Douluo: I am the True Master

By this time, Ju Zi was already five months pregnant and no longer suited to assist Xu Tianran in handling state affairs. 

Allowing an evil soul master organization to become a national religion was undeniably the act of a tyrant. Even though the organization had provided the Sun Moon Empire with considerable strength, for the common people, such a national religion was worse than none at all—it only deepened their daily suffering. 

With the powerful intervention of Huo Yu'er and the Tian Xing Knights, the elite forces of the Holy Spirit Sect were swiftly dismantled. 

Xu Tianran seized this opportunity to secretly dispatch agents to weaken the sect's influence within the imperial court. 

This move was carried out covertly, as Xu Tianran still viewed Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao—the two Limit Douluos—as the true threat posed by the Holy Spirit Sect. 

Subsequently, Xu Tianran repeatedly probed and sought traces of the two, but they had vanished completely. Realizing that even these two likely abandoned the sect, Xu Tianran grew increasingly bold in his actions. 

Less than a year after the war ended, the once-powerful Holy Spirit Sect—a rising force in the empire—was utterly eradicated. 

Upon hearing the news, the common folk of the Sun Moon Empire, now focused on recovery and rebuilding, celebrated with heartfelt joy. After all, living under the shadow of the murderous Holy Spirit Sect's evil soul masters had sent chills down the spines of any sane person. 

However, rather than fostering greater reverence for Xu Tianran, the populace developed an even deeper respect for the Tian Xing Knights—these virtuous young women who fought not for fame or fortune but to eradicate evil soul masters. 

As a result, the Tian Xing Knights earned a new title: 

The Valkyrie Knights. 

After all, every member of the Tian Xing Knights was a stunning beauty, and their strength reached the pinnacle of the Douluo Continent. Amidst admiration and worship, they ascended to near-divine status, earning the title of "Valkyries" naturally. 

--- 

With the destruction of the evil soul masters' stronghold, those who had been concentrated in the Sun Moon Empire realized they could no longer remain there. They dispersed across every corner of the Douluo Continent. 

However, due to the presence of the Tian Xing Knights, they no longer dared to act so brazenly, becoming even more subdued than during the era of Shrek Academy's dominance.

This did not mean the Tian Xing Knights would let them off the hook. The four women began operating independently, and an increasing number of Tian Xing graduates joined the hunt for evil soul masters. At this point, the evil soul masters became prey for these talented students to earn merit and glory.

--- 

As for the Shrek Surveillance Corps... 

With the growing renown of Tian Xing Academy, fewer and fewer applicants sought admission to Shrek Academy in recent years. 

After all, gaining entry required not only exceptional talent but also a recommendation letter from a city lord—a figure already considered highly influential by most people on the Douluo Continent.

Without personal connections, why would a city lord provide a recommendation? It would require repaying a significant favor or paying a hefty price. With that effort, wouldn't it be better to enroll directly in Tian Xing Academy, which had virtually no barriers to entry? 

Now, Shrek's arrogance had come full circle. The bullet of fate had struck its mark. 

With talented individuals choosing better alternatives, Shrek's Outer Court struggled to attract students. As the student base dwindled, even fewer could advance to the Inner Court. 

And the main members of the Shrek Surveillance Corps were drawn from the Inner Court. 

Though the evil soul masters now acted more discreetly, they remained as ruthless as ever in battle. Xuan Zi, haunted by past experiences, had grown excessively cautious—"Once bitten by a snake, afraid of wells for ten years." 

One day, an Inner Court student approached him with a request. 

"Master Xuan, please assign me a mission to hunt evil soul masters! I want to prove myself!" 

Xuan Zi glanced blearily at the newcomer, a recent addition to Shrek's Inner Court, before closing his eyes and mumbling, 

"What nonsense is this about evil soul masters? There are hardly any left—they've practically all been wiped out by Tian Xing Academy. And you, a mere Soul King, where do you get the audacity to speak so boldly? Do you not know that even some of your senior Soul Emperors have been humiliated by Soul King-level evil soul masters, nearly losing their lives? Instead of wasting time asking me for missions, go train properly and don't throw your life away foolishly." 

With that, Xuan Zi took another swig of alcohol, exuding an aura of complete apathy and resignation. 

The student flushed red with anger! After enduring countless trials to join the Shrek Surveillance Corps, this was what he received in return!? 

What happened to being emissaries of justice? What happened to maintaining peace on the continent? This was all they had to offer?! 

At this moment, a slender jade-like hand rested on the student's shoulder. He instinctively turned his head and was met with a pair of ruby-red eyes that left him momentarily awestruck. 

The newcomer was none other than Ma Xiaotao. Nearly four years had passed since her graduation from the Inner Court, and she was now a 79th-level Soul Sage. 

Ma Xiaotao gently shook her head and led the junior away. 

Having survived life-and-death crises and witnessed the three-year-long war, Ma Xiaotao was no longer the fiery-tempered girl she once was. Bringing the student to a secluded spot, she spoke softly, 

"I understand what you're thinking, but Shrek is no longer what it once was." 

This student was an orphan raised by Shrek Academy and held the academy's honor in the highest regard. Upon hearing Ma Xiaotao's words, he snapped out of the slightly dreamy atmosphere and retorted angrily, 

"But precisely because of that, shouldn't we, as disciples carefully nurtured by Shrek, step forward? Shrek's honor must not be tarnished! We must restore Shrek to its former glory!" 

"Restore Shrek?" Ma Xiaotao murmured to herself before unleashing a surge of intense soul power. 

Fixing a cold gaze on the junior, she said, "Restoring Shrek is a mission every Shrek disciple should shoulder. But what makes you think someone as weak as you has the right to say such things?" 

The overwhelming pressure of her ultimate fire made the student visibly uncomfortable. Instinctively, he activated his martial soul. 

Two yellow rings, two purple rings, and one black ring—a perfect arrangement of soul rings. Yet, in the face of Ma Xiaotao's ultimate fire, they appeared pitifully weak. 

He tried to speak, but Ma Xiaotao cut him off first. 

"Work harder to grow stronger. 

Master Xuan's attitude may indeed be problematic, but battling evil soul masters is no trivial matter. Someone of your cultivation could be instantly killed by any slightly powerful evil soul master." 

Pausing briefly, she continued, 

"Moreover, times have changed. 

Hunting ordinary evil soul masters won't restore Shrek's glory. 

Only by becoming the strongest! Only then can Shrek hope to rise again!" 

With that, Ma Xiaotao retracted her soul power pressure, but her resolute demeanor deeply moved the junior standing before her. 

"I understand, Senior. I will work hard!" the junior declared firmly.

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