The kid clearly had his eye on Mu En's peerless techniques but didn't want to take on the title of disciple or be tied down by Shrek. He certainly had his calculations figured out.
But when Mu En thought it over, the trace of displeasure in his heart vanished in an instant.
He was already an old man with one foot in the grave, and he didn't have much time left. What use were these techniques to him now?
If they were buried with him, that would be the real waste. It was better to pass them on to Su Ming, whose character was upright, so these peerless arts could be carried on and spread across the continent instead of being lost forever.
Once he'd worked that out, Mu En's gaze grew gentler as he looked at Su Ming. His cloudy eyes were full of relief; not a trace of discontent remained, only hope for the future of his legacy.
He fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, his tone turning solemn:
"Since that's the case, I won't make things difficult for you or force you to become my disciple. I have a technique here that I've spent my whole life perfecting.
"I can teach it to you. All you have to do is promise me that you'll pass it on in the future and never let it die out.
"Also, if Shrek Academy ever faces ruin, you must lend a hand. If Bei Bei can't shoulder the burden of the Sea God Pavilion—
"if you're able, you must help him from the sidelines, too, so he can secure the position of Sea God Pavilion Master. Protect Shrek. Can you do that?"
Looking at Mu En, whose expression was earnest and whose eyes brimmed with hope, Su Ming had already weighed it all in his mind.
Without the slightest hesitation, he answered loudly, "Sure, old-timer. I'll help you out!"
Su Ming knew full well that Mu En had gone above and beyond for him. He hadn't insisted that Su Ming become his disciple or bear the heavy burden of Shrek's legacy, yet he was willing to pass on the peerless technique he'd spent his life studying, a skill renowned across the continent.
And all Su Ming had to do in return was help Bei Bei manage Shrek and protect its legacy in the future. This was a rare bargain, one that anyone would be foolish to refuse.
After a brief pause, Su Ming chuckled, speaking with a teasing tone. "By the way, old-timer, I figured out a long time ago that you and Bei Bei go way back—and that you're more than just ordinary acquaintances."
At that, Mu En's cloudy eyes lit up at once. The calm look on his face vanished, replaced by keen interest. He looked at Su Ming with an astonished smile playing on his lips and asked, "Oh? How did you figure that out? I thought I'd disguised myself without a single flaw. I hardly ever say more than a few words to Bei Bei at the academy, and you still managed to spot something?"
"From Bei Bei's eyes, of course."
Su Ming spoke with certainty.
"When that kid looks at you, his eyes are full of respect, with a trace of fear he can barely hide.
"He may be one of the top geniuses in the Shrek Outer Court, after all, with a temperament and strength far beyond those of his peers. He's always been calm and composed.
"But every time he sees the seemingly ordinary old man by the dormitory entrance, he shows that strange, awestruck look. I wouldn't believe there was nothing behind it even if you beat me to death."
After hearing this, Mu En threw back his head and burst into hearty laughter, his voice full of satisfaction and approval.
He was certain he hadn't made a mistake in choosing Su Ming. The young man was sharp and meticulous.
His powers of observation were keen enough to catch such subtle changes in expression. He was no ordinary talent; he had a bright future ahead of him.
When he finished laughing, Mu En was still smiling warmly. He waved a hand and said, "All right, all right. Let's not dwell on these little things. Come over. I'll send the technique I've spent my whole life perfecting straight into your mind.
"You must practice it diligently. If you have any questions about cultivation, you can come to me anytime."
At that, a spark of anticipation flashed in Su Ming's eyes. He quickly stepped forward and stood close to Mu En.
Mu En slowly raised his right hand. A wisp of pure, gentle Light Soul Power, imbued with a sacred aura, gathered at his fingertip. He lightly touched it to Su Ming's brow.
In an instant, a vast torrent of knowledge, overflowing with the aura of light, poured unhindered into Su Ming's mind.
The techniques' forms and movements, along with the secrets of wielding Soul Power, appeared clearly and completely.
Su Ming focused inward. When he saw the names of the three peerless techniques in his mind, waves crashed through his heart, and he couldn't help exclaiming to himself: Well, damn!
Ruling the World, Dragon Emperor Evil-Breaking Slash, Dragon Emperor Domain-Shaking Realm! These were the three signature techniques Mu En had relied on to make his name—and he'd passed every one of them on to Su Ming without holding anything back!
At the thought, Su Ming secretly resolved to treat Bei Bei a little better from now on.
When he found an opportunity in the future and had Electrolux help him establish the Spirit Pagoda, he would find Bei Bei a hundred-thousand-year-old Light Soul Beast.
He would help Bei Bei fully stabilize the Bright Sacred Dragon bloodline within him, purifying it until it was flawless and making his future path of cultivation much smoother.
Only then would he have repaid Mu En for passing on his techniques without reservation today.
When the transmission was complete and everything settled, Mu En withdrew his finger. His expression gradually relaxed. He waved a hand, looking a little tired, and said lazily, "That's all taken care of. Go on and see to your own business. Today's the first day of classes for Shrek's new students, so the academy must be bustling.
"Young and full of energy as you are, there's no need to keep an old man company. Go look around and join in the excitement."
Su Ming brushed the dust from his clothes and straightened them, then took Mu En's advice and set off to explore Shrek Academy and get familiar with the surroundings.
He strolled along until he reached the area near the teaching buildings. The orderly, heavy pounding of running feet reached his ears, and he looked up.
A large group of new students were struggling around the track under pressure, with a rather oppressive atmosphere hanging over the field.
Su Ming grew interested. He strolled over to a spot beneath a tree and stopped to watch, the events from the original story flashing through his mind.
There was no need to think twice. The one putting the new students through such harsh drills on the first day of school had to be Zhou Yi.
Watching the students gasp for breath on the field, Su Ming felt a surge of displeasure. He genuinely couldn't understand how someone like Zhou Yi—
could have been allowed to teach at Shrek Academy. As far as he could tell, this woman had not the slightest idea how to teach.
In the other new-student classes, the homeroom teachers were showing their students around the academy, explaining the basics of Soul Masters and introducing the class rules. Everything was orderly.
Only Zhou Yi insisted on doing things differently. Without a word, she'd dragged the entire class out to the field and forced them to run, supposedly to hone their willpower, though in truth there was no method to it at all.
What Su Ming found most absurd was that she completely ignored the differences between Soul Master types, making auxiliary-system Soul Masters run exactly as many laps as Power Attack System Soul Masters.