That day, Tianyuan Pavilion held an informal meeting. The matter was simple: with the exchange program with Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy coming to an end, they had to decide who would escort the Sun Moon students back and retrieve Shrek's students.
As Pavilion Master, Zhu Ziyang naturally attended, though this was typically something the two deans, Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er, would plan. He only needed to hear their reports and make the final decision.
"After discussions, the exchange will still conclude in Maple Leaf City," Xian Lin'er said. "Considering the news Yuhao sent back, Dean Mei'er and I plan to go personally to receive them. What do you think, Ziyang?"
"Let Eldest Senior Brother go with you," Zhu Ziyang suggested after a moment's thought. "He should meet our newly-joined junior. And given Yuhao's knack for stirring trouble, I doubt this trip will be smooth. Senior Brother hasn't stretched his muscles since leaving seclusion. This will be a good chance to test himself. Senior Brother, what do you think?"
"I have no objections," Yan Shaozhe replied calmly, though gratitude flickered in his eyes.
Years of seclusion had changed him. Missing Mu En's final moments had left him more reserved, and he had shed much of his former indecision, becoming calmer and more resolute. For that reason, Zhu Ziyang had not followed Mu En's dying wish to keep Shaozhe as an ordinary elder, but reinstated him as Dean of the Martial Soul Department.
Cai Mei'er also remained a dean, though her focus on the Yuntian Project left her little time for academy affairs. Having Shaozhe resume his post eased her burden. Thus, the Martial Soul Department now had two deans and one vice-dean—Du Weilun, of course.
Leaving a level-98 Super Douluo idle, fishing his days away, would be a waste of talent Zhu Ziyang could not accept.
The Soul Tool Department was structured similarly. Xian Lin'er managed the soul tool programs, while Qian Duoduo had been promoted to dean, overseeing daily operations. As for vice-dean, that role was left to Fan Yu, though he was still at Sun Moon Academy and unaware of his promotion.
"No problem," Xian Lin'er agreed, her tone calm. Her relationship with Yan Shaozhe had improved since his return—at least to the point of normal senior-sister respect, rather than the sharp hostility of before.
"Since both of you are willing, then I'll trouble you with this task," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile. "I must say, Yuhao's trip has truly been worthwhile."
"Indeed," Qian Duoduo chimed in with a laugh. "Who could have guessed he'd send back more than thirteen hundred blueprints in just two years? With those, our Soul Tool Department can avoid countless mistakes."
"Exactly," Xian Lin'er agreed. "Most of these designs are things our intelligence division could never have obtained. Yuhao has done us a great service."
"That's why I wanted Eldest Brother to accompany you," Zhu Ziyang explained. "I doubt Jing Hongchen will let Yuhao leave so easily. Even if he restrains himself, others in the Sun Moon Empire won't."
"We'll bring Yuhao back safely," Yan Shaozhe said firmly.
"Good. Then it's settled." Zhu Ziyang concluded the meeting. "Anything else? If not, we're adjourned."
The elders dispersed, leaving Zhu Ziyang alone in the pavilion hall. He chuckled softly. "Tsk, tsk… I wonder what kind of trouble Yuhao will stir up this time?"
The day of the student exchange arrived.
Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er led the Sun Moon delegation to Maple Leaf City, smoothly completing the exchange and taking back Shrek's students.
But not long after, Yuhao said something to Shaozhe and Mei'er that made them take him ahead at high speed toward the academy.
Of course, if nothing should happen, then something surely would. The three were ambushed.
The attacker was just one man—but a level-96 Super Douluo, Zhang Peng. His martial soul was the Scorpion Tiger, and he was titled the Scorpion Tiger Douluo, branded by the world as an "evil soul master."
Truthfully, this way of labeling someone as evil simply by their martial soul's traits was laughable. Whoever came up with it was truly a "genius."
Still, whether or not Zhang Peng was evil by nature, at that moment he stood against Shrek Academy, and that was all that mattered.
Xian Lin'er engaged him without hesitation. Though her soul power exceeded his by one level, Zhang Peng's martial soul was uniquely powerful, allowing him to fight her to a standstill.
The Scorpion Tiger was actually a subspecies of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. It could strengthen itself by devouring the flesh and souls of other beings. That terrifying ability granted Zhang Peng both rapid cultivation and immense combat power—hence his reputation as an evil soul master.
As the fight dragged into stalemate, Yan Shaozhe sensed another presence lurking nearby. Narrowing his eyes, he called out coldly, "Since you're here, why bother hiding? Come out."
"Hahaha…" An old but powerful laugh rang out. A rift opened in the sky, and an imposing figure stepped forth. "As expected of Mu En's eldest disciple. To reach rank 98 at such a young age—not bad, not bad!"
"Who are you?" Shaozhe demanded, his expression grave. Anyone who could see his strength at a glance and knew Mu En's name was certainly no stranger. More than that, the oppressive aura rolling off the old man was no weaker than Mu En's had been.
Behind him, Yuhao blinked in confusion. Shaozhe was already over a hundred years old. How could anyone call that "young"?
"Alas, I did not expect Mu En to ascend to the Dragon Realm so soon," the old man sighed, before his tone shifted. "Fate is curious. Twice now I've descended the mountain, and both times it has been because of Mu En's disciples. You, as his eldest, I missed last time. This time, let me test whether you are worthy to inherit the Dragon God Douluo's mantle. I am Long Xiaoyao. Have you heard the name?"
"Long Xiaoyao… the Dragon Emperor Douluo?!" Shaozhe's eyes widened in shock, his composure shattered.
"Well? Are you ready?" Long Xiaoyao said with a calm smile. "You've just broken through to rank 98, haven't you? I'll give you three moves. If you can defeat me, you may leave. If not, then that child must leave the ring behind. Extortion requires strength, after all."
"Please, senior—enlighten me!" Shaozhe declared solemnly, drawing a deep breath. He knew that unless he fought, they might never make it back to the academy alive.
"Be careful," Long Xiaoyao said blandly. With a flick of his finger, he unleashed his first move.
A black void tore open before Shaozhe and Yuhao, surging with crushing power. Shaozhe instantly summoned his martial soul. With a phoenix's cry, golden wings unfurled behind him—the Radiant Light Phoenix. Golden light gathered in his hands, forming a luminous shield to guard them both.
But just as the void threatened to swallow them, a golden scythe sliced through the air, cleaving it apart. The terrifying pressure vanished as if it had never been.
Shaozhe and Yuhao were stunned. Long Xiaoyao's eyes sharpened, his calm giving way to rare gravity as he gazed at that golden weapon.
"It has been a long time, Uncle Long."
A warm, springlike voice sounded, and Zhu Ziyang stepped forward with a smile, appearing before Shaozhe and Yuhao. His face was calm, but his eyes locked firmly on Long Xiaoyao.
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