Within Shrek Academy, Xian Lin'er watched the scenes on the Heavenly Curtain and sighed. "See? This is the gap between us and the Sun Moon Empire when it comes to Soul Tools."
Qian Duoduo, who had come to the Sea God Pavilion to bring Xian Lin'er lunch, chimed in as well. "Yeah. Whether it is low- or high-level Soul Tool Technology manufacturing, or the training of Soul Engineers, we are completely crushed by the Sun Moon Empire."
One was the dean of Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department, while the other was its vice dean. Naturally, they were qualified and capable enough to say such things.
Xian Lin'er in particular, as one of the foremost Soul Tool Masters of the former Douluo Three Kingdoms, could feel the disparity more keenly than anyone.
The Sun Moon Empire publicly had no fewer than three Level Nine Soul Tool Masters, while the former Douluo Three Kingdoms? Their limit was merely level eight-and-a-half.
What did level eight-and-a-half mean? It meant possessing the strength of a Titled Douluo, yet being unable to create Soul Tools that only a Titled Douluo could use.
That was right. The so-called half-level was mostly just a face-saving label.
Compared to the Sun Moon Empire, the former Douluo Three Kingdoms lagged far too far behind in both the development of Soul Tool Technology and the cultivation of Soul Tool talent.
"Since we are behind, why not work hard to catch up?"
At that moment, a third voice suddenly rang out from the third floor of the Sea God Pavilion.
Hearing that incomparably familiar voice, Xian Lin'er instantly turned her head.
The man was none other than the Dragon God Douluo, Mu En, who had just emerged from seclusion.
Seeing that her teacher had finished his seclusion, she said excitedly, "Teacher~ You're out of seclusion?!"
Then she and Qian Duoduo hurried forward together.
Everyone throughout Shrek Academy had hoped that Elder Mu would emerge from seclusion soon and take charge of the overall situation.
Because the Heavenly Curtain Monologue had continuously exposed major events that would occur in the future, even mighty Shrek could not help but grow uneasy.
There was no helping it. Those future events were simply too monumental, affecting the entire continent. They were so great that even Shrek Academy had to remain on high alert and make preparations in advance.
Although their pillar, Elder Mu, had been in seclusion and unable to coordinate everything personally, the other Elders of the Sea God Pavilion were no pushovers. They had all begun thinking of solutions and taking action at the first opportunity.
For example, Elder Xuan had gone to speak with the royal families of the Three Kingdoms. Later, an even more formal and official meeting might be held within Shrek Academy.
And Elder Song had remained at Shrek Academy to oversee the situation, guarding against petty threats and maintaining the academy's stability...
Now, Elder Mu had emerged from seclusion as well. The Sea-Calming Divine Needle had returned to its rightful place once more.
"Teacher, your injuries have healed?!"
After her initial excitement, Xian Lin'er quickly noticed the changes in Elder Mu.
All traces of his former twilight aura had dispersed. What remained was only surging vitality.
Most crucially, after emerging from seclusion, Elder Mu had walked out on his own two feet!
"Yes. This seclusion has yielded quite a harvest~" Feeling the abundant power within his body, Mu En could not help but sigh with emotion.
The Hundred Year Longevity Gu from another world had proven even more effective than he had originally imagined.
After absorbing the Hundred Year Longevity Gu, Mu En had seized the opportunity and absorbed a great deal more of the Dragon Core's power.
Not only had his lifespan been extended by a hundred years, but his chronic ailments had been completely suppressed, and the paralysis that had plagued him for over a century had finally come to an end.
It was no exaggeration to say that Mu En was now at his peak.
A Limit Douluo who stood above Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui, the two Limit Douluo.
The Dragon God Douluo, Mu En—the man whose name had once shaken the continent and suppressed all Soul Masters—had returned!!
If he were to draw upon the Golden Tree's power as well, Mu En's strength would become even more terrifying.
"I heard the conversation between you husband and wife just now."
Only after the pair's excitement had calmed somewhat did Mu En continue the earlier topic.
"Elder Mu, you mean...?" Realizing what her teacher intended to say, Xian Lin'er became excited once again.
"Elder Mu, is our academy's Soul Tool Department finally going to be developed in full force?!" Qian Duoduo directly voiced the conclusion.
How else could they work hard to catch up? They had to vigorously develop the Soul Tool Department.
"Duoduo, you are right. From now on, the quality of student recruitment within the academy will be prioritized toward the Soul Tool Department, and resources in related areas will be tilted in its favor as well." Seeing the two of them so excited, Elder Mu gave them the reassurance they needed.
Mu En had once wanted to reform the Soul Tool Department as well, focusing on cultivating Soul Tool talent and vigorously advancing Soul Tool Technology.
However, by the time Mu En realized this, his own condition no longer supported such sweeping reforms at Shrek Academy.
Even if he had forced the academy to begin reforming, his remaining lifespan would not have allowed him to persist for long.
In the end, it would likely have amounted to a vigorous beginning and a feeble ending, hastily concluded without result.
It was precisely for all these reasons that Mu En had ultimately failed to implement reforms within Shrek Academy.
But things were different now. He had received the Hundred Year Longevity Gu rewarded by the Heavenly Curtain, extending his life by a century, and his chronic ailments had been suppressed as well.
Mu En now had both the ability and the time to carry out sweeping reforms within Shrek Academy and give it an entirely new look!!
"Alright, tell me first what else the Heavenly Curtain has revealed during the time I was in seclusion."
After briefly discussing the development of the Soul Tool Department, Mu En shifted the topic back to the Heavenly Curtain.
The importance of the Heavenly Curtain naturally went without saying.
It could reveal hidden secrets of the past and offer glimpses into the future. Those who appeared on its rankings could even receive Opportunity Rewards capable of defying fate.
Naturally, they had to watch it at all times and could not miss any useful information.
"Um..." Qian Duoduo suddenly looked rather embarrassed.
Xian Lin'er beside him was much the same, as though there was some indescribable reason behind it.
Whether it was Long Xiaoyao's or Ye Xishui's monologue, neither had been ordinary.
Although their teacher had moved on from that incident long ago, he had never learned the truth of what had happened, nor did he know what path his two friends from back then had taken.
As juniors, Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo truly found it difficult to say much.
"Don't worry~ What storms has this old man not weathered? Just tell me." Mu En spoke with a genial smile.
Seeing the expressions on his two students' faces, he could more or less conclude that the later monologues contained information related to him.
In that instant, he thought of Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui.
"Alright, Teacher."
After exchanging a glance with Qian Duoduo, Xian Lin'er finally stepped forward and began explaining to her teacher the monologue information that the Heavenly Curtain had displayed during his seclusion.
Before you continue