Sea God Pavilion Meeting

Inside the Sea God Pavilion.

At this moment, the grand conference hall of the Sea God Pavilion was completely silent. More than a dozen people sat around an oval table. Every one of them was part of Shrek's foundation, genuine Titled Douluo who were usually elusive as dragons. Yet today, they had all gathered in the Sea God Pavilion, their eyes fixed on Yan Jingzhe beside Mu En.

"Since everyone is here, this old man will say a few words first." Mu En pointed to the person beside him and spoke calmly.

"Yan Jingzhe, my disciple, dean of the Soul Guidance Department, a Rank-99 Limit Douluo and Rank-9 Soul Engineer. His strength has already surpassed mine. I hereby appoint him Honorary Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, with all corresponding authority. He will oversee all affairs within the academy. When this old man is gone someday, he will inherit the position of Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion. Elders, who agrees? Who objects?"

The elders looked at one another and all chose to remain silent. None of them were fools. Yan Jingzhe had already broken through to Limit Douluo—who would dare oppose him?

"Since that is the case, Jing Zhe, come up and say a few words." Seeing this, Mu En nodded.

"Yes, Teacher." Yan Jingzhe rose to his feet, walked to the front, and swept his gaze over the room. "I am grateful for Teacher's trust in placing all academy affairs under my care. If I do anything improperly, the elders may offer their opinions."

"Mm, Jing Zhe."

"Alright, Brother Jing Zhe."

"Good, Brother."

The elders, along with Xian Lin'er, Feng Ling, and Yan Shaozhe, all replied in turn.

"Mm. I have two matters to discuss with the elders," Yan Jingzhe said with a nod. "The first concerns Immortal Herbs."

"Immortal Herbs?" Elder Zong cried out in shock. Elder Xuan was even more astonished, abruptly rising to his feet and tossing aside the fragrant chicken leg in his hand.

"That's right. Your guesses are correct. They are the Immortal Herbs recorded in ancient texts, from the Icefire Yin Yang Well. By a fortunate coincidence, I found them and extracted their Immortal Herb Essence to improve Shrek's overall strength." Yan Jingzhe nodded affirmatively. He then took jade bottles containing Immortal Herb Essence from his Storage Soul Guidance Device and placed them on the table for the elders to choose from.

The jade bottles sat on the table, but no one reached for them. The elders stared at them with eyes burning with desire, though each restrained himself.

Elder Xuan in particular had been stuck at Rank 98 for who knew how many years. He desperately wished to consume an Immortal Herb and break through the bottleneck to reach Rank 99. Yet at the same time, he worried that the Immortal Herb might not be able to guarantee his breakthrough. After all, he was too old, and his potential had already been exhausted. He could not afford to waste one for nothing.

The other elders were in much the same situation. None wished to waste an Immortal Herb in vain.

Mu En, seated at the head of the table, looked at the elders and nodded in satisfaction. "In that case, let me decide who receives these Immortal Herbs. Jing Zhe, do you have any objections?"

"Teacher, I have none." Yan Jingzhe nodded.

"Then let us old fellows not waste these Immortal Herbs. I will make the decision: two portions will go to the younger generation. After all, Shrek's future belongs to them." Mu En slowly rose to his feet, his tone resolute.

The elders' bodies all shuddered, and clarity returned to their eyes. They nodded in agreement.

Elder Song was the first to recover his composure. "The Pavilion Master is right. Giving them to old fellows like us would be a waste. But who should receive these two portions? Does the Pavilion Master have candidates in mind?"

Mu En nodded. "Zhang Lexuan, the senior sister of the Inner Court. She is twenty-four years old, possesses the Moon martial soul, and is an eight-ring assault-type Soul Douluo. She may consume the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma. Ma Xiaotao, leader of this generation's Shrek Seven Monsters. She is eighteen years old, possesses the Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul, and is a six-ring assault-type Soul Emperor. She may consume the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. What do you all think?"

The elders nodded lightly, indicating that they had no objections. After all, both women were genuine Shrek members, with unquestionable talent and backgrounds.

"Then it is settled." Mu En made the final decision. "Jing Zhe, continue."

Seeing that the Immortal Herbs had been allocated, Yan Jingzhe continued, "The second matter is that Inner Court students must learn to use all kinds of Soul Guidance Devices."

"No, I disagree." Yan Shaozhe, dean of the Martial Soul Department, shot to his feet and spoke without room for doubt. "Soul Guidance Devices are external tools. Soul Masters must ultimately rely on their own strength. What if learning those devices delays their cultivation?"

The other elders nodded as well, voicing their support for Yan Shaozhe.

Yan Jingzhe ignored them and looked at Yan Shaozhe. "First, you say cultivation may be delayed. Look at me—do I seem delayed? Second, I am not requiring them to manufacture Soul Guidance Devices. They only need to learn how to use them, so they will not know nothing about them. How much time could that take? And I have always believed that the future path of Soul Masters lies in the union of Soul Masters and Soul Guidance Devices. Any single path will be eliminated by the times."

"This..." Yan Shaozhe was left speechless by the rebuttal.

Upon hearing this, the other elders also fell into thought.

Elder Song, seated first on the left, gave a soft laugh. "I think Jing Zhe is right. The future lies in combining Soul Masters with Soul Guidance Devices. I vote in support of this matter."

Seeing this, the others also voiced their support.

Only Yan Shaozhe was still stubbornly refusing to yield.

"Good. Since that is the case, let it be decreed that all Inner Court students must learn how to use Soul Guidance Devices. Each must carry an absolute-defense Soul Guidance Device. This matter will be entrusted to your Soul Guidance Department—Jing Zhe, Lin'er, and Ling'er." Mu En smiled.

"Yes, Pavilion Master," Yan Jingzhe and the others replied respectfully.

Mu En nodded and asked, "Elders, is there anything else? If not, make preparations to receive the major powers tomorrow. Shrek Academy now has a second Limit Douluo. There is no way to keep it hidden. Meeting adjourned."

At those words, the elders nodded excitedly, rose, and headed out.

Yan Jingzhe nodded to his teacher, Mu En, then led the two women out of the Sea God Pavilion and returned home.

The moment they entered, Xian Lin'er wrapped herself around his left arm. "Jing Zhe, congratulations on breaking through to Limit Douluo and becoming one of the world's strongest."

"That's right, Brother Jing Zhe. Congratulations on your breakthrough." Not to be outdone, Feng Ling clung to his right arm and echoed her.

Feeling the softness pressing against both sides of his arms, Yan Jingzhe awkwardly rubbed his nose. "Uh... do you two need something?"

At that.

The two women exchanged glances, each seeing sparks in the other's eyes.

Feng Ling blushed and spoke first. "Brother Jing Zhe, how long has it been since you spent time with us?"

"Yes, yes. It has been several months, hasn't it? Jing Zhe, are you incapable now?" Xian Lin'er immediately followed up.

Yan Jingzhe looked at their graceful figures and exquisite faces, swallowing hard. "How could that be? I think you two want a taste of a Limit Douluo's strength. I'll have to satisfy you."

With that, Yan Jingzhe scooped up both women, tore through space, and appeared directly in a room on the second floor. Before long, sounds began to ring out.

The River Crab God passed by.