"Shao Zhe, you will step down from your position as Dean of the Martial Soul Department."
Mu En's opening words shocked everyone.
His next sentence, however, let the shocked crowd breathe a sigh of relief.
"Your qualifications are sufficient. Take over Xuan Zi's position and manage the entire Inner Court. The Shrek Supervision Corps will also be under your command."
Were his qualifications really sufficient?
Elder Lin unconsciously thought.
Yan Shao Zhe was still relatively young, still in his prime for Spirit Power growth without any obvious bottlenecks. Was it appropriate to let him take charge of the Inner Court now?
But considering Xuan Zi was to be confined, served plain and simple meals, and would probably be driven mad with boredom and explosive temper, making him unsuitable for further public appearances—he truly needed to be restricted to one place—someone indeed needed to replace him.
"Lin'er, although you have held the position of Dean of the Spirit Engineering Department for many years and also practice Spirit Engineering, I know your heart is not in the Spirit Engineering Department. Next, you will take over Shao Zhe's position as Dean of the Martial Soul Department."
Both Xian Lin'er and Yan Shao Zhe were Mu En's direct disciples, and Xian Lin'er was also Elder Song's daughter, giving her extremely strong connections within the academy.
She was actually not an eighth-rank Spirit Engineer, only seventh-rank, and she had only started practicing the Spirit Engineering system later.
But due to her connections, coupled with Qian Duoduo's Spirit Power never breaking past level ninety-five, she had always been the true Dean of the Spirit Engineering Department, while Qian Duoduo was the Vice Dean.
The reason Mu En said Xian Lin'er's heart wasn't in the Spirit Engineering Department wasn't because she was only a seventh-rank Spirit Engineer, but because of her initial motivation for joining the Spirit Engineering Department.
Xian Lin'er and Yan Shao Zhe had once been in a relationship, but they eventually broke up. Yan Shao Zhe married Cai Mei'er, the current Vice Dean of the Martial Soul Department. In a fit of anger, Xian Lin'er left the Martial Soul Department, entered the Spirit Engineering Department, and married Qian Duoduo.
At this moment, Mu En's condition was truly poor, and everyone listened attentively, not daring to act willfully.
No matter how stubborn Xian Lin'er's temper was, she accepted this arrangement now.
She glanced at Cai Mei'er, a trace of triumph flashing in her eyes.
I'm coming to the Martial Soul Department to be above you.
However, Mu En's next words dashed Xian Lin'er's hopes.
"Mei'er, you will go to the Spirit Engineering Department and serve as Dean. Duoduo, once you break through to level ninety-five or advance to become a ninth-rank Spirit Engineer, you will directly be promoted to Dean. At that time, Mei'er will leave the Spirit Engineering Department and enter the Inner Court to assist Shao Zhe."
Mu En's shuffling of positions made everyone wonder if his mind was confused in his final moments.
However, Mu En was very clear-headed.
"The Spirit Engineering Department must develop. Duoduo's research into Spirit Metals has made progress. Although we lack the core technology for ninth-rank Spirit Tools, his research into the properties of Spirit Metals has confirmed that by utilizing their characteristics and using over ten pieces of Spirit Metal as multiple cores for a large Spirit Tool, it's possible to achieve ninth-rank power using only eighth-rank Spirit Tool technology."
Having ninth-rank Spirit Tools would be a game-changer.
This was equivalent to adding Titled Douluo-level combat power out of thin air.
The more sets of matching ninth-rank Spirit Tools produced, the more Titled Douluo-level combatants could be equipped. Even if they were only at the level of ordinary Titled Douluos, their combat power should not be underestimated.
"Huiqun, you investigate the source of the Spirit Metals. You must find the origin as soon as possible. You don't need to remain stationed at the Treasure Appreciation Pavilion for now; I will go there and hold the fort for you."
Mu En's logic was clear as he issued instructions one after another.
Finally, he explained the purpose of these reforms, urging all parties to cooperate with each other.
"Lin'er, you are, after all, the former Dean of the Spirit Engineering Department. Coordinate with Duoduo and strive to unearth more talent for the Spirit Engineering Department to fill the gaps accumulated over the years."
"Mei'er, you are the Vice Dean of the Martial Soul Department. After going to the Spirit Engineering Department, you can also carry out reforms. I want you and Duoduo to research a completely new combat system. The old combat system for Spirit Engineers is becoming obsolete. The new Spirit Tools made from Spirit Metal can better adapt to Spirit Masters. Your purpose in going to the Spirit Engineering Department is to introduce some of the Martial Soul Department's training programs there."
"."
As he spoke, Mu En's voice grew softer, and he fell asleep.
He was too exhausted.
Having just coughed up blood, waking up and thinking for a while before making all these arrangements had exhausted his mind, causing it to fall into a deep sleep.
Elder Zhuang examined him and informed everyone, "Elder Mu is fine. His life force has stabilized for now, but compared to before, he has lost at least another month."
Everyone fell silent.
Sun Moon Empire, Mingde Hall.
Su Ming was unaware of the events at Shrek.
But after the battle between Du Busi and Mu En, he could confirm that Mu En's remaining lifespan was short.
Mu En's injury was fundamental, not something that could be healed by the life energy released by the Golden Ancient Tree at the time.
His Martial Soul's origin was damaged.
Over the years, his life origin had also been draining away, nearly dried up.
Under these circumstances, for the Golden Ancient Tree to save him, even just to let him live three more years, the Golden Ancient Tree itself would suffer significant damage.
After Su Can broke through, he quickly notified Su Ming and Su Yun, summoning them to his private research institute.
"Grandpa, the one who broke through to become a ninth-rank Spirit Engineer was you, right?"
Su Can smiled and nodded.
"It was me!"
He was truly feeling refreshed and clear-headed at this moment.
Unfortunately, even with his thoughts unimpeded, he didn't feel any breakthrough sensation now.
Having taken too many medicine pills in his youth, he had truly reached his limit with no room for further advancement; the chasm to Titled Douluo was difficult to cross.
"Ah, what a pity. Such a shortcut method can only be recognized for now. Once Spirit Metals become widely used, my title of ninth-rank Spirit Engineer will likely be revoked."
"Grandpa, you will definitely break through to Titled Douluo. Then you will be a worthy ninth-rank Spirit Engineer."
Su Ming's words pleased Su Can greatly, but he still knew the difficulty of his own breakthrough.
"Don't worry, your grandfather's mindset is quite good. For now, this ninth-rank Spirit Engineer title is genuine, and I can also provide help for your affairs."
Reaching this point, Su Can's expression turned serious.
He activated the anti-eavesdropping system of his research institute.
Seeing this, Su Ming also quietly asked Electrolux to help set up anti-eavesdropping measures.
"In the next couple of days, I will apply to Jing Hongchen for smuggling authorization. Prepare yourself, then make another trip to the three Douluo nations to communicate with the Body Sect side."
"Xiao Ming, how much longer will it take for the next forging master who has mastered the Thousand Refinements [to achieve] Spirit technique to appear in the Blacksmith Association?"
Su Can's question made Su Ming show an awkward expression.
The Blacksmith Association during the Soul Land II era was even worse off than during the Soul Land I era, basically devoid of talent.
So, even though he was more open here, teaching comprehensively, it was impossible to see results in a short time.
Of course, among the Body Sect disciples, there were two with talent.
"Most optimistic estimate, the fastest would be around the time of the Great Spirit Master Tournament."
"So long?"
Su Can was stunned.
He looked at Su Ming, opened his mouth, but couldn't find any words to say.
Was forging really that difficult?
Because this technique was developed by Su Ming, and Su Ming had developed it in a very short time, Su Can had thought the technique was simple...
"Didn't Teacher tell you?" Su Ming showed a puzzled expression.
He remembered explaining the difficulties of forging to Du Busi.
Su Can's mouth twitched slightly.
"Perhaps your teacher wanted to save face," Su Can waved his hand and said, "But it doesn't matter much, as long as it's replicable. It just means you'll have to suffer a bit more, Xiao Ming. Officially, we are smuggling Spirit Metals, but in reality, we still have to rely on you to forge them."
(Chapter End)