POV: Douluo World
Shrek City, ever prosperous and towering in prestige, stood proud as the home of Shrek Academy, the only faction in the world that could claim ancestors who had ascended to godhood—the legendary Seven Shrek Monsters.
Though technically the academy's outer city, Shrek City lacked none of the splendor or importance of any empire's capital. At its center stood the revered Shrek Academy, a place where every self-declared genius dreamt of proving their worth and earning a place in history.
In the academy's core lay the sacred Sea God Lake, its tranquil waters concealing mysteries unfathomable to most.
At the very center of this lake rose the Sea God Island, upon which stood a golden tree radiating divinity. At its base was a pavilion—neither constructed nor carved, but naturally molded alongside the tree's growth, its presence in perfect harmony with nature.
Outside this pavilion stretched a great garden, a place where each plant was bathed in the divine radiance of the golden tree. These were no ordinary herbs. Many were spiritual medicines, their presence alone capable of enhancing a cultivator's speed and perception over time.
Amidst the blossoms and blooms, a man sat.
But unlike his usual state of composed serenity, his expression today showed disturbance.
He was Mu En, the current Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion and Shrek Academy's strongest protector. Known across the continent as the Dragon God Douluo, Mu En stood as one of the strongest living humans and one of the three Limit Douluos of his era.
Clad in worn grey robes, his elderly appearance was not deceiving. His wrinkles were deep, his stature modest, and his presence seemingly aged beyond mortality. Yet beneath the surface lay power unmatched. Injured long ago in a fierce battle, his back had never fully healed.
Still, in this moment, he sat upright with rare clarity in his usually clouded yellow eyes.
A pressure had touched his senses. Not spiritual, not elemental, but something greater. Something ancient.
He muttered, "What was that…? It felt like the world was just pressed down by something unseen."
Turning his gaze toward the golden tree, he asked softly, "Hey, Golden Tree… Did you feel that pressure too?"
As if in response, the divine branches trembled faintly. The rustle was not caused by wind but in tune with something far deeper—the breath of the world, stirred from its slumber.
Mu En tried to comprehend the phenomenon that had shaken his very core. Yet, no amount of spiritual perception or divine intuition could fully grasp it.
The pressure had no form, no trace—only weight. A weight that even his level-99 cultivation could not ignore.
His thoughts, clouded and unsettled, refused to find rest. His mood, long steady and untouched by worldly affairs, had been disturbed. That alone was sign enough. With a deep breath, he finally opened his mouth.
"Summon the elders," he said quietly. "All of them."
A signal was sent.
Moments later, the calm garden trembled lightly—not from the unexplainable divine pressure this time, but from approaching footsteps.
Two figures were seen approaching the pavilion gate.
One of them was a sloppy-looking old man. In one hand, a half-eaten chicken drumstick. Hanging from his waist, a worn wine gourd clinked lightly with each step. Most disciples—and even many teachers—regarded him as Shrek Academy's strongest active expert.
Known across the continent as the Taotie Douluo, this was Xuan Zi, the infamous glutton and eccentric elder.
The other person appeared more refined. A tall man with flowing robes and sharp eyes, he exuded grace and control. Recognized by many young disciples as Dean Yan, this was Yan Shaozhe, titled the Bright Phoenix Douluo, and current Dean of the Martial Spirit Department.
More importantly, he was also Mu En's eldest direct disciple.
Yan Shaozhe was the first to speak, his tone filled with confusion and urgency.
"Teacher, what's going on? You've called for a full Sea God Pavilion meeting—and even insisted on bringing in all elders, including those currently on external duties and those in deep meditation?"
Before Mu En could respond, Xuan Zi interrupted in his usual exaggerated tone, waving the drumstick casually.
"Yes, yes, Elder Mu! I was just about to try a fresh drumstick from a new restaurant. They say it uses authentic sauce recipes from the Dou Spirit Empire royal chef family —how rare is that!"
He pouted like a child throwing a tantrum, despite his age and power.
Mu En slowly turned his gaze toward him. Nothing sharp—just a look.
But that was all it took.
Xuan Zi immediately stood up straight, mouth sealed, posture suddenly military-perfect. Only one man in the world could discipline him like that.
Mu En's gaze shifted away and rose beyond the garden, beyond the lake, beyond even the bounds of Shrek City itself. His expression was one rarely seen—solemn, deeply so. Even in life-and-death battles, he hadn't worn such a face.
"Shaozhe," he said, his voice low and steady.
"Did you not sense it? The way the world just pulsed? The pressure it released… Possibly only I, as a Limit Douluo of Rank 99, and some others could feel it as something immense is drawing near."
His voice grew quieter, yet heavier. "Now do you still wonder why I act with such urgency?"
Yan Shaozhe's calm demeanor cracked. For decades, he had been under Mu En's guidance. And in all those years, he had seen his master serious—many times, yes—but never like this. The only other time had been during that fatal battle in Mu En's youth, the one that left him injured for life. The very battle where he unleashed the Sea God's Light from the golden tree and killed the brother of Du Busi, current Head of the Body Sect.
No. This wasn't something to take lightly.
Without hesitation, Shaozhe straightened. "I'll make the arrangements. I'll personally ensure that Qian Duoduo, Xian Lin'er, Cai Mei'er, and the rest are present."
He turned sharply and left, robes fluttering as he moved with uncharacteristic haste.
Silence returned.
Xuan Zi stood beside Mu En, still holding the now-forgotten drumstick. His usual grin was gone. His carefree face, so often mocking the world, now bore the same shadow of solemnity as his old friend.
Together, the two oldest monsters of Shrek Academy stood in silence—calm, watchful, and ready.
For the first time in decades… something had truly shaken them.