It wasn't just Xuan Zi—every powerhouse of Shrek Academy was enraged by the Snow Empress's arrogance.

Their soul power surged uncontrollably, and their furious, hostile gazes shot toward her like blades.

To them, Shrek's ten thousand years of heritage and prestige could not be violated by anyone or any force.

Yet this soul beast dared act so brazenly on Shrek's own grounds—utterly intolerable.

"Hmph!" The Snow Empress snorted coldly. She had never intended peaceful negotiation—her goal was simple: take Huo Yuhao by force.

"Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice!" Her eyes flashed cold as icy-blue light expanded from her, instantly freezing thousands of meters into a domain of ice and snow.

Terrifying cold erupted, driving out all elements but ice.

Within this domain, the temperature plummeted, as if the world was frozen in eternal winter.

"Sigh…" Mu En sighed helplessly. He could never hand over Huo Yuhao.

He had high hopes for Yuhao as a disciple, but more than that, as a member of Shrek, handing him over to a soul beast would destroy the Academy's dignity and trust, built over millennia.

If this precedent were set, Shrek's prestige would be ruined—utterly unacceptable.

"Snow Empress, go back. I will never hand over a student of the Academy!"

Mu En's expression grew grave. A dragon's roar sounded as golden light burst from him, shining like the sun, resisting the tide of cold.

Nine soul rings appeared on his body: two yellow, one purple, three black, three red—a configuration even more luxurious than Du Busi's.

"If you won't hand him over, then you'll die!" The Snow Empress's voice was icy and emotionless.

As she spoke, the air's ice elements boiled, and freezing winds swept the city, intent on freezing it from the continent.

"Shrek Academy, prepare for battle!" Yan Shaozhe shouted, his voice ringing out as a phoenix cry sounded and his soul power erupted. Instantly, he transformed into a radiant Light Phoenix, bathed in warm, bright flames.

The phoenix soared above Shrek City, a barrier of warmth circling to fend off the cold.

At the same time, the other Titled Douluo of the Academy released their martial souls and rings.

The mingled lights and soul power filled the area.

Those below the Titled Douluo level had already retreated—they knew this would be a clash of superpowers, far beyond what they could endure.

Against the Snow Empress, Shrek had no need to hold back. They prepared to join forces, defending the Academy's honor.

"It's started!" Far from Shrek City, Du Busi watched the snowy chaos.

Above Shrek, dark clouds gathered, cold clashing with soul power in a spectacular scene.

He landed on a high hill to watch the upcoming battle with interest.

…

"It's started!"

In distant Hayuan City, Lu Jingming and Herta watched the tense situation unfold through a projection.

Lu Jingming looked surprised that Shrek would choose to fight despite the Snow Empress's terrifying strength.

"If you don't show strength when someone comes to your door, you're useless," Herta said, arms crossed.

"Indeed. It's their home base, after all—Shrek can't back down," Lu Jingming nodded.

Besides defending their dignity, the battle's location on Sea God Island gave Shrek a strong advantage.

"Let's see if Sea God Tang San left any tricks in the Golden Tree!" Lu Jingming smiled subtly, sipping the black tea Herta made for him, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

The Snow Empress attacking Shrek was all within his expectations.

Helping her wasn't just about past-life sentiment; probing Shrek's trump cards was his real aim.

He wanted to see if Tang San had left any tricks in the Golden Tree—after all, as the world's core, it couldn't be replaced easily.

With the Snow Empress's current strength, she might still struggle against a God King's avatar, but Lu Jingming believed she could escape if necessary.

Mobius was ready to assist from the shadows, so he wasn't worried about her safety.

Currently, Tang San was tightly constrained by the God of Destruction and couldn't act boldly.

So, at most, Tang San could send an avatar; as long as the god's true body didn't descend, everything was still in play.

…

"Empress' Sword, Absolute Zero!" The Snow Empress raised her right hand. Instantly, the cold around her surged into a massive ice-blue greatsword.

Carrying a terrifying chill, the sword seemed capable of freezing all creation.

She swung the sword fiercely, sending it slashing towards Mu En and the others.

Wherever the icy sword energy passed, space itself froze, leaving clear icy scars.

"Sigh!" Mu En sighed again, but in the next instant, his eyes became resolute.

Suddenly, Shrek's massive Golden Tree erupted with golden light, a torrent of life energy pouring into Mu En's body.

With this, Mu En's previously hunched body straightened, his wrinkles faded, and his white hair turned black and full of life.

In a flash, the aged Mu En was gone, replaced by a heroic, imposing man whose features closely resembled Bei Bei's.

"Ancestor!"

Within Shrek, Bei Bei looked at the rejuvenated Mu En, feeling a sense of foreboding.

Xu Sanshi stared in shock between Bei Bei and Mu En, not expecting Bei Bei's background to be this strong.

"Old Mu! Why go so far?" Seeing this, Xuan Zi's expression changed to sorrow and worry.

He knew well the price of forcibly restoring Mu En's peak state with the Golden Tree's energy.

Originally, Mu En might have had at least five years left, but after this, he was doomed to die regardless of the outcome.

"To face such a powerful foe in my final battle—no regrets!"

Mu En looked at the frozen sword, eyes full of pride and determination.

His right hand transformed into a golden dragon claw as a deafening dragon roar rang out. A massive golden dragon claw, nearly a hundred meters long, appeared and struck at the ice greatsword.

"Radiant Dragon Claw!"

PS: Bonus Chapter at 100 PS