After issuing his first decree, much of the heaviness and unease in Mu En's heart faded away. His gaze grew softer, gentler.
"The second decree: after my death, Xuanzi will serve as acting Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion—no, the Tianyuan Pavilion. When Ziyang reaches the realm of Titled Douluo, he will immediately succeed as Pavilion Master."
This was his second will, yet no one was surprised. In fact, many felt this should have been his very first.
"Mu Lao, I, Xuanzi, swear to the heavens—I will protect Ziyang with my life!" Xuanzi declared solemnly.
"Mm. I believe you," Mu En replied with comforted eyes.
"The third decree: from this day forth, Shrek Academy will devote its full strength to developing the Soul Tool Department, and promote integration between the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department. Considering the high demand of resources for soul tools, half of the Academy's industries in Shrek City will be allocated to the Soul Tool Department. If one day a tenth-level soul engineer emerges from within the Academy, then the seat of Tianyuan Pavilion Master shall be passed on to them."
This last command, like the first, spread across the entire inner court, heard by all.
"Yes!" Those with authority in the hall answered loudly and in unison.
Mu En laughed heartily after giving his final will. "Ziyang, help me up. I want to see Shrek Academy one last time!"
"…Yes!" Zhu Ziyang's voice was choked as he stepped forward, taking his teacher's frail arm and helping him rise from the rocking chair.
Supported by Zhu Ziyang, Mu En slowly walked outside. The elders and students formed two rows, silently watching him, their eyes following every step.
At the great door, the gate carved from the Golden Ancient Tree opened on its own, as though the sacred tree itself—long the symbol of Shrek's inner court—was also bidding farewell to this companion who had spent nearly his entire life beneath its shade.
Outside, the disciples of the inner court were all kneeling—Zhang Yuexuan, Jiang Nan Nan, Han Ruoruo, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, Xue Weiwei, Dai Yaoheng, and others—everyone who had not gone on missions had come to send off the guardian of their Academy.
"Mu Lao…" Zhang Yuexuan sobbed, moving forward a few steps. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her beautiful eyes filled with grief.
"Child, don't cry," Mu En said with a gentle smile, pulling her closer to wipe her tears. "You are destined to be a queen—how can you cry so easily?"
"Mu Lao… I… I will definitely fulfill your wish!" Zhang Yuexuan choked out.
"Mm, I believe in you. You've never once disappointed me," Mu En said cheerfully, then turned his gaze to Jiang Nan Nan. "Nan Nan, from now on, take good care of Ziyang."
"Yes, Mu Lao!" Jiang Nan Nan answered, her eyes already red. Because of Zhu Ziyang, Mu En had always treated her with kindness, and her affection for him ran deep.
"Children… may all of you find peace and happiness," Mu En finally said, his benevolent words bringing many of the female students to tears.
"Ziyang, the future is yours now!" Mu En grasped Zhu Ziyang's hand tightly, his eyes full of expectation and lingering worry.
"Teacher, I will!" Zhu Ziyang answered with solemn sorrow.
But then he froze, for Mu En's lips were moving.
Having entrusted everything, Mu En finally felt a great weight lift from his heart. A serene, childlike smile appeared on his face as he whispered, "Forefathers of Shrek… Mu En… has come."
These words seemed to exhaust the last of his strength. In the same instant, brilliant golden light erupted from his body. Releasing Zhu Ziyang's hand, Mu En walked toward the Golden Ancient Tree.
Two yellow, one purple, three black, and three red—nine rings appeared, shining in perfect completion. A deafening dragon's roar split the skies.
The entire space turned dazzling gold. A massive golden pillar of light surged into the heavens with the Golden Ancient Tree at its center, enveloping Shrek Academy. Mu En's bent, aged body bathed in radiance began to transform, regaining vigor and youth. Before the eyes of all, the old man became young once more.
He turned back for one final look at everyone, his eyes filled with hope and reluctance. His gaze lingered longest on Zhu Ziyang, silently entrusting him with all his worries.
Zhu Ziyang responded with an unyielding look of determination.
Mu En smiled. His body turned completely golden, dragon scales sprouting from beneath his skin until they covered him fully.
Spreading his arms wide, the golden light around him shifted in hues—crimson-gold, orange-gold, yellow-gold, green-gold, cyan-gold, blue-gold, violet-gold. Finally, it all turned to pure white-gold.
At that instant, Mu En leapt into the air. Another roar thundered from his mouth as he transformed into a colossal white dragon, glowing with divine brilliance. He circled once above the Golden Ancient Tree before diving straight into it.
Even from a hundred miles away, this sight could be seen—the fall of a white dragon, heaven and earth dimming in sorrow. Yet its cry lingered, and the golden radiance continued to shine. The aura of a fallen demigod spread outward, while the golden brilliance rained down upon the Academy.
On Tianyuan Island, every soul master, every soul beast, even insects on the trees—all were bathed in that holy light. Their bodies released faint golden mist as the power purified them, expelled impurities, and condensed their soul power.
"All of you, sit and meditate!" Xuanzi's choked yet commanding voice rang out. This was Mu En's final gift to Shrek Academy.
One of the three Limit Douluo of the age, the Holy Light Dragon, the Dragon God Douluo, the last Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion—Mu En—had fallen.
His life had been one of glory. Perhaps he had failed many people, many duties, but never once had he failed Shrek Academy, the place he dedicated his entire existence to protecting. He might not have been the best man, husband, or friend—but he was beyond doubt a worthy teacher, and a Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion to be remembered forever.
Mu En's fall would bring great upheaval across the Douluo Continent. The first to feel it was none other than the Star Dou Great Forest.
As the Holy Light Dragon soared over Shrek, deep within the forest's core, beside the Lake of Life, a golden-haired youth stood. His gaze pierced the endless trees, meeting the white dragon's across the vast distance. Behind him loomed the shadow of a colossal black dragon, roaring in challenge.
Suddenly, strange fluctuations stirred. The youth dropped to one knee. "My Lord, you have awakened?"
A woman's voice, cold and mocking, drifted out from the calm waters. "Awakened? No, I was only stirred by the aura of that white dragon. Hmph, that human was indeed one of the most gifted of this age… yet he's dead already. I thought he might inherit the Light itself! What a joke. Those so-called gods are truly laughable."
Her voice faded, leaving only scorn behind.
Meanwhile, in Shrek City, Qian Lingyi, who was shopping in the streets, also witnessed the fall of the Limit Douluo. Though she didn't know the details, the intense aura of light drew her instantly toward the Academy. With everyone's attention consumed by Mu En's death, the young Soul King slipped into the Academy and reached the woods by the Sea God Lake. There, she sat down to cultivate, seizing upon the lingering traces of Mu En's light.
On Tianyuan Island, all the students entered meditation, their minds immersed in the miracle. Only Zhu Ziyang and the Pavilion elders still stood, gazing at the Golden Ancient Tree that now shone with condensed light.
Mu En had chosen the same end as every Pavilion Master before him—offering half his lifetime's cultivation to the sacred tree, nurturing it for future generations.
But in Zhu Ziyang's mind echoed Mu En's final words to him:
"Be cautious of the future. Beware of the Sea God."
Beware of the Sea God? Was that why Mu En had stripped away every trace of the Sea God's name from Shrek Academy before his death? Was his supposed old injury truly caused by the Sea God's influence?
Why would the Sea God, Tang San himself, target Mu En? Was it because Zhu Ziyang had claimed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? Or because he had inherited the God of Death's legacy?
He recalled the first time he entered the divine inheritance ground… a faint thread began to form in his thoughts, a line that might unravel everything if he followed it.
If it truly was because of the Death God's inheritance, then why had the Sea God not struck directly at him, but instead at Mu En?
No matter how he reasoned, Zhu Ziyang could not uncover the Sea God's motives. But one thing was certain—
The Sea God now stood as his enemy.
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