A Complete Overhaul

The atmosphere in the conference room gradually grew solemn. Mu En said, "All right, tell me what you think."

Seeing that no one spoke, Xuan Zi said, "Then I'll go first. That little brat really doesn't know how to talk. Shrek's ten thousand years of glory isn't something a child like him can understand. But it's fine. Once he enters the academy and studies for a while, he'll understand."

After saying that, Xuan Zi happily took a sip of wine, turned to look at Mu En, and met Mu En's rather frightening gaze.

The wine he had just swallowed instantly turned into cold sweat. "Mu... Mu En, what's wrong?"

Mu En's gaze was strange. "Xuan Zi, is that really what you think?"

"Yes."

"Then I understand." Mu En then looked at the other Elders. "What about you? Do you have anything to say?"

Elder Lin and Elder Song exchanged a glance, then shook their heads.

Elder Zhuang cleared his throat. "Then I'll say a few words."

Everyone was immediately surprised. Elder Zhuang rarely spoke in ordinary times. Among the Elders of Sea God Pavilion, he had the least presence. Every day, he merely tended to the spiritual herbs in the medicine garden. Even when he came to Sea God Pavilion, he simply occupied a seat and listened quietly. Yet today, he had actually taken the initiative to speak.

"Xiao Zhuang, tell us what you think."

"All right. I think Elder Xuan went a little too far. Lin Yi is just a child. It's already quite remarkable that he could speak so eloquently before all of us. Besides, children speak without restraint. There's no need to make such a big issue out of a child saying a few things. As for Soul Tools, if he wants to learn them, let him learn."

"What was that saying again? Every Support System Soul Master has the heart of an Assault System Soul Master, right?"

"If a child sees that the Support System can also have combat power, he'll definitely be interested. So let him learn. Geniuses cannot be judged by common sense. What if he succeeds in both?"

"Besides, even if he doesn't, Mu En is still here. At worst, he'll only waste a few years. With us old bones around, why should we place such a burden on a child? It's no big deal!"

After Elder Zhuang finished speaking, Lin Qingxuan was so moved that he could hardly contain himself, while Ouyang Xi also showed a grateful expression.

What Elder Zhuang had meant, both openly and indirectly, was that Lin Yi was only a child and there was nothing worth fussing over. He could learn whatever he wanted, and no one should stop him. His words were full of excuses on Lin Yi's behalf.

Elder Zhuang had only met Lin Yi once and had no relationship with him. The only reason he said those things was for Lin Qingxuan's sake, extending kindness to the one he cared about. How could Lin Qingxuan not be moved?

After hearing this, Mu En's expression did not change. He merely asked, "Does anyone else have anything to say?"

Seeing everyone shake their heads, Mu En said, "Since no one has anything to say, then this old man will speak."

As soon as his words fell, Mu En's face filled with fury, and his eyes nearly spewed fire.

"Shrek has truly rotted to the core!"

Those words were incredibly harsh.

Everyone's expressions changed drastically. They did not know why Mu En had said such a thing.

"Xuan Zi, a child said a few words, and you actually wanted to hold it against him. Those two hundred years of your life really weren't wasted!"

Xuan Zi was a little stunned. It had been many years since anyone had scolded him like this, and it was in front of everyone, without leaving him even a shred of dignity.

Mu En did not stop. He continued berating him. "Someone questioned you right to your face, and you actually brought up Shrek's ten thousand years of glory. What is Shrek's ten thousand years of glory? Is it you, Xuan Zi, a Super Douluo? Bullshit!"

"Shrek's ten thousand years of glory rests on the academy's teaching ability, on the outstanding students it has taught one after another! Now someone has asked you: Shrek is the Number One Academy of the Continent, so why isn't its Soul Tool Department the best? How would you answer? Is the Soul Tool Department not part of Shrek Academy?!"

Xuan Zi lowered his head and did not dare say a word. His teacher had been Mu En's senior brother, so by seniority, Mu En was Xuan Zi's martial uncle. But his teacher had not truly taught him much. Nearly all of his abilities had been taught by Mu En. To Xuan Zi, Mu En was both master and elder brother. He did not dare disobey Mu En.

"All of you remember this: Shrek is first and foremost an academy. Teaching students is its highest priority. We may influence the students' choices, but we cannot interfere with them. We must respect their own wishes."

"Xuan Zi, starting today, relinquish your position as deputy leader of the Shrek Inspection Team. Xiao Song will take over. I'll temporarily leave your seat as an Elder for you, but from today onward, you are forbidden from taking even half a step off Sea God Island. The restriction will only be lifted when you understand your mistakes, break through your limit, or I die."

Xuan Zi obediently nodded in acknowledgment.

Everyone was horrified. They had not expected Mu En to be so ruthless. He had directly stripped Xuan Zi of his authority and placed him under House Arrest.

But why?

Everyone was puzzled.

Yet Mu En clearly had no intention of explaining. His fury was not over yet!

"Shaozhe."

Yan Shaozhe hurriedly rose and bowed.

"Shaozhe, you are my eldest disciple, the most talented and the one I value most."

Yan Shaozhe smiled upon hearing this. "It is all thanks to Teacher's guidance."

But in the next moment, Mu En roared, "And this is how you repay my guidance?!"

Yan Shaozhe was instantly dumbfounded, not knowing what he had done to make his teacher so angry.

"During the years you have served as Dean of the Martial Soul Department, I have to admit that you have done well. The Martial Soul Department has indeed developed quite well under your leadership."

Yan Shaozhe was left bewildered by Mu En's alternating praise and scolding. What exactly was his teacher trying to say?

"But what about the Soul Tool Department? Have you ever considered its place? You went to great lengths to suppress the Soul Tool Department. What? Were you afraid that once it rose, it would seize the authority of you, Dean Yan?"

Those words struck at the heart. Yan Shaozhe took a step back, then dropped to his knees before Mu En with a thud.

"Teacher, during my time as Dean of the Martial Soul Department, I do not dare claim to have been completely selfless, but I have never harbored any desire for power. Please judge me fairly, Teacher!"

Mu En sighed. "Shaozhe, you are good in every way except for your temperament, which falls somewhat short. I originally intended for you to inherit the position of Pavilion Master of Sea God Pavilion after me. But your eyes hold only the Martial Soul Department. I fear that if you take the Pavilion Master's seat, the Soul Tool Department will be completely finished."

Yan Shaozhe immediately burst into tears and could not help knocking his head against the floor. "This disciple has failed Teacher's expectations."

"Shaozhe, ever since you broke through Rank 95, your Soul Power has not advanced for decades, has it? I originally thought it was because the Martial Soul Department's affairs were too numerous and had delayed your cultivation. But today, when Lin Yi said that Radiance did not favor you, I finally understood."

"Radiance carries the meaning of vastness. Your character has always lacked a certain breadth of spirit. The cultivation of a Super Douluo lies in deeply excavating the origin of one's Martial Soul and comprehending oneself. Yet you have failed to understand the true essence of Radiance, so naturally your Soul Power could not break through."

Seeing Yan Shaozhe fall into thought, Mu En said, "Shaozhe, from today onward, you will enter seclusion in Sea God Pavilion. I will give you ten years. I hope you can comprehend the true essence of Radiance. As for your position as Dean of the Martial Soul Department, step down from it for now."

"Yes, Teacher."

"Shaozhe, I hope you understand your teacher's expectations. Do not squander these ten years."

"Yes, Teacher. Shaozhe will never disappoint you. I will work hard—for Shrek, for you, and for myself."

Mu En nodded in satisfaction. "I hope you truly understand."

"Lin'er." Mu En still was not finished. It seemed he was truly determined to see this through.

Xian Lin'er obediently rose and bowed.

Mu En sighed softly. "Lin'er, you are the same as Shaozhe. Your shortcomings lie in your temperament. He lacks breadth of spirit, while you place too much weight on emotions."

"Your nature is upright and unyielding. Had you been born a man, your achievements would surely surpass Shaozhe's by far, and I could entrust you with more burdens without worry. But as a woman, this flaw in your character has been magnified invisibly. You cannot focus on improving yourself, leaving you stuck at the threshold of Super Douluo without breaking through."

"You too. Give up your position as Dean of the Soul Tool Department. Rest for a while and think things through."

"Teacher, what path should I take?"

Mu En smiled faintly. "Your feet are on your own legs, and the road lies beneath them. Whether you walk, how you walk, where you go, and which road you take are all for you to decide."

A trace of confusion showed in Xian Lin'er's eyes. After bowing, she returned to her seat.

"Mei'er."

"Teacher."

"Your teacher has nothing to say about you. You have always done well. You will take over as Dean of the Martial Soul Department. Your teacher has only one thing to say: examine yourselves and correct your mistakes!"

Cai Mei'er said seriously, "Yes, Teacher. Mei'er understands."

Mu En nodded slightly. Then he said, "Duoduo."

"Teacher."

"You will take over as Dean of the Soul Tool Department. You and Lin'er did well before, but it was not enough. The academy will increase its investment in the Soul Tool Department. You must lead it to develop as quickly as possible. I can accept the Soul Tool Department being weaker than Mingdetang, but it cannot be too far behind. At the very least, this old man cannot be pointed at and scolded by a child asking why, when Shrek is clearly the Number One Academy of the Continent, its Soul Tool Department is so poor!"

"Yes, Teacher. I will do my utmost to develop the Soul Tool Department."

Mu En smiled and nodded. "Teacher believes you can do it."

Finally, Mu En looked at Lin Qingxuan and Ouyang Xi. "Qingxuan, Xi Yatou."

"Mu En."

"What happened back then was the academy's fault. On behalf of the academy, this old man owes you an apology."

Lin Qingxuan and Ouyang Xi hurriedly said they did not deserve it.

Mu En said, "Fortunately, Qingxuan's injuries have finally recovered. I imagine that both your Soul Power and Soul Engineer rank will soon break through. So, this old man would like to ask you: are you willing to return to Shrek Academy?"

Lin Qingxuan and Ouyang Xi exchanged a glance, both somewhat taken aback.

But they had come to study at Shrek Academy when they were young, and now their son was at Shrek Academy as well. Whether they returned or not actually made little difference.

Lin Qingxuan said, "Mu En, Axi and I are both orphans. We came to the academy when we were young. The academy is our home, and we are willing to return home."

"Good, good, good." Mu En smiled in satisfaction. The other Elders also looked at the couple with greater warmth in their eyes.

Mu En said, "It is good that you are willing to return. This old man knows that you prefer an easy and peaceful life, but the academy is in need of people right now. I fear I will have to place some burdens on you."

"Xi Yatou, you will take over as Vice Dean of the Martial Soul Department. Qingxuan, you will go to the Soul Tool Department. Once you break through to become a Level 8 Soul Engineer, the position of Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department will be yours!"