Decision at the Sea God Pavilion

At the same time.

Douluo Continent, Shrek Academy.

"All members of the Sea God Pavilion, prepare for a meeting."

After parting ways with Azure Luan Douluo, Mu En immediately convened an emergency meeting of the Sea God Pavilion.

Elder Xuan, the four deans of the Martial Soul Department and Soul Tool Department, along with several senior elders, all entered the Sea God Pavilion without delay.

The Sea God Pavilion was located beneath the Golden Ancient Tree.

A small wooden plaque hung above the door of the treehouse, inscribed with the three characters "Sea God Pavilion."

The wooden house was not as magnificent as one might imagine, nor did it present any more extraordinary sights.

What came into view was a living room, brightly lit, with walls, ceiling, and even the floor emitting a faint golden glow, bathing everything within in gold.

At the center of the living room stood a long table, surrounded by over a dozen chairs.

This was the Sea God Pavilion, the highest decision-making body of Shrek Academy, whose members were all unparalleled talents of the continent, each at least a Level 95 Super Douluo.

And this was merely a fraction of Shrek Academy's foundation; many Titled Douluo did not even qualify to participate in this meeting.

For example, Beast King Douluo Gong Changlong, who managed the academy's Beast Fighting Zone, was only a reserve elder of the Sea God Pavilion.

Reserve elders required extended observation and had to meet various strict conditions before they could be promoted to full elders and formally join the core decision-making system of the Sea God Pavilion.

Of course, the deans and vice-deans of the Martial Soul Department and Soul Tool Department were exceptions.

Whenever a major event occurred at Shrek Academy, a meeting would be convened in the Sea God Pavilion, representing the highest level of assembly within the academy.

Only the deans and vice-deans of the Martial Soul Department and Soul Tool Department, along with the senior elders of the Hall of Enshrinement, were qualified to attend.

Important decisions were made by a show of hands.

At this moment, the Sea God Pavilion was utterly silent, with ten people seated around the long table.

At the head of the table, in the foremost seat, lay a reclining chair.

And seated in that reclining chair was a figure.

It was none other than the current Master of the Sea God Pavilion, Dragon God Douluo Mu En.

The dean and vice-dean of the Soul Tool Department, Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo, sat at the far right end of the long table, while the dean and vice-dean of the Martial Soul Department, Yan Shaozhe and Cai Mei'er, sat at the far left end.

Besides these four, six elderly figures were seated ahead of them.

"Everyone is here, so let us begin."

Mu En's gentle voice rang in everyone's ears.

Hearing this, the group's expressions turned grave.

They were well aware that the choice ahead would determine Shrek Academy's future.

"The Sky Curtain that suddenly appeared not long ago—I'm sure you all saw it. As for whether the information within it is true or false..."

Pausing here, Mu En continued, "Even I cannot be certain."

"But—"

"Just now, that old fellow Ye Yu came to find me."

At these words.

Xuan Zi, Yan Shaozhe, and the others were all taken aback.

However, Xuan Zi, Elder Song, and those from Mu En's era were surprised.

Meanwhile, Yan Shaozhe, Qian Duoduo, Cai Mei'er, and the other juniors were puzzled, clearly unaware of who this person was.

"That fellow, his title is Azure Luan, and he is the master of the Star Luo Empire's Hall of Enshrinement."

As if sensing the confusion of Yan Shaozhe and the others, Xuan Zi clicked his tongue and explained.

"According to the information Ye Yu provided, the person from the Sky Curtain does indeed exist and is currently located in the Star Luo Empire's imperial capital."

Mu En paid no heed to the others and continued speaking slowly, "Moreover, as stated in the Sky Curtain, his talent is indeed unparalleled."

"Now, Shrek Academy faces a choice: cooperate with the Star Luo Empire to jointly protect him, or sit back and watch from the sidelines?"

At this, everyone present fell into a long silence.

"Elder Mu, I believe Shrek should sit back and watch."

After a moment, Xuan Zi was the first to speak up.

"Xuan Zi, state your reasons."

Mu En glanced at Xuan Zi and said flatly.

"Elder Mu, Shrek Academy has always stood independent of nations, never meddling in their internal conflicts."

Xuan Zi stood up and voiced his thoughts, "If the Sky Curtain is real, then besides being the Master of the Sea God Pavilion, he is also the Star Luo Emperor and the Lord of Soul Beasts..."

The group exchanged glances, all unconsciously turning to look at Mu En.

"Anyone else?" Mu En's expression remained unchanged, still as calm as still water.

"Teacher, I also think we should sit back and watch the tigers fight from the mountain."

Yan Shaozhe spoke after a moment of deliberation.

"For the same reason as Xuan Zi?" Mu En asked.

"I can understand Elder Xuan's thinking, but that's only part of it."

To their surprise, Yan Shaozhe shook his head and said, "Don't forget, our ancestors of Shrek, the First Generation Shrek Seven Devils, all became gods!"

Hearing this, the expressions of everyone present shifted once more.

They weren't fools; they naturally understood the implication behind Yan Shaozhe's words.

Mu En closed his eyes and pondered for a moment. When he opened them again, a certain resolve had settled in his gaze.

He had already made his decision long ago—what was there to agonize over now?

"Shaozhe, Shrek is Shrek, and the First Generation Shrek Seven Devils are the First Generation Shrek Seven Devils."

"Moreover, I don't believe that gods can interfere much with the continent."

"If they truly could, I think he would already be a corpse by now!"

"Regardless, I hope you will always remember one thing: we are human."

Though his tone remained gentle, the sharpness of his words caused beads of sweat as large as beans to roll down Yan Shaozhe's forehead.

He knew—his teacher had made up his mind.

The expressions of the others shifted as well.

There was no helping it. Elder Mu appeared kind and approachable, like an ordinary old grandfather.

But the prestige he had accumulated over the years as Master of the Sea God Pavilion, combined with his personal strength, meant no one dared to underestimate him.

"Within the Sky Curtain, he is not only the Star Luo Emperor and the Lord of Soul Beasts, but also the future Master of the Sea God Pavilion of Shrek Academy, and the one who will lead the Human Race to rise."

Though Mu En's words were not explicit, the meaning behind them was clear enough.

Still, he left some room for interpretation.

"Elder Mu, what you mean is..." Elder Lin looked at Mu En with a strange glint in her eyes.

"I have already agreed with Ye Yu to form an alliance with the Star Luo Empire," Mu En said slowly.

"I also support Elder Mu's decision."

Elder Song, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

Seeing that both Mu En and Elder Song agreed with the decision to ally with the Star Luo Empire, the others exchanged wordless glances—even those members of the Sea God Pavilion who had opposed it.

Mu En went without saying; he was the absolute authority of Shrek.

As for Elder Song, she was the strongest in the Sea God Pavilion after Mu En and Xuan Zi, with a cultivation of Rank 97, possessing the Azure Shadow Divine Eagle martial soul, and was the fastest Titled Douluo in the entire continent.

With the support of these two, the matter was essentially settled.

The only one with enough influence to stand in opposition was probably Xuan Zi, the second-strongest in Shrek Academy and the next Master of the Sea God Pavilion.

But faced with Mu En, his uncle who had raised him since childhood, Xuan Zi couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh.