Chapter 190: The Sea God's Pavilion Conference (Part 2)
Yan Shaozhe was silent for a moment, tapping his fingers twice lightly on the tabletop before raising his head.
"Cooperation. We must cooperate."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembly. "There is no enmity between Shrek and the Water God Church, nor any barriers between us. They despise evil soul masters; we despise evil soul masters. On this front, we walk the same path."
He leaned back, his tone relaxing somewhat: "Besides, our side can provide them with talent. Aren't they short on manpower? Shrek may lack in other areas, but talent we have in spades. Especially high-level soul engineers—they seem to be rather lacking in that department, whereas we, in all substance, have three Class 8 soul engineers."
As he said this, he specifically turned his head to look at Qian Duoduo.
Qian Duoduo was the Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department, a Class 8 soul engineer. Xian Lin'er was also Class 8, as was Fan Yu.
Although Shrek's overall strength in soul engineers couldn't match the Sun Moon Empire, and their numbers weren't as great, distant water couldn't quench a nearby thirst, could it?
Qian Duoduo stood up, pressing his palms against the tabletop. He didn't rush to speak but first stroked his beard, as if organizing his thoughts.
"Fan Yu also mentioned to me before that he'd like to make contact with the Water God Church," he spoke slowly. "To be honest, if we can cooperate, it would indeed benefit the development of our Soul Tool Department."
He shifted the topic, his brow furrowing slightly: "However... the ambitions of those Water God Church people are probably not limited to just this, are they?"
A white-haired venerable elder nodded. He was old and spoke slowly, but every word was clear: "Helping commoners awaken their martial souls, giving out subsidies, distributing techniques... this routine reminds me of the Spirit Hall from ten thousand years ago."
He lifted his eyelids and looked at the seated assembly: "Everyone here knows full well what end the Spirit Hall met."
The atmosphere in the conference hall stiffened slightly.
The Spirit Hall of ten thousand years ago had, in history, annihilated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect and nearly uprooted the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect as well. Later, it even established the Spirit Empire in a vain attempt to unify the continent. In orthodox history books, it was almost defined as an evil organization.
But it was undeniable that in the hearts of the soul masters of that era, it was indeed a holy land for soul masters. Helping commoners awaken their martial souls, granting every soul master a subsidy... for ordinary people, it was an exceedingly warm organization.
The current Water God Church's actions were somewhat similar to those of the Spirit Hall. It even worshipped a "god"—only, this god was their Pope herself, a girl of about fifteen with monstrous talent.
Another venerable elder waved a dismissive hand, his tone somewhat impatient: "What's the use of talking about that? They have a Limit Douluo stationed there now, and they haven't done anything out of line. If we're to cooperate, then cooperate. What can be accomplished by looking forward and back in hesitation?"
At these words, the others fell silent.
Having a Limit Douluo in residence was hard truth. No one dared to offend them lightly.
Yan Shaozhe looked toward the main seat, his tone respectful: "Elder Mu, you see... everyone is inclined toward cooperation. What is your opinion?"
Everyone fell silent, waiting for the old man reclining on the chair to speak.
Elder Mu did not speak immediately. He closed his eyes and tapped his fingers gently on the armrest, as if pondering something.
After a moment, he slowly spoke: "Cooperate."
He opened his eyes, his gaze calm: "Not only cooperate, but cooperate well. Learn from the good things they have. At the same time, don't you all hide things away—give what should be given. Let them see the sincerity of our Shrek."
He paused, and his tone grew heavier: "Shrek needs to change."
Yan Shaozhe froze for a moment, and Qian Duoduo also stopped his beard-stroking.
Paying no heed to their reactions, Elder Mu continued: "In teaching, change is needed. Those same old things, taught over and over—the students are all falling asleep listening to them. What use is that?"
He snorted lightly: "Especially the content of the Martial Soul Department—just those few points, repeated back and forth. What about soul tools? And the assessments? Still clinging to the old rules. Over at the Water God Church, even ordinary people can use soul tools now, yet we're still debating whether new students should use them?"
He waved a hand: "Loosen up a bit. Let the new students use them. They can also use them during assessments."
Yan Shaozhe furrowed his brow and spoke hesitantly: "Elder Mu, this... won't this affect our judgment of the new students' strength?"
Elder Mu smiled. The smile was a little helpless, and also held a hint of watching a show: "Affect what? If they can win using soul tools, that's also a skill. Do you think the battlefields of the future will still be like those of ten thousand years ago, relying solely on martial souls hacking at each other?"
He extended a finger and tapped the table: "Over at the Water God Church, there are already people researching soul tools that ordinary people can use. If you don't loosen your grip and act boldly, whether Shrek's title as the number one academy can still be kept in a few years' time is up for debate."
He withdrew his hand, leaned back against the reclining chair, and his tone carried a bit of self-deprecation: "This old man knows that times have changed, yet you young folks are the ones who can't get over it?"
Qian Duoduo's eyes lit up and he stood up directly: "These words of Elder Mu are music to my ears!"
He was so emotional his beard was trembling: "Fan Yu's side recently took the approach of Tang Sect hidden weapons and came up with some new things. If we could get our hands on those 'pistols' from the Water God Church to study, the progress of the Soul Tool Department could leap forward by a huge margin!"
Yan Shaozhe said nothing, merely lowering his eyes and gently rubbing his fingers along the edge of the table.
He was thinking about Elder Mu's words.
Artificial soul rings, artificial soul bones, the method of self-condensing soul rings—even if only in their infancy, these were earth-shattering, groundbreaking things. What about their own side? Still researching methods for cultivating ultimate martial souls. In comparison, it truly wasn't enough to look at.
If they didn't learn, didn't chase, let alone the Water God Church, in a few years they probably wouldn't even be able to compare to their own Soul Tool Department.
Seeing his expression loosen, Elder Mu continued: "There is one more thing."
Everyone pricked up their ears again.
"The Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department will interact more from now on," Elder Mu spoke slowly, but every word was very clear. "Students with good talent can study in both departments at the same time. Learn from the Martial Soul Department, and also from the Soul Tool Department."
At these words, the conference room immediately erupted.
Yan Shaozhe looked up, his face full of incredulity: "Elder Mu, this... there's no precedent for this! Studying in both departments simultaneously—how could the students' energy possibly keep up?"
Qian Duoduo also, for once, stood on the same side as him and shook his head repeatedly: "Indeed, Elder Mu, this matter is too great. If students try to balance both ends, they'll end up doing poorly in both. Wouldn't that just be harming them?"
Several venerable elders also murmured among themselves, their faces showing hesitation.
Elder Mu, however, merely smiled.
That smile held a bit of nostalgia, a bit of emotion, and also a bit of... watching a show.
"You lot."
He slowly sat up straight.
This single motion made everyone subconsciously straighten their backs. Elder Mu had not sat up like this in a very long time.
"What is Shrek called? The Academy of Monsters." His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clearly enunciated. "Since they're monsters, what's the problem with learning a little more? What's the problem with putting in a little more effort?"
He swept a glance over the seated individuals, his gaze calm yet making no one dare to meet it directly: "No precedent? Then create a precedent. What matter didn't start from the very first time? If you don't even dare to take the first step, what 'future' is there to speak of?"
He paused, his tone easing slightly but becoming even heavier: "If you don't dare to change, then just be straightforward about it and hand over all this honor and reputation accumulated over ten thousand years to someone else."
The conference hall was so silent one could hear the sound of breathing.
No one responded.
Yan Shaozhe opened his mouth, wanting to say something, then swallowed it back down.
Qian Duoduo slowly sat back down in his chair, his fingers unconsciously twisting his beard.
After a long while, a white-haired venerable elder finally spoke slowly. His voice was hoarse, yet carried an indescribable calmness:
"Elder Mu is right."
He glanced at the people around him and smiled, the smile somewhat rueful: "We old folks have guarded Shrek for most of our lives, always afraid something might happen to it. But by guarding and guarding, we instead guarded ourselves into stubborn old fools."
Another venerable elder also nodded and sighed: "Yes... ten thousand years of legacy is both glory and shackles. Always thinking of guarding, we forgot we still need to move forward."
Yan Shaozhe was silent for a very long time before finally speaking. His voice was somewhat low, but his tone was sincere:
"It was me who was conservative."
He looked at Qian Duoduo, a rare smile appearing on his face: "Old Qian, let's interact more from now on."
Qian Duoduo paused for a moment, then also smiled, stroking his beard and nodding: "Alright. Send me any good seedlings, and I'll personally teach them."
The two exchanged a glance, both feeling a bit emotional.
After competing for so many years, they were actually forced to shake hands and make peace by a little girl.
Watching this scene, the corner of Elder Mu's mouth curved up slightly.
He leaned back into his reclining chair once more, closed his eyes, and his tone returned to its usual casualness: "Then it's settled. As for the specifics of how to negotiate and how to reform—you all can discuss that slowly. This old man won't get involved."
Within the conference hall, everyone began to discuss animatedly.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting each person's silhouette long.
Shrek Academy, this number one academy on the continent that had stood for ten thousand years, had finally, on this day, taken the first step toward change.
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Thanks for reading the chapter!
I started a new translation and I would be very happy if you decided to check out my new translation for a rather rare fandom. It's a crossover based on Mondaiji (Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren't They?)
This story has a somewhat similar style to my other translation for this fandom (same author, after all), but it's completely different from any other fanfic I've come across for this fandom! It's set thousands of years before the original novel/anime, and the MC literally plays a part in shaping the backstory of this world. I really enjoyed it—hope you will too!
Mondaiji: I Really Didn't Want to Become God https://www.webnovel.com/book/36945944200410205