Only Through Learning Can One Avoid Being Left Behind by the Times

Several days had passed by the time Chen Xuan and his group arrived at Shrek City.

Before they even entered the city, Zhang Lexuan pressed herself against the carriage window, gazing around curiously.

Shrek City's prosperity far exceeded her imagination.

Towering city gates stood upon the earth, while broad streets stretched in every direction.

Carriages and pedestrians filled the city, creating a scene of bustling prosperity.

A-Huang beside her was equally excited, wagging his tail nonstop.

"Master, is this Shrek City?" Zhang Lexuan's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Chen Xuan reclined lazily inside the carriage. "This is only the outer city.

Once you truly enter Shrek Academy, you'll understand what true grandeur is."

Zhang Lexuan was just about to ask where the academy was when a series of dull explosions suddenly rang out in the distance.

Boom!

One thunderous blast after another erupted, followed by another roar that shook the surroundings.

Bang!

The sudden commotion startled Zhang Lexuan. Her little face instantly turned pale as she instinctively shrank closer to Chen Xuan.

"Master, what happened? Was that thunder?"

Chen Xuan was also slightly taken aback. He raised a hand and lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

Several plumes of black smoke rose from the direction of Shrek Academy, and faint clamor drifted over with the wind.

"Damn it! Did they call down heavenly punishment?" Chen Xuan cursed under his breath.

The Shrek steward driving the carriage hurriedly bowed and explained, "Elder Xuan, it is not a celestial anomaly. The Inner Court disciples are training at the soul tool testing grounds.

It has been like this every day lately. The testing grounds have exploded countless times already, so everyone has grown used to it."

Chen Xuan's mouth twitched violently. "Daily training? Anyone who didn't know better would think Shrek had switched to making firecrackers."

The carriage slowly arrived at Shrek Academy's main gate, where Yan Shaozhe had long been waiting.

He was not wearing his formal official robes today, only an elegant moon-white gown. A teasing smile rested on his face. "Elder Xuan, was the journey smooth?"

Chen Xuan lifted the curtain and stepped down, pointing toward the black smoke that had yet to disperse in the distance with a helpless expression.

"Smooth? I've only been gone a few days. How has Shrek already turned into a firecracker workshop?"

Yan Shaozhe's expression grew slightly more serious as he replied with a smile, "Wasn't this your idea, Elder Xuan?

It's fine. Let them blow things up and train; it will temper their foundations.

Once this batch of Inner Court disciples has built a solid foundation in soul tools, accidents naturally won't happen so often."

Chen Xuan was left speechless. He merely snorted and said nothing more.

At that moment, Cai Mei'er also hurried over.

She first respectfully bowed to Chen Xuan, then her gaze fell upon Zhang Lexuan's timid little face peeking out from behind him. Her eyes immediately softened with a gentle smile.

"This must be Little Lexuan, right? What a well-behaved and adorable child."

Zhang Lexuan was somewhat reserved as she spoke softly. "Hello, big sister."

Cai Mei'er's smile became even gentler. "Such a good girl. My name is Cai Mei'er. You can call me Aunt Cai from now on."

Yan Shaozhe lightly coughed beside them and teased, "Aunt Cai? That would make the generations all muddled.

Little Lexuan is our genuine junior sister."

Cai Mei'er rolled her eyes at him, her tone affectionate. "You can stick to your sect seniority, and I'll go by the bond between us. Little Lexuan, don't mind him."

Zhang Lexuan looked at Yan Shaozhe, then at the gentle Cai Mei'er, her little face filled with confusion.

She had once only known that her master possessed heaven-defying cultivation and an exalted status.

But now that she had truly entered Shrek and stood face-to-face with these supreme figures who had existed only in legends, she felt as though she were walking on clouds—dazed, yet vividly real.

Chen Xuan looked at Cai Mei'er and instructed, "Mei'er, take Lexuan around first and help her get familiar with the place.

It's her first time at Shrek. Don't let her feel nervous or afraid."

"Leave it to me."

Cai Mei'er stepped forward, gently taking Zhang Lexuan's hand as she smiled.

"Come on. Auntie will take you to see the most beautiful Sea God Lake.

Let me tell you a secret: your master used to sneak chicken legs by the lake."

Zhang Lexuan's eyes instantly lit up. "Really?"

Chen Xuan's old face darkened as he hastily said, "Don't listen to her nonsense. Nothing like that ever happened."

Cai Mei'er did not expose him. Smiling, she led Zhang Lexuan away by the hand, with A-Huang wagging his tail as he followed closely behind.

Watching the two depart, the teasing look on Yan Shaozhe's face vanished completely as he spoke seriously.

"Elder Xuan, quite a few matters have piled up at the academy during the days you were away.

Master said he is advanced in years and lacks the energy to handle them. He has entrusted all matters to your full discretion."

Chen Xuan nodded casually. "The old man just wants to be lazy. Fine, let's discuss it in your study."

The two moved to the study. Yan Shaozhe shut the door, poured Chen Xuan a cup of hot tea, then sat down and began.

"First matter.

The envoys of the remaining Three Empires, formerly part of the Four Great Empires, paid a special visit to Shrek earlier. I already turned them away."

Yan Shaozhe's tone carried a trace of impatience. "Evil Soul Masters are wreaking havoc everywhere, bringing disaster to every region.

They cannot defend their territories or protect their people, and now they suddenly remember Shrek's Inquisitorial Legion."

Chen Xuan raised his cup and took a light sip, sneering. "Now they know to panic and ask for help? What were they doing before? What exactly did they say?"

"Nothing but high-sounding rhetoric." Yan Shaozhe gave a scornful laugh.

"They begged Sea God Pavilion to resume its continental patrol missions, using the innocence of the people and the stability of the continent as excuses to morally pressure us."

"They speak so righteously now, but when they excluded Shrek and feared Shrek's influence, they showed no mercy at all."

Chen Xuan did not respond. He quietly drank his tea, his expression calm.

Yan Shaozhe continued his report. "Second matter: all invitations for the apprenticeship ceremony have been delivered.

The Three Empires, the Body Sect, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Xuanming Sect, and the Star Crown Sect have all been invited.

Second-rate sects such as the Sky Dragon Gate and Earth Dragon Gate were not overlooked either."

"Over in the Sun Moon Empire, the Imperial Soul Engineer Academy also received an invitation.

Jing Hongchen has not given a clear reply, but given his scheming nature and ambition, there is a high chance he will come in person."

At the mention of Jing Hongchen's name, a glint of interest flashed through Chen Xuan's eyes.

"Jing Hongchen received an invitation too? Perfect.

I was already planning to use this summit as an opportunity to have a proper talk with him and finalize the exchange student arrangements between our two academies."

As soon as those words fell, Yan Shaozhe's expression changed abruptly.

After weighing his words for a moment, he finally could not help but advise, "Elder Xuan, this is absolutely inappropriate.

Shrek and the Sun Moon Empire have always stood on opposing sides, with undercurrents of confrontation between us.

Allowing students from both sides to exchange and interact will inevitably invite criticism. We could easily be accused of colluding with the enemy!"

Chen Xuan looked up at him and smiled faintly. "Colluding with the enemy? Then tell me, what is an enemy?

Is it the Three Empires, narrow-minded and constantly seeking to restrain us, or the Sun Moon Empire, which embraces innovation and whose soul tool technology far surpasses the continent's?"

Yan Shaozhe was momentarily speechless, unable to refute him.

"I understand your concerns. You are afraid we will be aiding the enemy."

Chen Xuan set down his teacup, his tone steady and forceful.

"But remember this: Shrek has never been a subordinate enforcer of the Three Empires. We are a supreme power independent of the world!"

"We stand upon this continent because of the orthodox path of martial souls passed down for ten thousand years, because of Sea God's legacy—not because of the protection of mundane imperial authority!"

His gaze was profound, every word ringing with conviction. "Moreover, this is the quickest path for us to catch up to and surpass the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology.

If we stubbornly shut ourselves away and remain entangled in past hostilities, we will sooner or later be completely eliminated by the tides of the age!

Do you think I enjoy maneuvering and competing with an old fox like Jing Hongchen? All of this is for Shrek's future!"

Yan Shaozhe frowned deeply. After pondering for a long while, he slowly said, "Elder Xuan, I understand your vision.

But this matter has enormous implications. Neither the Martial Soul Department nor the Soul Tool Department can decide it unilaterally.

If someone deliberately twists its meaning and spreads it widely, Shrek will be placed in an extremely passive position."

"That is why I said we should convene a Sea God Pavilion meeting and discuss it in detail." Chen Xuan spoke calmly. "The final decision will still follow Mu En's arrangements."

Yan Shaozhe finally relaxed. "With Master making the decision, it will be safe enough."

Chen Xuan snorted and teased, "Look at how cautious and timid you are.

Back when you had that old entanglement with Feng Ling, why didn't I see you acting so hesitant?"

Yan Shaozhe's face instantly stiffened. He said helplessly, "Elder Xuan, can we not bring up old matters?"

Chen Xuan laughed heartily and raised his teacup for another sip.

Yan Shaozhe lightly coughed and quickly returned to the topic. "Third matter: Shrek's Inquisitorial Legion currently has a large number of vacant positions.

Not only the Inquisitorial Legion—the academy's Inner Court and Outer Court are also severely lacking in teaching staff."

Chen Xuan frowned slightly. "What happened? We only purged a group of parasites occupying posts without doing their jobs before. How could there be so many vacancies?"