As a former top student of Shrek Academy, Dai Hao naturally knew Xuan Zi.
The Duchess of White Tiger, on the other hand, looked around, searching for her two sons in the crowd.
Even if just one appeared, it would bring her much comfort.
But neither Dai Huabin nor Dai Yaoheng were among the crowd, which struck the Duchess of White Tiger like a thunderbolt, leaving her standing there in shock.
She looked around again. Xuan Zi frowned, while Yan Shaoze and Cai Mei'er lowered their heads, as if too ashamed to face anyone.
Neither Dai Hao nor the Duchess of White Tiger were fools. Seeing this situation, they already had an answer in their hearts.
"No, it can't be. My son Huabin has the potential to become a Titled Douluo, and my son Yaoheng is exceptionally talented, one of the current Shrek Seven Monsters..."
"Both are protected by our ancestors. There's no way anything could have happened to them!"
The Duchess of White Tiger murmured.
After saying this, she stared intently at Xuan Zi, fearing that he might say something he shouldn't.
With a "thud," Xuan Zi knelt directly before Dai Hao and the Duchess of White Tiger.
This act made both Dai Hao and the Duchess feel their hearts turn cold.
Yan Shaoze and Cai Mei'er exchanged a glance but lowered their heads without saying a word.
This matter had nothing to do with them; it was Elder Xuan's problem.
The Duke of White Tiger held a high position and had been "loyal" to Shrek Academy, so he deserved this gesture from Elder Xuan.
The students, seeing this, opened their mouths slightly, wanting to speak but hesitating.
This was Elder Xuan, the second most powerful figure after Mu Lao. His attitude of admitting fault was truly impeccable.
"It is I who have wronged you..."
Xuan Zi kowtowed three times to Dai Hao and the Duchess of White Tiger, his head buried on the ground, not lifting it.
Dai Hao and the Duchess trembled, both nearly losing their balance and falling to the ground.
"Xuan... Elder Xuan, what exactly happened?"
Dai Hao, still composed, held back his wife, who was about to lash out, and asked.
"This is what happened..."
Xuan Zi recounted the events without embellishment, telling the story in its entirety.
This matter truly wasn't his fault!
Even if Mu Lao had been present, he not have been able to save everyone.
After hearing Xuan Zi's account, Dai Hao and his wife's legs gave out, and they collapsed to the ground.
Their youngest son's body was nowhere to be found, and their eldest son was severely injured, having lost a leg. How could this be?
"Ah... you old fool, give me back my son's life!!"
The Duchess of White Tiger was in a frenzy, as if she had mastered the Nether White Tiger Claw, and lunged at Xuan Zi.
Seeing this, Xuan Zi neither dodged nor avoided. This... this was what he deserved!
If his death could resolve this matter, he would not hesitate to die.
But... but he couldn't!
With a "slap," the Duchess of White Tiger paused, covering her face in disbelief as she looked at Dai Hao.
"Dai Hao, you hit me?"
"How can this be blamed on Elder Xuan!"
Dai Hao's face was filled with sorrow. His heart ached just as much, but the incident had already happened. Would killing Elder Xuan bring Dai Huabin and Dai Yaoheng back safely?
"How can it not be blamed on him? It was just a Soul King-level evil soul master. He could have easily suppressed it, so why did he let my sons go through this trial?"
"These old folks hide behind the scenes, calling it a trial, but how many talented youths have they killed?"
"If they graduate, it's because Shrek Academy is capable. If they don't, it's because these kids weren't good enough."
"Every student who enters Shrek Academy is a prodigy, isn't that so?"
This was the truth, and everyone knew it.
Sending children to Shrek Academy was just a way to "gild" them.
Geniuses are geniuses wherever they go.
But for the Duchess of White Tiger to say it outright, where did that leave Shrek Academy's reputation?
Everyone stared at the Duchess of White Tiger, as if they wished they could devour her alive.
You could scold Xuan Zi, or even others, but you couldn't insult Shrek Academy!
Dai Hao fell silent. How could he not know this truth?
"Elder Xuan, and everyone else, she's just overwhelmed by this blow and is speaking nonsense. Please don't take it to heart."
"Hmph, Dai Hao! At a time like this, you're still defending Shrek Academy. You're no man at all!"
"I must have been blind to have fallen for a coward like you who only knows how to hit women!"
The Duchess of White Tiger flung her hand and walked out the door.
"Dai Hao, you'll regret this!"
"Outrageous, I am the Duke of White Tiger!"
Everyone: "..."
The Duchess of White Tiger glanced back at Dai Hao. She regretted it, truly regretted it.
Those were her sons, and her heart ached.
This Dai Hao was no father...
After the Duchess of White Tiger left, everyone fell into silence, and no one spoke for a long time.
After a while, Dai Hao finally snapped out of it and noticed that Xuan Zi was still kneeling. He personally helped Xuan Zi up.
"Elder Xuan, this matter isn't your fault. It was fate..."
After Dai Hao said this, Xuan Zi, Yan Shaoze, and Cai Mei'er's expressions changed. This... this really wasn't fate!
"Dai Hao, don't talk nonsense. This isn't fate..."
Xuan Zi quickly waved his hand and said.
"???"
Dai Hao was utterly confused. He was trying to shift the blame for Xuan Zi and Shrek Academy. If it wasn't fate, then what was it?
Could it really be that his sons deserved to die?
"Dai Hao, you don't understand..."
Xuan Zi explained the words of the world's consciousness, leaving Dai Hao stunned and bewildered.
The heavens weren't willing to take the blame for this!
It was Shrek's arrogance that harmed them, their refusal to use soul tools that harmed them, and Shrek's education system that was at fault, not fate...
Dai Hao's legs gave out, and he knelt on the ground.
"Heavens, Dai Hao's words were spoken without thought. Please do not be angered!"
After saying this, Dai Hao kowtowed several times to the air.
After a while, when Dai Hao received no response from the heavens, he stood up.
"Elder Xuan, is there still hope for Yaoheng?"
Dai Huabin's body was nowhere to be found, but Dai Yaoheng was still alive, though severely injured and not dead.
"Yaoheng has already received the best treatment. However, his leg... there's nothing we can do."
"In this world, only two people, or rather, two gods, can save Yaoheng..."
"Sea God Tang San..."
When mentioning Tang San, Xuan Zi's expression wasn't pleasant. Tang San had stolen the power of the entire Douluo Continent, a true hypocrite who had deceived generations of Sea God Pavilion masters.
"The other is the Martial God. Reattaching a severed limb is something the Martial God should be able to do."
Hearing this, Dai Hao nodded thoughtfully.
What humans cannot do, gods can.
In today's Douluo Continent, gods do exist!
"No matter how difficult it is, I will beg the Martial God…"