That's Right, You Really Do Need Coddling!

Mu En frowned and said solemnly, "A true man must admit his mistakes and repay his debts of gratitude. If Du Busi hadn't intervened this time, not only would you have been left with lifelong regret, but the Academy would also have suffered enormous losses. This is a tremendous favor and must be repaid."

"Otherwise, how will people view you in the future? How will they view Shrek Academy?"

"Remember, restrain your temper when you go there and thank him properly. Explain the Academy's considerations clearly."

"Also, tell Du Busi that Shrek Academy owes him a favor. If he ever needs anything in the future, so long as it does not violate our principles, Shrek Academy will certainly assist him."

It seemed the changes in the Body Sect over the years had even altered Elder Mu's attitude. Elder Song thought to herself.

They had become connected to gods, done many good deeds for the people of the continent, and, upon reemerging, had sent eight Titled Douluo to lead their forces out of the mountains, displaying immense strength.

Now, the Body Sect's reputation across the continent was no longer what it used to be. Especially within the Heaven Dou Empire, countless people believed in the Goddess of Life and the God of Destruction. Their momentum had clearly surpassed the Academy's entirely.

Given the current situation, taking this opportunity to build goodwill with them was indeed a good choice.

Perhaps the gods worshipped by the Body Sect even knew Sea God Tang San and the other first-generation Shrek Seven Devils in the God Realm.

"Yes, Elder Mu." Xuan Zi replied dejectedly.

Who knew whether Du Busi would seize on the matter again and berate him when he went over there this time?

Damn it, this was unbearable!

"If there is nothing else, the meeting is adjourned." Mu En nodded slightly.

Everyone rose, gave Elder Mu a slight bow, and filed out of the Sea God Pavilion.

Once they arrived outside,

Yan Shaozhe strode over to Xuan Zi and consoled him. "Elder Xuan, why are you so down? Come on, let's have a drink to lift our spirits."

"No." Xuan Zi straightened his chest, cast him a sidelong glance, and said flatly, "Starting today, I've quit."

Damn it, it was you who kept jabbing at my wounds with those barbed words just now, and now you still dared to come butter me up!

"Elder Xuan, you..." Yan Shaozhe was utterly shocked, wondering whether he had misheard.

Had the sun risen in the west today? Xuan Zi actually said he was quitting drinking.

The others who had not gone far were also greatly startled. They turned back and stared at Xuan Zi in astonishment.

"..." Xuan Zi felt as though his heart had been struck a heavy blow, becoming even more determined to quit drinking from this day forward.

He had originally felt he could accept being blamed by his own people. After all, none of them had ever said anything too harsh to him before.

But if that outsider Du Busi, who had never gotten along with him, got another chance to catch him drinking and causing trouble, then with the Body Sect's current reputation across the continent, all it would take was a little publicity for him to suffer utter public disgrace on the spot.

At his age, if he lost his reputation and saw his many years of prestige destroyed in an instant, he might as well just die!

And now, seeing the expressions on his colleagues' faces, he suddenly felt that things might not be as simple as they appeared. It was as if they had only refrained from speaking plainly in the past because of his age and cultivation, afraid that he would truly throw in the towel and quit, leaving them no choice but to coax him along.

As an even older senior—older by several decades, no less—he needed others to coddle him!?

Didn't he have any pride!?

Just as he was thinking this, he saw Yan Shaozhe approach with a broad smile.

"Elder Xuan, isn't everyone fine? You needn't blame yourself so harshly. Just be more careful from now on!"

Xuan Zi's face instantly flushed red. He was all too familiar with those last words, and now they sounded exceptionally grating, as though they were saying,

That's right, you really do need coddling!

Damn it!

Xuan Zi flew into a rage, his chest heaving violently before he blurted out, "Yan Shaozhe, get the hell out of my sight!"

With that, he leaped from the ground and shot away.

"???" Yan Shaozhe looked completely bewildered. He then turned to his wife, Cai Mei'er, and asked instinctively.

"Mei'er, did I say something wrong?"

Cai Mei'er looked equally baffled. She shook her head slightly, unable to understand what had provoked this old senior.

"Perhaps Elder Mu's words made him a little sensitive," she said softly.

Inside the Sea God Pavilion, Elder Mu leaned back in his wooden chair and fell into thought.

That evening, in the small courtyard,

Mu En summoned Zhang Lexuan and said with a smile, "Lexuan, tell Great-Grandfather everything that happened in the Star Dou Great Forest again."

"That old fellow Xuan Zi cares deeply about his pride, so he must have concealed some things. It was only natural that you did not say much at the time out of consideration for his feelings. It's just the two of us here, so speak freely."

Zhang Lexuan nodded gently, then calmly described everything in detail.

Mu En soon fell silent, his brows slightly furrowed. Only after Zhang Lexuan had finished did he ask in return,

"Lexuan, what do you think?"

"I think Senior Du Busi's words were not without reason." Zhang Lexuan's expression was resolute. "The Academy truly has placed too much importance on honor in recent years. It has become somewhat burdened by its reputation and neglected its original purpose as an academy: educating its students. Even its atmosphere has grown much more impetuous."

"Alas, a leaf before one's eyes, a leaf before one's eyes." Mu En finally sighed. "I never imagined that after spending so many years in the Academy, I would see things less clearly than an outsider."

Zhang Lexuan shook her head. "The onlooker sees clearly, while those involved are confused. Perhaps it is precisely because we are in the midst of it that we cannot see it clearly."

"That is indeed true." Mu En nodded, then looked at Zhang Lexuan with deep emotion. "Lexuan, Great-Grandfather is old. I no longer possess the ambition of my younger days. Even if I wish to make changes, I lack the strength to do so, and I cannot bring myself to be ruthless enough."

"Shaozhe is not bad by nature, but his tolerance is somewhat lacking. The rest of Sea God Pavilion's upper ranks, as well as those of the Martial Soul Department, have all been blinded by the Academy's current prosperity. They cannot broaden their horizons. Only Qian Duoduo and Xian Lin'er from the Soul Tool Department can see things more clearly."

"But one of them has too much of a merchant's air, while the other has too fiery a temper. Neither is suited to steer reform."

"Lexuan, if the Academy is to change completely, I fear it can only depend on your generation of young people."

"Great-Grandfather, rest assured. The Academy will certainly become better in the future," Zhang Lexuan said firmly.

"Great-Grandfather looks forward to that day." Mu En nodded, then smiled. "Lexuan, Du Busi was right. What has passed is past. From now on, you should live more for yourself. If you meet someone suitable in the future, you can consider it."

Zhang Lexuan was utterly embarrassed, her face flushing crimson.

"Great-Grandfather, I am still young. I should focus on cultivation and have no wish to involve myself in romance for now."

She shook her head slightly.

Mu En's expression remained unchanged, but a trace of helplessness flickered in his eyes. Back then, in a moment of impulsiveness, he had made Zhang Lexuan swear such an oath. It remained a hurdle in his heart to this day.

Only if Zhang Lexuan could forget Beibei and find another beloved partner would he truly be at ease.

As for Beibei, he had already gotten together with Tang Ya, so there was no need for Mu En to worry about him.

He only hoped both children would have a good ending in the future.

Two days later, at the Qing Luan Sect,

Minghui and the others arrived and were warmly received by Ming Chen and Qingyi.

After a round of conversation, the couple had their son Minghui take Princess Vina and Long Aotian around the Sect, while they remained behind to entertain Du Busi and the other two.

"Brother Du, two elders, to be honest, there is something I would like to discuss with the three of you," Qingyi said politely. "It concerns Hui'er's future cultivation."