Xuan Zi: Can You Say That?

After Lan Mei left, Huo Yuhao finally began looking around the room.

The room was not large, but it had everything he needed. There was even a separate bathroom and a desk. Most importantly, through the window, he could see the street directly across from the Grilled Fish House.

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath. Until he encountered Big Worm and Electrolux, he would have to stay here. He had to leave a good impression on Sister Lan Mei, who had taken him in.

With that in mind, Huo Yuhao immediately began looking for cleaning supplies to tidy up. But just as he was about to get to work, he noticed the bag Ma Xiaotao had given him.

Huo Yuhao temporarily set down the broom, walked over to the bag, and untied its cord.

Once the bag's opening was no longer bound, the items inside were revealed.

Huo Yuhao looked inside, and his eyes widened at once.

The bag contained none other than the meat-like chunks he had traded from Yao Haoxuan. At a glance, there had to be more than twenty-four of them.

There was also a note inside.

Surprised, Huo Yuhao picked it up and unfolded it. The handwriting on it was delicate.

Little Yuhao, these meat chunks are made from Deep Sea Tiger Fish meat and other medicinal ingredients. They are highly nutritious, but with your current physical condition, eating one-third of a chunk a day is enough. Don't be greedy. Oh, and this stuff tastes incredibly awful—super bitter. You'd better eat some candy first to sweeten your mouth before you take it. —Ma Xiaotao

Huo Yuhao fell silent and sat on the bed, staring at the note.

To the east of Shrek City stood the continent's foremost academy, Shrek Academy. Compared to the bustling Outer Court, with its constant stream of people, the depths of Shrek Academy were far quieter.

At the center of the enormous ring-shaped lake stood an island. A towering tree, far larger than any other plant, rose above the rest and overlooked the entire island.

Gentle moonlight spilled across the giant tree, draping it in a veil of white. The plants in the grass seemed to release specks of light that slowly floated upward like dancing fireflies. The lake water gently lapped against the shore, splashing silver-white droplets, while a bright moon sank into the water. Heaven and earth seemed to merge as one.

Within the island stood countless houses and pavilions, hidden amid the lush vegetation, their lights brightly lit.

In the ancient-looking hall stood only a heavy, long table, with nine chairs placed on each side. There were no Soul Guiding Lamps in the room, yet it was bright. A faint golden glow radiated from the "walls" and "floor," while gentle Life Element continuously spread into the surroundings.

This was the most central location in all of Shrek Academy.

Sea God Pavilion!

"So you discovered several unusual Sea Soul Masters during this trip?" An unkempt old man looked gravely at the beautiful woman before him.

If Huo Yuhao had been there, he would definitely have recognized that beautiful woman as Zhang Lexuan.

Yet she was the only one who had come here.

Facing the old man, Zhang Lexuan said in a low voice, "Yes. The mounts of these people were all Ten-Thousand-Year Sea Soul Beasts. More importantly, when they appeared, there were no ships around them. In other words, they relied entirely on those Sea Soul Beasts to travel across the sea."

"Elder Mu, what do you think?"

Hearing this, the unkempt old man swiftly turned his gaze toward the seat at the head of the table. It was concealed by a simple curtain, but the vague outline of a reclining figure could be seen behind it.

Zhang Lexuan looked over as well. In an instant, the entire hall fell silent.

The silence lasted for roughly ten seconds before a gentle voice came from behind the curtain. "Those capable of commanding Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts as mounts on the ocean... other than them, this old man cannot think of anyone else."

At those words, both the unkempt old man and Zhang Lexuan turned grave.

The people Elder Mu referred to were most likely the Sea Soul Masters of Sea God Island, who had helped Tang San attain the position of Sea God ten thousand years ago.

"Lexuan, what did those Sea Soul Masters do after they appeared?" Elder Mu asked in an even tone.

Zhang Lexuan hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Elder Mu, they emerged from the deep sea and headed directly toward the Sun Moon Empire's mainland. From my observations, there were at least two Titled Douluo among them, so we did not dare follow them to investigate. After killing all the pirates causing trouble in the area, we returned."

Another stretch of silence followed.

"I understand. You must be tired after leading the team out this time. Go rest," Elder Mu said after a moment of silence.

"Elder Mu, there is one more important matter I need to report to you," Zhang Lexuan said.

"What is it?" Elder Mu's tone remained calm and gentle.

Zhang Lexuan said solemnly, "On our way back, near the location of Duke White Tiger's Mansion, we encountered a camphor tree that was about to transform into a Soul Beast. But strangely, we searched the surrounding area for miles, and it was the only tree showing signs of evolution. There has never been a record of an ordinary tree species becoming a Soul Beast in that region."

"Moreover, this tree possessed the danger-sensing ability unique to plant-type Soul Beasts before it had even reached ten years of cultivation. I believed there was something highly unusual about it, so I brought it back and came specifically to inform you, Elder Mu."

"An ordinary tree species evolving into a Soul Beast, and possessing the ability to sense danger ahead of time. Interesting." The unkempt old man stroked his chin, his eyes glinting faintly as he murmured.

"I have already informed Xiao Zhuang. Go to him for answers. If you make any discoveries, record them promptly."

Elder Mu's voice rang out.

"Yes." Zhang Lexuan answered respectfully before leaving Sea God Pavilion.

After Zhang Lexuan left, the unkempt old man looked toward the head seat again. "Elder Mu, do you think those people really were from Sea God Island?"

"There is a high chance that they were." Elder Mu lay calmly in his reclining chair, his gaze profound. "Xuan Zi, do you think hatred can endure for ten thousand years?"

"What kind of grudge can last ten thousand years? People have been replaced generation after generation." The unkempt old man held a huge wine gourd in his hand. After taking a swig, he shook his head. He was none other than the Taotie Douluo, Xuan Zi, whose name was renowned throughout the Douluo Continent.

"Hard to say." Elder Mu sighed, as though he were concealing something.

Xuan Zi paused mid-drink.

But before he could ask anything, Elder Mu spoke again. "How is the Soul Tool Joint Conference I asked you to organize progressing?"

Xuan Zi replied, "Everything is going smoothly. Nearly all the sects interested in Soul Tools have already headed for Shrek City. It's just..." As he spoke, a trace of confusion appeared on his face.

"Elder Mu, are Soul Tools really worth that much attention from you? For powerful Soul Masters like us, the power of the martial souls we control should be the true path."

"Hmph." Elder Mu gave a soft snort and rebuked him, "You have lived for over two hundred years, yet it seems you have lived them in vain. How am I supposed to entrust the academy's burden to you in the future?"

"Uh..." After being scolded, Xuan Zi scratched his head awkwardly, not daring to argue.

"The future of the Douluo Continent is the future of Soul Tools. If we remain where we are, all that awaits us is the tide of history. When that time comes, we will no longer have the power to resist and can only be swept away by it." Elder Mu's tone grew stern.

"Shrek Academy cannot be ruined in our hands. Otherwise, how will we answer to the predecessors of every generation?"

"Four Thousand Years Ago, they won that war which changed the continent's situation, and Shrek Academy became independent from the world. But four thousand years later, can we still win that war?"

Xuan Zi's eyes shifted as he was about to voice his thoughts, but Elder Mu interrupted him.

"Xuan Zi." Elder Mu's voice grew heavier. "Let me ask you this: in what ways is the academy today the same as Spirit Hall ten thousand years ago?"

At the question, Xuan Zi's pupils abruptly dilated as he stared at Elder Mu in disbelief.

Can that be said?