"Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang opened his eyes and saw Mu En's weary face. His heart trembled as he cried out.
"Hahaha, not bad, not bad—seventy-third rank already!" Mu En laughed joyfully. "Ziyang, you still have a few months before you turn seventeen, don't you?"
"Yes… a little over three months," Zhu Ziyang nodded, understanding what Mu En meant.
"How wonderful," Mu En sighed. "When I reached Soul Saint, I was nearly twenty years old. You've surpassed your teacher by far!"
"Teacher, this is all thanks to your guidance," Zhu Ziyang replied earnestly.
Mu En chuckled, then grew solemn. "Ziyang, from this day on, Shrek Academy is entrusted to you."
"Teacher, rest assured. As long as I, Zhu Ziyang, still draw breath, no one will ever trample upon the dignity of Shrek Academy!" Zhu Ziyang promised with all his heart.
"Hahaha! With those words, I can die with no regrets," Mu En said with relief. "After I'm gone, Xuanzi will act as Pavilion Master in my stead. When you reach Titled Douluo, you will officially succeed the position. Xuanzi may be rash and careless, but his loyalty to the Academy is absolute. You can trust him fully—he will protect you with his life.
"Lin Huiqun is meticulous and skilled in economics. If there is ever a matter you cannot decide, consult her. With her support, no one will be able to stir waves against you.
"Song Lan and Lin'er are both strict and righteous, with an unyielding sense of justice. You can involve Song Lan in Yuexuan's operations—she'll be invaluable.
"As for Zhuang Qingzhai, his nature is detached and uncontentious. As long as something does not violate his principles, he will support you. Build a good rapport with him. Remember—at critical moments, a healing-type Titled Douluo can save lives."
Listening to Mu En's endless instructions, Zhu Ziyang could no longer hold back the sorrow swelling in his chest.
"As for your four senior brothers and sisters… Shao Zhe is indecisive and narrow-minded, but he is still a decent person. Let him serve as an executor at most.
"Lin'er is proud and strong-willed, but her talent is great. If the Academy wishes to advance its Soul Tool Department, she is the key.
"Duo Duo seems careless on the outside, but in truth he is resolute and reserved. He and Lin'er are nominally husband and wife, though we old ones can see the reality beneath appearances. If you have the chance, lend him a hand.
"And Mei'er… though nearly a hundred years old, she still has the heart of a little girl. She is rash and impulsive, and when I'm gone, she will cry the most, I'm sure," Mu En said, his face glowing faintly with life.
"As for Huo Yuhao and his companions, I've already spoken to you. Of them, Yuhao is the one most worthy of your attention. His temperament is extreme and stubborn, but fortunately he met good people and did not stray onto a dark path.
"His soul tool talent is extraordinary. He is the future pillar of the Soul Tool Department. That is why I sent him to the Sun Moon Academy for exchange—I hope he'll bring you surprises.
"And little Yuexuan… gentle and kind. Though we pushed her into her role, she is a good child. Give her the care she deserves."
By now, Zhu Ziyang's tears were flowing freely. At that moment, the doors of the Sea God Pavilion opened. Xuanzi entered with the elders and deans: Lin Lao, Song Lao, Zhuang Lao, Xian Lin'er, Cai Mei'er, Qian Duoduo, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya.
"Teacher !" All wore faces full of grief. Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er threw themselves at Mu En's rocking chair, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Enough! You're all adults—what's with the crying?" Mu En scolded gently, though beneath his sternness lay deep affection. "Stand up. I still have things to say."
Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er forced themselves to rise, though their eyes were still blurred with tears.
"Xuanzi, Huiqun, Lan, Qingzhai—from today on, the children of this Academy are entrusted to you," Mu En said warmly to the four elders.
"Teacher!" The four old men trembled, their grief boundless. They answered with firm resolve: "Unless we all perish, no one will harm Ziyang or the children of Shrek!"
"Good! Very good!" Mu En nodded with satisfaction. Then he turned to Xuanzi. "From now on, you are the strongest of Shrek Academy. Learn to restrain your impulses. After I depart, the Pavilion Master's position will be yours."
"Teacher…" Xuanzi could not even speak through his sobs. He had not cried like this since his own teacher died over a century ago.
"Mei'er," Mu En looked at Cai Mei'er, who immediately collapsed into his arms, crying bitterly. He stroked her head with frail hands. "Don't cry. How can I entrust the Dean's seat to you if you carry on like this?"
"Teacher, please don't die…" she wept.
"From today onward, the Dean of the Martial Soul Department will be Cai Mei'er. As for Shao Zhe, when he leaves seclusion, let him take a seat among the Pavilion Elders," Mu En declared.
Everyone nodded with tears in their eyes.
"Lin'er, Duo Duo," Mu En looked to them next. "Lin'er, you're almost a hundred. Don't act on impulse any longer. Your talent is great—if you overcome your flaws, you can reach even higher.
"Duo Duo, you've always been the most considerate, so considerate it pains me. For so many years, I've overlooked you."
"Teacher…" Qian Duoduo broke down completely, years of buried grief and neglect pouring out in bitter sobs.
"You two must support each other well. You are both Super Douluo. Time is still on your side. The future of the Soul Tool Department rests in your hands," Mu En said gently.
"Yes, Teacher!" they choked out in unison.
"Good, good," Mu En smiled faintly. "The development of the Soul Tool Department must not stop because of my death."
"Yes!" the elders answered firmly.
"Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao," Mu En's gaze softened as he looked at the three youths. "Though we haven't been together long, I know you're all good children. From now on, listen to your senior brother Ziyang, do you understand?"
"Yes, Teacher!" The three answered, sobbing hard—especially Huo Yuhao, who felt a love from Mu En that he had never known before, and now was about to lose it.
"Bei Bei, Tang Ya," Mu En finally looked at them, smiling with deep relief.
"Ancestor!" Bei Bei dropped to his knees before Mu En, his voice breaking. Only Yuhao and his friends did not understand their relationship, so they were the only ones not stunned.
"Teacher!" Tang Ya also knelt beside him, tears streaming.
"Haha… Such a pity I won't live to see your wedding day," Mu En said wistfully. "But I believe you will be happy. Bei Bei, as the sole heir of my bloodline, I am gratified you've inherited my Light attribute. The Bright Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is a fine path—I leave this as my last gift to you."
With trembling hand, he placed his palm on Bei Bei's head. The Sea God Pavilion flared with brilliant golden light. Bei Bei groaned and collapsed, caught by Tang Ya, while golden lightning coursed over his body, transforming him faintly.
"Tang Ya, may you one day restore the Tang Sect," Mu En said with a deep look.
"Thank you, Ancestor!" Tang Ya cried.
Finally, Mu En looked at them all, a smile lighting his face. "As Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, I leave you with three final decrees!
"First: From this day forward, all locations within the inner court named after the Sea God shall be renamed. Sea God Island will become Tianyuan Island, Sea God Pavilion will become Tianyuan Pavilion, and all other places named after the Sea God will likewise change—only the Sea God Lake shall remain."
His voice rang out from the Pavilion, carrying across the entire inner court. Outside, all the disciples led by Zhang Yuexuan heard his words.
Inside, the others exchanged bewildered glances but none dared to question him. Even on his deathbed, Mu En's decades of authority as Pavilion Master commanded absolute weight.
"Hehe, I know you're confused. You wonder why, on my deathbed, I'd issue such a strange order," Mu En said, smiling. "I'll tell you. Shrek Academy has never been a temple or altar for any god! To honor the first generation of the Shrek Seven Devils, one Sea God Lake is enough. Too much creates misunderstandings and harmful influence.
"As for the name Tianyuan—'the center of heaven.' On a chessboard, Tianyuan is the center point. If the Douluo Continent is a chessboard, then Shrek Academy must hold the Tianyuan position firmly!"
"We understand!" the crowd replied, their doubts dissipating. Only Zhu Ziyang, listening quietly, sensed something more beneath Mu En's words.
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