Epiphany in the Sea God Pavilion

"You three, come with me." Shen Yi led the three little ones—Xu Yuan and the others—toward the Sea God Pavilion.

Xu Lizhi was excited the entire way. Though Ye Xinglan maintained a calm exterior, anticipation still filled her eyes. Only Xu Yuan remained rather composed.

Along the way, Shen Yi observed the three of them as well.

She had to admit inwardly that this was completely in line with what her teacher had said.

The three of them were absolutely worthy of becoming candidates for the next generation of the Shrek Seven Devils. With Xu Yuan's state of mind, steady temperament, and the leadership qualities he had displayed during the Human Nature Trial, he would very likely become the leader of the next generation of the Shrek Seven Devils.

Xu Yuan's background did not actually matter much, though it could serve as an excuse for the Pavilion Elders to demand more of him. In truth, they did not mind his relationship with the Spirit Pagoda.

Besides, Xu Yuan could not really be considered someone from the Spirit Pagoda.

As Shen Yi led them deeper into the Inner Courtyard, Xu Yuan could sense the changes in the surrounding Heaven and Earth Origin Qi.

This was not merely a change in density. The origin qi seemed to be mixed with an abundant... vitality!

"Xu Yuan, and you two as well, adjust yourselves in a moment. Don't miss this opportunity," Shen Yi reminded them.

She led the three of them across a path. The towering trees around them vanished, and before them lay a crystal-clear azure lake. An island stood at its center, where an enormous ancient tree rose into the heavens. Above it stood a building that seemed naturally carved by the world itself.

Shen Yi brought them aboard a small boat and rowed toward Sea God Island at the center of the lake.

"You should all have guessed by now, right? I'm taking you to meet the elders in the Sea God Pavilion. If you perform well, you may receive guidance from a Pavilion Elder. Oh, and Elder Cai has secured permission for you to cultivate within the Sea God Pavilion for the next three days. You must treasure these three days," Shen Yi reminded them.

She looked at Xu Yuan and added, "Xu Yuan, let me remind you: the Pavilion Master uses a spear as well."

"Teacher Shen, didn't you say the Pavilion Master's standards for taking disciples are very high? Do you think I have a chance?" Xu Yuan asked doubtfully.

Shen Yi smiled.

In the past, she might have felt that becoming the Pavilion Master's disciple was a distant prospect. But lately, the Sea God Pavilion and the students of the Inner Courtyard had all been very enthusiastic.

That was because the Sea God Pavilion's master had recently accepted a disciple.

"The Pavilion Master recently accepted a disciple, so the Pavilion Elders and the Inner Courtyard students all feel that he may be interested in teaching disciples now."

He had accepted a disciple?

Xu Yuan sank into thought.

Yun Ming's disciple should only be Na Er, shouldn't it?

How old had Na Er been when she entered Shrek?

Xu Yuan did not know the exact timing, but he was certain that Na Er had only left Aolai City after Tang Wulin cultivated to Level 10. Tang Wulin had Innate Soul Power of Third Grade, so he could not have reached Level 10 in one year. It should have taken either two or three years.

Xu Yuan was dumbfounded.

So some things have already begun changing before I've even entered the plot?

He kept those doubts in mind, intending to ask around when he had the chance.

After living in this world for so many years, he had long understood that it was a real world. Nothing followed some so-called script, and for him, the most important thing was cultivation.

Beyond cultivation, everything else was secondary.

The moment he stepped onto Sea God Island, Xu Yuan felt as though the very ground beneath his feet was brimming with the aura of life.

Just breathing the air of Sea God Island made him feel younger and filled his body with greater vitality.

He was only seven years old!

Yet even a seven-year-old body could feel such changes simply by breathing the air here.

"Let's go. The Pavilion Elders have probably been waiting for a long time." Shen Yi did not dare delay and led the three of them into the ancient yet imposing pavilion on the island.

Sea God Pavilion.

"You three have passed Shrek's Inner Courtyard assessment and will enter the Inner Courtyard as specially recruited students."

Elder Cai presided over the proceedings, telling Xu Yuan and the other two what they had already been told before.

Fortunately, she did not ramble for long. In only a few minutes, she concisely explained the situation to the three of them.

"From now on, Shen Yi will serve as your teacher and guide your cultivation. Of course, this is not compulsory. You may cultivate according to your own wishes, and you can ask her whenever you encounter problems. The academy will assess you every six months. If you fail to meet the requirements, you will be demoted to the Outer Courtyard. After that, you can only return to the Inner Courtyard once you meet the Outer Courtyard's requirements for advancement to the Inner Courtyard. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Elder Cai. Don't worry, we won't slack off," Xu Yuan said.

Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan nodded as well.

"Mm. Shen Yi, take the three of them inside and assign each of them a room." Elder Cai looked at Shen Yi.

"Yes."

"For the next few days, focus on your cultivation. It would be best if you also gave some thought to the path you will take in the future." Elder Cai looked at the three of them and gave them one final reminder.

Xu Yuan entered a room, walked to its center, and sat down cross-legged. If I remember correctly, entering the Sea God Pavilion offers a chance to enter deep meditation?

That should have been the setting during the era of the Unrivaled Tang Sect. By the current era of Legend of the Dragon King, it seemed to have changed somewhat. There was no longer an opportunity to enter deep meditation, but it should still provide guidance for Martial Soul cultivation.

"Perfect. Over these three days, I can try developing the two forms of the Heaven Origin Brush and Heaven Origin Spear and search for the right moment to separate them."

Xu Yuan's heart stirred, and he made his decision.

He knew the danger of separating a Martial Soul. One careless mistake could injure his soul and possibly directly affect his future cultivation.

Perhaps it would be safer to try after reaching seven rings, but when would that be? If he could not establish an advantage early on, did he truly still have a chance in the current state of the Soul Master world?

Besides, separating them earlier might not necessarily be harder for Xu Yuan.

"My Martial Soul is ultimately a fusion of my father's and mother's Martial Souls. My father's spear remained within my mother's brush through a special method."

"Before they gain too many shared Soul Spirits and Soul Rings, I can still separate them. If I wait until later, when more Soul Spirits have fused with them and more Soul Rings have been placed on both forms, the two forms will only become increasingly difficult to separate."

"However, safety is the prerequisite for everything."

Xu Yuan closed his eyes and entered a meditative state.

Within the Meditation Space.

Xu Yuan's consciousness appeared. Looking at the Heaven Origin Brush floating continuously within the space, he attempted to communicate with it.

The Heaven Origin Brush transformed into the Heaven Origin Spear, then changed back into the Heaven Origin Brush.

The two forms shifted without end. Xu Yuan sensed the differences in Soul Power circulation between the two states, as well as the different sensations brought by each form.

Gradually, his mind immersed itself in comprehending this transformation.

Instinctively, Xu Yuan incorporated the devouring path he had spent more than ten days developing into the Heaven Devouring Earth Eating Great Art and began circulating it.

Five Elements Power fused with Devouring Power. His five internal organs resonated, and the blood and qi throughout his body were mobilized.

Within the Meditation Space.

The Five Elements Spear Spirit appeared and merged into the Heaven Origin Spear. Then, the Martial Soul switched to its Heaven Origin Brush form.

Five Elements Power erupted, drawing upon the Five Elements Spear Spirit. Along with a faint trace of Devouring Power, it slowly pulled out the Five Elements Spear Spirit's phantom, while the phantom of the Heaven Origin Spear gradually emerged within it.

Bang!

Everything shattered. Xu Yuan opened his eyes, his gaze unfocused.