Shrek Academy, Sea God Pavilion.
Sunlight streamed through the ancient window frames, illuminating the tranquil Sea God Pavilion.
Lord Mu En lay quietly in a rocking chair, his body swaying gently with the chair, making a rhythmic, reassuring creaking sound.
Because Kong Xuan's appearance changed the course of history, the Holy Spirit Cult did not attack Sly Academy, and Mu En was thus able to live for several more years thanks to his profound cultivation.
However, the flame of Life will eventually burn out.
Now he looks even older, his skin like dry tree bark covering his bony bones, and he exudes an indescribable aura of decay and exhaustion.
Anyone could see that this Dragon God Douluo, who had protected Shrek for over a hundred years, was nearing the end of his life.
" Mu En!"
A deep yet respectful voice came from outside the pavilion, breaking the silence.
Then, the tall and imposing Xuan Zi strode in, stopped a few steps in front of the rocking chair, and bowed slightly, his expression showing genuine respect.
Mu En slightly lifted his eyelids, which were as weathered as old tree bark, and his cloudy yet still deep gaze fell on Xuan Zi. His voice was hoarse and slow as he asked, "Are you... all ready?"
Each word seemed to require a great deal of his effort.
Xuan Zi nodded hurriedly and reported in a deep voice, "The personnel have been finalized. This year's All-Continent Youth High-Level Soul Master Soul Fighting Tournament will be participated in by Bei Bei, Wang Dong, Dai Huabin, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, and Cao Jinxuan as the main team members."
Mu En's mind flashed through the information of the seven starting players one by one, and he nodded slightly. This list was the best lineup that the academy could currently field.
Then, he let out a long and heavy sigh.
" Xuan Zi," his voice was hoarse yet carried an undeniable solemnity, "My time is running out; my days are numbered."
" Mu En!"
Xuan Zi was deeply shaken and hurriedly cried out, his voice filled with undisguised sorrow.
Mu En slightly raised his hand, making a pressing motion to interrupt him.
At this moment, the elderly man, nearing the end of his life, spoke with an undeniable seriousness, "Let me finish."
The words that Xuan Zi was about to say were swallowed back by these three simple words. He could only suppress his grief and gaze solemnly and sadly at the frail figure on the rocking chair.
Mu En then continued slowly, "After I leave, you will succeed me as the Sea God Pavilion Master."
His cloudy eyes fixed on Xuan Zi, as if trying to etch this responsibility into his soul. "From this day forward, you will bear the weight of the entire Shrek Academy's legacy and its rise and fall on your shoulders. You must never again act impulsively or make rash decisions based on your emotions!"
This is not just a word of advice, but also a warning.
He paused, his breathing slightly rapid, and after a moment's rest, continued his instructions, "This time, let Mei'er lead the team to participate in the Continent-wide Youth Advanced Soul Master Tournament."
"Tell all the participating children that the academy doesn't expect them to achieve high rankings in this competition. Their safety is the top priority. Coming back alive is more important than any honor."
" Mu En, I understand!"
With tears welling in his eyes, Xuan Zi nodded heavily, firmly engraving this weighty entrustment and expectation that transcended victory or defeat into his heart.
Five days later, the Shrek Academy participants, led by Vice Dean Cai Mei'er and teacher Wang Yan, traveled thousands of miles and finally arrived at the capital of the Sun Moon Empire, the city known as the heart of Soul Guidance Technology — Mingdu.
They checked into the Mingyue Hotel, which was arranged by the competition organizing committee.
This is a hotel specially built by the Sun Moon Empire for this grand event. It is magnificent and spectacular, full of streamlined metallic texture and futuristic feel. All participating teams are housed here.
From the moment they stepped onto the border of the Sun Moon Empire, the young Soul Master from Shrek were deeply shocked by everything they saw along the way.
The whizzing Soul Guidance Train, the ever-shining Soul Guidance Lamp, and the various convenient Soul Tool that ordinary people can use...
All of this is completely different from the Shrek City style they are familiar with, which is closer to nature and more rustic.
However, despite being filled with novelty and curiosity about everything around them, none of these young Shrek students unusually suggested going out to explore.
Their mood was as heavy as the gloomy sky over Mingdu that day.
As Shrek Academy students, they should face any competition with unparalleled confidence and high morale.
But at this moment, the atmosphere in the team seemed somewhat dejected.
Five years ago, Shrek Academy was defeated in the world-renowned Continental High-Level Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament.
The defeat was complete and completely unexpected.
The championship trophy, which Shrek had held for ten thousand years and which was considered theirs for the taking, was forcefully seized by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
That moment was not just about losing a trophy, but also about the shattering of an invincible myth.
After the match, the entire Shrek Academy, following a brief period of shock and disappointment, generally regarded it as an accidental "mistake".
They firmly believed that this was just a momentary lapse in concentration by the tiger, and that as long as they learned from this experience and trained diligently, they would surely be able to reclaim the glory that belonged to them next time!
However, no one expected that that failure was merely the beginning of a long downward spiral.
After that, a series of blows followed, like heavy hailstones, slamming into the crown of Shrek, the ancient tree that once stood tall.
First, the deputy pavilion master Xuan Zi was captured alive by the Sun Moon Worship Hall, and then Kong Xuan, as an exchange student, became invincible throughout the academy.
The most fatal blow came from their own people, whom they had once trusted and respected so much.
Yan Shaozhe, the former dean of the Martial Soul Department, has been exposed for colluding with Evil Soul Master of the Holy Spirit Cult!
Shrek Academy's reputation and image of fairness, built up over millennia, suffered a Destruction blow as a result.
Despite the academy issuing the highest-level arrest warrant immediately, Yan Shaozhe's continued escape has undoubtedly allowed this scandal to fester, like an unhealable festering wound that relentlessly erodes Shrek's credibility and dignity.
They could once hold their heads high and proudly proclaim themselves as the "Number One Academy on the Mainland."
Now, that pride has become an unbearable burden.
They no longer dare to casually mention the word "first," because it would attract countless questioning, ridiculing, and even pitying glances.
This feeling of weightlessness from falling from the clouds, this journey from pride to self-doubt, is deeply imprinted in the hearts of every Shrek member.
Despite the low morale, the suites arranged for the Shrek Academy by the Sun Moon Empire, the runner-up of the previous competition, were still the most spacious and luxurious among all the participating teams.
At this moment, all the team members and their supervising teachers were gathered in the conference room attached to the suite. No one spoke, and the air seemed to freeze, filled with a suffocating stillness.
"Bang!"
The silence was broken by the sound of a door closing heavily, and Teacher Wang Yan strode in from outside.
Instantly, all eyes turned to him.
Wang Yan sat down in the empty seat, his expression even more somber than when he left. He took a deep breath before slowly speaking, his voice low and deep.
"We've already found out. This time, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's lineup is basically the same as the reserve team from the last competition, plus the brother and sister duo, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the young, tense faces before him, before finally saying, "And their captain... is none other than Kong Xuan."
The atmosphere in the conference room froze instantly, becoming extremely oppressive!
Two years ago, Kong Xuan single-handedly suppressed the entire Shrek Inner Court.
Now, two years have passed!
With Kong Xuan's monstrous talent, how terrifyingly powerful will his strength become in the next two years?
Just imagining it makes one feel powerless and desperate.
Faced with an opponent against whom victory seemed impossible, a chilling, tangible sense of despair washed over everyone present.
Seeing the team members' faces turn ashen, Wang Yan felt a heavy weight in his heart.
At this moment, Cai Mei'er, the team leader, spoke up. With a calm smile on her face, she said gently, "Students, don't feel pressured. You all know what Mu En's requirements are. There's no need to pursue any rankings; just show your abilities."
Seeing the other students still with their heads down, Cai Mei'er sighed helplessly and said, "There are countless geniuses and prodigies in this world, and they can't all be at the Shrek Academy."
She paused, then added, "Even if you're considered a genius by others, you must learn to be prepared to encounter even more talented people."
"A person like Kong Xuan is one in ten thousand years; his existence is destined to dominate an era. There's no need to compare yourself to him."