The crowd erupted into discussion.
"Yeah, Shrek Academy has always been the #1 Soul Master Academy and the champion of the tournant! How could they possibly cheat?"
"Could it be that the imperial referees made a mistake?"
Confusion spread across the audience.
Xuanzi's expression turned bitter with grief and indignation.
"It seems that everyone believes Shrek Academy is being falsely accused!
I firmly stand against this blatant attempt to slander Shrek Academy!"
"This is nothing short of a conspiracy against us!
Therefore, I declare that Shrek Academy will withdraw from the tournant in protest against this corruption!"
Xuanzi had already made his decision
With that strange anti cheating soul tool in play, Shrek Academy's capabilities were severely restricted.
And even with Xu Jiawei's secret interference, their reserve team simply wasn't strong enough to reach the Top 4.
The previous tournants had shown that every team that made it to the Top 8 had at least one Soul Emperor.
anwhile, Shrek's strongest remaining mbers were Soul Ancestors.
Even with their high quality training, they would still be at a severe disadvantage.
If soone in the team had possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Xuanzi might have reconsidered.
But without one, the chances of victory were too slim.
As for waiting until their main team mbers recovered
That was impossible.
Ma Xiaotao and the others were too heavily injured.
Without dical Sage Douluo or Bi Ji to treat them, their injuries wouldn't heal before the tournant ended.
And Bi Ji, despite being a kind hearted soul beast, would never help Shrek Academy due to their hostile relationship with Star Dou Forest.
Thus, to save face, withdrawal was the best option.
It was better to quit than to be humiliated in battle.
And as for cheating?
They did it, but they would never admit it.
The Crowd Reacts
A single declaration sent shockwaves through the entire audience.
For the first ti in history, Shrek Academy had withdrawn from the tournant.
Everyone was stunned.
Shrek Academy had always been the champion, and all other schools had rely played supporting roles.
But now, the #1 Academy was walking away?
Xu Jiawei's Fury
From atop the imperial pavilion, Xu Jiawei's expression darkened.
He was seething.
Was Xuanzi insane?!
He had already helped Shrek Academy rig the matchups and even turned a blind eye to their cheating.
And yet, Shrek still wanted to bla the empire?!
Claiming that there was corruption in the tournant…
That was the sa as accusing the Star Luo Empire of being unfair as hosts!
But wasn't it Shrek Academy itself that had caused the lack of fairness in the first place?!
Xu Jiawei clenched his fists.
He was furious at Xuanzi, but because of Shrek's influence, he couldn't publicly counterattack.
After all
If war ever broke out between Star Luo and Sun Moon Empire, they would still need Shrek Academy's support.
Beside him, Xu Jiujiu hesitated.
"Royal Brother… What should we do?"
Xu Jiawei fell silent for a few monts, then sighed.
"Launch an official investigation into this cheating incident."
"We must clear our own na… and clear Shrek Academy's as well."
Xu Jiujiu instantly understood.
They would need to find scapegoats to take the bla.
For a scandal like this, neither the royal family nor Shrek Academy could afford to be held responsible.
So…
Soone else had to pay the price.
Jing Hongchen's Mockery
Jing Hongchen returned to the spectator stands, grinning as he led Huo Yuhao, Xiao Hongchen, and ng Hongchen away.
The tournant was no longer worth watching.
Along the way, the once devoted Shrek fan mocked them relentlessly.
"According to our intelligence, Xuanzi is Shrek Academy's strongest fighter…"
"But honestly? That guy is nothing more than a shaless liar!"
"They cheated, yet he sohow twisted the truth and made themselves out to be the victims!"
"Good thing Yuhao's anti cheating soul tool exposed their true colors otherwise, I might've kept believing in their so called honor!"
Huo Yuhao thought to himself
Xuanzi was only considered "Shrek's strongest" in the public eye.
In reality, Mu En, the Dragon God Douluo, was still alive
But since he hadn't fought in years, most people assud he was dead.
For Shrek Academy, Mu En was the true pillar of their strength.
As long as Mu En was alive, Shrek Academy would always have absolute confidence.
Xiao Hongchen's Suspicion
Suddenly, Xiao Hongchen turned to Yuhao.
"Wait a minute, Yuhao "
"It feels like… you already knew that Shrek Academy would cheat!"
"Is that why you had Grandfather bring the anti cheating soul tool?!"
Huo Yuhao nodded.
"After my attribute resonance with the Three Eyed Golden Lion, my martial soul mutated."
"Ever since then, I've gained a sort of intuition about the future… a premonition that Shrek Academy would cheat."
"This intuition helps see beyond the veil of fate, allowing to glimpse possible outcos."
"That's why, on our way back to Star Luo City, I told the Headmaster about my suspicions and suggested deploying the anti cheating soul tool."
Of course, Huo Yuhao wasn't about to reveal the true nature of his abilities.
Unlike with Tianng Iceworm and Ice Empress, he wasn't going to pretend to be a reincarnated god this ti.
Xiao Hongchen's Shock
"Martial soul mutation?"
Xiao Hongchen's eyes widened.
"So your martial soul actually evolved?!"
"Then that ans… you're even stronger than before?"
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly.
"In a way… yes."
Xiao Hongchen's face darkened.
"Then that ans I'll never be the #1 genius in the Sun Moon Empire…?"
"I'm going to spend my entire life in your shadow?!"
Although Xiao Hongchen envied Yuhao's power, he would never consider forcing a martial soul mutation on himself.
After all, such mutations were unpredictable
Sotis they made the soul master stronger…
But other tis, they made them weaker, like Yu Xiaogang.
ng Hongchen's Support
ng Hongchen smiled warmly.
"Brother, you should be happy for Yuhao!"
Xiao Hongchen sighed.
"Yeah, I get it…"
"But still…"
He deflated, looking defeated.
As soone proud and competitive, he had always hated being outshone.
Yet now, it seed impossible for him to ever surpass Yuhao.
He suddenly understood why their grandfather was so eager to match ng Hongchen with Yuhao.
After all
Anyone would want to recruit a genius like him.
(End of chapter.)Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon. Read 15 Chapters In Advance: patreon/Albino1
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