The Academy's Dire State, Core Disciple Treatment

Hearing Zhongli Wu's questioning, Jing Hongchen spread his hands. "Cult Master, I don't know about those matters either."

"Besides, even if Ye Ming possesses some three-in-one martial soul fusion skill, isn't he still just a Soul Elder?"

"If a Titled Douluo was killed by a martial soul fusion skill unleashed by a Soul Elder, doesn't that just mean Ming Lei was useless?"

Zhongli Wu's eyes widened. He had wanted to flare up, but remembering Jing Hongchen's powerful backing, he ultimately just snorted coldly and said nothing more.

This time, the Holy Spirit Cult had not only tested Mu En's strength, but had also snatched away a future saintess from Shrek Academy.

Though losing a Titled Douluo was painful, it was not too great a loss.

"Cult Master Zhong, Illustrious Virtue Hall lost ten top-grade fixed soul-guided cannons this time, yet you failed to capture even a single Soul Elder for me. Shouldn't you give this old man an explanation?"

Jing Hongchen still could not let go of Ye Ming, the transformed soul beast, yet he did not want to reveal Ye Ming's identity and let the Holy Spirit Cult get a share.

He prodded, "The Holy Spirit Cult has no shortage of talented people. I only want this one person. That shouldn't be difficult, should it?"

Zhongli Wu's eyes flickered as he sensed that something was wrong.

There was definitely something unusual about this Ye Ming!

The resources the Holy Spirit Cult had agreed to provide were an astronomical sum. And those ten fixed soul-guided cannons—this old fellow had handed them over without hesitation.

Even the Holy Spirit Cult would have to go through considerable trouble to gather such things.

He was offering all those resources in exchange for a three-ringed Soul Elder for some research?

Who was he trying to fool?

There are only a few things that could make this old fellow so interested. For a three-ringed Soul Elder to be worth such terrifying resources... Heh heh heh, interesting!

This old bastard is hiding something. But the Holy Spirit Cult likes this thing too!

Zhongli Wu's heart stirred quietly. He frowned as he said to Jing Hongchen, "Hall Master Hongchen, since the Holy Spirit Cult has already agreed to this matter, we will certainly give you an answer!"

"However, after suffering such a devastating blow, Shrek Academy will surely retaliate like mad in the coming days."

"You and I both know Shrek Academy's strength. Trying to capture someone from Shrek Academy at a time like this will be extraordinarily difficult."

His tone shifted as he continued, "That boy will surely enter Shrek Academy's upper ranks' sights in the future and be protected layer upon layer."

"However, given Shrek's current losses among its geniuses, that boy will surely travel with the team at the Soul Duel Tournament a year from now."

"At that time, Mu En will not abandon the academy's foundation for the sake of one student. Naturally, there will be an opportunity."

There was still one year until the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Soul Duel Tournament.

The moment Jing Hongchen thought of Ye Ming's identity, he did not want to wait even an instant.

But he also knew that Shrek Academy's fury would not be easy to quell.

"Fine." Jing Hongchen nodded and frowned. "But if an opportunity arises within this year, Cult Master, you must act in advance!"

"Of course!"

Zhongli Wu sneered inwardly. The more this old fellow valued Ye Ming, the more certain he became of his own speculation.

A transformed soul beast... It was only right that it belonged to the Holy Spirit Cult!

Inside Sea God Pavilion,

"...According to preliminary statistics, the White Building and Yellow Building of the outer academy's Martial Soul Department have been completely destroyed. More than half of the Soul Guidance Department's research building has been damaged. Twenty-seven academy members and forty-one on-duty personnel have died, while over one hundred people have been seriously injured."

"Three inner academy disciples have died, including Yao Haoxuan of this generation's Shrek Seven Monsters. One teacher has died, and more than ten have been seriously injured. The losses of precious Soul Guidance Department materials and equipment are still being counted..."

Yan Shaozhe reported in a hoarse voice. With every number he gave, the atmosphere within Sea God Pavilion grew heavier.

"Yao Haoxuan..." Mu En's eyelids drooped, making him appear even older, while his breathing became ever more drawn out.

Among this generation's Shrek Seven Monsters, Xixi had suffered spinal damage, Ma Xiaotao had fallen into darkness and been taken away, and now Yao Haoxuan had died in battle.

Of the once-renowned Shrek Seven Monsters, only four remained.

"The fixed soul-guided cannons provided by the Sun Moon Empire were the key to this attack. Jing Hongchen visited the day before yesterday, and the attack came yesterday. The timing is far too coincidental." Mu En swept his gaze across the room and said coldly:

"Activate all our covert agents within the Sun Moon Empire and investigate whether Illustrious Virtue Hall has colluded with the Holy Spirit Cult. At the same time, Shrek Academy will enter first-level alert. Sweep the entire academy district for evil soul masters!"

"Also, notify the three great empires of Heavenly Soul, Dou Ling, and Star Luo of this attack. Demand that they intensify their suppression of evil soul masters within their territories and jointly pressure the Sun Moon Empire!"

"In addition, search with all our strength for Ma Xiaotao's whereabouts. If there is an opportunity, she must be rescued!"

"Yes!" Yan Shaozhe paused, his gaze turning toward Mu En. "On the enemy's side, we have confirmed the deaths of nine Soul Sage-level evil soul masters, seventeen Soul Emperors, and more than twenty Soul Kings and below. The most important achievement was..."

"Outer academy students Ye Ming, Gu Yuena, and Wang Qiuer used a three-in-one martial soul fusion skill to kill the Holy Spirit Cult's Third Elder, Ming Lei, a rank ninety-one Titled Douluo, despite the difference in rank!"

"Only two rank-nine soul-guided devices survived on Titled Douluo Ming Lei's body. No soul bones were found within him."

Sea God Pavilion fell silent.

Although they had heard some rumors beforehand, hearing it personally still left them utterly shocked.

"A three-in-one martial soul fusion skill... killing a Titled Douluo across ranks..." Cai Meier exclaimed. "Those three are all little monsters!"

Mu En let out a breath. At last, he had heard some good news.

He spoke somewhat wearily. "Ye Ming, Gu Yuena, and Wang Qiuer are Shrek Academy's hope."

"They rendered great service this time, and they have further proven their character and sense of belonging to the academy."

"From today onward, the three of them will receive the treatment of core disciples of the inner academy, with resources supplied to them as a priority. At the same time, today's events are to be classified as the academy's highest secret. Everyone who knows of it is placed under a gag order. The specific details of the battle are strictly forbidden from being spread."

A tree that rose above the forest would be destroyed by the wind.

If such a shocking accomplishment spread, the three of them would surely become targets that the Holy Spirit Cult and even the Sun Moon Empire would eliminate at any cost.

Though the three of them could contend with a Titled Douluo when working together, the Holy Spirit Cult was far too powerful, and the Sun Moon Empire's soul-guided devices were even more terrifying. Precautions had to be taken.

Mu En looked at Yan Shaozhe and added, "After the meeting, bring those three children here. I have some things to say to them alone."

"Everyone, the academy has suffered this great calamity. I ask you all to put your hearts into it. The academy will not be brought down by a single setback."

"Shrek's radiance will one day shine upon the entire continent once more!"

"You may all leave. Oh, Xuan Zi, stay behind."

After everyone departed, Mu En looked at Xuan Zi, who still wore a deeply troubled expression, and said with some relief, "You did very well this time. Even if it had been me, I might not have done much better than you. The current Dragon God Douluo is no longer the Dragon God Douluo of the past."

"No, Mu Lao, you are Shrek's stabilizing pillar!" Xuan Zi frowned slightly and hurriedly said.

Mu En shook his head, a trace of melancholy appearing in his eyes. "Everyone's lifespan is limited, even mine. I can feel that my end is not far away."

"After I am gone, the academy will have to rely on you and the other pavilion elders to support it."

"Xuan Zi, you must remain calm when facing matters in the future. Put the academy first in all things."

Xuan Zi was greatly alarmed. "Mu Lao, you..."

"Don't worry. This old man will not die anytime soon. I must hold on for a few more years, at least until those little fellows have grown up, before I can leave in peace." Mu En looked toward the outer academy, his eyes filled with kindness.

"The Golden Tree contains quite a bit of energy. I hope those three children can give this old man another surprise..."