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What Mu En did not say was this—
Such a problem did not exist with Cheng Ju alone.
Almost every elder of the Sea God Pavilion shared the same flaws, which meant that this disciple of his would most likely never become Pavilion Master. With Yan Shaozhe's current strength, trying to keep all the elders suppressed was nearly impossible.
That was why, even though Xuan Zi was unreliable in many ways, he remained the most suitable successor after Mu En himself—the only real choice.
With a cultivation of Rank Ninety-Eight, his formidable power alone was enough to suppress the elders.
Of course, there was another reason.
Behind Yan Shaozhe, two figures were already rising quickly in power: Zhang Lexuan and Su Wen.
Especially Su Wen.
At only eleven years of age, he had already reached nearly the fortieth rank. Yan Shaozhe had never once seen such innate talent in his entire life. Without a doubt, this was the seedling of a future Limit Douluo. And once he reached that level, with eight spirit beasts of equal rank accompanying him… it was practically defying the heavens themselves!
His cultivation speed was so fast, so shocking, that even geniuses like Yan Shaozhe were left dumbfounded.
Mu En even faintly sensed a premonition—
By the time he himself reached the end of his life, this child might have grown to a height even he could not imagine.
"Where is Fan Yu?" Mu En asked softly.
"He sought Elder Zhuang to heal Zhou Yi, but Elder Zhuang refused to make a move. Instead, he found Wang Zhi from the inner court to barely sustain her life."
Wang Zhi was a healing-type Soul Douluo with the martial soul Hundred Immortal Herbs. Yet even with his ability, he could only preserve Zhou Yi's life. To truly restore her meridians, someone on Elder Zhuang's level was required.
"Send people to watch him. If he shows even the slightest abnormal movement…" Mu En said quietly.
"Yes," Yan Shaozhe nodded.
If Fan Yu were to clash with Su Wen, the outcome was beyond doubt. The only reason Fan Yu had not already been removed was because he still had some temporary value.
"Go make the preparations."
Mu En waved his hand.
"Yes!" Yan Shaozhe bowed and departed.
Left alone, Mu En tilted his gaze skyward. The pitch-black night shrouded the heavens, where only stars flickered faintly. Time seemed to freeze as he pondered silently in the darkness.
The next day.
By noon, the blazing sun hung high.
In Shrek City, inside a certain tavern—
"That year, I was first place in the freshman exams, wasn't I, Teacher?"
"First place…" The short, stout middle-aged man in the uniform of an outer court teacher blinked in confusion.
"Oh, right, right—it was because of the three-thousand-year Fire Salamander bone my father gave me." The youth smacked his forehead, then leaned closer to whisper.
"Zhang Yang, how could this teacher ever forget!" Yang He exclaimed as realization dawned. He clapped the boy on the shoulder. "You've grown so tall already."
"My mother gave one million gold soul coins," another young man added proudly.
"Bai Miao, still as handsome as ever!" Yang He's face broke into a wide smile.
"Teacher, I gave you roasted fish." A third youth scratched his head bashfully.
"Roasted fish… that, this teacher truly forgot," Yang He muttered, touching his nose awkwardly.
"But don't worry, this teacher holds no grudges!"
"Since this is our class reunion, why don't you all share where you're working now? That way, this teacher can… cough cough… visit you in the future."
The atmosphere was lively, full of cheerful laughter—until the tavern doors were suddenly pushed open.
Several figures strode inside.
Just as Yang He was raising his cup for another drink, a chill shot down his spine. Irritated, he turned, ready to scold the intruders by flaunting his identity as a Shrek outer court teacher. But the moment his eyes fell upon the newcomers, his body froze.
"The… Inspection Corps?!"
Emerald-green masks. Emerald-green robes.
And the gleaming rings on their fingers.
Yang He was struck dumb.
What was the Inspection Corps doing here? Aren't they supposed to be outside, hunting evil soul masters?
"Yang He, take him away!"
The leader, her voice crisp and commanding, was clearly female. Her stance was sharp and imposing, and something about her voice even felt familiar. But it was the meaning of her words that sent icy dread through his entire body.
"You… what right do you have to arrest me? I am a Shrek teacher! Take me to Director Du! I want—"
Smack!
With several crisp snaps, Yang He's jaw was forcibly dislocated, his limbs rendered limp. Terror-stricken, powerless, the Soul Emperor was subdued in an instant, unable to resist in the slightest. The tavern patrons shrank back in silence, the previous merriment vanishing as if it had never existed.
No one dared speak. No one dared move.
This was Shrek's internal matter—they wouldn't dare get involved.
Many of those present weren't even with Shrek anymore. They had only come to reconnect with old classmates and maybe use Yang He's position to gain favors for their clans.
Yet they had never imagined that what was supposed to be a simple gathering would explode into such a scandal.
Only after the Inspection Corps departed did people dare glance at each other, and in every eye was the same look of shock—Shrek must be undergoing some internal upheaval.
"Several outer court teachers failed to show up today. I heard they were transferred out."
"What about that old witch Zhou Yi?"
"No idea. Maybe after being crippled by the boss, she doesn't even dare show her face anymore?"
"…."
In New Class Two, chatter buzzed incessantly.
That afternoon marked the start of the elimination rounds.
But the heat from Su Wen's defeat of Zhou Yi had already eclipsed all else, spreading wildly among outer court freshmen and seniors alike.
As for the inner court—it remained calm and unaffected.
They had already experienced Su Wen's brutality firsthand.
Especially the Soul King who had once lost to him. Recently, he had shed his silence, eagerly telling anyone who would listen: "It's not that I'm weak—it's that monster is too strong!"
"In the elimination rounds, our boss will obviously take first place. Guess I'll just settle for second." Xie Huanyue boasted proudly.
"With Wang Dong, the guy whose second spirit ring is a thousand-year one, taking second, no problem!" Xue Ling chimed in.
In the distance, Dai Huabin's eyes darkened.
He had always bowed to no one—neither heaven nor earth. Even his full-blood brother in the inner court, Dai Yaoheng, he barely respected. How could he accept Su… cough, cough, Xie Huanyue?
He cast a sidelong glance at Su Wen.
The sheer, terrifying strength Su Wen had displayed left him uneasy.
"Fine then. I'll warm up by crushing that little beast first." His eyes gleamed with a cold light.
Huo Yuhao—did you really think changing your surname meant I wouldn't recognize you?
A beast will always be a beast. You dare dream of competing with me?
In the teachers' dormitory area, rows of small villas stood quietly.
Inside one of them, Fan Yu and Zhou Yi lived together.
Within the house, Huo Yuhao wept miserably at Zhou Yi's sickbed.
It was all his fault. If he hadn't reported her…
Fan Yu's face was grim.
He didn't blame Huo Yuhao. After all, who could have expected that monstrous boy to be so terrifying, that even Fan Yu's sneak attack had done nothing at all?
Running into such a freak of nature was simply rotten luck.
He had long warned Zhou Yi not to provoke him, but…
"Sigh… Yuhao, go get some rest. Leave your teacher to me." Fan Yu sighed deeply.
Outside the villa, Huo Yuhao wiped his tears away, his eyes hardening.
"Tian Meng-ge, I want to become stronger!"
"You… aiya." In his spiritual sea, Tian Meng shook his head helplessly. He knew this boy was determined to oppose Su Wen, and with his stubborn personality, it would be nearly impossible to change his mind.
Still, perhaps this was not such a bad thing.
"Fine. If that's what you want, then during this winter break we'll head to the Extreme North and try our luck. Since you want to gamble, Tian Meng-ge will accompany you."
"Yes!" Huo Yuhao's face twisted with anger.
"If he dared harm Teacher Zhou Yi, I will never let him go unpunished!"
(End of Chapter)