Two days later, Jiang Nannan, Ma Xiaotao, Wang Yan, and the others returned to Shrek Academy.
Everyone was summoned to the Sea God's Pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, aside from Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, Ma Xiaotao, and Wang Yan, there were also Elder Lin, Elder Song, Elder Zhuang, and other elders of the Pavilion. Naturally, Mu En was present as well.
Representing the Academy, Xian Lin'er read aloud the rewards they would receive. For core team members like Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, and Ma Xiaotao, the rewards were more verbal promises than physical items—after all, as inner court disciples, they were already receiving benefits beyond most people's dreams.
For outer court senior students like Bei Bei, Tang Ya, He Caitou, and Xu Sanshi, they were granted a special exemption from the many graduation requirements of the outer court, allowing them to directly attempt the inner court entrance examination. This was a considerable reward—normally, fulfilling the outer court's graduation criteria took at least half a year.
As for Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao, given their young age and comparatively lower cultivation—but taking into account that all three possessed twin martial souls—the Academy made an exception, allowing them to enter the underground world of the Golden Ancient Tree for one training session. They were also promised that once they reached the four-ring level, they could directly enter the inner court without examination.
As the supervising teacher, Wang Yan also received a benefit—he was granted permission to enter the inner court's library and read all its collections. For a theory-oriented soul master like him, this was an even greater treasure than a soul bone.
Once Xian Lin'er finished announcing the Academy's rewards, it was Mu En's turn.
"Alright, Lin'er has spoken about the Academy's rewards. Now it's time for the rewards from us old fellows of the Sea God's Pavilion," Mu En said. "This reward is specifically for the seven members of the reserve team. For the next six months, you will each receive personal guidance from us."
His words filled the reserve team members with excitement. Though they still didn't know exactly who this mysterious old man was, at this moment he might as well have been an angel. Guidance from Sea God's Pavilion elders meant guidance from Title Douluo—that was the true prize!
Mu En didn't pay attention to their reactions. He began assigning mentors:
"Lin'er, you'll take Bei Bei.
Duo Duo, Xu Sanshi is yours.
Little Zhuang, you'll guide Tang Ya.
Little Ning, He Caitou will be under your instruction.
"As for Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao—these three little ones will be taught by me personally."
The assignments were deliberate. Bei Bei and Xian Lin'er both possessed dragon-type martial souls, and Xian Lin'er had mastered Mu En's training methods for dragon spirits. Xu Sanshi and Qian Duoduo were both defense-type soul masters, each with shield-type martial souls. Tang Ya's Blue Gold Ling Grass and Elder Zhuang's Life Tree were both life-attribute, healing-type spirits. Elder Ning, a Rank 93 food-type Title Douluo, would guide He Caitou—not for his soul tool skills, but for the potential Mu En saw in his cigar martial soul.
As for why Mu En personally took the trio, it was simple—he appreciated talent, and all three were twin martial soul holders.
"Yes, Elder Mu!" those named answered in unison.
"Good. With that settled, we'll adjourn. Ziyang, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao, you four stay," Mu En said.
In an instant, the elders vanished. The appointed mentors left with their students, until only Mu En, Zhu Ziyang, and the three young soul masters remained.
"You must be curious," Ziyang said to the trio, smiling at their puzzled expressions. "Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough."
He led them a few steps forward, and Mu En's face came into view. The three froze in shock—the kindly old man who managed the dorms was… the Pavilion Master of the Sea God's Pavilion? The realization was earth-shattering.
"Haha, children, surprised?" Mu En laughed heartily, looking exactly like a mischievous child whose prank had succeeded.
"You… you…" Huo Yuhao managed to stammer on behalf of the three.
"Teacher, enough teasing—let's get to the point," Ziyang said, knowing what Mu En had in mind for them.
"Alright," Mu En agreed with a nod, extending his hand. Ziyang stepped forward to help him up.
With a small gesture from Mu En, golden light filled the air. Everything around them blurred. The golden radiance enveloped Huo Yuhao and the others, dazzling their eyes until they shut them. For a moment their footing vanished, then, when they stood again, the light faded.
The Sea God's Pavilion was gone. They were now in a vast hall, nearly a hundred meters long and perfectly square. Several corridors branched from either side into unknown depths. There were no windows, but the air was fresh and clear.
"Where is this?" Wang Dong asked, wide-eyed.
"Do you remember the reward the Academy promised you three?" Ziyang asked.
"To train once in the underground world of the Golden Ancient Tree…" Xiao Xiao murmured.
"That's right—this is it," Ziyang confirmed, then looked to Mu En. "Teacher, I'll let you arrange things from here."
Mu En smiled, guiding each of the three toward a different tree hollow. Following his instructions, they entered their respective chambers to begin meditation.
Once they were gone, Ziyang and Mu En were alone in the hall.
"Ziyang, do you know why I'm personally teaching Huo Yuhao and the others?" Mu En asked.
"I don't," Ziyang replied. He had his suspicions, but sometimes it was better to let the teacher explain.
"You…" Mu En chuckled knowingly. "Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao—they all have twin martial souls. You, as a twin martial soul holder yourself, understand their potential. They will be your greatest allies in the future.
"Huo Yuhao—spiritual eyes plus an Ultimate Ice martial soul. Lin'er mentioned his exceptional aptitude in soul tools, and he's deeply loyal to the Academy. He could easily be a future head of the Soul Tool Department and vice master of the Pavilion—and a bridge to the Body Sect.
"Wang Dong—Bright Goddess Butterfly plus Clear Sky Hammer. She's a descendant of the Clear Sky Sect, but she's also a girl. I suspect she and Yuhao will become a pair. If so, keeping her in the Academy will be almost certain—and through her… well, you understand.
"Xiao Xiao—Phoenix-Calling Zither and the Three Lives Town Soul Cauldron. The weakest talent of the three, yes, but still twin martial souls. With careful training, she can be a solid supporter.
"Ziyang, you're young—even younger than your four senior brothers and sisters, who themselves are the youngest in the Pavilion. They may not be able to offer you much help in the future.
"You must build your own core team. Lexuan, Ruoruo, Xiaotao, Nannan, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou—these talented young people will be your mainstay in the years ahead.
"And Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao—they will be your own Xuanzi and Lin Huiqun.
"I may even take them as my disciples. With the bond of brotherhood, you'll be able to lead them more easily."
"I understand, Teacher," Ziyang said with a deep nod. He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that Mu En was giving him a final lesson—but he committed every word to memory.
Truth be told, Mu En's assessment of the trio matched his own thoughts nearly perfectly—save for one thing. He hadn't imagined that Mu En harbored ambitions toward absorbing the Clear Sky Sect. For that, Ziyang could only admire him—as expected of my teacher, as bold as myself.
In Ziyang's eyes, one transcendent organization in the world was enough. The rest… were unnecessary.
"As long as you understand." Mu En was satisfied with the reply. His disciple had talent, ambition, cunning, and methods. The only thing he lacked was strength—and that was only a matter of time.
He was the perfect successor—someone who could raise Shrek Academy to even greater heights.
Mu En eagerly awaited that day, even if he might not live to see it.
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