Upon seeing that Xu Tianxi did not engage in reminiscing with Zhang Lexuan but instead directed a question at him, Yan Shaozhe was slightly taken aback. Nevertheless, he quickly nodded and responded in as gentle a tone as possible:
"That's correct. I am Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the Martial Soul Department at Shrek Academy. I once guided your mother's cultivation. I deeply regret what happened to her and offer my sincere apologies."
Kong Xiyue had been Zhang Lexuan's senior sister in Shrek's inner court. Although she didn't continue to shine within Shrek, marrying the Sect Master of the Xuanming Sect to strengthen ties between Shrek and Xuanming was a commendable decision.
Shrek, renowned as the foremost sanctuary for soul masters, has always prioritized maintaining relationships with top aristocratic families and secluded sects across the three nations of the Douluo Continent, such as the White Tiger Duke's estate in the Star Luo Empire and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the Heaven Soul Empire.
While the bond between Xuanming Sect and Shrek wasn't as intimate as with the aforementioned families, it remained significant. No one would underestimate a secluded sect capable of mass-producing Xuan Shui Pills and possessing a martial soul lineage comparable to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Moreover, Kong Xiyue had been sent to Shrek by the very Xuanming elder present. They hadn't harbored high hopes for her to enter the sacred Sea God Pavilion; contributing to Shrek's strength from within Xuanming Sect was already satisfactory.
Now that Kong Xiyue had met with misfortune, although displeased with the gossip spread by Xuanming's subordinates, he wouldn't stoop to quarreling with a child.
Xu Tianxi, unaware of Yan Shaozhe's internal deliberations, noticed the acknowledgment of identity. He composed himself, bit his lip, and continued in a sorrowful tone:
"Dean Yan, may I ask why my mother encountered an accident in the Star Dou Great Forest? Where were you all at that time? Why wasn't she and her companions protected?"
As his words fell, a sharp glint flashed in the aged, yellowed eyes of the Xuanming elder, who stared intently at Yan Shaozhe, as if trying to discern something from his expression.
Zhang Lexuan ceased her sobbing, gripping Xu Tianxi's hand more tightly.
"This..."
Yan Shaozhe was momentarily speechless. He couldn't possibly admit that Elder Xuan, driven by a sudden craving, had separated from the inner court disciples, who then, by unfortunate coincidence, encountered a ten-thousand-year soul beast with a murderous nature, leading to an imminent battle.
By the time Elder Xuan had satiated his hunger and returned to find the disciples, he was shocked to discover that only four out of twelve remained, barely clinging to life. He could only collect the remnants and return to the academy.
Revealing such details would tarnish Shrek's image and validate the wild rumors spread by that loquacious subordinate. After all, Elder Xuan hadn't acted with malice...
Quickly organizing his thoughts, Yan Shaozhe responded, meeting Xu Tianxi's gaze:
"The situation at the time was quite complex. Our Shrek Academy's experts were momentarily preoccupied with other matters and couldn't immediately safeguard your mother and her group, leading to the unfortunate incident."
"However, I can assure you that your mother and her companions' sacrifice in the Star Dou Great Forest was of the highest honor. Their deaths were not in vain and upheld the dignity and glory of Shrek Academy's inner court disciples."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Lexuan's eye twitched, a hint of anger rising on her fair cheeks, only to be quickly suppressed, not wanting Xu Tianxi to notice.
What could be done? The negligent academy expert was Elder Xuan, destined to inherit the position of Sea God Pavilion Master.
Even though she witnessed many companions' tragic deaths and saw Sister Xiyue, who could have survived, perish protecting her and others, and even though she resented Elder Xuan's inaction, what could she do?
No matter how high her talent, she hadn't yet matured, and her value to the academy paled compared to Elder Xuan, the continent's second-strongest individual.
She had even been compelled, under Dean Yan's and Elder Mu's requests, to plead with Elder Xuan not to shirk responsibility and leave...
If she hadn't stepped forward, she might have been safe, but what about the other companions...
There was no choice. This pain would remain forever buried in her heart, never to be revealed.
After Yan Shaozhe finished speaking, the Xuanming elder waved his hand, and Chen Wu and Elder Yue were instantly enveloped in a black light, disappearing from the room.
Both Yan Shaozhe and Zhang Lexuan, being formidable in strength, immediately sensed that the two had been teleported a hundred meters away, their expressions shifting.
The Xuanming elder, Xu Xiaoyun, smiled at Yan Shaozhe's surprised expression and said:
"This matter is of great importance; it's best that only we are privy to it, to prevent them from saying anything inappropriate... Don't be alarmed; it's merely a minor soul skill of mine."
Yan Shaozhe's grim expression eased considerably, replaced by a solemn demeanor. He smiled and said:
"Senior Xu, you're too kind. I've come on behalf of my teacher to apologize to you. Indeed, in this matter, our Shrek Academy has wronged your esteemed sect and you, Senior Xu."
No wonder his teacher had warned him not to underestimate the Xuanming Sect and to treat this elder with utmost respect. To be able to teleport individuals without their awareness indicated formidable strength, likely on par with Elder Song, a Level 97 powerhouse.
Xu Xiaoyun let out two cold snorts without further comment, his emotions unreadable. He then sat beside Xu Tianxi on a peachwood chair, retrieved two jet-black, glossy pills, and flicked them into Xu Tianxi's and Zhang Lexuan's mouths.
"These are Xuanwu Divine Pills I've personally concocted. You two frail youngsters should replenish yourselves."
"Xiao Tianxi, speak freely about what's on your mind. Your grandmaster is here."
As he swallowed the pill, Xu Tianxi heard a voice of encouragement in his ear. His eyes lit up, and he looked up, locking eyes with Yan Shaozhe, and asked word by word:
"Dean Yan, I've heard that Shrek Academy's experts are among the continent's elite, and that titled Douluos from other factions are no match for them. Did that senior in the Star Dou Great Forest encounter multiple titled Douluo enemies or suffer an attack from a powerful soul beast?"
"Furthermore, I'd like to know, how can you describe dying at the hands of a soul beast as 'honor'? My mother died because there was no support against a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, along with many others. What kind of honor is that!?"
Yan Shaozhe's expression changed dramatically; he hadn't anticipated such a question from Xu Tianxi.
Shrek Academy boasts over ten thousand years of history, during which students have perished while hunting soul beasts. Dying in battle without retreat is certainly honorable. Moreover, their deaths led to Zhang Lexuan achieving her eighth ring at the hundred-thousand-year level, which, in his view, was absolutely worthwhile.
But how could a child comprehend such honor?
Zhang Lexuan was momentarily stunned by Xu Tianxi's unexpected yet understandable outburst. She tightened her grip on his hand and hurriedly said:
"Tianxi, the situation is very complicated. You're still young; it's not the right time for you to know..."
Yan Shaozhe appreciated Zhang Lexuan's timely intervention. The embarrassment on his face gave way to a dignified expression, and he solemnly said:
"Young one, I won't delve into profound principles with you now. I can candidly tell you that, in this matter, our Shrek Academy's experts did indeed fail in their duties. However, that senior has deeply regretted it and even proposed to withdraw from the Sea God Pavilion. It was our academy's students who couldn't bear to see him leave, so he reluctantly agreed to stay..."
"At your current age, you might not understand the significance of the Sea God Pavilion. But if you grow up and inherit your mother's talent to enter Shrek Academy, you'll comprehend the depth of that senior's remorse and the severity of the punishment he willingly accepted."
"Your mother was one of Shrek Academy's most outstanding students. If you can follow in her footsteps and join the academy's inner court, I'm sure her spirit would be comforted."
With each sentence from Yan Shaozhe, Zhang Lexuan's shoulders trembled. Her tear-streaked face was almost unrecognizable.
Eventually, overwhelmed, she opened her arms to embrace Xu Tianxi, sobbing uncontrollably, unable to utter a single word, as if only this could provide some solace.
So be it; she could do nothing else...
Xu Tianxi forcefully brushed aside Zhang Lexuan's long, dark, elegant hair to reveal a pair of black, gem-like eyes that gleamed with clarity. He stared straight at Yan Shaozhe and asked:
"So what you're saying is that the senior from Shrek Academy who caused the death of my mother and many of her junior brothers and sisters was not punished at all, is that correct?"
Hearing this, Yan Shaozhe impatiently waved his hand, exuding the authority of a Shrek Academy dean. He glared and rebuked loudly:
"I told you, you don't understand just how great and sacred the Sea God Pavilion is! Once you grow up, you'll come to see how holy that place is, and just how much determination that senior needed to make his decision!"
"Shrek's glory is not something a child like you can comprehend. But let me tell you this: that glory has been built and defended with blood and life by countless inner court disciples for over ten thousand years!"
"Every inner court disciple signs a life-and-death contract before entering. Joining the inner court means facing the cruelest trials, and each year there are those who die. But the honor they uphold lives on forever!"
"Now, by questioning Shrek's glory, you are also questioning the sacrifices your mother made in her lifetime!"
Xu Tianxi gasped sharply, his eyes widening in shock, his face full of disbelief.
He had learned something today. Truly learned something. No amount of web novels could compare to real-life experience. Was this even an academy anymore? Shrek was no better than a cult of fanatics.
Glancing at his "cheap" master-grandfather, whose face was as dark as storm clouds, Xu Tianxi turned back to face Yan Shaozhe. Locking eyes with him, he raised his voice and said:
"I don't care how important the Sea God Pavilion is in your eyes, but in my heart, nothing is more important than my mother's life! Shrek Academy caused her death, and now you talk about some bullshit 'glory'? Don't you think that's shameless?"
"Enough!"
Yan Shaozhe's fury erupted, his hair bristling with rage as he glared at Xu Tianxi for questioning Shrek's honor:
"You brat, I didn't want to say this, but since you insist on digging into the past, then I'll tell you how the responsibility should really be assigned!"
"Your mother was an inner court disciple. During the soul beast hunting mission, she failed to protect her teammates, leading to devastating losses. That alone is a major dereliction of duty!"
Xu Tianxi could hardly believe his ears. His eyes widened as he stared at Yan Shaozhe, trying to understand how someone could be so shameless.
Yan Shaozhe's expression turned even colder as he continued:
"Don't look at me with those defiant eyes. I'll have you know: as the team's primary control-system battle soul master, your mother had a duty to provide strong battlefield control.
But she failed to detect the ten-thousand-year soul beast in time and didn't warn the team to retreat, which led to the ambush and caused Shrek its greatest loss in centuries!"
"From what we assessed, the heavy casualties were due to her underestimating the enemy and being careless. Yes, the teacher leading the team was also at fault for not coming to their rescue in time, but your mother—being the main controller—was equally responsible, if not more!"
"She only managed to atone somewhat by sacrificing herself to protect her comrades. That's why we decided not to pursue any further accountability."
"If you resent that senior for walking away unharmed, then join Shrek Academy. If one day you become a Titled Douluo who has made great contributions to Shrek and earns the right to enter the Sea God Pavilion, perhaps then you will have the chance to challenge him."
"But right now, you have no right to criticize a senior who has contributed so much to the safety of Shrek and the continent! He is one of Shrek's top powerhouses—even I must show him the respect due a senior!"
This kid is stubborn, Yan Shaozhe thought. Once he joins Shrek, I'll make sure someone polishes that attitude of his. We can't have him disrespecting Elder Xuan without knowing his place.
Yan Shaozhe's domineering attitude shocked Zhang Lexuan. She immediately turned her pale face and furrowed her eyebrows, yelling:
"Dean, he's still just a child! A child who just lost his mother! You're scaring him!"
"Back then, the situation was extremely dangerous. The scouts sent by Sister Xiyue were the first to die. The rest of us only survived because she protected us. Every single one of us owes her our lives!"
"Tianxi calls me Auntie. Now that Sister Xiyue is gone, I will not let anyone harm her only child—not even if it costs me my life!"
Seeing this, Yan Shaozhe's expression instantly softened. He spoke in a gentler tone:
"Lexuan, don't worry. I lost my temper earlier. I never meant to scare the child. Once he enters Shrek, we will certainly cultivate him with great care."
Zhang Lexuan had reached the level of Soul Douluo in her early twenties and possessed a hundred-thousand-year soul ring—an achievement not seen in Shrek Academy in three thousand years. Her future in the Sea God Pavilion was all but guaranteed, so even Yan Shaozhe had to tread carefully.
Just as he finished soothing Zhang Lexuan and began to relax, a few cold, aged chuckles echoed by his ear, sending a chill down his spine.
"Hehehehe… What a fine Shrek. What a fine Sea God Pavilion elder. No wonder you're hailed as the number one sanctuary of soul masters. The way you throw your weight around is truly impressive."
Xu Xiaoyun's ancient eyes flared with a crimson light. He slowly rose from his peachwood chair, the armrest cracking beneath his grip and crumbling to powder.
An overwhelming pressure radiated from his body, and beneath his feet, viscous black ripples spread out like water, covering the entire room.
"From what I just heard, reasoning means nothing to you—you only recognize power. My little grandson's words may carry no weight, but what about me? Do I have the right to question your Shrek Academy?"
Within the dark, viscous soul power, an ornate dark-gold shield with a blood-red serpent coiled upon it appeared in the old ancestor's palm. His face was like frost, and he roared each word with seething rage, his voice crashing into Yan Shaozhe's ears like thunder: