Shrek Academy, in front of the new student dorms.
Mu En lay on the Golden Tree chair, swaying gently, the warm sunlight bathing his body.
As always, he watched the vibrant students leave the dorms one by one. Feeling their youthful energy, he felt some of his own weariness dissipate.
"It's a shame fate isn't on my side… My time is running out…"
A flicker of almost imperceptible pain crossed Mu En's face, his chest aching faintly – a lingering effect from his battle with Niu Tian.
Mu En surmised that the damage from that encounter had cost him at least a year of his lifespan. He feared he wouldn't live beyond five more years and would soon pass away, meaning he had to start considering his final arrangements.
Bei Bei, Yan Shaozhe, Xuan Zi, Zhang Lexuan, the Elders of the Sea God Pavilion, Long Xiaoyao, and even Ye Xishui – one after another, figures who had left a deep impression on Mu En's life flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.
"Bei Bei needs twenty years to mature. With the insights I've given him and the Dragon Pill, becoming a Limit Douluo won't be too difficult, but there will be many dangers before then… Xiaoyao, only you can protect him."
Mu En reminisced about the past, feeling that no one from Shrek was the most suitable protector for Bei Bei. Those with good character lacked sufficient strength, while those with enough strength were unreliable. None were as good as that old brother from back then.
If Bei Bei attracted the attention of powerful Evil Soul Masters before he matured, only Long Xiaoyao, a Limit Douluo, could guarantee his safety.
"I need to go out and travel the continent…"
Just as Mu En made up his mind, preparing to embark on a distant journey to find someone to entrust Bei Bei to,
A yellowish streak of light suddenly shot across the sky, entering Shrek Academy at an incredible speed and heading straight for Sea God Island.
Mu En opened his eyes to see Old Xuan's anxious face high above, bringing a string of people along like candied hawthorns. He could vaguely make out several young figures.
Weren't those the three kids from the Reserve Team and Ling Luochen from the main team? Why did Old Xuan bring them back? And why does he look so terrible?
A premonition of dread rose in Mu En's heart, his heartbeat inexplicably quickening.
His intuition told him this was not good news.
Moments later, a streak of light suddenly flew out from Sea God Island and landed in front of the student dorms.
Before Mu En could speak, she grabbed a corner of his reclining chair, her voice panicked and tearful:
"Mu Lao, this is terrible! Old Xuan led another team into trouble! Bei Bei and the others are in serious trouble!"
Mu En: "???"
A huge "DANGER" sign flashed in his mind. He abruptly used his Soul Power to sit upright, comforting Zhang Lexuan:
"Child, don't worry. Tell me slowly what happened. Don't worry, don't worry…"
Though he said not to worry, Mu En himself didn't notice that his speech had unconsciously become faster and faster.
Bei Bei was his last descendant and hope. He wouldn't meet an untimely end like his parents, would he… Mu En felt faint just thinking about it.
"The main team from our academy that participated in this competition, everyone except Yue Heng and Luochen, they're… they're gone! Their bodies are completely destroyed!"
Zhang Lexuan's clothes were tear-soaked, her voice filled with grief. She was the senior disciple of the Inner Courtyard, and many Inner Courtyard students were close to her. Although the five members of Gongyang Mo's group weren't particularly close to Zhang Lexuan, they did have some interactions.
Upon hearing of their sudden demise, Zhang Lexuan was overwhelmed with sorrow. She wasn't just grieving the loss of the five; she also remembered the nightmarish bloody rain of that year.
The past was like the present, the hidden struggles of yesterday were like the open conflicts of today. Both times, Old Xuan had led the team, and both times, she had helplessly watched her companions die, powerless to stop it.
Five people, all dead! And not even a complete corpse!
The shocking news struck Mu En like a bolt from the blue, making his mind reel. The words of comfort he had for Zhang Lexuan died on his lips, leaving only immense worry… and fear!
"What about Bei Bei? How is Bei Bei now? And the other children from the main team and the Reserve Team? How are they all doing?"
Mu En grabbed Zhang Lexuan's wrist, his rapid speech betraying his urgency, his half-closed eyes suddenly wide open.
Zhang Lexuan choked out, "Bei Bei and the others are currently being treated by Old Zhuang. Old Zhuang said their lives aren't in danger, but their future condition still needs observation."
"Bei Bei was infected by an Evil Soul Master's Corpse Poison. Old Zhuang said that if this poison isn't eradicated immediately, and Old Xuan's reckless intervention caused it to penetrate deeper into his organs, it might require your intervention to completely cure it. Otherwise, Bei Bei's origin might be affected…"
"What are we waiting for? I'll take you there right now!"
Upon hearing that Bei Bei's origin might be in trouble, Mu En could no longer suppress the urgency in his heart. With a thought, he directly used spatial power, teleporting himself and Zhang Lexuan to the Sea God Pavilion.
A few moments later.
People in Shrek Academy and Shrek City were surprised to see a golden pillar of light shoot up from the island in the center of the lake, a resonant dragon's roar echoing through the sky, sacred and vast, lasting for a full thirty seconds.
Some Titled Douluo-level powerhouses heard a hint of weakness and lingering exhaustion in that dragon's roar, their expressions and states of mind varying.
Inside the Sea God Pavilion, Mu En withdrew his finger from Bei Bei's brow. The floating Bei Bei gently lay flat on the ground, the purple-blue discoloration on his face gradually fading, and his weak breathing regaining some rhythm.
Mu En looked at his Great-Grandson with pained affection, his gaze sweeping over Xu Sanshi, whose Martial Soul was shattered, He Caitou, who had lost a leg, and Ling Luochen, who, though the least injured, was temporarily unable to move properly. A mix of emotions surged within him.
Another half-generation of the Seven Devils…
Turning his head with a heavy expression, Mu En instructed Old Zhuang, who was beside him: "Notify the Elders and Shaozhe. Convene a Sea God Pavilion Meeting to discuss how to deal with this."
"Alright," Old Zhuang replied, then, with a slight hesitation, said,
"Mu Lao, when Old Xuan arrived, he said he was too ashamed to face you. He committed a grave error this time and wishes to resign from his positions as Elder of the Sea God Pavilion and Deputy Head of the Supervision Group."
Zhang Lexuan's eyelids twitched, and she pressed her lips together uncomfortnably.
She had heard these words before.
Mu En, hearing this, slammed the armrest in anger, roaring, "Tell that coward who runs from responsibility when things go wrong to get back here! Even if he wants to resign, he has to wait until everyone agrees!"
"Such a huge incident happened, and he didn't even say a word to anyone before abandoning his responsibilities and leaving. Does he still have any regard for the Sea God Pavilion?!"
"Alright," Old Zhuang nodded in agreement.
Mu En, suppressing his anger, turned to Zhang Lexuan and said, "This matter involves too many important students. Since you're here, Lexuan, you can observe the Sea God Pavilion meeting."
"Mu Lao, I..."
"Don't refuse. You are a probationary member of the Sea God Pavilion, so you have the right to observe. Your future responsibilities are immense, and you need to start shouldering them now..."
Mu En made the decision without allowing for debate, his words filled with complex emotions. Suddenly, he couldn't catch his breath and began to cough violently.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough..."
Old Zhuang quickly supported Mu En, injecting life force to heal him, his pupils contracting sharply.
Mu Lao's internal energy was greatly depleted, and his body was riddled with wounds. Most frighteningly, he was coughing up blood.
Looking down at Bei Bei, whose aura was gradually strengthening and whose body was emitting a Light Soul Radiance, as if coated in a golden glow, Old Zhuang had a guess in his heart. His face pale, he said, "Mu Lao, could you possibly be..."
Mu En's aged right hand clutched his chest, while his left hand waved dismissively.
"This original essence of mine is useless if I keep it. It's better to leave some legacy for the younger generation, cough, cough... Don't worry, I can still protect Shrek for a few more years, as long as Xuan Zi doesn't anger me again..."
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Old Zhuang bowed and withdrew. Zhang Lexuan gazed at Mu En, whose facial wrinkles seemed to have deepened, and wept uncontrollably.
Mu En sighed, "Lexuan, Xuan Zi can't lead teams anymore. Prepare yourself to take over his position as deputy head of the Supervision Group. From now on, you'll need to put more effort into matters concerning the Inner Courtyard disciples."
Zhang Lexuan was alarmed, pointing at herself. "Mu Lao, with my current cultivation, how can I..."
Mu En waved his hand with a pained expression. "The Elders have been living in retirement for too long, and no one is available. Shaozhe and the others have their own affairs. Your strength is already comparable to some Titled Douluo, and you're young and vigorous, and you get along well with the Inner Courtyard disciples. I genuinely can't think of a more suitable candidate than you."
"Consider this my plea for you to look after your junior schoolmates. The Inner Courtyard can't afford any more deaths. Neither I nor Shrek can endure another such accident..."
Speaking of this, a bitter smile appeared at the corner of Mu En's mouth. "With you, a Soul Douluo, leading the team, it's far better than Xuan Zi, a Level 98 Super Douluo. I can rest much easier even after I die."
"If it weren't for the lack of successors, and he made such grave mistakes twice, I wouldn't cripple him, but I would imprison him for life. But I truly have no other choice..."
In his dying years, he was shocked to realize that Bei Bei, his Great-Grandson, had almost preceded him in death. Having experienced one painful lesson, and with Xuan Zi having once again caused the loss of one and a half generations of Shrek Seven Devils, Mu En no longer dared to hold any expectations for Xuan Zi. But what else could he do?
Yan Shaozhe was severely injured by Titan, and his injuries had not yet fully healed. Not to mention breaking through to Level 98 or even Limit Douluo, Level 96 was still a distant prospect.
At this moment, Bei Bei, who had received Mu En's gold, stirred, muttering, "The competition, I want to participate in the competition, I want to play..."
He Caitou also woke up, whimpering, "I want to go back, I want to go back too..."
Xu Sanshi remained motionless, still lying like a corpse.
Mu En and Zhang Lexuan's expressions changed simultaneously.
...
In the Outer Courtyard, Old Zhuang found Xuan Zi, who was utterly drunk amidst a pile of wine gourds. He frowned and said,
"Old Xuan, Mu Lao has informed you to attend the Sea God Pavilion Meeting. He said that even if you intend to resign, you must clearly explain it to everyone at the Sea God Pavilion."
"Explain it clearly? Very well."
Xuan Zi raised his eyebrows, glancing at Old Zhuang's sympathetic eyes, then slowly brushed off his sleeves and stood up, flying with Old Zhuang to Sea God Island.
As soon as he entered the Sea God Pavilion, he felt a solemn and dignified atmosphere wash over him. The four Elders and the four Deans were already seated. Zhang Lexuan did not take a seat but pulled up a chair and sat to the side.
Ten pairs of eyes simultaneously fell upon him, filled with pity, blame, helplessness, and despair...
Xuan Zi, reeking of alcohol, walked to his seat. Instead of sitting down, he bowed deeply to everyone, his voice sincere:
"I am undeniably responsible for this accident. I am ashamed to remain here and discuss important academy matters with all of you. I voluntarily withdraw from the Sea God Pavilion and resign from my position as head of the Supervision Group. From now on, I will only be a free individual within the academy."
As his words fell, Yan Shaozhe's expression changed drastically. He immediately stood up to dissuade him, his words heartfelt and earnest, recounting Xuan Zi's past achievements and the unique circumstances of this accident, while also emphasizing the students' own issues. His speech was eloquent and delivered in one breath.
Xuan Zi shook his head and sighed, tears seemingly glistening in his eyes. Cai Meier, the vice dean of the Martial Soul Department, stood up and joined Yan Shaozhe in persuading him. Some of the four Elders also spoke up, encouraging Old Xuan to pull himself together. However, Old Xuan remained sorrowful, his self-pitying words ceaseless.
Xuan Zi wanted to leave, but Yan Shaozhe and the others didn't want him to. The scene was like a repeated refusal and concession.
Zhang Lexuan remained silent throughout, watching with a calm expression, not a ripple in her eyes.
After all, she had witnessed it once before, and she was even a direct participant. However... someone kneeling was still missing here. She wondered if it would be added later.
Last time, she had knelt to beg Old Xuan not to leave. Who would beg him this time?
It wouldn't be Bei Bei, would it? she thought, somewhat mockingly.
The process of resignation continued, but the voices gradually faded, as Yan Shaozhe and others slowly realized that the figure lying in the deepest part had remained silent the entire time.
Finally, he spoke.
"Xuan Zi, if you wish to leave, the Sea God Pavilion will naturally respect your wishes. But you cannot simply walk away. The position of an Elder carries immense responsibility; you are not permitted to abandon it!"
"As for the position of deputy head of the Supervision Group, you can temporarily step down. I propose that Lexuan be exceptionally appointed to take over. Let's vote."
With that, Mu En, for the first time ever, raised his hand first.
The four Elders who had been silent until now, along with the head and deputy head of the Soul Tool Department, immediately raised their hands in unison. The votes had already exceeded half, indicating that the resolution was bound to pass.
Yan Shaozhe looked stunned. This seemed... different from what he had imagined.
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