Chapter 514: Xu Jiawei Seeks an Escape Route
"But as the Emperor of Star Luo, I must declare to my people that our empire will never lose to the Sun Moon Empire in war. This is the only way to keep the people's confidence strong!"
Xu Jiujou remained silent for a moment, struggling to accept the truth.
Deep down, she knew the Star Luo Empire had little chance of victory. Yet, she still hoped her royal brother had a hidden ace, some secret weapon that could assure her that they would defeat the Sun Moon Empire.
But after hearing Xu Jiawei's words, she was filled with disappointment.
Was their defeat truly inevitable?
A cold, damp wind blew through the window, tousling her hair. She reached up to smooth it down as she spoke.
"Over four thousand years ago, under Shrek Academy's leadership, the Three Douluo Empires defeated the Sun Moon Empire and crushed them underfoot. It was a triumph of justice over evil.
But time has turned, and now, even Shrek Academy cannot suppress the Sun Moon Empire's ambitions.
After all, the Sun Moon Empire has undergone a complete transformation compared to four thousand years ago.
If only back then, Shrek Academy had led the three empires to completely destroy the Sun Moon Empire.
I don't know what our ancestors were thinking why didn't they seize their advantage and wipe out that evil empire? If they had, we wouldn't be facing the Sun Moon Empire's threat today."
Xu Jiawei sighed.
"Jiujou, that's just wishful thinking. We have no way of knowing what our ancestors were thinking. We can only focus on the present because we live in the present, not the past."
He paced back and forth, deep in thought, before finally stopping and turning to look at Xu Jiujou.
"By the way, Jiujou, how is the search for an overseas continent progressing? The mission I assigned you what are the results?"
"If we can find another continent beyond the ocean, that could be our escape route.
Even if the Star Luo Empire falls in this war, we could reestablish our nation on another land.
And perhaps one day, we will rise again!"
After all, the Sun Moon Continent itself had once been an overseas land.
There was a chance that other continents still existed in this vast world.
Xu Jiujou hesitated for a moment before answering helplessly.
"Brother, you know the ocean is full of sea soul beasts. Our expeditions haven't been going well. Even our farthest reaching fleet has yet to report any discoveries of a new continent."
Xu Jiawei frowned slightly.
"Do not hesitate to spend gold soul coins or resources. Invest more in our oceanic fleets.
Build better ships and assign more powerful soul masters to the expeditions to ensure their safety.
The situation is growing more tense by the day. The Sun Moon Empire will soon launch its war across the continent.
We must find an escape route if we lose, at least the Star Luo Empire will not be completely wiped out. We can continue our legacy on another continent."
"Understood, Brother. I will arrange it immediately." Xu Jiujou nodded.
Xu Jiawei continued, "There's one more thing within our empire, we must do everything possible to suppress the news that two of Shrek's Super Douluo level elders were killed by Sun Moon powerhouses. We cannot allow public morale to waver. Internal stability is crucial."
Xu Jiujou hesitated. "But Brother, what if we can't suppress the information?"
Xu Jiawei's expression hardened. "Then announce that it's fake news!"
"Understood, Brother!" Xu Jiujou affirmed.
Water Prison
Tang Ya's expression darkened as she stared at the shattered water cages.
Taking a deep breath, she muttered, "It seems someone attacked the water prison and took all the hostages.
The attacker must be extremely powerful otherwise, there wouldn't have been a single disturbance.
I still haven't seen the Zhongli brothers anywhere. They are likely dead."
Her gaze sharpened. "Fourth Elder, immediately send someone to inform the Terrorclaw Soul Engineer Legion stationed here.
Tell them to mobilize all nearby soul engineer legions and lock down Sunrise City. We must capture the enemy!"
As the Blue Silver Saintess, Tang Ya always prioritized the interests of the Holy Spirit Cult.
These hostages were valuable to both the Holy Spirit Cult and the Sun Moon Empire.
One of their main purposes was to lure out Shrek Academy and the Three Douluo Empires' powerhouses.
If Shrek Academy or the Three Empires learned of the hostages' location, they would undoubtedly send people to rescue them.
And when they did, they would walk straight into a trap.
"Understood, Saintess." The Fourth Elder, Nether Thunder Douluo, responded respectfully.
He then turned to the gathered cult members and randomly pointed at one of them.
"You go inform the commander of the Terrorclaw Soul Engineer Legion. Relay the Saintess's orders."
"Yes, Fourth Elder!" The cultist immediately turned and flew toward the legion's base.
In truth, the fastest soul engineer legion previously stationed in Sunrise City was the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion, part of the 'Hand of the Nation' elite forces.
However, they had been redeployed elsewhere, and the Terrorclaw Soul Engineer Legion had taken their place.
The other soul engineer legions stationed nearby would naturally follow the orders of the Terrorclaw Legion one of the most powerful forces within the Hand of the Nation.
Despite her high status, even Tang Ya did not have the authority to command these legions directly.
She needed the Terrorclaw Legion's cooperation.
But in her mind, there was no way they would refuse her request.
After all, the imprisonment of these hostages was a joint effort between the Holy Spirit Cult and the Sun Moon Emperor, Xu Tianran.
As long as the Terrorclaw Legion remained loyal to Xu Tianran, they wouldn't obstruct her efforts.
"We'll start searching for the hostages immediately.
So many people can't simply vanish into thin air.
Not much time has passed since our last inspection of the water prison, so they can't have gone far.
Search the entire city!"
Tang Ya turned and led her forces out of the prison.
Suddenly, they saw a corpse falling from the sky.
Upon closer inspection, the body was clad in a black robe unique to the Holy Spirit Cult.
It was the cultist who had just been sent to notify the Terrorclaw Legion's commander.
A thick scent of blood filled the air, and everyone's expressions changed.
Something was wrong.
At that moment, streaks of green light appeared, sharp as blades, slicing through the air with piercing shrieks.
They shot toward the Fourth Elder and the cult members though notably, they avoided attacking Tang Ya.
"Not good!"
The Fourth Elder and the cultists had not expected an ambush the moment they stepped out of the prison.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Blood splattered.
The cultists had no time to react.
Before they could even scream, the green blades tore through them, leaving behind headless corpses.
As a Rank 93 Titled Douluo, the Fourth Elder had far sharper reflexes than the others.
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