"Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang opened his eyes and saw Mu En's weary expression. Deeply moved, he called out to him.
"Hahaha, not bad at all — level seventy-three!" Mu En laughed happily and said, "Ziyang, you still have a few months until you turn seventeen, right?"
"Yeah! A little over three months," Zhu Ziyang nodded, already understanding what Mu En wanted to say.
"How wonderful," Mu En sighed. "When I reached Soul Saint, I was nearly twenty. You're far stronger than your teacher ever was!"
"Teacher, it's all thanks to your guidance!" Zhu Ziyang replied sincerely.
"Hehe," Mu En chuckled, then started giving his final instructions. "Ziyang, from today onward, Shrek Academy is in your hands!"
"Teacher, rest assured. As long as I, Zhu Ziyang, still breathe, no one will ever trample the dignity of Shrek Academy!" Zhu Ziyang solemnly promised.
"Hahaha, with those words, I can die without regrets!" Mu En laughed joyfully, then continued, "After I'm gone, I'll have Xuanzi act as interim Pavilion Master. Once you reach the level of Title Douluo, you'll officially take over. Xuanzi may be reckless and careless, but his loyalty to the Academy is absolute. You can trust him completely — he will protect you with all his might."
"Lin Huiqun is meticulous and excels in managing finances. If you ever face things you don't understand or can't decide on, consult with him. With his support, no one else will be able to stir up trouble."
"Song Lan is like Lin'er — both are intolerant of evil and act with great precision. You can have her assist Lexuan with her tasks."
"Zhuang Qingzhe is calm and reclusive. As long as something doesn't violate his principles, he'll support you. Talk to him often — healing-type Title Douluo can save lives at critical moments."
Zhu Ziyang listened quietly as Mu En rambled on, unable to hold back the grief that rose in his heart.
"As for your four senior brothers and sisters, Shao Zhe is indecisive and a bit small-minded, but he's a good man. If possible, let him serve as an executor."
"Lin'er is proud and capable — someone worth putting in an important position. If the Academy wants to make a breakthrough in the Soul Tool Department, she is the key."
"Duoduo may appear brash, but he is strong-willed and inwardly reserved. Though he and Lin'er are nominally husband and wife, we old folks can all see how things really are. If the opportunity arises, lend him a hand."
"Meier, though nearly a hundred, still has the heart of a little girl and is the most impulsive. If I'm gone, she'll likely cry the most, hehe." Mu En's face grew brighter as he spoke.
"As for Huo Yuhao and the other two, I've spoken to you already. The one worth cultivating most is Huo Yuhao. That child is stubborn and rigid, but fortunately, he's met good people and hasn't strayed."
"He has great talent in soul tools and is the key to the Soul Tool Department's future. That's why I sent him to study at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy — he might surprise you." Mu En continued, "As for Lexuan, she's gentle and kind. Even though we pushed her to go along with the plan, you should still give her some attention. She's a good child."
As Mu En's words neared their end, Zhu Ziyang couldn't stop the tears from flowing. At that moment, the doors to the Sea God Pavilion opened, and Xuanzi entered with a group: Elder Lin, Elder Song, Elder Zhuang, Xian Lin'er, Cai Meier, Qian Duoduo, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Beibei, and Tang Ya.
"Elder Mu (Teacher)!" The elders and deans all wore sorrowful expressions. Xian Lin'er and Cai Meier rushed to Mu En's side, sobbing before his rocking chair.
"Enough now — you're all grown adults. What kind of example is this, crying like children?" Mu En scolded, though beneath his words was a deep reluctance to part. "Get up. I have some things to say."
"Mhm." Xian Lin'er and Cai Meier stood up while wiping away tears, their eyes still red and misty.
"Xuanzi, Huiqun, Lan, Qingzhe — from today on, the students of the Academy are in your hands," he said to the four elders with a smile. "I'm counting on you!"
"Elder Mu!" The four elders trembled, hearts filled with grief. They could only respond firmly, "Unless all of us old bones perish, no one will harm Ziyang or any of the children!"
"Good, good!" Mu En nodded in satisfaction and looked at Xuanzi. "Xuanzi, you'll be the strongest in Shrek Academy now. Don't act so rashly anymore. After I'm gone, the Pavilion Master position is yours."
"Elder Mu…" Xuanzi was already sobbing uncontrollably. The last time he felt such sorrow was more than a hundred years ago, when his own teacher passed away.
"Meier," Mu En looked at Cai Meier. She collapsed into his arms again, weeping. Mu En gently patted her head and said, "Don't be so heartbroken. If you cry like this, how can I trust you to take over as Dean?"
"Teacher, please don't die…" Cai Meier sobbed, ignoring his words.
"From today onward, Cai Meier will be Dean of the Martial Soul Department. Once Shao Zhe emerges from seclusion, let him become an Elder," Mu En instructed.
"Mhm!" Everyone nodded tearfully.
"Lin'er, Duoduo," Mu En turned to Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo. "Lin'er, you're nearly a hundred yourself. From now on, don't let your emotions guide you. You have great talent. If you can overcome your flaws, there's no limit to how far you might go."
"Teacher, I will!" Xian Lin'er fought back her sobs and nodded.
"Duoduo, you've always been the one I worried least about. You're so sensible it hurts to think about," Mu En said, turning to Qian Duoduo. "I've neglected you all these years."
"Teacher…" Qian Duoduo couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears, finally letting out all the frustration and pain he'd hidden over the years.
"Both of you must take care of yourselves. You're both Super Douluo, and time is on your side. Everything is still possible!" Mu En added, "The Soul Tool Department is in your hands now!"
"Teacher, we'll listen!" Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo said through sobs.
"Hehe, good! Good!" Mu En smiled, then declared, "The development of the Soul Tool Department must not stop because of my death!"
"Understood!" The elders nodded.
"Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao," Mu En looked at the trio. "We haven't spent much time together, but I know you're good children. From now on, follow your senior brother Ziyang, alright?"
"Yes, Teacher!" The three — the youngest among those present — cried the hardest. Especially Huo Yuhao, who had felt a kind of love from Mu En that he had never known before. Now, that warmth would vanish forever.
"Beibei, Tang Ya," finally, Mu En looked toward the two and smiled warmly.
"Grandmaster!" Beibei dropped to his knees, crying out in grief. Only Huo Yuhao's trio didn't know of Mu En's relationship with Beibei, so the others weren't surprised.
"Elder Mu!" Tang Ya followed Beibei and knelt, calling out.
"Hehe, what a shame I won't live to see you marry and have children," Mu En said with a hint of regret, laughing softly. "But I believe you'll live happy lives. Beibei, as the only heir of my bloodline, I'm proud you inherited my light attribute. The Light Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is a great path. This is the last thing I can do for you."
As he spoke, Mu En extended his withered right hand and placed it on Beibei's head. The Sea God Pavilion suddenly flashed with golden light. A brilliant radiance flared, then faded. Beibei groaned and collapsed, caught in time by Tang Ya. Golden lightning flickered across his body, faintly altering him with each pulse.
"Tang Ya, I hope you will one day restore the Tang Sect," Mu En said, giving her a deep look.
"Thank you, Grandmaster!" Tang Ya responded tearfully.
"Hahaha!" Having said his goodbyes to everyone, Mu En smiled one last time. He still had one final thing to do.
He paused, then spoke with solemnity:
"As Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, I hereby issue my final three orders."
"First — from this day forth, all locations within the inner courtyard bearing the name 'Sea God' shall be renamed. Sea God Island shall become Tianyuan Island. Sea God Pavilion shall become Tianyuan Pavilion. All other Sea God designations will change to Tianyuan, except for Sea God Lake, which shall remain unchanged."
His voice echoed beyond the Pavilion and across the entire inner courtyard. Zhang Lexuan and the other kneeling students outside heard every word.
Mu En's first order left everyone in the Pavilion visibly confused. But no one dared question him — after all, he had ruled as Pavilion Master for so long, and that authority was deeply ingrained.
"Hehe, I know you must be surprised and confused. Why would this old man, on the verge of death, issue such a strange order?" Mu En chuckled and explained, "I want to say this clearly — Shrek Academy has never been a chapel or altar to any god! If it's about honoring the achievements of the first generation of Shrek Seven Devils, leaving just Sea God Lake is enough. Too much creates misunderstanding and unwanted influence."
"As for the name Tianyuan? The center of a chessboard is called 'Tianyuan.' If we compare the Douluo Continent to a chessboard, then Shrek Academy must hold its central position at all costs!"
"We understand!" Everyone bowed their heads. Their doubts had been answered, though Zhu Ziyang sensed something deeper in Mu En's words.
(End of Chapter)
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