"Wang Yan, I'll leave the competition task to you. Take the others back to camp…"
As Xuan Zi gave his orders, Yao Haoxuan—now awake—thanked Chen Junting and Ning Tian.
"Junior Chen, Sister Ning… I owe you my life. From now on, I'm yours."
He'd learned it was Ning Tian's pills that pulled him from death's edge. But he also knew: if not for Chen Junting's sword barrier, he wouldn't have even needed saving—his body would've been obliterated in the blast.
"Save your strength," Chen Junting urged. "No need to 'sell your life.' Wait until you're healed to thank us."
Yao Haoxuan opened his mouth—but his body forced him back into unconsciousness.
Xuan Zi had finished instructing Wang Yan. He wrapped Yao Haoxuan in a cocoon of white soul power, stabilizing his condition.
"A thousand mistakes, ten thousand mistakes, they are all my mistakes. Haoxuan is seriously injured, Xiao Tao and Yueheng have not yet recovered, so before that, besides the remaining four Inner Courtyard students, your reserve team will need to fill in."
"If you lose at the tournament…"
His expression showed no worry—but his words carried weight.
"Victory and honor will be yours. Defeat and shame fall only on me."
With that, he vanished.
The group exchanged glances—until Wang Yan said, "Move out."
Chen Zifeng carried Dai Yueheng; Xi Xi carried Ma Xiaotao. They fled the cave, racing back to the White Tiger Manor's encampment—the closest aid.
Duke Dai Hao summoned a military doctor. With a Healing-type Soul Emperor's help, Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng stabilized—their external wounds healing. But internal injuries lingered; recovery would take time.
"Elder Xuan really isn't reliable," Ning Tian whispered outside the tent. "If Grandpa Ye led us, this never happens."
Chen Junting just shook his head. This wasn't Xuan Zi's first failure—nor would it be his last. But as long as the real danger didn't come, Xuan Zi himself was the greatest threat.
Just then—
"Brother Junting!"
Huo Yuhao peeked from a tent, gesturing them inside.
Inside, the other five reserves—plus He Caitou and Wu Feng (rotating members)—sat in solemn silence, faces grim.
"What's this?" Chen Junting laughed, pulling up chairs. "A crisis meeting?"
No one answered. Wang Dong asked, "Can we really win?"
But before Chen Junting could reply—
THUD—!
"Ow! That hurts!"
Wang Dong yelped, clutching his head as Huo Yuhao smacked him. He scrambled behind Huo Yuhao like a child hiding.
"You're overthinking," Chen Junting sighed, wiping his hands. "Don't underestimate Shrek. Even without Xiaotao and Yueheng, Chen Zifeng's quartet alone can crush most teams. And by the final rounds? Your seniors will recover. We still have seven Soul Kings—if worse comes to worst."
"Do you think every academy has seven Soul Kings?" Ning Tian added.
The group glanced around—then Chen Zifeng entered with the other three. "Chen Junior's right. We're stronger than ever. Elder Xuan's anxiety was unwarranted."
"By the tournament's end, you'll barely get stage time," Gongyang Mo grinned. "While us seniors rest, you get to get some training. Lose? We'll clean up."
Their confidence lifted the mood—though some flushed, ashamed for doubting earlier.
Chen Zifeng sat beside them. "We owe you. Without your Invincible Barriers, we might've fallen too."
The others nodded—Ma Xiaotao's fire couldn't save her. If not for those barriers, their fate would mirror hers.
Chen Junting waved it off.
Seeing this, Chen Zifeng didn't dwell on this topic but changed the subject and brought up another matter.
"Actually, among the members of our main team, except for Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen, the others planned to go back and develop their families after breaking through to Soul Emperor. But now... I wonder if the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School would welcome the three of us and our families to join?"
Chen Junting and Ning Tian exchanged knowing smiles.
Between favors, gratitude, and strategic ties… the sect had won big.
---
Shrek Academy – Sea God Island
On the pavilion steps, Elder Xuan guzzled wine, gazing hollowly at the sky—haunted by past failures.
Footsteps approached.
"Old Zhuang, how is the situation?"
The white-robed old man, called 'Old Zhuang', stood behind Xuan Zi, glanced at the decadent Xuan Zi, and said, "The Medicinal Pill given by that girl should be from the Breaking Clan, so the effect is very good, and the condition has stabilized now. However, the injuries still require some time to heal."
"That's good."
Xuan Zi exhaled a breath of alcohol, and his tense nerves relaxed a little. At least this time, no students died because of him.
"Sigh—" Old Zhuang sighed, "Xuan Zi, oh Xuan Zi, I don't even know what to say about you this time."
Xuan Zi slowly got up and patted his backside.
"Yusen, this time I will personally apologize to Mu Lao."
With that, he walked up the steps dejectedly.
This scene was seen by Zhuang Yusen, who secretly shook his head, "What's the use of you apologizing? Changing is the key."
Then he flicked his sleeve, not bothering to deal with this troublesome matter.
By the time Xuan Lao entered the Sea God Pavilion conference room, it was already full of people. Mu Lao, who was in the main seat, as well as the other Elders who were available, and several Deans had all arrived.
Yan Shaozhe bowed. "Elder Xuan, you've come."
Mu En spoke first. "Tell us—no wasting time."
Xuan Zi lowered his head. "I failed again. Between this and the Star Dou Forest incident… I resign."
Shock rippled through the room.
But before anyone reacted—
Swish—!
A golden light shot into Xuan Zi—sealing his cultivation.
"Do you accept?" Mu En asked.
"I do," Xuan Zi said quietly. The Sea God's Light binding his power felt like justice.
"Good," Mu En nodded. "Past is past. But this time, lives hung by a thread. Only Chen Junting and Ning Tian saved them. Without them… you'd bring me more coffins!"
His voice thundered. The council froze.
Facing the silent Xuan Zi with his head lowered, Mu En said, "Next, I will seal your Soul Power for one year. You will sweep the floor in the academy and reflect. Also, during the sweeping process, you cannot eat or drink. Of course, you can unseal it and act at any time."
Xuan Zi blinked. No meat or wine?!
But memories of dead disciples flashed. He clenched his jaw. "I can do it."
"Then go." Mu En flicked a broom at his feet.
Xuan Zi picked it up—vanishing outside.
"Teacher," Yan Shaozhe ventured, "without Elder Xuan, who leads the Inspection Corps? Should we send support?"
Mu En closed his eyes. "Until Xuan Zi's penance ends, Elder Song takes over. Starting today, every Inspection Corps member gets at least one soul engineering device. You two—" He turned to Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo. "This is your task."
"Yes, Teacher!" Their eyes lit up. Finally—a mandate to push soul engineering!
"Elder Song, go to Star Luo now. Protect the children," Mu En added.
"Understood." Elder Song vanished.
Yan Shaozhe pressed: "But what if they fail? Support—"
"Hmph." Mu En cut him off. "When did you become so fearful? Victory isn't everything. Failure is education. As long as we teach them right, nothing else matters."
Yan Shaozhe and the Elders bowed, chastened.
Mu En's gaze swept the room. "The academy's culture must change—from top to bottom. So—who agrees? Who disagrees?!"
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