden shouldn't be a problem… right?
At this moment, Ma Xiaotao's mind was once again plagued by demonic flames. Ye Wen's ordinary gaze seemed unusually invasive to her.
"Why is he looking at me like that? Could it be that he's interested in me?
If he tries to pursue me later, should I accept?
Ahhh—so shy, so troubled~"
Ye Wen's expression grew odd. A slight probe with his mental strength revealed what was wrong with Ma Xiaotao.
Speechless=_= This demonic flame mechanic could sometimes be truly disgusting, especially when it affected girls.
Simulate·Ultimate Ice.
Ye Wen gently touched Ma Xiaotao's forehead with his finger.
"Ahh~"
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow