Sea God Pavilion Meeting

Within Sea God Pavilion on Sea God Island, a high-level emergency meeting abruptly began.

Yan Shaozhe was presiding over it.

The atmosphere in the pavilion was heavy as iron. The senior elders sat properly in two rows. Xian Lin'er was the first to break the silence, her gaze fixed on the seat of honor, her tone carrying confusion—and even a hint that she wanted to stir things up.

"Yan Shaozhe, why did you suddenly summon all us old bones here? What are you up to?"

Yan Shaozhe instinctively tried to sound familiar. "Lin'er..."

"Shut up. Don't call me that. It's annoying." Xian Lin'er frowned and cut him off without any courtesy.

Seeing the two about to resume their usual bickering, Mu En, seated in the center, gave a light cough. His voice was calm, yet it rang like a great bell, instantly suppressing every stray sound in the hall.

"Enough. Making such a racket in the Sea God Pavilion's main hall—what kind of behavior is that?"

Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er both shuddered and immediately fell silent, bowing together. "Yes, Elder Mu."

Mu En gave a slight nod, his aged eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through everything in the world, settling on Yan Shaozhe. "Since you initiated this meeting, get to the point."

"Yes."

Yan Shaozhe wasted no more words. He sat upright, his sharp gaze sweeping across everyone present as he said solemnly, "Some time ago, an eleven-year-old four-ringed Soul Ancestor arrived at the outer courtyard. I assume all of you have heard about it?"

Several elders nodded in unison. The incident had caused an uproar in the outer courtyard; it was hard not to know.

"At the Soul Fighting Arena, he led the outer courtyard's Twin Stars against Xu Sanshi, the 'Eternal Defense,' head-on. You all know the outcome. A four-ringed Soul Ancestor completely crushed three-ringed Xu Sanshi."

As soon as he finished, an elder in the corner waved a hand dismissively. "He just won a Soul Fight across one rank. Was there really a need to convene a Sea God Pavilion meeting over that? You're making a mountain out of a molehill."

Yan Shaozhe's expression hardened, and he shook his head sharply. "This is completely different! According to reliable information, that boy's martial soul is a Golden Dragon martial soul!"

The moment those words were spoken, it was as if a thunderclap had been thrown into the entire Sea God Pavilion.

The elders who had been casually drinking tea instantly put down their cups. Their backs straightened, and the looks in their eyes changed.

Yan Shaozhe paused, his tone growing even more grave. "I witnessed that Soul Fight myself. His Golden Dragon martial soul is no ordinary Golden Dragon!"

Boom—

This time, the pavilion erupted completely.

Xian Lin'er knitted her brows, her voice rising sharply. "Are you sure? Can a Golden Dragon even mutate?"

Even Mu En, who had remained unshakably composed, instantly lost his calm expression. A piercing gleam appeared in his cloudy eyes as his fingertips lightly tapped the armrest, a habitual gesture whenever he was thinking.

Mu En narrowed his eyes slightly. Stormy waves surged in the depths of his aged gaze as he slowly said, "I know this child, but his martial soul is certainly extraordinary. I dare say that in the future, he may reach that level."

Mu En paused before uttering four words. "Beyond estimation."

The entire hall fell silent.

Xian Lin'er unconsciously softened her breathing, her hand tightening around the corner of her robes. No one dared to interrupt.

Xian Lin'er felt utterly sour inside. The Martial Soul Department really has absurd luck. They can pick up a peerless genius unseen in ten thousand years just by going out to buy vegetables. Then look at our Soul Tool Department—we can barely find a promising recruit these days. The difference is downright cruel.

"Everyone, don't get impatient. There's more to this."

Yan Shaozhe sighed, then suddenly raised his voice. "Just yesterday, during practical combat class, this child caused another stir. Using only basic attacks with his martial soul and not a single soul skill, he single-handedly defeated an entire class of more than ninety students."

The words had barely landed when another tidal wave of shock swept through Sea God Pavilion.

The elders' eyes nearly popped out of their heads, and startled cries rose one after another throughout the hall.

"What the hell? One person against an entire class? And he didn't even use soul skills?"

Mu En had actually known about this long ago. The old man's spiritual power covered the entire academy. Yu Chen's little commotion had long since fallen under his watchful eye, and he had been observing him in secret for quite some time.

A white-haired elder frowned deeply and was the first to ask, "If that is true, then the nature of this matter has changed. What should we do now? Win him over with everything we have, or continue observing him?"

Yan Shaozhe looked around at the crowd, his expression solemn. "This child's bloodline is exceptionally gifted, and his temperament is remarkably steady. If properly nurtured, he will surely become Shrek's pillar in the future. We must win him over, but he previously declined the Tang Sect. That shows he is proud and has his own ideas. We cannot force him."

After pondering for a moment, Xian Lin'er took over. "The Soul Tool Department is also willing to invest resources. A Golden Dragon bloodline paired with top-tier soul tools—the thought alone is too beautiful to bear. But he has to be willing. Forcibly tying down a genius will only backfire."

In the end, everyone's gaze converged on Mu En in the seat of honor, awaiting the Sea God Pavilion Master's final decision.

Mu En stroked his snow-white beard, his tone calm yet carrying unquestionable weight. "In my view, this must ultimately depend on the child's own wishes. A forced melon is never sweet."

The moment he finished speaking, an elderly elder beside him grew anxious and persuaded him in a low voice, "Elder Mu, if a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius like this slips away, it would be Shrek's sin! Shouldn't the academy take the initiative and show some sincerity?"

Yan Shaozhe's expression darkened further as he added, "There is something else. I had people investigate this child's background for quite some time, but the result... was completely blank. It is as though he appeared out of thin air. We could not find the slightest trace of his past."

As soon as this was said, everyone's heart sank.

A top-tier Golden Dragon bloodline that had appeared out of nowhere, with no traceable origins—there was something deeply strange about it.

Xian Lin'er frowned. "No background to be found? Could he be a descendant released by some ancient hidden clan that could no longer keep him concealed?"

Xuan Zi stood nearby with his arms crossed, his face dark. He suddenly spoke. "As I see it, this boy's origins are unknown. He possesses such a terrifying bloodline, yet there is no record of him anywhere. Perhaps... he is a pawn planted by an opposing force."

The atmosphere instantly froze. Several elders showed wary expressions, their gazes turning sharp.

Xian Lin'er immediately shook her head in rebuttal. "Oh, come on. If he were an enemy spy, he would definitely hide his abilities and try to pass himself off as useless. What kind of spy goes out and crushes everyone in public? Is he trying to make sure the whole world notices him?"

Mu En slowly raised a hand, and a low shout cut through the chaotic argument. "Enough."

His aged yet piercing gaze fell upon Xuan Zi as Mu En asked mildly, "Xuan Zi, if it were you, would you be willing to send such a once-in-ten-thousand-years talent, a seed with the potential to become a god, here as a disposable undercover agent?"

Xuan Zi's lips moved, but he was left speechless. Choked into silence, a few embarrassed flushes rose to his face as he silently cursed himself for saying something so stupid.