On this day, the Tianyuan Pavilion held an informal meeting. The topic was simple: with the exchange program with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy coming to an end, they had to decide who would escort the visiting students back and retrieve Shrek Academy's own.
As the Pavilion Master of the Tianyuan Pavilion, Zhu Ziyang naturally had to attend. But this sort of matter was usually drafted by either Xian Lin'er or Cai Meier, the two Deans — he only needed to review the plan, listen to their reports, and make the final decision.
"...After discussions with their side, we've agreed on Maple Leaf City as the exchange point," Xian Lin'er reported. "Given the information Yuhao sent back, we're planning for Meier and me to handle the retrieval. Ziyang, what do you think?"
"Let Senior Brother go with you," Zhu Ziyang said after some thought. "It'll be a good chance for him to meet our newest little junior disciple. And given how much trouble that brat Yuhao tends to stir up, I doubt this trip will be smooth. Since Senior Brother has been out of secluded cultivation for a while but hasn't had a proper workout yet, this could be a good opportunity for him to stretch his legs. What do you think, Senior Brother?"
"I've got no problem with it." Yan Shaozhe's expression was calm, but there was a hint of gratitude in his eyes as he replied.
After years in seclusion, Yan Shaozhe had changed a great deal — particularly after failing to send off Mu En in his final moments. He had grown much quieter. Compared to his once hesitant demeanor, he was now far more composed and decisive. Because of this, Zhu Ziyang hadn't followed Mu En's final wish to let Yan Shaozhe live in retirement as a mere Elder — instead, he reinstated him as the Dean of the Martial Soul Department.
Of course, Cai Meier remained the other Dean of the Martial Soul Department. But she had been too busy with the Cloudsky Project to handle much of the academy's internal affairs. Letting Yan Shaozhe return to the post helped ease her burden. Thus, the Martial Soul Department now had two Deans and one Vice Dean — naturally, the Vice Dean was Du Weilun.
Zhu Ziyang had no intention of letting a Rank 98 Super Douluo waste away doing nothing. He firmly opposed such a waste of talent.
In contrast, the Soul Engineering Department also had two Deans and a Vice Dean. Xian Lin'er managed the engineering programs, while Qian Duoduo had been promoted by Zhu Ziyang to Dean, overseeing daily affairs. As for Vice Dean, that role belonged to Fan Yu — although he was still stationed at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and hadn't heard about his promotion yet.
"I've got no objection either," Xian Lin'er said calmly after hearing Zhu Ziyang's decision. Her relationship with Yan Shaozhe had improved quite a bit since he came out of seclusion — at least to the point where they had resumed a normal senior-junior dynamic, rather than the cold hostility of the past.
"In that case, I'll leave it to the two of you." Zhu Ziyang smiled. "Honestly, this exchange trip of Yuhao's turned out to be quite fruitful."
"Exactly!" Qian Duoduo chuckled and echoed, "Who would've thought he'd send back over 1,300 of the latest schematics in just two years? With those blueprints, our department can avoid a lot of pitfalls."
"Absolutely!" Xian Lin'er agreed. "Most of the designs Yuhao sent back are things our intelligence division couldn't even dream of obtaining. He's been a massive help this time."
"That's why I wanted Senior Brother to go with you," Zhu Ziyang added with a grin. "I doubt Jing Hongchen of Mingde Hall will just let Yuhao leave so easily. Even if he's wary enough not to act, others in the Sun Moon Empire might not be as cautious."
"We will ensure Yuhao and the others return safely," Yan Shaozhe said firmly.
"Good. Then it's settled." Zhu Ziyang nodded. "Any other matters? If not, meeting adjourned."
Once Zhu Ziyang ended the meeting, the Elders quickly left the Tianyuan Pavilion. Soon, the only one left in the hall was Zhu Ziyang himself. He chuckled lightly.
"Tsk tsk! I really wonder what kind of chaos Huo Yuhao is going to stir up next."
——
Time passed swiftly. The day arrived for Shrek and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy to exchange students again. Xian Lin'er and Cai Meier brought the Sun Moon delegation to Maple Leaf City, successfully received Shrek's students, and completed the handover.
Then, for reasons unknown, Huo Yuhao said something to Yan Shaozhe and Cai Meier that led the two of them to take him and dash back toward the academy ahead of the group.
Naturally, what was supposed to be a smooth trip met trouble — the trio were ambushed. Surprisingly, the attacker was alone — but that one was a Super Douluo: Rank 96, named Zhang Peng, Martial Soul: Scorpion Tiger, Titled: Scorpion Tiger Douluo. Publicly known as an evil soul master.
Now, to be fair, judging someone as an evil soul master based solely on their Martial Soul was frankly ridiculous. Whoever came up with that method must have been some brain-dead genius.
Still, regardless of what you called him, Zhang Peng stood opposed to Shrek Academy — which made him the enemy. And enemies needed to be eliminated.
Xian Lin'er didn't hesitate to engage. Despite her one-rank advantage in soul power, Zhang Peng's peculiar and powerful Martial Soul allowed him to fight on even footing. Their battle was evenly matched.
His Martial Soul, the Scorpion Tiger, was actually a variant of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger — capable of devouring flesh, blood, and souls to strengthen itself. That terrifying ability gave him both rapid cultivation and explosive combat strength, and thus the evil soul master label.
While Xian Lin'er's battle with Zhang Peng was locked in a stalemate, Yan Shaozhe keenly sensed another hidden presence nearby. He called out immediately, "Since you're already here, why bother hiding? Come out."
A coarse but powerful laugh rang out. A crack opened in midair and an old man stepped through.
"As expected of Mu En's first disciple," the old man said. "To reach Rank 98 at such a young age — impressive!"
"Who are you?" Yan Shaozhe's expression grew solemn. Anyone who could see through his strength at a glance and mention Mu En clearly had some connection to him. What's more, the pressure this man exuded… was comparable to facing Mu En himself.
Huo Yuhao, whom Yan Shaozhe was shielding, didn't feel any of that pressure. Instead, he was more amused by the old man's words. "The Dean's over a hundred already. What's this about young?"
"Ah… I never imagined Mu En would ascend to the heavens so soon," the old man sighed. Then his tone shifted.
"It seems fate has brought me to Mu En's disciples twice in the past few years. As his first disciple, let me test whether you're worthy of inheriting the legacy of the Dragon God Douluo!
I am Long Xiaoyao. Have you heard the name?"
"Long Xiaoyao… the Dragon Emperor Douluo!" Yan Shaozhe was stunned. His face froze, then filled with shock.
"Well?" Long Xiaoyao smiled faintly. "I heard you recently broke through to Rank 98. I'll give you three moves. If you can beat me, you're free to go. If not, then that child leaves the ring behind.
Extortion requires strength!"
"Senior, please advise!" Yan Shaozhe took a deep breath. He knew that if he didn't give his all, the three of them might not return safely.
"Be careful now." Long Xiaoyao's tone remained calm, but his face was unreadable. He raised a hand and pointed toward them.
That single finger strike caused Yan Shaozhe's heart to lurch. A phoenix cry echoed as he instantly released his Martial Soul. A golden Radiant Phoenix unfurled its wings behind him as he cupped his hands and conjured a golden barrier to protect himself and Huo Yuhao.
Then — a black hole silently opened before them, brimming with abyssal might, threatening to devour them whole. Just as Yan Shaozhe was about to respond—
A golden scythe slashed out from the void in front of him, cleaving the black hole cleanly in two. The crushing pressure vanished in an instant.
Yan Shaozhe and Huo Yuhao were both stunned. Long Xiaoyao's eyes narrowed, no longer smiling — the arrival had wiped away his calm demeanor.
A warm voice sounded, like a breeze through spring leaves.
"Uncle Long, it's been a while!"
Zhu Ziyang, smiling gently, appeared before Yan Shaozhe and Huo Yuhao, facing Long Xiaoyao.
(End of Chapter)
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