Upon seeing Xu Tianxi address him instead of catching up with Zhang Lexuan, Yan Shaozhe was slightly surprised but quickly nodded. He replied in as gentle a tone as possible:
"That's right, I am Yan Shaozhe, the dean of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department. I once guided your mother's cultivation. Regarding your mother's passing, I am deeply sorry and regretful."
Kong Xiyue was the senior disciple of Shrek's Inner Courtyard before Zhang Lexuan. Although she couldn't stay at Shrek and continue to shine, marrying the Xuanming Sect Master and solidifying the relationship between Shrek and the Xuanming Sect was an excellent choice.
While Shrek is undoubtedly the number one Holy Land for Soul Masters, it has always prioritized maintaining relationships with the top nobles and hidden Sects of the Douluo Three Kingdoms, such as the White Tiger Duke's Mansion in the Star Luo Empire and the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile School in the Heavenly Soul Empire.
The relationship between the Xuanming Sect and Shrek is not as close as that with the White Tiger Duke's Mansion or the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile School, but it is still quite important. No one would assume that this hidden Sect, capable of mass-producing Mystic Water Pills and whose inherited Martial Soul rivals the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, would be weak.
Furthermore, Kong Xiyue was originally sent to Shrek by the Xuanming Old Ancestor, who is currently by his side. They hadn't held much hope for her to enter the Sea God Pavilion Holy Land; it was perfectly satisfactory for her to provide strength to Shrek through the Xuanming Sect.
Now that something unfortunate had happened to Kong Xiyue, while he was somewhat displeased with the loose tongues of the Xuanming Sect's subordinates, he wouldn't stoop to arguing with a child.
Xu Tianxi, however, was unaware of Yan Shaozhe's thoughts. Seeing that the other party had admitted his identity, he gathered his words, biting his lip, and continued to ask in a sorrowful tone:
"Excuse me, Dean Yan, why did my mother have an accident in the Star Dou Great Forest? Where were you all at the time? Why didn't you protect my mother and the others?"
As his voice fell, a sharp glint flashed in the Xuanming Old Ancestor's aged, dim eyes. His gaze fixed intently on Yan Shaozhe, as if trying to discern something from his expression.
Zhang Lexuan also stopped sobbing, gripping Xu Tianxi's hand even tighter.
"This..."
Yan Shaozhe was momentarily speechless. He couldn't possibly say it was because Old Xuan was momentarily greedy and got separated from the Inner Courtyard disciples, and those disciples coincidentally encountered a bloodthirsty Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast, leading to an imminent battle.
By the time Old Xuan, that old man, had eaten his fill and gone to look for the Inner Courtyard disciples, he was horrified to find that only four out of the twelve-person team were barely clinging to life. All that old man could do was collect their remains and return to the Academy, right?
If he were to say that, wouldn't it damage Shrek's image and confirm the crazy ramblings of that loose-tongued subordinate? After all, Old Xuan didn't do it on purpose...
Quickly organizing his thoughts, Yan Shaozhe soon had an answer and met Xu Tianxi's gaze, saying:
"The situation at the time was very complex. The powerful cultivators of our Shrek Academy were momentarily held back by other matters and couldn't protect your mother and the others immediately, which is why the accident happened."
"But I, as Dean, can tell you that your mother and the others dying in battle in the Star Dou Great Forest is an unparalleled honor. Their sacrifice was not meaningless, nor did it betray their identity and glory as Inner Courtyard disciples of Shrek Academy."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Lexuan's eyes twitched. A hint of anger welled up on her pale face, but she instantly suppressed it, not wanting Xu Tianxi to see.
What... what could she do? The powerful cultivator of the Academy who was negligent was Old Xuan, a peerless expert destined to inherit the position of Sea God Pavilion Master.
Even if she watched so many companions die tragically, even if she watched Xi Yue-jie, who could have lived, perish to protect her and their companions, and even if she resented Old Xuan's inaction, what could she do?
No matter how talented she was, she hadn't yet matured. Her value to the Academy was far from comparable to Old Xuan, who was already the second strongest expert on the continent.
Even, even she had to, at Dean Yan's... even Mu Lao's request, step forward and ask Old Xuan not to abandon his responsibilities and simply leave...
If she hadn't stepped forward, she might have been safe, but what about her other companions...?
There was no way. This pain, she would just have to keep it in her heart forever, never letting anyone else know.
After Yan Shaozhe finished speaking, the Xuanming Old Ancestor waved his hand. Chen Wu and Yue Lao were immediately enveloped in a black light and vanished from the room.
Yan Shaozhe and Zhang Lexuan, being exceptionally strong, immediately sensed that the two had been teleported a hundred meters away, their expressions changing.
The Xuanming Old Ancestor, Xu Xiaoyun, smiled at Yan Shaozhe's surprised expression and said:
"This matter is too important. It's better if only a few of us know, to prevent them from getting angry and saying something unpalatable... No need to be surprised, this is just a small Soul Skill of mine."
Yan Shaozhe's troubled expression largely disappeared, replaced by a look of solemnity. He smiled and said:
"Senior Xu is jesting. This junior came here on behalf of my teacher to apologize to you. This incident is indeed where our Shrek has wronged your Sect and Senior Xu."
No wonder even his teacher had told him not to underestimate the Xuanming Sect and to treat the Xuanming Old Ancestor with respect when he came. To be able to send people away with a Soul Skill without him even noticing, his strength was truly extraordinary, probably not inferior to Level Ninety-Seven Old Song.
Xu Xiaoyun snorted twice without responding. No one could tell what he was feeling. He simply sat on the peach wood chair next to Xu Tianxi, reached out, and took out two round, jet-black Elixirs, flicking them into Xu Tianxi's and Zhang Lexuan's mouths.
"These are Black Tortoise Divine Pills I personally refined. You two weaklings should take them to nourish yourselves."
"Little Tianxi, say whatever you want. Grandmaster is here."
The moment he swallowed the Elixir, an encouraging voice transmission reached Xu Tianxi's ear. His eyes lit up, then he looked up and stared directly into Yan Shaozhe's eyes, asking word by word:
"Dean Yan, I heard that the powerful cultivators of Shrek Academy are the top experts on the continent. Titled Douluo from other forces are no match for Shrek Academy's experts. Did that senior encounter multiple Titled Douluo enemies in the Star Dou Great Forest, or was he attacked by powerful Soul Beasts?"
"Also, I want to know, why do you call dying tragically at the hands of Soul Beasts 'honor'? My mother died at the hands of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast because there was no support, and so many others died too. What kind of honor is this!?"
Yan Shaozhe's expression changed. He never expected Xu Tianxi to ask such a question.
Shrek Academy has a history of over ten thousand years. For ten thousand years, students have died in the process of hunting Soul Beasts. To fight to the death without retreating is certainly an honor. Moreover, their deaths also resulted in Zhang Lexuan's Hundred Thousand Year Eighth Ring. In his opinion, it was absolutely worth it.
But how could a child understand this kind of honor?
Zhang Lexuan was startled for a moment by Xu Tianxi's unexpected, yet understandable, outburst. She gripped Xu Tianxi's hand tighter and said urgently:
"Tianxi, the situation here is very complicated. You're still young, it's not time for you to know yet..."
Yan Shaozhe was very satisfied with Zhang Lexuan's timely rescue. A "Shrek is sacred and inviolable" radiance immediately appeared on his embarrassed face. He clasped his hands behind his back and said solemnly:
"Little fellow, I, as Dean, won't talk to you about so many grand principles right now. I can frankly tell you that in this matter, there certainly was negligence on the part of our Shrek Academy's powerful cultivators. However, that senior has already deeply regretted it and even proposed to withdraw from Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion. It was our Academy's students who couldn't bear for him to leave, and he reluctantly agreed to stay..."
"At your age, you might not yet understand what kind of existence the Sea God Pavilion is. If you can inherit your mother's talent and enter Shrek Academy when you grow up, you will surely know how profound that senior's remorse is, and how great a punishment he willingly imposed upon himself."
"Your mother was once our Shrek Academy's most outstanding student. If you can be like her and enter Shrek Academy's Inner Courtyard, I believe her spirit in heaven will also be comforted."
With every sentence Yan Shaozhe spoke, Zhang Lexuan's shoulders trembled once, her tear-stained face almost unrecognizable.
By the end, it was as if she had reached the limit of her endurance. She simply opened her arms and hugged Xu Tianxi's body, sobbing uncontrollably, unable to utter a single word, as if only this could bring her some comfort.
Let it be this way. There was nothing she could do...
Xu Tianxi struggled to push aside Zhang Lexuan's long, dark, elegant hair, revealing a pair of shining, black onyx-like eyes that fixed intently on Yan Shaozhe.
"So, what you're saying is, the senior from Shrek Academy who caused my mother's death, along with many of her junior martial siblings, didn't receive any punishment at all? Is that right?"
Hearing this, Yan Shaozhe impatiently waved his hand, adopting some of the Shrek Dean's authoritative demeanor, and glared, shouting:
"I told you, you have no idea what a great existence the Sea God Pavilion is! When you grow up, you will naturally understand how sacred the Sea God Pavilion is, and what a huge sacrifice that senior made!"
"The glory of Shrek is not something a child like you can comprehend, but I, the Dean, tell you, this glory has been forged and defended by countless Inner Courtyard disciples of Shrek over tens of thousands of years, with their blood and lives!
The first thing every Inner Courtyard disciple does before entering Shrek's Inner Courtyard is sign a life-and-death pact. Entering the Inner Courtyard means facing the most brutal trials. Every year, Inner Courtyard disciples die, but the glory they defend lives on forever!
For you to question the glory of Shrek now is to question your mother's efforts during her life!"
Xu Tianxi gasped, his eyes widening in astonishment.
This is truly an eye-opener. I've really learned something today. No matter how many web novels you read, it pales in comparison to experiencing it firsthand. This Shrek isn't an academy at all; even cult fanatics aren't this bad.
Glancing at his cheap Grandmaster, whose face was as dark as water, Xu Tianxi turned back to Yan Shaozhe, meeting his gaze and loudly declaring:
"I don't know how important the Sea God Pavilion is to you, but to me, no one's life is more important than my mother's! Shrek Academy killed people and then talks about some 'glory'? Don't you think that's shameless?"
"Enough!"
Yan Shaozhe's hair stood on end with fury. He glared angrily at Xu Tianxi, who dared to question Shrek's glory in front of him, and snapped:
"Boy, I didn't want to say this, but since you insist on digging for answers, I, the Dean, will tell you how the responsibility should be calculated!"
"As an Inner Courtyard disciple, your mother failed to protect her teammates during a Soul Beast hunting mission, leading to severe casualties for the team. This was already a major transgression!"
Xu Tianxi could hardly believe his ears. His eyes were wide, fixed on Yan Shaozhe, trying to understand how someone could be so utterly shameless.
Yan Shaozhe's face darkened as he said:
"Don't look at me with that defiant gaze. I, the Dean, tell you, as the primary Control Type Battle Soul Master in the hunting team, your mother was required to exert sufficient control within the team!
Yet, she failed to detect the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast's presence in time, to warn the entire team to retreat promptly, which led to the team being attacked and Shrek suffering its greatest loss in hundreds of years!
From the situation at the time, the team's casualties were due to her underestimating the enemy and her carelessness. While it was certainly wrong that this Academy's leading teacher didn't rescue them in time, she, as the main Control Soul Master, was equally wrong, and gravely so!"
"Her later sacrifice to protect her companions can be considered to have balanced out her mistakes, and we no longer wish to pursue her responsibility."
"If you are unconvinced that senior remained unharmed, then enroll in Shrek Academy. If you can one day become a Titled Douluo who has made immense contributions to Shrek Academy, and are able to enter the Sea God Pavilion, perhaps you will have a chance to challenge that senior."
"But for now, you are not qualified to criticize that senior Elder who has made countless contributions to Shrek and the safety of the continent! He is the strongest expert in our Shrek Academy; even I, the Dean, must show him the respect due to a junior!"
This kid is really stubborn. It seems after he enters Shrek, I'll need to have someone properly temper his personality, lest he become arrogant and offend Old Xuan.
Yan Shaozhe's attitude startled Zhang Lexuan. She quickly turned her pale, bloodless face, her eyebrows furrowed, and shouted at Yan Shaozhe:
"Dean, he's still a child, a child who just lost his mother! Don't scare him!"
"The situation back then was extremely special. Xi Yue-jie's reconnaissance team was the first to suffer misfortunes. All of us who survived owe Sister Xi Yue a life!
Tianxi also calls me Auntie. Now that Xi Yue-jie is gone, I will absolutely not allow anyone to harm Xi Yue-jie's only child again! Even if it costs me my own life!"
Seeing this, Yan Shaozhe's expression instantly softened, and he said gently:
"Le Xuan, don't be nervous. I was a bit hasty just now, but I had no intention of making things difficult for a child; once he enters Shrek, we will certainly nurture him well."
Zhang Lexuan, at just over twenty years old, had already become a Soul Douluo with a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring. She was the first person in Shrek Academy's three-thousand-year history to achieve this, and was destined to enter the Sea God Pavilion in the future. Yan Shaozhe could not afford to underestimate her.
After calming Zhang Lexuan, and before Yan Shaozhe could even sigh in relief, several chilling, aged laughs reached his ears, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Hehehehe... What a Shrek, what an Elder of the Sea God Pavilion. Truly worthy of being the number one Soul Master Holy Land. To oppress others with your power, how magnificent."
Two angry crimson lights burst from Xu Xiaoyun's ancient eyes. He slowly rose from the peach wood chair, which let out a CRACK as its armrests shattered into dust.
A powerful pressure emanated from his body. Beneath his feet, viscous black water ripples seemed to surge, covering the entire room.
"Just now, from what you said, it seems you don't talk about reason, only strength. My little grand-disciple is insignificant and not qualified to question your Shrek. So, what about this old man? I wonder if I have that qualification?"
Within the viscous black Soul Power, a dark golden shield with a coiled blood-red giant snake appeared in the palm of this Xuanming Old Ancestor. His face was frosty as he roared out sentences filled with fury, echoing like thunder in Yan Shaozhe's ears.