Return to the Academy, the Golden Tree

After Huo Yuhao and his group returned to the Shrek Academy, they were warmly received by the teachers and students.

The school gate was packed with people, cheers, applause and shouts rose and fell, and Shrek's flags fluttered in the wind.

Even the teachers, who are usually stern and unsmiling, showed relieved smiles at this moment.

The young students from the Outer Court looked at them with eyes full of admiration and longing.

Although Shrek Academy has won countless championships, this one is undoubtedly the most difficult.

Therefore, in addition to the prize for the champion, the eight participants also received rewards from the academy.

But this didn't include Huo Yuhao; he got nothing.

However, everyone knew that it was impossible for the academy to have overlooked him, the greatest contributor.

Without him, Shrek Academy might not even have made it out of the group stage, let alone win the championship.

So how could such meritorious service be forgotten?

There's probably an even bigger reward waiting for him.

The next day, Yan Shaozhe led Huo Yuhao to Sea God Island.

The morning light spilled onto the sea, creating shimmering waves and bathing the entire island in a golden glow.

The sea breeze brings a salty, damp scent, and also an indescribable tranquility.

They climbed the stone-paved path, passed through lush forests, and finally arrived at the Sea God Island Sea God Pavilion, the highest point on the Sea God Island.

Huo Yuhao had been here before, brought here by Yan Shaozhe.

On that occasion, the long table in the main hall on the first floor of the Sea God Pavilion was filled with the Elder of the Shrek Academy.

On that occasion, Huo Yuhao refused to become a disciple of Mu En, the Sea God Pavilion.

Today, when I came here again, the long table was still there, but there were far fewer people.

The academy's Elder were not present; only Mu En's aged and frail body was huddled in a wheelchair.

Mu En glanced at Yan Shaozhe Yan Shaozhe, who understood immediately, bowed slightly, and turned to leave the Sea God Pavilion.

In this vast Sea God Pavilion, only Huo Yuhao and Mu En remain.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, bathing the rustic tables and chairs in a warm golden hue.

Huo Yuhao took a few steps forward and walked to Mu En's wheelchair.

His expression was serious, with a hint of respect in his eyes, as he called out, "Mu En."

Mu En smiled at Huo Yuhao, a gentle expression appearing on his wrinkled face.

His voice was old yet calm, like the warm winter sun. "Child, on behalf of the Shrek Academy, I thank you."

Huo Yuhao knew, of course, that this was a thank you for helping Shrek Academy win the championship.

There was no arrogance on his face; he simply replied calmly, "As a student of the Shrek Academy, this is what I should do."

Mu En looked at Huo Yuhao in front of him, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

Huo Yuhao's tone was very polite, but it was precisely this politeness that reflected his "estrangement" from the Shrek Academy.

Mu En could already guess that Shrek Academy probably wouldn't be able to retain Huo Yuhao, such a genius.

But just as he said before, Shrek Academy is just an academy.

Whether the trainees stay or leave is entirely up to them.

So even knowing that Huo Yuhao would leave, his decision remained unchanged.

He will still give the rewards that are due.

This is what makes Mu En, the Sea God Pavilion, different from the others in the academy.

Perhaps this is also why he was able to become the Sea God Pavilion in the first place.

Push me over there.

Mu En raised his withered hand and pointed to the wall on the left.

Huo Yuhao walked behind him, gently grasped the handles of the wheelchair with both hands, and slowly walked over.

When the two arrived in front of the wall, Mu En pointed with his hand.

In an instant, a dazzling golden light shone forth, illuminating the entire Sea God Pavilion in a magnificent golden glow!

In the blink of an eye, the golden light vanished, but the world had changed.

Huo Yuhao felt a blur before his eyes, and when he looked again, they were no longer on the first floor of the Sea God Pavilion, but in a much more spacious hall.

This is a square hall, with all four sides measuring a hundred meters in length.

Several passageways run along both sides of the hall, deep and quiet, their destinations unknown.

A unique fragrance permeated the air, fresh and mellow, making one feel refreshed with every breath.

Mu En explained with a smile, "You should have seen the Golden Tree on Sea God Island. It's the Tree of Life, and there's only one of its kind on the entire continent."

"And right now, we are inside this Golden Tree."

Huo Yuhao subconsciously released his Divine Power, trying to investigate the surrounding situation.

But the next moment, his pupils contracted slightly.

His powerful Divine Power, which was close to the Spirit Domain Realm, was severely restricted here!

He seemed to have encountered an invisible barrier, his Divine Power being gently repelled.

At that moment, Huo Yuhao heard his teacher, Electrolux's, voice in his mind. "Yuhao, this Golden Tree is no ordinary tree. It possesses God Level aura and may not be a species native to this continent."

Huo Yuhao's heart skipped a beat, but he remained expressionless.

Mu En's voice came again. "This Golden Tree can compress the Heaven and Earth Vitality and Life God energy, which is of great benefit to cultivation."

As he spoke, he raised his withered hand and pointed to the passage on the right. "Go to the end, there is a door. Go in and begin your meditation practice. This is the academy's reward for you."

With his teacher Electrolux's reminder, Huo Yuhao knew that this cultivation within the Golden Tree would be a rare opportunity.

He nodded and immediately walked towards the passage on the right.

Reaching the end of the passage, Huo Yuhao pushed open the half-closed wooden door and went inside.

It was pitch black inside; you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

But Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, taking in everything.

This was a space of only about ten square meters, with smooth walls, no windows, and only the door behind him.

In the center of the room, on the floor, there was a futon that looked quite old, with its edges worn white.

He sat down in the center of the room, cross-legged on the futon, and began to meditate as Mu En had instructed.

Almost at the same moment he closed his eyes, Mu En's voice came out again.

The voice seemed to echo directly in Huo Yuhao's Spirit Sea. He knew that Mu En, the Sea God Pavilion, had a much higher Divine Power than him.

"Yuhao, you are the most talented person I have ever seen."

"Whether it's Soul Power, Divine Power, or physical body, you far surpass your peers."

"I believe you have your own plans and understanding regarding cultivation, so I won't elaborate further."

"Cultivate diligently; there are unexpected benefits here."

Mu En stopped speaking there. Huo Yuhao's heart stirred slightly, guessing that Mu En might have seen through his condensation of the Soul Core, after all, Mu En was Limit Douluo.

However, Mu En clearly meant no harm, so he didn't think much of it.

Putting those chaotic thoughts aside, Huo Yuhao began to concentrate on meditation and cultivation.

He could sense that the Heaven and Earth Vitality here was significantly more condensed, and the speed of cultivation was several times that of the outside world.

Moreover, a mysterious power was constantly flowing into his body.

It was an energy he had never experienced before, warm and mellow, carrying a rich Life God force.

Even with the cultivation of the Body Secret Art and the nourishment of the Blade of Life, Huo Yuhao's physical body was already extremely powerful.

But even now, he could still feel his physique improving once again.

However, at this moment, an unfamiliar voice rang out, instantly interrupting Huo Yuhao's cultivation.