Mu En's heart grew heavier and heavier.
Watching Xuan Zi returning alone in the distance, flying towards the Sea God Pavilion, his eyes gradually reddened.
If Xuan Zi had returned alone to the gates of Shrek City, that would be one thing.
But the more he observed, the more Mu En could sense the self-blame, regret, and urgency emanating from Xuan Zi.
Damn it!
Xuan Zi had messed up again.
In the past, it might have been tolerable, but this time, Xuan Zi had taken out the elite of the Inner Court, including her, the one Mu En had truly placed his hopes in!
Xuan Zi is settling his mind.
Focusing on cultivation for a few years to break through to the Limit Douluo level?
Mu En was just deceiving Yan Shaozhe, comforting the current Pavilion Elders, giving them a reassurance.
The one he truly placed his hopes on, the one who could break through to the Limit Douluo level after him, was Zhang Lexuan.
Wasn't Zhang Lexuan more reliable than Xuan Zi?
But now, this most reliable senior sister of the Inner Court, who had gone with Xuan Zi to hunt for her eighth Spirit Ring, after Mu En had waited a full three months, only Xuan Zi's solitary return greeted him.
"Elder Mu."
Seeing Mu En and Yan Shaozhe waiting for him at the entrance of the Sea God Pavilion, Xuan Zi felt a lump in his throat.
Thinking of the losses his carelessness had caused the academy this time, he was overwhelmed with guilt, even failing to notice Mu En's abnormal state immediately.
"Xuan Zi, where are Lexuan and the others?"
Although he guessed the outcome, Mu En couldn't help but ask, clinging to a sliver of hope.
Hearing this, Xuan Zi felt even more ashamed. He lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke.
"I'm sorry, Elder Mu. This time, I was too careless, negligent and got separated from Lexuan's team. Twelve of them were attacked by a hundred-thousand-year-old Spirit Beast. By the time I reached the scene..."
At this point, Xuan Zi's voice choked with tears, and he began to confess.
Mu En suppressed the bloody taste rising in his throat and asked, word by word, "Were there any remains?"
"Out of the twelve students, including Lexuan, eight died on the spot. Lexuan and three other students fortunately survived."
Survived?
Mu En's breathing quickened slightly, the fury in his eyes receding a little.
"Where are they now?"
"Lexuan survived and even managed to kill that hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast, absorbing its Spirit Ring and Spirit Bone. However, she also suffered severe damage to her vitality."
Sensing a slight relaxation in Mu En's tone, Xuan Zi hurriedly reported the follow-up situation.
Finally, he paused and added, "Lexuan obtained the hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring and Spirit Bone, but her vitality is severely damaged. It's estimated she will need to recuperate for a year or so before possibly recovering."
Hearing that Zhang Lexuan had obtained a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring and Spirit Bone, a surge of joy welled up in Mu En's heart.
Although the death of eight Inner Court students out of twelve was tragic, given Shrek's current situation, the most critical factor was Zhang Lexuan, who had the potential to become a Limit Douluo.
Zhang Lexuan wasn't dead and had even profited from misfortune, directly mitigating the impact of the other eight students' deaths on him.
As for the severe damage to her vitality mentioned by Xuan Zi, the Sea God Pavilion could help Zhang Lexuan resolve that, striving to restore her to her peak condition.
One must understand that each time a Spirit Ring is fused is an opportunity for a Spirit Master to be reborn. As long as she could fuse the Spirit Ring and Spirit Bone, she was basically not in danger of suffering fundamental damage.
Originally, Mu En estimated Xuan Zi's chance of breaking through to the Limit Douluo level at around 10%, and Zhang Lexuan's at 15%. Now, he felt Zhang Lexuan's chance might increase to 20%, or even close to 30%!
This was Mu En's 'trust' in the Golden Ancient Tree.
Even if the Golden Ancient Tree was unwilling to sacrifice part of its power to help the two break through, providing assistance at their critical moments, after Mu En died and his power merged with the Golden Ancient Tree, he would force the ancient tree to do it!
Of course, even so, the chances of either breaking through were extremely low, not even guaranteeing a fifty percent success rate.
Under such circumstances, with the Inner Court losing eight more core students, Mu En's pleasant surprise faded.
"What about the other three?"
"They are also almost half-crippled. Even if cured, they will be unable to cultivate or fight."
Upon hearing this, Mu En's vision went dark.
Pfft!
So, out of twelve people, not a single one was unscathed.
"Teacher!"
Yan Shaozhe hurried forward to support Mu En, glaring at Xuan Zi.
"Elder Xuan, you've caused a huge disaster this time!"
Xuan Zi also panicked, never expecting that the news he brought back would cause Mu En to cough up blood and faint.
Sensing Mu En's life force, flickering like a candle in the wind, his face instantly turned pale, and his lips trembled.
No way, did I anger Elder Mu to death?
Xuan Zi trembled, realizing the magnitude of the trouble he had caused this time.
Sometime later.
Mu En opened his eyes, feeling weak and exhausted.
He looked around, seeing many of his old comrades, and Xuan Zi, who had caused him such fury.
"Elder Mu, Lexuan, and the others aren't in critical condition. Elder Zhuang has already examined them. Her foundation is fine; she just overexerted herself to kill that hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast. She can recover once she replenishes sufficient life force vitality. Some time ago, when the Golden Ancient Tree revived, the shower of light contained abundant life energy. We collected some of it. Using it to help Lexuan recuperate would be perfect. At most, she'll recover fully within six months."
"And the others?"
"The others..."
Lin Huiqun, responsible for reporting, stammered, unable to get the words out.
Mu En sighed.
"Have they been settled properly?"
His meaning was also to inquire about their placement.
"It's been arranged. They will all remain at the academy, and the academy has granted them an unconditional spot to join the Inner Court, which they can give to their relatives or friends."
Mu En let out a breath, his aura stabilizing.
"And Xuan Zi?"
"He is outside the Sea God Pavilion, admitting his guilt."
Hearing this, anger flashed in Mu En's eyes, then turned into helplessness.
The anger was directed at Xuan Zi's lack of improvement, still subconsciously trying to muddle through like this.
The helplessness stemmed from the fact that Xuan Zi was currently Shrek's strongest combatant; he truly had no way to punish him effectively.
The other Pavilion Elders saw the change in Mu En's expression and glanced at each other, but found it difficult to say anything.
Xuan Zi had indeed made a grave mistake this time.
But the academy's situation was somewhat precarious, and it seemed there was no real way to discipline Xuan Zi.
Thus, the room fell into a prolonged silence.
It was Mu En who finally broke the atmosphere.
"Punish Xuan Zi with confinement within the academy for ten years. He must focus on cultivation, provided only with plain food and simple tea. He is not to be released until he has subdued his Martial Soul's instincts."
Elder Lin and the others exchanged glances.
What a punishment!
For Xuan Zi, the greatest punishment might be the inability to eat chicken legs.
Plain food every day, over the long term, ten years would be the greatest torment for Xuan Zi short of death.
Especially since this method could also help Xuan Zi overcome the drawbacks of his Martial Soul, forcibly tempering his will.
"Teacher, perhaps I should go inform Elder Xuan about this later. You should rest and recover peacefully."
Seeing that Yan Shaozhe seemed intent on having him rest alone and preventing others from disturbing him further, Mu En raised his hand to stop him.
"Not so fast."
He coughed twice, his voice becoming somewhat hoarse.
"I have some thoughts I need to share with you all first."
"Please speak, Elder Mu."
(Chapter End)