History Is a Cycle, Mu En's Gamble

Honestly, regarding falling out with the first generation Shrek Seven Devils led by the Sea God Tang San, everyone present didn't really care.

Even Yan Shaozhe, who stood on the opposing side, was merely afraid of Tang San making a move against Shrek Academy, causing irreparable damage.

After all, for Shrek to stand by and watch would at most be considered inaction.

However, allying with the Star Luo Empire meant siding with Gu Tian, and the implications of that were entirely different.

The reason for this phenomenon was also simple.

During the early development of Shrek Academy, the first generation Shrek Seven Devils, led by the Sea God Tang San, had indeed made Shrek Academy what it was.

But with a thousand years of development, the reputation of Shrek Academy and the first generation Shrek Seven Devils had become mutually beneficial, complementing each other.

Ever since the first Master of the Sea God Pavilion founded the Sea God Pavilion, up to today, ten thousand years later, the fame and prestige of Shrek Academy.

It now stemmed more from itself, rather than from the Seven Devils led by Tang San.

How should I put it?

Their symbolic significance outweighed their actual significance; they were one of Shrek Academy's many past honors.

Otherwise, when the Tang Sect, founded by the Sea God Tang San, gradually declined, even becoming a single seedling, Shrek Academy wouldn't have chosen to stand by and do nothing.

The reason for standing aside was also simple: the Tang Sect could not bring any benefit to Shrek Academy; it was even a burden.

As for Mu En tacitly allowing his great-grandson Bei Bei to join the Tang Sect, a large part of it stemmed from guilt.

Of course, it was only guilt.

As the current Master of the Sea God Pavilion, he was responsible for the entire Shrek Academy.

For all members of the Sea God Pavilion, Shrek was not just an academy, but a belief.

For this, they were willing to pay any price.

To a certain extent, the current Shrek Academy was no different from the Martial Soul Hall of ten thousand years ago.

If it weren't for the great enemy that was the Sun Moon Empire, the Star Luo, Heaven Dou, and Dou Spirit Empires wouldn't have gotten along so harmoniously with Shrek Academy.

And the pattern of the Douluo Continent might have become the same as ten thousand years ago.

The only difference, perhaps, was that although Shrek Academy was powerful, the other empires, even setting aside their sect forces, possessed enough power to resist. Those State-Protecting Douluo were not to be trifled with.

Ten thousand years ago, Titled Douluo were concentrated in various sects and the Martial Soul Hall. Only a mere handful belonged to the Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empires.

One could only say that history is a cycle, the same everywhere in the world.

"Shrek Academy has been passed down for ten thousand years, and now, its future lies in your hands."

Looking at Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe, who were clearly dissatisfied with this decision, as well as the other elders with their own thoughts, Mu En sighed slightly and said, "I am old and don't have much time left to live, but you are like this... alas!"

"Teacher!"

"Elder Mu!"

Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi's voices trembled slightly, and the other elders, along with Xian Lin'er and the others, also changed their expressions.

"Xuan Zi, you are stubborn and not calm enough. In a serious sense, the best choice would be for you to guard Shrek Academy."

At this point, Mu En sighed again, "But... forget it. In the future, you must remain calm when facing matters, prioritize the academy above all else, and do not act impulsively!"

Mu En had lived for so long and seen all sorts of people; how could he not know that Xuan Zi was not suitable to be the Master of the Sea God Pavilion?

However, what was helpless was that the new generation like Zhang Lexuan and Bei Bei had not yet grown to the point where they could shoulder great responsibility.

Now, after his death, only Xuan Zi could bear this important responsibility for the entire Shrek Academy.

Of course, this was only in terms of strength.

If this were a peaceful era, it might not be a major problem.

But the problem was that the continent was about to usher in a great change unprecedented in ten thousand years. The Sun Moon Empire was ambitious, the Holy Spirit Cult formed by Evil Soul Masters was covetous, and the other three empires also had their own agendas.

And the Sky Curtain that suddenly appeared in the sky had pushed all of this into the open.

At such a time, even Mu En himself could not guarantee that all the decisions he made would be correct.

Not to mention his junior nephew Xuan Zi, who had a past record of carelessness that led to great disaster.

Mu En could not rest assured handing Shrek Academy over to Xuan Zi at this critical juncture, no matter what.

"But how long can this body of mine hold on?"

"I hope it can last until... that time!"

Feeling his increasingly weak body, Mu En sighed inwardly.

"And you, Shaozhe, you are intelligent enough, but because of that, you rarely consider the bigger picture!"

Mu En turned to Yan Shaozhe again, "You only consider immediate gains and losses. Remember to consider matters from multiple perspectives."

"Teacher!"

Seeing Mu En's somewhat disappointed gaze, Yan Shaozhe opened his mouth, then finally lowered his head.

"Don't worry, this old man won't die anytime soon. I will be able to leave with peace of mind only when one of you can truly take on the great responsibility."

Mu En glanced around at those present, further solidifying his resolve.

Just as Wang Xian'er had guessed, Mu En didn't have many years left to live anyway, but with Shrek Academy in its current state, how could he possibly leave with peace of mind!

It was the same in the original story; Mu En should have died long ago, but he had been clinging to life for the sake of Shrek Academy.

It wasn't until Huo Yuhao appeared that he saw hope.

But that was only in the original timeline; the situation now was completely different.

Mu En had found new hope, a hope that could allow Shrek Academy to go even further.

And the prerequisite for all of this was to gamble everything, no matter the cost.

If he won the gamble, Shrek would usher in a future even more brilliant than the Sky Curtain.

If he lost the gamble, Shrek would inevitably face great calamity, and its legacy might even be completely severed because of it.

If it were the Dragon God Douluo Mu En in his prime, he might not have participated in this gamble.

But now, he had no choice but to make this decision!

As mentioned before, the Douluo Continent was about to usher in an unprecedented change.

In Mu En's current state of exhaustion, he couldn't protect Shrek Academy in this chaotic situation, let alone remain unscathed.

"The Sun Moon Empire and the Holy Spirit Cult will definitely make a move against that person within a short period. A great war is imminent. I hope you will all consider the bigger picture and not act on impulse!"

With these words, Mu En waved his hand, signaling the end of the meeting and dismissing them.

After everyone had left, Mu En gazed in the direction of the Star Luo Empire's imperial capital and murmured, "I've already gambled everything. I hope you won't disappoint me! Otherwise..."