"Senior Xu."
The group turned to see Xu Sanshi striding over with a smug grin. He slapped a hand on Chen Junting's shoulder, utterly at ease.
"Senior Xu, why are you alone today?" Wang Dong scratched his head, subtly slipping the black-gold card into his pocket under Huo Yuhao's bewildered gaze. "Where's Senior Bei Bei?"
"Oh, that guy?" Xu Sanshi chuckled, pride warming his voice. "He's been busy cleaning the courtyard since the news came through."
Chen Junting instantly understood: Bei Bei had not only taken his advice but also communicated with Jiang Nannan's mother.
"So Sister Nannan agreed too," he murmured.
"Nannan's kind-hearted," Xu Sanshi beamed, then sobered. "She and her mother haven't seen each other in ages. This way, she keeps Xiao Ya here and brings her mom to Shrek City. Peace of mind, you know?"
He shot Chen Junting and Ning Tian a teasing look. "Thanks to you, by the way. Lately, Nannan's been… nicer to me."
The group exchanged skeptical glances.
Everyone knew Xu Sanshi was the ultimate unrequited "simp"—his claims were never believable.
"What's with those looks?" Xu Sanshi huffed, just as Jiang Nannan herself appeared in her fifth-year black uniform, her figure accentuated by the tailored fabric.
As if to prove his point—
"Watch this," Xu Sanshi declared, striding over.
The group braced for the usual kick—but Jiang Nannan nodded at him.
"Wha—?!" Wang Dong gaped, then whispered in horror, "Is that even Sister Nannan? Did some evil spirit possess her!?"
"Wang Dong!" Huo Yuhao facepalmed. Chen Junting, however, pieced it together: Jiang Nannan must've learned of Xu Sanshi's care for her mother through letters. Karma's reward.
---
Moments Later
Wang Dong suddenly froze, as if sensing something. He excused himself and drifted toward a display—prompting the others to follow.
Chen Junting's spiritual sea stirred.
Electrolux's reacting.
"Elder Electrolux?"
"That object lies where the girl walks."
Chen Junting led Ning Tian to a display—and his breath caught.
The centerpiece: an unassuming tree branch.
Price: 25 million gold soul coins.
To Chen Junting, it was priceless.
The plaque read:
Golden Ancient Tree Branch—harvested from the Golden Ancient Tree on Shrek's Sea God Island. Bears Light and Life attributes.
The very core of Douluo Continent's natural essence—the World Tree itself.
Shrek Academy was selling this?
Huo Yuhao and Wu Feng joined them, baffled. "What's so special about this stick?"
"You wouldn't understand," Wang Dong gushed, eyes gleaming. "This is a Golden Ancient Tree Branch—a treasure for plant, light, or life-attribute soul masters! Shame the price is insane…"
Chen Junting conferred with Electrolux. Not the main branch—but still invaluable.
With the Sea God's Light infused within, it could be replanted in the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well. Even if it never matched the original, it'd be a supreme treasure.
"Let's buy it," he murmured to Ning Tian. "See if we can cultivate it."
Ning Tian produced a black card from her Starlight Sapphire ring. "I'll pay."
"Wait." Chen Junting stayed her hand. "No one else can afford this. Let's browse more—buy everything at once."
Unseen, their exchange was watched through a window by Lin Huiqun—Sea God Pavilion Elder, Treasure Pavilion Master, her silver hair belying sharp eyes.
"Energetic youth," a frail voice chuckled beside her. Mu En, propped on a Golden Tree wood recliner, smiled faintly. "Makes an old man feel he might live a while longer."
"Then you should come out more. The academy still needs you as its stabilizing force," Lin Huiqun's tone seemed relaxed, but her heart was still filled with worry. As a senior Elder, she was well aware of Mu Lao's condition, essentially living on borrowed time.
Mu En, who was beside her, did not reply, just smiled without speaking.
Seeing that Mu Lao did not reply, Lin Huiqun did not say anything more, but instead said, "Elder Mu, is selling this worth it?"
Mu En ignored the title. "Worth it? Of course. A branch is just a branch." He patted his chair. "This is carved from the Golden Ancient Tree too—bigger than that twig."
Lin Huiqun sighed. His chair used dead wood. This branch? Alive. Infused with Sea God's Light. A sapling could grow from it!
As a merchant, this deal was a loss.
Mu En read her thoughts. "Think long-term, Little Lin. In turbulent times, allies matter more than profit." His voice turned grave. "Shrek is a school, not a sect or empire. Flender's dream was merely to nurture prodigies—not rule. We've forgotten our essence."
He'd seen Shrek's growing arrogance, its hidden crises.
Change was overdue.
Recalling Xuan Zi's report from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Mu En closed his eyes.
"Call a Sea God Pavilion meeting. Qian Duoduo's proposal… it's time. People fade—but systems endure."
Lin Huiqun met his cloudy eyes—and saw steel beneath.
This time, he meant it.
---
Back at the Gala
Wang Dong's jaw dropped as Chen Junting finalized the 25-million purchase. "You're all loaded!?"
"Yep," Wu Feng said matter-of-factly. Huo Yuhao rubbed his neck sheepishly: "I get 30 million yearly… and can request 50 million more."
"Rich bastards!" Wang Dong wailed, feigning envy.
Ning Tian teased, "Join our sect, Wang Dong—you'd get the same."
Join the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?
Wang Dong glanced at Huo Yuhao—and blushed crimson.
"Wang Dong, why's your face red!?"
"Don't say it out loud, Huo Yuhao!"
Wu Feng's eyes widened in realization. Wang Dong—a boy—was in love with Huo Yuhao!
After parting ways with the others, Chen Junting and Ning Tian selected a few compatible soul bones, array research materials, and rare herbs. At checkout, their 40-million-gold transaction left onlookers stunned.
The Golden Tree Branch was theirs.
And Shrek's fate?
Shifting.
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