Invitations Sent Far and Wide, Reactions from the Major Powers

"These little ones' foundation in Soul Tools is just too..."

The younger Eighth-level Soul Engineer looked at another workbench that had exploded, then stopped himself from speaking.

"Otherwise, why do you think they paid such a high price to go all the way to the Underground City of the Sun Moon Empire to hire us?"

The elderly Soul Engineer with graying hair snorted.

"Just teach them properly. If we can really stay at Shrek, the few of us will rise straight to success for the rest of our lives."

The younger Soul Engineer said nothing more.

He looked at an Inner Court disciple in the distance, whose face had been blasted black but who was gritting his teeth and getting back up to continue drawing circuits. His expression was complicated.

"Shrek..." he sighed softly.

"Who hadn't dreamed of entering Shrek in their youth? Yet now, it was in this way...

Forget it. Since we're here, we might as well settle in."

He flicked his sleeve and strode toward the wrecked testing grounds.

"Stop standing around. Pick up all the shattered pieces.

If you can't draw a complete circuit within one hour, then stay here and suffer."

Scenes like this played out continuously throughout every corner of Shrek Academy.

Amid the successive explosions, Yan Shaozhe received Xuan Zi's message jade slip in his study.

When Cai Mei'er pushed open the door and entered, Yan Shaozhe was standing by the window with a cup of tea, watching a small mushroom cloud rise from the direction of the Soul Tool testing grounds.

"Another explosion," he said calmly. "Which one was that?"

"Elder Xuan sent word back." Cai Mei'er handed him a palm-sized message jade slip. "Take a look."

Yan Shaozhe took the jade slip. As soon as he sent his Soul Power into it, he froze, then immediately sat up straight.

"That old man wants to take a personal disciple?" He looked up, his face filled with disbelief.

Cai Mei'er nodded. "The message is absolutely genuine.

He also said for you to prepare invitations and send them to the Three Empires, the major sects, and the Sun Moon Empire.

The disciple acceptance ceremony will be held a month from now."

Yan Shaozhe put down the jade slip without speaking immediately.

Holding his teacup, he slowly paced over to the window.

Another muffled explosion sounded from the testing grounds in the distance. Thick black smoke billowed out as several disciples fled in panic with their heads covered.

"Who would have thought that the old man would go out for a walk and bring back a little junior sister for us?"

Cai Mei'er said, "Yes, he truly never rests. Still, for her to catch Elder Xuan's eye, she naturally must have something exceptional about her."

Yan Shaozhe pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "Moon Martial Soul, Two-Ring at nine years old.

In terms of talent, among the abundance of gifted students at Shrek, she could not be considered the very best. Every year, the Outer Court produced several children with such aptitude.

However, if Elder Xuan personally taught her, then it would be hard to say how far she might go in the future.

Forget it. I'm not the one taking a disciple. If that old man likes her, then let him do as he pleases."

Cai Mei'er chuckled. "You don't say it aloud, but you're already wondering how far that child might go in the future, aren't you?"

Yan Shaozhe shook his head. "I'm not a god. How could I see that far ahead?

I only hope she won't disappoint Elder Xuan's painstaking efforts or tarnish the name of Sea God Pavilion."

As he spoke, he glanced outside again and suddenly clicked his tongue.

"What perfect timing. The disciples outside are being blown to pieces, while he's out there taking a disciple.

When he comes back and sees the Soul Tool Department in this miserable state, won't he mock us for failing to get things done properly?"

Cai Mei'er said, "One month is enough for us to bring up these disciples' foundations."

"One month?" Yan Shaozhe raised an eyebrow. "Ask those two Eighth-level Soul Engineers outside whether they dare say that."

Cai Mei'er sighed softly. "There's nothing we can do about that. If Elder Xuan comes back dissatisfied, you can explain it to him yourself."

Yan Shaozhe snorted. "Don't push this onto me. The Soul Tool Department is under Lin'er's management.

At most, I'll make the invitations look prettier. If he's happy when the time comes, perhaps he won't scold anyone."

Cai Mei'er laughed. "You really know how to calculate."

"Enough." Yan Shaozhe turned and walked to the desk, spreading out paper and brushes.

"I'll handle the invitations myself. A Sea God Pavilion elder taking a disciple, and Elder Xuan at that—the Taotie Douluo. No matter how the invitation is written, it will still feel too modest."

Standing beside him, Cai Mei'er watched her husband's rare seriousness, the corners of her lips curling slightly.

"This time, Shrek is likely to become very lively."

Another explosion sounded outside the window.

Unlike the chaotic Shrek, Chen Xuan's side was exceptionally lively.

When Chen Xuan celebrated Zhang Lexuan's birthday, Azure Mist City was at its liveliest.

The Zhang Residence was decorated from top to bottom, with red silk draped from the rafters and lanterns hung high.

Zhang Lexuan wore a brand-new goose-yellow dress, with a small pearl flower pinned in her hair. Surrounded by a group of children, her face blossomed with smiles.

Chen Xuan did not wear an elder's robe. He had merely changed into a neat dark robe and sat in the seat of honor.

He did not speak much that day, only smiling as he watched the girl play around.

Zhang Yuanshan tried several times to invite him to the main seat, but Chen Xuan waved him off each time.

"Today is Lexuan's birthday. This old man is only here to share in the joy. There is no need for such empty formalities."

The children pulled Zhang Lexuan away to hand out longevity peaches. When she passed Chen Xuan, the little girl suddenly stopped and stuffed the largest piece of osmanthus candy into his hand.

"Master, this is for you."

Chen Xuan accepted it and took a bite. The sweetness made even his brows relax. "Good. It's sweeter than what this old man ate on the pleasure boat."

"Of course! This is my family's candy!" Zhang Lexuan proudly lifted her little face, then ran off again.

Lu Yun sat below, grinning so widely that he could barely close his mouth.

Just as the Zhang Family of Azure Mist City was enjoying itself in harmony, Shrek City, thousands of miles away, was already thrown into an uproar by news of Chen Xuan taking a disciple.

The news came from Sea God Pavilion.

Yan Shaozhe worked swiftly. By the next day, all the invitations had been prepared.

Red with gold embossing, their contents were simple yet solemn: Elder Xuan, the Taotie Douluo and elder of Sea God Pavilion, would accept Zhang Lexuan as his personal disciple, and heroes from across the world were specially invited to attend the ceremony.

The first batch of invitations was sent directly to the courts of the former Three Empires.

In the court of the Heaven Dou Empire, all officials fell silent.

The envoy held the invitation and read it word by word. Once he finished, the entire hall was silent.

The Heaven Dou Emperor sat upon the dragon throne, his expression complicated. "An elder of Sea God Pavilion is taking a disciple... Is this Taotie Douluo that ninety-eighth-level Elder Xuan?"

"Your Majesty, it is indeed him."

The Heaven Dou Emperor remained silent for a moment. "Have the Ministry of Rites prepare generous gifts. These gifts cannot be too modest."

The Dou Ling Empire reacted even more strongly. Before the envoy had even finished reading, the court had already erupted into chaos.

Everyone knew that Taotie Douluo Xuanzi held an extremely high position in Shrek. He was an elder of Sea God Pavilion and a ninety-eighth-level Super Douluo.

When such a figure accepted a disciple, none of the Three Empires dared treat it lightly.

"Add another thirty percent to the gift list," the Dou Ling Emperor said in a deep voice. "No, fifty percent. Have the Crown Prince go personally.

Give Shrek enough face, and leave Dou Ling a path for retreat as well."

The Star Luo Empire was similarly shaken. An Elder Prince immediately stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, this subject is willing to travel personally to Shrek City to attend the ceremony."