Yan Shaozhe and the others crossed the vast, rippling surface of the Sea God Lake, following a winding stone path that led deeper into Sea God Island.
A gentle breeze brushed past them, stirring their hair and the edges of their robes. The moist, tranquil air seemed to whisper ancient tales of this mysterious island.
The island was utterly serene, almost devoid of human presence. Everything was enveloped in an atmosphere of peace and quiet, like a paradise untouched by time—so tranquil that it stirred awe and reverence in the heart.
Among the lush vegetation, pavilions and towers were faintly visible, their elegant designs blending seamlessly with nature.
Curved eaves and carved beams reflected soft rays of light filtering through the trees, radiating an air of age-old grace and refinement.
Although Wang Dong, Xu Sanshi, and the others were setting foot on this land for the first time, they were instantly captivated.
Most of the plants here had been growing for over a thousand years. Some ancient trees towered high into the clouds, stretching more than a hundred meters tall.
As they walked along the winding paths, crisp mountain air filled their lungs. Each breath felt cleansing, as though washing away fatigue and refreshing the soul.
The dense layers of leaves obscured their view, so that the surrounding scenery appeared and disappeared in fragments—mysterious, alluring, and full of hidden beauty.
Before long, following the twisting trail upward, they reached the mountainside. There, an ancient-looking building came into view.
This was the Sea God Pavilion. Its location near the mountaintop marked it as the very heart of Sea God Island—its symbolic center, as though all things revolved around it.
Yet, what they saw was nothing grandiose: a small, three-story wooden building of deep brown hue. It exuded the quiet dignity of age rather than the majesty they had imagined.
Upon closer inspection, the wooden structure gleamed faintly with an oily luster, the sunlight brushing across it to reveal a soft sheen—like a relic of a glorious past preserved through time.
The pavilion was no more than ten meters tall, lacking any sense of grandeur. At a glance, it appeared simple, almost humble.
But above the entrance on the first floor hung a dark plaque with three large golden characters—written in bold, powerful strokes: Sea God Pavilion.
Wang Dong murmured softly, disbelief in her tone, "This… is the Sea God Pavilion?"
In her mind, as the very core of Shrek Academy, it should have been an awe-inspiring palace of splendor and power, not this modest wooden building before her.
The others shared her astonishment. None of them had expected the Academy's heart to appear so… unassuming.
Their thoughts churned with confusion, unable to find words to describe their emotions.
Yet, when their eyes fell upon the words "Sea God Pavilion," a deep sense of reverence welled within each of them.
Those three characters represented Shrek Academy's glory and legacy—the sacred symbol in the hearts of every soul master.
Zhou Sicheng smiled faintly and said warmly, "This is indeed the Sea God Pavilion. Quite different from what you imagined, isn't it?"
Xu Sanshi laughed and scratched his head. "Different? That's putting it lightly! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe this little place was Shrek's core!"
His wide-eyed expression was half-joking, half-genuine wonder.
Wang Dong and the others nodded in agreement, still dazed and puzzled.
The teachers, however, paid their chatter no mind. Yan Shaozhe stepped forward with a respectful expression, bowed toward the Sea God Pavilion, and said clearly, "Teacher, they've returned."
A deep, elderly voice—calm yet powerful—answered, "Come in."
In the next instant, an astonishing scene unfolded.
The seemingly ordinary three-story pavilion before them suddenly radiated brilliant golden light, as though a slumbering divine beast had awakened after a thousand years.
Dazzling gold surged outward, bathing the entire building in a divine glow until it seemed made of pure gold—majestic and holy.
Soft golden radiance drifted down like snowflakes, enveloping everyone in its warmth.
That light carried an incredible power—gentle yet immense. The rich aura of light seemed to flow through their bodies, washing away exhaustion and filling them with renewed vitality.
The one most affected was undoubtedly Wang Dong.
Her Bright Goddess Butterfly martial soul was of the highest light attribute, and for her first time experiencing such divine brilliance, the resonance was indescribable.
Her martial soul trembled with joy within her body, as if cheering in delight.
Bathed in that sacred glow, everyone—including even Soul Saints like Ma Xiaotao and Beibei—closed their eyes unconsciously, savoring the warmth and tranquility.
Beibei's expression changed subtly. His soul power began to stir; the usual blue-violet lightning dimmed and transformed into faint golden light. A low, ancient dragon's roar echoed from within him—deep, distant, and full of primal majesty.
Meanwhile, Elder Xuan, the five deans, Zhou Sicheng, and Ye Guyi quietly stepped into the pavilion. Their expressions remained calm, unaffected by the divine glow—they were long accustomed to this sacred phenomenon.
Inside the grand hall, Elder Mu reclined peacefully on his chair at the main seat, eyes closed in serene rest.
To his sides sat Elders Song, Lin, and Zhuang—faces solemn, patiently waiting.
After bowing respectfully to the elders, Elder Xuan and the five deans took their seats in order, their movements neat and disciplined—reflecting the strict hierarchy and order within the Pavilion.
Elder Xuan's status was second only to Elder Mu's; he merely nodded to the others, his calm bearing exuding the dignity of a peerless powerhouse.
Since Fan Yu's exceptional promotion to Deputy Dean of the Soul Tool Department, an additional chair had been added for him.
Even if it was the last seat, it was a supreme honor countless soul engineers could only dream of—a recognition of his unmatched contribution and strength.
Zhou Sicheng, too, had his own seat—not at the sides, but directly opposite Elder Mu's.
That position symbolized the heir to the Pavilion Master. One day, when Zhou Sicheng became the new Master, he would naturally take Elder Mu's place. It was a sign of trust and succession.
Ye Guyi now also had her place beside Zhang Lexuan's, though Lexuan herself was not present at the moment.
Once Elder Xuan and the deans sat down, Zhou Sicheng and Ye Guyi moved to Elder Mu's sides.
Zhou Sicheng gently took Elder Mu's left hand, kneading it with practiced care, while Ye Guyi massaged his right, every movement filled with quiet reverence.
As Zhou Sicheng worked, he asked softly, "Teacher, how has your health been lately?"
A gentle smile curved Elder Mu's lips, warm as spring sunlight. "Since I took you two under my wing, my body's been feeling more energetic by the day. Tell me—did you gain anything meaningful from this tournament?"
He wasn't asking about titles or trophies—those were trivial for talents like Zhou Sicheng and his peers. What interested him was what they learned.
Zhou Sicheng nodded calmly. "Indeed, we did. We've established cooperation with the Star Luo Empire's royal family. This partnership will greatly strengthen Shrek—both in resources and influence across the continent. Also, I encountered members of the Body Sect."
Ye Guyi added, "At the Star Luo Auction, we acquired several rare and research-worthy soul tools. And Xiaotao… she managed to 'borrow' a top-tier eighth-rank soul tool from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. Its craftsmanship and energy density are remarkable—worth deep study."
The two spoke in turn, their voices gentle and composed, recounting events like storytellers sharing vivid tales with an elder.
The other elders and deans listened intently—even though Elder Xuan had already reported the details, none interrupted.
Elder Mu had also been informed long ago, yet he still listened with contentment, cherishing hearing it directly from his disciples.
Just then, Ma Xiaotao entered first, her steps light and graceful. The divine radiance from before seemed to linger upon her, giving her an even more heroic presence.
Behind her came Dai Yueheng, calm and steady; then Gongyang Mo… and finally, Wang Dong entered last.
Having fully recovered from the earlier golden light, they stepped forward with reverence and curiosity, one after another, into the Sea God Pavilion.
The building that had once seemed small now appeared vast and sacred before their eyes—a divine temple standing between heaven and earth.
Each step they took carried a sense of pilgrimage, careful not to disturb the tranquil holiness around them.
Inside the first floor, everything was simple yet elegant.
Every piece of furniture, every decoration, was made from the same mysterious wood as the Pavilion itself—its grain fine and luminous, exuding an aura of solemn age.
When the outer court students saw who was seated within, their eyes widened in disbelief.
Those they considered untouchable—Deans like Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er—were merely sitting quietly at the back.
At the front, Zhou Sicheng and Ye Guyi stood tall at either side of the long table, attentively massaging the elderly man on the reclining chair.
The chair was reclined so low that no one could see the man's face clearly, only his calm and timeless aura.
This mysterious sight stirred immense curiosity among them. Who could this old man be?
Yan Shaozhe smiled gently and said, "Children, whether you've heard of it before or not, allow me to explain."
His voice echoed through the hall, filled with pride. "The Sea God Pavilion is the highest authority of Shrek Academy. Every major decision regarding the Academy's future is made here. Besides the five deans, those seated are all Elders—each one has made monumental contributions to the Academy's growth."
The students gasped in awe.
To them, Elder Xuan alone was already a near-mythical figure. But now they learned that there were three other elders of similar power within the Pavilion!
The sheer depth of Shrek Academy's foundation left them speechless.
Yan Shaozhe did not introduce each elder by name—it was already an exceptional privilege for the outer court students to even stand here.
Still, every one of them bowed deeply in respect, then stood silently with reverent expressions, their hearts filled with admiration.
Wang Dong, standing among them, widened her eyes and began counting silently.
"One, two… seven, eight… and including the one in the chair…" Her thoughts raced. There are nine Title Douluo here!
Her heart pounded in excitement. No wonder my fathers insisted I attend Shrek Academy. The foundation here is beyond imagination—so many hidden powerhouses, so much history…
Her eyes shone with anticipation. She couldn't wait for the future awaiting her at this sacred academy.
Around her, others were equally moved—some secretly vowed to train harder, others gazed about curiously, seeking the unseen secrets that made Shrek eternal.
A solemn yet hopeful atmosphere filled the grand hall, as if the very walls echoed with the legacy of countless generations of heroes.
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