One day later, Shrek Academy, Sea God Island, at the center of Sea God Lake.
There were many buildings on Sea God Island, but only one stood out for its sheer size and grandeur: the Sea God Pavilion, located at the island's heart.
The Sea God Pavilion had six floors, each exceeding ten meters in height. Bathed in the mist rising from the lake, the pavilion appeared hazy and dreamlike, emitting a faint glow.
The Sea God Pavilion was also the most crucial place in all of Shrek Academy. The Hall of Offerings was located here, making it the center of the entire academy. The significant decisions made by the soul masters residing here would influence the future of the entire Douluo Continent.
Gentle water vapor mingled with the fresh air, swirling around. The azure waters of Sea God Lake were pure, deep, and softly elegant. On the lake's surface, like a blue brocade, a gentle ripple undulated, akin to a young girl's bright, watery gaze, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and the verdant trees lining the shore.
Several figures strode across the lake's surface. Upon reaching the Sea God Pavilion, they hurried into the Sea God Pavilion's conference hall and took their seats around an oval-shaped long table.
Inside the hall, after more than ten people, including the deans and vice-deans of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department and Soul Tool Department, as well as the elders of the Sea God Pavilion, were seated, they began to converse.
At the far right end of the long table, a man in his fifties with hair like steel needles and a tall, imposing physique spoke first: "I wonder what important matter has caused Elder Mu to suddenly convene a Sea God Pavilion meeting?"
"The Sea God Pavilion meeting is the highest council of Shrek Academy. Emergency ad-hoc meetings are always of great importance, often determining the continent's direction. Elder Mu convening it so suddenly must mean the matter is quite significant," Elder Xuan, a senior elder of the Sea God Pavilion, said casually, holding a chicken leg in his left hand and a wine gourd in his right, eating and drinking with a leisurely air.
"Whatever the case, we should wait for Elder Mu to appear," Xian Lin'er said.
Behind the curtain of the Sea God Pavilion hall, Mu En looked at Su Qingfeng with a satisfied expression and said softly and gently, "Little Qingfeng, wait here. When I call you, you come out."
Su Qingfeng looked at him helplessly, "Teacher, what exactly are you trying to do?"
"Nothing much, just giving you a Holy Son position to occupy. You must be my successor."
"Sigh... Honestly, I don't really want to be your successor," Su Qingfeng said with a shrug, his expression nonchalant.
Could the successor of Shrek Academy's Elder Mu have a good outcome? The higher you stand, the harder you fall...
"Nonsense! Do you know the status of the Sea God Pavilion on the entire continent? Do you know the height of this position? A peerless talent like you deserves this position!"
After speaking, Mu En walked out and lay down on the recliner placed at the innermost main seat of the hall's long table. His back wasn't good, so he preferred to lie down.
Mu En was also quite helpless. Across the Douluo Continent, how many soul masters longed to enter the Sea God Pavilion but lacked the qualifications? How many people wished to be his disciple? To even offer a Holy Son position to this kid, which was specially created, and he seemed unwilling?!
Mu En's appearance instantly brought silence to the hall. Even Elder Xuan put down his wine gourd and chicken leg, wiped his greasy hands on his clothes, and straightened his posture slightly. The other senior elders and members of the Sea God Pavilion also composed themselves.
"Shaozhe, are all the people here?" Mu En's gentle voice rang out.
Yan Shaozhe, the current Dean of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department, but in Sea God Pavilion meetings, he could only sit at the far end.
Hearing Mu En's words, he stood up respectfully, bowed to the main seat, and replied, "Teacher, because the meeting was convened urgently, one senior elder is still out of town and couldn't make it back in time. Le Xuan is currently undergoing trials. All other members are in place. After the meeting, we will inform that senior elder of all the content, which will not affect the convening of this meeting."
"Mm, that's good then."
Mu En's expression was neither pleased nor displeased, completely lacking the close warmth he showed when interacting with Su Qingfeng. He said calmly:
"Members of the Sea God Pavilion and senior elders, I know you are all curious why I suddenly called for a Sea God Pavilion meeting."
"This matter, it's not big, but it's not small either. I want to establish the position of Sea God Pavilion Holy Son."
Mu En stated something that surprised all the senior elders in a very plain tone.
His words shocked everyone present.
Even Yan Shaozhe, who always respected Mu En, showed a look of surprise: "Teacher, you're joking, right?"
"Yes, since the Sea God Pavilion was founded, there has never been a Holy Son. Moreover, what is the significance of establishing a Holy Son?" another senior elder chimed in.
Xian Lin'er, with her more impetuous temper, slammed the table and said, "Only evil forces establish Holy Sons, like the Holy Spirit Cult of the Sun Moon Continent. History also tells us that when the first generation of Shrek Seven Devils still existed, Spirit Hall also had a Holy Maiden, and their fate was very tragic."
"Our Shrek Academy prioritizes strength and character as the primary factors, and the Sea God Pavilion is the core of Shrek Academy. If a Holy Son is established, he will inevitably become an example and a target for everyone. But there is no eternal 'first.' Once this Holy Son falls from grace, will we have to replace him? Also, who are our current candidates for Holy Son? Le Xuan, Xiao Tao?" the senior elder sitting further ahead, known to everyone as Elder Lin, spoke up.
Elder Lin's opinion was met with strong approval from the others, and they couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"Alright, I am here to inform you, not to discuss it with you."
"Qingfeng, come out and meet your elders. If anyone dares to bully you in the future, you can ask them for help. If they dare to turn a blind eye, hmph."
Mu En glanced at everyone calmly. What they said made sense, but he wasn't listening.
After hearing Mu En's words, the faces of the senior elders turned somewhat unpleasant. Elder Mu was being a bit too overbearing and autocratic this time. The Sea God Pavilion had never been decided by a single person; otherwise, what would be the point of Sea God Pavilion meetings? "Elder Mu, it's not good for you to be so insistent."
Xuan Zi's usually leisurely demeanor vanished, and his expression became serious.
"Yes, we don't even know who the candidate for Holy Son is, nor what powers they possess."
"This matter has been decided too hastily. Without a complete set of regulations, I absolutely cannot agree!" Xian Lin'er turned her head and stood up.
The others also began to persuade Mu En. They had thought it was a matter of great importance affecting the entire continent, perhaps a super beast tide guided by a soul beast with hundreds of thousands of years of cultivation, or the Sun Moon Empire returning to disrupt the balance of the continent. They never expected it to be a family affair.
Just as they were arguing, Su Qingfeng slowly walked out from behind the curtain.
It was as if everyone heard a gentle breeze blowing through the space, with scattered, flying maple leaves slowly falling, and a sense of sacred starlight and celestial energy drifting about.
All eyes were immediately drawn to him. The Sea God Pavilion meeting hall suddenly fell into complete silence.
"Allow me to introduce my new disciple, who will also be the Holy Son of the Sea God Pavilion, Su Qingfeng."
"Everyone, do you have any more objections?"
Mu En was pleased with the stunned reactions of the elders and members. A few days ago, when he first met Su Qingfeng, he was also astonished by the young man. His appearance, his aura – he looked like a born divine son or holy son, possessing extraordinary talent and clearly not an ordinary person.
"No, I have no objections."
"On the contrary, I believe Elder Mu's decision is actually very wise..."
"This child... you can tell at a glance, he has peerless potential!"
As soon as Su Qingfeng appeared, the members and elders of the Sea God Pavilion changed their attitudes. Even Title Douluo were deeply attracted by the ethereal aura he possessed.
Xian Lin'er said dazedly, her eyes shining as she walked towards Su Qingfeng, "Child, how old are you? Are you interested in learning about Soul Tools?"
"What a handsome young man. This divine-like aura, his Martial Soul must be very powerful, right?"
"Lin'er, what are you doing? Stop touching him, don't just grab him."
Qian Duoduo watched as Xian Lin'er's hands started to feel Su Qingfeng up, his face darkening. They were, after all, husband and wife in name.
Elder Xuan also stood up, looking at Su Qingfeng with great curiosity. "Elder Mu, where did you find such a rare young man? You already have Shaozhe, but I don't have many disciples. How about you let me have him?"
Mu En chuckled, "Are you dreaming?"
The other elders also gathered around to look at Su Qingfeng.
Su Qingfeng pursed his lips, feeling a bit impatient. Was he a monkey in a zoo?
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
Su Qingfeng felt a little helpless. These elders of the Sea God Pavilion were acting like wolves seeing a sheep... Why were they all so common?
He was just a little good-looking, what was the big deal? Sigh...
(End of Chapter)