Huo Yuhao reined in his horse and gazed into the distance.
The layout of this vast continent slowly unfolded in his mind.
Today’s Douluo Continent stood divided among four nations.
The Star Luo Empire had endured to this day, while the once-unified Heaven Dou Empire had split into two countries: the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Dou Spirit Empire.
Four thousand years ago, the Sun Moon Continent had violently collided with Douluo Continent. Upon it stood only a single nation—the Sun Moon Empire.
Back then, the Sun Moon Empire had launched a great war, only to be ultimately defeated.
After the two continents rged, they were collectively known as Douluo Continent.
In that war, Shrek Academy had rendered trendous service, and from then on it stood detached from the authority of the four great empires.
The academy was located in the southeast of the Heavenly Soul Empire. To its southeast lay the Star Dou Forest; to the east, the Dou Spirit Empire; and to the south, the Star Luo Empire.
It sat at the strategic junction where three great empires t.
Huo Yuhao traveled at a leisurely pace, observing the scenery along the way.
Though these were landscapes he had seen in his previous life,
after spending a year cultivating in the Extre North—where endless white snow filled his vision—seeing again the lush mountains and flourishing vegetation brought an involuntary sense of ease to his chest.
"The Extre North is beautiful in its vast desolation; the inland wins in vibrant life."
He lightly pressed his heels against the horse’s sides.
The steed galloped swiftly along the broad official road.
The boy’s hair, long untended, had begun to tangle slightly, and his coarse blue linen robe was stained with dust from travel.
Compared to his forr appearance at Shrek in his previous life, he looked far more downcast now.
Yet his eyes shone with astonishing brightness.
He felt only that heaven was high and earth was wide—free for him to roam.
"Up ahead is the Star Luo Empire checkpoint. Once past it, we’ll be at Shrek!"
The fine horse sped forward, passing two mountain passes and undergoing another round of inspection.
At last, Huo Yuhao stepped into Shrek’s territory.
Rather than an academy—
it was more like a city.
When he rode out from the final stretch of forest, he saw in the distant plains towering city walls stretching endlessly to either side, like a colossal dragon lying across the earth.
Shrek Academy dominated the plains, covering an imnse area.
It was itself a city—known as Shrek City.
This city ranked among the largest on Douluo Continent, ho to over two million residents.
Shrek Academy even possessed complete autonomous authority over the city, paying no taxes to any empire.
"Shrek Academy lies in the eastern part of the city, facing toward the Star Dou Forest—to guard against potential beast tides."
Huo Yuhao let the reins hang loose and slowly entered the city.
Carriages flowed endlessly along the streets. Shops lined both sides. Spirit Masters and civilians brushed shoulders in the crowds.
It was a scene of great prosperity.
...
Within his sea of consciousness,
Skydream Iceworm smacked his lips.
"This world is lacking sothing."
"It looks prosperous on the surface, but in truth wars are constant and undercurrents surge beneath."
"Do you know what Douluo Continent is like beneath the true realm of the Divine Realm?"
"The Heaven Dou Empire is the strongest there, yet it need not fear unchecked ambition—because nurous divine halls with god statues conduct regular inspections."
"In that world, the Sun Moon Continent has not yet collided with Douluo. But the three great empires have already sent envoys overseas to establish diplomatic ties in advance."
"They even exchanged Spirit Power cultivation thods for soul tool technology. I’ve heard they may abolish imperial rule entirely and adopt a federal system of joint governance."
"That—that is a truly perfect world!"
Huo Yuhao’s eyes first flickered with longing, then hardened into resolve.
"I must beco a god as soon as possible—be guided by that one and step into the Divine Star!"
Skydream Iceworm continued:
"Yuhao, you’ll need to work twice as hard."
"If you perform well enough, Brother Zhexian might even guide the bonds you form in this world along with you."
"For him, gathering the rivers of ti and space across countless worlds—and fishing a few people out of them—is nothing more than lifting a hand."
Huo Yuhao clenched his fist tightly and nodded firmly.
"Mm!"
...
After the ti it took to drink a cup of tea, he arrived at Shrek Academy
Huo Yuhao looked up.
The academy’s grand gates stood tall and imposing. Upon the massive stone arch were engraved three bold, vigorous characters: "Shrek."
Students dressed in yellow fitted uniforms, wearing badges upon their chests, passed through the gates—each brimming with youthful spirit and sharp ambition.
The entire academy seed enveloped in an atmosphere of vigorous upward montum.
"Sigh..."
At that mont,
Electrolux suddenly let out a soft sigh.
Huo Yuhao asked,
"Elder Yi, why do you sigh?"
"This academy appears vibrant and full of vitality, hailed as the greatest on Douluo Continent. Yet in truth, the first signs of decline have already erged."
"Elder Yi, I would like to hear more."
"I was rely stirred by the scene and reminded of the future you once told about."
Electrolux spoke slowly:
"As the saying goes, when prosperity reaches its peak, decline follows."
"Even if that twelfth-grade soul tool had not destroyed Shrek Academy in the future, this institution would still struggle to escape the fate of decline."
"Excessive independence inevitably breeds hegemony. Even if the great empires say nothing openly, they are surely already wary—perhaps even hostile."
"Other academies are rising. The monopoly over top geniuses has been broken. Shrek’s advantage is being eroded bit by bit."
"And its backwardness in the field of soul tools has already beco a fatal shortcoming—one that has cost it the initiative."
The old man’s voice carried the weariness of one who had seen through the world.
"Still, a cal starved is larger than a horse. Shrek Academy can remain firmly seated at the fishing platform for so ti yet."
Huo Yuhao nodded silently, a trace of complexity flashing through his eyes.
He did not linger long at the academy gates.
Students passing by cast curious and strange glances at the raggedly dressed boy.
Huo Yuhao remained expressionless. He walked to a corner beside the gate, sat cross-legged, and began cultivating—
quietly waiting for Zhang Lexuan to arrive.
Six youths in Shrek uniforms approached from the distance.
They were still excitedly discussing what they had witnessed in the Extre North, their words filled with admiration and longing for the Shrek Seven Monsters.
"To defeat a ten-thousand-year Spirit Beast in ten moves—Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao is incredible!"
"One day, I, Xu Sanshi, will beco that strong too!"
At that mont,
Bei Bei let out a soft sigh, his tone carrying both helplessness and admiration.
"Speaking of which..."
"The most unexpected part of this trip to the Extre North was that mysterious boy nad Huo Yuhao."
"He’s the most monstrous genius I’ve ever seen."
Those words instantly silenced the group.
After a few more steps,
the gates of Shrek ca into view.
Wang Dong suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed straight ahead at the academy entrance.
"Wang Dong, what’s wrong—"
Xiao Xiao followed her line of sight and covered her mouth in a soft gasp.
"Heavens—he’s here!"
The others quickly turned their heads as well.
When they saw the figure sitting cross-legged in the corner, curiosity and awe appeared on their faces.
"He... why is he at Shrek?"
"Didn’t he refuse Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao’s invitation?"
Jiang Nannan’s pretty face turned pale, a sour taste rising in her mouth.
The scene of the boy crushing Dai Huabin’s head with his bare hand surfaced once more in her mind.
He Caitou scratched his bald head.
"Should we go say hello?"
For once, the usually brash Xu Sanshi was subdued. He said in a low voice:
"Better take a detour."
"That one is no pushover!"
Just as the group hesitated,
Wang Dong had already taken a step forward with her long legs.
"Wang Dong!"
The others called out softly in alarm, but failed to stop her.
Wang Dong walked straight toward Huo Yuhao, who sat cross-legged in ditation.
...
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