Return to Shrek

"Taotie Douluo taking a disciple is a major matter. Star Luo Empire cannot afford to be negligent."

The envoys of the three great empires busied themselves arranging congratulatory gifts, yet all of them carried the same concern in their hearts.

"Besides the gifts, we must bring up the matter of the Inquisitorial Legion again during this visit.

Last time, Yan Shaozhe turned us away. This time, Xuan Zi himself is in Shrek.

No matter what, we have to find a chance to test the waters."

The news also reached the Sun Moon Empire.

In the reception hall of the Sun Moon Empire Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, Jing Hongchen held the invitation from Shrek and remained silent for a long time.

"Taotie Douluo is taking a personal disciple." He spoke softly, a trace of complexity flashing through his eyes. "Interesting."

He looked up at the messenger. "Shrek City in a month?"

"Yes. The invitation was issued personally by Sea God Pavilion."

Jing Hongchen toyed with the invitation and chuckled softly. "Since they've sent it all the way to me, then let's make the trip.

We can treat it as a visit to Shrek."

His tone was relaxed, even carrying a hint of amusement.

With the strength and status of a Ninth-level Soul Engineer, there were few people in the world capable of keeping him behind.

Though Shrek City was powerful, if he wished to leave, no one would dare claim they could definitely stop him.

Perfect, Jing Hongchen thought. I can also see what Shrek has been up to lately.

Body Sect.

Du Busi stared at the invitation in his hand, first stunned, then amused.

"That pig who does nothing but eat and sleep is taking a disciple too?"

He tossed the invitation onto the table and walked to the window with his hands behind his back.

The night wind swept down from the mountaintop, making his robes billow and snap.

Du Busi had an old grudge against Shrek.

His elder brother had died after dueling Mu En back then.

But that was a matter between the older generation, and it had been an upright, honorable battle.

Did he hate them? A little. But that hatred did not fall upon Xuan Zi.

After all, there had never been any irreconcilable personal enmity between him and Xuan Zi.

In fact, after crossing hands several times back then, they had even developed a measure of mutual respect.

"Taking a disciple is good too." Du Busi murmured. "Only when Shrek has successors will this continent remain lively."

Clear Sky Sect.

Niu Tian and Tai Tan sat facing each other.

Tai Tan spoke first. "Brother, how about I make the trip myself?

It's only a disciple-taking ceremony. If you go in person, it might seem like we're stealing the spotlight."

Niu Tian considered it, then nodded. "True. If I go personally, those people at Sea God Pavilion may think our Clear Sky Sect intends to stir up trouble under the guise of attending the ceremony.

Let the First Elder make the trip. You would be just as likely to cause trouble."

He paused, then added, "With the First Elder's rank ninety-seven strength, it will be enough to show Shrek proper respect."

Tai Tan gave a grunt. "All right. I'll prepare another generous gift and send it in the sect's name."

"Go." Niu Tian said. "Tell them to speak less and watch more. This trip is not about competing with anyone, only about offering congratulations."

The invitations were also delivered to reclusive great sects such as the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Xuanming Sect.

Several elders gathered in the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's council hall.

After reading the invitation, the old sect master was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Taotie Douluo is taking a disciple, and Sea God Pavilion has personally issued invitations.

If our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect does not attend such a grand occasion, we would seem petty.

But many factions will gather in Shrek, and there is no need for us to steal the spotlight.

Prepare a generous gift, and have the First Elder make the trip personally.

For no other reason than to give Sea God Pavilion some face."

Xuanming Sect and the other sects likewise dispatched elders of extremely high seniority.

Though these established sects had remained hidden for many years, they saw the continental situation more clearly than anyone.

Chen Xuan taking a disciple was a small matter, but the signal Sea God Pavilion was sending to the entire continent through this was not.

As for second-rate sects such as Proud Sword Sect, Earth Dragon Gate, and Heavenly Armor Sect, they dared not be careless either.

They had already crossed paths with Shrek during the Continental Soul Master Tournament. Upon receiving the invitations this time, every one of them sent either their sect master or First Elder personally.

The old sect master of Earth Dragon Gate even summoned the First Elder out of seclusion. "Go to Shrek. Do not disgrace Earth Dragon Gate."

Sky Dragon Gate also stirred.

The descendants of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon bloodline no longer held a prominent place in the original canon's official history, yet they remained an ancient martial soul inheritance that the continent could not ignore.

After receiving the invitation, the old gate master personally emerged from seclusion and even brought along one of the gate's only two remaining Titled Douluo.

"Taotie Douluo is taking a disciple. We must go." The old gate master coughed twice, but his eyes still gleamed sharply.

"Let's see what kind of figure Shrek's generation has produced."

For a time, the entire continent churned with unrest.

Every sect, every school, and every imperial court was preparing for the disciple-taking ceremony in Shrek City a month later.

In teahouses and taverns, storytellers had already turned the matter into a tale.

"They say that Taotie Douluo, Elder Xuan, concealed himself among the common folk, disguised as an old beggar.

Who would have thought that nine-year-old Zhang Lexuan, kind-hearted as a bodhisattva, would give him every last coin in her purse?

Moved by her pure goodness, Elder Xuan took her as his personal disciple..."

And at the center of it all, Chen Xuan was currently sitting in the Zhang Family courtyard, being pursued by Zhang Lexuan's questions.

"Master, after I go to Shrek City, can I really eat osmanthus cakes like the ones on that pleasure boat every day?"

Chen Xuan rubbed his forehead. "Yes. You can eat as many as you want."

"Then I want to bring A-Huang with me."

"Who is A-Huang?"

Zhang Lexuan pointed toward the corner of the courtyard. A little yellow dog with glossy fur was lying there, gnawing on a bone with its tail wagging happily.

Chen Xuan's eye twitched.

"Bring him. Bring him too."

After Zhang Lexuan's birthday, Chen Xuan remained in Azure Mist City for another two days.

During those two days, he went nowhere, staying in the residence and only occasionally being dragged out by Zhang Lexuan to buy snacks.

At first, the little girl had still been somewhat afraid of him, but after spending two days together, she only grew more attached.

She called him "Master" at every turn, making Chen Xuan's heart soften.

Meanwhile, Lu Yun busied himself with arranging the Zhang Family's relocation perfectly.

What needed packing was packed, and what needed taking was taken.

Zhang Yuanshan ultimately did not empty out the entire old residence. He only brought several close relatives from the family and a few old belongings with sentimental value.

"A tree dies when moved, but people thrive when they move."

Standing before Zhang Residence, Zhang Yuanshan looked back at the two stone beasts and sighed.

"The residence left behind by our ancestors will be watched over by the side branch. Our branch will follow Lexuan."

Chen Xuan did not urge him. It was hard to leave one's homeland; being able to make this decision was already not easy.

On the third morning, the convoy set out.

Following Chen Xuan's wishes, he took Zhang Lexuan and her parents ahead first, traveling light.

Zhang Yuanshan was old and could not endure the jolting journey, so Lu Yun arranged for people to escort him as they followed slowly behind.

Lu Yun patted his chest and promised, "Rest assured, Xuan Zi. Leave Old Master Zhang to me.

I guarantee I'll deliver him to Shrek City in comfort. If even a single hair is missing, you can hold me accountable!"

Chen Xuan laughed and scolded him, "Fine. Then I'll leave him to you. If anything happens on the road, I'll hold you accountable."

At first, Zhang Lexuan worried about her grandfather. Zhang Yuanshan smiled and waved his hand. "You go ahead. These old bones of mine cannot ride in a fast carriage.

With people under His Excellency Feng Xing looking after me, are you still worried?"