Sea God Pavilion's Successor Through Generations

"Nine years old, level thirty?"

Beside the long table in the Sea God Pavilion, Song Yunzhi, who had been sitting silently the entire time, finally spoke.

She was the third-ranking figure in the Sea God Pavilion, second only to Mu En in seniority, and possessed unfathomable strength. She was usually the most composed and taciturn of them all.

Yet at this moment, her voice carried a rare trace of hesitation, as if even someone as experienced as her had been shaken by this number.

"Mu En, are you certain you aren't joking with us?"

Nine years old, level thirty.

This cultivation speed had never been recorded in the ten-thousand-year history of Shrek Academy.

Even that Sea God ancestor of the past, who had ascended to godhood and allowed Shrek to stand at the pinnacle of the Douluo Continent, had not reached such heights at the age of nine.

Mu En did not answer immediately.

He merely turned his head to look at Song Yunzhi, his gaze calm, his lips not even twitching.

"Little Song." The old man spoke, his voice not loud, yet his tone carried a weight that made it impossible to question. "Do you think there is any need for this old man to joke with you?"

Song Yunzhi fell silent for a moment.

There was indeed no need.

She had been watched over by Mu En as she grew up, and having followed the old man for decades, she had never seen him joke about serious matters.

Let alone a matter as significant as establishing the successor to the Sea God Pavilion.

Mu En withdrew his gaze, folded his hands on the tabletop, and slowly swept his eyes across every face on both sides of the long table.

"I have determined that after I depart, the person who can hold Shrek up will undoubtedly be this child."

His voice was not high, but every word carried the weight of Thousand Jun.

"Therefore... I am now exercising the authority of the Sea God Pavilion Master to appoint Mu Tianyi as the next-generation successor of the Sea God Pavilion."

The hall was so quiet that one could hear the flickering of the candle flames.

No one spoke.

It was not because they had nothing to say, but because under the unreserved pressure of Mu En's aura at this moment, no one dared to speak.

The pressure of a level ninety-nine Limit Douluo was like an invisible mountain pressing down on the shoulders of everyone present.

It was not a threat, but a declaration.

This matter has been decided by me, and you only need to be informed.

Song Yunzhi took a deep breath and slowly stood up.

She turned to face Mu En, a rare solemnity appearing on her aged face.

"If Mu En believes this child can lead Shrek toward a new future," her voice was steady and firm, "then during his growth, we old folks will certainly do everything in our power."

She paused.

"Even if it costs us our lives, we will ensure he fully matures."

Mu En glanced at her, a trace of gratification flashing in his eyes.

Throughout his life, Mu En had traversed the Douluo Continent for over a hundred years and had seen countless geniuses.

Mu Tianyi was the first person for whom he had personally said, "This child is above me."

And for these old folks present, to be able to personally cultivate a genius that even Mu En admired before they died!

That would truly be a life without regrets.

Nine years old, level thirty, Twin Martial Souls, Bright Sacred Dragon and Dark Sacred Dragon, with a third soul ring that was already ten thousand years old.

With such talent, a Limit Douluo was merely the starting point.

Mu En was doing this today not just to pave the way for his great-grandson.

It was also to leave a stabilizing force for a Shrek Academy that would be buffeted by wind and rain after he was gone.

"Seconded."

Xuan Zi was the first to speak, his voice hoarse but certain.

He had made a mistake today, and he would accept whatever punishment was due.

But regarding Mu Tianyi, he had no objections.

That child was worthy of this position.

"Seconded." Yan Shaozhe followed immediately, his tone calm and resolute.

"Seconded." Song Yunzhi sat back down, her aged fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop.

"Seconded." "Seconded." "Seconded."

One voice after another, without hesitation or doubt.

The Sea God Pavilion elders present expressed their stance one by one.

From this point on, there were no more objections.

Mu En slowly sat back into his grand armchair, resting his hands on the armrests as a faint smile finally appeared on his aged face.

The successor of the next generation had been decided.

Next was the matter of the punishment for Xuan Zi.

By the time the meeting adjourned, the night was already deep.

The pavilion elders left one after another, leaving Mu En alone by the long table.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water, spilling onto the rustic floorboards and reflecting a cold, clear radiance.

Mu En gazed at the moon, remaining silent for a long time.

Tianyi, everything Xuan Zu could do for you has been done.

The path that remains must be walked by you alone.

The moonlight filtered through the window lattice, landing on the old man's silver-white hair as if adding another layer of frost.

"What? What do you mean I'm already the successor of the next generation for the Sea God Pavilion?"

Mu Tianyi looked at Mu En, who had visited late at night, with a bewildered expression.

Mu En leaned on his cane, standing at the entrance of the small courtyard, and nodded slightly.

"Mm, that is the matter. I am just giving you a heads-up."

Mu Tianyi fell silent.

A nine-year-old child, the successor of the next generation for the Sea God Pavilion.

He felt his little brain couldn't quite process this.

No, this pace was a bit too fast.

In the living room, Zhang Lexuan had just brought out two cups of hot tea from the kitchen; upon hearing this, she nearly lost her grip on the teacups.

She walked quickly to the door, looking at Mu En and then at Mu Tianyi, her eyes filled with shock that soon transformed into an undisguised joy.

Although she hadn't been at Shrek Academy for long, she knew exactly what the three words "Sea God Pavilion" signified.

It was the core power center of the academy, and every generation of pavilion elders was an peerless powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of the continent.

And the status of a successor of the next generation was almost equivalent to locking in the position of the future Sea God Pavilion Master in advance.

Zhang Lexuan pursed her lips, not interrupting, but simply standing half a step behind Mu Tianyi, the corners of her mouth curving into a faint arc.

She was happy for Mu Tianyi.

From the bottom of her heart.

At this moment, a milky voice drifted out from the living room.

"Xuan Zu, what is a successor of the next generation for the Sea God Pavilion? Is it edible?"

Mu Tianyi turned back, looking at Bei Bei, who was holding a plush toy in his arms, and his mouth twitched.

His younger brother was currently only four years old and curious about everything. (In reality, he just hadn't developed his intelligence yet.)

A pair of round, bright eyes blinked, his face full of innocence.

"It's not edible." Mu Tianyi walked over, reached out to ruffle his brother's hair, and said in a helpless tone, "This is a very serious matter, children shouldn't interrupt."

Bei Bei pouted and muttered an "Oh."

He lowered his head to continue playing with the plush toy, his little legs dangling off the edge of the sofa.

Mu En watched this scene and shook his head slightly, though a faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"That is the situation." The old man leaned on his cane and took a step back toward the door. "I came today just to give you a heads-up so you would have an idea. We will discuss the specifics later."

"Xuan Zu..." Mu Tianyi turned around, wanting to say something.

Mu En waved his hand, interrupting him.

"Don't be in a rush to ask why, and don't be in a rush to say the pressure is too great. Xuan Zu has lived for nearly two hundred years, and I have never misjudged a person; you are worthy of this position." The old man paused, his gaze landing on Mu Tianyi's face, his deep, aged eyes reflecting the moonlight. "Cultivate well, and don't think too much."

Having said that, Mu En turned and walked away, leaning on his cane, disappearing step by step into the night.

The night breeze blew through the small courtyard, making the paulownia leaves rustle.

Mu Tianyi stood at the door, watching the back of Xuan Zu as he departed, and remained silent for a long time.

Behind him, Zhang Lexuan walked up and gently placed a cup of warm tea into his palm, her fingertips lingering on the back of his hand for a moment.

"Congratulations, Tianyi."

Her voice was very soft, like the night breeze brushing across the surface of a lake.

Mu Tianyi looked down at the teacup in his hand, then looked up at Zhang Lexuan's gentle, smiling face.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

Successor of the next generation for the Sea God Pavilion.

Fine.

Then let it come.