A vast city rose grandly over the plains, with a variety of architectural marvels sprawling outward. Bustling and lively commercial streets wove through the city, while a towering structure dominated its center, reaching toward the sky with a grandeur that left one in awe.
Ancient trees flanked the city gates, their branches swaying gently in the wind, adding a layer of tranquility and mystery to the city. Despite the crowds moving through its streets, the city exuded a serene and calm atmosphere. This place, both mysterious and prosperous, was known as Shrek City.
At the heart of Shrek City lay a massive institution, Shrek Academy, occupying an immense area. Within the academy grounds was a large artificial lake named Sea God Lake, with a small island at its center called Sea God Island.
On Sea God Island stood a grand structure carved from an ancient golden tree, known as the Sea God Pavilion. From afar, it gleamed in gold, its design ancient yet elegant, with interlocking branches that shimmered in the sunlight. Each leaf seemed to bear the mark of ages past.
Inside the Sea God Pavilion, the walls were decorated with various ancient motifs, highlighting its profound historical roots. Around the pavilion, a gentle golden glow flowed like a guardian spirit, enhancing the structure's air of mystery and solemnity.
Whenever a major event occurred at Shrek Academy, meetings would be convened at the Sea God Pavilion, serving as the academy's highest council.
This gathering was no different from the previous ones held in the pavilion, yet this time the atmosphere was extraordinarily solemn. At the head of the room, Elder Mu reclined on his chair, his eyes half-closed. Slowly, he opened them, a faint, chilling golden light flashing across his pupils, making those present instinctively sit up straighter.
Below Elder Mu sat Elder Xuan and Elder Lin, with four vice-deans of both the Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departments seated further down, respectfully taking their seats.
In a calm tone, Elder Mu spoke. "Xuanzi, Shaozhe, you both arrived at the scene first. Tell us, what exactly happened?"
Yan Shaozhe nodded, standing slowly as he began in a serious tone. "I believe everyone here has already heard of the incident. When Elder Xuan and I arrived, Dai Huabin was already dead. His bones were shattered, his body beaten into a bloody mess by someone's fists."
"Ma Xiaotao arrived just before Elder Xuan and me. I spoke with her; she mentioned that she initially planned to find Xiao Yan, but happened to see him leaving the city with Dai Huabin. Now, Dai Huabin is dead, and Xiao Yan has disappeared."
At this, the other elders' faces changed, exchanging glances in silence. After a moment, Elder Lin broke the stillness, saying, "So, from what you're saying, it seems this student named Xiao Yan is involved with the person who killed Dai Huabin? He infiltrated the academy, scheming to lure Dai Huabin out?"
"Yes," Yan Shaozhe confirmed with a nod, his tone impartial.
"Xiao Yan? How could this be possible?" Qian Duoduo's face turned pale with disbelief, muttering to himself. He had been preparing to bring Xiao Yan into the Soul Tool Department, but now this promising student had become a fugitive, wanted for murder.
At that moment, Elder Xuan suddenly stood, his brows furrowed, and his eyes blazed with fury. Clenching his mouth tightly as if restraining a well of anger, he said, "I had my suspicions about Xiao Yan. During our last Sea God Pavilion meeting, I suggested detaining him, but Elder Mu prevented me…"
Elder Xuan's chest heaved as his knuckles whitened from gripping his fists, and his intense anger cast a chilling tension in the air, making everyone feel a sense of unease.
"Ah…" Elder Xuan sighed deeply, his breathing heavy. Surveying the other elders, he said, "The White Tiger Duke's family holds substantial influence, and this incident affects Shrek Academy's reputation. I believe the Sea God Pavilion should cooperate with the White Tiger Duke's household to issue a continent-wide warrant for Xiao Yan."
"What does everyone think?"
The elders exchanged glances. Some supported the idea, while others were hesitant, each refraining from speaking openly. All turned their gaze to Elder Mu, who had yet to comment.
"Xuanzi, did you ignore what I told you before we returned? Don't make me slap you!" Elder Mu's calm yet authoritative voice cut through the room.
Sitting up in his chair, Elder Mu spoke gravely. "You've experienced that mysterious person's strength. His power matches my own. Dai Huabin is dead, and Xiao Yan is missing—what does that imply?"
"It implies that Xiao Yan is likely connected to that man. Xiao Yan's strength is limited, but if you target him specifically, it could provoke that man into acting against the academy."
"Dai Huabin's death occurred outside the academy, meaning it does not reflect our failure to protect him. The assailant also made it clear he killed Dai Huabin due to a blood feud with the White Tiger Duke's family, bearing no relation to the academy. Out of respect for the White Tiger Duke's connection with us, take Dai Huabin's body to the Star Luo Empire and explain the circumstances to Duke Dai Hao and his wife, doing your best to console them."
"That man in the black robe—even I am uncertain I could defeat him. While Shrek Academy has a deep foundation, and we would not necessarily fear him, what price would we pay to make an enemy of him?"
"Dai Huabin is already dead. Let us not involve ourselves further. Especially you, Xuanzi. I know you're upset over the beating, but think of the academy's future. Don't let the academy fall because of our personal grievances."
"Remember my words today. If you dare to act against them, do not blame me for expelling you from the Sea God Pavilion!"
As Elder Mu's voice grew sterner, Elder Xuan's body quivered. Never before had Elder Mu threatened to expel anyone from the Sea God Pavilion. Though reluctant, Elder Xuan bit back his frustration, not daring to respond.
"Yes, Elder Mu." Elder Xuan eventually bowed respectfully to Elder Mu before reluctantly returning to his seat, his face full of resentment.
…
Minutes later, Elder Xuan exited the Sea God Pavilion, sipping wine and gnawing on a chicken leg. His brows were furrowed, his expression grim.
At that moment, a tall male student approached him hastily. Standing around six feet tall, with broad shoulders, his handsome face held a hint of steel, with golden hair like sharp needles and unique, eerie eyes.
This was Dai Huabin's older brother, Dai Yueheng.
Within the White Tiger Duke's household, the duchess had two sons. The eldest was the White Tiger Duke's heir, named Dai Yueheng, while the younger was Dai Huabin.
Quickly reaching Elder Xuan, Dai Yueheng's face was pale, and he spoke in a low, somber voice. "Elder Xuan, what's going on? I heard from Ma Xiaotao that Huabin…"
Dai Yueheng's face was troubled, for Dai Huabin's sudden death cast suspicion on him. Though the Dai family traditionally allowed for open competition, this tragedy was unrelated to him.
Dai Huabin's death meant Dai Yueheng was almost guaranteed to inherit the White Tiger title, yet the accusation of harming his brother for a title weighed heavily.
"Dai Yueheng, stay strong." Elder Xuan took a sip from his flask, patting Dai Yueheng's shoulder. "Elder Mu has tasked me with personally escorting Dai Huabin's body to your father. Would you like to join me? I'll explain everything on the way."
Dai Yueheng nodded solemnly. "My father is often on the battlefield and isn't currently at the White Tiger Duke's estate but at the Star Empire's western border. If you're going, let me guide you."
Elder Xuan's eyes glinted as he glanced at Dai Yueheng. "No time to waste. Let's depart now."
"Understood, Elder Xuan. But please, tell me, what happened?"
Elder Xuan sighed, "The academy has identified the person responsible. His name is Xiao Yan, also a student at Shrek Academy, but he has now fled. I'll tell your father more when we meet."
"Xiao Yan? I've never heard of him."
"We'll discuss more when we arrive. Such a grave matter cannot be forgotten. I wanted to help, but Elder Mu wouldn't allow it, so I couldn't do much. The rest is up to your family."
"Why did Elder Mu stop you?" Dai Yueheng asked, puzzled as they walked. Elder Xuan withheld the detail that Dai Huabin's killer was a mysterious figure with strength rivaling that of a ninety-ninth-ranked Supreme Douluo, instead shifting the blame onto Xiao Yan.
After being attacked twice, Elder Xuan's mindset had shifted. Seeking a way to restore his reputation, he intended to have the White Tiger Duke's household exact revenge.
…
Meanwhile, in the Extreme North.
Under a sky full of stars, a cold moonlight spilled over the Extreme North, casting the entire region in a faint, silvery glow that rendered it mysterious and dreamlike.
In the dead of night, save for a few soul beasts prowling for food, most creatures had already returned to their lairs to sleep. Even the Titan Snow Demon King had settled in, and the land was enveloped in a profound silence...
At this moment, a shadowy figure flitted through a valley in the Extreme North, heading toward a dark cave not far away.
Taking a light sniff of the air wafting from within, Xiao Yan faintly detected a pungent scent, similar to the odor on the Titan Snow Demon King.
"This must be it. Teacher, if I get discovered, you'd better be ready to bail me out." With a quiet whisper to himself, Xiao Yan cautiously advanced into the dark cave, his Spirit Eyes allowing him to see as clearly as if it were daylight.
The cave was quite spacious, large enough to house the massive Titan Snow Demon King comfortably. The ceiling soared nearly a hundred meters above, with scattered stones and patches of white fur lying around. Xiao Yan proceeded with utmost caution as he moved further inside.
After traversing a long, dark tunnel, he finally reached a fork with two separate paths.
Frowning, Xiao Yan contemplated the two paths, then activated his Spirit Eyes, causing a faint golden light to illuminate his gaze as his mental detection swept through each path. Soon, he sensed an abundance of white crystalline formations within the left path.
He stepped carefully into the left tunnel. As he progressed, the temperature plummeted further.
After walking in silence for a few minutes, he noticed a faint, white glow at the far end of the tunnel. Feeling a surge of excitement, he quickened his pace. The glow gradually intensified, eventually becoming a radiant white opening.
Standing at the entrance, Xiao Yan took a deep breath and stepped inside.
As his foot left the darkness of the tunnel, Xiao Yan was momentarily blinded by the light. Once his vision adjusted, he looked around and was stunned by what he saw.
Before him lay a massive cavern filled with Frozen Marrow Crystals, all shimmering in white. The bone-chilling crystals extended as far as he could see, emitting a faint white glow. However, most were only centuries or millennia old, with the rare Ten-Thousand-Year Frozen Marrow scattered sparsely.
"Hurry, kid! Grab as much of the Ten-Thousand-Year Frozen Marrow as you can before the Titan Snow Demon King realizes. Use jade tools to dig it out—don't touch it with your hands," Yao Lao urged quietly, eyeing the crystals filling the cave.
Xiao Yan nodded, rummaging through his soul tool storage until he found a jade spoon. Stepping forward, he located a cluster of Ten-Thousand-Year Frozen Marrow and carefully slid the spoon under it.
With a few deft scoops, Xiao Yan managed to gather most of the Ten-Thousand-Year Frozen Marrow. Just as he was about to collect every piece, Yao Lao's voice suddenly sounded, reminding him:
"Kid, it's best to leave a little behind. In the world of alchemy, there's an unspoken rule: when encountering rare treasures, never take all of it. This Ten-Thousand-Year Frozen Marrow takes centuries to form; leave a little for future generations to have a chance at finding it."
"A person shouldn't be too selfish… Don't just look out for yourself."
As Yao Lao's voice faded, a pair of crimson eyes appeared in the dark depths of the cave behind Xiao Yan. The light from those eyes grew, and with the sound of heavy footsteps, a massive figure slowly emerged.
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