"Young Master, how did it go? Did the two of them agree to join our big family?"
"Or should I go and do some ideological persuasion? I guarantee they'll behave obediently!"
Outside, seeing Jiang Jue slowly open his eyes, Nangong Wan hurriedly stepped forward and asked, terrified of missing any opportunity to progress.
"There's no need to trouble Elder Nangong with that. The two of them have already agreed from the bottom of their hearts."
Jiang Jue waved his hand slightly.
"Ah… I see…"
Nangong Wan said with faint disappointment.
"But I do have a task that I need Elder Nangong to handle."
Jiang Jue's tone shifted subtly as he continued.
How could he not understand Nangong Wan's intentions? Since he wanted to improve, Jiang Jue naturally had to give him the chance.
"Young Master, please command!"
Nangong Wan's eyes lit up instantly.
"Youyou, get up. It's time to work."
A flash of red light flickered from Jiang Jue's hand, releasing six immortal herbs. He spoke to a large red-petaled flower.
"Yes, yes! Just say the word!"
Youyou hurriedly responded, the tone carrying a hint of flattery.
"You all will first leave your seeds within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. And then, Youyou, along with Elder Nangong, will package all the immortal herbs here. Be careful with the handling—make sure none of the medicinal essence is lost."
Jiang Jue instructed.
"We guarantee completion of the mission!"
Youyou and Nangong Wan responded in unison.
Youyou then leapt onto Nangong Wan's shoulder, guiding him in packaging the herbs, once again playing the role of an expert beast.
"This is the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum… this is the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, and this one…"
Youyou took the lead, explaining the properties and storage requirements of each herb with ease.
Indeed—those who know you best may not be your enemies, but your close friends and brothers.
Sweeping his gaze across the Immortal Herbs competing in fragrance and beauty, Jiang Jue discovered one that was relatively ordinary.
Its body was emerald green, but strangely, three snow-white leaves grew in its center. On them were several crystal droplets, resembling morning dew.
"This is… the Dewflower of Longing?!"
Jiang Jue strode forward, eyes shining as he watched the plant sway gently.
"Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Fiery Apricot Beauty Dew… No rush. These are all resources for my 70th level Soul Core condensation."
"Since the flawless golden body cultivation has already reached the Body-Molding Stage, as long as I break through the Golden Body realm before reaching Rank 70 and take these immortal herbs together, I can complete both the second awakening of my Body Martial Soul and Soul Core condensation in one strike."
Jiang Jue's heart surged with excitement. The difficulty of a second awakening of a Body Martial Soul depends entirely on its quality.
The stronger the Martial Soul, the harder the second awakening—but once successful, its burst of power would multiply several times over.
And among these herbs were even hundred-thousand-year level items—treasures that must be utilized carefully. Their value wasn't only in medicinal power, but also in the significance of hundred-thousand-year soul rings and bones.
"Once these are all packaged, I'll start searching for my sixth soul ring. I wonder which soul beast will be fated to meet me this time."
Jiang Jue murmured softly, the third vertical pupil between his brows flickering with light…
…
"Elder Mu, are you really going to leave?"
"No, please don't! Without you, what will happen to Shrek Academy in the future!?"
Inside the Sea God Pavilion, in Mu En's chamber—
Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe looked at the elderly man on the wheelchair, already near death's door, shouting with grief.
"All right, all right, this old man isn't dead yet. If you keep crying like that, I really will go early."
Mu En raised his old, cloudy eyes and looked at the two men before him, his face glowing with color—showing no trace of someone near death.
Yet both Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe understood clearly: this was nothing more than the final radiance before a candle burns out.
Mu En's hair had already fallen completely, rendering him truly "brilliantly bald."
"Shaozhe, push me down. Yuhao and the others are waiting."
Seeing Yan Shaozhe wanting to speak further, Mu En waved his hand to interrupt.
Yan Shaozhe opened his mouth but said nothing. Silently, he moved behind Mu En and pushed the wheelchair outside.
The wheels squeaked against the floor—not the crisp sound of usual—but heavy and sorrowful…
Xuan Zi followed behind, his expression low.
The meeting hall on the first floor of the Sea God Pavilion was already filled to capacity.
The moment Mu En appeared, a figure ran forward, voice shaking with emotion:
"Teacher!"
"Cough—Yuhao, calm down. You're crushing your teacher."
The nearly 1.8-meter-tall Huo Yuhao had thrown himself against Mu En's lap, causing Mu En to involuntarily cough twice.
Over the past year, Mu En had accepted Huo Yuhao as his final disciple, raising him as the future heir.
Seeing Yuhao in tears, Mu En showed a satisfied expression.
His plan had succeeded—Yuhao was completely bound to Shrek Academy.
But what he failed to notice was the brief flash of sharpness deep within Huo Yuhao's eyes…
Behind Yuhao stood six others—the backup team for the previous All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.
Although He Caitou had been severely injured, Elder Zhuang of the Sea God Pavilion had fully saved him, and after a year's recovery, he could cultivate normally again.
Xuan Zi stood quietly at Mu Lao's side, along with Yan Shaozhe, Cai Meier, Xian Lin'er, Qian Duoduo, and all of the elders of the Pavilion.
Among them, a girl in her early twenties stood out. Her long black hair fell to her waist, her delicate face flawless, bright dark eyes gently flickering. Her hands were folded calmly before her—elegant and serene, unforgettable at first glance.
She was the Senior Sister of the Inner Court—Zhang Lexuan, an eight-ring Soul Douluo, one of the most outstanding youth of Shrek Academy.
"Children, do not cry."
"Grandmaster Xuan!"
A cry of grief erupted. Bei Bei knelt crying loudly before Mu En, grief consuming him.
Not just because his great-grandfather was departing, but also because Tang Ya had already left him forever.
With Bei Bei's kneeling, Yan Shaozhe and Cai Meier also knelt behind Mu En, eyes full of tears.
"Silly children, no need to cry. I have already lived over two hundred years—there is nothing left to regret. And even if I die, I will continue watching over Shrek Academy in secret."
"Since I'm about to leave, there are things I must entrust. Xuan Zi!"
Xuan Zi hurried to kneel at Mu En's side.
Looking at him, Mu En sighed quietly.
"Xuan Zi, you are not young anymore. From now on, remember not to act out of emotion. All of you listen—after I leave, Xuan Zi will take over the position of Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion. With him here, all continues as when I was here."
"Elder Mu—this must not be! How could I possibly bear such a responsibility!?"
Xuan Zi panicked and waved his hands.
"Xuan Zi, I have seen the changes in you over this past year. You have grown steadier. I believe you can do it."
Mu En said gravely.
This position could only be Xuan Zi's. Otherwise, once he died, power would fall into the hands of other elders—something he refused to let happen.
"Elder Xuan, with your… with your strategic perception and strength, you are more than capable."
Yan Shaozhe quickly added, but for the first time, the usually eloquent man didn't know how to praise someone properly.
"I also believe in Elder Xuan."
Cai Meier echoed.
"Sigh… you are all tormenting me…"
Xuan Zi looked at the two of them and then at Mu En, finally nodding bitterly.
"And one more thing—Xuan Zi, you must control the power inside your body. Do not become its puppet."
Mu En looked deeply into Xuan Zi's eyes and transmitted his voice secretly.
Xuan Zi trembled instantly, eyes full of shock.
(End of Chapter)