Apprenticeship, Golden Ancient Tree

Sensing the solemnity in Xiao Linyi's words, Elder Mu's expression turned serious as well. He did not look down on him because of his young age.

He rose and said solemnly, "Then, student Lin Yi, welcome to Shrek Academy."

As his words fell, the old man and the child looked at each other and smiled.

Then Elder Mu looked toward the married couple beside him, who were watching their son with gratified eyes. "Qingxuan, Xi Yatou, this old man has an unreasonable request."

"Elder Mu, you're being too serious. Please speak."

"This old man hopes that you can agree to let me take this child as my disciple!"

The couple exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

As former genius students of the Inner Court, and even the Captain and Vice-Captain of Shrek's Seven Devils, they naturally knew exactly who this Elder Mu was. But then they thought of their son's talent, and it was only normal for this man to be moved.

Elder Mu continued, "You also know this old man's identity. Here, this old man can promise that if I am able to take this child as my disciple, I will teach him everything I have learned without holding anything back. At the same time, Shrek's resources will also be tilted toward him. We will do everything in our power, without damaging his foundation or affecting his future, to let this child grow up at the fastest speed possible."

Elder Mu's words were brimming with sincerity. At the very least, Ouyang Xi's eyes shone faintly at this moment. She was clearly tempted.

But a trace of sorrow flashed through Lin Qingxuan's eyes. He sighed. "Has it already reached this point?"

Hearing this, Elder Mu's withered body instantly stiffened. Then he relaxed and chuckled. "As expected of the monster who became the Captain of Shrek's Seven Devils as a Support System through wisdom. I really can't hide it from you."

After saying that, Elder Mu fell silent for a moment before saying, "You should know at least somewhat about the Academy's situation. To this old man, this child is a gift, and even more so, hope! What this old man can do is prop up these old bones and protect this child for a stretch of the road, watching him grow. That can also be considered not letting down the generations of Shrek predecessors."

Listening to their conversation, Ouyang Xi also guessed something, and a sorrowful look immediately appeared on her face.

Xiao Linyi was sensitive by nature. He stepped forward and hugged his mother's leg, hoping to give her a bit of comfort. Ouyang Xi raised her hand and stroked the child's head. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, she still could not say it.

After Lin Qingxuan finished listening to Elder Mu, he exchanged a glance with Ouyang Xi and nodded. "Elder Mu, as long as Xiao Yi is willing, Axi and I have no objections."

After saying that, he took his son from his wife's hand, crouched down, and said seriously, "Xiao Yi, back when your mother and I were at the Academy, Elder Mu often gave us guidance from the side. To your mother and me, he can be considered half a teacher. He is an outstanding teacher and elder. Now, Elder Mu wants to take you as his disciple. You can decide this matter according to your own wishes. No matter what your answer is, Mom and Dad will support you."

Hearing this, Elder Mu did not say anything more. Only a flash of gratitude passed through his eyes.

What Lin Qingxuan had just said was already the greatest bias toward the Academy that he, as a father, could show.

Xiao Linyi looked at this old man. Although his figure was withered and thin, and his age was plain to see, Lin Yi could sense the kind and familiar aura of light coming from him, as well as the terrifying power contained beneath that aged body.

Moreover, there was also the closeness between his parents, this old man, and the Academy behind the old man.

In truth, the answer was already obvious, wasn't it?

Without pausing for too long, Xiao Linyi quickly bowed to Elder Mu. "Disciple greets Master."

"Hahaha." A hearty, delighted laugh came from Elder Mu's mouth. This old man, who had devoted his life to Shrek Academy, was still sincerely joyful at this moment because Shrek Academy would have someone to carry on its legacy.

Only after a long while did the laughter finally stop. Though he still looked as if his lamp had run dry, at this moment, Elder Mu seemed to have completely scattered the murky breath in his heart, and the aura of light around him became even more active.

This old man, who had carried Shrek Academy on his shoulders with a half-crippled body, seemed at this moment to have finally put down the burden on him. Even his figure seemed to straighten.

Elder Mu looked at Xiao Linyi, affection almost spilling out of his eyes. "Good child, this old man is Mu En, the current Pavilion Master of Sea God Pavilion of Shrek Academy, a rank ninety-nine Ultimate Douluo, Title Dragon God..."

Before Mu En could finish speaking, Xiao Linyi cried out in surprise, "Dragon God Douluo? Dragon God Douluo Mu En, one of the Black and White Twin Dragon Saints from back then?"

Mu En smiled. "You've actually heard of this old man's name?"

Xiao Linyi nodded. "It was mentioned in books. Together with Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao, you were known as the Black and White Twin Dragon Saints. A hundred years ago, you led Shrek Academy in resisting the Beast Tide and heavily injured Body Douluo of the Body Sect. You are one of the strongest people on the continent."

"Haha, I didn't expect that after so many years, there would still be records of this old man." Mu En smiled and said, "Child, since you know, then this old man won't introduce himself too much. Before you, this old man had a total of four personal disciples. From now on, you are this old man's fifth personal disciple."

"Yes!"

"Good baby," Ouyang Xi suddenly said after the master and disciple finished speaking.

Xiao Linyi looked at his mother in confusion.

"Elder Mu is highly respected, with powerful Cultivation Level. His disciples have long since grown into talents and hold high positions. But there is one person you must be careful of, even stay far away from."

"?"

As if guessing what she was about to say, Lin Qingxuan and Mu En exchanged a glance, each showing helplessness. But neither of them stopped her. Lin Qingxuan knew he could not stop her, while Mu En did not mind. Having lived to his age, he had long since seen through many things. What Ouyang Xi wanted to say was, to him, nothing more than a child making a fuss.

"It's Elder Mu's eldest disciple, the Dean of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department, Yan Shaozhe!"

"He has the same Bright Phoenix Spirit as Mom."

"The same as Mom?"

"That's right. This is the unluckiest thing Mom has ever felt in her entire life! In short, stay far away from him. He's an old scumbag. Don't let him lead you astray!"

By the end, Ouyang Xi was practically gnashing her teeth, nearly forcing out each word one by one.

Having never seen his mother get so angry before, Xiao Linyi nodded repeatedly, indicating that he had firmly remembered it in his heart.

Mu En could not help chuckling. "It seems this was exactly why Xi Yatou refused to become Shaozhe's disciple no matter what back then."

As if he had heard some inside story, Xiao Linyi secretly pricked up his ears.

Lin Qingxuan said helplessly, "It was because of this. Back then, Dean Yan wanted to take Axi as his disciple, but somehow Axi found out about some things from Dean Yan's younger years. Not only did she refuse him outright, she also mocked Dean Yan quite a bit. From then on, every time she saw Dean Yan, she never gave him a good look, making Dean Yan avoid her whenever he could. It's only because Dean Yan is magnanimous and didn't argue with her."

"Hahaha, Shaozhe can hardly be called magnanimous."

In front of his newly accepted young disciple and the disciple's parents, Mu En did not spare his own disciple any face at all, exposing his shortcomings without mercy. "Who told him to do those absurd things when he was young?"

But in the end, he was still his eldest disciple, so Mu En left him some dignity.

"All right. You haven't returned to the Academy in a long time, have you? Come back together today. It's just right for them to meet this old man's new disciple."

Lin Qingxuan and Ouyang Xi exchanged a glance, then each nodded in agreement.

Afterward, Mu En released a layer of gentle Soul Power that wrapped around Xiao Linyi. "Let's go, child. Meet your senior brothers and receive some greeting gifts. After that, this old man will personally take you to find your First Soul Ring."

Each of them used their own methods. Before long, they arrived on Sea God Island of Shrek Academy.

Feeling the rich heaven and earth origin energy on the island, as well as all kinds of plants that were decades or even centuries old everywhere, the corners of Xiao Linyi's mouth unconsciously lifted into a smile. At the same time, a familiar feeling came from not far away.

Very soon, the group arrived at the center of Sea God Island.

A massive golden tree hundreds of meters tall, reaching toward the sky, appeared before their eyes just like that.

Xiao Linyi could sense that the familiar aura from before had come from this giant tree.

As if sensing Xiao Linyi's gaze, Mu En notified the Elders of Sea God Pavilion to gather while introducing it. "Did you sense a familiar aura? This is the secret behind the Inner Court students' cultivation speed, and also the most precious treasure of Shrek Academy, personally transplanted here by the Sea God ten thousand years ago—the Golden Ancient Tree."

"Is it the same as my spirit?"

"Mm, that's right."

Xiao Linyi unconsciously released his Golden Tree Spirit.

The instant Xiao Linyi's spirit was released, the Golden Ancient Tree suddenly unleashed boundless light once more. As everyone instinctively closed their eyes to block the glare, a ribbon of light shot out from the Golden Ancient Tree like lightning, coiling around Xiao Linyi's body, pulling him back, and merging into the trunk of the Golden Ancient Tree.

At this moment, the Elders in Sea God Pavilion had just arrived, and they saw the entire process of Xiao Linyi being swept away by the Golden Ancient Tree. This sudden turn of events stunned everyone present.