"What? You want to take that little one out to hunt soul beasts?"
On Sea God Island, Du Weilun looked at Neuvillette in surprise.
"Why not?" Neuvillette replied calmly. "Her cultivation is already sufficient. Naturally, she needs a soul ring to advance her strength."
"That's not the issue…" Du Weilun hesitated for a moment, his tone heavy. "It's just… her identity is special. Not long ago, the Holy Spirit Sect had its eyes on her. If she leaves the Academy's protection, I'm afraid…"
"Yes," Neuvillette nodded slightly. "That's precisely why I came here. But she can't stay cooped up in the Academy forever. A young bird must eventually see the world beyond its nest. So—I've come to borrow some backup."
"Backup… from Sea God Pavilion?" Du Weilun's mouth twitched.
"You mean you want one of the Pavilion Elders to personally accompany you?"
"Why not?" Neuvillette spread his hands casually. "I can handle most crises. But if Zhongli Wu reappears, I can escape on my own—but those children…"
Du Weilun opened his mouth but sighed helplessly instead, his expression caught between frustration and disbelief.
"For the sake of hunting soul beasts, you're actually bold enough to ask for a Pavilion Elder's help. In the entire Shrek Academy, only you would dare to do this. And the most outrageous part? It might actually work."
"Fine. I've nothing better to do anyway. Let's go see Elder Mu and hear what he says."
With a wave of his hand, Du Weilun motioned for Neuvillette to follow.
"The situation is like this…" Du Weilun explained everything carefully. "But if we're to ask an Elder to act, it still requires your approval."
"I understand."
Elder Mu inclined his head slightly. Reclining in his chair, he closed his eyes, his calm presence filling the room.
"I happen to be free. Let me go," Xuan Zi spoke up eagerly, clutching a roasted chicken leg in one hand. His eyes shone with expectation. "It'll be a good chance to meet the younger generation and see what level they've reached."
"Uh…" Neuvillette's lips tightened, his expression conflicted.
"Perhaps… it would be better not to trouble you, Elder Xuan Zi?"
"You brat, are you looking down on me?"
Xuan Zi's eyes widened in disbelief as he jabbed a finger at his chest.
"My strength, across the entire Sea God Pavilion—aside from Elder Mu, if I say second, no one dares claim first! And yet you, little brat, dare to despise me?"
"It's just that… the matter is important," Neuvillette said sincerely.
Xuan Zi's face stiffened.
So now you don't even bother hiding your disdain, huh?
"Elder Mu!" Xuan Zi spun toward Mu En, indignant. "This little Neuvillette, he—!"
"Enough."
Mu En's aged fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of his wooden chair. Slowly, he opened his eyes. Within those deep, wise eyes shimmered a gentle, caring light.
"Little Neuvillette, have you planned the soul rings for those two children?"
"Yes, Elder Mu. Everything has been arranged." Neuvillette nodded firmly.
"Good. Then I leave the rest in your hands. With you here, I can rest assured about Shrek Academy's future."
"Elder Mu, you mean…"
Xuan Zi's face instantly turned serious, while Du Weilun's expression grew equally solemn.
"Hehe, don't worry." Mu En chuckled softly. "This old body of mine still has some strength left. Heaven won't claim me just yet. I was merely overcome with sentiment, seeing the future of Shrek. My injuries grow worse by the day, but I'll last until Little Neuvillette becomes the true pillar of the Academy."
"You…"
Xuan Zi's lips parted, his eyes filled with complicated emotions.
If not for the grievous wounds Elder Mu had suffered in his battle with Dugu Bo, injuries that had shaken his very foundation, his lifespan would never have been cut so short.
As the stabilizing pillar of Shrek Academy, his passing would mean the burden of holding the Academy together would fall on Neuvillette's shoulders.
But still…
"Enough. Don't dwell on it," Mu En said gently, glancing at Xuan Zi before turning back to Neuvillette.
"Let Xuanzi accompany you. With me here, the Academy will not fall into chaos."
"Very well," Neuvillette nodded.
Everyone knew Elder Xuan Zi was notoriously unreliable, but with Neuvillette overseeing the operation, Xuan Zi could serve as a powerful shield—an unbeatable tool in battle.
After all, a rank ninety-eight Super Douluo was no small force. His so-called "disdain" had been little more than a joke.
But as for Elder Mu's condition…
Neuvillette's heart grew heavy. Raised by Elder Mu since childhood, he was no ungrateful wretch like Tang Shenwang. How could he not care? Yet no matter how he tried, there was no cure—only the ability to delay the inevitable.
"Enough, enough. Why the long faces?" Mu En chuckled, attempting to ease the somber mood. "I'm still alive, am I not? Or is it that all of you are simply waiting for me to die?"
As he spoke, he turned once more to Neuvillette, his gaze filled with pride.
That tall, poised figure… that graceful yet unyielding presence…
Like a sword of Damocles, suspended high, once drawn, it struck with unstoppable force. Compared to Xuan Zi, Neuvillette's aura was far more commanding.
It was because of him that Mu En had chosen to bypass even Xuan Zi and Du Weilun, skipping an entire generation, and instead nurture Neuvillette as the Academy's next true heir.
And now, the results were undeniable.
"Little Neuvillette, your growth has exceeded even my expectations. In less than ten years, you will stand firmly as Shrek Academy's pillar—replacing me as the head of the Sea God Pavilion."
Mu En's voice was calm, but its meaning thundered through the hall.
What had once been an open secret within the Pavilion was now declared aloud.
Both Xuan Zi and Du Weilun were stunned.
This was no less than the formal announcement of the Pavilion's next master.
PS: Next stop—the Star Dou Great Forest. The auspicious beast… Wang Qiu'er awaits.
(End of Chapter)