Sea God Island was shrouded in the pale golden dawn and a rich Life force. Ancient trees reached for the sky, and pavilions and towers appeared and disappeared in the distance. The Soul Power was so dense that it was almost impossible to dissolve.
This is the true core of the Shrek Academy, a sacred place in the hearts of countless Soul Master.
Kong Xuan and nine other exchange students from the Sun Moon Empire finally set foot on this land.
Contrary to expectations of a grand reception or close "surveillance," after arriving on the island, apart from the taciturn old man who had led the way quietly leaving, not a single teacher or student from the Inner Court came to greet or guide them.
Yesterday's events still linger like a heavy gloom in the hearts of every student in the Inner Court.
Kong Xuan, a Soul Emperor, single-handedly accomplished the feat of defeating the Inner Court, and even their beloved Grandmaster Zhang Lexuan was defeated by him.
This blow was not just a difference in strength, but also a shock to one's beliefs.
The glory that had lasted for millennia seemed to have been forcibly torn open by that young man from the Sun Moon Empire.
In this atmosphere, naturally no one was willing... or rather, no one could immediately adjust their mindset to receive these exchange students from the Sun Moon.
So yesterday, Cai Mei'er entrusted everything to her teacher, Ren Jun, since he came from Shrek Inner Court and was very familiar with the place.
Ren Jun led everyone on a leisurely stroll through the Inner Court Inner Court, introducing the various facilities and explaining the things they would need to be aware of while living and studying Inner Court.
" The Inner Court and Outer Court are different; there are no unified classes or courses."
"Apart from a few students who were accepted as personal disciples by the academy's senior elders, the other students were basically 'left to their own devices' and allowed to cultivate on their own."
"However, there are open classes taught by different teachers every week, and students in the Inner Court can ask them any questions they may have about cultivation."
Through Ren Jun's explanation, everyone gained a basic understanding of the Inner Court's curriculum.
However, at the same time, this also serves as a way to demystify the Shrek students once again.
It doesn't seem like Shrek's Inner Court is anything special. Apart from receiving guidance from the academy's elders, the students have to figure everything else out on their own.
In that case, the vast majority of these genius students in the Inner Court have grown up entirely through their own talent and hard work, and the Inner Court's education has played virtually no role.
However, the only thing that everyone felt good about in the Inner Court was that their living environment had improved by several levels.
First of all, the dormitory has been converted into single rooms, which are fully equipped and have private bathrooms.
Furthermore, the dining hall in the Inner Court has tables and chairs, so they no longer have to stand to eat!
Within a day, everyone quickly adapted to life in the Inner Court. However, the students in the Inner Court didn't seem friendly; they avoided them whenever they saw them.
Ma Sheng has returned to Mingdu, and it's likely that he'll be able to invite Kong Deming soon, after which they can go to Star Dou to obtain the Soul Spirit.
During this time, Kong Xuan felt there was something he could start dealing with.
On Sea God Island, the evening glow bathed everything in a warm golden hue.
That rich, intoxicating Life force, so potent that a single breath could grant longevity, originates from the towering Golden Ancient Tree at the heart of the island, seemingly connecting heaven and earth.
Its trunk is as thick as a mountain range, and its gnarled branches stretch out wildly, blocking out the sky and the golden leaves rustle in the evening breeze, casting soft dappled light that covers almost half of the island.
Alone, Kong Xuan followed the sprawling branches toward its source, feeling the Life force around him grow stronger and stronger.
Kong Xuan could already see that not far away, a pavilion had been "carved" out of the thick trunk of the Golden Ancient Tree, which was the core of Sea God Island — the Sea God Pavilion!
Just as he was about to continue forward, a beautiful figure came into view.
Her long, flowing hair swayed gently in the evening breeze, and she still wore a gentle smile on her face. It was Zhang Lexuan.
When Kong Xuan saw her, she also noticed Kong Xuan's presence.
Kong Xuan paused slightly, then a gentle smile appeared on her face as she walked over and asked naturally, " Sister Lexuan, how's your recovery going?"
Unlike other Inner Court students who deliberately avoided or revealed complex and inscrutable expressions, Zhang Lexuan maintained her gentle and dignified demeanor.
She seemed to have truly let go of the trauma she suffered from losing to Kong Xuan in the Soul Fighting Arena, and even from the destruction of her Martial Soul Avatar, and didn't care at all.
She returned the smile, a smile that appeared exceptionally clear in the soft glow of the Golden Ancient Tree: "With Elder Zhuang personally treating me, this injury was long gone and I've fully recovered."
"That's good." Kong Xuan smiled, then, remembering something, added, "Congratulations Sister Lexuan, on entering the Sea God Pavilion."
Today, the Inner Court announced that Zhang Lexuan is no longer an Inner Court student, but has become a member of the Sea God Pavilion.
This was an order from Mu En. He himself was nearing the end of his life and had to think about the future of the academy. Bringing Zhang Lexuan into the Sea God Pavilion was the first step.
Zhang Lexuan smiled gently, "I'm just a candidate, not officially a member of the Sea God Pavilion yet."
Kong Xuan thought for a moment and asked, " Sister Lexuan, are you planning to stay at Shrek indefinitely? Aren't you going back to Sun Moon?"
Zhang Lexuan fell silent upon hearing this. She had already confirmed that she did indeed possess the bloodline of the Sun Moon Kong Clan, and she knew that she would encounter this problem sooner or later.
After a moment, she spoke, " Shrek is where I grew up, and my teachers have been very kind to me. As for the Sun Moon... I hope we won't become enemies in the future."
Kong Xuan saw the determination in Zhang Lexuan's eyes and knew that this was her choice.
Zhang Lexuan seemed unwilling to discuss the matter further and quickly changed the subject, asking, "You mean... you want to go to the Sea God Pavilion?"
The road where Kong Xuan was located led directly to the Sea God Pavilion.
Kong Xuan didn't hide anything, saying, " The Sea God Pavilion is the core of the Inner Court, so naturally I'm very curious and came to take a look."
Zhang Lexuan replied, " The Sea God Pavilion is the most important place in the academy; even students from the Inner Court cannot enter."
"If you want to get in, I can ask the senior students at the academy, but don't get your hopes up too high."
Kong Xuan knew this trip wouldn't go smoothly, and said nonchalantly, "No need to trouble Sister Lexuan, just take a look from a distance. I have no intention of going in."
Looking into Kong Xuan's sincere eyes, Zhang Lexuan nodded. "Then I'll be going now. Feel free to come find me if anything happens in the Inner Court."
Watching Zhang Lexuan's departing figure, Kong Xuan gazed at the Sea God Pavilion in the distance and did not move forward any further.
"Teacher, I'm leaving it to you."
Within Kong Xuan's Sea of Consciousness, Yun Ming nodded to him, and then his Divine Power silently emerged from between Kong Xuan's eyebrows.
Kong Xuan had promised to bring Yun Ming to Shrek to verify Tang San's backup plan through the Golden Ancient Tree, thus convincing his teacher, Yun Ming, of Tang San's "eternal plan."
Now that we've entered the Inner Court, it's time to fulfill our promise!