"Speak, Xuan Zi. Why did you propose to convene the Sea God Pavilion meeting?" Elder Mu asked calmly.
Elder Xuan nodded, slowly stood up, and said in a deep voice, "Everyone is already aware of the recent incident. This isn't the first time something has gone wrong under my leadership, and as the team leader, I bear full responsibility. Therefore, I have decided to resign from my position as Vice Captain of the Shrek Oversight Group and to withdraw from the Sea God Pavilion, choosing instead to live as a carefree person within the academy."
Upon hearing this, Yan Shaozhe was taken aback and quickly spoke up, "Elder Xuan, this can't be allowed. No one can guarantee they'll never make mistakes, and besides, the responsibility this time isn't entirely on you."
Before he could finish, a cold snort resounded in the Sea God Pavilion. A brilliant golden light enveloped the space, radiating a spiritual pressure that felt like the wrath of the heavens, almost suffocating the elders present.
Mu En, who had been sitting in the main seat, had disappeared. He was now standing in front of Elder Xuan, his withered right hand pressing down on Xuan's head.
"Rule over all?! Teacher, please don't!" Yan Shaozhe exclaimed in alarm.
Several other elders also spoke out to try to dissuade Mu En, but none dared approach. Their strength was inferior to Xuan's, and compared to Mu En, the gap was even wider—an impossible chasm. They had no chance of stopping Mu Lao.
Among those present, the highest-ranking elders were Elder Xuan and Elder Lin. But even they were a generation younger than Mu En. Mu En was the last disciple of Elder Xuan's master, making him Xuan's junior uncle. Though in terms of age, Mu En was only about a dozen years older than Xuan, his contributions to the academy and his immense strength made him the true number one figure in Shrek Academy.
"Do you understand?" Mu En asked calmly.
"I…" Elder Xuan mumbled.
Mu En, who had kept his composure for decades, was now brimming with anger.
If Xuan Zi hadn't been someone deeply connected to him, a disciple he'd guided for over two hundred years—half-nephew, half-disciple—he would have slapped him to death right there.
Although Xuan Zi could hold his own for a few moves against Du Bushi, even if you tied both of them together, they still wouldn't be a match for Mu Wn in the Sea God Pavilion. With a single surge of his cultivation, Mu En could easily cripple Xuan's Spirit Power.
But he couldn't do that. Xuan Zi's team had gotten into trouble more than once, but even though this time it was a major blunder, Mu En couldn't impose any real punishment.
Mu En was already like a candle flickering in the wind, with only a few years left to live. After his passing, Xuan Zi would become the strongest protector of Shrek Academy, crucial for intimidating their enemies.
No matter how Mu En punished him, as long as Xuan Zi's Spirit Power wasn't crippled and he wasn't expelled from Shrek, it would be meaningless.
Dismiss him from his position? That would just give him more time to drink himself silly on the academy's dime. Usually, Xuan Zi, due to his teaching duties in the inner courtyard, could only drink about 12 hours a day. But now he could sleep in a vat of alcohol.
As Du Bushi and Huo Yuhao had mentioned, Shrek Academy was in a precarious situation with an aging leadership and few successors, facing immense danger. Yet, Xuan Zi—the future leader of the Sea God Pavilion—was behaving like this, leaving Mu En deeply uneasy about leaving the academy behind.
"Oh heavens, why are you so unfair to me?! I wish I could live another 500 years!" Mu En sighed.
"You're over two hundred years old, and yet still so rash? If everyone acted like you, making mistakes and then trying to run away, Shrek Academy might as well close its doors. You're right—you're not fit to be Vice Captain of the Oversight Group anymore. Stay in the inner courtyard and focus on teaching students!" Mu En ordered.
Elder Xuan became anxious, "Elder Mu, please, let me leave. I really can't bear it!"
Mu En calmly responded, "You can leave if you want—if you manage to find a wife, get married, and pass on your Spirit, the Gluttonous Divine Bull, through your bloodline, I'll let you go. Otherwise, no more talk. Keep talking, and I'll discipline you for my late senior brother."
With Mu En's teasing remark, the Sea God Pavilion erupted into laughter. To an outsider, it might seem like a joyous event had occurred at Shrek Academy.
After the laughter subsided, Mu En spoke again, "I've made my decision. After this Sea God Pavilion meeting, every inner courtyard student must have a custom-made flying spirit tool and a defensive spirit tool. Anyone who objects will be expelled from Shrek!"
Yan Shaozhe and others who had vested interests in the Spirit Hall were skeptical of the decision, but with the strong support of the Spirit Tool Department and some neutral parties, Mu En managed to forcefully push the resolution through, citing the protection of student lives as a moral imperative.
"Elder Mu, there are currently only a dozen or so students remaining in the inner courtyard, and only two of them meet the age requirement of under 20. One of them is the Spirit Tool Department student who was eliminated when Xiao Tao returned. Should we send them as reinforcements?" Elder Xian Lin'er asked.
Mu En shook his head, "No need to send reinforcements. Let them handle it themselves."
"Ah?" The elders were taken aback. But soon, they understood Mu En's reasoning.
If they sent more inner courtyard students, forming a "budget version" of the Shrek Academy team for the tournament, they would be heavily criticized if they lost.
But if they let the reserve team compete, and spread the word that Shrek was using this tournament as a training ground for their reserves due to issues with the main team, then even if Shrek lost, it wouldn't tarnish their reputation.
This would be the least prestigious tournament ever!
"By the way, Xuan Zi, how is Huo Yuhao doing?" Mu En suddenly asked.
Xuan Zi paused, silent for a moment, before explaining the mission Huo Yuhao had recently completed to the Sea God Pavilion members.
"Without shedding a drop of blood, he annihilated the Evil Soul Masters? And he did it alone?"
"Using aphrodisiacs to defeat the enemy? Such tactics are indeed a bit dishonorable—there's no virtue in that."
"But war is about deception! As long as it harms the enemy and keeps him safe, any method is justified!"
As the elders debated, a flash of light appeared in Mu En's eyes. He was about to speak when Qian Duoduo suddenly appeared at the door of the Sea God Pavilion, holding a letter.
"Elder Mu, we've received word from Wang Yan's side. They're nearing Star Luo City," Qian Duoduo stammered.
Seeing his conflicted expression, Xian Lin'er snapped in frustration, "Speak up!"
"Huo Yuhao… he's refusing to compete," Qian Duoduo hesitated before saying, "His reason is that Elder Xuan banned him from the tournament due to his dishonorable tactics."
Xuan Zi stood frozen, when suddenly, a golden flash appeared before his eyes, followed by a sharp pain in his right eye socket.
Nearby, Yan Shaozhe shouted in alarm, "Teacher! Teacher, what's wrong?! Quick, Elder Zhuang, Teacher has fainted! Help him!"