Shrek Academy, Tian Yuan Island, Tian Yuan Pavilion, Main Hall.
Upon returning to the Academy, Zhu Ziyang and the elders immediately convened a Tian Yuan Pavilion meeting. Also attending this meeting were Huo Yuhao, Fan Yu, and He Caitou. The content of the meeting was very simple: to hear Fan Yu, Huo Yuhao, and others report on the gains and results of their exchange activities.
After Huo Yuhao was brought back by Yan Shaozhe ahead of schedule, he didn't have time to find Tang Ya and Bei Bei, nor did he have time to find Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao. He was immediately taken by Yan Shaozhe to the Tian Yuan Pavilion. He waited in front of the Tian Yuan Pavilion, gazing at the Golden Ancient Tree, which was still as lush as ever. His heart was deeply touched as he remembered Mu En, who treated him like family. Overwhelmed by sorrow, he knelt and wept bitterly.
By the time Zhu Ziyang and other Tian Yuan Pavilion members, along with Fan Yu and He Caitou, arrived, he had already composed himself.
Inside the Tian Yuan Pavilion's main hall, the Tian Yuan Pavilion meeting officially began. Zhu Ziyang naturally sat in the principal seat, while the other elders sat on either side. As for Huo Yuhao, Fan Yu, and He Caitou, they could only stand for now.
Looking at Zhu Ziyang, who was seated in the principal seat, the three of them—Huo Yuhao, Fan Yu, and He Caitou—couldn't help but be surprised. Fan Yu, as the head of the Soul Tool Department, was able to control his expression well, but the two young men, Huo Yuhao and He Caitou, could not. Huo Yuhao's mouth gaped open as he asked, "Senior Brother, you..."
Huo Yuhao could guess that Zhu Ziyang's strength had improved rapidly, which was evident from his solo confrontation with the Dragon Emperor Douluo not long ago. However, he hadn't expected that Zhu Ziyang would already be able to sit in the position of Tian Yuan Pavilion Master. Was this his Senior Brother? He was truly amazing!
"Hehe, don't be surprised," Xuan Zi said with a chuckle. "Ziyang has already reached the Titled Douluo realm. According to Grandmaster Mu En's last wishes, he has now succeeded as the Tian Yuan Pavilion Master. You all need to get used to his new identity."
"Yes!" The three of them—Huo Yuhao, Fan Yu, and He Caitou—felt their hearts tighten. Then, they respectfully bowed to Zhu Ziyang, saying, "Greetings, Pavilion Master!"
"Alright, don't be so formal," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile, waving his hand. "Tell us about your experiences and gains at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. Teacher Fan Yu, you go first."
"Yes!" Fan Yu, having been called upon, immediately stepped forward. He first respectfully bowed to Zhu Ziyang and the elders, then began to recount his observations and experiences at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. At the same time, he also presented his thoughts and suggestions for the future development of Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department. Zhu Ziyang and the elders each asked him questions, which he answered one by one. His answers greatly satisfied Zhu Ziyang and the elders; the specific details will not be elaborated upon here.
"Very good, Teacher Fan Yu, you've done exceptionally well." Zhu Ziyang said with a satisfied smile on his face, "Senior Sister, please announce the Tian Yuan Pavilion's arrangements for Fan Yu!"
"Mm!" Xian Lin'er stood up and said to Fan Yu, "Fan Yu, after deliberation by the Tian Yuan Pavilion meeting, it has been decided to appoint you as the Vice Dean of Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department, responsible for the development and expansion of the Soul Tool Department, and to approve your entry into the Tian Yuan Pavilion."
"Yes! Thank you, elders, and the Academy for your cultivation!" Although he had already received the news beforehand, Fan Yu still couldn't suppress his excitement and joy upon hearing the appointment firsthand.
"Alright, Teacher Fan Yu, please go and rest." Xian Lin'er said with a smile, looking at Fan Yu, who could hardly conceal his excitement.
Fan Yu left the Tian Yuan Pavilion, and it was Huo Yuhao's turn. Zhu Ziyang and the elders' gazes fell upon him. Zhu Ziyang smiled and said, "Yu Hao, it's your turn."
"Mm! Alright!" Huo Yuhao was a bit lost in thought, but quickly adjusted and began to recount his experiences and gains, mimicking Fan Yu's earlier narrative style. However, he naturally didn't need to consider plans for the Academy's Soul Tool Department's development. But he did have other matters, such as the leverage he had gained: "These are the resources I exchanged from Mingde Hall Master Jing Hongchen. I am now handing them over to the Academy."
Huo Yuhao took out a Soul Tool ring and handed it to Qian Duoduo, who was closest to him. Qian Duoduo took the ring and then handed it to Zhu Ziyang. Zhu Ziyang took the ring, and with a glance, everything inside the ring immediately entered his sight.
"No wonder the Sun Moon Empire went to such lengths to intercept you. You're quite the businessman, kid!" Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but laugh, then tossed the ring gently, and it landed precisely in Huo Yuhao's hand. "Thirty silver dragon scales. They are most useful in your hands, so there's no need to hand them over to the Academy."
"This... is this alright?" Huo Yuhao hesitated, looking at Zhu Ziyang and asking.
"There's nothing wrong with it," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile. "Reaching a Class 9 Soul Engineer sooner is the best report you can give to the Academy. Junior Sister, please announce the arrangements for Yu Hao."
"Mm!" Cai Meier nodded, stood up, and said to Huo Yuhao, "Yu Hao, in recognition of your contributions to the Soul Tool Department, after deliberation by the Tian Yuan Pavilion meeting, it has been decided to approve your early entry into the Tian Yuan Pavilion."
"Me? Entering the Tian Yuan Pavilion?" Huo Yuhao was stunned by this sudden surprise, looking at Zhu Ziyang with disbelief, as if seeking confirmation.
"Haha, no need to be surprised," Zhu Ziyang laughed. "This is what you deserve, not only because of the more than one thousand blueprints you brought back to the Academy, but also because of your talent. More importantly, you are Grandmaster Mu En's disciple."
"I... I understand!" Huo Yuhao's inner shock slowly subsided after hearing Zhu Ziyang's words. His voice was still a little shaky as he spoke.
"Alright, I guess you're eager to see your friends now, so we won't delay you," Zhu Ziyang said. "Go on, Tang Ya has something to talk to you about."
"Yes!" Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao's face also showed expressions of longing and anticipation. He said to Zhu Ziyang and the elders, "Senior Brother, esteemed elders, goodbye."
Huo Yuhao also left. Now, only He Caitou remained. He Caitou was somewhat uneasy, and Zhu Ziyang's next words almost made him collapse to the ground.
"Alright, it's your turn, Cai Tou," Zhu Ziyang said, looking at He Caitou with a meaningful smile. "Or perhaps, Xu He? Xu Tianhe?"
"I..." He Caitou's face turned pale, and he was speechless for a moment, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Zhu Ziyang and the elders couldn't help but laugh at He Caitou's reaction. Xian Lin'er stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Alright, Ziyang, stop teasing Cai Tou. Cai Tou, you don't need to be nervous or scared. Your identity was reported to the Academy by Fan Yu as soon as you entered. If we truly cared about your identity as a Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, you would have been dealt with by us long ago. Why would we expose you here then?"
"Is... is that so?" He Caitou's complexion improved considerably after hearing Xian Lin'er's words, and his body stopped trembling. He also understood much more; it was indeed as Xian Lin'er said, his identity could not have been hidden from the Academy, and the Academy truly did not care about his identity as a Prince of the Sun Moon Empire.
"Haha, Cai Tou, I'm sorry, I just wanted to tease you," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile. "The reason we're confronting you now is actually because we have a request for you."
"A request for me?" He Caitou was stunned, then immediately said seriously, "What does the Academy need? Just say it. As long as it's something I, He Caitou, can do, I will not hesitate! From the day Grandmaster Fan Yu adopted me, the Academy has been my only home. So, no matter what the Academy needs me to do, I will go all out."
"There's no need to be so serious," Xuan Zi said. "The matter is quite simple. During your time studying at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, you must have heard of Princess Xu Tianxuan of the Sun Moon Empire."
"Mm! It is said that she is a direct descendant of the Moon Lineage, a mascot pushed out by that old scoundrel Xu Jiusong to ease conflicts within the imperial family," He Caitou said, his tone full of resentment.
"She is actually our Senior Sister from the Inner Courtyard," Xuan Zi said after exchanging glances with Zhu Ziyang.
"What? Senior Sister?" He Caitou was struck by lightning, his eyes wide and his mouth agape. He had considered that Zhang Lexuan might have imperial blood from the Sun Moon Empire, but he never thought she would become a Princess of the Sun Moon Empire. In that case, he wasn't the only member of the Sun Moon Empire's imperial family within the Academy. He felt inexplicably happy.
"We're telling you this because..." Xuan Zi said, revealing the Academy's "Empress's Advent" plan to He Caitou and entrusting him with the tasks he needed to perform in the final stage of the plan.
He Caitou agreed without hesitation. For him, ever since Xu Jiusong launched his coup, murdering his father and family, and no one among the Sun Moon Empire's citizens stopped him, the Sun Moon Empire had become entirely his enemy.
Now, to have him assist the Academy in overthrowing Xu Jiusong's family's rule and allowing the citizens of the Sun Moon Empire to be purified by the Academy's teachings, what reason did he have to refuse?
In his opinion, this was good news for the people of the Sun Moon Empire!