Chapter 281: The Star Dou Fierce Beasts Collect Their Debt, Shrek Suffers Heavy Losses
After the dust settled, Mu En's figure gradually emerged from the massive crater.
At this moment, his condition was extremely poor. He was coughing up a mouthful of blood. His already stooped back bent even further, and his body was covered in blood.
Di Tian descended from the sky, landing before Mu En and looking down at him with utter disdain.
"Mu En, choose. Repay the debt or forfeit your life."
"Don't say I didn't warn you. If you and Xuan Zi, Shrek's two greatest trump cards, both die here today, you know better than anyone what kind of impact that will have on Shrek."
"You wouldn't want Shrek's legacy to disappear just like that, would you?"
Every word Di Tian spoke carried a blatant tone of coercion.
After hearing Di Tian's threat, Mu En's body trembled violently, and his mind had never been clearer.
"Di Tian... Shrek Academy will repay the debt."
At this point, no matter what Di Tian demanded, he had no choice but to agree.
Otherwise, he, Xuan Zi, and Yan Shaozhe would never leave the Star Dou Great Forest alive today.
Looking at Di Tian, Mu En's heart was filled with confusion.
Why had the Beast God of the Star Dou Great Forest suddenly become so fearless?
In the past, Di Tian had always adhered to the principle of avoiding conflict with Shrek.
Mu En had once speculated that Di Tian feared the Sea God standing behind Shrek.
But now, Di Tian had completely lost all reverence toward the gods, causing Mu En to lose control of the entire situation.
"Good. Mu En, I always keep my word. As long as you repay the debt, I'll let all of you leave the Star Dou Great Forest."
After giving Mu En his promise,
Di Tian raised his eyes toward the group of fierce beasts in the distance that were still mercilessly beating Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe.
"Everyone, stop."
Hearing his order, the fierce beasts reluctantly threw Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe onto the ground.
The two staggered to their feet before making their way to Mu En's side.
"Elder Mu, are you alright?"
Although both of them were already covered in wounds, Mu En's safety still mattered more than anything else in their hearts.
"My life... is nearing its end."
Mu En calmly revealed his condition.
Had he not fought Di Tian, he might have lived for several more years.
But now, he could hold on for only a few more months at most.
Unless he encountered an extraordinary heaven-defying opportunity capable of changing his fate, his death was inevitable.
Upon learning of Mu En's condition, both Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe fell silent.
The news was simply too devastating for them.
"Enough. Don't be sad. Think about returning to Shrek first."
Mu En comforted the two of them.
Then he turned his gaze back toward Di Tian.
"Di Tian, what are your demands?"
Mu En had already prepared himself to be thoroughly extorted.
"Sixty percent of Shrek's resources."
Hearing that, Mu En's heart trembled, but he soon calmed himself.
Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe, however, flushed with anger. They were deeply dissatisfied with Di Tian's enormous appetite, yet they could do nothing about it.
But that was not the end.
Di Tian stared directly at Mu En.
"Mu En, I know you still possess a treasure that belongs to our Dragon Clan."
Hearing those words, Mu En's heart skipped a beat. The thing he had least wanted to happen had finally come to pass.
"Our Dragon Clan's Dragon Core should be returned to us. It was never something you were meant to possess."
Di Tian spoke in a threatening tone.
Originally, he had known nothing about the Dragon Core. It was Zi Ji from the other timeline who had informed him.
Now that he knew, Di Tian naturally intended to reclaim what rightfully belonged to the Dragon Clan.
No one knew how much time had passed.
Mu En let out a long sigh and looked at Di Tian with his cloudy eyes.
"Di Tian, I agree to every one of your demands."
As soon as he finished speaking, Mu En took out the Dragon Core that he had always kept with him, now devoid of any baleful aura, and used his soul power to send it over to Di Tian.
Originally, he had intended to leave this Dragon Core to his successor, or perhaps give it to Xuan Zi, allowing him the chance to break through to the level of a Limit Douluo and better protect Shrek Academy.
But now, that hope has been completely shattered.
At the same time, he was filled with confusion. How exactly had Di Tian learned that he possessed a Dragon Core?
He had never told anyone about it.
Di Tian accepted the Dragon Core and put it away.
"Now that you've handed over the Dragon Core, tell that pig-headed fellow to go back and fetch the resources."
After obtaining the Dragon Core, Di Tian gave Mu En another instruction.
Then, as if he had suddenly thought of something, his gaze locked firmly onto Yan Shaozhe.
"And one more thing, you pig-head. Let me remind you. Don't even think about trying to fool me. If I discover that you've withheld even the slightest amount, don't blame me for keeping Mu En and Xuan Zi in the Star Dou Great Forest forever."
The moment Yan Shaozhe heard those words, the tiny thought of taking a chance vanished completely.
Since it concerned his teacher, Mu En, he did not dare gamble.
He immediately set off again, leaving the Star Dou Great Forest and heading back toward Shrek Academy.
After returning to Shrek Academy,
Yan Shaozhe convened a meeting of the Sea God Pavilion and recounted everything that had happened in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Since Mu En and Xuan Zi's lives were at stake, no matter how unwilling the elders of the Sea God Pavilion were, they could only swallow their humiliation and do everything they could to gather the required resources.
Once the resources had been prepared, they packed everything into a storage soul tool.
Yan Shaozhe then took the resources and rushed back toward the Star Dou Great Forest at top speed.
Star Dou Great Forest.
Di Tian accepted the storage soul tool handed over by Yan Shaozhe.
Sweeping it with his divine sense, a trace of surprise flashed across Di Tian's eyes when he saw sixty percent of Shrek Academy's resources.
Shrek's foundation was even deeper than he had imagined.
"Alright, you may leave now."
Having obtained both the resources and the Dragon Core, Di Tian honored his promise and released Mu En, Xuan Zi, and Yan Shaozhe.
The next moment, the three disappeared from where they stood.
Some time later, when the heavily injured Mu En, Xuan Zi, and Yan Shaozhe returned to Shrek Academy, thinking about the price they had paid during this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, even Mu En, a Limit Douluo who had lived for nearly two hundred years, could not stop tears from flowing.
"To all the predecessors of Shrek, I, Mu En, have failed you. I was unable to protect Shrek Academy."
After silently repenting in his heart, Mu En quickly composed himself.
"Shaozhe, convene a meeting of the Sea God Pavilion."
Right now, the most important thing is ensuring that Shrek's legacy continues.
More than ten minutes later, inside the Sea God Pavilion,
Mu En sat in the seat of honor, his gaze sweeping across the elders seated below.
"Everyone, I don't have much time left. At most, I can hold on for a few more months."
"I now have three matters to announce."
"First, after my death, Xuan Zi will succeed me as the Master of the Sea God Pavilion."
At this point, Mu En looked toward Xuan Zi with unprecedented seriousness.
"Xuan Zi, after becoming the Master of the Sea God Pavilion, what you must do is keep a low profile. Do not be rash or belligerent. Lead Shrek Academy well and ensure that its legacy continues."
"Elder Mu, I understand."
Xuan Zi replied.
Although Mu En had received Xuan Zi's promise, he knew Xuan Zi's temperament all too well.
He could only pray that whenever Xuan Zi caused trouble in the future, he would remember the words spoken to him today.
End of Chapter
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