Mu En's Three Questions

Dazzling golden light blossomed, instantly pressing back Lin Yan's blazing Fire Intent. The crimson and gold torrents of intent collided and intertwined, until each occupied half the hall.

What was intent?

In Lin Yan's understanding, so-called intent was cognition.

When a person's understanding of a certain power or thing broke through its shackles, clarified its essence, and reached the point where their consciousness could rely on that understanding to interfere with reality and manifest within it, that understanding, condensed to the utmost extreme, became "intent."

Mu En's "intent" was Light Intent—Light Intent that carried warmth, purification, dispelling delusion, judgment... These concepts formed Mu En's understanding of the word light.

As their intent realms clashed and entwined, Lin Yan could sense Mu En's understanding of light. Likewise, Mu En could naturally "see" Lin Yan's understanding of "fire."

In Mu En's perception, the Fire Intent contained within Lin Yan's realm did not hold merely the ordinary concepts of explosiveness, scorching heat, destruction, warmth, and the like—or rather, it was not limited to them.

The most direct impression Lin Yan's "fire" gave him was ultimate inclusiveness, along with supreme dominance!

Through Lin Yan's intent realm, Mu En seemed to glimpse a vast world belonging solely to flames.

In that world, every blade of grass and tree was formed from "wood fire," while every clod of earth and stone was formed from "earth fire"... Even ice, water, cold, and frost, which should have opposed flames, were transformations of fire.

Flames created all things, and all things ultimately returned to flames!

At the same time, beneath that all-encompassing facade of creation lay a core of absolute dominance. Everything was fire; fire nurtured the world. Lin Yan was the sovereign of flames, and naturally, the sovereign of the world as well!

The majestic bearing of creating a world with flames, together with that ultimate dominance over the world, left Mu En shocked and deeply moved.

Yet after sensing Lin Yan's Fire Intent, Mu En's wrinkled face slowly revealed a satisfied smile amid his astonishment. Such an all-encompassing intent realm could never be comprehended by someone narrow-minded and sinister!

However, his purpose in meeting Lin Yan this time was naturally not merely to see what his character was like. More importantly, he wanted to understand Lin Yan's true opinion of Shrek.

Because he truly did not have much time left. Yet in the vast Shrek, there was still no one to whom he could entrust the academy with peace of mind.

Lin Yan, who had appeared out of nowhere, was like the final gift Heaven had bestowed upon him. His character, talent, and background all perfectly matched the successor Mu En had envisioned.

If Lin Yan could truly shoulder Shrek's future, then Mu En could leave this world without regrets and die with his eyes closed!

Just as Lin Yan was carefully experiencing Mu En's Light Intent, Mu En's somewhat solemn voice slowly rang out again.

"Child, this old man has a few more questions for you."

"You need not have any concerns. No matter what your answers may be, this old man has agreed to your previous requests. Now, I merely wish to hear your truest thoughts."

Lin Yan nodded slightly upon hearing this, then Mu En's voice came again. "First question, child: in the future, will you harm Shrek Academy?"

"No!"

Lin Yan's answer was firm and forceful, without the slightest hesitation.

Moreover, a collision of intent was a collision of consciousness. Under such circumstances, Mu En did not believe Lin Yan could lie without escaping his perception.

Lin Yan's answer was naturally heartfelt. From the day he entered the academy, he had already regarded Shrek as his own possession.

As for his own property, he would naturally reshape it according to his own wishes. Even if turmoil and sacrifice were unavoidable during the process, it would all be for the academy to grow stronger and greater and regain its former glory. How could that be called harm?

"Second question: will you bring calamity upon the continent in the future?"

Lin Yan's reply was still crisp and decisive. "No."

After all, he was not Hun Tiandi, nor did he currently intend to offer the continent in a blood sacrifice.

Although Mu En had already anticipated Lin Yan's answers, hearing his two unhesitating replies made the satisfaction in his heart grow even stronger. "Child, there is one final question."

"You need not hold back. I want to know, in your eyes, what is Shrek truly like now?"

Lin Yan pondered briefly, then delivered eight precise and concise words: "Glittering gold outside, rotten cotton within!"

"Glittering gold outside, rotten cotton within?"

"Alas!"

Hearing Lin Yan's assessment, Mu En repeated it twice before letting out a wistful sigh. He slowly withdrew the Light Intent he had released, his aura relaxing as he leaned lazily back into his recliner.

Seeing this, Lin Yan immediately retracted his own intent realm as well.

Then he heard Mu En sigh with a bitter smile, "Such a vast Shrek, filled with teachers and students, yet none of them sees things as clearly as a child who has only just enrolled."

Lin Yan remained silent. At this moment, silence was the best response.

"Enough, enough..."

Mu En gently shook his head and sighed again. Then he looked at Lin Yan, warmth returning to his face. "Child, you are very good. If you suffer any injustice at the academy in the future, or have any thoughts or requests, come directly to this old man."

"This old man may be advanced in years, but his words still carry some weight."

A fitting trace of delight instantly appeared in Lin Yan's eyes. He hurriedly nodded in agreement.

Lin Yan was indeed quite pleased to receive Mu En's promise. With Mu En's support, he could finally be considered firmly established within the academy.

As they spoke, a crystalline, jade-warm gelatinous object appeared in Mu En's palm. He casually handed it to Lin Yan.

"This is Whale Rubber that this old man obtained in his early years after hunting a seventy-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orca. It is of no use in my hands now, so take it. Consider it payment for the three questions I asked you just now."

"Thank you for your kindness, Elder Mu! You are far too courteous. How could I possibly accept this..."

Yet though he said that, Lin Yan's hands did not move slowly in the slightest.

Seventy-thousand-year Whale Rubber!

When had his humble Lin Family ever possessed such a treasure?

And it was precisely what he needed right now. With this piece of Whale Rubber, his physical strength would certainly break through once more!

At the same time, Lin Yan could not help sighing inwardly. As expected of Mu En—thorough and impeccable in all he did, and truly generous besides. When he had something to give, he really gave it!

Seeing his "polite" manner, Mu En could not help laughing heartily. "Haha, you little rascal."

"Alright, now that you have taken the item, stop keeping this old man company. Go attend to your business."

"Mm-hm. Elder Mu, then I shall not disturb your rest."

When Mu En waved him off, Lin Yan gave a slight bow before turning and leaving the Sea God Pavilion.

Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo, who had been waiting outside the door, immediately strode over and asked, "How did it go? What happened?"

With a smile on his face, Lin Yan said clearly, "Rest assured, Deans. Elder Mu has already agreed."

Yan Shaozhe's heart leaped with joy at those words. This not only meant that his disciple Ma Xiaotao's problem could be resolved, but also that Lin Yan had gained Mu En's approval.

With that thought, Yan Shaozhe's gaze toward Lin Yan became even more affectionate.

He might doubt his own judgment of people, but he absolutely trusted his teacher's judgment!