"In fact, elite disciples going on training missions to encircle and suppress evil soul masters—these are responsibilities Shrek Academy ought to shoulder. I don't object. But for every operation, at least one Elder of the Sea God's Pavilion must lead the team."
Mu En swept his gaze around, his fingertip tapping rhythmically on the golden conference table.
His tone was calm, without the slightest hint of negotiation—more like announcing a conclusion.
"..."
"I have no objections," Elder Song sighed softly and nodded.
"Nor do I," Elder Zhuang nodded.
Xuan Zi: "I agree."
"..."
Only when all the Pavilion Elders voted unanimously did Mu En show no surprise at all and moved straight to the next topic.
The efficiency left Su Wen gaping.
In the past, Elder Mu had always appeared as a kind, amiable elder. But at this moment, he resembled an autocratic leader—still warm in manner, yet the sharp edge in his bones was gradually revealed.
And the surrounding elders showed no surprise whatsoever—clearly, they were used to this scene.
"There is another matter—regarding the Soul Tool Department…"
Mu En leaned back.
His gentle gaze fell on Su Wen. "Xiao Wen, I want to hear your opinion. Since you've created a Forging Department and painted such a grand vision for us old fellows—can the Forging Department truly replace the Soul Tool Department? Or is it just a flash in the pan, and we'll still have to rely on the Soul Tool Department in the future?"
Swish!
Everyone looked at Su Wen.
In their eyes were warmth, apology, confusion, and curiosity…
"The Soul Tool Department's potential isn't small, but within the next ten thousand years, once battle armor appears, Shrek's supremacy will be secure," Su Wen pondered a moment and said.
After ten thousand years, battle armor dominates the mainstream.
And even further ahead, when the Soul Tool path leaves Douluo Star and technology advances to the interstellar stage, forging will still pack a punch. After all, things like warships and mechas need powerful metals as their foundation.
"My view is: now that you've returned, we have the capital to develop steadily. Even if the Soul Tool Department burns money, we should grit our teeth and build it up—this is for the future. As for the Forging Department, you can think of it as a universal catalyst. Hitch it to the fast train of the Soul Tool Department, and the two will produce a reaction that will shock the world. Battle armor is simply the quickest to yield results among them."
"Understood."
Mu En nodded.
He'd understood.
Clearly, forging will be one of the hottest industries in the next ten thousand years—a shortcut for Shrek to overtake on a curve. The Soul Tool Department is about building deep reserves for a later bloom—planting trees for future generations to enjoy the shade. If Shrek Academy can overcome difficulties and invest in R&D now, future generations won't be much behind the Sun and Moon Empire.
"Some days ago, Jing Hongchen, the Hall Master of Mingde Hall from the Sun and Moon Empire, visited and brought up the matter of exchange students. Obviously, the Sun and Moon Empire is eager to learn from Shrek's experience with martial souls to make up for their students' shortcomings."
"Shrek won't hide anything—let them learn. Likewise, Hall Master Hongchen stated that Mingde Hall will open its doors to the exchange students we send. So, children, cherish this opportunity…"
"Shaozhe, confirm the list of volunteers from the Martial Soul Department. Lin'er, the same for you… As for you, Xiao Wen—your Forging Department will surely send everyone, right?"
…
Sea God's Pavilion.
Top floor.
At this moment, Mu En had shed the domineering, decisive air he had at the meeting, reverting to the kindly elder of old.
"Did I feel unfamiliar just now?"
Mu En said with a beaming smile.
"A little," Su Wen hesitated, then nodded.
"Shrek Academy has been decaying for a long time. Without some toughness, nothing will get done. Those old fellows are like me—each climbed back step by step. Sitting on old merits, few can keep them in check. Shaozhe can't. Xuan Zi barely can. But you… you're the one who can truly win their respect."
"Before I hand Shrek over to you, I'll remove the thorns from the scepter first."
"The elders of the Sea God's Pavilion are your most precious asset and the strongest team you could ask for. But you must have felt it—these old fellows are all proud and stubborn, not easy to win over."
"Mm."
Su Wen nodded slightly.
Among the elders, there was no lack of diverse talents.
They were like a treasure trove. Take Elder Du, for example—when he wanted to learn forging, he immediately found a Divine Craftsman-level figure to teach him. The downside, however, was that most of these elders had eccentric tempers or lofty pride—hard to bend to one's will.
But why was Elder Mu saying all this? Could he be worried that once Su Wen became Pavilion Master, he'd use force to kick all these old guys out?
"The position of Sea God's Pavilion Master isn't easy to hold."
Seeing Su Wen grasp his intent, Mu En smiled with relief, lay back on the chaise, and leisurely fanned himself.
"You kid—when will you give me a grandchild to dote on? The older one gets, the more one enjoys watching children playing at one's knees."
"Uh, Elder Mu, that's a bit early, isn't it?" Su Wen opened his mouth, looking a little embarrassed.
"Not early at all. Xiaotao, Lexuan, or Ning Tian, Jiang Nannan, Wang Dong'er… You rascal, your romantic exploits put even Shaozhe to shame," Mu En teased Su Wen with a grin.
…
Sun and Moon Empire.
Evil Demon Forest.
Deep underground, in a cavernous, shadowy great hall of unknown depth.
"Reporting to the Supreme Elder, that's what happened…" Zhang Peng half-knelt, face pale, voice trembling.
On the dais stood two figures. Just their presence alone exerted a terrifying pressure on Zhang Peng.
"Mu En? He's still alive?"
One slender figure murmured to herself.
"I don't know how he recovered, or even—according to what you said—surpassed his peak strength. But I'm more concerned with why you hid the information and went off to Shrek Academy to abduct a nonexistent hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo on your own." The voice was cool, making Zhang Peng's face change as he glanced at the figure beside him—Zhongli Wu—whose four limbs were ruined and who lay on the floor.
"Please forgive me, Supreme Elder!" Zhang Peng hurriedly prostrated.
"Enough. Let's put this to rest," Ye Xishui said offhandedly, flicking a hand. Beneath the black cloak, her gaze fell on the figure lying on the cold floor, mouth bubbling blood, barely clinging to life. "Wu'er, don't ruin yourself…"
"Yes, mother."
Zhongli Wu's expression was despairing as he forced out a sentence. He knew Mu En had spared his life only for his mother's sake. But with four limbs crippled and meridians shattered, it meant that for a long time to come, he would completely lose control over the Holy Spirit Cult.
Even if he recovered one day, the distance to the realm of Ultimate Douluo would be like a chasm…
After Zhang Peng gingerly led Zhongli Wu away—
At the top of the hall.
Where light and shadow intertwined, a few candle flames revealed an exquisitely beautiful face. The woman had long, deep-violet hair and was shrouded in a wide black robe. Time had left no trace upon her face. If Su Wen were here, he would be shocked to find that this nearly two-hundred-year-old matron looked even younger than the likes of Xian Lin'er.
Only, compared to the past, faint black-violet hues tinged the rims of her eyes and her fingernails.
She lounged lazily on the throne, picking at her nails.
"What, you want to go see that dear old friend? Or are you thinking of leaving the Holy Spirit Cult altogether?"
"…Xishui, you know me," said the tall figure beside her with a wry smile.
"This time, Wu'er acted on his own. He has already been punished as he should. I hope you can spare him this once," Ye Xishui said lightly.
"Mm." Long Xiaoyao gave a soft snort.
Seeing this, Ye Xishui sighed inwardly. It seemed this matter would be set aside for now, but once Wu'er recovered, he would likely suffer some flesh-and-blood pain…
The continent's former Black and White Twin Dragons—brothers in life and death—how could she easily sever such a bond?
What Wu'er did had touched his reverse scale.
"As for that boy Su Wen, let's set him aside as well. Even if he comes to the Sun and Moon Empire, no one is to target him. At least before he leaves the empire, I don't want to hear of anything happening to him…"
Ye Xishui waved a hand, summoning a black-robed subordinate and issuing detailed instructions.
Leaving the dim hall—
Long Xiaoyao's figure flashed and stood atop a sky-piercing ancient tree in the Evil Demon Forest. After a long hesitation, he took an envelope from his breast.
The handwriting was familiar as ever.
"Xiaoyao, if words could be a face…"
…
Inside the Golden Tree House.
A golden core the size of a longan fruit rose and fell in Su Wen's dantian, radiating dense golden light. Filaments of radiance spread out from Su Wen as the center, extending to the corners of the wooden house. With the core's pulse, Su Wen's soul power completed cycle after cycle.
"Hoo…"
Footsteps sounded outside the window.
Su Wen exhaled a turbid breath and nodded in satisfaction.
It had been over two months since the Holy Spirit Cult's incursion. Ever since Mu En had reemerged with an invincible stance, the entire Douluo plane had gone quiet for a moment. The continental situation, once a powder keg ready to ignite, had settled down again.
This is the might of an Ultimate Douluo—enough to make every power "act from the heart."
Against a peak Ultimate Douluo, no faction could afford to provoke lightly. Even the Sun and Moon Empire's later linked defensive soul tools likely wouldn't withstand a single exchange. Xuan Zi failed to break them only because he was too weak…
After receiving a celestial herb's sacrificial boon, Ma Xiaotao advanced to level 72 Soul Sage. With the herb's toxic properties, her inner evil fire was tempered into fire poison, greatly boosting her combat power—but also giving her an excuse to drag Su Wen off to vent.
Zhang Lexuan advanced to Title Douluo—titled Bright Moon Douluo—successfully passed the inner court's graduation assessment, and took a post as an inner court teacher.
The other girls, bolstered by celestial herbs, also surged in strength. Ning Tian and Wu Feng were even considering joining the inner court.
As for Xuan Zi and several other elders, they each entered closed-door seclusion, preparing to charge at higher thresholds.
Ma Xiaotao crept the door open, crimson eyes brimming with the thrill of mischief—only to meet Su Wen's direct stare.
"Boring~"
Deflated, Ma Xiaotao flopped onto Su Wen's bed, propped her chin, and showed off a perfect S-curve. She lightly kicked his thigh with her long leg and looked at him with a sultry gaze. "Come on, teacher asked me to fetch you. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's sect master came to see you—waiting in the outer court."
"Remember to come to Sister Xiaotao's place after you're done. Big sis will give you…"
Su Wen: "..."