In the main hall of the Sea God's Pavilion, six Pavilion Elders — including Elder Xuan — and the four department deans, including Yan Shaozhe, were seated in orderly fashion around an oval table, all with solemn expressions.
This was the highest authority of Shrek Academy. Everyone present was a key figure in the institution. The six Pavilion Elders were all Super Douluo, and of the four deans of the Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departments, two were also Super Douluo, while the other two were Titled Douluo.
Eight Super Douluo, two Titled Douluo — this was the true foundation of Shrek Academy's dominance.
Yan Shaozhe sat at the far end on the left, with Deputy Dean Cai Mei'er beside him. Opposite them sat Soul Tool Department Dean Xian Lin'er and Vice Dean Qian Duoduo.
At that moment, silence hung in the air. Everyone waited quietly for the figure reclining in the seat of honor — the Pavilion Master of the Sea God's Pavilion, Dragon God Douluo Mu En, who had reached the peak of Rank 99 — to speak.
Mu En's gentle voice broke the silence:
"Since everyone's here, let's begin. Elder Song, you'll chair today's session."
All the Pavilion Elders subtly straightened their posture.
Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan exchanged a quick glance of confusion.
Normally, Mu En would ask Shaozhe — his direct disciple — to chair the meeting. Why the change today?
Still, Elder Song had the rank and prestige to qualify. Neither questioned it out loud.
Elder Song, seated at the second-highest position to the right of the table, rose with a smile and nodded to the group before speaking warmly:
"This emergency meeting was called by Elder Mu to discuss the cultivation plans of three exceptionally gifted students. All three have the potential to reach Super Douluo."
Hearing this, both Elder Xuan and Yan Shaozhe were visibly puzzled.
Three? Weren't they only here to discuss Lexuan and Beibei?
"Beibei just enrolled last year. Other than Xu Sanshi, no one in the first-year class can match him… Wait, could the third one be Xu Sanshi?"
As the Martial Soul Department Dean, Yan Shaozhe was well aware of all top students in the outer court. Immediately, he thought of Xu Sanshi — the only one who could rival Beibei.
One was an assault-type soul master, the other a defense-type. Both dominated in their fields, practically twin stars. They had both been selected as core disciples of the Martial Soul Department — and Shaozhe had high hopes for them.
But... thinking of his recent experience at the Xuanming Sect, Shaozhe's face darkened, and his right hand clenched tightly.
"The first student is Lexuan, currently the top genius of the inner court. We all watched her grow up. Her background is clean, and her loyalty to the Academy is beyond question. She's clearly destined to become one of Shrek's pillars."
Elder Song smiled and offered Lexuan some praise. The others, including Elder Xuan, nodded in agreement.
In terms of lineage and background, no one matched Zhang Lexuan in terms of what it meant to be a true Shrek student — not even Beibei, who carried the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon bloodline.
"On the Star Dou mission, Lexuan survived by sheer fortune. She absorbed both a hundred-thousand-year eighth ring and soul bone. She's now a prime candidate for future Super Douluo status."
"Once she breaks Rank 90, the Academy will support her with a tailored soul beast hunt. If time and conditions permit, Rank 98 is a given — even Rank 99 is well within reach."
"So Elder Mu and I agree that she should be cultivated as a potential future Pavilion Master. I propose nominating her today as a provisional Sea God's Pavilion member. Once she becomes a Titled Douluo, she will be formally inducted. Let's vote."
All ten hands went up — unanimous approval.
"Good. Let's move on to the next topic," Elder Song nodded, glancing warmly at Mu En before continuing:
"The second matter involves pre-selecting two members of the next generation of Shrek's Seven Devils."
The mood shifted.
"You may already be aware — two exceptional first-year students appeared in the outer court last year. One is Beibei, whom we all know. The other is Xu Sanshi, a direct disciple from the hidden Xuanming Sect…"
There it is. Xu Sanshi.
Shaozhe's brows furrowed deeply, knuckles whitening as a sense of dread grew.
Under normal circumstances, he'd welcome two core students being chosen for the Seven Devils. But now… he couldn't let it go forward.
"Both students have outstanding martial souls and rare talents. In fact, both show signs of potential martial soul evolution and even cross-rank combat. That's why Elder Mu and I believe—"
"Elder Song, Master, may I speak?"
Shaozhe stood and respectfully bowed to the six Pavilion Elders, interrupting.
"Huh???"
All six Elders, including Elder Xuan, shot him confused looks. Even his wife, Cai Mei'er, and the other deans seemed baffled.
"Shaozhe, are you sick or something? What nonsense are you spouting?" Qian Duoduo scowled at him. "Beibei's practically family to the Pavilion Master — you're really going to object?"
Everyone knew that Beibei's nomination came from Mu En himself. Even if Shaozhe was Mu En's disciple, going against his will was… suicidal.
Shaozhe shook his head under the pressure and continued:
"Of course, I'm not opposing Beibei. We all watched him grow up. I fully support his nomination."
"But I do object to Xu Sanshi. Yes, he has talent — but he's from the Xuanming Sect. Pre-appointing him as one of the Seven Devils and investing rare resources is… risky. There's no guarantee we'll get a return on that investment."
"Even powerful talents like Ma Xiaotao and Yue Heng from the previous generation weren't pre-selected. In terms of both background and loyalty, they're far more reliable."
Now that made sense. The doubt in everyone's eyes faded.
Elder Xuan cleared his throat and spoke first:
"Shaozhe's concerns are valid. Xu Sanshi is gifted, yes, but far less known than Beibei. We can observe him for a few more years first."
"This is a matter of great weight. It represents more than honor — it determines who receives greater support and the Academy's full trust. If even the descendants of the original Seven Devils weren't pre-selected, why should a newcomer like Xu Sanshi be?"
Shaozhe's eyes lit up — Elder Xuan had given everyone a way out.
Sure enough, after Elder Xuan's speech, more than half the Pavilion Elders began nodding in agreement. Even Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo seemed to waver.
After all, the Shrek Seven Devils symbolized the Academy's ultimate honor. Countless talents had fought to claim those spots. Pre-selecting anyone had to be done with extreme caution.
That's when Elder Lin — Lin Huiqun — spoke up:
"Everyone, selection should be based on talent. Xu Sanshi qualifies. Who else from his generation could take his place? Early or late, it makes no difference."
That sparked new debate.
Shaozhe frowned and replied:
"But Elder Lin, the Xuanming Sect doesn't have strong ties with us — not like the Blue Lightning or Nine Treasure Glazed Tile clans. Once Xu Sanshi completes his studies, he may simply return to his sect."
Elder Song shook his head and rebutted:
"That's even more reason to cultivate him — to repair our relationship with the Sect. After what happened with Xiyue, we owe them that much."
Elder Xuan's eyes dimmed. Shaozhe opened his mouth again but was cut off by Elder Lin, smiling:
"Shaozhe, I know you had a rough time at the Xuanming Sect… but if this turns into a scandal, it won't end well. Shrek still has business ties with them, after all."
Everyone turned to look at her.
Elder Lin smiled gently. She managed the Academy's Treasure Pavilion and oversaw its external business operations — and she knew the Xuanming Sect very well.
Shrek City was semi-autonomous and had its own tax system. The Xuanwu Commerce Guild, run by the Xuanming Sect, was a major taxpayer.
"Don't get me wrong — I'm not taking sides. But I've worked with the Xuanwu Commerce Guild for years. That sect doesn't just have Elder Xu Xiaoyun — they likely have three Super Douluo and more than ten Titled Douluo. That puts them on par with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"Their martial soul, the Xuanming Tortoise, is one of the most powerful defense-type martial souls in existence. None of us here can claim to surpass it."
She turned to Elder Song with a much more serious tone:
"I've met another old monster from their sect — his strength was at least close to Elder Song's level."
Close to Elder Song?!
That statement sent a chill through the Pavilion. Even among these century-old elders, eyes lit up with surprise.
Elder Song was second only to Mu En and Elder Xuan in Shrek's hierarchy — a Rank 97 Super Douluo, wielding the Azure Shadow Eagle, the continent's top agility-type martial soul.
To be on his level? That meant at least a peak Rank 96 — and a defense-type powerhouse to boot.
With Xu Xiaoyun at Rank 98, several Super Douluo, and over ten Titled Douluo… the Xuanming Sect was no small fry. The Pavilion could not afford to make enemies recklessly.
Meanwhile, Mu En remained silent on his golden recliner, eyes half-lidded, offering no comment. It was unclear if he even cared.
Elder Lin continued:
"Also, the Xuanming Sect is renowned for alchemy. Their Xuan Shui Pill and Xuanwu Divine Pill are known across the continent."
"Though they're a hidden sect, their connections reach deep into the Heavenly Soul Empire — and even into Dou Ling and Star Luo. Their reach should not be underestimated."
"If we sour relations over this, it would be shortsighted. In fact, this is the perfect opportunity to mend ties by cultivating Xu Sanshi."
"As for Shaozhe's concerns… we can handle those later."
By now, the Elders' consensus was clear. Shrek's strength rested on its relationships with noble families and great sects — and it was never wise to make enemies of them lightly.
Especially with the incident involving Elder Xuan still under wraps…
"Well, since everyone's had their say, I'll say a few words too."
At last, Mu En spoke.
The room fell completely silent.
"From what I've heard, Xu Sanshi's mother — the Sect Leader's wife — is a Princess of the Dou Ling Empire. She's the aunt of the current emperor. That's all."
And with that, the vote was unanimous.
Say what you will about Dou Ling's strength — it was still a sovereign nation.
As for Shaozhe's issues... no one here could beat Xu Xiaoyun. And Elder Xuan wasn't in a position to act either. Shaozhe would just have to wait until he grew strong enough to settle things himself.
As the meeting adjourned, Mu En called out:
"Shaozhe, stay behind. I have something to say to you."
"…Yes, teacher."
Shaozhe stopped in his tracks, deflated like a schoolboy caught cheating, and walked obediently back.
Qian Duoduo smirked as he looked back:
"Oh, Shaozhe, you really dared to go against Elder Mu, huh? You're in for it now. Lovely weather today, isn't it…"
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin