The Smoothly Held Apprenticeship Ceremony

"Jing Hongchen, that old bastard, really has some nerve. Does he think Shrek's ten-thousand-year foundation is made of clay?"

Deputy Sect Master Jinpeng said, "Sect Master, the Sun Moon Empire is coming in force. If we stay in the city, we may get dragged into this as well."

"What's there to fear? He can blow things up while I go my own way.

Does he really think a Ninth-level Fixed Soul Cannon Shell can kill me? What a joke."

First Elder Lou Xuwang said calmly, "Sect Master, there is something I'm not sure whether I should say."

"Say it."

"This ceremony may appear to be about taking in a disciple, but in truth, it is Shrek's move to consolidate the continent's forces.

That old bastard Xuanzi is shrewder than anyone.

He deliberately invited the Three Empires, the Sun Moon Empire, and every major sect just to see who stands with whom.

At tomorrow's ceremony, our Body Sect should only observe and not take a position."

Du Busi snorted. "I never planned on taking a position anyway. We're just here to watch the show."

"But what if Xuanzi forces us to take a position?"

Du Busi fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Then we'll see whether he has what it takes."

He turned to Jinpeng and Lou Xuwang, his tone cold and hard. "Tomorrow, you two stay behind me.

And tell those little brats not to wander around.

If something happens, I won't be so kind as to protect them.

They'd better all follow me. Anyone who runs off can go back and take their punishment."

Jinpeng and Lou Xuwang exchanged a glance and answered in unison, "Yes."

Elsewhere, Jing Hongchen had not been idle either.

After entering the residence, he sent out several Soul Engineers in succession, using the excuse of purchasing supplies for tomorrow's ceremony to gather information throughout the city.

Shrek City's defensive arrangements, the movements of Sea God Pavilion, and the locations of the Three Empires' delegations.

Even the evacuation routes within the city were within the scope of his investigation.

"How did it go?" Jing Hongchen sat in a chair, lightly tapping his fingers against the tabletop.

An Eighth-level Soul Engineer bowed. "Reporting to the dean, the city's defenses are extremely tight.

The area around Sea God Pavilion has already been sealed off. Our people could not get close.

The people from the Three Empires also seem tense. They are all staying within their own camps.

This time, Shrek has truly put the entire city under lockdown."

Jing Hongchen smiled. "As expected. That old bastard Xuanzi will not give us the slightest opportunity."

"Then we..."

"No need to rush." Jing Hongchen rose and walked to the window, looking toward the lights shining in the direction of Sea God Pavilion.

"We are guests, and guests follow the host's arrangements.

At tomorrow's ceremony, we will only observe. We can discuss serious matters after it ends."

As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. "Pass this down. Everyone is to behave.

In Shrek City, no one is allowed to cause trouble.

If anything truly goes wrong, I will be the first to hold him accountable."

"Yes!"

That night, Shrek City was lit as bright as day. The various factions moved in secret, probing and testing one another.

Some sought self-preservation, some watched the wind, and some sharpened their blades.

At the center of it all, Elder Xuan sat in his own courtyard with his legs crossed, gnawing on a chicken leg.

Lu Yun stood beside him, so anxious that blisters had formed on his lips. "Elder Xuan, tomorrow is the ceremony!

Every faction is contacting others in secret. Aren't you worried at all?"

"What's the rush?" Elder Xuan spat out a chicken bone. "Everyone who should be here is here. The real show is only beginning."

After saying that, he looked up at the nearly full moon in the sky.

"Tomorrow, let them all see what Shrek truly is."

At the first light of dawn, Shrek City had already come alive.

The plaza before Sea God Pavilion had long since been prepared.

A red carpet stretched from the pavilion entrance all the way to the end of the plaza, with nine bronze lamp posts standing on either side.

The soul tool lamps atop the posts burned without extinguishing, casting the entire plaza in a solemn, dignified light.

Hundreds of seats for observers were arranged along both sides, each one checked by Sea God Pavilion stewards.

Banners throughout the city fluttered in the wind, yet the silence was so deep that almost no stray sound could be heard.

The various factions took their seats in order.

The delegations from the Three Empires arrived very early.

The Southern Pacifying King of Douling, the Crown Prince of Heavenly Soul, and the Elder Prince of Star Luo did not exchange many words.

They merely led their attendants to their assigned places and sat down, every face taut with tension.

The Sun Moon Empire party entered immediately afterward. Jing Hongchen and Xu Taiwang walked side by side, their gazes fixed ahead.

Envoys from the Body Sect, Clear Sky Sect, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sky Dragon Gate, and other sects took their respective places.

The smaller sects that had arrived without invitations were arranged around the outer perimeter. They formed a dense sea of people, yet not a single person dared make noise.

The entire plaza was so solemn that one could almost hear the faint rustle of wind against the banners.

A bell rang.

The main gates of Sea God Pavilion slowly opened.

Mu En, dressed in a dark azure elder's robe and holding a dragon-patterned wooden staff, slowly emerged with Elder Song and Elder Lin supporting him on either side, then took his seat of honor.

All the other core elders, except Chen Xuan, took their seats along both sides.

Chen Xuan did not sit.

Today, he wore a black robe trimmed with gold. His beard and hair were meticulously arranged, and he stood with his hands behind his back beneath the seat of honor.

Morning light shone from behind him, lending his aged face an unexpectedly dignified and majestic air.

His gaze swept across the gathered guests before finally settling on the end of the red carpet.

"The auspicious hour has arrived."

Following Elder Lin's sharp call, a small figure appeared at the end of the red carpet.

Zhang Lexuan wore a moon-white dress, her hair tied into two small buns adorned with several silver flowers.

She held herself straight, looked ahead without glancing aside, and walked step by step toward Chen Xuan.

A-Huang had not come and had been left in the Inner Court. The little girl walked steadily, not at all like a child who had only just entered the academy.

Every gaze in the plaza fell upon her.

Zhang Lexuan stopped before Chen Xuan and looked up at him.

Chen Xuan looked at his little disciple, and the tension that had been knotted inside him all day suddenly eased. He crouched down and extended a hand.

"Are you afraid?" he asked softly.

Zhang Lexuan shook her head. "No."

Chen Xuan smiled, rose to his feet, took her hand, and turned toward Mu En.

"Elder Mu, I am taking in a disciple."

Mu En gave a slight nod.

Elder Song stepped forward, unfurled a golden document that had long been prepared, and read aloud:

"Today, Zhang Lexuan of the Zhang family of Azure Mist, female, nine years old, possesses Innate Full Soul Power, extraordinary talent, and a pure heart.

Taotie Douluo Xuanzi, elder of Shrek's Sea God Pavilion, is willing to accept her as his personal disciple.

From this day forth, she shall enter the halls of Sea God Pavilion. He shall teach and guide her, and protect her for life."

Elder Lin called out again, "Perform the disciple's ceremony."

Zhang Lexuan released Chen Xuan's hand, stepped back half a pace, knelt on both knees, and respectfully kowtowed three times.

"Disciple Zhang Lexuan pays respects to Master."

Chen Xuan reached out and helped her up.

"From today onward, you are my, Xuanzi's, personal disciple."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried across the entire plaza. "Whoever bullies you bullies Shrek."

The entire plaza fell silent.

Then, no one knew who began clapping first.

First came one clap, then two places, then three, until the entire plaza erupted in thunderous applause.

The people from the Three Empires beamed with smiles, while those from the Sun Moon Empire joined in clapping as well.

Envoys from the various sects rose one after another to offer congratulations, and the atmosphere instantly shifted from solemnity to warmth.

"Congratulations, Elder Xuan!"

"Congratulations to Sea God Pavilion for gaining another peerless talent!"

"Miss Zhang possesses unparalleled talent. She will surely accomplish great things in the future!"

Zhang Lexuan stood beside Chen Xuan, her face flushed red, yet she still tried her best to hold her head high.

Chen Xuan gently patted her shoulder.

"See that? They are all praising you," he said softly.

"Mhm," Zhang Lexuan answered quietly.

"Then don't disgrace your master in the future."

"I won't!"

Though grand, the ceremony was not overly long.

After the various factions had finished offering their congratulations, Mu En was escorted back into Sea God Pavilion by Elder Song and Elder Lin. Chen Xuan then led Zhang Lexuan on a circuit around the plaza.

The guests also dispersed one after another.

No trouble occurred.

The Ninth-level Fixed Soul Cannon Shell did not fire.

The four Ninth-level Soul Engineers did not make a move.

Jing Hongchen smiled from beginning to end, though no one knew how many schemes were hidden beneath that smile.

Du Busi watched the entire time. He had even nodded when Zhang Lexuan kowtowed.