Mu En's Dissatisfaction: Hurry Up and Bring Him Back!

After parting ways with Liu Yuan, Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao did not linger in the Star Dou Great Forest. Instead, they hurried nonstop toward Shrek Academy.

They braved the elements along the way. Though it was somewhat tiring, their spirits remained fairly high.

Huo Yuhao in particular was filled with anticipation for the academy life that awaited him.

Several days later, the towering and magnificent Shrek City finally came into view.

For Huo Yuhao, this was his first time visiting Shrek City.

Everything within the city felt incredibly novel to him.

After entering the academy, Bei Bei efficiently helped Huo Yuhao complete the tedious enrollment procedures.

"Yuhao, here are your dormitory key and school uniform." Bei Bei handed the items to Huo Yuhao and reminded him with a smile.

"Xiao Ya is a little tired, so she'll head back to the dormitory to rest first."

"I also have some urgent matters to deal with. Go get settled into your dormitory first. If there's anything you don't understand, come find me anytime."

"Okay, thank you, Senior Brother!"

Huo Yuhao obediently nodded. Hugging his newly issued belongings, he ran excitedly toward the new student dormitory building.

As he watched Huo Yuhao's departing back, the smile on Bei Bei's face gradually faded.

He did not return to his own dormitory. Instead, he turned and headed toward Sea God Lake.

There lay Shrek Academy's core forbidden ground—the Sea God Pavilion.

Inside the Sea God Pavilion, the lighting was somewhat dim.

An elderly man on the verge of death reclined halfway in a lounge chair, his eyes slightly closed as though dozing.

His aged face was covered in wrinkles, like dried orange peel. There was not the slightest aura of a powerhouse around him, and he looked like nothing more than an ordinary old man in his twilight years.

Yet he was the strongest person on the Douluo Continent today: the Dragon God Douluo, Mu En.

At that moment, a staff member stood respectfully nearby, quietly reporting on the academy's recent affairs, major and minor.

"...The preliminary list for this year's Inner Court selection competition has been drafted, and Dean Yan is reviewing it..."

"...The Soul Guidance Department has applied for increased funding. Dean Qian said research on the latest core formation has reached a critical stage..."

Mu En listened calmly to the reports, occasionally giving a slight nod.

Although he had stayed out of worldly affairs for many years and delegated authority to Yan Shaozhe, Xuan Zi, and the others, he was still the master of the Sea God Pavilion. He still needed to maintain control over the academy's overall direction.

However, when the reporter mentioned the next piece of information, Mu En's half-closed eyes suddenly opened a sliver, and his brow faintly furrowed.

"Also, the child of Liu Zong and Xie Ting, the Inner Court couple from back then... following Elder Xuan's instructions, he has already been expelled from Shrek."

The reporter cautiously glanced at Mu En before continuing.

"Elder Xuan's meaning was that although the couple sacrificed themselves for an Inspection Team mission, the academy has already done all it could for that child over the years..."

"Elder Xuan believed that the child's Martial Soul had been ruined and that he was unfit to remain at Shrek, so he was sent away."

"Xuan Zi..."

Mu En let out a long sigh, his tone carrying a trace of helplessness and disappointment.

"He still acts so rashly, and his heart... is still far too narrow."

Mu En remembered that child.

Not only because of his talent, but also because of his unusual circumstances.

After all, the child's parents had died in the line of duty for the Shrek Inspection Team. Such a thing was exceedingly rare even throughout all of Shrek.

Thus, when Mu En spoke again, there was even a hint of displeasure in his voice.

"Even if that child's Martial Soul mutated, even if he could never become a soul master, even if he became a cripple, so what?"

"Shrek Academy has vast resources. Can't we afford to raise one child?"

"Why be so heartless? It chills people's hearts..."

"Where is that child now?" Mu En asked.

"Reporting to Pavilion Master, he left the academy on the very day he received the notice. Right now... his whereabouts are unknown."

"He left..." A trace of regret flashed through Mu En's eyes.

Just then, faint footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Xuan Ancestor." Bei Bei's voice rang out from beyond the door.

"Come in." A kindly smile returned to Mu En's face. He waved to the reporter. "You may leave first."

After that disciple departed, Bei Bei pushed open the door and entered. He quickly walked to Mu En's side and skillfully began massaging his legs.

"How was it? Did your trip with Xiao Ya go smoothly?" Mu En asked gently.

"Very smoothly, Xuan Ancestor," Bei Bei said with a smile.

"Xiao Ya successfully obtained her Third Spirit Ring and advanced to Soul Elder. And... while in the Star Dou Great Forest, we unexpectedly recruited a new disciple for the Tang Sect."

"Oh?" Mu En became somewhat interested. "Someone who caught your eye should be quite a little monster, shouldn't he?"

"He truly is an excellent prospect." A hint of admiration flashed through Bei Bei's eyes. "His name is Huo Yuhao. He is an orphan, and his Martial Soul is an exceptionally rare spiritual-type Body Martial Soul—the Spirit Eye."

"A spiritual-type Body Martial Soul?" Mu En nodded slightly. "That is indeed rare. Though spiritual-type cultivation is difficult, if properly nurtured, his future achievements will be limitless."

"Yes." As Bei Bei massaged his legs, he sighed. "But... compared with Huo Yuhao, we actually encountered another, even more astonishing genius this time. It's just a pity..."

"What's the pity?"

"It's a pity he was unwilling to join the Tang Sect, and unwilling to come to Shrek as well." Bei Bei sighed, the image of that young man appearing in his mind. "He also has a Body Martial Soul, and an even more special one—the Double Pupil. With only his Second Spirit Ring, he had already absorbed one at the thousand-year level. What's even more terrifying is... his abilities were terrifyingly powerful!"

Bei Bei briefly described Liu Yuan's specific abilities.

Laser Eye.

Undying Heavy Body.

Even Mu En could not help but sigh after gaining a rough understanding of the abilities.

"Oh? In that case, this child truly is outstanding!"

But he quickly asked, "Then why was he unwilling to come to Shrek?"

"He said... Shrek may be good, but when it comes to developing Body Martial Souls, it cannot compare to the Body Sect." Bei Bei gave a bitter smile. "He wants to search for the Body Sect."

"The Body Sect..."

Mu En fell silent.

After a long while, he slowly nodded, his tone complicated. "He is... not wrong. Every field has its specialists. For Body Martial Souls of that level, those lunatics from the Body Sect truly have more methods than we do."

"It is just a pity..." Mu En shook his head. "Such fine jade and talent, yet he has no connection with Shrek."

Seeing that Mu En looked somewhat fatigued, Bei Bei did not disturb him further. After chatting about a few household matters, he took his leave and departed from the Sea God Pavilion.

The room fell silent once more.

Mu En lay alone in his lounge chair, staring at the dim ceiling, but his furrowed brow never relaxed.

Although the genius youth Bei Bei spoke of made him feel some regret, Mu En had seen countless geniuses. He would not brood over one genius failing to join them.

What concerned him more was Liu Yuan, who had vanished after being expelled by Xuan Zi.

He still wanted to bring him back.

From the standpoint of sentiment, Liu Yuan's parents had died for Shrek. Even if Shrek raised him for the rest of his life, it would be entirely reasonable.

From the standpoint of reputation, if his case were exposed and outsiders learned that Shrek treated the orphan of meritorious servants this way, Shrek's reputation would be utterly ruined.

After thinking it over, he quickly summoned several people inside.

"I think we should still bring that child back..."

"What Xuan Zi did was improper. One careless move could place Shrek in an unjust position. Go and bring him back."

"Yes..."

At the same time.

On an unknown riverbank at the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

The night was as dark as ink, with stars scattered across the sky.

A bonfire crackled on the riverbank, driving away the surrounding cold and darkness.

Liu Yuan sat cross-legged beside the fire. In his hand was a branch skewering two plump grilled fish, sizzling as fat dripped into the flames.

"Sizzle—"

Using the grilled fish techniques he had "learned" from Huo Yuhao, he soon filled the air with a rich, enticing aroma.

Ever since leaving Bei Bei and the others, Liu Yuan had set out alone on his journey toward the Heaven Dou Empire.

To reach the Heaven Dou Empire, he had to pass through the outer regions of the Star Dou Great Forest.

For safety, he did not venture deep inside. Instead, he carefully traveled along the outermost edge.

"Whew... smells great."

Liu Yuan blew on the hot fish, tore off a piece of flesh, and put it into his mouth. He narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. "Huo Yuhao's grilled fish really are unrivaled. Good thing I was smart enough to learn the method."

The night breeze whispered, and the river murmured.

Just as Liu Yuan was about to enjoy this rare peaceful dinner.

Rustle, rustle, rustle...

An extremely faint sound of grass brushing together suddenly came from a bush not far away.

The sound was light, but in the silent night, it was especially piercing.

Liu Yuan's chewing abruptly stopped.

Swish!

He suddenly turned his head. His Double Pupils instantly lit with a faint, eerie glow as he stared fixedly at the dark thicket.

"Who?!"