Chapter 230: Eighteen Titled Douluo and the Crown Prince's Scheme
When news spread that the 99th-level Extreme Douluo Mu En would personally lead the operation, the original number of eight Titled Douluo suddenly doubled. With the support of the emperors of the three empires, the force swelled to eighteen.
Initially, with just eight Titled Douluo and the support of Du Bu Si and Xuan Lao, there was little concern about the mission's success. The priority of the emperors at that stage was minimizing their own losses while still gaining credit. To that end, they debated for days before agreeing to contribute only eight Titled Douluo.
But once Mu En committed to the mission, everything changed.
With Mu En overseeing the operation, the risk dropped significantly. The emperors were no longer worried about major losses. On the contrary, they saw this as a golden opportunity—one that could earn them favor with the Sea God Pavilion and a larger share of the eventual spoils. As such, they released additional forces without hesitation. In truth, had it not been for the concern that the Sun Moon Empire might exploit the departure of so many powerful individuals to launch a sneak attack, the three Douluo Kingdoms would have sent even more.
Under Shrek's leadership, the entire operation took on a new weight. Among the three empires, the Dou Ling Empire was the most enthusiastic. Wanting to leave a lasting impression on Shrek, their emperor dispatched ten of the eighteen Titled Douluo himself—nearly exhausting the empire's own reserves. Their justification was simple: since Dou Ling did not border the Sun Moon Empire directly, they had a greater obligation to contribute. The emperor had clearly gone to great lengths to curry favor with Shrek Academy.
At the same time, within the Star Luo Empire, a conversation was unfolding between the princess Xu Jiujiu and her royal brother.
"Royal Brother, is this really wise? You're transferring five Titled Douluo, and three of them are Super Douluo. Can Dai Hao still defend the Mingdou Mountains?" Xu Jiujiu asked with a frown.
"There's no need to worry. Initially, I was concerned that our kingdom's Protector Douluo would be used as cannon fodder," her brother replied. "But with Senior Mu personally involved, those concerns are redundant. This is our best chance to win back Shrek's favor and resolve the tensions caused by that previous incident."
Xu Jiujiu fell silent. Ever since the last All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Competition, the relationship between Shrek and the Star Luo Empire had grown strained. And while it was Shrek that initiated the distance, the Star Luo Empire could hardly afford to retaliate.
In the presence of someone like Xuan Lao, a level-98 Super Douluo, the Star Luo Empire still had some pride to maintain. But in front of Mu En, a level-99 Extreme Douluo known as the Dragon God Douluo, what could they do but bow their heads?
All they could do was admit fault and hope that Mu En would recognize their sincerity. Xu Jiujiu sighed deeply. Though Shrek Academy was supposedly neutral, it functioned as a powerhouse dedicated to nurturing talent primarily for the original three Douluo Kingdoms. Yet its influence had grown so vast that now, even the Star Luo Empire had to humble itself before them.
To Xu Jiujiu, Shrek City was starting to resemble an imperial capital more than the actual seat of her own empire.
Meanwhile, within the Prince's Mansion of the Sun Moon Empire, Shadow Douluo reported to Crown Prince Xu Tianran.
"Your Highness, the princesses of the three Douluo Kingdoms recently visited Shrek Academy. Following that, Tianhun, Dou Ling, and Xingluo each made significant military movements. Though we lack full details, it's estimated that at least two Titled Douluo from each nation are on the move. Additionally, the deputy leader of the Holy Spirit Church, Feng Ling, has mobilized alongside three worshippers and two elders. Jing Hongchen and his group are walking a fine line between life and death."
"Walking the line of death?" Xu Tianran scoffed coldly. "I don't want them dancing on that line. I want them dead—ten times over."
Shadow Douluo nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Your Highness. The Holy Spirit Church worshipper is a level-97 Titled Douluo. Even a level-98 Douluo would find him difficult to defeat, especially with the boost granted by evil soul powers. Between the dangers of the Far North and the combined ambush, this mission will be fatal for Jing Hongchen."
"There's only one way they live," Xu Tianran added. "If the Snow Emperor, sovereign of the Far North, chooses to intervene. But would a soul beast ever save a human?"
That thought reassured him. Xu Tianran leaned back slightly, his smirk returning. "You've done well, Old Ying. Now, what about the other matter?"
At this, Shadow Douluo's face darkened. "Your Highness, the invitation was delivered, but… there was no response. No sign of acceptance."
"That's fine," Xu Tianran said dismissively. "We don't need her acceptance now. Once she hears about Xiao Qiang's death, I'll personally visit her to offer comfort."
Xiao Lan, the younger sister of the Soul Palace Master, was a prodigy among prodigies—twin martial souls, a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, and potential beyond compare. Xu Tianran had no illusion that a mere invitation would win her over.
He was simply waiting. Waiting for her moment of weakness—when grief shattered her defenses.
"When the time is right," he murmured to himself, "I'll tell her: 'Although you've lost your brother, you still have me. I can be your brother…'"
Then, with the promise of making her a princess of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran was confident he could pull her into his camp. To him, the thirteen-year-old Xiao Lan, deprived of her last emotional support, would be easy to win over with sympathy and power.
Far to the north, in the icy desolation of the Far North, Meng Hongchen opened her eyes.
She had just finished absorbing the 100,000-year-old Zhu Qing Ice Silkworm's soul ring and soul bone. Her martial soul and soul had merged with the soul bone to create an external manifestation of her martial soul.
She looked down at her now red sixth soul ring—the power it held was immense. Her soul power had surged to the peak of level 66, nearly touching level 67. The ratio of her rings was now five black and one red.
Compared to her brother Xiao Hongchen, who still had only two yellow, two purple, and one black soul ring, Meng Hongchen couldn't stop a smirk from creeping across her face.