"So that's how it is. The academy and Jianmu Douluo have such a connection."
Yan Shaozhe finally understood. The grand battle between Shrek Academy and the Body Sect was a story from the previous era, one that took place when he was young and of average strength, not privy to such internal secrets.
"Earlier, you mentioned that the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Jiren have staked everything on Ling Bai, correct..." Elder Mu suddenly asked.
"That's right, Teacher," Yan Shaozhe replied with a wry smile. "I have to admit, even the academy cannot offer more than the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Just the Bright Emperor Pill alone, which uses the inner core of a 100,000-year light attribute spirit beast, is beyond the ability of anyone in the entire academy to refine. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan must be insane. Ling Bai is still just a child far from reaching his full potential!"
Yan Shaozhe truly couldn't understand why the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was in such a hurry.
"Indeed, they are insane..."
To his surprise, Elder Mu agreed with his somewhat exaggerated words. A trace of sorrow emerged on the aged face hidden in the shadows. "The actions of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could only indicate one thing:
Zhou Jiren... his time is coming to an end!"
Yan Shaozhe's expression froze. He hesitated before saying, "You mean Jianmu Douluo's lifespan is nearing its limit? That can't be, right? While plant-type Spirit Masters generally lack the combat strength of other Spirit Masters, they've always been synonymous with longevity on the continent. Jianmu Douluo belongs to your generation. Even if his cultivation isn't as profound as yours, he shouldn't be departing so soon."
"What you say isn't without reason," Elder Mu sighed. "But you've overlooked one thing. After my battle with Du Bisi, I was left with spinal injuries and could no longer stand upright for the rest of my life. How much better off do you think Zhou Jiren, who fought Du Busi alone, would be? The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Body Sect both reside in the Heavenly Soul Empire. The pressure they face..."
Elder Mu didn't finish his sentence, but Yan Shaozhe instantly understood.
Back when the Body Sect emerged with grand ambitions to sweep across the Douluo Continent and establish their dominance, they were eventually forced to swear an oath. Who did they hate the most?
Shrek Academy's Dragon God Douluo Mu En!
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Jianmu Douluo Zhou Jiren!
The former had the backing of Shrek Academy, and the Sea God Pavilion was no less formidable than the Body Sect. Shrek Academy had produced countless powerful individuals over the millennia. If the Body Sect insisted on a life-and-death struggle with Shrek, those powerful Spirit Masters would undoubtedly intervene, and the Body Sect would surely suffer devastating consequences.
However, Zhou Jiren and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan were comparatively easier to deal with. Both factions resided in the Heavenly Soul Empire, and as an auxiliary clan, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's combat strength primarily relied on external protectors. The Body Sect had countless ways to target and harass them.
It was no exaggeration to say that if Jianmu Douluo Zhou Jiren were to pass away in the morning, Du Busi could lead the powerful members of the Body Sect to wipe out the entire Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan by that very afternoon!
They wouldn't even wait a day!
"No wonder... no wonder... no wonder..."
Yan Shaozhe repeated 'no wonder' three times. Compared to Shrek Academy, it was the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan that urgently needed a Seraphim Titled Douluo to hold the fort!
"It's good that you understand."
Elder Mu said, "Let Ling Bai's room in the Ancient Golden Tree be carved next to Bei Bei's. They're of similar age and can look out for each other in the future."
There were over a thousand students in the Inner and Outer Courtyards of Shrek Academy, but only two had rooms within the Ancient Golden Tree.
The first was the Big Senior Sister of the Inner Courtyard, Zhang Lexuan, whose extraordinary talent and exemplary character had made her a preselected candidate for the Sea God Pavilion. The Sea God Pavilion Council unanimously agreed to arrange a room for her in advance. This was to help her leverage the abundant light power of the Ancient Golden Tree to break through to Titled Douluo sooner.
The second was Bei Bei from the Outer Courtyard, who benefited from his connection with Elder Mu. As a direct descendant of Elder Mu, Bei Bei had lived on Sea God Island since childhood and was essentially a child watched over by the elders of the Sea God Pavilion. They turned a blind eye and allowed him to reside in the Ancient Golden Tree.
Since he started dating Tang Ya, Bei Bei rarely returned to live on Sea God Island and spent most of his time in the Outer Courtyard dormitories.
No one was without flaws, and Elder Mu had his own personal reasons for arranging Ling Bai's room next to Bei Bei's. He hoped that the two of them could become like himself and Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao, both the best of friends as well as the best of rivals.
A God-level Martial Spirit. It wouldn't hurt for Bei Bei and Ling Bai to form a bond.
"Understood, Teacher."
Yan Shaozhe agreed to each instruction.
Elder Mu lowered his gaze, seeming somewhat fatigued. He said softly, "Alright, if there's nothing else, you may go back."
Yan Shaozhe bowed respectfully and quietly exited the room. Only after he left the Sea God Pavilion did he turn around to look in Elder Mu's direction and mutter to himself:
"Teacher, you are right. My perspective will never be half as broad as yours in this lifetime. Shrek Academy is a transcendent existence that stands above the three great empires and requires a sufficiently powerful Sea God Pavilion Master to hold it together. Jianmu Douluo's lifespan is nearing its end, and so is yours.
I know that I am not capable of filling your position, and neither is Elder Xuan. That is why the academy needs a successor! And I will use my own methods to keep him in Shrek..."
Inside the Sea God Pavilion, Elder Mu turned over and said with a helpless smile, "Silly child, when will you learn to be broad-minded…"
...
The next morning, Ling Bai awoke early from his meditation. He donned the red uniform of the Shrek Inner Courtyard and 'trekked' to the cafeteria, where he ordered a complimentary breakfast. Uncle Mo's repeated inquiries of 'Is that enough, kid? Do you want more?' ended with him finishing a meal of twice the standard portion...
Standing outside the cafeteria, Ling Bai couldn't help but fall into contemplation. Perhaps having an overly enthusiastic cafeteria uncle wasn't necessarily a good thing!
Yesterday, Han Ruoruo had taken him on a tour of Sea God Island. He had already experienced the Spirit Dueling Arena and the Mimesis Training Ground. A glance at the curriculum on the way to the teaching building didn't reveal any courses that interested him.
'Let's check out the Inner Courtyard Library.'
He chose a destination after some thought. The Shrek Inner Courtyard Library housed a vast collection of rare and unique books, many of which were the only copies on the continent. Perhaps he could find texts that would be useful to him.
The Inner Courtyard Library had two floors, with oak bookshelves that nearly reached the ceiling. The shelves were filled with books containing invaluable knowledge. It was the crystallization of human history.
The library was quiet, but not quiet in the conventional sense. It was, in fact, completely deserted.
Ling Bai was surprised. "Do Shrek's students and teachers not read?"
He recalled the library at his university in his previous life. Although people often reserved seats by leaving books around, at least there was an attitude toward learning.
Shrek, not so much!
Ling Bai wandered between the rows of bookshelves, but unfortunately, he didn't find the books he was looking for on the first floor.
He slowly ascended the staircase, intending to check the second floor. Moments later, he arrived at a door made of fragrant rosewood with a spirit guidance access system installed on the doorframe, which indicated that the second floor was a restricted area that required certain permissions.
Ling Bai took out his school badge and gently placed it near the sensor.
"Sorry, you do not have sufficient permissions."
A clear, melodious, and seemingly familiar female voice delivered these particularly cold words.
"... Alright then."
Ling Bai retrieved his badge and was about to leave when a large black book, carrying a faint, elegant fragrance, fell into his hands.
A lighthearted and slightly teasing female voice rang in his ear the next instant: "Help your Elder Sister hold this; don't let it fall to the ground."