Zhu Ziyang's speech was concise and to the point, clarifying the propositions and future of Shrek Academy and Tian Yuan Pavilion in just a few sentences.
The meaning of Shrek Academy's existence is not to be conservative and follow the rules, but to innovate and explore. Shrek Academy should become a lighthouse in the Spirit Master's world, guiding the Spirit Master's world to develop in a better direction.
To maintain its transcendent status, it must remain aloof from worldly affairs and focus solely on education. Shrek Academy's main task in the future is to change the world's perception of Shrek Academy, so that when they mention Shrek Academy, what they think of first is no longer its powerful strength, but advanced theories and research.
This may sound abstract, but it is Zhu Ziyang's true intention.
For example, the current structure of the Spirit Master's world shows a nine-to-one ratio, meaning combat-type Spirit Masters account for 90%, and support-type Spirit Masters only 10%. As is well known, there are five major systems in the Spirit Master's world: attack system, agility-attack system, control system, defense system, and support system. The first four systems combine to form combat-type Spirit Masters, while support system Spirit Masters are also support-type Spirit Masters. This is a general term for various non-combat Spirit Masters, such as food system Spirit Masters, healing-system Spirit Masters, and also traditionally defined support system Spirit Masters who can assist in combat.
In the current Spirit Master's world, the number of support system Spirit Masters is very small, accounting for only about 10% of the total Spirit Masters. This is actually a very unfavorable situation. The current Spirit Master's world does not pay enough attention to support system Spirit Masters, which is detrimental to the overall development of the Spirit Master's world. The importance of support system Spirit Masters is self-evident, whether for combat support or post-battle support.
However, most Spirit Masters know the importance of support system Spirit Masters, yet not many are willing to become support system Spirit Masters. This leads to many Spirit Masters who are clearly more suited for the support system forcibly choosing to become combat-type Spirit Masters, not only wasting their own advantages but also failing to achieve good results, which is regrettable.
What Shrek Academy needs to do is to change this erroneous concept in the Spirit Master's world, allowing everyone to choose their own path according to the characteristics and advantages of their Spirit. In essence, it is to let Spirit Masters suitable for the support system become support system Spirit Masters.
To give a simple example, Tang Ya. The Blue Silver Grass Spirit is clearly more suitable for support, but Tang Ya initially wanted to become a control system Spirit Master. This is a typical case of putting the cart before the horse. It's not that a support system Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master is easier to advance than a control system Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master, but there's no doubt that the Blue Silver Grass Spirit, as a control system Spirit, is definitely one of the worst, but as a support system Spirit, it's certainly not bad, if not top-tier, given it's a plant Spirit with vigorous vitality.
To let every Spirit Master with cultivation talent know the advantages of their own Spirit and choose a development path suitable for that advantage—this is the meaning of the existence of Shrek Academy and Tian Yuan Academy.
---
Zhu Ziyang's speech was quickly spread by those with intentions. After repeated confirmation, the various forces staying in Shrek City left Shrek City with their own thoughts. Zhu Ziyang's identity as the Head of Tian Yuan Pavilion was no longer a secret, and his words basically represented the final will of Shrek Academy.
If the previous Headmaster's order made the two great Empires and the remnants of the Tianhun Empire skeptical, then the words of the Head of Tian Yuan Pavilion now made them completely give up hope. Shrek Academy had truly abandoned them!
Why?
The nobles of the former Douluo Three Kingdoms racked their brains but couldn't understand why Shrek Academy, which had always acted as their protector, would suddenly abandon them.
No one could give them an answer, and they had no time to worry about the answer. The nobles of the Star Luo Empire were busy recruiting soldiers, the nobles of the Douling Empire were busy moving, and the nobles of the Tianhun Empire were trying to bribe the officers of the Sun Moon Empire.
Only one person found Zhu Ziyang and questioned him with confusion and resentment.
"Why?" Vina asked, her face haggard and eyes bloodshot. "How can Shrek Academy stand by and do nothing? And you, a Tianhun Empire native, how can you allow your own country to be destroyed?"
"For unification," Zhu Ziyang said indifferently, looking at the princess of a fallen nation before him, his voice cold.
"Uni-unification?" Vina was stunned. She had never expected such a reason. She felt it was absurd. "Just for unification, you allow the Sun Moon Empire, an outsider, to destroy our countries, the natives of the Douluo Continent?"
"Yes," Zhu Ziyang nodded, appearing very unfeeling.
"Why?" Vina asked distractedly, seeing Zhu Ziyang's unfeeling answer.
"Unification is a historical inevitability," Zhu Ziyang said. "Shrek Academy has done enough for you. Whether it was ten thousand years ago or four thousand years ago, we have bought you too much time. It is your own lack of effort; we cannot be blamed for this."
"I understand," Vina's face turned ashen, and her whole person exuded an air of despondency. She stepped aside, clearing the way for Zhu Ziyang.
Zhu Ziyang walked past directly, not looking at her. Xian Lin'er and the others following him also successively passed by Vina and left. Only the last person spoke to her.
"Your Royal Highness... Miss Vina, if you wish, there will be a place for you within Shrek Academy. If not, we will send you to your companions," Han Ruoruo said, her voice as gentle as water, making Vina's eyes well up.
"Sister Ruo Ruo, aren't you worried that after the Sun Moon Empire unifies the continent, it will move against Shrek Academy?" Vina thought of something and wanted to make a last attempt with Han Ruoruo.
Han Ruoruo shook her head and smiled without speaking. Seeing this, Vina could only leave dejectedly.
Han Ruoruo knew that the current Empress of the Sun Moon Empire was Zhang Lexuan. Not only Han Ruoruo, but all the elders of Tian Yuan Pavilion and the core disciples of the Inner Courtyard knew that Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan was the Empress of the Sun Moon Empire. Therefore, in their eyes, the Sun Moon Empire unifying the continent was actually acting on the will of Shrek Academy. Not only were they not displeased, but they were quite excited.
If it weren't for Tian Yuan Pavilion's strict prohibition, these core disciples would probably have already run to the Sun Moon Empire to help Zhang Lexuan.
---
Huo Yuhao found Zhu Ziyang, a smile on his face, but a gloom accumulated in his eyes, clearly indicating that he had encountered unpleasant things recently.
"I knew you would come to me. Sit down," Zhu Ziyang said, looking at the forced smile on Huo Yuhao's face. In his mind, the woman on Shrek Plaza, whose face resembled Xiao Xiao's but whose figure was similar to Wang Dong'er's, immediately appeared. After a moment of discomfort and disgust, he spoke.
"Senior Brother, you must have seen her, right?" Huo Yuhao forced a smile, but his voice was very stiff. Clearly, the woman's presence made him feel as if there was a fishbone stuck in his throat.
"Yes," Zhu Ziyang nodded and said, "Tell me, what do you think?"
"That girl is called Tang Wutong. She came to the Academy half a year ago. Her appearance is very similar to Xiao Xiao's, but I know she is definitely not Xiao Xiao," Huo Yuhao said, gritting his teeth with hatred in his eyes. "I can also feel Wang Dong'er's aura from her. Every time I see her, a strong sense of sadness and despair arises in my heart! So I deliberately keep my distance from her, but she always mysteriously appears by my side, like a lingering ghost! Senior Brother, this Tang Wutong must be problematic!"
"You're right," Zhu Ziyang affirmed. "She has a very pure divine force, but her soul is very turbid, like pure water that has absorbed various impurities, ready to explode at any time. It's only because of the divine force's presence that she is still lively."
"Senior Brother, you mean..." Huo Yuhao keenly perceived the divine, a glint flashing in his eyes. He thought of a possibility and was very excited.
"That's right, her soul has three completely different characteristics. It's highly likely that they come from Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong'er," Zhu Ziyang said, his expression very strange and full of emotion. He had to admit that God King Tang's tailoring skills were excellent, able to perfectly stitch two people's souls into one. If he weren't the God of Death, with a special perception for souls, he really wouldn't have noticed.
"How could this be..." Huo Yuhao was already dumbfounded. He had considered this possibility, but because it was too absurd, he had dismissed it himself. Now, hearing Zhu Ziyang say this, he realized it was true. He stood there blankly, not knowing what to say or do.
"Alright, stop spacing out," Zhu Ziyang patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder and said, "At least, Xiao Xiao's soul is still complete, isn't it? As long as you separate her from Tang Wutong, you can get your Xiao Xiao back."
"Really?" Huo Yuhao's eyes regained vitality upon hearing this. He excitedly said, "Then, does that mean I just need to become a God?"
"Exactly!" Zhu Ziyang gave him a thumbs up, indicating correctness.
"That's great!" Huo Yuhao exclaimed excitedly. He said, "Senior Brother, I have already reached the God Position assessment of a God. As long as I pass the assessment, I can become a God and save Xiao Xiao. That's wonderful!"
"Oh, not bad!" Zhu Ziyang heard this and was not surprised. As a God, the God Position mark on Huo Yuhao could not be hidden from him. However, what puzzled him was that the God Position mark on Huo Yuhao did not seem to belong to one of the traditional Gods of the Douluo God Realm. Could it be that a new God had been born in the God Realm?
He stroked his chin, not ruling out this possibility. After all, the first God of Death had fallen hundreds of thousands of years ago. It was only natural for new Gods to be born in the God Realm.
"Would you mind telling me which God chose you?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Of course!" Huo Yuhao said excitedly, "That God said he is the God of Emotion, the God who controls all emotions."
"God of Emotion?" Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but look surprised. In an instant, many thoughts crossed his mind, but very quickly, he made a decision. "Yu Hao, after you inherit the God Position, be sure to come see me immediately, understand?"
"Okay, I will definitely come to see you immediately!" Although Huo Yuhao didn't know why Zhu Ziyang said that, he agreed without hesitation. He knew that his Senior Brother would never harm him.