"Enough."
Mu En tapped the table with his fingers, putting an end to the pointless discussion.
"Let's stop talking about reinforcements."
"Huh?" The elders were stunned.
Xuan Zi couldn't help but speak up: "Mu En, time is running out. If I fly over with reinforcements now, there might still be a chance—"
Song Yunzhi added emphatically: "Elder Mu, this concerns the academy's honor."
"Honor?" Mu En smiled faintly.
"Today's incident involves the lives of our inner courtyard disciples! Why were they injured? What flaws exist in our supervisory task system? What lessons should we learn from this? What more can we do for those children?"
"Instead of addressing these real issues, you're fixated on so-called honor—the glory of ten thousand years! Don't you realize we've been shackled by this very notion all these years?"
Xuan Zi's face flushed red. He knew Mu En's words were directed at him. He lowered his head but still muttered under his breath: "At least no one died this time..."
"Shrek has never aimed to produce mere powerhouses. Our goal is to nurture exceptional individuals who can uphold the continent's stability! From the moment the Supervisory Group was established, every member knew they might have to sacrifice themselves."
"Though mistakes were made this time, as a disciple of Shrek's inner courtyard and a member of the Supervisory Group, encountering emergencies is inevitable. One cannot become a true powerhouse without facing life-and-death trials."
"And he's already admitted his fault—what more can be done? What lessons are there to learn? Does he really have to resign as deputy head of the Supervisory Group?"
"Xuan Zi! Do you even hear yourself?!"
Mu En's voice grew heavier, and an overwhelming pressure radiated from his aged frame—the aura of an Ultimate Douluo. The entire Sea God Pavilion fell silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
At that moment, Xuan Zi resembled a chastened schoolboy, sitting rigidly under the weight of his elder's authority.
"If we wait until lives are lost, it'll be too late!" Mu En snorted coldly before continuing gravely:
"The Shrek Seven Monsters sent on this mission are the most talented of our inner courtyard. Yet even they suffered heavy losses against an Evil Soul Master barely at the Soul King level—almost wiped out. What if it had been other inner courtyard students? What if the enemy had been a Soul Emperor or even a Soul Saint?!"
Moreover, the damage had only been mitigated because of Huo Yuhao.
It was his quick thinking that minimized the impact of the corpse explosion, an attack rivaling a Soul Saint's strike. Without him, the outcome could have been far worse.
Names might have appeared on the death list...
Xuan Zi and the other elders fell silent.
Mu En pressed on: "Xuan Zi, explain this—why were our carefully trained disciples severely injured, while Ma Xiaotao, whose strength is comparable to Dai Yueheng's, emerged unscathed?"
"It was a Class 7 soul tool shield, likely given to her by Yuhao," Xuan Zi answered.
"I remember that shield. Fan Yu helped Yuhao repair a broken Class 8 one earlier," Qian Duoduo added.
Mu En sighed. "Some among us still cling to the belief that the martial soul system is invincible. It's time for a wake-up call—Lin'er."
"Yes!" Xian Lin'er stood promptly.
"After this meeting, every inner courtyard disciple will report to you to be outfitted with at least one flying and one defensive soul tool."
"Understood." A flicker of joy crossed Xian Lin'er's face, but Yan Shaozhe frowned.
"Teacher, perhaps we should reconsider?" he ventured. "Using soul tools in combat seems... beneath Shrek's dignity. Our martial soul students take pride in their abilities—relying on external tools might undermine that."
He understood Mu En's intent: using this incident to push for reform, to integrate soul tools into their system.
But was it truly necessary?
This was Shrek—the continent's premier soul master academy!
They didn't need soul tools!
Yan Shaozhe's stance found support among several elders.
"Shaozhe is right!"
"Have we ever lost a Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament without soul tools?"
"Martial souls and soul tools are fundamentally opposed—how can we blend them so shamelessly?"
"Must we wait for inner courtyard disciples to die before changing?!" Mu En's eyes flashed. "Yan Shaozhe, your own apprentice is more open-minded than you! If you remain this obstinate, you're unfit to be dean!"
Yan Shaozhe: Open-minded?
She's just infatuated with that boy—discarding tradition for his sake!
What if dependence on soul tools stunts their growth?
But with Mu En's decree, Yan Shaozhe could only acquiesce reluctantly.
'Everything I've done was for Shrek's prosperity… How did it come to this?'
Mu En silenced further objections with a raised hand. "No more debate. The times are changing, and so must we. By the authority of the Sea God Pavilion's master, I decree: from today, we will integrate martial souls and soul tools. Anyone opposed may leave."
Faced with his resolve, everyone could only nod.
Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo were elated—their soul tool department's time had finally come.
What they lacked wasn't funding, but the academy's recognition!
If the Soul Tool Department stood equal to the Martial Soul Department, competing fairly for talent, their progress would've been exponential.
Mu En added, "To advance soul tool technology, we can't remain complacent. Lin'er, after the tournament, send an exchange request to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. Our best students must learn from them."
"Understood!"
Mu En then outlined concrete measures to bolster the Soul Tool Department's growth. Clearly, this wasn't impulsive—he'd planned meticulously.
He even shared his recent observations:
"The Sun Moon Empire's soul tool development surpasses our imagination. I've seen massive siege soul tools—operated by teams, capable of threatening even me. Such weapons could redefine warfare..."
"So my words today aren't baseless. If we don't adapt, when war comes, can Shrek survive? We'd face extinction."
The warning hung heavy. The elders soberly discussed refining Mu' Ens proposals.
"What about reinforcements?" Yan Shaozhe asked cautiously near the meeting's end.
"It's unnecessary." Mu En dismissed the idea. Even missing two key members, their lineup this year was unprecedentedly strong.
Huo Yuhao alone was a game-changer.
Why send others? To spectate and cheer?
"And you, Xuan Zi—this is your third dereliction of duty. If another lapse occurs, there'll be no leniency." Mu En's disappointment was palpable. How many chances had he given? Yet Xuan Zi remained unrepentant.
Xuan Zi was baffled. 'Third time?'
Then he recalled—the incident where he'd beaten the Red King, leading Huo Yuhao and Lexuan into an ambush by three Soul Douluo-level Evil Soul Masters.
Swallowing hard, Xuan Zi pledged: "I understand. If it happens again, I'll resign as deputy head of the Supervisory Group and withdraw from the Sea God Pavilion permanently."
Old Mu: 'You'd better.'
'You keep threatening to leave—do you think I won't expel you outright?'
Yan Shaozhe was no better. With such inflexible leadership, no wonder Shrek was stagnating.
Fortunately, talents like Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao, and Huo Yuhao were rising.
When the time came, Mu En intended to overhaul Shrek's leadership.
This was just the first strike—a minor skirmish.
"Meeting's Over."
…
Star Luo City
As the capital of the Star Luo Empire, this was its political, cultural, and economic heart—crowned the "Eternal Imperial City."
At its core stood the palace, a majestic structure dating back to the White Tiger Duke Dai family's reign. After their abdication, the Star Crown Xu family expanded it into its current opulent form.
But recently, the city had grown crowded—thanks to the upcoming Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament, held every five years.
This edition's venue was Star Luo Plaza, fronting the palace. Nearby stood the seven-star Xinghuang Hotel, reserved for visiting academy teams.
As reigning champions for millennia, Shrek's team was lodged on the top floor—each member given private rooms and a spacious strategy hall.
Huo Yuhao's group arrived just two days before the tournament. The injured main team members rested, taking recovery tonics.
Xixi and Ling Luochen would heal within a week—but Dai Yueheng's injuries worsened during travel, forcing Huo Yuhao to carry him.
En route, Dai Yueheng tried bonding:
"As your elder, I apologize for Huabin's arrogance. I've disciplined him. Thank you for your aid—if you ever need anything, just ask."
Huo Yuhao: Nice words. But if I rebel against your father, will you follow through?'
He responded politely—then triggered an achievement:
[Achievement Unlocked: 'Dai Yueheng's Hidden Compassion'. Reward: Charge Gu]
[Charge Gu: A Level 3 Gu. Forces a 50-step charge, breaking through obstacles.]
[Evaluation: A real man!]
"Even without reinforcements, Sister Xiaotao and I are here. We'll manage!"
Wang Dong'er eyed Huo Yuhao skeptically. "And that's why you snuck out to sightsee with the reserve team instead of preparing?"
Huo Yuhao shrugged. After a near-death mission, he deserved to explore Star Luo's splendor.
Especially to meet the new achievement target—the silver-haired girl from the Sun Moon team.
Few unlocked achievements at first sight.
But she did.
…
Enjoying the story? Get early access to 10 advanced chapters for just $3.
👉 Join me on Patreon: patreon.com/DarkLord621