Revitalized Xuan Zi and Yan Shao Zhe, Helpless Mu En and Zhang Lexuan (Seeking Collection and Recommendation)

"Sea God Pavilion Conference? It seems it isn't time for the annual conference yet, is it? Was this conference temporarily convened at Mu En's request?"

With his hair tousled into a bird's nest, Xuan Zi sat on the steps and glanced up at Yan Shao Zhe, whose entire body radiated weakness. A trace of clarity finally appeared in his muddled eyes.

The Sea God Pavilion Conference was the highest conference of Shrek Academy, deciding all major affairs. Even the drunken Xuan Zi sobered for a moment when he heard those words.

But it lasted only a moment. Before Yan Shao Zhe could answer, his gaze returned to the chicken leg and wine gourd in his arms. He lifted the gourd and took a hard swig, then bit off another large mouthful of meat, as though only this could make him feel better.

"Yes. I heard Teacher say that this conference was convened for Lexuan, Bei Bei, and the others. They need to discuss the cultivation of the academy's reserve forces."

Yan Shao Zhe replied in a low voice, his face filled with grief as he looked at the nearly fallen second-strongest expert of Shrek Academy.

How long had it been? Two months ago, when Xuan Zi had gone to the Star Dou Great Forest, how spirited he had been. His entire body had brimmed with vitality. He had been the undisputed Number One Genius of Shrek Academy, the renowned Taotie Douluo, and the undisputed successor to the Dragon God Douluo.

After that operation ended, he was supposed to inherit his teacher's position. If nothing had gone wrong, he would now be the new Sea God Pavilion Master, while his teacher, who had worked himself to the bone for half his life, could finally set down his burden and rest.

But now, everything had changed...

He did not hate Xuan Zi. He only hated that damned Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast for being blind. It could have stayed in its own territory and eaten whichever soul beasts it wanted. Why had it attacked the Inner Courtyard disciples of Shrek!?

Every Inner Courtyard disciple was Shrek Academy's most precious treasure. Although their own carelessness had contributed greatly to this incident, as the dean of the Martial Soul Department, he absolutely could not accept the outcome of eight deaths and four injuries.

Other than one disciple from the Soul Tool Department, all the rest had been elites of his Martial Soul Department! Several were even members of two generations of the Seven Monsters of Shrek whom he had been proud of!

Eight had died tragically, while the rest were all lying in bed. Two had lost limbs, and only Zhang Lexuan, who had consumed the Black Tortoise Divine Pill, was in relatively better condition.

The only thing worth celebrating was that Zhang Lexuan had absorbed the soul ring and Soul Bone of that beast, becoming the youngest Soul Douluo in Shrek Academy's three-thousand-year history. She was already visibly a promising Limit Douluo.

Even if she failed to break through to the Limit Douluo realm, she would at the very least reach Level Ninety-Eight in the future, enough to ensure the orderly succession of Shrek's ranks of experts.

However... As soon as he recalled Zhang Lexuan's Hundred-Thousand-Year eighth soul ring, Yan Shao Zhe immediately remembered the greatest humiliation of his life, which he had suffered only a short while ago. His eyes darkened.

That old bastard also had a Hundred-Thousand-Year eighth soul ring. He could not take revenge for the moment, but he wanted to see whether the Xuanming Sect would produce another powerful figure after that old bastard returned to the heavens.

Relying on his cultivation to bully him like that—what shamelessness! Hmph!

Naturally, Xuan Zi, who had buried his head in food and drink, failed to notice the change in Yan Shao Zhe's gaze. After gnawing the meat from the chicken leg in a few bites, he casually wiped his greasy hands on his sleeve. With drooping eyelids, he staggered to his feet and headed toward Sea God Lake.

After putting down the fine wine and chicken leg, he seemed to have finally recovered a few traces of a top expert's bearing. After walking for a while, he turned to Yan Shao Zhe and said:

"Lexuan and Bei Bei are children we've watched grow up. They are true members of the academy, and the pride of our Martial Soul Department, both now and in the future. Since this concerns them, we must fight to obtain the greatest benefits for them."

"Of course. I believe Teacher thinks the same way."

Yan Shao Zhe replied respectfully. He followed closely behind Xuan Zi for a while until they reached the shore of Sea God Lake. Sea God Island, hidden in the mist and appearing and disappearing from sight, came into view.

A small boat had already stopped there. The two boarded at a leisurely pace. Yan Shao Zhe gently urged his Soul Power, and the boat proceeded steadily toward Sea God Island.

Seeing that Old Monster Xu was still in poor spirits, Yan Shao Zhe let out a long sigh and advised him in a low voice:

"Old Monster Xu, this accident cannot be blamed on you. Don't blame yourself too much. Didn't Lexuan represent those children in asking you to pull yourself together and remain in the Sea God Pavilion? None of us wanted something like this to happen."

Xuan Zi's figure looked extremely lonely. He shook his head painfully and said, "Shao Zhe, you don't need to comfort me anymore. Whenever I see that child Lexuan now, I remember the nightmare from two months ago.

"Eight Inner Courtyard disciples with years of experience were killed right before my eyes. Two disciples were left permanently disabled, while Lexuan and another disciple were also grievously injured."

"Shrek spent countless resources and effort cultivating them. Several of their families also possessed considerable power. The losses this time were too great. I am the only one who can bear this responsibility, and I cannot forgive myself either."

Yan Shao Zhe's expression changed. He grabbed Xuan Zi's hand and said emotionally:

"But Old Monster Xu, no one can guarantee that they will never make a mistake! The moment those disciples entered the Inner Courtyard, they should have been prepared to place life and death beyond consideration. Every year, some of their classmates suffer misfortune while carrying out Supervision Group missions. Can all of that be blamed on you?"

"Moreover, you were not entirely responsible this time. Xiyue, Lexuan, and the others were also greatly at fault for their carelessness. On top of that, the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was incredibly powerful. Even two Titled Douluo might not have been able to defeat it. This can only mean that those disciples were unlucky."

"You have already paid an enormous price for this incident. If you hadn't wanted to give those families and disciples an explanation, why would you have refused to take over Teacher's position as Sea God Pavilion Master? Old Monster Xu, you are the pillar of the academy. You must pull yourself together!"

Old Monster Xu sighed and said:

"Shao Zhe, you don't need to say anything more. Since that child Lexuan has knelt for so long that she can no longer rise, how could I bear to hurt her heart again? Don't worry. These old bones of mine can still fight. I can hold on until you mature and take over as Sea God Pavilion Master."

"All I can do now is retain this guilty body and make more contributions to Shrek and its new disciples in the future. Only then can I make up for the mistakes I made."

"It's wonderful that you can think this way!"

Yan Shao Zhe was overjoyed. Mu En had long since stopped handling specific affairs, while Xuan Zi was the face of his Martial Soul Department. As long as Xuan Zi, the second-strongest expert on the continent, remained in charge, no internal or external challenge could shake the position of Shrek's Martial Soul Department!

As for Old Monster Xu, he had come from a Rogue Cultivator background. How could he possibly be a match for Shrek's Number One Genius, Old Monster Xu?

Old Monster Xu had received Mu En's painstaking instruction for many years and had been nurtured by Shrek's ten-thousand-year heritage. Moreover, the Godly Taotie Bull Martial Soul could not possibly lose to their Divine Beast, the Black Tortoise!

And then there was that boy Xu Tianxi. Speaking of which, Bei Bei was several years older than him. Bei Bei had followed his teacher in cultivation since childhood, and already possessed a trace of his teacher's former bearing. His elder brother Xu Sanshi had cultivated here for a year, yet had only barely become Bei Bei's equal.

"I hope that boy has some self-awareness and doesn't continue foolishly dreaming of entering this supreme sacred land of soul masters. Otherwise, he will certainly learn how pale and laughable his words questioning Shrek's glory truly are..."

Thinking of Xu Xiaoyun and then Xu Tianxi, Yan Shao Zhe looked at the nearby Sea God Island. Several traces of mockery rose on his sallow face. A summer insect could not be made to discuss ice; that ignorant child truly did not know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth!

However, for someone of his status as the dean of the Martial Soul Department to quarrel with such a child would be beneath him. Perhaps he could have Du Weilun inquire about the boy. That child should have awakened his Martial Soul by now...

At the same time, deep within Sea God Island, inside the three-story Sea God Pavilion.

Zhang Lexuan's complexion was much better than it had been half a month ago, though it still retained a sickly pallor. She respectfully crouched beside an elderly white-haired man half reclining on a golden lounge chair and softly explained something to him.

"...Mu En, I swear upon my Martial Soul that every word I said just now is true. Although Xiyue's child disrespected his elders and struck Dean Yan, perhaps Dean Yan's words to that child were also somewhat excessive."

"Lexuan wouldn't dare criticize Dean Yan's actions in defending the academy's honor. However, Lexuan feels that such sacred ideals are probably impossible for a child who has just lost his mother to understand. It is understandable that he would do something like that in a fit of rage."

"Lexuan swore long ago to protect Shrek for the rest of her life. But during our trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, if Sister Xiyue hadn't protected me with her life, I would probably have already died at that soul beast's jaws. Therefore, Lexuan boldly asks you to plead for that child."

"Mu En, please, don't take your anger out on a child who doesn't understand anything yet. If Dean Yan has any objections, Lexuan is willing to bear them on Tian Xi's behalf!"

After saying this, Zhang Lexuan did not wait for Mu En to respond. She rose and was about to kneel before him.

However, before her knees touched the ground, a gentle Light Soul Power supported her body, preventing her from kneeling and guiding her back to her feet.

Mu En's half-reclining body also trembled slightly under the influence of Soul Power. His face, though weathered and on the verge of death, revealed a gentle smile.

"Child, what are you thinking? We truly owe them a great deal because of this incident. I had Shao Zhe visit them to apologize precisely because I wanted to resolve the Xuanming Sect's resentment. How could I blame a child who has just experienced the greatest grief of his life?"

"When your Senior Sister Xiyue first came to the academy, the Xuanming Sect Ancestor even personally informed me of it. Thinking back now, we truly wronged them. I couldn't personally go apologize because I can no longer move freely. Otherwise, never mind Shao Zhe being struck—even if that child wanted to strike me, I would have nothing to say."

Mu En's voice was gentle and warm. Every word carried deep concern, creating a feeling of cleansing the soul. Zhang Lexuan's eyes grew moist, and she choked out:

"Mu En, how could this be your fault? No one expected something like that to happen..."

"Alas... I won't hide the truth about this matter. The primary responsibility lies with Xuan Zi. The tragedy occurred because he, as the teacher leading the team, was completely derelict in his duty. But I no longer have the time or the means to punish him severely. I truly am helpless..."

Mu En sighed deeply, his face filled with sorrow. Then he raised one hand and said, "Lexuan, help me up."

Zhang Lexuan hurriedly stepped forward and supported Mu En's hand. His movements were slow, no different from those of an old man in his twilight years. He gradually rose from the wheelchair, though his back remained hunched at an angle approaching ninety degrees.

Mu En gazed serenely out the distant window, as if he could see Xuan Zi, Yan Shao Zhe, and the other Elders and deans coming this way. He said softly:

"Lexuan, I truly don't have much time left. At most, I have no more than twenty years before I must depart. When that time comes, the only person in the Sea God Pavilion capable of inheriting my position and protecting Shrek Academy will be Xuan Zi."

"If the heavens could give me another fifty years to cultivate Shao Zhe, you, and Bei Bei, I certainly wouldn't let Xuan Zi off for the enormous mistake he made. But heaven does not grant people long lives. Shrek must rely on his strength now."

"I'm sorry, child..."

Zhang Lexuan was unable to stop sobbing. She simply lowered her head and wiped away her tears.

Mu En sighed and continued:

"At this Sea God Pavilion Conference, I will propose that you become a reserve member of the Sea God Pavilion. Once you reach the ninth ring, you will formally enter the Sea God Pavilion and be cultivated as a reserve pavilion master. You and Bei Bei are my dearest children. I look forward to your growth more than anyone."

"When you become Sea God Pavilion Master and possess strength above Xuan Zi's, you may list all of his past mistakes as you please. But for now..."

"Mu En, please don't say anything more. I understand. I understand everything. I will cultivate properly and protect Shrek..."

Mu En lovingly stroked Zhang Lexuan's forehead and sighed. "Child, push me to the front for the meeting."