As morning light filtered through the trees, the campfire in the valley had already gone out.
Everyone gradually woke up.
Zhang Lexuan leaned against a tree, her silver outfit outlining her slender figure.
Her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows in the morning light, and her breathing was even.
Lin Ciyan was lying on her lap, fast asleep.
"Tsk." Ma Xiaotao pouted, but didn't wake them.
Ling Luochеn, who was lying in the other direction, also silently withdrew his gaze, got up and went to the stream to wash up.
Her long, icy blue hair cascaded over her shoulders, swaying gently as she moved.
After a while, Lin Ciyan opened his eyes.
"Awake?" Zhang Lexuan looked down at him, a gentle smile on her face.
"Hmm." Lin Ciyan sat up and stretched. "You slept well."
"Because you were too tired yesterday." Zhang Lexuan gently tidied his hair.
Their natural interaction caused the single people around them to quietly avert their gaze.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao squatted by the stream, talking quietly.
"Senior Sister Lexuan is so good to Master," Wang Dong said enviously.
Xiao Xiao nodded. "And they're such a good match..."
At this moment, Wang Yan walked over.
"They're all awake? Then let's discuss the next steps."
The group gathered around and sat down.
"This mission was completed very well," Wang Yan, looking at Lin Ciyan.
"Especially Ci Yan, if it weren't for you, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Lin Ciyan waved his hand.
"But regarding Xuan Zi..." Wang Yan hesitated, then stopped himself from speaking.
"He will resign from his position Pavilion Elder Secretary," Lin Ciyan. "This time, we will not give him another chance."
Dai Yueheng frowned. "But Xuan Zi has been Pavilion Elder of the Sea God Pavilion for so many years, can his resignation be approved?"
" With Mu En here, it's possible." Lin Ciyan was very certain.
Zhang Lexuan nodded gently. " Mu En has always been very strict with Xuan Zi..."
Ma Xiaotao couldn't help but ask, "Then what about the upcoming competition?"
As she spoke, her figure, accentuated by her fiery red outfit, leaned slightly forward, drawing attention to the curves of her chest.
Lin Ciyan glanced at her again, and Zhang Lexuan gently pinched the back of his hand.
"Ahem." Lin Ciyan said seriously, "So, I'll make the arrangements from now on."
He stood up and glanced at everyone.
"The main team now consists of me, Xiaotao Tao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochеn, Xi Xi, Gongyang Mo, Yao Haoxuan... all seven of us are present, but three of us need to recover."
"The reserve team members Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, He Caitou, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao are all in excellent condition."
"From today onwards, it will be three days' journey to Star Luo City." Lin Ciyan waved his hand.
"Over the next three days, I will help Sister Xiaotao and the other two clear away the evil energy, and strive to restore 80% of our combat strength by the time we arrive."
"As for the competition..."
He smiled.
"Since Xuan Zi has entrusted this responsibility to me, then I will accept it."
The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable confidence.
Zhang Lexuan looked at him, her eyes filled with tenderness and pride.
At the same time, at the Shrek Academy, in the Sea God Pavilion.
The atmosphere was so heavy it could be squeezed out of you.
Xuan Zi stood beside the conference table, his slovenly outfit now replaced with a clean robe, but his face still looked haggard.
"That's what happened," he said hoarsely. "If it weren't for that child, Ci Yan, many more people would have died this time."
The conference room was silent.
Deans Yan Shaozhe, Qian Duoduo, Xian Lin'er, and Cai Mei'er sat at the end of the table, their expressions complex.
Elder Lin sat opposite Xuan Zi and sighed softly.
Old Master Mu En slowly sat up straight on the recliner in the main seat.
The old man, who usually sunbathes at the entrance of the dormitory building, exuded an invisible authority at this moment.
" Xuan Zi," Mu En spoke, "Are you sure you want to resign from your position Pavilion Elder of the Sea God Pavilion?"
"I'm certain." Xuan Zi bowed his head. "I... am unworthy to be the Pavilion Elder of the Sea God Pavilion, unworthy to be the Deputy Head of the Inspection Group."
"Then what are you qualified to do?" Mu En asked.
Xuan Zi was taken aback.
"I..."
"Let's clean up," Mu En said calmly.
"Huh?" Xuan Zi looked up, his face blank.
The other elders were also stunned.
Mu En calmly said, "From today onwards, you resign from your positions as Pavilion Elder of the Sea God Pavilion and Deputy Head of the Inspection Group. You will be confined to Sea God Island for ten years, during which time you will be responsible for all environmental conditions on the island... In layman's terms, you'll be in charge of cleaning."
"Pfft--" One of the elders couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Xuan Zi's face flushed red. " Mu En, I..."
"What, are you ashamed?" Mu En glanced at him. "Do you think cleaning is beneath your status as a Level 98 Limit Douluo?"
"No, I..."
"Then it's settled." Mu En made the final decision. "You are not allowed to leave Sea God Island for ten years. You will clean every morning, reflect in the afternoon, write a self-criticism every evening, and submit one to the Sea God Pavilion every week."
Xuan Zi opened his mouth, but ultimately lowered his head. "... Yes."
He understood that this was Mu En giving him a chance.
Use the most "embarrassing" method to make him truly calm down and reflect.
Yan Shaozhe asked cautiously, " Mu En, what about the competition...?"
"Let Ci Yan take full responsibility." Mu En lay back down in his chair.
"Since that child dared to enlighten Xuan Zi to his face, it shows that he has the ability and responsibility."
Xian Lin'er's eyes lit up. " Mu En, you mean...?"
"What I mean is," Mu En said slowly, "That Ci Yan should have full authority to decide this competition."
"What?!" several elders exclaimed in unison.
" Mu En, this concerns the honor of the academy!" an elder said urgently.
"Honor?" Mu En chuckled. "Don't you think we've long been bound by honor?"
He scanned the entire room.
"The injuries to the main team are both a bad thing and a good thing. It shows us that Shrek is not invincible; our students can get hurt and die."
"And that child Ci Yan... he has more potential than you think."
Mu En paused for a moment.
"I have been observing this disciple of mine for a long time. From entering the academy, to skipping grades to Inner Court, to dealing with the Evil Soul Master this time... he has taken every step steadily and clearly."
He understands what true strength is, and he also understands what responsibility is.
"I feel at ease entrusting the competition to him."
Yan Shaozhe wanted to say something more, but Mu En waved his hand.
"Furthermore, don't forget, Ci Yan is Sea God Pavilion Reserve Member, a disciple of me and Elder Lin, and someone that girl Lexuan has chosen."
"If he can't even handle this simple matter, then our education system has failed."
The meeting room fell silent once more.
After a long silence, Elder Lin slowly spoke, "I agree with Mu En's opinion."
She looked at Xuan Zi.
" Xuan Zi, you need to reflect on this for the next ten years. When you've figured it out, the academy will still need you."
Xuan Zi's eyes were slightly red, and he nodded emphatically.
Mingdou Mountain Range, mountain valley.
Lin Ciyan looked at Zhang Lexuan was walking over.
" Sister Lexuan, is everything packed?"
"Okay." Zhang Lexuan nodded. "We can set off now."
Today, she tied her long silver hair into a high ponytail, revealing her slender, fair neck, making her look capable and heroic.
Lin Ciyan took her hand. "Let's go then."
The team set off again.
This time, everyone's mindset is different.
Huo Yuhao walked in the middle of the group, his Spiritual Detection always on.
He looked at Lin Ciyan's back in front of him, and a strange sense of confidence welled up in his heart.
With Elder Lin around, this competition... might actually work.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao followed behind, quietly discussing the techniques their master had used during the treatment.
"Master's control of his Soul Power is so precise," Xiao Xiao exclaimed in amazement. "Not a single bit of excess energy is wasted."
Wang Dong nodded. "And he seemed quite relaxed..."
"Of course." Ma Xiaotao had somehow gotten close and said proudly, "You haven't even seen the essence of Ci Yan's ' Relaxation Cultivation Method ' yet."
Ling Luochеn walked a little further away, her icy blue eyes quietly watching Lin Ciyan's back.
I recall his unwavering courage when facing Xuan Zi.
As evening fell, the team reached the edge of the Mingdou Mountain Range.
Lin Ciyan stopped and looked into the distance.
As the sun sets, the outline of Star Luo City becomes faintly visible.
"It will arrive tomorrow," Zhang Lexuan said softly.
"Hmm." Lin Ciyan squeezed her hand. " Sister Lexuan, about this competition..."
"I believe in you," Zhang Lexuan interrupted him, smiling gently. "Whatever decision you make, I will support you."
Lin Ciyan felt a warmth in his heart.
He looked up at the starry sky, a slight smile playing on his lips.
A system notification sounded in my mind:
[Ding! Successfully led the team, gained everyone's trust, and Slacking Influence by 3%! Current "Slacking Value: 247,630 points.]
" Slacker Shop's Notice: A competition is about to begin; the limited-edition merchandise section has been reorganized with new items..."
A look of anticipation flashed in Lin Ciyan's eyes.
The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament?
Then let everyone see what " Scientific Slacking " really means.