Sea God Pavilion Meeting, Cao Longyan's First Display of Leadership

Sea God Pavilion Council Hall.

In the center of the hall stood a long table, positioned vertically facing the entrance in a rectangular layout.

At the innermost end of the table sat a chair, and from this seat, two rows of chairs were arranged along both sides.

Both the chairs and the table were crafted from the thick branches of the Golden Ancient Tree, radiating a rich, vibrant life force.

Mu En arrived and took his seat at the head of the table. The elders took their places in the chairs on either side, with Xuan Zi taking the lead at the seat to Mu En's left.

At the very end of the long table, where there was no chair, Yan Shaozhe stood with his head bowed and hands behind his back, dutifully serving his punishment, his face filled with guilt and self-reproach.

As Ma Xiaotao's teacher, his negligence had allowed her evil fire to spiral out of control, nearly harming the outer court disciples. Knowing he could not escape culpability, he could only wait quietly for the Sea God Pavilion's decision.

In a corner behind Mu En, Zhang Lexuan stood silently.

As the previously designated successor to the Sea God Pavilion, she was also participating in this council meeting.

On the side where Xuan Zi sat, Cao Longyan occupied a temporarily added chair. Dressed in crimson, his figure still appeared youthful, yet he possessed an inherent, steady composure.

Because he had intervened in time yesterday to stop Ma Xiaotao's rampage and saved the outer court disciples, Mu En had made an exception to allow him to participate in this Sea God Pavilion meeting.

This was the highest-level council in Shrek; even the most elite inner court disciples were not qualified to audit, let alone a ten-year-old boy who hadn't even officially enrolled.

Although his status was special, even Bei Bei hadn't been allowed to attend, had he?

The elders present understood clearly: by this move, Mu En was evidently grooming Cao Longyan to be the next Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion.

However, for a talent so rare that "once in ten thousand years" was an understatement, if he wasn't qualified to be groomed as the next Pavilion Master, then who was?

The meeting began. Mu En briefly explained the incident of Ma Xiaotao's loss of control yesterday, his tone carrying a hint of gravity, before looking toward the assembled elders.

"Although this matter ended without disaster, it has exposed many problems within our Shrek. This meeting is to discuss this incident and the underlying issues."

The elders nodded one after another, and just as they were about to speak, Mu En shifted the focus, his gaze landing on Cao Longyan with a tone that was gentle yet carried unquestionable authority.

"Xiao Yan, since this matter didn't result in any irreversible catastrophe, your contribution is the greatest. You shall preside over today's meeting and share your insights."

As these words fell, the entire council hall went deathly silent. All the elders looked at Mu En and then at Cao Longyan, their faces filled with astonishment.

No one had expected that Mu En would actually let a ten-year-old boy preside over a Sea God Pavilion meeting, let alone ask him to share his views.

This was truly unprecedented! Even Zhang Lexuan, the designated successor, had never received such treatment.

Cao Longyan, however, remained calm. Without a hint of panic, he stood up slowly, bowed slightly to everyone present, and walked to the side of the main seat next to Mu En.

His gaze swept across the room and finally landed on the punished Yan Shaozhe, yet he didn't grant him even a single glance, as if the man standing before him were merely air.

Yan Shaozhe felt a slight sense of relief, thinking that Cao Longyan, out of respect for Mu En or past sentiments, would not punish him further in public.

"Respected elders, yesterday's loss of control by Ma Xiaotao may appear to be the result of Dean Yan's negligence, but in reality, it exposes many current flaws within our Shrek."

Cao Longyan's voice was crisp yet steady, echoing throughout the council hall. His tone lacked any of the immaturity of a child, carrying instead a foresight and sharpness that transcended his age.

"The first point, and the primary reason this incident occurred, is the laxity of teachers and the failure in the guidance and care of their disciples..."

As soon as Cao Longyan's words fell, everyone looked at Yan Shaozhe, who was standing there.

Yan Shaozhe felt so exposed under their gazes that he wished he could crawl into a hole.

Cao Longyan paused for a moment before continuing.

"The second point is that Shrek's defensive facilities are too weak. We rely too much on the individual strength of soul masters while neglecting to keep pace with the times. The development of soul guidance devices is now an unstoppable trend, especially in the Sun Moon Empire. Powerful soul guidance devices can withstand the attacks of a Titled Douluo, and they can also kill one..."

"The third point is that the development of the Soul Guidance Department is lagging. It not only fails to provide Shrek with powerful support and defense but also fails to retain talented soul guidance experts. If this continues, Shrek will gradually fall behind the tide of the era and be slowly eliminated..."

These words struck the elders like a thunderclap.

Most of them were aware of these issues within Shrek, but they had either turned a blind eye or deemed them unimportant. No one had ever brought these flaws to the table so directly and so sharply.

After stating the flaws, Cao Longyan shifted his tone and provided solutions one by one.

"Regarding the issue of teachers and disciples, the criteria for selecting teachers should not just be based on strength, but also on whether they possess a sincere and responsible attitude toward their students..."

"Regarding Shrek's defense, we should gradually install high-level defensive soul guidance devices on Sea Cucumber Island, in the inner court, the outer court, and throughout Shrek City... and these devices should be provided by the academy's Soul Guidance Department."

"Regarding the improvement of the Soul Guidance Department, recruitment should not be limited by Shrek's soul power restrictions. Anyone with talent for crafting soul guidance devices should be admitted based on merit, and we can also conduct exchanges and learning with the Sun Moon Empire..."

The complete set of solutions was clear, logical, and highly targeted. It pointed out the root of the problems while offering practical methods, sounding nothing like the words of a ten-year-old boy.

The elders were dumbfounded, looking at Cao Longyan one after another, their eyes filled with disbelief.

They found it difficult to connect the articulate, charismatic youth before them with a mere ten-year-old boy.

Xuan Zi was filled with gratification, nodding repeatedly, his gaze toward Cao Longyan brimming with pride.

Behind him, Zhang Lexuan watched Cao Longyan's radiant back. While happy for him, a trace of inexplicable loss flashed in her eyes.

Brother Longyan was growing too fast, becoming more and more dazzling, as if he were drifting further and further away from her. There were some things she felt she could only bury deep in her heart...

Just as Yan Shaozhe sighed, secretly rejoicing that Cao Longyan hadn't mentioned him by name and assuming the matter would be put to rest, he was caught off guard.

Cao Longyan's tone shifted once more, and his gaze finally landed on him, turning cold in an instant.

"Of course, Dean Yan cannot shirk his responsibility for Ma Xiaotao's loss of control yesterday. As a teacher, knowing that his disciple had uncontrollable evil fire within her, he was negligent in his discipline and left her to her own devices, nearly causing a catastrophe. If no one had intervened in time, the outer court disciples would have suffered heavy casualties, and Shrek's reputation would have been tarnished."

Every word of this was a piercing blow. Yan Shaozhe was left stunned, standing in place with his head bowed, unable to utter a single word.

The elders present were also taken aback. No one had expected Cao Longyan to suddenly turn his spearhead and harshly criticize Yan Shaozhe. After all, Yan Shaozhe was a key figure in Shrek and Ma Xiaotao's teacher. For Cao Longyan to show such a lack of face was perhaps too aggressive.

Before anyone could react, Cao Longyan shifted his tone again, becoming much more relaxed and even a bit teasing.

"However, Dean Yan, there's no need to be too hard on yourself. After all, it wasn't intentional. Everyone makes mistakes; just don't expect me to clean up your mess next time."

After saying this, Cao Longyan even stuck his tongue out in Yan Shaozhe's direction.

That single sentence instantly shattered the heavy atmosphere in the hall. The group of elders was stunned for a moment before they all burst into laughter. Even Mu En couldn't help but curl his lips upward, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

Yan Shaozhe also jerked his head up, the guilt and embarrassment on his face fading slightly, replaced by a look of helpless amusement.

This Cao Longyan—one second he was fiercely criticizing him, the next he was teasing him. He was simply running circles around everyone.

After the jokes, the meeting reached the final voting stage.

Cao Longyan's proposal passed unanimously, without a moment's hesitation.

At the same time, the corresponding punishment for Yan Shaozhe was also passed unanimously; even Yan Shaozhe himself raised his hand in agreement.

The meeting concluded, and the elders dispersed one by one. Before leaving, they couldn't help but cast another glance at Cao Longyan, their eyes filled with admiration and anticipation.

Xuan Zi patted Cao Longyan on the shoulder and laughed heartily.

"Longyan, impressive. To be able to leave this bunch of old fogies speechless... Also, let me know when you're free. My old mouth is getting a bit greedy."

"Elder Xuan, my schedule is quite full lately. You might have to wait a long while."

Xuan Zi rolled his eyes at Cao Longyan, snorted, and turned to leave.

He knew exactly what kind of medicine Cao Longyan was selling in his gourd...

Mu En looked at Cao Longyan, his eyes filled with gratification.

"Little Yan, you did very well today. The future of Shrek will eventually be handed over to your generation. I believe that with you here, Shrek will only get better and better."

Cao Longyan cupped his hands toward Mu En.

"Profound Ancestor, you flatter me. I still have much to learn."

Zhang Lexuan also walked to Cao Longyan's side, a gentle smile appearing on her face.

"Brother Longyan, you've really grown up."

Cao Longyan turned to look at her, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as his eyes narrowed into slits.

"Sister Lexuan, isn't that thanks to you always being by my side?"

Yet, he failed to notice the flash of disappointment in the depths of Zhang Lexuan's eyes, which had already been deeply hidden away.