Chapter 194: Shrek Academy, Star Luo Federation, and Tang Sect—Three Branches of One Root!
No wonder it was once called Shrek City—its prosperity was dazzling.
As the Star Luo Federation delegation traveled through the bustling streets, they couldn't help sneering inwardly.
Just as they thought—the Douluo Federation truly was shortsighted. For the sake of one central city, they had expelled Shrek Academy itself.
Sooner or later, the Douluo Federation would deeply regret that decision.
After all, Shrek's defection had directly strengthened Star Luo's highest level of soul master power.
Cars flowed endlessly through wide avenues, crowds thronged the walkways.
One of the envoys muttered with disdain, "Weak. Incredibly weak."
So many ordinary people!
In Star Luo's major cities, such "rare animals" were nearly nonexistent—one would never find them in the imperial capital.
The Douluo Federation had clearly declined. What could a nation of commoners possibly achieve?
Even as laborers, they were no match for true soul masters.
The Star Luo delegation scoffed openly.
How pathetic these people were. A nation of soul engineers—descendants of the Sun Moon Empire—using pills to strengthen their bodies because their martial souls were useless.
Take away their advanced soul tools, and in single combat, in a true war between soul masters, Star Luo would never have lost.
"Only the Douluo Federation would waste massive resources on training those without martial souls," one aristocrat said dryly.
Star Luo might officially be a "federation," but everyone knew nobles hadn't disappeared—they'd only changed their titles.
The upper ranks still absorbed the best soul master and soul beast resources. Ordinary civilians didn't even qualify as people, let alone deserve a seat at the table.
The Douluo officials leading them clenched their fists tightly.
Did these outsiders forget which side lost the last war?
Arrogant foreigners had no respect!
To develop Douluo City, the Federation had concentrated all major laboratories here, invested in new research centers, and made it the heart of progress.
Built upon the foundation of Douluo University, it was now envisioned as the Federation's primary scientific hub.
So yes—most of its inhabitants were ordinary people.
Soul masters' time and mental energy were devoted to cultivation; ordinary citizens advanced society through technology.
The delegation's disdain only deepened.
"Douluo University is just the old Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy under a new name," one muttered.
Dai Yueyan shook his head.
He'd never liked the Sun Moon Academy anyway. They were the ones who'd ruined the Continental Soul Master Tournament system—winning with machines instead of strength.
He could use soul tools himself, but he still despised them.
Because no matter how powerful a tool was, it could never replace true ability. Power that belonged to one's own hands—that was real.
Now that he was one of Shrek's new generation—one of the "Seven Monsters," trained following the tradition of the first Shrek Seven Monsters from twenty thousand years ago—his future might well lead to godhood.
"Honored envoys," said the Federation's host politely, "you must be weary after your voyage. On behalf of the Federal Council, I welcome you. Accommodations have been prepared at the embassy if you wish to rest."
"Good."
In their assigned residence, representatives of Shrek Academy met with Star Luo's officials to discuss the details of the exchange program.
Part of Shrek's responsibility was to assist Star Luo operatives in locating remnants of Tang Sect hidden within the Federation.
Since Tang Sect's headquarters had been destroyed, all contact between its Douluo‑based divisions and Shrek had been severed.
The Federation's tight control over communications made coordination nearly impossible.
This exchange event was their perfect chance to re‑establish contact.
Huang Zhengyang, head of the Star Luo delegation, couldn't help asking, "Was the old Shrek City always this magnificent?"
After seeing Douluo City's skyline, he realized it far surpassed Star Luo's capital.
Towering skyscrapers, sleek air vehicles crisscrossing the sky—it was breathtaking.
But what impressed him most was the ubiquity of spirit souls.
Ordinary citizens had them!
Around the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters, soul spirits roamed the streets like pedestrians—thousands of them, including many ten‑thousand‑year and even a few hundred‑thousand‑year spirit beasts.
How could Star Luo, which lacked such a system, not be envious?
After Shrek's collapse, the Spirit Pagoda had wasted no time expanding, actively promoting soul spirit contracts and encouraging peaceful coexistence between humans and soul beasts.
Now, any soul beast with certification could walk freely alongside humans in Douluo City.
Other than the Extreme North City and Star Dou City, it was the second metropolis where soul beasts and humans lived as equals.
Why only after Shrek's departure?
Simple. They hadn't wanted Shrek to interfere or "confiscate" spirit souls under some righteous‑sounding excuse.
If Shrek dared steal Federation ships, what stopped them from stealing spirit beasts too?
After all, who handled most of the smuggled and stolen spirit souls shipped overseas every year? Everyone knew who.
As for why Star Luo and Heaven Dou never built Spirit Pagoda branches—
It was because Spirit Pagoda refused to repeat Tang Sect's mistake.
Allowing an independent organization to develop strategic weapons and private military forces inside your own borders was already extreme tolerance.
And then to build foreign branches openly? That would be suicide.
What did they think they were—arms dealers?
So no, there was no Spirit Pagoda presence in either Star Luo or Heaven Dou.
Their soul masters still relied on wild beasts or sea spirits for soul rings, while any smuggled spirit souls—without the proper infrastructure—had abysmal compatibility rates.
Only the elite upper class of Star Luo could afford them at all.
Still, Huang Zhengyang admitted it grudgingly—he was jealous.
Perhaps that was why Star Luo had long sought to persuade the Pagoda to build a branch on their continent.
"Rest assured, Your Excellency," Huang Zhengyang said firmly. "The Star Luo Federation stands united with Shrek Academy and Tang Sect as one body and one breath!"
Zhuo Shi smiled, satisfied.
"As it should be."
With enemies before them, unity was survival.
And after all—when Shrek's students had accidentally destroyed the Dragon Valley on Star Luo territory, the Federation had not demanded reparations or accountability.
In fact, they'd even shielded Shrek from criticism by other factions.
Thus, now more than ever—
Shrek Academy, Star Luo Federation, and Tang Sect were branches of the same tree.
(END CHAPTER)
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