"By the way, since you're free, next week the Academy is organizing a trip for the new core disciples to the Star Dou Forest to obtain soul beasts. I was supposed to be the lead teacher, but I've been busy lately. Could you go in my place? Consider it a little vacation?"
Zhang Lexuan lay in Su Wen's arms, smiling.
"Xie Huanyue and the others graduated?" Su Wen grew nostalgic.
He recalled fighting over the bathroom with Xie Huanyue, Dai Huabin, and others three or four years ago as if it were yesterday.
Apparently, before he joined the first Soul Master Tournament, the bathrooms had been renovated—one stall per floor, and the cafeteria got more benches...
That kind of "training" was a thing of the past. Since they'd suffer plenty later, why torture them as kids?
What was annoying was that the changes only happened after he left the Academy. The benefits never reached him...
"Yes, it's been about three years." Zhang Lexuan counted on her slender fingers.
"You went to the tournament in your second year, came back after two years, then left for the Sun and Moon Empire to study... All in all, three years."
"After entering fourth year, they directly advanced to the inner court."
"Xie Huanyue is now rank 51. I heard you gave him an immortal herb, which advanced his martial soul. His father is very grateful and has visited Shrek several times, but you were never around..."
"That little chubby guy, haha." Su Wen smiled. "A rank 51 Soul King at 15, without using drugs, is quite impressive."
Zhang Lexuan shook her head, shooting him a look.
More than impressive.
Even Ma Xiaotao was only a peak Soul Ancestor at 15...
"Ning Tian and Wu Feng also joined the inner court. Ning Tian has the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and is quite popular with the seniors."
"After I became vice dean, Teacher Mu Jin was promoted to Martial Soul Department vice director, mostly thanks to you."
"Oh, and Dai Huabin..."
At this name, Zhang Lexuan frowned.
"What's wrong?" Su Wen asked.
"He's a troublemaker. After Xie Huanyue and the others joined the inner court, he became the strongest in the outer court, formed a clique, bullied ordinary students, and started a 'White Tiger Gang.' Lately—"
Su Wen: "..."
"What level is he?"
"Forty-six. Seems he had some fortuitous encounter. His martial soul mutated into a black tiger, and his personality changed a lot..."
Su Wen raised an eyebrow.
Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi, the so-called Twin Stars of the outer court, were only about rank 42–43 at 15.
But Dai Huabin...
And in the original work, Dai Huabin never "turned dark." Could it be a butterfly effect from killing Huo Yuhao?
"Alright, I understand," Su Wen nodded.
A little trip to clear his mind wouldn't hurt.
Right now, Shrek Academy was on break. Only a few students with nowhere to go stayed, and those left were mostly waiting for the Academy's promised soul beast hunts...
Most students at Shrek were nobles or direct descendants of sects, but that didn't guarantee finding a soul beast with the right soul ring.
Star Dou Forest was truly perilous. Not just anyone could enter the core zone. Even with a Soul Sage as leader, other factions faced serious danger—Shrek could encounter ten-thousand-year soul beasts, let alone others.
Many died in the forest each year.
If Huo Yuhao's luck had been worse and he was knocked off his horse, he'd have been a perfect example.
As for Shrek,
Every trip had at least a Titled Douluo as backup—an extravagant lineup. Not taking advantage would be a waste.
"By the way, I need to call a Sea God Pavilion meeting!"
Su Wen said seriously.
"What?" Zhang Lexuan was surprised.
"About the Inspection Team's reform... I have a lot of complaints to air," Su Wen said eagerly.
"Go easy," Zhang Lexuan hesitated. "The elders have all shed blood for Shrek. Last time you argued with Elder Song, she was so angry her face turned purple."
Su Wen replied calmly,
"Shrek must change. Growing pains are inevitable."
…
Sea God Pavilion
"I've already stepped down as vice captain of the Inspection Team, and the spot's open… Why not let Su Wen take over?" Xuan Zi lounged in his chair, picking his teeth.
Compared to his former slovenly self, now that he'd cleaned up, he looked quite hale and hearty—almost unrecognizable.
"Su Wen! Vice captain is a glorious yet arduous duty. When I was in charge..." Xuan Zi started to reminisce about his glorious past.
"Save it," Su Wen chuckled.
"Last time I visited the Holy Spirit Church, none of the elders or worshippers had even heard of the Inspection Team."
"If the Shrek Academy had been more effective over the years at eradicating evil soul masters, they'd at least recognize your name."
"…"
Xuan Zi's mouth twitched.
He stared in disbelief.
How come the tricks that worked on Shrek students all these years fell flat with Su Wen?
Oh... because this kid actually went to the Holy Spirit Church and learned the truth.
For any other student, even fighting the declining evil soul masters was dangerous enough—no one else would storm the Holy Spirit Church's branches in the Sun and Moon Empire, one by one, cleaning them out!
"Uh, uh..." Xuan Zi scratched his head, looking hopefully at Song Yunzhi, but she just stared out the window, as if to say, "Don't look at me, I'm scared of him too."
After Su Wen's last argument, with Elder Mu's strength restored, Song Yunzhi also stepped down… Time to relax and retire.
The future belonged to young people like Su Wen.
Her daughter had told her that many times.
Besides, Su Wen was such a considerate child. If it were any other inner court disciple—like Ma Xiaotao—who dared to act up, Yan Shaozhe would have put them in their place.
But Su Wen was different.
He saved the main team, turned the tide at the tournament, risked his life to go to the Sun and Moon Empire for technology, and just barely escaped back.
Now he was vice dean of the Forging Department, running around the soul beast world, bringing in all kinds of resources for Shrek.
All this made the elders see him not as a child, but a peer, even as a pillar of Shrek on par with Yan Shaozhe.
"How many did you take out this time?"
At this point, Mu En, dressed in white with gold trim, smiled at Su Wen.
"Fourteen Sun and Moon Holy Altars," Su Wen replied softly.
"Six Titled, two Super..."
"All eliminated."
"…"
The meeting room fell silent. The elders all turned to look at Su Wen in shock.
"What the hell?!!"
Elder Song slammed the table, staring at Su Wen.
Six regular Titled Douluo, plus two Super Douluo.
And all evil soul masters!!!
Such a force could easily wipe out a small country, maybe even the Star Luo Empire, one of the three great powers.
"I hunted them one by one, not all at once," Su Wen said quietly.
"Still terrifying..." Elder Zhuang sighed.
"To date, the Inspection Team hasn't killed a single Titled Douluo-level evil soul master. Elder Mu, this should go on the honor roll, right?"
He turned to Mu En.
This achievement was undeniable.
Evil soul masters were far stronger than regular soul masters. To hunt one of the same level, you needed at least twice the numbers, three times to be safe.
Especially for Titled Douluo.
For the elders present, even if their skills were rusty, trading their life for one Titled Douluo would be considered a win. (The Sea God Pavilion had fewer than twenty true Titled Douluo, only six or seven Super Douluo. Though Yan Shaozhe and others didn't have seats, that didn't mean their strength was weak.)
"Yes, Hui Qun, after this Sea God Pavilion meeting, add Su Wen's achievement to the honor roll. His identity… Sea God Pavilion Elder, Vice Captain of the Inspection Team."
Mu En smiled.
Su Wen gladly accepted.
Since he was taking over the Inspection Team, he needed status. Only then could he truly take action, and the people under him would respect and follow him.
No matter how eloquent you are, nothing is more convincing than real achievements.
As for the Pavilion Master role,
He didn't want to let Elder Mu retire—if he did, all the burden would fall on Su Wen, who was already overworked.
Anyway, people in the inner court already called him "Young Pavilion Master"...
"By the way," Mu En patted his head, seemingly remembering something, and grinned at Su Wen. "In a few months, the Sea God Fate Matchmaking Festival is coming. All inner court students can participate, and it's a rare chance—I pre-registered you since you weren't here."
"Su Wen, you won't refuse, will you?"
Su Wen: ???
The other elders all had a "spectator" look.
After all, Su Wen's romantic exploits were no secret. No one knew how many girls, but rumors said it was a lot...
If he really joined the matchmaking event...
They couldn't imagine how lively it'd get.
Song Yunzhi pulled out sunflower seeds and smiled at Su Wen.
Yan Shaozhe snickered, eyes teasing. He'd been through enough romantic drama to know how terrifying jealous women could be—especially among the continent's true talents.
Rumor had it even Lexuan was with him...
Qian Duoduo laughed coldly, arms crossed. He still remembered how Su Wen had tricked him recently—he'd spent days kneeling on the washboard at home before finally getting Lin'er to forgive him in bed.
Both were Super Douluo, but she was a Valkyrie—her stamina was terrifying. Just handling her took a huge toll; his legs still trembled.
Sure enough,
Su Wen, who had been calm moments ago, went pale and stammered, "Elder Mu, you must be joking. I'll be busy that month."
"You don't even know which month it is—how do you know you'll be busy?" Mu En grinned.
Su Wen looked at Mu En's smiling face, feeling as if he were facing a real demon.
I really don't want this love drama...
Can't everyone just mind their own business?
If I have to choose just one, won't I die for sure?
Su Wen was about to cry; his head was spinning.
If he'd known, he wouldn't have brought Mu Qiu'er, Nana, Ju Zi, and the others back from the Sun and Moon Empire...
That would've cut the number in half.
And he definitely couldn't let Snow Empress and the others hear about this. He'd have to send the Silver Dragon King and Mu Qiu'er away, too! Have them leave Shrek for the Star Dou Forest for now.
"Yes, Su Wen, lots of things can wait, but marriage can't..." Lin Huiqun, head of the Treasure Pavilion, said kindly.
"Exactly," Yan Shaozhe fanned the flames.
Shrek Academy mostly practiced monogamy, but harems weren't unheard of—as long as it was consensual, the Academy didn't interfere. The continent even had slavery, and emperors had countless wives.
Especially Su Wen, who was likely to inherit the Sea God Pavilion Master's position.
Such good bloodlines shouldn't go to waste.
That's why the elders didn't object.
It was also a good chance to see which girl truly loved Su Wen.
"Uh..." Su Wen tried to protest. "But I have so much work—training the Inspection Team, the Forging Department… I really won't have time?"
"Heh, don't worry about your personal matters. Leave the Forging Department to me. Jing Hongchen and I have already set the basic direction for battle armor research. You don't even need to be there." Elder Du smiled.
"Right, I'll keep an eye on the Inspection Team," Mu En added.
Su Wen: "…"
Fine, fine. The Sea God Pavilion set me up!