"Wang Yan," Elder Xuan said sternly, "you'll lead the team back for now. Escort the others to the military encampment…"
As he issued his orders, Yao Haoxuan slowly regained consciousness. Looking pale but lucid, he turned his eyes to Chen Junting and Ning Tian.
"Brother Chen, Sister Ning… thank you. You saved my life.I owe you everything."
The others had already told him what happened—that it was Ning Tian's life-saving elixir that pulled him back from the gates of death. But Yao Haoxuan knew clearly: if Chen Junting hadn't shielded him with that sword intent barrier at the last second, there might not have been a body left to save.
"Senior, conserve your strength," Chen Junting said gently. "Focus on healing. No need to talk about debts. Save the thanks for when you're back on your feet."
Yao Haoxuan opened his mouth to speak, but exhaustion overtook him. His body shut down in self-preservation, and he slipped into unconsciousness once more.
By then, Elder Xuan had finished giving instructions. With a sweep of his hand, he enveloped Yao Haoxuan in a cocoon of pure white soul power—stabilizing his condition and holding back the internal damage.
"No matter whose fault it is, I shoulder the blame," Elder Xuan said solemnly. "Haoxuan is critically wounded. Xiaotao and Yaoheng haven't recovered. Aside from the remaining four core disciples, the reserve team will have to step up."
"If we lose in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament…"
His face showed no fear, but he took a deep breath. "Victory and glory will be yours. If you fail… then the shame rests on me alone."
With that, he vanished from the cave in a flash of light.
Everyone stood silent.
It wasn't until Wang Yan gave the order to move that the group sprang into action. Chen Zifeng hoisted Dai Yaoheng onto his back, while Xixi carried Ma Xiaotao. They left the cave at once.
After a short rest in the Mingdou Mountains, they rushed to the Star Luo Empire's military base—seeking the help of the White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao.
Upon hearing the details, Dai Hao wasted no time summoning military healers. A Healing-type Soul Emperor was quickly dispatched. Under their care, Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yaoheng's external wounds improved, but their internal injuries would take longer to recover.
Outside the medical tent, Ning Tian grumbled to Chen Junting. "Elder Xuan is hopeless. If Grandpa Ye or the others were leading us, this wouldn't have happened."
Chen Junting said nothing. It wasn't the first time Elder Xuan had caused trouble… and probably wouldn't be the last.
In his opinion, when true disaster strikes, Elder Xuan can be counted on. But if it's just a small threat? Then Elder Xuan is the threat.
"Brother Junting!"
It was Huo Yuhao's voice.
He poked his head out of a nearby tent and waved them in. Inside, the rest of the reserve squad was seated in a circle—faces serious. He Caitou and Wu Feng, back from patrol duty, sat quietly too.
Seeing the gloomy mood, Chen Junting couldn't help but smirk. He grabbed two chairs and sat down with Ning Tian. "What's this? A secret meeting?"
No one answered. Instead, Wang Dong broke the silence, eyes filled with doubt.
"Brother Junting… do you think we really stand a chance?"
Then—
Bang!
"Ouch! That hurts!"
Wang Dong yelped as Huo Yuhao smacked him on the head.
Chen Junting chuckled and shook his head. "You're worried about that? Are you underestimating Shrek Academy's strength? Even if our core team is down, we still have four uninjured senior students. Once Dai Yaoheng and Xiaotao recover, we'll have full Soul King-level firepower."
He narrowed his eyes. "You think other academies are stacked with Soul Kings?"
Just then, the tent flap opened, and Chen Zifeng entered with the other three seniors.
"Brother Chen's right," Zifeng said confidently. "Based on our intel, we're still the front-runners. Elder Xuan's warning was just a precaution."
He looked at the reserve squad.
"In fact, only one of you will likely get a shot onstage during the later rounds. The rest should focus on training while Boss Dai and Sister Xiaotao heal. Even if something goes wrong, we'll step in to finish the job."
The mood in the tent shifted—awkward smiles turned to grins of renewed resolve.
Chen Zifeng and the others took their seats. "Honestly, we owe you all," he said sincerely. "If it wasn't for your defensive soul tools and coordination, we might've ended up like Xiaotao and Yaoheng."
The other seniors nodded.
Ning Tian and Chen Junting just waved it off.
Then Zifeng changed the subject.
"Actually, there's something else. Aside from Sister Xiaotao and Ling Luochen, the rest of us plan to return to our clans after reaching the Soul Emperor level. But… if the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is open to it, we'd like to join. Not just us—but our families too."
Ning Tian and Chen Junting exchanged knowing smiles.
Looks like all the effort they put into building goodwill—and that last rescue—had paid off.
-----
Sea God Island, Shrek Academy
On the steps of the Sea God Pavilion, Elder Xuan sat slumped, flask in hand. Wine dripped from his chin as he stared blankly at the sky.
Footsteps approached from behind.
"Xuanzi. How's the boy?"
The voice belonged to Zhuang Yusen. He glanced at the disheveled Elder Xuan and said, "The elixir Ning Tian used came from the Breaking Clan. It's extremely potent. The boy's stabilized, but he'll need time."
"That's good," Xuanzi muttered, exhaling a breath thick with alcohol. No one had died. That was a relief—however small.
Zhuang Yusen sighed. "Xuanzi… I don't even know what to say anymore."
Xuanzi rose to his feet and dusted himself off.
"This time, I'll take responsibility. I'll report to Elder Mu myself."
Zhuang Yusen watched him ascend the stairs. "What's the point of confessing if you never change?"
He shook his head and vanished.
Inside the Sea God Pavilion, the elders and deans were already gathered.
Elder Mu sat at the head.
When Xuanzi entered, Yan Shaozhe stood to greet him. "Elder Xuan, you're here."
Xuanzi raised a hand and looked toward Mu En. But before he could speak, the old man cut in gently.
"Spare us the long speech. Say what you came to say."
"I've failed again," Xuanzi said solemnly. "I failed in the Star Dou Forest before, and now this. I wish to resign."
Gasps rippled through the room.
But before anyone could object, Mu En raised a hand. A golden light flashed—
Shua—
It pierced Xuanzi's body, sealing his soul power.
"Do you accept this judgment?"
"I do," Xuanzi said, not even flinching.
"Then your punishment is this: for one year, your cultivation remains sealed. You will sweep the academy grounds each day. No alcohol. No meat. You may unseal yourself only if necessary."
Xuanzi paused, lips twitching. No drink? No meat?
But then he remembered the faces of the students—injured, nearly lost under his watch.
He clenched his jaw.
"I accept."
Mu En nodded and flicked his hand. A broom dropped in front of him.
"Start now."
Xuanzi picked it up and walked out silently.
Once he was gone, Yan Shaozhe raised a concern. "Teacher, with Elder Xuan gone, who oversees the Shrek Supervisory Group? And what about backup for the Soul Dueling Tournament?"
Mu En closed his eyes. "Song Xiao. You'll be the acting head of the Supervisory Group. Also, from this day forward, every member must carry at least one type of soul tool."
"Xian Lin'er. Qian Duoduo."
"Yes, Teacher!" the deans of the Soul Tool Department answered.
"You'll handle the integration."
They nodded, secretly elated. This was the breakthrough they needed to boost the Soul Tool Department's standing.
Mu En continued. "Song Xiao, go to Star Luo City immediately. Watch over the children."
"Yes."
He vanished in a flash.
Yan Shaozhe looked hesitant. "But if we lose—"
"Enough," Mu En said coldly. "So what if we lose? What matters is teaching them right. This is education, not war."
He looked around the room. "The academy needs to change. And it starts with you."
His voice rang out clearly.
"Who's in favor of this reform? And who stands against it?"
---
(End of Chapter)
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