"Sea God's Pavilion meeting? Isn't it still early for the Academy's annual session? Was this one called on Elder Mu's request?"
Elder Xuan sat slumped on the steps, his hair a disheveled mess like a bird's nest. He glanced up at Yan Shaozhe, who was pale and clearly weakened. For the first time in a while, a trace of clarity returned to his otherwise clouded eyes.
The Sea God's Pavilion Meeting was Shrek Academy's highest-level council — where all major decisions were made. Just hearing the name was enough to make even a drunken Elder Xuan momentarily sober.
But only momentarily.
Before Yan Shaozhe could answer, Elder Xuan's gaze dropped again to the chicken leg and wine gourd in his arms. He took a heavy swig from the gourd and bit into the meat, as if only alcohol and food could help him cope.
"Yes. I heard from the Headmaster that this meeting was called to discuss Lexuan, Beibei, and the next generation — how to nurture future Sea God's Pavilion members," Shaozhe replied, his face full of grief as he looked at what had become of Shrek Academy's second-strongest expert.
It wasn't long ago — just two months — that Elder Xuan had returned from the Star Dou Great Forest, full of confidence and vitality. He was the undisputed number-one genius of Shrek Academy, the continent-renowned Gourmet Douluo, and heir apparent to the Dragon God Douluo.
He was meant to succeed the Pavilion Master. If nothing had gone wrong, he'd be leading the Pavilion now, and their old master could finally rest.
But now, everything had changed.
Shaozhe didn't hate Elder Xuan. He only hated that damn hundred-thousand-year soul beast — that it had left its own territory to ambush Shrek's inner court students.
Every inner court disciple was a priceless treasure. Yes, the students were careless, but the final result — four dead, four heavily wounded — was something Shaozhe, as Dean of the Martial Soul Department, could never accept.
Aside from one Soul Tool Department student, the rest were all from the Martial Soul Department — his elites. Among them were not just core disciples, but two successive generations of the Shrek Seven Devils.
Eight dead. The rest were still bedridden. Two were permanently disabled. Only Zhang Lexuan, who had consumed a Xuanwu Divine Pill, had fared slightly better.
The one bright spot in the disaster was that Lexuan had absorbed that beast's soul ring and soul bone, becoming the youngest Soul Douluo in Shrek's 3,000-year history — a clear candidate for a future Limit Douluo.
Even if she didn't reach that pinnacle, she would certainly become at least Rank 98 — enough to guarantee Shrek's long-term strength.
But the moment Shaozhe thought about Lexuan's new hundred-thousand-year eighth ring, his expression darkened — it reminded him of the deepest humiliation he'd ever suffered.
That old bastard also had a hundred-thousand-year eighth ring. He couldn't take revenge yet — but he'd see whether the Xuanming Sect could produce anyone else strong enough once the old man died.
That guy had relied on strength to insult him — shameless to the core!
Still focused on his wine and food, Elder Xuan didn't notice the shift in Shaozhe's gaze. He gnawed off the last of the meat from the chicken leg, wiped his greasy hands on his sleeve, and staggered to his feet, wobbling as he walked toward Sea God Lake.
Now that he'd put down the wine and meat, some of his old aura — one belonging to a peak-level powerhouse — began to return. After walking a while, he turned his head and said:
"Lexuan and Beibei are like our own children. They're Shrek born and bred — the pride of our Martial Soul Department. If this meeting is about them, we need to get them the best support we can."
"Of course. I believe the Pavilion Master would want that too," Shaozhe replied respectfully, following closely behind.
They walked to the lakeside, where the mist-covered Sea God Island appeared faintly in the distance.
A small boat was already waiting. The two stepped aboard, and Shaozhe gently activated his soul power, guiding the boat steadily toward the island.
Seeing that Elder Xuan's mood still hadn't improved, Shaozhe sighed and tried to console him in a low voice:
"Elder Xuan, this accident wasn't your fault. Please stop blaming yourself. Didn't Lexuan herself ask you to stay on in the Pavilion and keep fighting? None of us wanted this to happen."
Elder Xuan looked deeply pained. He shook his head and said, "Shaozhe, you don't have to comfort me. Every time I see Lexuan, I think of that nightmare two months ago."
"Eight well-trained inner court students — dead right in front of me. Two crippled. Lexuan and another were badly wounded too."
"Shrek invested so much to train them. Some came from strong clans, and now the Academy's paid a terrible price. That's on me alone — and I can't forgive myself."
Shaozhe's face changed. Grabbing Elder Xuan's arm, he said urgently:
"But Elder Xuan — no one can avoid every mistake! The moment those students entered the inner court, they should've accepted the risk of life and death. Every year, someone gets hurt or dies on an enforcement mission. Can all of that be blamed on you?"
"And this wasn't entirely your fault. Lexuan and the others made mistakes too. That hundred-thousand-year soul beast was unbelievably strong — even two Titled Douluo might've failed to subdue it. This was bad luck."
"You've already paid a steep price. If it weren't for appearances, you'd have taken the Pavilion Master position. But you gave that up out of guilt. Elder Xuan, you're Shrek's pillar. You have to get back up!"
Elder Xuan sighed. "Shaozhe, there's no need to say more. When Lexuan knelt and begged me, how could I bear to let her down?"
"Don't worry. This old body can still fight. I'll hold out until you're strong enough to take over the Pavilion. That's something I can still do."
"The only way I can atone is by continuing to serve Shrek — and training the next generation."
"That's… that's wonderful!"
Shaozhe was overjoyed. Elder Mu had long since stepped away from daily affairs — Elder Xuan was now the Martial Soul Department's face. As long as he was here, no threat from within or outside could shake their foundation.
As for that Xu old man? A wild rogue, barely trained — how could he compare to Shrek's number-one genius, Elder Xuan?
Elder Xuan had been personally trained by Elder Mu and shaped by Shrek's deep heritage. His martial soul, the Gluttonous Divine Ox, would never lose to that so-called divine beast Black Tortoise.
And that Xu Tianxi kid? Beibei was older than him and already showed signs of matching Elder Mu's brilliance. Even Xu Sanshi had only just caught up after a year of training here.
"Let's hope that kid has some self-awareness and stops dreaming about setting foot in this sacred place. If he keeps questioning Shrek's glory, he'll learn just how naïve and ridiculous he really is..."
Thinking of Xu Xiaoyun and then Xu Tianxi, Shaozhe looked toward the island up ahead. A sneer crept onto his waxy face.
"Summer insects know nothing of ice," he thought. Just a brat who doesn't know his place.
Still, as Dean of the Martial Soul Department, it would be beneath him to deal with a child directly. Maybe Du Weilun could go gather some info. That brat should've awakened his martial soul by now…
Meanwhile, deep within Sea God Island — inside the three-story Sea God Pavilion.
Zhang Lexuan, her face much improved from half a month ago but still deathly pale, knelt respectfully before a white-haired elder half-reclining on a golden lounge chair.
"...Elder Mu, I swear on my martial soul — everything I said just now is true. Although Senior Xiyue's child hit Dean Yan, the Dean's words to him might have been too harsh."
"I don't dare criticize the Dean's intent to defend Shrek's honor, but for a child who just lost his mother, such ideals may be hard to grasp. His reaction, though impulsive, is understandable."
"I've long since vowed to devote my life to Shrek. But during the Star Dou mission… if it hadn't been for Senior Xiyue protecting me with her life, I'd have died. So I must plead with you — please, show mercy to that child."
"Please, Elder Mu. Don't punish someone who doesn't yet understand. If Dean Yan must vent, let me take the blame on Tianxi's behalf!"
As she finished, Lexuan made to kneel fully — but before her knees touched the floor, a gentle surge of holy soul power lifted her up.
The reclining Elder Mu stirred. A warm smile spread across his ancient, weathered face.
"Child… what are you thinking?"
"We truly owe them a great debt. I asked Shaozhe to apologize in person because I wanted to ease tensions with the Xuanming Sect. How could I possibly blame a boy who just lost his mother?"
"When your Senior Xiyue joined the Academy, that Sect's old patriarch spoke to me directly. Thinking back now… I truly wronged them. If I hadn't been too frail to travel, I would've gone myself. Even if the boy had struck me, I'd have accepted it."
Elder Mu's voice was calm and kind. Every word was full of compassion. Lexuan's eyes welled with tears.
"Elder Mu… it's not your fault. None of us could've predicted what happened…"
"Sigh… I won't hide it. Elder Xuan bears the main blame. He failed in his duties as team leader. But… I no longer have the strength to punish him. I'm powerless…"
He sighed again and slowly raised a hand. "Lexuan, help me up."
Lexuan rushed forward to support him. Elder Mu moved slowly, like a true man at the end of his years. He stood with great effort — his back hunched nearly ninety degrees.
He gazed out the window as if he could see Elder Xuan, Shaozhe, and the others arriving.
Softly, he said:
"Lexuan, I truly don't have much time left — twenty years at most. When I'm gone, only Elder Xuan will be strong enough to protect Shrek and inherit my role in the Pavilion."
"If Heaven had given me fifty more years to raise you, Beibei, and Shaozhe, I would not have tolerated his failure. But time waits for no one. Shrek needs his strength now."
"I'm sorry, child…"
Lexuan could only bury her face and wipe her tears.
Elder Mu sighed and continued,
"At this meeting, I'll propose naming you as a provisional member of the Pavilion. Once you reach nine rings, you'll officially join as my successor."
"You and Beibei are like my own children. No one wants to see you rise more than I do. When you surpass Elder Xuan in strength, you'll have the right to hold him accountable. But for now…"
"Please don't say more, Elder Mu. I understand. I'll cultivate with everything I have — for Shrek."
Elder Mu gently patted her forehead and whispered, "Take me to the meeting."