After Zang Xin's voice faded, the elders of the Sea God Pavilion did not immediately respond.
Elder Song took a step forward. Her cloudy yet piercing eyes lingered on Zang Xin for a moment, swept over the four people behind him, including Wang Dong'er, and finally landed on Shen Ce, who was slumped on the ground.
"Your Excellency..."
Elder Song spoke, her voice steady and carrying the peculiar composure of an elder. She was a senior figure in Shrek Academy, with seniority and strength second only to Xuan Zi.
"You say you have come to seek justice. I wonder what wrong my Shrek Academy has committed to make you go to such great lengths?"
Zang Xin looked at her, the corners of his lips curling slightly upward.
He didn't speak, but simply raised the sword of many emotions in his hand and lightly pointed the tip at Shen Ce, who was slumped on the ground before him.
"This person, I presume you should all recognize him?"
Everyone's gaze fell simultaneously upon Shen Ce.
Shen Ce's current appearance was quite miserable; his fine silk robes were tattered and torn, dried blood hung from the corners of his mouth, and his face was as pale as paper. He was slumped on the ground, lacking even the strength to stand up.
Standing in the crowd, Fan Yu's pupils shrank suddenly when he saw Shen Ce in this state.
Of course he recognized Shen Ce—the City Lord of Shrek City and a powerhouse at the Titled Douluo level.
In Shrek City, Shen Ce's status was second only to the elders of the Sea God Pavilion; he was a figure who held real power.
But now...
Fan Yu's gaze swept over Shen Ce, and a strong sense of unease surged in his heart.
A Titled Douluo had actually been beaten into such a state? Moreover, looking at Zang Xin's clothes, they were clean and pristine, without even much dust on them.
What did this mean?
It meant that when Shen Ce faced this man, he likely couldn't even cause the opponent a bit of trouble.
Fan Yu's Adam's apple bobbed as his gaze toward Zang Xin became even more solemn.
"This City Lord Shen Ce is the administrator of your Shrek City."
Zang Xin's voice was neither fast nor slow, clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.
"And this Shrek City of yours, as far as I know, was established based on Shrek Academy. So, as the high-level officials of Shrek Academy, it's impossible for you not to know what he has done, right?"
Elder Song's brow furrowed even deeper.
Her gaze fell on Shen Ce again, and she had already vaguely guessed something in her heart.
"Shen Ce, what exactly happened?"
Shen Ce opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found he couldn't make a sound at all.
His throat was as dry as if it had been rubbed with sandpaper; he could only shake his head with difficulty, his eyes full of bitterness and regret.
Seeing this, Zang Xin gave a light chuckle and spoke on Shen Ce's behalf.
"This City Lord Shen Ce of yours set up a system of 'guided prices.' A piece of ordinary hundred-year Spirit Beast meat was sold for the astronomical price of five hundred thousand gold coins. They don't inform you of the price when ordering, and then bring out hidden clauses during checkout to forcefully fleece the customers."
He paused, his tone gaining a bit more coldness.
"If the guests cannot afford it, they are forced to sign usurious IOUs or even detained in the city to work off the debt. Meanwhile, your Shrek City law enforcement team not only fails to uphold justice but instead aids the villains, twisting black and white to back these shady shops."
Zang Xin looked up, his gaze sweeping across the elders of the Sea God Pavilion.
"Did you know about these things?"
Elder Song's face instantly turned unsightly.
Of course she knew.
The elders of the Sea God Pavilion were well aware of this matter.
When they first learned of it, they had spoken to Xuan Zi about it, but they didn't expect Xuan Zi to persist in his ways. Furthermore, after Mu En fell into a coma, it became difficult for them to restrain Xuan Zi's behavior.
And they... did not pursue the matter any further.
Elder Song was silent for a moment, a deep sense of guilt welling up in her heart.
In the end, they were also responsible for this.
Lin Huiqun and Elder Zhuang's expressions were equally unpleasant.
The gazes of the Sea God Pavilion elders fell upon Xuan Zi in unison.
Being stared at by so many people, the expression on Xuan Zi's face didn't change in the slightest.
He still maintained that ferocious, anger-filled look, staring fixedly at Zang Xin as if he wanted to swallow the man alive.
Elder Song took a deep breath, suppressed her complex emotions, and spoke slowly.
"In this matter, Shrek Academy was indeed in the wrong..."
"Shut up!"
Xuan Zi abruptly interrupted her, his eyes bulging.
"Elder Song, what do you mean by this? Are you saying that when someone comes to strike at Shrek Academy's gates, we should bow our heads and admit fault?!"
Xuan Zi's voice grew louder, carrying a hint of teeth-gritting hatred.
"Shen Ce was beaten into a heavy injury, and our academy's students were bullied by people from another academy. Now they are riding over our heads, and you actually say we should admit fault?!"
His gaze swept over the teachers and students gathered before the main gate, his voice carrying a provocative tone.
"Our Shrek Academy has stood tall on the continent for ten thousand years. When have we ever suffered such an insult?!"
As soon as these words were spoken, a commotion immediately broke out among the crowd behind him.
The hot-blooded students, who were already angry that someone dared to provoke the academy at its entrance, were now even more incensed after hearing Xuan Zi's words.
"Exactly! Why should we admit fault?!"
"They've come to our door and we're supposed to back down? That's not the Shrek Academy way!"
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
Shouts rang out from the crowd, mixed with the hot-bloodedness and impulsiveness of youth.
Even some teachers couldn't help but chime in.
"Elder Xuan is right! The glory of Shrek Academy cannot be violated!"
"The other party also misappropriated Shrek Academy's name. This matter cannot be left like this!"
Standing in the crowd, Bei Bei's face instantly turned pale upon hearing these voices.
He suddenly rushed forward, spreading his arms to stand between Xuan Zi and Zang Xin.
"Everyone, calm down! Calm down a bit!"
Bei Bei's voice carried a hint of urgency.
"The opponent is a Limit Douluo! And we were indeed in the wrong first! If we insist on fighting, we will be the ones to suffer!"
"Shut up!"
Xuan Zi pushed Bei Bei aside, his eyes full of rage.
"Bei Bei, as Elder Mu's great-grandson, you are actually so cowardly. You've completely disgraced Elder Mu!"
Bei Bei was pushed back several steps and fell to the ground.
He steadied himself and gritted his teeth, wanting to say more, but found his throat felt as if it were blocked; he couldn't utter a single word.
His gaze swept over the incensed students and teachers behind him, and a deep sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart.
Just now, he had directly stated Zang Xin's strength—a Limit Douluo—in front of everyone. Yet looking at them now, it was as if they didn't realize the gap at all; every one of them seemed to have become like Xuan Zi.
No, it should be said that they were all held hostage by the 'glory' of Shrek Academy.
Xuan Zi looked coldly at Zang Xin and spoke.
"Today, you injured someone from my Shrek Academy and came to my academy's gates to show off your power. This matter absolutely cannot end peacefully!"
"For the glory of Shrek Academy, even if I can't win, this old man will fight!"
As his voice fell, a terrifying surge of Spirit Power suddenly erupted from Xuan Zi's body!
Boom—!
A violent aura gushed out from his body, spreading in all directions like a hurricane!
The surrounding students were shaken back by this aura, their faces full of shock.
"Elder Xuan is going to fight!"
"What a terrifying aura!"
The muscles on Xuan Zi's back swelled at an incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, his entire volume increased by at least double. His clothes were stretched tight, as if they would burst at any moment. On both sides of his head, a spiral-shaped long horn grew out!
Those long horns were pitch black with golden patterns flowing on the surface, exuding a terrifying pressure.
This was the Taotie Divine Bull Spirit!
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A/N:
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.