The Decision That Changed Everything

Yan Shaozhe's office was filled with the elders, and the atmosphere was heavy.

Yan Shaozhe and Du Weilun, in particular, wanted to slap themselves across the face.

Every boy who came here had dreamed of growing into a powerful Soul Master.

A casual expulsion, they had naively thought, would only mean kicking one person out. But in the end, they had trampled the boys' dreams underfoot and shattered them.

"I really am the worst!"

Thinking of the accusing looks in those boys' eyes, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help remembering his own youth, when he had first entered Shrek with such bright hopes and dreams for his future.

What had he done? What right did he have to rob those boys of their dreams? Yan Shaozhe slapped himself hard across the face.

Xian Lin'er was unmoved. "Save the crocodile tears for later, Yan Shaozhe."

"Think about how you'll make it up to the students she expelled once this is over."

Yan Shaozhe rarely agreed with Xian Lin'er, but this time he did. "You're right. How many students are left?"

"Three are still outside!"

Yan Shaozhe gave an order. "Then have them come in together. Let's finish this quickly so we can discuss how to handle the situation."

After seeing all the students off, the elders returned to Sea God Pavilion.

Xuan Zi finally said something sensible. "We have to handle this seriously."

"The children are right. They aren't afraid of being eliminated; they're afraid of not being given even one chance."

Xian Lin'er said, "I stopped by the student records office on my way here."

"I found that some of the students Zhou Yi expelled could actually have stayed at Shrek."

Qian Duoduo asked, "Does anyone have a good way to deal with this?"

Yan Shaozhe said, "This is going to be difficult. Those children were expelled for no reason, so we can be sure they're angry."

Mu En saw that the mood he had hoped to create was in place. "I have a good suggestion."

"The Soul Tool Department is short on people, while the Martial Soul Department is overcrowded. Why not let the students the Martial Soul Department doesn't want try their hand in the Soul Tool Department?"

"Lin'er, after this year's freshman competition, I'm allowing you to take the students who pass the assessments—or are eliminated—to have a look at the Soul Tool Department."

"I believe that among our many talented children, some will have an aptitude for soul tools, and some will take an interest in them."

"How many we can keep will be up to you. I'm giving you special permission to act first and report later."

Yan Shaozhe couldn't sit still. If they did this, how much would the Martial Soul Department lose?

"Teacher, isn't this too much? If some of our core disciples can't resist the temptation, the losses to the Martial Soul Department will be incalculable!"

"Why don't we take things one step at a time, Teacher? Let Lin'er try with the students who were eliminated first, and then we can move on to the next stage of reform."

Xian Lin'er wasn't about to let Yan Shaozhe ruin her opportunity. "What do you mean by that, Yan Shaozhe?"

"Elder Mu has already given his approval. Why are you objecting?"

Xuan Zi also thought this was a bad idea. "Elder Mu, shouldn't we think carefully about the Soul Tool Department?"

"Everyone at Shrek prefers to fight with their own strength. This is so sudden—I'm afraid the students won't be able to adapt."

Mu En's tone was firm. "I'll make this clear, Xuan Zi, Shaozhe."

"I'm determined to carry out this reform. We can't keep clinging to old ways."

"First, this reform will ease the burden on the Martial Soul Department, which has too many disciples."

"Second, we need to start taking the Soul Tool Department seriously."

"I made time to visit the Sun Moon Empire a few years ago and found that their soul tools had grown much more powerful. Some could already pose a real threat to my life."

"Clinging to old customs and refusing to change will only bring about our own downfall. We must try to learn new things."

"That's the only way Shrek can continue to pass down its legacy. Do you understand?"

The elders were astonished to hear that soul tools could threaten Mu En. He was a Limit Douluo, after all!

Even after Mu En had gone that far, Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe were still reluctant. They instinctively rejected soul tools.

"Elder Mu..."

Mu En didn't intend to give them a chance to speak. He cleared his throat.

"That's the end of this meeting. Lin'er, if your department gains more disciples afterward, transfer whatever resources you need from the Martial Soul Department."

"After all, the Martial Soul Department likes expelling students. They don't need all those resources!"

"By the end of the meeting, everyone was discussing reform, and we'd forgotten about the expelled students." Mu En had almost forgotten about them himself.

"Here's what we'll do... Send teachers from our academy to find those children one by one."

"If they want to come back to study here, we'll admit them again."

"If they don't, we'll compensate them with resources. You can work out the details."

"Shrek is the top academy on the continent. If our compensation is too meager, people will look down on us."

"As for the students who agree to return, the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department can compete for them fairly."

"Yes!" Xian Lin'er was overjoyed.

Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe looked a little better, too. At least this was some good news.

That night, three figures strolled across Shrek's field.

Wang Dong'er and Wang Qiu'er each had an arm linked through one of Huo Yuhao's.

Wang Qiu'er leaned against Huo Yuhao's shoulder. "I didn't expect things to end like this."

Wang Dong'er rubbed her cheek against Huo Yuhao. "I wonder what the academy will do to us tomorrow."

Huo Yuhao reassured her. "Don't worry. This has caused such a huge commotion."

"Besides, the students are in the right. Any academy with a shred of sense would deal with the teacher and turn a blind eye to the students' part in this. At most, we'll get a verbal warning."

"I hope it goes the way you say."

"Getting expelled wouldn't be a big deal anyway, Yuhao. Uncle Di could definitely help you become a powerful fighter." Wang Qiu'er grinned.

"If you come to my home, I'll take care of all your future Soul Rings and Soul Bones. How does that sound? Tempted?"

Wang Dong'er tightened her grip on Huo Yuhao's hand. "You can come with me, too, Yuhao."

"My big and second fathers are both first-rate experts, and my family has quite a few inherited Soul Bones."

"As for Soul Rings, whatever kind you want, my big and second fathers can help you get them!"

"Yuhao, come with me!"

"No, come with me!"

Watching them, Huo Yuhao was struck by how successful he'd become in this life. He could even live off someone else now.

Whether it was the Little Emperor of Star Dou or the Little Princess of the Clear Sky Sect, either would make a very comfortable arrangement. Huo Yuhao would have to think it over carefully.

Amid the commotion, the three returned to the dormitory, then reluctantly parted ways.

Huo Yuhao went back to his own room. Wang Dong'er had transferred out just as the new students had finished registering.

For now, Huo Yuhao was the only one living in the room.

He took off his shoes, sat on the bed, and entered a meditative state.

His cultivation was currently at level thirty-nine, and he wanted to break through to become a Soul Ancestor at level forty.

Electrolux had told him that he'd have to wait at least half a year.

Once Huo Yuhao had grown another year older, his body would be able to withstand more energy, and breaking through to level forty would come naturally.

Huo Yuhao felt a little dejected. He'd been in the same situation a few years ago, too.