"Elder Mu, I… I…"
Xuan Zi hurriedly opened his mouth, but with so many people around, he grew flustered. His messy beard trembled as he stammered, unable to speak.
Because he understood clearly: everything he had done over the past year was essentially behavior belonging to an evil soul master—hunting soul beasts, devouring their flesh and blood to strengthen himself.
He had tried to quit, but he discovered he could not. The feeling was simply too wonderful, too intoxicating…
Xuan Zi originally believed he had hidden it well, but unexpectedly, Elder Mu had seen through everything. Now exposed, panic instantly surged in his heart.
"Xuan Zi, you must understand—power itself has no right or wrong. As long as you do not become a puppet of that power, then you are still yourself."
Mu En looked at Xuan Zi and spoke earnestly.
Hearing this, Xuan Zi stared at Mu En in disbelief.
"Elder Mu, that's not what you told me before…"
Before Xuan Zi could finish, Mu En glared at him sharply, forcing him to swallow his words.
Back when he first joined Shrek's Tribunal Court, Elder Mu had once instructed him: whenever encountering an evil soul master—no matter their personality—they must be wiped out completely. Never leave hidden dangers.
After all, what good person could there be among evil soul masters…
But now, Elder Mu was willingly helping him conceal the truth.
"That's right, Elder Xuan. Your strength growing is a good thing—it means we can better protect Shrek Academy."
Yan Shaozhe quickly chimed in.
However, he completely misunderstood—he and Mu En were speaking on two entirely different levels.
But he did understand this much: Xuan Zi belonged to their faction, and the position of Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion must belong to Xuan Zi. No one could underestimate the combination of himself and Xuan Zi.
"All right, Xuan Zi. As long as you understand this clearly in your heart, there is no need to speak of it to outsiders."
Mu En waved his hand, sending Xuan Zi to the side before continuing.
"Shaozhe, how long until the exchange with the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?"
Yan Shaozhe stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"Teacher, there are still three months remaining. The location has been set in Maple Leaf City."
"Very good. You have handled this matter well. When the exchange begins, you will enter the first level of the Sea God Pavilion to meditate and complete the assessment I left for you."
"Ten years. I will give you ten years. If you fail, you will step down as Dean of the Martial Soul Department and enter the Sea God Pavilion permanently."
Yan Shaozhe's body trembled, but he dared not object. He could only nod obediently—he knew Mu En was doing this for his sake.
"Lin'er, Duo Duo, come here."
Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo hurried forward and knelt beside Elder Mu. At this moment, Xian Lin'er was crying so hard she could not speak.
Looking at the two of them, Mu En's heart showed clear satisfaction. They were among the few people who truly allowed him to feel at ease.
Then, Mu En's aged face grew stern.
"As the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, I will now issue my final order."
"From today onward, fully develop the Soul Tool Department, and promote the integration of the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department. Considering the high funding needs of the Soul Tool Department, fifty percent of the income from all industries belonging to Shrek City's Academy shall be allocated to the Soul Tool Department."
Mu En's tone was authoritative, allowing no questioning, and he continued:
"If one day the Soul Tool Department produces a Rank 10 Soul Engineer, then the position of Pavilion Master will be inherited by them."
Hearing these words, Huo Yuhao, who was kneeling nearby and crying heavily, trembled violently. His spiritual sea rippled faintly.
"Yes!"
All elders present responded in unison.
After speaking, Mu En appeared visibly fatigued. His eyes closed slightly, then opened again.
His gaze swept across Huo Yuhao and the six others behind him, before stopping on Xu Sanshi.
"Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan—this old man has one request."
"Huh?"
Feeling everyone's eyes fall upon them, Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan instantly felt like a mountain had crashed down on their shoulders. They both fell to their knees.
"Elder Mu, please command us! As long as it is within our ability, we will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
Xu Sanshi said, voice trembling.
Mu En sighed.
"This is not an easy request—but I hope that the two of you, like the other five, will join Tang Sect."
"A thousand years ago, Tang Sect and our Shrek Academy shared common ancestors. Now, watching Tang Sect fall into decay pains my heart."
"But Shrek has always upheld neutrality. We cannot intervene in the affairs of any nation or faction, and so the Academy cannot rescue Tang Sect."
"So—I hope your generation can strengthen Tang Sect and restore its glory."
As he finished speaking, Mu En's breathing grew unsteady, and he intentionally coughed twice.
"I am willing!"
Jiang Nannan nodded firmly, tears filling her eyes.
Seeing her speak first, Xu Sanshi quickly followed:
"Elder Mu, I am willing too!"
"At the same time, I will withdraw from my family's sect. The seven of us will work together—we will rebuild Tang Sect!"
"Cough, cough… you are all good children…"
Mu En nodded with satisfaction, a flash of sharp brilliance in his eyes.
He then glanced subtly at Wang Dong. There was always something about Wang Dong that he could not see through… but now, he no longer had the strength to investigate.
Lastly, his gaze stopped on Zhang Lexuan—standing quietly, composed.
Feeling relieved, Mu En nodded slightly.
Zhang Lexuan had been taken in by him from a young age, and she held absolute loyalty to Shrek Academy. She was the most stable piece on the board.
The Dragon Pill had also been entrusted to her temporary safekeeping.
"Moon Martial Soul… but she will never know in her lifetime…"
Mu En's eyes flickered with complexity.
"Elder Mu…"
Sensing his gaze, Zhang Lexuan felt heartache. She had been brought to Shrek by Mu En since childhood and raised personally by him. Without a doubt, Mu En was one of the people she was closest to.
"After I leave, everything is to be led by Xuan Zi."
Mu En looked slowly at everyone present, then murmured softly:
"All people must eventually depart… ah…"
"Ancestors of Shrek—Mu En is coming!"
As his final words fell, a blinding golden light exploded from his body.
Two yellow, one purple, three black, three red—nine soul rings rose fully around him.
A thunderous dragon roar erupted.
A massive golden pillar of light shot into the sky from the Sea God Pavilion, illuminating the entire Academy in gold. Within the golden glow, Mu En grew younger and younger, wrinkles vanishing until he appeared like a young man.
Then, releasing another deafening dragon roar, his body transformed—becoming a white dragon bathed in radiant gold, soaring into the sky above the Pavilion.
He looked deeply toward the Star Dou Forest, roared once more, and without another sound, the enormous white dragon burst into countless golden specks of light that fell from the sky.
"All disciples, sit in meditation and calm your minds!"
Yan Shaozhe's voice shook the entire Sea God Island. Inner Court students circulated their soul power immediately.
But only a small portion of the golden rain landed upon the students below. Most of it flew toward the towering Golden Tree behind the Sea God Pavilion.
The phantom of the white dragon flashed once above the Golden Tree and vanished. All luminous energy surged inward, and the tree grew calm once more.
Soon after, the golden light completely disappeared.
Inside the Golden Tree—within a hidden space—
A faint female voice echoed:
"Another one has arrived…"
"This one… actually still has a soul. No rush… no rush…"
As the words fell, the space returned to silence.
(End of Chapter)