Several days later, in midair five kilometers outside Shrek City, "Uncle, is this Shrek City? It really is enormous. It doesn't pale in comparison to Star Luo City at all!"
"Yes. Guyi, you'll be studying at Shrek Academy for a while. Remember, once Huo Yuhao enrolls next year, help me keep a close eye on him. While you're at it, see which students come from commoner families. Recruit as many as you can for our Angel Mountain Manor," Qian Chen instructed.
"Don't worry, Uncle."
Then, two golden figures flew like meteors straight toward Shrek Academy's Sea God Island. A moment later, Qian Chen arrived outside the Sea God Pavilion with Qian Guyi.
"Guyi, wait here a moment. I'll go see my teacher, Mu En, first." With that, Qian Chen entered the Sea God Pavilion.
Inside the Sea God Pavilion, he saw no sign of Elder Mu. All he saw was Xuan Zi, covered in grease and reeking of alcohol, gnawing on a chicken leg.
"Elder Xuan."
"Oh! Qian Chen, you're back? It's been ages since you last returned to Sea God Island. Hm? Your presence... you've reached level 90 so quickly?"
"Yes, I've already reached level 90. I'm only one Soul Ring away from becoming a true Titled Douluo," Qian Chen confirmed.
"Good, good, good! Qian Chen, you've broken the record for reaching Titled Douluo the fastest!"
"It was mostly thanks to the Soul Power feedback from hunting Evil Soul Masters. Just a lucky break. Elder Xuan, I came to the Sea God Pavilion this time to ask the academy to hunt a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast for me so I can obtain its Soul Ring." Qian Chen stated his purpose directly.
The corners of Xuan Zi's mouth twitched in heartache. "Rest assured about that. I'll go get Elder Mu, Yan Shaozhe, and the others."
With that, Xuan Zi dashed off to find Mu En and Yan Shaozhe. Before long, the three returned to the Sea God Pavilion together.
"Greetings, Teacher." Qian Chen stepped forward.
Mu En smiled faintly. "Qian Chen, there's no need for such formality. Did you bring that little girl outside?"
"Yes. She's my niece, Qian Guyi. She's twelve and already a level 39 Soul Elder. I plan to have her enroll in Shrek Academy this year," Qian Chen explained.
Mu En was particularly pleased to hear this. Since Qian Chen was introducing even his own family to Shrek Academy, it meant he had already acknowledged the academy.
Mu En immediately said, "Shaozhe, make sure you arrange your junior brother's niece's enrollment properly."
"Yes," Yan Shaozhe immediately promised with complete confidence.
Mu En asked directly, "Qian Chen, once you obtain your Soul Ring, you'll be a Titled Douluo, and you'll graduate. Do you have any plans? Anywhere you want to go?"
Qian Chen thought it over. Huo Yuhao would be staying at Shrek Academy for a long time, so he had to hold a position above the rest here. He said, "Teacher, I won't return to my family for now. My family is too small, with limited room for development, and there wasn't much to do there anyway. As for joining a sect, I haven't decided yet. Even if I do, I'll only join as an honorary elder at most, not truly become part of it. After all, no sect is worth joining right now. I think the academy has treated me best over the years. Teacher, I'd like to stay at the academy and teach a few classes of junior brothers and sisters."
Qian Chen's words made Mu En, Xuan Zi, and Yan Shaozhe flush with excitement. Mu En spoke again. "Shaozhe, what arrangements would be suitable on your end?"
Yan Shaozhe thought for a moment. "Rest assured, Teacher. Junior Brother has never taught students before, so why not let him try being a homeroom teacher for one class this year? If there are no problems, we'll promote him to dean of studies next year. I think Du Weilun has grown somewhat lax in his cultivation these past few years. This will lighten his load and let him focus on advancing further."
Mu En nodded. "That will do."
Qian Chen interjected, "Teacher, I've been handling the Inspection Corps' missions all these years, and I know it very well. Please put the Inspection Corps under my management as well."
At Qian Chen's words, both Mu En's and Yan Shaozhe's hearts sank. The Inspection Corps was the most important organization for the academy's inner courtyard students, holding great status and authority. If it were handed over entirely to Qian Chen, the inner courtyard students would all be influenced by him to some degree in the future.
While Mu En and Yan Shaozhe hesitated, Xuan Zi said carelessly, "Oh, Qian Chen, you've been doing the entire Inspection Corps' work single-handedly all these years. It's practically become an organization that serves you alone. Whether you manage it or not makes no difference."
Then he turned to Mu En. "Martial Uncle, I think it's fine for Qian Chen to oversee the Inspection Corps."
Mu En glared at Xuan Zi. "Qian Chen, according to the rules, students who stay to teach have the right to enter the Sea God Pavilion as one of its elders once they become Titled Douluo. Look, you'd be the outer courtyard's dean of studies, the third-in-command of the Martial Soul Department, the commander of the Inspection Corps, and an elder of the Sea God Pavilion. That's too many positions and too much pressure. I'm afraid it would affect your cultivation. Choose two positions yourself. I'm afraid three would be more than you could handle."
"Teacher, I won't become an elder of the Sea God Pavilion," Qian Chen said bluntly. He knew full well that the current Sea God Pavilion Meetings were effectively Mu En's one-man show. Even if they voted by a show of hands, he was only one person and had no advantage that could influence Shrek Academy's decisions. Even if he wanted to enter the Sea God Pavilion, that would have to wait until Mu En died.
"Very well. Since your mind is made up, you'll serve as the Martial Soul Department's dean of studies and take charge of the Inspection Corps." After hearing Qian Chen's answer, Mu En settled his appointments directly.
Qian Chen, Yan Shaozhe, and Xuan Zi answered in unison, "Yes."
Then Mu En said, "Qian Chen, when you enrolled back then, you asked the academy to hunt a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast for you when you became a Titled Douluo, with both its Soul Ring and Soul Bone belonging to you."
"Yes, Teacher."
Seeing that Qian Chen was essentially one of their own now, Mu En said, "Naturally, the academy won't go back on its word. Shaozhe, bring out the information on the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts the academy has located over the years."
"Yes, Teacher." With that, Yan Shaozhe took a scroll from his Storage Soul Tool. Two large, vivid red characters stood out starkly on it: Top secret.
Yan Shaozhe handed the scroll to Mu En, who opened it and began to read. Soon, however, he frowned. "Shaozhe, what's going on? Why has the academy only gathered information on two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts?"
Yan Shaozhe also wore a bitter expression. "Teacher, almost all the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest live in the core region now. Very few live outside it."
"Very well." Mu En did not continue rebuking him. He turned to Qian Chen. "The academy currently only has information on two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts. One is a hundred-thousand-year Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle, and the other is a hundred-thousand-year Virulent Earth Dragon King. The Virulent Earth Dragon King has the poison attribute and doesn't suit you at all. I think we should choose this hundred-thousand-year Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle."
"Yes, Teacher," Qian Chen replied.
Mu En looked at Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe. "You two should go together. The Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle excels at aerial assaults, and Shaozhe is also skilled at flying. That should prevent it from escaping."
"Yes," the three answered in unison.
"Qian Chen, when do we leave?" Xuan Zi asked.
"Tomorrow. I'll settle my niece into my place first."
"All right. Go ahead."
Qian Chen walked out of the Sea God Pavilion and saw Qian Guyi waiting outside, bored.
"Come on, Guyi. You'll stay at my place tonight."
"All right, Uncle."
Just as Qian Chen was about to leave with Qian Guyi, Zhang Lexuan happened to arrive outside the Sea God Pavilion as well. Seeing the radiantly beautiful Qian Guyi beside him, Zhang Lexuan felt a pang in her heart. Then she forced a faint smile. "Long time no see, Qian Chen."