"Phew..."
Mu En exhaled a long breath of turbid air, his once straight back hunching over again, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
He wanted to go to Star Luo City, to drag back that good-for-nothing Xuan Zi and give him a few good kicks.
However, he could not do it.
He lowered his head, looking at his palms that resembled withered wood, feeling the life force within him as weak as a flickering candle in the wind. A deep sense of helplessness and sorrow flashed in his eyes.
"This broken body... is already at the end of its tether..."
If not for the life force of the golden tree sustaining him, he would likely have already gone to meet the ancestors of Shrek.
Over the years, the reason he had tolerated Xuan Zi time and again, even turning a blind eye to many major matters, was not because he had grown senile or was biased toward Xuan Zi.
It was because... Shrek truly had no one else.
The gap between generations weighed heavily on Mu En's heart like a mountain.
Aside from Xuan Zi, who else in the current Shrek could hold up the front? Who else could intimidate those restless, petty individuals?
Yan Shaozhe? Xian Liner?
Although they were excellent, they were still a step away from that level.
"If Liu Yuan were still here... if that child hadn't been forced away..."
Mu En closed his eyes, and various descriptions of Liu Yuan from the intelligence reports surfaced in his mind.
Powerful strength and talent, a mind far beyond his peers, and a leadership quality that even Jing Hongchen was impressed by...
"If it were him, even if this old man had to stake his life and exhaust this last bit of his soul, I would protect him and pave his way to the Peak."
"If only he were given ten years..."
"Once he grew up, I could rest easy and hand this heavy burden over to him, dying in peace..."
"What a pity... what a pity..."
Mu En shook his head in pain, and a trace of tears actually appeared in his cloudy old eyes.
One wrong step, and every subsequent step was wrong.
Xuan Zi's decision back then had not only ruined the future of a peerless Genius but also severed Shrek's hope for the future!
Now, this beautiful vision could only be a fleeting illusion, nothing but empty talk.
"Leave... let this old man be alone for a while."
Mu En waved his hand, his voice raspy and weary.
The guard did not dare to say more, bowed respectfully, and withdrew silently, leaving this elderly man at the end of his life to guard that ancient golden tree alone, tasting endless regret and loneliness.
...
Star Luo City, Star Luo Plaza.
Although it was only early morning, Star Luo Plaza, which could accommodate hundreds of thousands of people, was already a sea of people, the clamor reaching the clouds.
Although Xuan Zi's arrest last night had become a topic of conversation for many, at this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on the upcoming match.
Shrek Academy versus Crimson Flame Academy!
As the defending champion, every match of Shrek Academy was a focal point, not to mention that their opponent today, Crimson Flame Academy, was also an established powerhouse.
Inside the rest area.
The members of the Shrek Team were sitting together, making final tactical arrangements.
"Elder Xuan."
Ma Xiaotao, who had remained silent, suddenly stood up. Her red clothes were like fire, and her eyes burned with intense Battle Intent.
"For today's match, I request to be the first to go out!"
"And... I want to play the entire match!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and the others were all stunned.
Xuan Zi also looked at Ma Xiaotao in surprise: "Xiaotao, you mean... you want to sweep all seven?"
"Exactly!"
Ma Xiaotao nodded heavily, her gaze incredibly determined.
"These past few days, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy has been stealing too much of the spotlight!"
"Especially that Liu Yuan, who actually took on seven alone in a match and succeeded. This has affected our Shrek Academy's status."
"Now there are rumors outside saying that the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy might defeat us, saying that our position as overlord has been shaken!"
Speaking to this point, a look of pride appeared on Ma Xiaotao's exquisite face, even carrying a hint of anger.
"I won't accept it!"
"Shrek's glory was forged with the blood and sweat of countless predecessors. I will never allow anyone to trample on it!"
"Since that Liu Yuan could achieve a one-versus-seven sweep, I can do it too!"
"Not only that, I will win more beautifully and decisively than he did!"
"I want everyone on the continent to see clearly that Shrek is still that invincible Shrek! Our position cannot be shaken by anyone!"
Ma Xiaotao's words were forceful and resonant, making the surrounding students' blood boil.
"Well said!"
Dai Yueheng was the first to stand up in support. Although he and Ma Xiaotao usually didn't get along, their stance was consistent when it came to maintaining the academy's honor.
"Xiaotao is right! We can't let the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy take all the glory!"
"Exactly! Let them see how powerful Shrek is!" Xu Sanshi also shouted, waving his fist.
Bei Bei smiled and nodded: "Sister Xiaotao, since you have this confidence, we will support you with all our might. Give them something to think about!"
Xuan Zi had wanted to do this anyway, so he also made the decision directly:
"Good! Since everyone has this determination, then it's settled!"
"First match, Ma Xiaotao will fight! The goal—a one-versus-seven sweep!"
...
"Next, please welcome the Shrek Academy representative team and the Crimson Flame Academy representative team to the stage!"
With the announcer's loud declaration, the members of both sides walked onto the competition platform.
On Crimson Flame Academy's side, everyone was rubbing their hands, clearly well-prepared and wanting to take advantage of Shrek's recent poor reputation to climb up by stepping on the giant's shoulders.
However, when they saw the first person walking out from Shrek's side, their expressions instantly turned grim.
Dressed in fiery red martial attire, with a tall and hot figure, a terrifying aura like a volcano was hidden beneath her exquisite face.
It was the captain of the Shrek Team, Ma Xiaotao, known as the 'Flame Madman'!
"Heavens! Shrek actually sent out Ma Xiaotao first?"
"Isn't she their strongest trump card? Shouldn't she be saved for the end?"
"You still don't understand? Shrek is trying to copy the Sun Moon Team and pull off a one-versus-seven sweep too!"
The stands instantly erupted into a frenzy as everyone began to discuss excitedly.
"Man! Is this the pride of a powerhouse?"
"The Sun Moon Team just did a one-versus-seven sweep, and Shrek is immediately going to return the favor? They're really going head-to-head!"
"Haha, I love watching this kind of clash of titans! This tournament is truly spectacular!"
Listening to the cheers of the surrounding audience, Ma Xiaotao stood proudly in the center of the competition platform, her gaze coldly sweeping over the members of Crimson Flame Academy, her lips curling into a confident and domineering arc.
Liu Yuan, what you achieved, I can achieve too!
And, I will let you know who the real number one Genius is!
"The match begins!"
With the referee's command, Ma Xiaotao gave a sharp cry, and a pair of massive fiery-red wings instantly spread out behind her. Terrifying Phoenix Flame soared into the sky, dyeing half the sky red!
At that moment, she was like a queen of Rebirth from the flames, announcing Shrek's return to the whole world!
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