The Sea of Consciousness returned to calm. The enormous golden tree slowly faded away, leaving only a faint halo in Xu Jingyao's Soul Ring.
The Golden Tree also suppressed the unusual phenomenon outside. The warm yellow light covering Sea God Lake quietly drew inward, finally vanishing with a flash deep within the Inner Court.
But Mu En still noticed.
Early the next morning, Mu En sat by a window in the Sea God Pavilion, looking at the thin mist that had yet to disperse over Sea God Lake outside, his brows slightly furrowed.
That aura of life had come far too suddenly last night. Although it had lasted only a few brief breaths, its purity surpassed that of any life-attribute Soul Master he had ever seen.
"Elder Jin, did something happen last night?"
Mu En called softly.
Deep within the Sea God Pavilion, the Golden Tree's branches and leaves swayed gently, and an ancient consciousness reached him.
"Mu En, last night, I sensed a gentle aura that differed from Shrek Academy's, so I went to take a look."
"At whom?"
"That Pavilion Master of the Carefree Pavilion."
The Golden Tree's voice was unhurried. "I sensed life and light in him. It felt very familiar, so I went to have a look."
Mu En fell silent for a moment.
"Elder Jin, do you think this man can be trusted?"
The Golden Tree's branches and leaves swayed again, as though he were nodding. "At the very least, he bears Shrek no ill will."
Even if he posed a threat, that still counted as no threat!
How should I get some of Shrek Academy's resources for my great master?
Mu En nodded and asked no further questions.
The Golden Tree was Shrek's foundation and had lived for countless tens of thousands of years. His judgment was more reliable than anyone else's.
Since Elder Jin said this man could be trusted, he would trust him.
He withdrew his gaze and lowered his head to continue reading the files in his hands.
"He is Douluo's core. If he dies, all life on the Douluo Continent should wither in an instant. Mu En, maintaining good relations with him is no bad thing! Don't force him! To a certain extent, he represents the course of Douluo's destiny," the Golden Tree suddenly said, having thought of something.
Mu En froze, a trace of bewilderment flashing through his eyes. Elder Jin had made it sound so serious!!!
In truth, Elder Jin really had not lied!
Because he himself was the life core, and he had entered into a master-servant contract with Xu Jingyao. If Xu Jingyao died, he would die too, and if he died, life on the Douluo Continent really would wither!
Of course, if this son of two God Kings died, those two God Kings would probably go mad!
If he remembered correctly, it was said that those two God Kings had great difficulty having offspring!
And if the son of God Kings died in Douluo, then there was probably a ninety-nine percent chance that Douluo would be buried alongside him!
Even Sea God Tang San coming would be useless!
The mist over Sea God Lake gradually dispersed. Morning sunlight fell upon the water, setting it shimmering.
Meanwhile, in that small lakeside building, Xu Jingyao stood at the window, gazing at the distant Sea God Pavilion with the faintest hint of a smile on his lips.
Shrek Academy, the Golden Tree!
This trip had been worthwhile!
He turned around, picked up the teacup from the table, and took a sip.
Over in Mingdu, Xu Tianran should have received the message by now. As for dealing with this deposed Crown Prince, naturally, it would be best to leave the decision to Xu Tianran, the current Crown Prince!
Early the next morning, Xu Jingyao changed into a casual moon-white robe and applied makeup to make his appearance a little more ordinary, then headed out looking fresh and neat.
The small building Yan Shaozhe had arranged for him stood beside Sea God Lake. The morning mist had just cleared, and a thin layer of vapor still floated over the lake. The air carried the damp scent of grass and trees, which was quite pleasant to breathe.
He walked slowly along the stone path by the lake, his fan tucked at his waist and his steps unhurried, like a wealthy young gentleman out for an early stroll.
Shrek Academy's Outer Court was even larger than the imperial academy in Mingdu, with buildings scattered among shady green trees. The Soul Guidance Lamps had yet to go out, glowing a soft white in the morning light.
After all, this was an academy that occupied an entire city.
After walking for roughly the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the view ahead suddenly opened up. An enormous training ground spread out before him, paved with bluestone and surrounded by a ring of Soul Guidance Lamp posts.
A group of students was running laps around the training ground. The few in front were drenched in sweat, while those behind gritted their teeth and followed. The tail of the group had already fallen far behind.
Xu Jingyao stopped on the stone steps at the edge of the training ground, tapped his fan against his palm, and began watching with interest.
He had seen students running laps at the Imperial Soul Engineer Academy in Mingdu too.
However, the students there ran carrying Soul Tools as weights, their faces ashen as they cursed and swore.
Shrek's approach was rather plain: just running. Their Soul Power Levels... were quite good too. Even the weakest were above rank fifteen, while the few in the lead were close to rank thirty.
Well, except for Huo Yuhao!
His gaze swept over the group, then suddenly stopped on a pink-and-blue-haired youth in the middle.
The youth had a slender figure and excessively delicate features. Her blue hair gleamed faintly in the morning light, her running form was crisp, her breathing steady, and Soul Power faintly circulated beneath her feet. Several students from her year ran beside her, but she was clearly having an easier time than the others. She even had the leisure to turn and look at a panting fat boy beside her, a mischievous smile on her lips.
Wang Dong.
Xu Jingyao's fan stopped.
The God King's daughter, Tang Wutong.
Tang San and Xiao Wu's daughter was now studying in the Shrek Outer Court under the alias Wang Dong.
Those eyes bore some resemblance to Tang Wulin's, but their temperaments were completely different.
After all, Tang Wulin had been raised as a servant since childhood, leaving a little more timidity in his eyes, whereas this Wang Dong looked utterly high-spirited!
Xu Jingyao looked at her a few times before withdrawing his gaze, with no intention of doing anything.
Tang San's daughter-laying a hand on her now would be courting death.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, a furious shout suddenly came from behind him.
"You over there! Stop!"
Xu Jingyao paused and looked back.
A woman who looked to be in her forties or fifties was striding toward him.
She was not tall and wore the uniform of a Shrek Outer Court teacher. The wrinkles on her face looked deep enough to pinch someone to death!
Zhou Yi...
The Shrek Outer Court's most famous strict teacher, notorious for being domineering and unreasonable. Students reacted to her as though they had seen a ghost.
Zhou Yi walked up to Xu Jingyao and looked him up and down, her brows twisting into a knot. "Which class are you in? You dare stand beside the training ground watching the show on the very first day of school? Go run laps!"
Xu Jingyao was taken aback.
He lowered his head and examined his clothes. A moon-white robe made from Mingdu's finest yunjin, with a jade plaque tucked at his waist. Although he was not wearing the Carefree Pavilion's emblem, no matter how one looked at this outfit, he did not resemble an Outer Court student.
"Teacher," Xu Jingyao said evenly, raising his fan slightly, "I'm not a student."
"Not a student?" Zhou Yi sneered and pointed toward the training ground. "If you're not a student, what are you standing here for? Watching the fun? Is Shrek Academy's training ground a place for you to watch the fun? Cut the nonsense. Either run laps or get out. Hah, don't think I don't know your sort of lowlife..."
Before you continue