Hearing this, the expressions of several Inner Courtyard Disciples quickly calmed down.
For a Spirit Master to improve their cultivation, they must hunt Spirit Beasts to obtain spirit rings. The conflict between Spirit Beasts and Spirit Masters has a long history, not to mention that this Spirit Beast's cultivation had surpassed 200,000 years. How could it willingly cooperate?
Being able to become an Inner Courtyard Disciple, their ability to adjust their mindset was naturally not too bad, and they soon stopped overthinking.
As for Wang Yan, he hadn't had many thoughts after his initial surprise. He knew his talent was ordinary and had long since stopped caring much about cultivation.
"Alright, let's keep this item in the Sea God Pavilion for now. After all, it's a Spirit Beast with over 200,000 years of cultivation. If anything goes wrong, only the Sea God Pavilion has the ability to suppress it. The Soul Guidance System can come here to research this Rank 9 spirit tool."
After Mu En finished speaking, he remained silent. Xuan Zi nodded at this, then looked towards the Inner Courtyard Disciples.
"You all worked hard this time, Wang Yan."
"Yes, Elder Xuan," Wang Yan bowed slightly.
"Your qualifications were already sufficient, and this Soul Duel Tournament can be considered your promotion assessment. Once you graduate from the Outer Courtyard with this class, you can come to the Inner Courtyard to teach."
"Yes," Wang Yan nodded, somewhat excited by the news.
"As for all other Inner Courtyard Disciples, starting now, the Academy will bestow upon you the title of 'Shrek Seven Devils' until the end of the next Soul Duel Tournament. As for the Spirit Bones and gold coins you brought back from the Star Luo Empire, you can divide them among yourselves after you leave."
The seven of them were all main Disciples, so winning as expected wouldn't come with too many rewards. Most of the benefits they received had already been granted before they participated in the Soul Duel Tournament. After all, from the moment they were selected as preliminary team members, the treatment they enjoyed was already far beyond what ordinary Disciples could compare to.
Even for the other Inner Courtyard Disciples besides Wang Nan, the title "Shrek Seven Devils" was already the greatest reward.
"Alright, you are all Inner Courtyard Disciples. You all know the rules of the Sea God Pavilion. After you leave, you must not mention this to anyone else. Go back and rest."
"Yes," Wang Nan and the others responded in unison, then stepped forward to temporarily put away the Spirit Bones.
Watching Wang Nan and the others leave, Mu En slowly spoke.
"How did those Outer Courtyard Disciples perform?"
"The older students performed adequately. Among the three little ones with twin spirits, only the one named Huo Yuhao performed slightly better."
"And Xiaotao, how is Xiaotao?"
"As expected of the Ultimate Phoenix, her strength and cultivation are top-notch, but her attacks are a bit too hasty."
"Is that so?" Mu En sighed deeply. "Xuan Zi, my time is running out."
"Elder Mu, you—"
Mu En raised his hand to interrupt Xuan Zi. "When cultivation reaches our Rank, one's physical condition is already very clear. I only have one year left."
"I asked you to agree to the Star Luo Empire's proposal not just for this Spirit Beast. In a year, the Holy Spirit Cult will inevitably make a move, and on the Douluo Continent, there must be an organization that can resist it. Our Shrek people are still too few."
Mu En looked up slightly, recalling that night many years ago.
That night, Long Xiaoyao, his good friend from his youth, came to Shrek Academy with Feng Ling. With his strength, he could have used the power of the Golden Ancient Tree to keep Long Xiaoyao.
However, after exchanging blows with Long Xiaoyao, he did not sense the power of an Evil Soul Master on him. In the end, he let Long Xiaoyao leave and entrusted him with another matter.
Mu En came back to his senses and continued, "In a year, let those two children, Le Xuan and Xiaotao, enter the Sea God Pavilion early. Once Le Xuan's spirit power Rank surpasses Rank 95, let her succeed as the Sea God Pavilion Master."
"But Xiaotao's Spirit is already the Ultimate Phoenix. Wouldn't it be more suitable for her to take over?"
Mu En shook his head. "Her strength is indeed sufficient, but leading Shrek Academy requires more than just strength."
"The closer it gets to this time, the more I can feel something even more mysterious. The appearance of three twin spirits at Shrek is already unusual, and the Continent will usher in a major change. That child Xiaotao's personality is still a bit unstable."
"Not just her, if Shao Zhe doesn't make more changes in the coming year, then he will be relieved of his position as the Martial Soul Department Dean."
As Mu En spoke, a person came to his mind. A young yet steady temperament, a vision not belonging to his age, and superior strength and talent. Such a person was the most suitable in his mind to become the Sea God Pavilion Master, but... alas.
Mu En spoke to Xuan Zi about many things as if he were giving his last wishes, only mentioning another name at the very end, "That Outer Courtyard child is called Huo Yuhao, right? Bring him to Sea God Island for me to see."
...
Wang Nan and the others descended from the mountain peak where the Sea God Pavilion was located. Wang Yan stopped and looked at everyone. "Alright, I should return to the Outer Courtyard now. You all have worked hard this month. Go back and rest early."
Not long after Wang Yan left, Wang Nan felt several gazes fall upon him.
Although they were all Inner Courtyard Disciples, Spirit Bones were still rare for them. Wang Nan didn't keep them in suspense and directly took out several Spirit Bones there.
"I don't need this. I'm different from you. I'm a Soul Master, and I can't really use the abilities of these Spirit Bones," Ye Xiaosheng glanced at them and spoke first.
Everyone else's gazes fell on Wang Nan, Ma Xiaotao, and Dai Yueheng. Although they participated in the Soul Duel Tournament together, the three of them undoubtedly contributed the most to the competition.
"I can't use them either," Wang Nan shook his head.
He already had a Right Arm Bone. Of these three Spirit Bones, the only ones he could absorb were the Skull and the Right Leg Bone. The ability provided by the Right Leg Bone was not as good as his first Spirit Ability, and the Skull only had a Spirit Ability that assisted in improving mental force. Although it was a rare Skull, its ability was somewhat of a 'chicken rib' for Wang Nan.
As for Dai Yueheng and Ma Xiaotao, their situations were somewhat similar to Wang Nan's, as some parts of their bodies already had Spirit Bones.
Finally, after some discussion, the Right Arm Bone, Right Leg Bone, and Skull were taken by Ma Xiaotao, Xi Xi, and Gongyang Mo, respectively. As for the gold coins, they were equally divided among those who did not receive Spirit Bones.
Returning to his dormitory, Wang Nan took out a carving knife from his embrace, resembling a cyan crystal. A rich vitality emanated from it, continuously, albeit faintly, washing over his body.
For him, the 250,000 gold coins he ultimately received were secondary. In comparison, this carving knife was the greatest gain.