"Whether he is willing to join the Martial Soul Department and gain another identity as its disciple remains unknown."
"Even after joining, it is hard to say whether he would be willing to spend much of his time on the Martial Soul Department."
"Most importantly, Gu Yunxiao chose the Practical Soul Tool Department because its schedule offered more freedom than the Martial Soul Department's."
"Since Gu Yunxiao wants freedom over his time, imposing our own ideas on him would only backfire."
Both Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er had spoken out of their own self-interest, hoping to bind Gu Yunxiao to their respective factions.
What appeared to be a dispute between Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er was, in fact, competition between the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department.
Although Mu En favored the Martial Soul Department at heart, as the pavilion master, he could not show excessive partiality and aggravate their internal conflicts.
"Teacher, what would you suggest?" Yan Shaozhe asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Once Gu Yunxiao gains his dual disciple status, let him arrange his own schedule. We need not interfere too much."
"Gu Yunxiao is a prodigy beyond all reason. He certainly won't let his talents go to waste."
"Given time, he will gradually make his choice."
For the moment, Mu En set aside the perspectives of the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department and considered the matter from Gu Yunxiao's position instead.
Since Gu Yunxiao wanted freedom over his time, the academy would not meddle excessively.
"Very well. We shall do as you say, Teacher." Yan Shaozhe's eyes flickered, a trace of amusement flashing in their depths.
Mu En's words sounded "fair," but in truth, he was still favoring the Martial Soul Department.
Xuan Zi and the others recognized that as well, but said nothing and nodded their agreement.
Despite all the unwillingness in Xian Lin'er's heart, she could only agree in the end. After all, the minority had to yield to the majority.
"That will be our arrangement for Gu Yunxiao for now."
"Are there any other exceptionally talented children among this year's new students? Report on them all now, so we can pay them greater attention and focus on nurturing them in the future."
Mu En looked at Yan Shaozhe.
"There are!"
Yan Shaozhe immediately rose and said with a smile, "Dai Huabin, the second son of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion; Ning Tian, the heir of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; Wu Feng, who has the Red Dragon martial soul; Xie Huanyue, who has the Rubber Elephant martial soul..."
"There is also a girl named Wang Dong'er. Although she is only a rank twenty-one Soul Grandmaster, she possesses the Light Goddess Butterfly martial soul..."
Yan Shaozhe named the new students one by one and introduced their backgrounds.
Some were already approaching the Soul Elder level at a young age.
Others possessed high-grade martial souls and considerable potential.
In short, every one of them had something that made them shine.
As Mu En and the others listened to Yan Shaozhe introduce each new student, smiles unconsciously appeared on their faces, their eyes filled with gratification.
With juniors like these, Shrek Academy still had a promising future.
"This Sea God Pavilion Meeting is hereby concluded. If there is nothing else, you may all return to your duties."
"Xuan Zi, stay a moment."
At Mu En's words, Yan Shaozhe and the others bowed and left.
Only after the others' auras had vanished did Xuan Zi look at Mu En. "Elder Mu?"
"Ah."
Mu En sighed softly. "Xuan Zi, so many years have passed. Can you still not escape the shadow of that incident?"
If not for that incident, Xuan Zi would not have drowned his sorrows in alcohol and given up on himself. He should have taken over Mu En's position.
Mu En could then have remained behind the scenes, resting and recuperating to live a few more years.
Now, his health deteriorated with every passing day.
"Elder Mu, I..."
Pain appeared on Xuan Zi's face the moment he recalled it.
Of the twelve inner court geniuses he had led, eight had fallen. The losses had been devastating.
Whenever the night grew quiet, or even when he entered seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the ultimate level, he would recall the incident, leaving him unable to find peace in anything.
It had also become a major knot in his heart that prevented him from reaching the ultimate level.
"Xuan Zi, this was not your fault."
"No one could have predicted that the soul beasts in the mixed zone would suddenly riot that time. Clearly, some presence had disturbed them."
"You have spent years drowning your sorrows. It is time to emerge from them."
"I don't know how much longer I can hold on. The academy still needs you to shoulder its main burden."
Mu En spoke gently, patiently trying to guide him out of his anguish.
Yet Xuan Zi still could not take his words to heart. The pain in his eyes only deepened.
"Ah." Mu En heaved a long sigh. "Very well. Think it over carefully. Those children who fell surely wouldn't want to see you so dispirited."
Xuan Zi remained silent for a long while, then bowed and took his leave.
After Xuan Zi left, Mu En rocked in his recliner, utterly perplexed. "The soul beasts in the mixed zone rioted en masse, yet no ferocious beast was responsible. What could have caused it?"
No matter how hard Mu En thought, he would never imagine that Gu Yunxiao had been riding the Three-Eyed Golden Lion through the mixed zone, lording over it and collecting protection fees.
The soul beasts had fled in every direction, sweeping a group of Shrek Academy's inner court disciples into the chaos.
Two days later.
The penthouse suite of the Star Emperor Hotel.
Gu Yunxiao opened his eyes to the sight of a breathtakingly beautiful face, mature and alluring.
She lay in his arms, sleeping peacefully, a smile lingering on her lips.
The trace of innocence between her brows had been replaced by maturity.
A beauty's face, a beauty's body-both were difficult to forget.
Gu Yunxiao had savored those delights for two days.
"Phew..."
Gu Yunxiao exhaled at length, moving gently as he slowly slipped out from beneath the covers.
Then he entered the bathroom and began washing.
By the time he emerged, Zi JI had already awakened. Draped in a thin blanket, she was slowly approaching him.
"Young master, your clothes."
Zi JI smiled tenderly and handed Gu Yunxiao the clothes she had laid out.
Gu Yunxiao nodded slightly and began dressing in front of Zi JI without any hesitation.
Gulp.
Zi JI swallowed, unable to resist stepping forward to help. "Young master, let me dress you."
Gu Yunxiao did not refuse, enjoying Zi JI's care.
Soon, Gu Yunxiao was fully dressed, his bearing on full display. The sight set Zi JI's heart fluttering, making her long to get a little naughty again.
Still, she reluctantly restrained herself.
"Digest it properly. It will do you good."
"Although it cannot directly increase your cultivation, it can strengthen your Dragon Clan bloodline. It should stabilize your strength at that of a rank ninety-seven Super Douluo."
Gu Yunxiao chuckled and reached out to stroke Zi JI's cheek.
"Mm." Zi JI nodded, rose onto her toes, and took the initiative to kiss Gu Yunxiao on the lips. "Young master, thank you."
"You're my woman. There's no need to thank me." Gu Yunxiao smiled.
Zi JI's beautiful eyes trembled slightly, a mist of tears welling up as emotion surged through her heart.
She had thought that even after becoming intimate with Gu Yunxiao, their relationship would remain merely that of superior and subordinate.
Yet Gu Yunxiao had acknowledged her.
"Young master, I..."
"Get some rest. If you're really uncomfortable, have Bi Ji treat you."
"No. I want to remember this feeling!"
Zi JI's gaze was resolute, her cheeks flushed as she summoned her courage. "Young master, may I ask you for... for a kiss?"
Gu Yunxiao smiled and did not refuse. He reached out, tilted Zi JI's chin upward, and kissed her tenderly.
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