Inside the Sea God Pavilion.
At this moment, the Sea God Pavilion's grand conference hall was 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 normally appeared and disappeared like divine 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 Level 99 Limit Douluo and Rank-9 Soul Engineer. His strength has already surpassed mine. I hereby appoint him as the honorary master of the Sea God Pavilion. He shall enjoy all corresponding authority and oversee every matter within the academy. When this old man is gone, he will inherit the position of Sea God Pavilion Master. Elders, who agrees? Who objects?"
The elders looked at one another and chose to remain silent. No one was foolish. 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 stood and walked to the front, sweeping his gaze across the room. "I am grateful for Teacher's trust in placing all academy affairs under my management. If there is anything I do improperly, the elders may offer their opinions."
"Mm, Jing Zhe."
"Alright, Brother Jing Zhe."
"Fine, Brother."
The elders, along with Xian Lin'er, Feng Ling, and Yan Shaozhe, all responded in turn.
"Mm. There are two matters I need to discuss with the elders." Yan Jingzhe nodded. "The first concerns Immortal Herbs."
"Immortal Herbs?" Elder Zong cried out. Xuan Zi was even more shocked, abruptly rising to his feet and tossing away the fragrant chicken leg in his hand.
"Yes. Your guesses are correct. They are the Immortal Herbs recorded in ancient texts, from the Icefire Yin Yang Well. By chance, I found them and extracted their Immortal Herb Essence to improve Shrek's overall strength." Yan Jingzhe nodded firmly, then took out 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 burning yet restrained eyes.
Xuan Zi in particular had been stuck at Level 98 for who knew how many years. He desperately wanted to consume an Immortal Herb and break through his bottleneck to reach Level 99. But at the same time, he feared that the herbs might not guarantee his breakthrough. He was already too old, and his potential had long been exhausted. He could not afford to waste them for nothing.
The other elders were in much the same situation. None wished to waste an Immortal Herb.
Mu En, seated at the head of the table, looked at the elders and nodded approvingly. "In that case, let me decide how these Immortal Herbs will be distributed. Jing Zhe, do you have any objections?"
"Teacher, I have none." Yan Jingzhe nodded.
"Then let us old fools not waste these Immortal Herbs. I will decide that two portions shall 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 trembled in unison. Clarity returned to their eyes, and they nodded in agreement.
Elder Song was the first to recover her composure. "The Pavilion Master is right. Giving them to old people like us would be a waste. But who should receive these two Immortal Herbs? Does the Pavilion Master have candidates in mind?"
Mu En nodded. "Zhang Lexuan, the Inner Court's senior disciple, is twenty-four years old. Her Martial Soul is the Moon, and she is an eight-ring assault-type Soul Douluo. She may take the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma. Ma Xiaotao, leader of this generation's Shrek Seven Monsters, is eighteen years old. Her Martial Soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix, and she is a six-ring assault-type Soul Emperor. She may take the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. What do you all think?"
The elders all nodded lightly, indicating that they had no objections. After all, the two were true Shrek members, with both talent and background beyond reproach.
"Then it is settled." Mu En made the final decision. "Jing Zhe, continue."
Seeing that the Immortal Herbs had been properly assigned, Yan Jingzhe continued, "The second matter is that Inner Court students must learn how to use various Soul Tools."
"No, I disagree." Yan Shaozhe, dean of the Martial Soul Department, shot to his feet and spoke without room for argument. "Soul Tools are external objects. Soul Masters must ultimately rely on their own strength. What if learning those Soul Tools 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 said cultivation might be delayed. Look at me—do I seem delayed? Second, I am not asking them to manufacture Soul Tools. They only need to learn how to use them so they are not completely ignorant of Soul Tools. How much time could that possibly take? And I have always believed that the future path of Soul Masters lies in combining Soul Masters with Soul Tools. Any single approach will be eliminated by the times."
"This..." Yan Shaozhe was left speechless.
Upon hearing this, the other elders also fell into thought.
Elder Song, seated first on the left, chuckled. "I think Jing Zhe is right. The future lies in combining Soul Masters and Soul Tools. I vote in support."
Seeing this, the others also voiced their support.
Only Yan Shaozhe was still stubbornly holding his ground.
"Good. Since that is the case, issue the order. All Inner Court students must learn how to use Soul Tools and must carry an absolute-defense Soul Tool. Leave this matter 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, prepare yourselves to welcome the visits from 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 left the Sea God Pavilion with the two women 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 experts."
"Yes, Brother Jing Zhe, congratulations on your breakthrough." Not to be outdone, Feng Ling clung to his right arm as well.
Feeling the softness pressing against both arms, Yan Jingzhe awkwardly rubbed his nose. "Uh... do you two need something?"
At that.
The two women exchanged glances, seeing sparks in each other's eyes.
Blushing, Feng Ling 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, could it be that you can't do it anymore?" Xian Lin'er quickly added.
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 picked up one woman in each arm, tore through space, and appeared directly in a room on the second floor. Before long, waves of sound rose from within.
The River Crab God passed by.
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