Chapter 55: Confrontation, Xingluo Cheng

The capital of the Star Luo Empire, Xingluo Cheng.

The battle of the Douluo that took place several days ago has come to an end, and the city of nearly ten million people is gradually recovering its vitality.

A figure radiating golden light from head to toe stands in the sky above the inner city of Xingluo Cheng.

"Xu Jiawei, Emperor of Star Luo, come out here."

The resonant, powerful, and slightly deep voice echoes in the air.

Accompanied by the transmission of the air, it is deafening.

The aura belonging to a Level 98 Douluo is like the scorching sun at noon, making one's mind tremble.

In an instant, figures flash rapidly across the sky, finally stopping above the imperial palace.

Wearing a crown and clad in armor, Xu Jiawei stands in the center, looking quite imposing.

"Xuan Lao, what brings you to my Xingluo Cheng?" Xu Jiawei cups his hands toward Xuanzi, a gesture of respect from a junior to an elder.

"Hmph!" Xuanzi manifests his Gluttonous God Ox martial soul, horns appearing atop his head, and he flicks his grease-stained robes.

A terrifying soul pressure is released, bearing down directly toward Xu Jiawei.

"Attacking the emperor of a nation—"

"Xuanzi, you have gone too far."

With a piercing bird cry, a young man with a youthful face blocks the path of Xuanzi's pressure.

The aura of the Azure Luan Divine Bird is suddenly released; although suppressed, it is still faintly evenly matched.

"Yeyu, you old thing, you aren't dead yet!" Xuanzi's voice is cold.

As a Level 98 Douluo, he does not hold a Level 97 Douluo in high regard at all.

The gap between Douluo is such that every level is a different world.

Not everyone is like Du Bisi with a Body Spirit and some Golden Awakening, capable of going toe-to-toe with Mu Lao at Level 98, or even severely wounding him.

"Eighth Soul Skill—Star Radiance Art."

As the voice rings out, a crown of stars appears, and specks of starlight fall upon the Azure Luan Douluo, Yeyu.

With the enhancement of the Star Crown martial soul, the Azure Luan Douluo, who had barely managed to block Xuanzi's pressure, sees his attributes increase significantly, reaching a state of near-parity.

"Hmph! The Star Crown martial soul is indeed powerful."

Xuanzi suppresses his anger and withdraws his pressure.

Seeing this, the Azure Luan Douluo Yeyu also takes a step back to stand beside Xu Jiawei.

As the Hall Master of the Star Luo Offering Hall, a level Peak Douluo naturally has his own pride.

Although his strength is inferior to Xuanzi's, since the other party has brought the fight to his doorstep, he cannot simply fail to resist.

However, everything still depends on Xu Jiawei's thoughts.

After all, he is the Emperor of Star Luo.

"Xuan Lao, our Star Luo and Shrek have always been on good terms. I wonder if there is some misunderstanding that has brought you here in such a rage?"

Xu Jiawei lowers his posture; as an emperor, he knows who can be offended and who cannot.

Not to mention how many Douluo in the Offering Hall are related to Shrek, even within the imperial court, the situation is unclear.

Shrek's ten-thousand-year foundation is not limited to just the Douluo within Shrek Academy.

With the Sun Moon Empire on the side, Xu Jiawei truly does not want to have a falling out with Shrek.

"On good terms?"

Hearing Xu Jiawei lower his posture, Xuanzi feels much better; he had just stopped by to check on the condition of Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er.

Their injuries were not too severe, but this was a provocation against Shrek.

Thinking of this, the indignation on Xuanzi's face grows even more intense.

"Your Majesty of Star Luo, we at Shrek have always respected the autonomy of the major empires."

"But regarding the Star Luo Royal Family harboring Evil Soul Masters, shouldn't you give us, and all the Soul Masters on the continent, an explanation?"

"And why did the Deputy Hall Master of the Offering Hall, Wang Xian'er, become an Evil Soul Master? Do you not owe everyone an explanation for that as well?"

"I, Xuanzi, am not an unreasonable person."

Xuanzi extends his grease-stained hand, signaling for Xu Jiawei to refute him.

"We did not know much about this matter. We only recently learned that Wang Xian'er possessed the Death Attribute. Given her past contributions and the fact that she had not caused any substantial harm—"

"We chose to observe before taking action. As for that Xiadie..."

"Her cultivation method is also quite normal."

"One cannot deem her an Evil Soul Master simply because of her martial soul."

"Or does Xuan Lao think our Nether Civet martial soul is also an evil martial soul?"

"You..."

Xuanzi is so angry his face turns slightly purple.

"The Death Attribute, the ultimate Death Attribute—you tell me, if this isn't an Evil Soul Master, then what is?"

Just then, two figures fly over and stand by Xuanzi's side.

"You two aren't resting; why have you come?" Xuanzi looks to his side.

Yan Shaozhe smiles bitterly: "We were worried something might happen, so we came to take a look."

Could he say they didn't trust Xuan Lao's way of handling things?

"Perfect. Xian Lin'er, Yan Shaozhe, you tell me whether Star Luo is shielding Evil Soul Masters."

"This... this is certainly not the case." Yan Shaozhe's scalp tingles.

Some things can be said, but others cannot!

Does Xuan Lao speak without using his brain?

"I heard that Wang Xian'er and Xiadie were expelled from the borders by the Star Luo Empire," Yan Shaozhe continued, "Xuan Lao, I think the Emperor of Star Luo did this to avoid the commoners suffering persecution."

"Enough, I don't understand your convoluted schemes," Xuanzi waved his hand.

Did this Yan Shaozhe take him for a fool?

However, since the two of them hadn't met with any disaster beyond some broken bones and injuries, he felt a sense of relief.

"Your Majesty, I won't play these empty games with you."

"Tell me where those two are now, and this matter will be over," Xuanzi's words caused Xu Jiawei's side to fall into silence.

No one wanted to go head-to-head with a Level 98 Peak Douluo.

"They should be over in the Mingdou Shanmai."

Among the few people in Xu Jiawei's group of venerated elders, one stood out; it was none other than the Giant Strength Douluo, Cheng Gang.

"Mingdou Shanmai," Xuanzi was stunned for a moment before reacting, "So that's it. Are they afraid of us Shrek, so they want to defect into the Sun Moon Empire?"

Xuanzi ignored Xu Jiawei and his group, looking instead at Yan Shaozhe, whose face was still bandaged, and Xian Lin'er, who still had bruises on her arm, and said:

"Don't worry about the matters here; the Star Dou Great Forest has been somewhat abnormal lately, so you two return to the academy first."

"Yes, Xuan Lao."

The two bowed in salute.

"Then you..." Yan Shaozhe started to speak but stopped.

"I will go and return shortly; I won't cause any trouble for Shrek."

Xuanzi transformed into a streak of light and flew toward the direction of the Mingdou Shanmai.

Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er sighed.

They cupped their hands toward the people on Xu Jiawei's side.

"Your Majesty, Xuan Lao has a fiery temper; please forgive any offense caused."

"The academy has matters to attend to, so we won't stay long. Thank you for the Star Luo Empire's hospitality over these past few days."

Regardless, Wang Xian'er and Xiadie had already left the Star Luo Empire, so it wouldn't be good to keep harping on this matter and damage the harmony between the academy and the empire.

Xu Jiawei nodded and said, "It is nothing. Xuan Lao's straightforwardness is somewhat surprising. Since you two have matters to attend to, please go ahead and handle them."

He watched as Xuanzi, Yan Shaozhe, and Xian Lin'er departed.

At this moment, Xu Jiawei felt incredibly annoyed.

He glanced at Cheng Gang, his voice indifferent: "Cheng Gang, you did well."

"I dare not, I dare not," Cheng Gang hurriedly lowered his head.

"I did it for the empire as well. If this person Xuanzi didn't get an answer, I fear he would have pestered us endlessly."

"Hmph! I hope so," Xu Jiawei flicked his sleeves, "You have all worked hard. I have a headache, so I will return to rest first; you all should get some rest as well!"

Xu Jiawei left, leaving only the group of elders from the Hall of Venerated Elders to look at one another.

The Azure Phoenix Douluo looked at the head-bowed Cheng Gang and said, "Wang Lao's strength is already on par with mine. If they can survive this tribulation, you had better look out for yourself."

Cheng Gang's expression changed.

By the time he came to his senses, the Azure Phoenix Douluo had already left.

The other elders also left one after another.

Cheng Gang wore a bitter expression: "Dai Hao, oh Dai Hao, you really dug a huge pit for me."

His sleeve shook slightly, and a letter was partially revealed.

The sender's information on it was none other than Dai Hao of the Gongjue Fu.