"A power is concealing them. Apart from knowing that both are female soul masters, I can discern nothing else about their auras."
"And it isn't just them. That same power conceals Gu Yunxiao as well, preventing anyone from seeing through him."
"This is also one of the reasons I suspect Gu Yunxiao and those two come from the Clear Sky Sect."
"The Clear Sky Sect has a legacy stretching back tens of thousands of years and is bound to Ancestor Tang San by countless threads. It would hardly be surprising for them to possess some special methods."
"The other reason is Gu Yunxiao's three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings. Without special methods, absorbing them would have been utterly impossible."
Mu En spoke slowly, laying out his analysis.
Xuan Zi and the others all nodded after hearing him.
So far, every "suspicious detail" pointed toward the Clear Sky Sect. Apart from that mysterious, secluded sect, no other faction fit the description.
Thus, there could be only one truth: Gu Yunxiao was the Clear Sky Sect's heir!
Elder Song considered this for a moment, then asked, "Could we send a message to the Clear Sky Sect and ask them?"
"That would be unwise."
Mu En shook his head. "When the Clear Sky Sect sent us a message, they said a disciple would be coming to Shrek Academy, but did not disclose their identity."
"Clearly, they intended to conceal that disciple's identity."
"However, the fact that they took the initiative to contact us also means they hoped the academy would give this disciple some extra care."
"Then there are the two Super Douluos protecting him in secret."
"Most likely, Gu Yunxiao wanted to gain experience on his own, but the Clear Sky Sect was worried, so they notified us without explicitly revealing his identity."
"For one thing, they were afraid Gu Yunxiao would notice."
"For another, they weren't worried that we would fail to deduce that Gu Yunxiao came from the Clear Sky Sect. After all, only they could nurture such a prodigy."
His words came to an end.
The elders nodded in agreement, looking at Mu En with immense admiration.
As expected of Mu En-he had actually pieced together the entire chain of events.
Apart from the possibility Mu En had outlined, they could think of no other explanation.
"This heir of the Clear Sky Sect certainly has character."
"With talent like that, it's only natural to be proud. Anyone else would be even prouder than he is."
"In that case, let's pretend we know nothing."
"Yes, let things take their natural course. We'll simply nurture Gu Yunxiao as one of Shrek's monsters."
The elders chimed in one after another, smiles on their faces.
Fortunately, Gu Yunxiao had no idea what they were thinking. Otherwise, he would certainly have said, You're reading far too much into this.
"Mu En, even so, we cannot let our guard down around those two Super Douluos. This is Shrek Academy, not the Clear Sky Sect."
Xuan Zi's tightly furrowed brow had yet to fully relax. Those two Super Douluos lurking in the shadows remained a potential threat.
"There is no need to worry about that."
Mu En shook his head and said calmly, "They are only protecting Gu Yunxiao. They won't act recklessly. Even if something unexpected does happen, I will intervene."
"With the Golden Ancient Tree's support, I have nothing to fear-not from those two, nor even from the Clear Sky Sect's Limit Douluo or Beast God Di Tian."
Hearing this, Xuan Zi's furrowed brow eased somewhat, and he nodded. "I'll also keep watch over the academy during this time."
"So will we."
Yan Shaozhe and the others also voiced their support.
Mu En gave a slight nod, his face filled with relief as he watched them stand united.
"Gu Yunxiao's identity should remain between us. The fewer people who know, the better."
"Next, we need to discuss the arrangements for Gu Yunxiao."
"As you've all seen, this child is interested in soul tools. However, his true strength should lie in the path of a soul master."
"Therefore, I've decided that, in addition to being a disciple of the Soul Tool Department, Gu Yunxiao may also become a disciple of the Martial Soul Department and receive resources from both."
"Once the new student assessment ends, he will enter the inner court directly as a core disciple of both the Soul Tool Department and the Martial Soul Department."
"Also, we can try pairing him with Xiaotao."
"If you have any other suggestions or opinions, you may raise them now."
After explaining his plans for Gu Yunxiao, Mu En invited everyone to speak.
"Teacher, I think Gu Yunxiao should devote more of his time to the Martial Soul Department," Yan Shaozhe proposed.
"Yan Shaozhe, what are you implying?"
"Gu Yunxiao chose the Practical Soul Tool Department. That's more than enough proof that he likes the Soul Tool Department! He should devote more of his time to us!"
Xian Lin'er sprang to her feet and glared fiercely at Yan Shaozhe.
Although Shrek Academy stood united like a solid iron plate, there was still competition within it, and everyone harbored some degree of self-interest.
Both Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er hoped their own department's halo would shine more brightly around Gu Yunxiao.
"Lin'er, I'm considering the academy's interests too."
Yan Shaozhe gave a bitter smile and explained patiently, "Since we want to pair Xiaotao with Gu Yunxiao, we have to give them opportunities to interact."
"If Gu Yunxiao is in the Martial Soul Department, it will be easier for Xiaotao to spend time with him, which will help them develop feelings for each other."
"Hmph, then why not have Xiaotao join the Practical Soul Tool Department too?" Xian Lin'er snorted.
The corner of Yan Shaozhe's mouth twitched, his expression helpless.
Forget having Ma Xiaotao join the Practical Soul Tool Department-even getting her to use soul tools was something she would refuse a hundred times over.
Most soul masters at Shrek Academy still held traditional views, considering soul tools external aids. He himself was no exception.
"Lin'er, with Xiaotao's talent, sending her to the Soul Tool Department would just be wasting her time..."
"Yan Shaozhe, cut the crap! You're deliberately targeting my Soul Tool Department!"
"Lin'er!"
Suddenly, Elder Song glanced at Xian Lin'er, her voice growing slightly sterner. "This is the Sea God Pavilion. Mind your words."
With her mother speaking up, Xian Lin'er no longer dared say anything.
"Having Gu Yunxiao devote more time to the Soul Tool Department would indeed be inappropriate. It would waste too much of his time."
Xuan Zi shook his head and offered his opinion. "My suggestion is the same as Yan Shaozhe's. Let Gu Yunxiao spend more time studying in the Martial Soul Department."
"..."
Elder Song remained silent for a long while before saying, "The Martial Soul Department is indeed better suited to Gu Yunxiao's development."
Although she was Xian Lin'er's mother, she was also a Sea God Pavilion Elder. In some matters, she had to consider the bigger picture and could not blindly favor her daughter.
Seeing both Xuan Zi and her mother side with Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er instinctively looked toward Qian Duoduo beside her.
However, Qian Duoduo chose to remain silent.
The sight left Xian Lin'er deeply upset.
The Soul Tool Department had finally managed to gain a genius, only for the Martial Soul Department to openly snatch him away. How hateful.
Hmph, reject soul tools all you like. One day, you'll all regret it! Xian Lin'er snorted inwardly, feeling inexplicably wronged.
Seeing Xuan Zi and Elder Song both on his side, Yan Shaozhe rejoiced inwardly and immediately turned to Mu En. "Teacher, what do you think...?"
"All right, I understand your views, but you haven't considered this thoroughly enough."
Mu En shook his head and reminded them, "Don't forget that choosing the Practical Soul Tool Department was Gu Yunxiao's own wish."
Before you continue