Xuanzi: Shall I Lead the Team?

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."

The sound of water gradually faded, and the bathroom door was pushed open gently.

Lu Ran walked out, wiping his damp, long hair with a towel as he moved, letting out a long sigh of relief.

A long-lost sense of comfort—

A comfort he hadn't experienced since he transmigrated.

He felt like he could soak in that bath for the rest of his life.

On a chair outside the bathroom door lay a complete set of clean clothes, from the inner lining to the outer coat, even including shoes; it was incredibly thoughtful.

Lu Ran picked up the white top, and the moment his fingertips touched it, a silky, soft texture greeted him, far superior to the coarse linen he had been wearing.

It fit unexpectedly well once he put it on.

A scent mixed with the fragrance of medicinal herbs drifted into his nostrils.

Following the aroma, he arrived at the living room, where a bowl of porridge sat on the table at the perfect temperature; stirring it with a spoon, he could vaguely make out ginseng and other nourishing herbs.

It was clearly prepared specifically for him.

Lu Ran sat down and scooped up a spoonful of porridge to taste slowly; the warm, smooth texture blended with the herbal scent as it melted in his mouth, reminding him of the boiled elm seeds and old bamboo shoots he had eaten last night... they had been quite chewy.

The wind from the Limi Plains surged into the room, causing the light gauze curtains to sway.

It blew cool and pleasant.

Lu Ran swallowed a mouthful of porridge.

Late spring.

Summer was just around the corner.

Sea God Pavilion, Grand Conference Hall.

Around an oval long table sat over a dozen people, including the deans of the various inner and outer departments and the Shrek elders. The most conspicuous among them was an old man with messy hair, holding a chicken leg and a wine gourd.

At the head of the table sat a centenarian with a kind and gentle face; he appeared the oldest and held the highest status.

If Lu Ran were here, he would recognize at least half of them.

Mu En sat in the main seat, with Xuan Zi and the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, surnamed Lin, on his left and right.

Excluding the unfamiliar faces, The rest included Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er, Qian Duoduo, and others.

"...That is the nature of Lu Ran's Martial Soul, Elder Mu, and fellow elders."

After finishing his introduction, Yan Shaozhe bowed slightly to both sides, though his gaze toward Mu En held a hint of resentment.

He could have waited for Lu Ran to settle in before sharing the good news with the elders and department deans; by then, Lu Ran would surely have joined the Martial Soul Department, and the academy wouldn't have lost out.

Who would have thought that once Mu En found out, Xian Lin'er would know too!

She had rushed over in a panic to snatch him away, eventually forcing this Sea God Pavilion meeting.

It was simply too much!

Of course, he was referring to Xian Lin'er.

Upon hearing this, although everyone remained silent on the surface, their hearts were already churning with stormy waves!

A Martial Soul that was a boundless space, capable of contracting Soul Beasts to grow alongside him—did that not mean he could summon nine Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts to fight at any time?!

Nine Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts!

Coupled with his Innate Full Soul Power, he could at the very least cultivate to the Super Doulu level... or even Limit Doulu. A Limit Doulu accompanied by nine Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts!

No one present, whether they had lived for decades or over a century, had ever heard of such a heaven-defying Martial Soul!

As everyone was struck with shock, A dissatisfied cold snort interrupted their thoughts:

"Oh, so that's how it is..."

Xian Lin'er, wearing her hair in a high ponytail and dressed in a sharp, professional outfit, let out a cold snort: "No wonder Dean Yan wanted to keep it a secret; it turns out to be such a massive surprise..."

She had been furious upon learning the news; to think that such a heaven-sent opportunity had fallen into the hands of that old fossil, Yan Shaozhe.

Yan Shaozhe defended himself: "Lin'er, I didn't hide it at all. I only just met Lu Ran myself."

"You did!"

Xian Lin'er wouldn't listen to his explanation: "Then why was it Elder Mu who told me the news?"

Normally, Yan Shaozhe should have told Mu En, who would then inform the various deans and elders. But she had been informed by Mu En instead.

There was only one reason.

Yan Shaozhe certainly didn't have the guts to keep it hidden forever, but delaying it by a day, or even a few hours, was possible—enough for him to establish a good image in Lu Ran's heart, and then—

Trick him into joining!

Having already been beaten to the punch, she could not afford to fall a step behind, so she simply laid her cards on the table:

"Regardless, I must join the mission to obtain his soul ring!"

Yan Shaozhe was naturally unwilling and said in a deep voice, "Lin'er, this is no time for nonsense!"

As soon as these words left his mouth, Xian Lin'er completely lost her temper, slamming her hand onto the table and startling everyone: "What nonsense! What am I being nonsensical about!? You bullied us back when you were young, Yan Shaozhe, and you're still bullying us now? Do you really think the Soul Guidance Department has no one left?"

"You can't just say whatever you want; when have I ever..."

The two began to argue, Every word they spoke was an insinuation that having Lu Ran join their respective departments would be more beneficial for Shrek.

In the vast conference hall, not a single one of the dozen high-ranking deans and elders stepped in to stop them, Even Elder Song, who usually kept his daughter in check, merely held his teacup, eyes fixed on his nose and heart, without making a single move.

There were two reasons for this:

First, Lu Ran's talent was too terrifying. They never dreamed that a child with such potential would join Shrek. He was too important to be settled through simple discussion.

Second, once Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er finished their squabble, it would be the turn of these old fogies. They couldn't afford to jump in first and give the other old relics ammunition to use against them. After all, They all hoped Lu Ran would join their own side.

"Enough."

Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, Xuan Zi suddenly spoke, his hoarse voice cutting them off: "What kind of behavior is this, arguing back and forth?"

To everyone's surprise, no one had expected him to speak up at this moment.

Xuan Zi looked around, cleared his throat, and asked tentatively: "How about I take him?"

In an instant, the vast conference hall fell into silence. Not a single person spoke, Everyone stared blankly at Xuan Zi.

Facing their astonished gazes, Xuan Zi's tone carried a hint of earnestness and sincerity: "I really can do it. There definitely won't be any accidents this time!"

"Elder Mu, give me a chance to make amends. Let me take that little... that little fellow."

"I guarantee I will cultivate him into a peerless powerhouse for the academy!"

This was only to obtain his first soul ring, which had nothing to do with cultivating a peerless powerhouse, but everyone understood the subtext:

He wanted to take Lu Ran as his disciple.

Ever since he led the team to the Star Dou Great Forest and encountered a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, resulting in only four of the thirteen students surviving and Zhang Lexuan suffering grievous injuries, He had been filled with self-reproach.

It's all my fault. It's all because of me...

He had even wanted to resign from his position as Deputy Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion and return to the Star Dou Great Forest to take revenge on the soul beasts. Unfortunately, wanton slaughter of soul beasts would only trigger a beast tide, leading to even more disastrous consequences, So he had no choice but to desist.

But Lu Ran's sudden appearance made him realize: wasn't this a chance for redemption bestowed by the heavens? If he didn't strive for it now to show he had repented and use practical actions to compensate the academy, when would he?

He had already thought it through.

If Lu Ran became his disciple, he would teach him with all his might.

He would agree to whatever he wanted, provide the best of everything, and if he didn't have it, he would go out and seize it. Regardless, he would cultivate a peerless powerhouse for the academy.

Yan Shaozhe's eyebrows twitched in alarm. The others hadn't expected Xuan Zi to say such a thing either, and they all looked toward Mu En.

Seeing that the latter remained expressionless, Even knowing it was impossible for him to agree, Yan Shaozhe panicked.

Xuan Zi had nearly caused the deaths of the most talented students of Shrek's younger generation; he didn't even dare to imagine how severe the consequences would be if Lu Ran became his disciple.

Yan Shaozhe hurriedly stood up: "Elder Xuan, Xiao Ran has just arrived. Everything should be considered carefully. We are currently only discussing who will take him to absorb his first soul ring... Besides, Xiao Ran is indeed better suited for the Martial Soul Department; he can have better development there..."

"Yan Shaozhe, you truly have malicious intentions!..."

Xian Lin'er rebuked him again, and the two began to argue once more.

Mu En sat in the main seat, his eyes flickering.

The current Shrek was in a period of decline, beset by internal and external troubles. His own body wouldn't last more than a few years. His successor, Xuan Zi, was incapable of shouldering the burden. Yan Shaozhe, as dean, failed to consider the academy's interests or the big picture; his temperament was at odds with his martial soul, leaving him stuck as a Super Douluo. Zhang Lexuan lacked the seniority to command respect.

And the Holy Spirit Cult and the Sun Moon Empire would only become more unscrupulous after his death, especially those... old acquaintances.

"Sit down, both of you..."

Mu En spoke slowly, his voice gentle yet carrying an unquestionable majesty that made Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er return to their seats.

"Which department he chooses is his own business. There are still three or four years left, what is the rush..."

Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er exchanged a glance before looking away as if sulking.

Although he hadn't explicitly stated they were allowed to fight over him, he hadn't forbidden it either. The implication was that they should each rely on their own abilities to win Lu Ran's favor.

Mu En made the final decision:

"For this mission, Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er, and Zhang Lexuan shall lead the team."

Xuan Zi lowered his head in disappointment, but he clearly had not given up, secretly pondering how to attract Lu Ran.

On the other two sides, Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er were doing the same, their minds already churning with schemes.