"Huh?" Yan Shaozhe opened his mouth, looking at Mu En with a puzzled expression.
Mu En sighed. While Yan Shaozhe was indeed exceptional in terms of soul master talent and had managed the martial soul department well, he had been under Mu En's tutelage since childhood and had grown excessively arrogant, believing that Shrek alone could overcome any obstacle.
"I plan to organize a group of students as exchange students to study soul-guided technology at Tianxing Academy."
Upon hearing this idea, Yan Shaozhe instinctively objected.
"But such important technology—they wouldn't just hand it over to us, would they? Especially since we're from another academy, much like the Sun Moon Empire."
"That's true," Mu En replied. "I've already decided to open some of the Sea God Pavilion's cultivation chambers for the disciples of Tianxing Douluo to use for their training and to provide guidance on their cultivation.
With such an offer, even he should agree." Mu En said indifferently.
The people present couldn't help but gasp in shock. This offer was incredibly generous—so generous that it made them question whether they had misheard.
After all, the Golden Ancient Tree was the core of Shrek's heritage. Even for their own people, access was sparingly granted, let alone outsiders.
However, no one questioned Mu En's decision. On one hand, Mu En was the master of the Sea God Pavilion, and on the other, they knew that once Mu En made a decision, it was unchangeable.
But what Mu En said next left them exclaiming at his wisdom.
"I know what you're thinking, and I know some of you are dissatisfied with my decision. However, according to intelligence from the Sun Moon Empire, they've already planned to exchange large quantities of rare metals for admission into Tianxing Academy.
This means that it's not only Shrek who wants to learn Tianxing Academy's soul-guided technology—the Sun Moon Empire does too. This also shows how coveted Tianxing Douluo's technology is, even by the Sun Moon Empire. If Shrek doesn't want to be left behind by the times, I believe this cost is necessary.
That's all for now. I'm tired. Lin'er, after selecting the students, you will accompany them as the lead teacher to Tianxing Academy."
Xian Lin'er's face flushed with excitement as she eagerly accepted the task.
After arranging everything, Mu En returned to his usual state, lying down in the shade outside the outer court dormitory building. It seemed that watching the constant movement of students was the only way he could feel the vitality of life.
However, this peace didn't last long. Soon, a troubling matter arose.
The news about the exchange students spread widely, and both the inner and outer courts learned the real reason behind Shrek's defeat this time. From this point on, Shrek's students began to truly take soul-guided technology seriously.
As the academy where the most gifted individuals in the Douluo Continent gathered, any student with half a brain didn't want to miss this opportunity. Both the inner and outer courts fiercely competed for the limited spots as exchange students.
However, the inner court students were destined to miss out on this opportunity. After all, they were nearing graduation age, and their paths as soul masters had already been planned out. It would be difficult for them to switch to the soul-guided technology department.
Thus, the spots for exchange students were allocated to the outer court.
Mu En had secured ten spots in total.
With six grades in the outer court and thousands of students, competing for ten spots was undeniably a case of too many applicants and too few opportunities.
Though Shrek had declined somewhat in recent years, no one dared to treat this matter lightly. The most talented students in soul-guided technology had to be selected; otherwise, the spots would be wasted.
"Grandfather, please help me. I really want to go to Tianxing Academy to study soul-guided technology properly."
Mu En reluctantly opened his eyes and looked at Bei Bei, his great-grandson who often gave him headaches.
"Give up, Bei Bei. It's undeniable that you lack the talent for making soul-guided devices. Moreover, every spot is precious—an opportunity to be personally taught by Tianxing Douluo. Giving it to you would be a waste.
As the successor of our lineage, your current task is to focus on your cultivation and inherit my legacy so that the bloodline of the Holy Dragon of Light doesn't fade away."
"But..."
Disappointment was written all over Bei Bei's face. He desperately wanted to see Tang Ya again. Though he could try to corner her at Tianxing Academy and meet her, Bei Bei didn't want to do that—it would only further strain their relationship. While Bei Bei was love-struck, he wasn't stupid.
A flicker of annoyance passed through Mu En's eyes. He had arranged a top-tier fiancée for his grandson—someone unmatched in talent, beauty, and virtue—but Bei Bei had fallen for a penniless girl, a mere ugly duckling without much ability.
"Enough! Don't say another word, Bei Bei. If you keep this up, I'll lock you up and forbid you from stepping foot outside Shrek Academy until you break through to Soul Sage!"
In the end, Bei Bei submitted to Mu En's authority and chose to focus on his cultivation obediently.
Another person with similar thoughts was Xu Sanshi. He directly approached Qian Duoduo, the deputy dean of the soul-guided technology department and a fellow defensive-type martial soul user, attempting to leverage his connection with the Xuanming Sect to gain favor.
However, some things, like mathematics, couldn't be forced.
Xu Sanshi had no foundation in soul-guided technology, yet he wanted to participate in this grand feast using such underhanded tactics. Naturally, Qian Duoduo refused, kicking him out and declaring that he wouldn't allow anyone to pull strings.
As a result, Xu Sanshi became the laughingstock of Shrek Academy for quite some time, labeled as someone relying on connections.
This selection process for soul-guided talent lasted a full two weeks before the final ten candidates were confirmed. Among them were Tang Wulin and He Caitou, two disciples of Fan Yu.
Yes, Tang Wulin, who aimed to revive the Tang Sect, had somehow managed to become a disciple of Fan Yu, currently the most elite Level 8 soul engineer at Shrek Academy.
Although Fan Yu wasn't the deputy dean of the soul-guided technology department or even the head teacher, there was no denying that he was Shrek's strongest presence in the field of soul-guided technology. Compared to the vice principals Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo, Fan Yu was only slightly inferior in terms of cultivation level. Beyond that, many teachers considered him the future successor to lead the soul-guided technology department.
For Tang Wulin, being accepted as his disciple came with countless benefits.
At this moment, watching his beautiful wife prepare to lead a group of students to Tianxing Academy, located thousands of miles away, Qian Duoduo wore an expression of reluctance.
But there was no other choice. While the exchange program would have both a lead and assistant teacher, it wouldn't make sense for both the principal and vice principal to leave for Tianxing Academy. Who would manage Shrek's soul-guided technology department in their absence? Ultimately, the position of assistant teacher fell to Fan Yu.
------------------------------------------------------
400+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)