After a night had passed.
At the inner courtyard disciples' residence, the radiant light-egg that enveloped Zhu Ziyang and the Star Radiance Unicorn gradually dimmed and began to dissipate. Finally, Zhu Ziyang stepped out from within it.
His condition was excellent. His gaze was sharp, his aura steady, and a faint smile graced his face. There was no doubt—he had successfully absorbed a fifty-thousand-year soul ring.
"Ziyang, congratulations!"
After a night of safe rest, the inner courtyard disciples had all recovered significantly. At the very least, they no longer had the despair of being on the brink of death. Seeing Zhu Ziyang emerge, smiles spread across their faces as they offered sincere congratulations.
"Mm, thank you," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile.
"Child of Light!"
The young Star Radiance Unicorn, Xingcai, walked up to Zhu Ziyang and affectionately nuzzled his body. Zhu Ziyang was surprised to find that Xingcai's horn had transformed to look just like her mother's—crystal-clear and pure, with a coronet-like pattern etched at its base.
This was the symbol of a Star Radiance Unicorn King. Before her self-sacrifice, Luo Xingxiya had passed on her legacy to Xingcai, making her the new queen of their race, with the authority to lead all Star Radiance Unicorns across the Douluo Continent.
"Mm. Don't worry. Since your mother entrusted you to me, I will never abandon you," said Zhu Ziyang, gently stroking Xingcai's forehead to comfort her.
"Senior Sister, shall we head back to the academy?" Zhu Ziyang looked at Zhang Lexuan.
"Yes!"
Though her face was still pale, the deadness in Zhang Lexuan's eyes was gone. Smiling, she said, "Everyone, let's go home!"
"Yay! Home!"
Ma Xiaotao, Wu Ming, and Su Meng—always the liveliest among them—were once again spirited after escaping danger, shouting in excitement.
Han Ruoruo and Zhang Weiwei, both more composed and mature in temperament, didn't react as energetically, but their joy was equally unmistakable. As for the only other male in the group besides Zhu Ziyang—Shen Xu—he remained silent as ever. Only a flicker of emotion in his eyes betrayed that he, too, felt anything but calm.
The group set out immediately. Apart from Zhang Weiwei, who was too weak and had to be carried by Xingcai, everyone else walked behind. They moved slowly and only managed to exit the Star Dou Forest by midday.
Seeing the road sign by the path, they all felt as if it had been a lifetime. No one had expected the trip to be so terrifyingly dangerous—so much so that they had lost two companions.
Thinking of Cheng Hui and Wanwan, whose remains hadn't even been recovered, everyone fell silent. The joy of surviving gradually faded, replaced by grief and sorrow. Su Meng, who had a tender heart, even began to sob quietly. A somber air hung over them.
"Everyone, let's return to the academy first. Once we're back, everything will get better."
Zhang Lexuan forced a smile as she spoke.
Just a few steps later, a golden streak shot across the sky, though none of them noticed it. The golden meteor vanished beyond the forest, but moments later, it returned.
"Ziyang! Lexuan!"
Zhu Ziyang and Zhang Lexuan both heard a familiar, elderly voice and instinctively turned toward it. A streak of golden light descended from the sky, revealing a hunched old man.
Seeing the man, Zhu Ziyang was shocked, while Zhang Lexuan's reaction was even more dramatic. She covered her mouth, her eyes reddening with tears—tears that hadn't fallen even in the face of death. The moment she saw the old man, they streamed down. In unison, they both cried out, "Teacher! Elder Mu!"
"Mm-hmm! As long as you're safe! As long as you're safe!"
It was indeed Mu En. Sensing their auras, he had immediately returned. Seeing that not only were they safe, but Zhu Ziyang had also grown stronger, the burden on Mu En's heart finally lifted.
Then, he noticed the others—Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo, Ma Xiaotao, and the rest of the inner courtyard disciples. His heart ignited with unspoken fury, mixed with guilt.
"Children, you've all suffered!"
At those words, even someone as stoic as Zhang Weiwei broke down in tears. Their hearts, which had been taut with fear, were finally released. At the moment Mu En appeared, they knew—they were truly safe.
"Whoosh—Whoosh—"
Sounds of tearing through the air echoed as over a dozen elders of the Sea God Pavilion arrived. Seeing the battered, war-weary state of the disciples, they were all stunned. Were these really the prodigies of the inner courtyard? How had they ended up like this?
The elders were filled with fury—and confusion.
"Xiaotao, what happened to you all?"
Cai Meier rushed forward, embracing the sobbing Ma Xiaotao and asked gently.
"Master's wife… we… we encountered a hundred-thousand-year soul beast—"
Ma Xiaotao buried her head in Cai Meier's chest, her voice choked with tears.
This response shook all the elders. Still, it deepened their confusion. So what if it was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast? Weren't there supposed to be elders accompanying them?
Yan Shaozhe immediately understood. His face turned dark with regret.
"Enough. Let's stop the questions for now. Bring the children back to the academy," said Mu En.
His voice was calm, even helpless, but those who knew him well understood—this was when he was angriest. Someone was about to be in serious trouble.
Mu En personally accompanied Zhu Ziyang. Elder Lin accompanied Zhang Lexuan, Elder Song with Han Ruoruo, Yan Shaozhe with Zhang Weiwei, Xian Lin'er with Shen Xu, Cai Meier with Ma Xiaotao, and Wu Ming and Su Meng were escorted by two unfamiliar elders. A group of Title Douluo escorted a group of injured youths back to Shrek Academy.
As for Xingcai, she was brought along by Qian Duoduo. Xingcai trembled—she could sense the terrifying strength of these humans, each of them on par with hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. She didn't dare act out at all. She was just a child—terrified.
Qian Duoduo, on the other hand, was deeply curious about her. In fact, all the elders were intrigued by the unicorn that had carried the disciples out of the forest.
On Sea God Island, inside the Sea God Pavilion.
All the elders had gathered. Zhang Lexuan and the others were placed upstairs to rest and recover, with Elder Zhuang, the Life Douluo, tending to their wounds.
In the first-floor hall, Mu En reclined in a wooden chair, eyes closed, fingers tapping the armrest as if deep in thought.
The other elders sat on either side of the long table in complete silence. At the far end knelt Xuanzi, the Glutton Douluo, who was filled with remorse and pain, admitting his mistake.
"Speak. How should this matter be resolved?"
Mu En didn't open his eyes as he spoke.
The elders had already been briefed on the entire incident. Though shocked, they were also troubled. It was a thorny situation—on one side was Xuanzi, a Rank 98 Super Douluo and the academy's second strongest force. On the other were the severely wounded inner courtyard disciples, with two dead. The images of their battered forms still haunted them. If not handled properly, this could spark major consequences.
"Elder Mu, it's all my fault! I'm willing to resign from all positions and leave the Sea God Pavilion," said Xuanzi, full of anguish.
"Hmph!"
Mu En snorted coldly. The pressure in the hall instantly intensified. No one dared speak. His voice dripped with frustration.
"You think you can just walk away? Coward!"
Xuanzi bowed his head in shame, unable to say a word.
"Elder Mu, perhaps Elder Xuan can offer compensation to the families of the fallen students, and also provide restitution to the survivors. Then, allow him to atone for his failure—what do you think?"
It was Elder Lin who spoke. Among the elders, only she had the seniority to speak on such matters besides Mu En himself. No one else dared pass judgment on Xuanzi.
Mu En sighed inwardly. After a moment's silence, he finally opened his mouth and declared the punishment:
"Strip Xuanzi of his title as Vice Leader of the Shrek Supervisory Corps. He will remain as a regular member. Strip him of his Vice Pavilion Master position in the Sea God Pavilion—again, demote to a regular member.
He is to slay ten Soul Douluo-level Evil Soul Masters or teams within three years. Failure to complete this task means permanent exile from the academy. He is also to provide compensation to the families of Cheng Hui and Wanwan—three soul bones of at least ten-thousand-year quality per family. Lastly, deduct Yan Shaozhe's academy salary and benefits for five years."
"Understood!"
All the elders responded in unison. Though their faces were stern, there was clear relief in their hearts.
As for the punishment itself? Frankly—superficial. Aside from the soul bone compensation, the rest were barely punitive.
Still, it was the most Shrek Academy could do. Given Xuanzi's strength and status, demanding his life would only delight their enemies. Mu En would never sabotage his own stronghold.
After all, Zhu Ziyang had returned safely. As for the two fallen students, aside from doing his best to compensate their families, all Mu En could offer was regret.
Why was Yan Shaozhe also punished? None of the others quite understood, but they dared not question it. Since Elder Mu had decided, they accepted it. Besides, even Yan Shaozhe himself had no objections.
(End of Chapter)
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