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Chapter 39: The Strength of a Modest Effort
Shrek Academy.
At this moment, Xuan Zi, his hair in complete disarray, sat on the steps, gulping down wine bottle after bottle. Judging by the scattered flasks and bottles around him, he had clearly been drinking heavily.
Just then, Yan Shaozhe, the Principal of Shrek Academy, walked in from the courtyard. Upon seeing the scene before him, he only let out a quiet sigh.
Xuan Zi's hair was disheveled, and the stench of alcohol clung to him. Compared to the confident, indomitable figure who had set out for the Star Dou Great Forest, he now looked as if he had aged a decade overnight, the once ferocious aura of a Taotie Douluo completely gone.
Was this really the same Xuan Zi, the first prodigy of Shrek Academy, who had once possessed the divine beast spirit?
"Old Xuan."
The man trembled slightly at the sound of his name. He lifted his head to glance at Yan Shaozhe before returning his attention to his drink.
"What is it?" he muttered.
"The meeting of the Sea God Pavilionhas been scheduled. Your presence is required."
At these words, Xuan Zi froze mid-motion, the bottle in his hand halting abruptly. Even the sounds in the courtyard seemed to vanish for a moment. After a brief pause, he exhaled softly.
"Is it time already? Very well… let's go."
He rose shakily and began making his way toward the courtyard exit. Seeing his condition, Yan Shaozhe hesitated for a moment before speaking again:
"Old Xuan, it's been a year since that incident. You shouldn't blame yourself too harshly. No one could have anticipated encountering a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in the mixed area, and Shrek Academy still needs you."
Although their teacher, Mu En, was still alive, his body was weak and sickly. How many more years could the Dragon God Douluo realistically protect Shrek?
No one spoke of the incident in everyday conversation, but everyone understood the truth: if Master Mu were to pass, only Xuan Zi's strength could uphold Shrek Academy's banner. Allowing him to continue this self-destructive despair would inevitably lead the academy toward decline.
Xuan Zi, however, seemed not to hear, silently moving forward.
Soon, the two arrived at the Sea God Pavilion. The moment Xuan Zi glimpsed the interior, his body trembled, a deep guilt etched across his face.
Besides a few senior elders of the Sea God Pavilion and the heads and vice heads of the two departments, several inner academy students who had survived the Star Dou Great Forest incident were also present.
All but Zhang Lexuan, who now sat at the far end beside Deputy Head Cai Meier of the Battle Spirit Department, stood respectfully by the long table, heads bowed.
Once Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe took their seats, the Sea God Pavilion meeting officially began.
"The purpose of this meeting is clear to everyone, so I'll speak directly," said Mu En, reclining in his chair at the head of the table.
"Xuan, a year ago, when you returned from the Star Dou Great Forest, you said you wished to resign to take responsibility. I gave you a year to consider it. Today is the deadline. Tell me your decision."
Hearing Mu En's straightforward words, Xuan Zi instinctively glanced at the inner academy students. He rose slowly, his eyes filled with anguish, and spoke in a voice heavy with sorrow:
"Teacher Mu, please don't persuade me further. I have made up my mind. Six students lost their lives. I am truly pained. Since the founding of Shrek Academy, nothing like this has ever happened. This is entirely my responsibility."
The elders present stiffened, their worry immediate, especially Yan Shaozhe, who quickly spoke to stop him.
"Old Xuan! We've discussed this many times during meetings. No one could have predicted such an event. Everyone knows your abilities—no one would blame you for this!"
As he spoke, Yan Shaozhe gestured toward the inner academy students standing nearby. Following the cue, four of the students bent their knees and knelt, their voices trembling as tears streamed down their faces:
"Teacher Xuan, what happened back then was sudden, and none of us harbors resentment. Please do not blame yourself any longer. Remember, our victory in the previous Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament was also thanks to you!"
"You all…"
Listening to their heartfelt words, Xuan Zi's lips trembled, tears streaming down his face. Seeing this, Yan Shaozhe seized the moment to press further:
"Old Xuan, you cannot let these children's hearts be burdened! We have already compensated the families of the six deceased students. Stop blaming yourself. People must always look forward. You must consider the future of Shrek Academy!"
"Yes!"
One of the inner academy students lifted their head and looked at him seriously:
"Teacher Xuan, if you refuse, we won't rise."
"You all, you all…"
Xuan Zi wiped the tears from his eyes with his grimy sleeve, his voice choked.
"Very well, rise. I will stay. Though I have no pride left to remain, since Shrek still needs me, I shall contribute what little strength I can."
Hearing this, the elders, department heads, and even the four inner academy students smiled with relief and excitement, celebrating the return of the ninety-eighth-ranked Taotie Douluo. Meanwhile, Zhang Lexuan, seated silently throughout, watched the scene with a mixture of absurdity and confusion.
She felt as though she had witnessed a ridiculous farce.
Was it really over?
Just like that?
It seemed that no one suffered any loss, except for the six inner academy students whose deaths everyone deliberately avoided mentioning.
They had died due to neglect of duty during work hours, and yet Xuan Zi faced no punishment. Instead, he had developed the minor habit of heavy drinking over the past year… along with a tinge of guilty conscience.
Absurd and laughable.
Had he truly learned anything from the incident? Would he repeat the same mistakes? Perhaps.
For some reason, Zhang Lexuan recalled a cold glance and icy words from a year ago, spoken by Huo Yuhao before he departed:
"If you truly feel such guilt, then resign. Spare others from future harm."
Those words had carried the certainty of one who foresaw the future.
Did he know something?
Next time they met, should she ask?
Watching the matter end so abruptly, Zhang Lexuan felt as if a breath were stuck in her throat.
No relief came—only a sudden, inexplicable anger.
After the meeting, Zhang Lexuan wandered back to her dormitory in a daze. Even when other inner academy students greeted her along the way, she only nodded silently, offering none of her usual smiles.
After a simple wash, she lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her mind replaying the meeting scene and recalling Huo Yuhao, the one who had saved her life in the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Perhaps I should pay more attention to missions in Heaven Dou City during this period…"
As she pondered the opportunity to take on a mission and visit Huo Yuhao in Heaven Dou City, she closed her eyes.
And fell into a deep, heavy sleep.
(End of Chapter)