Afterward, Mu En summoned Yan Shaozhe and told him to bring Xiaotao to the Sea God Pavilion to prepare for the Soul Hunt.
As a rule, Ma Xiaotao should have needed a long time to prepare for hunting her Sixth Soul Ring. At the very least, they should have organized a powerful team.
But for the sake of his successor, Mu En simply told Yan Shaozhe to go fetch her.
A little over ten minutes later, Yan Shaozhe returned with Ma Xiaotao and had also assembled the Soul Hunting Squad.
Only two people needed Soul Rings this time: Yu Daoyun and Ma Xiaotao.
But the Soul Hunting Squad was unusually formidable. Zhang Lexuan and Han Ruoruo would lead the team, Dai Yueheng would join them for the experience, and Ling Luochеn would provide control.
With these people together, killing a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast would be no problem.
What's more, an elder would be accompanying them this time, making an accident even less likely.
At the same time, the elders arrived at the Sea God Pavilion in response to the summons.
Mu En glanced over the group and said to the elders, "This Soul Hunt is exceptionally difficult. These children are the future of the academy. If anything happens to them, the person responsible had better own up to it."
Xuan Zi promptly stepped forward and replied, "You can rest easy, Mu En. I'll lead the team myself this time. Nothing will go wrong."
There was no need to guess. Of course he'd be leading the team.
Yu Daoyun's heart sank.
That's it for me!
Is my Soul Master career going to end at the age of nine?
"You won't be leading the team this time."
Mu En waved his hand, unusually firm, then turned to Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er. "Shaozhe, the two of you must stay alert on this Soul Hunt. If you encounter a hundred-thousand-year Ferocious Beast, do your best to keep the children from fighting it. Understood?"
Yan Shaozhe froze, unable to believe he would be leading the team this time.
He asked, "Mu En, are you serious?"
Xian Lin'er also asked, "Shouldn't such a difficult mission be entrusted to Xuan Zi? If something unexpected happens, he's better equipped to handle it."
Xuan Zi paused mid-sip, just as unable to believe that Mu En had abandoned him.
Mu En had always trusted him. Why did he suddenly seem like a different person?
With his hands behind his back, Mu En shook his head.
He knew that Xuan Zi would ordinarily be the best choice to lead the team. But the more Xuan Zi led, the more likely something was to go wrong.
After one mishap after another, Mu En could no longer trust him. Who knew when he'd drop the ball again?
Mu En repeated, "Xuan Zi's been drinking himself weary lately. Let him stay at the academy and rest for a while."
"Mu En, I..."
Xuan Zi opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out.
Mu En looked like a man who had been disappointed beyond all hope.
Mu En has changed!
At that, the weight on Yu Daoyun's heart finally lifted.
If Xuan Zi wasn't leading the team, he might actually survive.
Yan Shaozhe might be petty and scheming, but at least he was more dependable than Xuan Zi.
Xuan Zi was nothing but a boozehound and a glutton. When you needed him, he was nowhere to be found.
Once he became Sea God Pavilion Master, the first thing he'd do was send Xuan Zi to guard the academy gates.
Mu En added, "Shaozhe, you can decide for yourself what Soul Ring Xiaotao needs. But Yu Daoyun's Soul Ring must be ten-thousand-year, and it must carry a Golden Bloodline. See to it."
Yan Shaozhe nodded at once. "Don't worry, Mu En. I'll make sure the mission is completed."
"Go." Mu En waved them off.
Before long, Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er set off with the team.
Mu En returned to his seat and said to Xuan Zi, "Xuan Zi, you've been tiring yourself out with drinking and feasting lately. As it happens, our library needs a guard. Go watch the door for a few days."
Xuan Zi felt utterly miserable. Tears shimmered in his eyes, and he wept like a child.
He said remorsefully, "Mu En, if you think I've done something wrong, just tell me. I'll change, I promise. But please, don't make me guard the door! I still want to lead students on Soul Hunts and missions."
"Mu En, I know I was wrong!"
But the trick that had always worked before was useless this time. Mu En didn't even spare him a glance.
This had to be the umpteenth time he'd repented.
Mu En had truly given up on him.
In the end, Mu En still wouldn't relent. He simply sent Xuan Zi to guard the library and cool his heels for a while.
At least, if the academy ever faced a crisis, it would still have a level-98 Super Douluo to hold the fort.
A day later.
After flying nonstop, the group reached the Star Dou Great Forest in just one day. Shrek Academy was very close to it, after all.
Yu Daoyun landed steadily. Gazing at the lush, verdant Soul Beast forest, he smiled.
Yan Shaozhe hovered in the air and said sternly, "We're heading deep into the mixed zone, so be prepared. This could turn into a prolonged battle. No one is allowed to slack off."
Xian Lin'er added, "Ruoruo, Lexuan, the two of you protect your junior, understood?"
The junior she meant was, of course, Yu Daoyun.
He was an academy student Mu En cared about, and nothing could be allowed to happen to him. But given the circumstances, Xian Lin'er had no choice but to put it that way.
Zhang Lexuan smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. "Don't worry, Dean. I'll protect our junior."
Han Ruoruo said nothing, but her attitude spoke for itself.
The Soul Hunting Squad then charged straight into the mixed zone in search of Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts.
Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er split the work between them: one protected the students while the other searched for Soul Beasts.
Ma Xiaotao needed a ten-thousand-year Sixth Soul Ring, and Yu Daoyun needed one as well.
So this time they had to hunt two Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, one of which had to carry a Golden Bloodline. Both deans would have to act personally.
At that moment, Yu Daoyun was surrounded on all sides by his two senior schoolmates.
Zhang Lexuan turned to him, her bright eyes fixed on his face. She said softly, "Junior, thank you for what you did. Your senior will make sure you're safe."
"What did I do? I don't know what you're talking about." Yu Daoyun pretended not to know.
Zhang Lexuan raised an eyebrow, thinking, You little rascal, trying that on me?
I was the champion team captain at the tournament two generations ago. You think I can't see through your little tricks?
But Zhang Lexuan could indulge her junior in this particular hobby. She bent down, planted a hard kiss on Yu Daoyun, and gave a coy little huff.
Yu Daoyun's cheeks warmed slightly, and he froze.
Han Ruoruo's mouth formed an O. She pointed at the two of them, unable to believe her eyes. "Lexuan, you... you two..."
Zhang Lexuan rolled her eyes and scolded her. "What do you mean, 'you two'? Is it really so strange for a senior to like her junior? Besides, one kiss won't get me pregnant. What are you thinking, Ruoruo? I mean it in a different way."
"I don't believe you. You're up to no good! You're so stubborn. How many juniors have tried to get close to you, and you never gave them a chance," Han Ruoruo said, her voice teasing.
At her words, Zhang Lexuan silently bit her lip and looked at her innocent-faced junior.
That's right!
She had always been stubborn, and once she had held fast to her principles.
But seeing how well Beibei and Tang Ya got along, she realized it was never going to happen.
Yu Daoyun had told her that everyone had to live for themselves at least once. Those words had struck a chord in her heart.
It wasn't until Mu En apologized to her that Zhang Lexuan finally let go of her fixation on Beibei and began to think of him as her son.
If she had to be a child bride, then she might as well be Yu Daoyun's!
The principle was the same, and she hadn't broken her promise. At least she had chosen someone good.
Thinking of this, Zhang Lexuan scooped Yu Daoyun up and gave him several more loud smooches.
That feels so much better!
Before you continue