Douluo Continent: Copying Ya Li, the Carefree King of the Sun and Moon

There are only a few people left.

Most of the inner court disciples who came with us scattered during the afternoon chaos, and the few who remained didn't make it to the camp. They were stopped halfway by soldiers of the Sun Moon Empire and taken away, and there's been no news of them since.

The once mighty Shrek team has now dwindled to just a few of them, trapped in this small courtyard, with no way to escape.

Beibei suddenly tugged at the corners of her mouth and smiled, a very slight smile, but there was no warmth in her eyes.

He recalled the day he first enrolled, when Elder Mu stood in front of the Sea God Pavilion and told them, "Shrek kids, you have nothing to fear wherever you go."

At that time, he believed it, and everyone believed it, thinking that the name Shrek was the strongest talisman and the most reliable support.

But when they arrived at the Sun and Moon Empire, at Mingdu, at Xu Yanli's territory, those three words were as thin as paper, easily torn apart.

"Stop thinking about it." Xu Sanshi suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse and exhausted, and the fingers that had been tapping his knee finally stopped.

He opened his eyes, glanced at Dai Huabin squatting under the eaves, Ling Luochen sitting, and Bei Bei standing in the courtyard, and said slowly, "There's no use thinking about it. Let's sleep first. We'll talk about tomorrow's problems tomorrow. They won't kill us now."

After saying that, he stood up, dusted off his robes, and turned to walk into the house. His steps were not fast, but steady, and his shadow stretched long and faint in the lamplight, disappearing into the doorway in the blink of an eye.

Dai Huabin looked up at his back, then lowered his head again, continuing to stare at the ant without moving.

Ling Luochen remained seated, without getting up.

Beibei remained standing in the courtyard, gazing into the darkness at the end of the corridor, without uttering a word for a long time.

No one could sleep that night.

On the other side, in the imperial study of the palace, the candlelight was blindingly bright.

Xu Tianran sat behind his desk, with a defense map of the capital city spread out in front of him. The map was covered with dense red dots, marking the positions of the various legions. The four gates, the city walls, the official roads, and even the open spaces outside the city gates were all arranged meticulously without any omissions.

Chapter 176 Keep them here? No way?

Le Zhengyang stood beside him, clad in silver armor and carrying a sword. The lingering warmth of the Six-Winged Holy Angel Martial Soul had not yet dissipated, and a faint golden light surrounded him.

He had just returned from inspecting the south gate. The city's defenses were in good order; not a single sect member had escaped, and all the defenses were functioning properly.

Xiao Dingtian stood on the other side, dressed in black general's heavy armor, his iron-gray hair simply tied back with a metal hairpin, his face cold and hard, his eyes sharp. The Imperial Guard's heavy cavalry had all returned to camp and were ready to be deployed at any time.

Orange stood in the corner, her long orange-red hair tied into a neat ponytail, still clutching the command flag in her hand, not having had time to put it down.

Her long-range soul-guided artillery unit, with all three hundred level-seven soul-guided cannons in position, their muzzles aimed at the official road outside the four gates of Mingdu, was fully stocked with ammunition and ready to fire at a single command.

Huo Yuhao stood beside her, his dark blue military uniform crisp and clean, the silver star epaulettes on his shoulders gleaming in the candlelight. His face was calm, revealing no emotion, but his hand remained on the communication device at his waist, waiting for news from the front lines.

The imperial study was quiet; no one spoke loudly, only the crackling of the candlelight and the occasional rustling of turning pages could be heard.

Xu Tianran put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, rubbed his temples, and asked, "Where is Yan Li?"

"Your Highness is at the Duke of Angels' residence," Yue Zhengyang quickly replied. "The three people are settled there. Your Highness, please go and check on the situation."

Xu Tianran nodded, closed his eyes and remained silent for a moment, then asked, "What do you plan to do with those sects?"

The one who asked the question was Orange, her voice cold and devoid of any emotion.

Xu Tianran didn't open his eyes, his fingers lightly tapping the table: "According to Yan Li, keep them locked up for now and wait for him to make a decision. Don't touch the envoys who originally belonged to the three kingdoms yet, they still have a use. As for the other sects, keep a close watch on those who have done evil, and release those who have no bad records after a few days."

Orange responded and didn't ask any more questions.

The imperial study fell silent again, the candlelight flickering gently, casting long and short shadows of the people present.

Not long after, the door to the Imperial Study was pushed open, and Xu Yanli walked in. He was wearing a moon-white brocade robe, his golden hair was tied back, and he still had a jade fan at his waist, just as he had when he left in the morning. However, there were faint dark circles under his eyes, indicating that he hadn't slept all day.

Everyone bowed in unison. He waved his hand, walked straight to the chair opposite Xu Tianran, sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it all in one gulp.

"How is the situation?" Xu Tianran opened his eyes and looked at him.

"She's alright, she won't die." Xu Yanli put down his teacup and said calmly, "I've suppressed Wang Dong'er's backlash on her soul, she just needs to recover slowly. Da Ming and Er Ming are locked in the dungeon, they're chained and sealed, they can't escape."

Xu Tianran nodded, didn't ask any more questions, picked up his teacup and took a sip. His gaze fell on the defense map, and after a long silence, he finally spoke: "We've detained everyone. Three countries, one hundred and seven sects and forces, not one escaped. As for Shrek Academy, Xuanzi escaped, but the rest are all in our hands."

“Xuanzi?” Xu Yanli raised an eyebrow, his tone completely calm. “Let him run. A level 98 Super Douluo can’t cause any big trouble.”

"What about the envoys who originally belonged to the Three Kingdoms?" he asked again.

"As you instructed, he is only under house arrest, no torture has been used, and he is still in the post station," Orange replied.

Xu Yanli nodded, leaned back in his chair, tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, stared at the ceiling for a while, and suddenly asked, "The people have all been left behind. What should we do next?"

The imperial study fell silent instantly.

Xu Tianran put down his teacup; this was the most troublesome problem.

The fact that the leaders of 107 sects were detained in Mingdu will surely cause an uproar when the news reaches the three kingdoms of Tianhun, Douling, and Xingluo. Xuanzi ran back to Shrek Academy and added fuel to the fire, which will definitely lead to the three kingdoms uniting to pressure the Sun Moon Empire to release them.

If we release them, they'll have no chance to be rounded up again next time.

Killing them would be an open massacre of sect leaders, and the three kingdoms would definitely join forces to start a war. No matter how strong the Sun Moon Empire's military is, a fierce battle is inevitable.

They can't kill him, they can't release him, and keeping him locked up indefinitely isn't a solution either.

Xu Tianran looked at Xu Yanli, and Xu Yanli looked at him as well. The two brothers exchanged a glance, and without saying a word, they both understood each other's thoughts.

"We need to find a legitimate reason," Xu Tianran said first.

“That’s right.” Xu Yanli nodded.

"What's the reason?" Le Zhengyang asked, frowning.

Xu Yanli was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. The smile was faint, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. He slowly uttered three words: "I'm getting married."

The imperial study fell silent instantly.

Xu Tianran's hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air, Huo Yuhao's hand on the communicator stopped, Ju Zi's hand holding the command flag also stopped, Le Zhengyang stood there stunned, and even the usually composed Xiao Dingtian showed a look of astonishment on his face.

Xu Yanli picked up his teacup and took another sip, then slowly added, "You decide on the bride. I'll go to the Demon Forest and hunt down that 870,000-year-old Evil Eye Tyrant Overlord to complete the eighth trial of the God of Destruction. It'll kill two birds with one stone."

After a long silence, Xu Tianran finally came to his senses, put down his teacup, and leaned back in his chair: "Are you trying to use the wedding as an excuse to keep these sect leaders in Mingdu?"

“Yes.” Xu Yanli put down his teacup, his expression becoming serious. “The All-Continent Soul Master Tournament has been suspended midway. The leaders of each sect will remain in Mingdu for the time being, and will return to their respective places after the wedding of the Carefree King. This will be perfectly legitimate and reasonable. Even if they want to leave, they won’t dare to say so. Besides, my wedding is a time of celebration for the whole world. Who would dare to cause trouble at this time?”

Xiao Dingtian frowned and asked, "What if someone insists on leaving?"

"If they insist on leaving, it means they have something to hide." Xu Yanli said calmly, "That's perfect, I don't need to find an excuse to deal with them anymore."

The people in the imperial study looked at each other, quite shocked. But upon closer examination, they realized that the plan was brilliant. It was both reasonable and could silence all dissent, leaving no room for criticism.

Xu Tianran stared at Xu Yanli for a long time before finally sighing helplessly.

He wasn't lamenting the scheme itself, but rather the phrase "you decide on the bride." This guy didn't take his own marriage seriously at all; he was using it all as a bargaining chip.

“Alright, we’ll do it your way.” Xu Tianran immediately made the decision. “I’ll arrange the wedding. You just need to hunt down the Evil Eye Tyrant and complete the eighth test.”

Xu Yanli stood up, patted his robes, and turned to walk out. He suddenly stopped at the door, turned back to look at Xu Tianran, and said, "By the way, brother, don't choose anything too outrageous, or I'll be embarrassed later."

After saying that, he pushed open the door and walked out. The door to the imperial study slowly closed, shutting out the candlelight inside.

Xu Tianran sat behind his desk, staring at the closed door. He remained silent for a while, then suddenly shook his head with a smile: "That kid."

Chapter 177 Inviting the enemy into a trap...

This isn't an insult, it's genuine admiration. He's audacious, even ruthless, capable of orchestrating his own marriage without hesitation.

"Your Majesty, the marriage of the Prince of Xiaoyao..." Orange spoke softly, breaking the silence.

"I will choose personally." Xu Tianran interrupted her, his tone firm, and turned to look at Le Zhengyang, "You know the girls in your clan best, recommend the most suitable one."

Le Zhengyang was taken aback, not expecting Xu Tianran to call on him, but he did not hesitate. After a moment of silence, he solemnly said, "Ye Guyi."

Xu Tianran raised an eyebrow.

“This girl has been with His Highness since she was twelve years old. His Highness saved her life and gave her a place to live,” Le Zhengyang said, word by word. “Her martial soul is the Holy Angel, which is compatible with His Highness’s Sun and Moon Holy Prayer Angel attribute. The compatibility of their martial souls is extremely high. She is pure in nature, not cunning, and will not cause trouble for His Highness. Most importantly, His Highness is the only one in her heart.”

After listening, Xu Tianran nodded: "I have remembered it."

He looked at Huo Yuhao and Ju Zi, and both of their expressions changed slightly.

They all recalled that three years ago, Xu Yanli had asked Xu Tianran to take Ju Zi from the Crown Prince's residence to Xiaoyao Pavilion and accept her as a disciple.

Back then, Ju Zi was just a weak woman; now she is a female general commanding elite troops and controlling the Soul Guidance Cannon unit. They will remember this kindness for the rest of their lives.

"Your Majesty, Sister Ju is older than Your Highness, it's not appropriate," Huo Yuhao advised cautiously.

“I didn’t plan to choose her either.” Xu Tianran leaned back in his chair, speaking casually. “Her personality isn’t suited to be a princess.”

Ju Zi lowered her head and didn't say anything. She glanced at Huo Yuhao and smiled.

Huo Yuhao wanted to say more, but Ju Zi gently tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to stop talking.

The imperial study returned to silence. Xu Tianran did not finalize the selection of a princess on the spot. This matter was not urgent, and the wedding was just a formality.

The main task now is for Xu Yanli to hunt down the 870,000-year-old soul beast, the Evil Eye Tyrant Ruler.

That is the ruler of the Demon Forest, the strongest spirit-type soul beast on the continent, and the second among the ten ferocious beasts, second only to Di Tian.

With 870,000 years of cultivation, he controls the three major powers of spirit, spacetime, and destruction. His domain can cover 30 kilometers, his mental force field can suppress all opponents weaker than him, his more than 80 tentacles can tear space and launch mental piercing, and he also has the ultimate skill Light of Spacetime. Back then, he severely injured Di Tian with a single blow, and it took Di Tian a thousand years to recover.

These are the records from the original work and some of his speculations.

Huo Yuhao opened his mouth, wanting to persuade Xu Yanli to bring more people, but he swallowed the words back.

Given Xu Yanli's current strength, those below the Limit Douluo level would not only be of no help but would become a burden if they went with him.

So Xu Yanli didn't bring anyone with him.

It wasn't that no one wanted to join; he simply stopped them all.

Gu Yuena wanted to go with him, but he refused. The Silver Dragon King had to stay in Mingdu to keep order.

Le Zhengyang wanted to go with them, but he was stopped by him. The Angel Legion needed the Limit Douluo to be in charge.

Long Xiaoyao wanted to go with her, but was also rejected. He had just reunited with Ye Xishui and didn't want to separate the two of them.

But in the end, Long Xiaoyao still followed.

No one can stop the determination of the Limit Douluo, and he does need a helper. The time when a Soul Master is receiving Soul Rings is the most vulnerable time, and he is no exception.

It wasn't that she was worried Xu Yanli couldn't beat him, it's just that after following him for seven years, it had become a habit that she couldn't break.

The Demon Forest is located in the far west of the Sun Moon Empire, three thousand miles away. At the speed of a Limit Douluo, it only takes half a day to reach it.

The further west you go, the fewer cities there are and the fewer people there are. After passing the last border town, all that remains at your feet are continuous mountain ranges and dense forests that block out the sky.

Xu Yanli hovered high in the sky, looking down at the vast forest. The dark green canopy was layered upon layered, like a bottomless dark green sea. The wind blew and the forest waves surged, but not a sound could reach the sky.