Word Count: 2,781 Words
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Shrek City, East Gate.
It was close to noon. Yet, the usually bustling East City Gate was unusually quiet. The small vendors who typically did business with Shrek Academy students seemed to have vanished entirely. Only five figures stood before the massive gate tower.
Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er, Qian Duoduo, and Cai Mei'er, the four Deans of Shrek Academy, along with Fan Yu, who was eager to see his two disciples, made up the five people. They raised their heads and gazed toward the distant horizon.
An hour later, tiny black dots appeared in the distant sky, slowly descending before them.
Only after being beaten does one truly understand pain. Having experienced battles against the Star Luo Imperial Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Academy, the Shrek team had witnessed the power of Spirit Guidance Devices firsthand. Even the Inner Courtyard students who had previously despised Spirit Guidance Devices began accepting them, learning to travel using flying Spirit Guidance Devices.
Everyone from Shrek carried injuries after the decisive battle. Under the treatment of Immortal Doctor Douluo Wang Xian'er, the continent's foremost healing-type Spirit Master, most of their injuries had healed significantly. Only Xu Sanshi still required a stretcher.
Jiang Nannan had been personally caring for him during this time, considering how he had nearly fought to the death for her. As a result, Xu Sanshi grinned from ear to ear all day, clearly enjoying himself.
Bei Bei and He Caitou carried Xu Sanshi's stretcher front and back. The moment they saw the five elders, they got so excited they nearly flung Xu Sanshi off, scaring him into shouting that Bei Bei was trying to murder a comrade. But no one paid attention to his plight now. Almost everyone's eyes sparkled with emotion, and the younger members like Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong even had tears glistening in their eyes.
"Children, welcome home."
Yan Shaozhe and the other four strode forward to greet the triumphant Shrek team.
While Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo, the old rivals, managed to maintain their composure, Xian Lin'er, Cai Mei'er, and Fan Yu behind them could no longer hold back. They rushed forward quickly, each pulling their disciples aside to check whether all their parts were intact.
Fan Yu embraced both Huo Yuhao and He Caitou with both arms, hot tears streaming down his face. Nearby, when Xian Lin'er heard that Ning Tian's Class 7 Rechargeable Spirit Barrier had been destroyed by the Death Lance, she immediately patted her chest and promised to make her a Class 8 one.
Cai Mei'er and Yan Shaozhe had no children of their own and had always treated Ma Xiaotao like their own daughter. Upon discovering she had broken through to Rank 70 and advanced to Ultimate Fire, they couldn't suppress their smiles no matter how hard they tried, and quietly shared a secret with her.
Ten years ago, Yan Shaozhe had discovered a 100,000-year Fire Phoenix bloodline spirit beast at a fire-attribute spirit beast gathering place called Blazing Volcano in the Dou Spirit Empire. He had originally planned to save it for Ma Xiaotao's ninth spirit ring, but now it seemed it could be used for her seventh spirit ring instead.
Ma Xiaotao practically jumped up in excitement. For Spirit Masters, the third, seventh, and ninth spirit rings were the most important. Having a 100,000-year-level seventh ring meant her future baseline would be that of a Super Douluo. A Super Douluo with Ultimate Fire would even have the power to contend with a Limit Douluo.
The evil fire eruption had unexpectedly turned misfortune into blessing. She now had someone she liked by her side, her Evil Fire Phoenix had further advanced, and an incomparably bright future beckoned to her. Ma Xiaotao felt she had no regrets in this life.
"Dean Yan, Dean Qian."
Shadow Dragon Douluo Xie Qin emerged from Ning Tian's shadow. He had been among the previous generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters, an exceptional Shrek Academy graduate, and was well-acquainted with the two Deans.
Yan Shaozhe patted his shoulder with a voice tinged with emotion. "Time really flies, Xiao Xie. In the blink of an eye, you've become a Titled Douluo too. Elder Xuan had an accident this time. Thanks to you holding down the fort in Star Luo City, we could rest easy."
"Dean is too kind. I am their senior after all, and Ling Bai and Ning Tian are members of the Shrek team. Ensuring their absolute safety was my responsibility." Xie Qin sighed. "Death Abyss Douluo is indeed a major threat. Even a top powerhouse like Elder Xuan, who was just one step away from Limit Douluo, fell victim to him... By the way, Dean, has Elder Xuan managed to stabilize his cultivation?"
Yan Shaozhe shook his head. "Death Abyss Douluo's spirit skill specifically targets one's mental defenses, and that just so happens to be Elder Xuan's weakness. Despite the Sea God Pavilion exhausting all methods, Elder Xuan still dropped one rank. Since emerging from seclusion, he drinks himself into a stupor daily, always saying things like how he's sorry to those children. Sometimes he even runs to Lexuan and weeps bitterly...
Alas, Elder Xuan isn't what he used to be..."
The two sighed together. Then the four Deans shook hands with the other meritorious individuals and personally led them into the academy, arriving at Sea God Lake where a small boat was moored by the shore.
Yan Shaozhe smiled. "You gave everything for the academy, courageously winning the Spirit Master Tournament championship despite being shorthanded. This achievement will be forever recorded in Shrek Academy's history. Your rewards will be distributed in the Sea God Pavilion, an unprecedented honor."
Everyone was deeply shocked, especially Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, who knew nothing about the Inner Courtyard. The Sea God Pavilion seemed too distant and mysterious to them.
"Xiao Xie, would you like to revisit past memories on Sea God Island?" Yan Shaozhe invited Xie Qin to board Sea God Island.
Xie Qin waved his hand with a smile. "This is an honor for the junior brothers and sisters. I won't meddle. Dean, where did that kid Shi Xing run off to? I want to have a drink with him."
Shi Xing, Ning Fengya, and Xie Qin were all members of the same generation of Shrek Seven Monsters. Old friends reuniting called for celebration.
Yan Shaozhe laughed heartily. "Shi Xing joined the Shrek City Defense Army. His Martial Spirit abilities are special. The academy hopes that in a couple of years when he breaks through to Titled Douluo, he'll take over as Shrek City Defense Officer. You can go find him yourself."
"Ling Bai, Xiao Tian, with academy teachers protecting you, I'll head back to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to report to Fengya."
"Goodbye, Uncle Xie. Thank you for everything."
The two bid farewell to Xie Qin, who then vanished into the shadows, heading straight to the Shrek City Defense Army to find his old friend.
The rest boarded the small boat for Sea God Island, where various pavilions and towers were built. The excitement in the eyes of the reserve team grew even stronger as they saw these buildings, which usually appeared indistinctly in the mist, now clearly before them.
In the Sea God Pavilion meeting hall beneath the Ancient Golden Tree, the elders were already seated at the table, frequently casting appreciative and encouraging glances at the Shrek team.
Yan Shaozhe bowed respectfully to Elder Mu on the innermost recliner. "Teacher, they have returned."
"Mm, you preside."
"Yes, Teacher." Yan Shaozhe said in a deep voice, "As decided by the Sea God Pavilion meeting, I will now announce the rewards. First, Teacher Wang Yan."
"Dean."
Wang Yan stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"In this tournament, Shrek was able to continue defending its ten-thousand-year glory, and your contributions as the lead teacher were indispensable. Your reward is a promotion to Special Grade Teacher at Shrek Academy. After you finish guiding this class of Outer Courtyard students, you will be assigned a position in the Inner Courtyard. You also gain one year of open access to the academy's Library."
"This... this..."
Wang Yan was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, his lips trembling and unable to say a word. He felt he hadn't contributed much and was undeserving of such rewards.
"This is the reward you deserve. If you have no objections, you may go back and rest now."
"Yes, Dean!"
Wang Yan left contentedly. Then Yan Shaozhe immediately put on a stern expression, and his voice deepened:
"Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, you three Inner Courtyard students failed to protect yourselves and your teammates during the surveillance assignment, thereby affecting the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament. You will each receive a major demerit."
"What?"
The three wore looks of complete bewilderment. They had fought tooth and nail, risking their lives, yet not only did they receive no rewards, they were being punished?!
Yan Shaozhe scolded angrily with a dark expression. "Any objections? Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng are assault-type Spirit Masters. Did you face difficulties head-on and protect your teammates as you should have? Ling Luochen is a control-type Spirit Master. Did you provide sufficient control when eliminating the Death God Envoy? Most of the team's injuries resulted from your carelessness and underestimation of the enemy!"
After this storm of reprimands, all three lowered their heads, not daring to argue.
Following the stick came the carrot. Yan Shaozhe's tone softened somewhat. "Fortunately, Ling Bai and the reserve team performed exceptionally well, buying you sufficient time to heal.
You won the final championship. The academy remembers this achievement. Merits and demerits offset each other; there will be neither reward nor punishment."
"Thank you, Dean." The three of them immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"The reserve team..."
Yan Shaozhe seemed to deliberately skip over Ling Bai, jumping directly to the reserve team. "You upheld Shrek's shining glory, astonishing the Sea God Pavilion. This tournament's championship comes with three spirit bones as rewards. The academy will provide four additional 10,000-year spirit bones. Each of you will receive one."
Spirit bones were undoubtedly the dream treasure of Spirit Masters. The 10,000-year spirit bones treasured by Shrek Academy were the finest of the fine. The reserve team high-fived in celebration, each beaming with joy.
"Additionally, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and He Caitou have already broken through to Spirit Ancestor. The Inner Courtyard will make an exception and admit you without examination. You don't need to leave the island tonight.
Ning Tian, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, remain here for a moment. The Sea God Pavilion Master will grant you an early activation of a certain reward."
Surprises came one after another, but Ma Xiaotao beside them held back again and again until she could no longer contain herself. She spoke with anger in her voice:
"Teacher, what about Ling Bai? He's the primary contributor to Shrek's championship!"
Ma Xiaotao had a fiery and straightforward personality, always speaking her mind. Having just gotten together with him, they were in the throes of deep affection, and she couldn't help but feel indignant on his behalf.
Yan Shaozhe answered without much emotion, "The academy has its own considerations. Ling Bai, you stay behind with those three."
"Alright."
Ling Bai nodded indifferently. He had never worked hard for Shrek's meager rewards. Besides, it wasn't like he didn't know Shrek's nature. It wouldn't be surprising if they decided to offset his merits with demerits.
When she saw that things didn't seem to be as she thought, the anger in Ma Xiaotao's chest gradually subsided. Not far behind her, a pair of sapphire-blue eyes filled with inquiry and suspicion fell upon her. The owner of those eyes sank into deep thought.
The unrelated people dispersed, leaving only Ling Bai, Ning Tian, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Elder Mu on his recliner in the Sea God Pavilion meeting hall.
Elder Mu stood up and walked over, causing the three from the Outer Courtyard to have their pupils quake. Who would have imagined that the downstairs dormitory supervisor was actually the Sea God Pavilion Master, Shrek's foremost figure!
Wang Dong suddenly felt flustered, recalling his brash behavior since enrollment and hoping he had never spoken to Elder Mu in a rude manner.
Elder Mu gave a small smile, raised his hand, and pointed. A rich golden glow enveloped the four of them, and they instantly arrived in a massive hall with several corridors on both sides leading to unknown destinations.
"This is the underground level of the Sea God Pavilion, which contains one hundred and eight rooms designed for different types of Martial Spirits," Elder Mu said. "Every Inner Courtyard student has one chance to come here for deep meditation. Ling Bai has never been here before, and you three Outer Courtyard children will sooner or later enter the Inner Courtyard, so this is a good chance to experience it together.
Cultivating beneath the Ancient Golden Tree has the effect of getting twice the result with half the effort. But your reason for coming here isn't just cultivation. You must find your own path."
Elder Mu gave the four no opportunity to ask questions and continued, "Ning Tian, take the fourth corridor on the left and enter the sixth door. Wang Dong, the first corridor on the right, second door. Huo Yuhao, keep going to the end of that same corridor on the right. You can return to the Outer Courtyard when you awaken from meditation."
"You go as well." Elder Mu looked at Ling Bai with a hint of deeper meaning. "First corridor on the left, ninth door."
The four headed to their respective doors. The doors were carved from the Ancient Golden Tree and seemed to be slightly ajar; a gentle push would open them.
Creak—
Ning Tian opened the door and saw dazzling gemstones of various colors. An aura of precious treasures washed over her face. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was the cream of the crop among gem-type Martial Spirits. Sensing that pure and rich aura, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda manifested on its own and greedily absorbed the energy from the gemstones.
Elder Mu had selected the most suitable cultivation places for them. For Ning Tian, it was Shrek's collection of countless gemstones. For Wang Dong, it was light attribute energy nearly condensed into liquid form. Behind Huo Yuhao's door hung numerous Terrifying Demon Dragon skull bones.
Ling Bai stepped into his own room, where countless vine-like roots dangled from the ceiling, covering every wall. These roots were all golden in color. In the center hung a spiral-shaped golden long horn, faintly condensing into the illusory figure of a majestic unicorn.
'The horn of a 100,000-year Holy Unicorn. Shrek truly has abundant resources...'
Ling Bai sighed inwardly. His entire body then turned into a crystal-clear golden color. His spirit power began to circulate on its own. He needed no effort to enter a meditative state with the Ancient Golden Tree's energy and the Holy Unicorn's aura stimulating him. Light elements and holy power frantically surged into his body.
"Ling Bai."
Just as Ling Bai immersed himself in the wonderful clarity of mind, a gentle voice suddenly rang in his heart.
"Elder Mu?"
"It's me."
Elder Mu's voice paused. He seemed extremely conflicted about whether to say certain things.
Ling Bai neither asked nor urged him. After a long while, Elder Mu let out a soft sigh. "I have a question for you. Are you willing to become my closed-door disciple?
Don't rush to refuse. I know you're Jiren's direct disciple, but I don't have much time left. I can't rest easy about Shrek Academy, and I don't know whom to entrust it to. Xuan Zi was struck by the Evil Spirit Master Death Abyss Douluo. His mental state was damaged and he fell to Rank 97. He spends his days immersed in regret, drunk. Among my disciples, Duoduo and Mei'er lack sufficient talent, Lin'er is too strong-willed, and Shaozhe is too calculating. The academy's future depends on the next generation.
As long as you nod and agree today, I guarantee on the honor of the Sea God Pavilion Master that you will be the next-generation successor of the Sea God Pavilion. The academy will never restrict your freedom. You will still belong to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and remain Jiren's disciple, but you'll have an additional responsibility to protect Shrek Academy.
At the same time, all of Shrek's resources will be unreservedly tilted toward you, providing you with at least three 100,000-year spirit rings and three 100,000-year spirit bones.
Child, are you willing?"