Lion's Mouth Wide Open

The other party's meaning was already quite clear: their healing methods were precious, and if one wished to trade, they had to show sincerity and pay a sufficient price.

"Sect Master Ning, would you mind if we held a brief discussion?"

The various elders of Shrek Academy exchanged glances, each seeing the gravity reflected in the others' eyes.

"Not at all!"

"As it happens, I have yet to tour Shrek Academy, so I shall take a walk around."

Ning Yunfan was very tactful, taking his leave for the moment and leading his entourage to wander elsewhere.

Once Ning Yunfan had departed, the Sea God Pavilion meeting of Shrek Academy commenced.

This was the only meeting that had ever been held without Elder Mu participating.

Following the battle against Mountain-Prop Douluo, although Mu En had gained the upper hand, the backlash he suffered was beyond imagination.

This was something no one had anticipated.

With Mu En present, no matter what trials Shrek Academy faced, they always had a backbone; they had always felt that Elder Mu was omnipotent.

Yet, after this battle, Elder Mu had fallen into a deep slumber.

Consequently, they were all in a panic.

"Elder Mu's injuries must be treated. The question is what price we must pay, and whether we should inform the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect that the injured party is Elder Mu himself."

Song Yunzhi spoke up, setting the tone for the meeting.

Although she had once vied with Mu En for the position of Sea God Pavilion Master, she understood clearly that the current Shrek Academy required a Limit Douluo to hold the fort.

Her own strength was not yet enough.

The atmosphere immediately fell into silence, with no one willing to speak first.

Even Xuan Zi kept his mouth shut at this moment.

There was no helping it; having just been defeated, he realized that Shrek Academy needed Elder Mu now more than ever.

Anyone else could suffer a mishap, even he himself could, but Elder Mu could not.

"Elder Zhuang, can you confirm one point: whether the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's healing methods can wake Elder Mu, and to what extent they can treat his injuries?"

Seeing that no one else would speak, Song Yunzhi had to break the heavy atmosphere once more.

"That healing method is pure life force. According to my estimation, it would not only wake Elder Mu, but if the life force is sufficient, it might even extend his life by several years."

After careful consideration, Elder Zhuang—Zhuang Yusen, the only healing-type Title Douluo within Shrek Academy—gave his reply.

Once these words were spoken, everyone's eyes immediately brightened.

Not only could it treat his injuries, but it could also extend Elder Mu's lifespan; this was enough to tempt everyone present.

"I only acted in such a rush and came into conflict with them because I had learned of this information."

Yan Shaozhe hurriedly stated his position, finding an excuse for his previous actions.

"If this can truly be achieved, we must have them treat Elder Mu at any cost. If money or other resources are needed, the Treasure Gathering Pavilion can provide them."

Another elder, Lin Huiqun, the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, spoke up.

"It is not that simple; the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect is least lacking in money."

Song Yunzhi offered a bitter smile.

She could see it now: even at a time like this, these fellows were still acting like misers, with not a single one willing to commit.

"Elder Mu was injured because he fought them; they are obligated to help Elder Mu heal."

"If they refuse to help Elder Mu, my Shrek Academy will publicly denounce them. This would be making an enemy of the three Douluo nations and aiding the Sun Moon Empire in harming our Shrek Academy."

As soon as Xuan Zi spoke, the others present covered their faces.

Such things were fine to say to the outside world, but here, in a meeting of their own people, there was no need to wave such banners to fool anyone.

Seeing that no one paid him any mind, Xuan Zi grew angry, but fortunately, Yan Shaozhe, who was beside him, knew what to do and hurriedly calmed him down.

"I shall state my position here: as long as they can heal Elder Mu, whether it involves entering the Golden Tree cave to cultivate or handing over a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, it can be traded."

"Those who object, raise your hands for a vote!"

In the end, Song Yunzhi made the executive decision.

She used a bit of cleverness, asking those who objected to raise their hands rather than those who supported it.

At this moment, whoever raised their hand in objection would be seen as refusing to save Elder Mu.

That would be a grave matter indeed.

The others had no objections, and even Xuan Zi remained silent this time.

As long as their martial uncle could wake up and have his life extended, what did it matter if they paid with a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone?

When Yan Shaozhe heard that they were to hand over a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, his instinct was to refuse, but seeing that no one around him objected, he had no choice but to remain silent.

It was not that he did not want to save Elder Mu; he simply felt that such a high price should not have to be paid.

After all, since Mu En was injured due to his battle with Mountain-Prop Douluo, they should be helping to treat him for free, and provide compensation afterward as well.

However, the current situation did not allow him to act as domineeringly as he had before.

After some discussion and deliberation, they brought Ning Yunfan back in.

This time, they no longer held anything back, instead explaining the situation in detail.

"This, it is not that I do not wish to help; after all, Mu En is the anchor of our three Douluo nations, but the problem is that I cannot make this decision on my own."

"Furthermore, the resources required to treat Mu En would very likely completely exhaust the foundations of our Nine Treasures Glazed Sect."

Ning Yunfan maintained a look of distress.

In short, this matter was very difficult to handle.

"Sect Master Ning, our two factions have been on good terms for generations; please, for the sake of this friendship, help Mu En."

"As for the cost of the treatment, as long as Shrek can produce it, we will absolutely not refuse—even if it is a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, we will bring it out."

Song Yunzhi could see it now; he was complaining that the chips were not enough.

"May I return to the sect to discuss this matter first?"

Ning Yunfan still did not agree, but he did not refuse either.

If not for the previous battle, the group from Shrek might have already resorted to force and coercion.

But as things stood, Shrek Academy truly did not dare to act.

In the end, they could only helplessly agree.

On the other side, the two Title Douluo, Jin Heng and Lei Yun, had already headed to the Star Luo Imperial Palace; they needed to inform the Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiawei, before going to the White Tiger Duke Mansion to demand an explanation.

The procedure was correct, and no matter what they did afterward, the Star Luo Imperial House would have no grounds to find fault.

Soon, three days passed.

Ning Yunfan dragged the Shrek side along for three full days before finally appearing again.

Although stalling was meant to drive up the value, if Mu En were to suddenly wake up, the previous plan would have been for nothing.

After all, Shrek Academy possessed the Golden Tree, and anything was possible.

"The Nine Treasures Glazed Sect has three conditions: first, a 290,000-year Diamond Mammoth torso bone—this is a non-negotiable condition. Second, five branches from the Golden Tree. Third, unconditional permission for Ye Guyi and Ning Que to enter the Golden Tree hollow to cultivate for one year."

The Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's exorbitant demands truly infuriated Shrek Academy.