After sending the three away, Neuvillette lowered his head in thought for a moment before something came to mind.
Ever since Zhou Yi had been imprisoned by the Sea God's Pavilion, he realized he hadn't heard any news of that woman.
It was said, however, that Fan Yu had been working day and night without pause, so busy that he'd gone from the respected Director of the Soul Tool Department to something more like a black laborer…
"Since that's the case… and tomorrow just happens to be their freshman examination… I may as well, while I'm idle, go and see how much that woman has repented."
Neuvillette murmured to himself, then vanished from the training room.
Sea God Island
Lush green plants spread in abundance, and the sea breeze was refreshing. It was evening; the sun was about to set, and the afterglow spilled across the island, lending it a beauty all its own.
"You brat, why aren't you properly teaching in the Outer Court? What are you doing here?" Yan Shaozhe looked at him strangely.
"I came to see Zhou Yi. I wonder how she's been doing here."
Neuvillette gave a faint chuckle.
Yan Shaozhe's brows twitched, his face turning solemn.
"I know you dislike her greatly, but right now, the unanimous decision of the Sea God's Pavilion is to abolish her soul power and imprison her permanently. Don't you do anything that will make things difficult for me."
"Heh… don't worry, senior. Killing her would only be letting her off too easily. I'm not that merciful."
Neuvillette said with a calm smile.
"Only by spending the rest of her life alone, in a dark room, can she truly reflect on her past deeds."
"And besides…"
Neuvillette gave Yan Shaozhe a meaningful glance.
"The Sea God's Pavilion will ensure she's unable to even wish for death, won't they?"
"You kid… You guessed right." Yan Shaozhe nodded, his expression tinged with a trace of complexity.
"Because of Fan Yu, the Pavilion decided to let her keep her life but imprison her forever."
"And also because of Fan Yu, the Pavilion won't allow her to die easily. Even if it means spending the rest of her years in a deep, narrow dungeon — a few years down there, and when we see her again, her mind might already be broken."
"Heh, she brought it on herself."
Neuvillette showed no sympathy, only a faint smile.
"But that being said… Fan Yu is worth this much consideration from the Academy?"
"Not exactly. That kid's talent in soul tools is not bad, but for the entire Shrek Academy, he's still far from important enough to warrant such measures."
Yan Shaozhe let out a quiet sigh, his eyes clouded with uncertainty about the future.
"But in the most recent Pavilion meeting, Elder Mu personally said that the outside world is changing too much — especially the Sun Moon Empire, whose achievements in the research of soul tools are unique. The large-scale, multi-operator soul tools they've developed could even threaten Elder Mu himself…"
"That's why soul tool research has to be put on the agenda. Fan Yu might only be an eighth-rank soul engineer, but he's been diligent and conscientious for years. If he were dismissed, it would be a blow to the already weak Soul Tool Department — adding insult to injury."
"Large-scale soul tools, huh…"
Neuvillette nodded slightly at this.
Whether "large" or not, he didn't know for sure — but in the Sun Moon Empire, there were indeed two soul engineers capable of threatening Elder Mu… no, more than that, capable of killing him outright if he were injured.
The Death God Ye Xishui, with the continent's only tenth-rank soul tool — the Death God Tower — and the Sun Moon Empire's strongest soul engineer, Kong Deming.
That said, Mu Lao's instincts were sharp indeed. He truly was a qualified leader for the Academy.
Ten years later, when the Sun Moon Empire launched a war against the entire continent, many forces realized the danger too late.
The Sun Moon Empire, fighting against all others, still gave the impression of the Trisolarans beating up cavemen — crushing all resistance, advancing unstoppably straight to the heart of their enemies.
If not for Huo Gua's existence, they might have unified the Douluo Continent within half a year, completing the glorious feat the Spirit Hall had once sought.
"The power of technology…"
Neuvillette gazed distantly at the prominent landmark ahead — a multi-story tower, dazzling and majestic in the golden light of sunset.
In the original history, it was indeed under Elder Mu's efforts that Shrek Academy began integrating the Martial Soul and Soul Tool faculties… but it was too late.
The other three great empires, plus Shrek Academy, still couldn't match a fraction of the Sun Moon Empire's ninth-rank soul engineers.
Defeat was only a matter of time.
"We're here."
Yan Shaozhe stopped, waved his palm lightly.
The towering gate before them slowly opened, carved with intricate ancient patterns, solemn and heavy. Following the stone steps, the two began descending toward the lowest level.
The deeper they went, the more endless the gloom and cold seemed to press in.
The chill pierced the bone; looking down from beside the steps, one saw a deep, lightless void, as though all light from the outside world had been swallowed and shut out.
Neuvillette followed Yan Shaozhe, the two using their soul power to descend directly.
Several minutes later, they stopped before a sturdy gate.
Pushing open the iron door, they found another, even thicker one beyond. Through the barred window, the interior of the prison cells could be seen.
"They… don't get fed here?"
Neuvillette was taken aback.
"Heh… the people imprisoned here are all vicious criminals, most of them evil soul masters. The Academy sends someone down with a month's worth of food and water at a time."
Yan Shaozhe explained, using his soul power to trace a pattern on the cell door, then turned to smile faintly at Neuvillette.
"Normally, there's someone assigned to guard this place, but since you ran into me, I'll bring you down personally."
"Go on in."
Neuvillette nodded slightly, taking in the surroundings.
All was dark iron, almost no light, and no sound at all.
"Fan Yu? Is that you, Fan Yu? You've finally come to see me?"
A hoarse voice called out.
Neuvillette turned toward it.
In the corner of a cell, a figure was curled up. Hearing their footsteps, she slowly raised her head — a trace of emotion flickering across an otherwise numb face.
"Heh… Fan Yu is still working to atone for your mistakes," Yan Shaozhe said mockingly.
Even as Dean of the Martial Soul Department, he normally wouldn't stoop to this…
But the sight of those hundreds of talented students — either expelled or crippled by being pushed beyond their limits — was enough to make his blood boil.
"I did it for Shrek Academy's honor."
Zhou Yi was silent for a moment before speaking, then she lifted her gaze toward the man beside Yan Shaozhe.
"So… you've come to laugh at me, too?"
Neuvillette smiled faintly.
"Do you think… Did you do anything wrong?"
"I was wrong, I know I was wrong! Whatever the Academy wants me to do, I can change! Please, I'm begging you, let me out! I know I was wrong…"
Zhou Yi was no longer the arrogant woman of before — her voice was hoarse and desperate, her once-pretty face now haggard, full of supposed remorse.
(End of Chapter)