After Mu En issued his first command, the heaviness and unease in his heart faded significantly. His gaze also softened naturally.
"Second, after I die, Xuanzi will temporarily assume the role of Pavilion Master—not of the Sea God Pavilion, but the Tianyuan Pavilion. When Ziyang reaches the Title Douluo realm, he will immediately take over as the Pavilion Master of Tianyuan Pavilion." Mu En issued the second command, which could be considered his last will.
Everyone had expected this from the beginning. In fact, to them, this should have been Mu En's first command.
"Elder Mu, I, Xuanzi, swear before the heavens to protect Ziyang with my life!" Xuanzi declared solemnly.
"Yes, I believe you!" Mu En said warmly.
"Third, from today onward, Shrek Academy will prioritize the development of the Soul Tool Department and promote the integration of the Martial Soul and Soul Tool departments. Given the high resource demands of the Soul Tool Department, fifty percent of all academy-operated industries in Shrek City will be allocated to the Soul Tool Department. If one day, the Soul Tool Department produces a Tier Ten Soul Engineer, then the Pavilion Master of Tianyuan Pavilion shall be that person." Mu En announced his final command, his voice spreading across the entire inner courtyard just like the first.
"Yes!" Everyone with decision-making power in the hall answered in unison.
"Hahaha!" Having declared his final will, Mu En let out a hearty laugh. He said, "Ziyang, help me up. I want to take one last look at Shrek Academy."
"Yes," Zhu Ziyang choked slightly as he stepped forward, held Mu En's arm, and gently helped him up from his rocking chair.
With Zhu Ziyang's support, Mu En slowly walked outside. The Elders and students instinctively lined up on both sides, forming a path, their eyes following Mu En's every step.
Soon, they reached the doors. The doors, carved from the golden ancient tree, opened automatically without Mu En's command. This door reflected the will of the golden ancient tree—the symbolic center of Shrek Academy's inner courtyard and the place where Mu En had spent most of his life. It, too, was bidding farewell to its old and dear friend.
Outside the pavilion, Zhang Lexuan, Jiang Nannan, Han Ruoruo, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, Xue Weiwei, Dai Yueheng, and all inner courtyard students not currently away on missions were kneeling in respect, sending off Shrek Academy's protector.
"Elder Mu..." Zhang Lexuan shuffled forward as she saw Zhu Ziyang supporting Mu En. Her beautiful face was stained with tears, and sorrow overflowed from her eyes.
"Girl, don't cry." Mu En chuckled as he gently pulled Zhang Lexuan over and wiped away her tears. "You're going to be an empress one day. How can you shed tears so easily?"
"Elder Mu... sob... I will definitely fulfill your wish!" Zhang Lexuan sobbed.
"I believe in you. You've never let me down." Mu En smiled cheerfully, then turned his gaze to Jiang Nannan. "Nannan, from now on, help Ziyang as much as you can."
"Elder Mu, I will!" Jiang Nannan's red eyes revealed that she had cried too. Due to her close connection with Zhu Ziyang, Mu En had always treated her kindly, so her feelings for him were sincere and deep.
"Children, I wish you all peace and happiness." Mu En finally looked at the students of the inner courtyard. His benevolent tone made many of the girls burst into tears.
"Ziyang, the future is yours now." Mu En tightly gripped Zhu Ziyang's hand, his eyes filled with deep hope and worry.
"Teacher, I will carry it forward!" Zhu Ziyang replied, serious and sorrowful.
But the movement of Mu En's lips stunned Zhu Ziyang.
Having entrusted everything, Mu En looked as if a weight had been lifted from his heart. His face showed peaceful contentment, like that of a newborn. He whispered, "Ancestors of Shrek, Mu En… is coming."
With this final line, Mu En seemed to use every last bit of strength. A brilliant golden light suddenly burst from his body. He released Zhu Ziyang's hand and slowly walked toward the golden ancient tree. Two yellow, one purple, three black, and three red rings—nine complete soul rings—appeared around him. A resounding dragon roar echoed through the air.
The entire space turned golden. A massive golden pillar of light rose into the sky from the golden ancient tree, enveloping the entire Shrek Academy. Mu En's withered body bathed in the radiant glow, slowly becoming youthful again. His aged frame regained vitality. As the golden light grew stronger, he transformed from an old man into a young man.
He turned and cast one final gaze at everyone, filled with hope and reluctance. His eyes lingered on Zhu Ziyang, their silent communication expressing his final concerns.
Zhu Ziyang responded with an unwavering gaze.
Mu En smiled. His entire body turned golden, and golden dragon scales emerged beneath his skin, rapidly covering him completely.
He spread his arms, the intense golden light in the sky shifting through red-gold, orange-gold, gold, green-gold, cyan-gold, blue-gold, and finally violet-gold. When the last hue turned into platinum, Mu En leaped into the air, letting out one last, earth-shaking dragon roar.
His figure blurred, transforming into a brilliant white-gold dragon that hovered over the golden ancient tree before diving into its heart.
This scene could be seen even from a hundred miles away. As the white dragon fell, heaven and earth dimmed. Roars continued to echo from the sky. The golden light radiated outward in waves. The terrifying aura of a Demi-God falling spread across the land. Golden light poured from the sky, bathing the island.
Every living being on Tianyuan Island—soul masters, soul beasts in the lake, insects on the trees—received this baptism of light. Their bodies began to emit soft golden mist, their impurities were cleansed, their soul power compressed and refined.
"Everyone sit cross-legged and enter meditation." Xuanzi's voice resounded across the island. Though choked with grief, it carried absolute authority. This was Mu En's final gift to Shrek Academy.
One of the three current Ultimate Douluo, the Holy Light Dragon, Dragon God Douluo, and the final Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion—Mu En—had fallen.
His life had been radiant and magnificent. He may have failed many people and many things, but he never failed Shrek Academy—the place he had protected his entire life. He might not have been a good man, a good husband, or a good friend, but he was definitely a worthy teacher and a qualified Pavilion Master.
Mu En's fall would inevitably bring great upheaval to the Douluo Continent. And the first to be affected would undoubtedly be the Star Dou Forest, closest to Shrek Academy.
When the Holy Light Dragon soared above Shrek Academy, in the core of the Star Dou Forest beside the Lake of Life, a golden-haired youth stood. His gaze pierced the endless trees, locking eyes with the Light Dragon. Behind him, a pitch-black dragon shadow emerged. A dragon's roar echoed in defiance, answering the Light Dragon's presence.
Suddenly, a mysterious fluctuation appeared. The youth dropped to one knee and respectfully said, "My Lord, you have awakened?"
"Heh!" A woman's voice rippled from the calm waters, laced with ridicule. "I was only stirred by the aura of that white dragon. Heh, this human was one of the most talented in ten thousand years… and yet he's dead. I thought he might inherit the Light."
She sneered. "So laughable. Those arrogant false gods are truly ridiculous!"
The mocking voice faded away.
In Shrek City, Qian Lingyi, who was out shopping, had also witnessed the fall of a Ultimate Douluo. Though unaware of the full story, the pure light aura drew her toward Shrek Academy without hesitation.
Since Mu En's passing had shaken everyone's spirit, Qian Lingyi, a mere Soul King, had actually managed to enter. She made her way to the woods beside Sea God Lake and absorbed the remnants of Mu En's gift, immediately sitting in meditation.
At that moment, all students on Tianyuan Island were meditating. Only Zhu Ziyang and the Elders remained standing, their gazes fixed on the golden ancient tree still radiating golden light.
Mu En had chosen the same end as the Pavilion Masters before him—merging half his life's cultivation into the golden ancient tree, nourishing the sacred treasure of the academy.
Zhu Ziyang was still recalling the final words Mu En whispered to him:
"Be wary of the future… Beware the Sea God!"
Beware the Sea God? Was that why Mu En had removed all Sea God associations before his death? Was his so-called old injury actually caused by the Sea God?
But why?
Why would Tang San—the Sea God—target Mu En? Could it be because they disturbed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? Or because Zhu Ziyang had received a god inheritance?
He remembered what happened the first time he entered the place of inheritance. A thread of clarity began to emerge.
If the Sea God had targeted him due to the Death God's inheritance… why not act directly against him? Why target Mu En?
No matter how hard Zhu Ziyang tried to figure it out, he couldn't determine the Sea God's motive.
But one thing was certain—
The Sea God had become his enemy.
(End of Chapter)
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