Shrek Academy, Tianyuan Island, Tianyuan Pavilion, Main Hall.
Upon returning to the Academy, Zhu Ziyang and the Elders immediately convened a Tianyuan Pavilion meeting. Also attending were Huo Yuhao, Fan Yu, and He Caitou. The purpose of this meeting was simple: to hear the results and gains from their exchange at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Huo Yuhao had been brought back early by Yan Shaozhe. He hadn't even had the chance to see Tang Ya, Beibei, or even Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao before he was hauled to Tianyuan Pavilion. As he stood before the Pavilion, staring at the still-thriving Golden Tree, his heart stirred deeply. Thoughts of Mu En, who had treated him like family, brought waves of sorrow. He dropped to his knees and wept bitterly.
By the time Zhu Ziyang and the other members of Tianyuan Pavilion, along with Fan Yu and He Caitou, arrived, Huo Yuhao had already composed himself.
Inside the main hall of Tianyuan Pavilion, the meeting officially began. Naturally, Zhu Ziyang sat at the head seat, the other Elders seated on either side. Huo Yuhao, Fan Yu, and He Caitou, for the time being, had to remain standing.
Looking at Zhu Ziyang seated at the head, the three couldn't help but be astonished. Fan Yu, as the Soul Tool Department's Teaching Director, maintained a composed expression. But Huo Yuhao and He Caitou—still young—were unable to hide their reactions. Huo Yuhao gaped in disbelief, blurting out, "Senior Brother, you…"
He had expected Zhu Ziyang's strength to grow quickly—after all, he had faced the Dragon Emperor Douluo alone not long ago—but he hadn't imagined Zhu Ziyang was now sitting at the helm of Tianyuan Pavilion. This was his Senior Brother? Incredible!
"Heh, don't be so surprised," Xuanzi said with a chuckle. "Ziyang has already reached the Titled Douluo realm. According to Elder Mu's final wishes, he now leads Tianyuan Pavilion. You'd best start getting used to his new identity."
"Yes!" The three immediately straightened, respectfully bowing. "Greetings, Pavilion Master!"
"Alright, don't be so stiff," Zhu Ziyang waved his hand with a smile. "Let's hear about your experiences and takeaways at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. Teacher Fan Yu, you first."
"Yes!" Fan Yu stepped forward immediately. He began by bowing respectfully to Zhu Ziyang and the Elders before launching into his account of the events and insights gained. He also presented his recommendations for the future development of Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department. One by one, the Elders posed their questions, and he responded clearly and confidently, leaving everyone satisfied. The specifics were omitted.
"Very good, Teacher Fan Yu," Zhu Ziyang said, smiling approvingly. "Senior Sister, would you announce Tianyuan Pavilion's decision regarding him?"
"Mm." Xian Lin'er rose and said, "Fan Yu, after deliberation by Tianyuan Pavilion, we hereby appoint you as Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department, responsible for its expansion and development. You are also officially admitted into Tianyuan Pavilion."
"Yes! Thank you to the Elders and the Academy for this opportunity!" Although he had already been informed beforehand, hearing the appointment in person filled Fan Yu with excitement and joy he could barely contain.
"Alright, Teacher Fan Yu, you may go rest now," Xian Lin'er said with a smile.
After Fan Yu left, it was Huo Yuhao's turn. All eyes turned to him. Zhu Ziyang smiled and said, "Yuhao, you're up."
"Ah, alright!" Huo Yuhao was momentarily dazed but quickly recovered. He copied Fan Yu's style and described his experience and gains from the exchange. While he didn't make plans for the Soul Tool Department's development, he did have one big contribution—his "extortion" of resources.
"These are the resources I acquired from Jing Hongchen, Hall Master of Mingde Hall. I'm now turning them over to the Academy."
He produced a soul tool ring and handed it to Qian Duoduo, who passed it to Zhu Ziyang. With one glance, Zhu Ziyang instantly grasped the contents.
"No wonder the Sun Moon Empire went all out to intercept you… you really know how to drive a bargain!" Zhu Ziyang laughed, then lightly tossed the ring back to Huo Yuhao. "Thirty Silver Dragon Scales—keeping them on you is more useful than handing them over to the Academy."
"Is that… alright?" Huo Yuhao asked hesitantly.
"There's nothing wrong with it," Zhu Ziyang said, smiling. "You reaching Rank 9 Soul Engineer sooner is the best reward for the Academy. Junior Sister, announce his arrangement."
"Mm." Cai Mei'er nodded and stood. "Yuhao, considering your outstanding contributions to the Soul Tool Department, Tianyuan Pavilion has decided to admit you ahead of schedule."
"Me? Join Tianyuan Pavilion?" Huo Yuhao was stunned by the unexpected joy, staring at Zhu Ziyang in disbelief, as though seeking confirmation.
"Haha, don't be so surprised," Zhu Ziyang laughed. "It's what you deserve—not just for bringing back over a thousand blueprints, but for your talent, and most importantly, because you were Teacher's disciple."
"I… I understand!" Huo Yuhao's heart settled at last. His voice trembled slightly.
"Alright. I'm guessing you're eager to go see your friends. We won't hold you up. Tang Ya has something she needs to talk to you about."
"Yes!" Huo Yuhao smiled with longing and excitement. "Senior Brother, Elders, farewell."
With Huo Yuhao gone, only He Caitou remained, looking visibly uneasy. Then Zhu Ziyang dropped a bomb that nearly made him collapse.
"Alright, your turn, Caitou," Zhu Ziyang said meaningfully. "Or should I say—Xu He? Xu Tianhe?"
"I…" He Caitou went pale, speechless, and trembling.
Seeing his reaction, Zhu Ziyang and the others chuckled. Xian Lin'er stepped in to ease the mood. "Alright, Ziyang, don't scare Caitou too much. Caitou, there's no need to be nervous. When you first joined the Academy, Teacher Fan Yu already reported your identity. If we really cared about your background as a Sun Moon Empire prince, you'd have been dealt with long ago. Why would we wait to confront you now?"
"R-Really?" He Caitou visibly relaxed. It made sense. His identity couldn't possibly have been hidden forever. The Academy must truly not care about his lineage.
"Haha, sorry Caitou. I just wanted to mess with you a little," Zhu Ziyang laughed. "The reason we're revealing this now is… because we need something from you."
"You need me?" He Caitou froze, then immediately grew solemn. "Whatever the Academy needs, I will do without hesitation! From the day Teacher adopted me, the Academy became my only home. Whatever it is, I'll give it my all!"
"No need to be so formal," Xuanzi said. "It's simple. During your time at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, you've probably heard of Princess Xu Tianxuan, right?"
"Yes! Supposedly the direct bloodline of the Moon Lineage. They say that traitor Xu Jiusong pushed her forward as a 'mascot' to ease royal tensions." He Caitou's tone was full of resentment.
"She's actually our Inner Court's Senior Sister," Xuanzi said, after exchanging glances with Zhu Ziyang.
"What? Senior Sister?!" He Caitou was thunderstruck, his eyes wide, jaw dropped. He had suspected Zhang Lexuan might have royal blood, but he hadn't expected her to actually be the Sun Moon Empire's princess! So he wasn't the only royal in the Inner Court after all. Oddly, he felt a little happy about that.
"We're telling you this," Xuanzi said, "because…" He then revealed the Academy's "Empress Descends" plan and explained what role He Caitou would play in its final phase.
He Caitou agreed without hesitation. In his heart, ever since Xu Jiusong's coup and the murder of his father and family—while the empire's citizens stood by—he had considered the Sun Moon Empire his enemy.
Now, if he could help the Academy overthrow Xu Jiusong's regime and bring the Empire's citizens into the light of the Academy's teachings, how could he refuse?
In his eyes, this was a blessing for the citizens of the Sun Moon Empire!
(End of Chapter)
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