"Elder Mu, you truly are brilliant!"
Elder Zhuang gave Mu En a thumbs-up as he spoke, and the other elders echoed their agreement one after another.
Expelling Xuanzi from Shrek Academy but not from the Sea God Pavilion—this shut the mouths of the outside world while also protecting Xuanzi. It was truly killing two birds with one stone.
In fact, if not for the concern over Shrek Academy's reputation, most of these elders wouldn't even care about public opinion.
After all, would a dragon care what a swarm of ants thought?Most likely not.
"Huh? I don't have to leave?"
Upon hearing this, Xuanzi instantly felt re-energized, the gloom in his heart swept away.
"Thank you, Elder Mu. I'll just stay here in the Sea God Pavilion as a humble bystander, acting as Shrek Academy's guardian in the shadows."
"Hmm… just don't cause trouble in the future."
Hearing Xuanzi's promise, Mu En's heart still gave an uneasy thump. He had truly been traumatized by Xuanzi's unreliability.
"Teacher, news just arrived from the Star Luo Empire—they say the champion of this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament might not be Shrek Academy."
Yan Shaozhe hesitated for a moment but still spoke.
"It's fine. If our skills aren't as good as others, we'll simply train harder."
"Some things, if they can't be held onto, might as well be let go. Perhaps that will free us from our shackles and breathe new life into Shrek Academy."
Mu En spoke softly, a trace of release flashing in his eyes.
They had fought for this glory for far too long, to the point where they had even become slaves to it.
On the faces of the other elders, there was more or less a touch of discomfort. After all, in their youth, they too had once fought hard for that very glory.
They had never thought it would break here.
And now that it had… it didn't sit well with them at all.
"All right, if there's nothing else, let's conclude this Sea God Pavilion meeting here. Shaozhe, stay behind."
Mu En spoke, his gaze sweeping over Yan Shaozhe.
"Yes, Elder Mu."
As an Ultimate Douluo, Mu En's word carried enormous weight within the Sea God Pavilion.
"Elder Mu, I…"
Xuanzi looked at Mu En, conflicted.
"Xuanzi, do you have something else to say?"
"No, nothing."
Seeing Mu En's aged appearance, a sudden pang struck Xuanzi's heart. He immediately changed his words and left the Sea God Pavilion together with the other elders.
In truth, he had wanted to tell Mu En that something had felt off about his own body during the match. But seeing how burdened Mu En already looked, he chose to keep it to himself, not wishing to cause more trouble.
But he did not know—leaving without speaking would become a lifelong regret.
"Teacher, what did you want to speak with me about?"
Once the Sea God Pavilion was left with only two people, Yan Shaozhe stepped lightly to Mu En's side and asked.
"Xiao Tao's martial soul has undergone a complete mutation—it won't return to what it was."
A trace of pain flickered in Mu En's clouded eyes.
"There's truly no way?"
Yan Shaozhe staggered slightly, finding it hard to believe.
Ma Xiaotao was practically raised under his watch. Though a disciple in name, she had long since been like a daughter to him.
"Foolish!"
"There are no evil soul masters in Shrek Academy!"
"Xiao Tao's martial soul merely gained an additional dark attribute!"
Seeing Yan Shaozhe dazed, Mu En barked in a low voice, angered by his unsteady mindset.
"Ah? Teacher, is that… really okay?"
Yan Shaozhe was stunned.
"Xiao Tao hasn't killed anyone, so how could she be called an evil soul master? Besides, Shrek Academy isn't some helpless bunch."
"And Shrek Academy is the largest monitor of evil soul masters on the continent. Who would dare report us?"
"That's right! You truly are wise, Teacher!"
The more Yan Shaozhe listened, the steadier he felt inside.
Yes—Shrek Academy was the embodiment of justice. Who below would dare file charges against their own judge?
"Furthermore, I've observed the dark energy in Xiao Tao's body—it's already stabilized. The evil fire she accumulated is now controllable, and even her fire attribute has advanced to the next level. This might not be a crisis at all—it could be an opportunity."
Yan Shaozhe nodded slightly as he listened to his teacher's words.
"By the way, how are our talks with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy going?"
"Still in negotiation…"
"This must be done well. Soul tools are the trend of the era—we cannot fall behind any further. Once Yuhao returns, the Extreme Single-Soldier Project should begin preparations as well."
"But, Teacher, are soul tools really that powerful?"
Mu En looked at his disciple and spoke solemnly.
"They are! The Sun Moon Empire already has soul tools capable of threatening even me."
"What!"
Yan Shaozhe cried out in shock, his mood unable to calm for a long time.
…
Demonic Forest, Holy Spirit Cult Headquarters.
"Those bastards from the Body Sect actually dared to steal from under my nose!"
"We've always taken from others—when have others ever taken from us?!"
In the great hall, Zhongli Wu's fury raged like a storm, his terrifying aura sweeping across the surroundings.
His precious disciple had been snatched away—how could he not be furious!
"Exactly, I think Shrek Academy is asking for death as well!"
"That old bastard Xuanzi actually dared to ambush the Holy Son, I swear I'll ****%@#—"
The Masked Douluo sat off to the side, emotions running high, cursing aloud without restraint.
His Holy Son, whom he revered as a divine being, had been ambushed and then abducted—wasn't that cutting off his own path forward?!
"Excellent, a true general,"
Beside him, the Nether Thunder Douluo glanced at the Masked Douluo, secretly pleased. This guy was voicing every thought he himself wanted to say—truly the strongest mouthpiece!
After receiving the news, Zhongli Wu had gathered the elders of the sect to discuss matters.
"Cult Master, just give the word—I, Masked, will be the first to charge!"
The Masked Douluo looked at Zhongli Wu, his face utterly serious, no hint of pretense.
"This Masked fellow is becoming more and more tactful,"
Zhongli Wu glanced at the Masked Douluo, feeling more and more satisfied with him. As a leader, what he needed were exactly these cooperative subordinates.
"Good! Then this Cult Master hereby decrees: once Elder Long returns, we will send troops to the Body Sect and wipe it out!"
"Wait, wait!"
At that moment, a voice came from outside the great hall.
Immediately after, the hall doors swung open.
The newcomer was none other than Zhang Peng, covered in dust from travel.
"Wait, Cult Master, I have news to report!"
Zhang Peng looked at the crowd in the hall, their blood boiling, and quickly strode up to Zhongli Wu, taking out a letter and handing it to him.
"Hm? What's this?"
Zhongli Wu looked at the envelope in his hand and asked.
Zhang Peng used soul power to transmit a message directly. After hearing it, a flicker of surprise crossed Zhongli Wu's face.
Opening the envelope, Zhongli Wu's expression first turned heavy, then puzzled, and finally he let out a long sigh.
"Masked, pass down the order—tell the men to prepare."
"Cult Master, are we attacking the Body Sect?"
The Masked Douluo's face lit up as he asked.
"No. We're going to Shrek Academy."
Zhongli Wu's eyes glinted darkly as he spoke.
(End of Chapter)