Douluo Continent: Starting with the Tiger Emperor Template

Xuanzi opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that he couldn't give a definite answer.

He certainly wanted to say he could handle it.

He believed in Shrek, in the kids, and in the academy's millennia-old heritage.

But after seeing Lu Ren in person, the shock that the boy left in his heart was like a thorn that he could never remove.

In the end, Xuanzi remained confident, his tone unwavering:

"We will win."

"Our Shrek Seven Devils, weren't they all handpicked? These kids' talents would be top-tier in any generation."

"No matter how strong Lu Ren is, can he be stronger than seven people working together? Can he surpass Shrek Academy's thousands of years of history?"

These words elicited slight nods from many of the senior officials.

But Old Song didn't respond; he just quietly looked at Xuanzi.

Xuanzi spoke again:

"I will personally oversee the preparations for this year's competition. Starting today, the training intensity for those kids will double."

He raised his head, and a rare fighting spirit ignited in his cloudy eyes.

"Shrek's glory cannot be lost in my hands."

"Xuanzi, so you..."

Moon finally spoke.

The Dragon God Douluo, who had remained silent throughout, leaned back in his chair with his eyelids drooping, as if he were asleep.

Only then did he slowly open his eyes.

There was no anger or blame in those dim, yellow eyes, only a calm that sent chills down Xuanzi's spine.

"You personally went to the Sun Moon Empire, found that child, negotiated terms with him, made a bet, and then returned empty-handed."

Moon's voice was old and slow, like the wind blowing across a dry riverbed.

"As a result, not only did you fail to bring him back, but you were also completely outmaneuvered by him, and ended up with a shackle and an indebted 100,000-year-old soul bone."

He paused, his gaze falling on Xuanzi's face.

"Xuanzi, what did you say back then?"

"I will personally take action. Even if he hides at the ends of the earth, deep within the Sun Moon Empire, I will drag him out and get to the bottom of this."

Mu En's tone was flat; he simply repeated Xuanzi's words verbatim.

But it was precisely this emotionless recitation that made Xuanzi's face turn so red it was almost bleeding.

The other elders all lowered their heads, their shoulders trembling slightly.

Suppressing laughter is a skill.

"Elder Mu..."

Xuanzi spoke with difficulty, his voice carrying a hint of pleading.

Moon shook his head gently.

He did not continue to blame Xuanzi, but slowly glanced at the elders present.

"Gentlemen."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word clearly reached everyone's ears.

"I have a question for you."

"The kid said he had a very bad impression of Shrek."

"He said that in the Starry Sky Forest, he encountered our students bullying him and stealing his prey."

He said that Shrek is no longer the Shrek of ten thousand years ago, but rather that we are stuck in our ways, arrogant and conceited.

Moon's gaze slowly swept across the faces of each Grand Secretary.

"How much of what you've said do you think is true?"

A long silence fell over the council chamber.

No one answered.

Because everyone has a vague idea of ​​the answer.

"You lot, let alone Xuanzi, just based on the situation, any one of you would probably not have been able to withstand that child's provocation, and would have arrogantly and conceitedly made a bet with him, right?"

"So don't laugh at others for being just as bad. Even if Xuanzi didn't go, and you went instead, you might still fall victim to the same trick."

Moon said calmly.

"Why? Naturally, it's because he understands your mindset and knows what you're thinking."

"Moreover, that child's talent is even stronger than that of Tang San's ancestor from ten thousand years ago."

"Such a genius should have been one of our Shrek Academy members, but he preferred to go to the Sun Moon Empire to help a group of Soul Masters compete."

"So, why is that?"

Moon paused, his tone as calm as still water:

"Because he doesn't trust us."

"Because in his eyes, Shrek is not worthy of his trust."

Mu En's gaze finally landed on Xuan Zi.

"Xuanzi, your trip this time was less about recruiting him and more about confirming his opinion."

"You used the pressure of a Title Douluo to suppress a child with only four rings, and you started by calling him a bunch of trash Soul Masters. From beginning to end, you never truly regarded him as a worthy opponent, but instead belittled and suppressed him."

"You just want to bring him back, but you don't really care about him at all."

"I ask you, from beginning to end, did you even glance at him?"

"On the contrary, it is precisely because of this that you are paying the price now."

Xuanzi's body stiffened slightly.

He wanted to argue, to say that he valued talent and wanted to win this genius for Shrek Academy.

But when the words reached his lips, he couldn't utter a single one.

Because he knew that Moon was right.

From beginning to end, he never truly respected Lu Ren.

He treated him as a child who needed to be corrected, a genius who needed to be won over, and a bargaining chip that could be bought with more favorable terms.

But I never thought about why that boy should accept all of this?

The council chamber remained quiet for a long time.

Finally, Xuanzi broke the silence.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Moon.

"Elder Mu, this was my fault."

His voice was hoarse, yet it carried an unprecedented seriousness.

"But what's done is done, the bet has been made, and the bond has been formed."

"It's too late to say anything now."

He straightened up and his gaze swept over each of the senior officials present.

"Shrek must win this game."

"It's not for that 100,000-year-old soul bone, it's for Shrek Academy's glory, and it's also for..."

He paused, his voice lowering.

"Let that kid know that Shrek is still a place he should come to."

Moon looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

Then, the Dragon God Douluo slowly nodded.

"Go ahead, this year's students are in your hands."

"Don't let them down."

"And don't let that kid... look down on Shrek."

Xuanzi nodded heavily.

He turned around and strode towards the door.

His back view was still disheveled, but his steps were much more determined than when he arrived.

Inside the council chamber, the cabinet ministers looked at each other in bewilderment.

Old Song leaned back in his chair, gazing in the direction where Xuanzi had disappeared, a complex smile curving his lips.

"It's rare to see this guy serious."

She picked up the teacup and gently blew away the foam.

"But then again..."

She turned to look at Moon, her eyes carrying a meaningful glint.

"Mr. Mu, you just said that the child has a bad impression of Shrek Academy... but why do I feel like you're not worried at all?"

Moon did not answer.

He simply leaned back in his chair and slowly closed his eyes.

A faint smile seemed to appear on his aged face.

It was as if he had thought of something interesting.