"Shao Zhe, have Ziyang and Le Xuan come down." After deciding on Xuan Zi's punishment, Mu En said to Yan Shaozhe.
"Yes, Grandmaster," Yan Shaozhe replied, then went upstairs and brought Zhu Ziyang and his group down.
Everyone learned of the Academy's judgment regarding Old Xuan and fell silent. They had actually anticipated such a result.
After all, no force would truly punish a Super Douluo for a group of disciples, especially a Level 98 Super Douluo who might reach Limit Douluo. Even if these disciples were all geniuses, it was impossible. The value of a genius lies in the future, while the deterrent power of a strong person exists now. If present interests cannot be guaranteed, then who can guarantee the future?
The Academy's ability to punish Xuan Zi, even if only symbolically, was enough to show their Pay attention to for them. Moreover, compared to punishing Xuan Zi, what they needed more was compensation, both for themselves and for their sacrificed companions.
Ultimately, the principle for handling this incident was based on interests. The punishment for Xuan Zi could not be too severe, otherwise, it would harm the interests of the elders. The compensation for these disciples could not be too little, otherwise, it would lead to dissatisfaction and anger from the students and the forces behind them.
Zhu Ziyang lowered his head, roughly realizing what was about to happen.
"Children, the responsibility for this accident lies with the Academy and the Sea God Pavilion. After discussion among the elders, it has been decided to compensate each of you with a Spirit Bone of over 30,000 years quality or other resources of equivalent value," Xian Lin'er announced the compensation plan on behalf of the elders, saying, "Each person will receive one recommendation for admission. For Cheng Hui and Wan Wan, in addition to Old Xuan's portion, the Academy will also compensate their parents with resources of equivalent value, as well as a free admission qualification."
Everyone was surprised, not expecting the Academy to offer such generous compensation. A Spirit Bone of over 30,000 years for each person, that's eleven for the eleven of them! And each person gets a recommendation for admission. A recommendation for admission is the treatment the Academy gives to the city lords of the Three Great Empires' major cities. This means that each of them can directly let their family's juniors enter Shrek Academy.
Such a bold compensation was likely Mu En's decision or Xian Lin'er's suggestion.
This incident was considered perfectly resolved, but near the end, something happened that greatly displeased the disciples, or rather, Zhu Ziyang.
Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan actually knelt down directly, tearfully pleading for Xuan Zi, asking Old Mu not to strip Xuan Zi of his positions as Vice Pavilion Master and Vice Regimental Commander. This gesture prompted the other elders to also speak out, seemingly saying Xuan Zi deserved his punishment, but in reality, they were all interceding for him. Mu En seemed to be moved by Zhang Lexuan, deliberating for a long time before finally deciding to retain Xuan Zi's position as Vice Regimental Commander and shelving the Vice Pavilion Master position.
In the end, it was a truly happy ending for everyone.
— —
"Hehe, do you feel that the scene just now was very hypocritical?" After everything ended, Zhu Ziyang was brought to the third floor of the Sea God Pavilion by Mu En. Mu En lay on a wooden chair, his expression thought-provoking, looking at Zhu Ziyang and chuckling dryly.
"Mm!" Zhu Ziyang nodded bluntly. He was truly disgusted and didn't even want to pretend.
"Haha, the power struggle and interests are just this hypocritical, you have to learn to endure it." Mu En, facing Zhu Ziyang's unmasked feelings, couldn't help but laugh, "Grandmaster, I'll take this opportunity to teach you a lesson today."
"?" Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but tilt his head in confusion.
"When you become the Sea God Pavilion Master, the first thing you must do is clarify your own interests," Mu En said with a smile, a hint of chilling meaning in his grin. "The Sea God Pavilion isn't big, but it's full of interwoven interests. As the Pavilion Master, your job is to balance these interests and, while you're at it, remove those who oppose you. Of course, the prerequisite is that your strength and influence are sufficient to fill any interest gaps and resolve any rifts caused to others."
Zhu Ziyang pondered upon hearing this.
"Take this incident, for example. Xuan Zi made a mistake, but he couldn't genuinely be punished, because he represents the collective interests of the elders. Once he's punished, the elders will become dissatisfied, as this touches upon the dignity and face of the strong," Mu En said. "Just like that girl Le Xuan, she clearly harbored resentment in her heart, yet she had no choice but to ask me to withdraw the punishment for Xuan Zi. She's a good child, she was truly wronged!"
"..." Zhu Ziyang was silently speechless.
"Grandmaster, I no longer have the energy to dwell on these matters," Mu En sighed, saying, "If you aspire to reform Shrek Academy, then what you need to do now is cultivate. Only when your strength reaches Titled Douluo and you become the Pavilion Master can you take the first step. If you have a group of like-minded companions who are absolutely loyal to you, then you can take the second step. If your strength is sufficient to defeat all opponents and you can suppress the world with your own power, then you can take the third step, thus completing a true reform!"
"Grandmaster, I..." Zhu Ziyang was startled by Mu En's words.
"No need to explain. There are quite a few people in the Sea God Pavilion who are dissatisfied with the current state of the Academy and the continental situation. Old Song is just one of them," Mu En said with a smile, waving his hand. "You can believe her words, but not entirely. If you don't want to end up like Cloud Sky Douluo, then you need to have your own judgment and ideas."
"I understand, Grandmaster!" Zhu Ziyang pondered for a long time before speaking.
"Hahahaha, alright, let's not talk about these things anymore. This old man can still live for a few more years and continue to protect you," Mu En said with a satisfied smile. "Come, tell Grandmaster about your experiences in detail."
"Okay, Grandmaster." Zhu Ziyang nodded and began to tell Mu En about the Great Starry Unicorn and his fourth spirit ring, also mentioning the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, the auspicious beast of the Star Dou Great Forest.
"...There's actually such a thing!" Mu En listened with eyes full of astonishment, his face constantly showing relief and excitement, saying, "It truly lives up to its name as Ultimate Light! To be able to entice a Spirit Beast to willingly sacrifice itself to become your spirit ring! This old man has truly broadened his horizons."
"That Three-Eyed Golden Lion you mentioned, some elders of the Academy have seen it before, and it wasn't as terrifying as you described, so there's no need to worry." This was Mu En's attitude towards the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. He couldn't be blamed, because the entire Spirit Master's world had too little research on auspicious beasts and luck, and very few people believed in the concept of a Child of Luck, let alone a Child of Luck among Spirit Beasts.
Zhu Ziyang was helpless and put the matter out of his mind.
"As for that Little Starry Unicorn, you can raise it on Sea God Island. With the Golden Ancient Tree there, it might even be an opportunity for it," Mu En said. "There are still a few Spirit Beasts in Sea God Lake and on Sea God Island, all left by our predecessors. One more won't hurt."
"Mm-hm! Thank you, Grandmaster!" Zhu Ziyang was very happy, because with Mu En's words, those who wanted to send Xing Cai to the Outer Courtyard's beast-fighting arena would have nothing more to say.
"Hehehe, go on, get a good night's rest." Mu En said with a smile.
"Mm, goodbye, Grandmaster." Zhu Ziyang agreed, then exited the Sea God Pavilion.
— —
Outside the Sea God Pavilion, Zhu Ziyang saw Qian Duoduo and Xian Lin'er, as well as Xing Cai, who was being watched by them and didn't dare to move. The little fellow, upon seeing Zhu Ziyang appear, immediately ran behind him as if seeing a savior, hiding there.
"Hehehe, what an interesting little fellow!" Xian Lin'er was amused by Xing Cai's actions and chuckled softly, covering her face.
"Senior Sister, Third Senior Brother." Zhu Ziyang walked up to the two and greeted them.
"Junior Brother, you've suffered," Xian Lin'er said, then patted Qian Duoduo next to her. Qian Duoduo immediately understood, taking out a wooden box from his storage spirit tool. "This is the Academy's compensation for you all."
"Junior Brother, inside this box is a 50,000-year torso bone. The specific information is all in the box, take it back and read it yourself," Qian Duoduo said with a chuckle, handing the wooden box containing the Spirit Bone to Zhu Ziyang.
Zhu Ziyang looked surprised and numbly accepted it. He hadn't expected the Academy to provide compensation so quickly; their efficiency was truly high. He said, "Thank you, Third Senior Brother."
"Hehe, no need to thank me, this is what you deserve," Qian Duoduo said with a smile.
"The items have been delivered, and we still have things to do, so we'll be leaving first," Xian Lin'er said. "Goodbye, Junior Brother."
"Goodbye, Senior Sister, Third Senior Brother!" Zhu Ziyang also said.
After the two left, Zhu Ziyang didn't linger either, taking Xing Cai to the Inner Courtyard dormitory.
"Alas! Indeed, no matter how powerful one's strength, one cannot escape the dirty business of scheming and infighting!" Electrolux said with great emotion.
"..." Zhu Ziyang was silently speechless. He had come to understand that wherever there are people, there will be conflict.