On the evening the tournament concluded, Wang Yan had already selected three soul bones suitable for the Shrek Academy team.
This was almost an unwritten rule at Shrek Academy. The three soul bones awarded as the championship prize in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament were typically given to students who performed exceptionally well in that year's competition.
Wang Yan's ability to identify soul bones was no less than Elder Xuan's, and his final choices made the emperor wince, though there was nothing he could do about it.
The value of the three soul bones was beyond measure in monetary terms. The reason the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament rotated its host country every five years was partly due to the pressure of providing such rewards.
The soul bone rewards totaled four: three for the champion and one for the runner-up. For the sake of national pride, the soul bones offered for selection were rarely top-tier, but they were generally high-quality bones from soul beasts with over ten thousand years of cultivation.
Elder Xuan didn't have Wang Yan distribute the three soul bones immediately. Instead, he ordered everyone to pack their belongings and return to Shrek Academy at once.
The pressure from the Body Sect was considerable, and only by returning to the academy, with Elder Mu presiding, could he feel completely at ease.
Xu Zihuang's body had fully recovered, and Xu Sanshi, Beibei, and Jiang Nannan had no issues after being detoxified.
Early the next morning, the Shrek Academy team changed into relatively plain clothing and quietly left Star Luo City, heading directly back to Shrek Academy.
As they had on the way there, Elder Xuan personally carried them in flight. This time, he was even more forceful, shortening the return journey to just two days.
A dazzling trail of light streaked across the sky before descending toward the ground, gradually slowing.
A white light suddenly expanded, forming a massive platform that cushioned the Shrek Academy team's descent.
They landed not far from Shrek Academy's main gate, near a clear river. The team touched down on the riverbank.
Fortunately, Elder Xuan used his soul power to protect everyone, a gesture acknowledging their victory in the tournament.
Though the journey was grueling and left everyone pale, it was far better than their initial trip.
Covered in grease stains, Elder Xuan held a large wine gourd, gulping down liquor as he mumbled, "Alright, you little rascals, disperse. The seven reserve team members, remember that your participation in this All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament on behalf of the academy is to remain confidential. Yu Tianhuang, come with me."
At Elder Xuan's final words, everyone's gazes turned to Xu Zihuang, who was using his soul power to ease Ning Tian's discomfort.
No one was particularly surprised.
Given Yu Tianhuang's talent and his contributions to the tournament, it was only natural that Elder Xuan and the academy's higher-ups would take notice of him.
"Yes, Elder Xuan," Xu Zihuang responded respectfully.
By then, Elder Xuan had already begun walking leisurely toward Shrek Academy's main gate.
Ning Tian grasped Xu Zihuang's wrist, shaking her head with a smile.
"I'm fine. Go with Elder Xuan."
Xu Zihuang nodded in understanding, then turned to Jiang Nannan. "Senior Sister Jiang, please look after Ning Tian for me."
As a Soul Ancestor, Jiang Nannan was in better condition than Ning Tian, a Soul Elder and support-type soul master.
"Alright," Jiang Nannan nodded. She and Ning Tian were the only two girls on the reserve team, and despite Ning Tian's background with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she carried no air of arrogance, making their relationship quite amicable.
Xu Zihuang waved to the others before following Elder Xuan.
After a brief rest, Wang Yan left first to report the details to the academy.
Next to leave were the four inner courtyard disciples: Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Chen Zifeng, and Gongyang Mo. Since the finals ended, Ma Xiaotao had been unusually quiet, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor, and was the first to depart.
Only the six reserve team members remained on the riverbank.
Jiang Nannan supported Ning Tian at the front, followed by Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and He Caitou, with Wang Dong trailing behind.
Xu Sanshi shifted his gaze from Jiang Nannan and Ning Tian, suddenly speaking to Beibei and He Caitou with a serious expression. "I've decided to relinquish my title as Shrek Academy's most devoted romantic to Tianhuang. I need to learn from him and stop being swayed by such empty fame."
He deliberately put on an air of enlightened clarity.
The rapid progress between Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian reignited his hopes. Jiang Nannan and Ning Tian were the only two girls on the reserve team. With Yu Tianhuang and Ning Tian paired, it would be much easier to set him up with Jiang Nannan.
"When did you ever have such a title? How come I've never heard of it?" He Caitou asked, genuinely puzzled.
Xu Sanshi retorted irritably, "There's a lot you haven't heard of."
"Idiot," Beibei muttered, too lazy to engage with Xu Sanshi. He stopped and approached Wang Dong.
As the reserve team's captain, it was his responsibility to foster good relationships among the team members. During the tournament, time had been tight, but now that it was over and they were back at the academy, he had time to address this.
"Wang Dong."
"Senior Brother Bei?" Wang Dong looked up instinctively at Beibei's voice, surprised to see him by his side.
Beibei was undeniably handsome, his lips always curved in a sunny yet slightly mischievous smile that easily won people over. His gentle demeanor contrasted sharply with Xu Sanshi's brashness, making him an ideal choice for reserve team captain, a testament to Elder Xuan and Wang Yan's keen judgment.
Even Wang Dong held a favorable impression of this refined senior brother.
Beibei smiled warmly. "Did you feel discouraged by this tournament? You don't need to belittle yourself. Tianhuang's talent is unmatched in Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year history. Neither I nor Sanshi can compare to him in terms of talent. If anyone among us has a chance to catch up to Tianhuang, it's not me or Sanshi, but you, with your twin martial souls."
Wang Dong bit his lip, his expression conflicted. "Senior Brother Bei, actually, I just…"
Seeing Wang Dong trail off, Beibei maintained his gentle smile. "No rush. Whenever you're ready to talk, I'll be happy to listen. We're the next generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters, brothers in arms—there's no need to feel shy."
Meanwhile, Xu Zihuang followed Elder Xuan, passing through the grand gate of Shrek Academy.
Elder Xuan walked leisurely ahead, a chicken leg in one hand and a wine gourd in the other. When they reached the shore of Sea God Lake, a small boat was already waiting.
Two people stood respectfully on the shore: Yan Shaozhe, the dean of the Martial Soul Department, and a woman in her fifties with neatly tied-up black hair, exuding a crisp demeanor. From her facial features, she must have been a stunning beauty in her youth.
Both stepped forward to bow to Elder Xuan. "Elder Xuan."
"Let's go," Elder Xuan said, waving a hand as he boarded the boat.
"Dean Yan," Xu Zihuang greeted, bowing to Yan Shaozhe before turning to the woman.
"I'm Xian Lin'er, dean of the Soul Tool Department," she introduced herself, her gaze toward Xu Zihuang's complex.
Yu Tianhuang's talent was simply too extraordinary; barring any surprises, he was almost certain to reach the Ultimate Douluo level in the future. Though the Sea God Pavilion had decided to let Yu Tianhuang choose whether to study soul tools, she knew his focus on soul tools would likely be limited.
"Dean Xian, greetings," Xu Zihuang said.
Yan Shaozhe gave a warm smile, patting Xu Zihuang's shoulder affectionately. "Tianhuang, we've heard about your performance in this tournament. You were the key to Shrek Academy's championship victory, continuing our legacy of glory. Your achievement will be forever recorded in Shrek Academy's history. Get on the boat—Teacher wants to meet you personally."
Xu Zihuang followed Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er onto the boat, feigning surprise. "Your teacher?"
Yan Shaozhe smiled without answering, keeping it vague.
Little did he know, Xu Zihuang had already seen through everything.
Mist rose from the water, and the boat disappeared into it. After a quarter of an hour, the outline of Sea God Island gradually emerged.
Once ashore, Elder Xuan vanished somewhere, and Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er led Xu Zihuang along a stone path deep into Sea God Island.
This wasn't Xu Zihuang's first time on the island, but the towering trees and elegant pavilions still gave him the sense of being in a secluded paradise. The vegetation here was ancient, with many trees over a thousand years old and some exceeding a hundred meters in height. The air was fresh, and visibility was partially obscured.
Before long, they reached a spot near the mountain's peak, where a pavilion came into view.
It was the Sea God Pavilion, which Xu Zihuang had glimpsed from the island's edge.
Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er faced the pavilion, bowing respectfully. "Teacher, he's here."
"Let him come in," an aged voice called from within the Sea God Pavilion.
Yan Shaozhe nodded slightly to Xu Zihuang, who understood and stepped into the first floor of the pavilion. Everything inside was simple and ancient. In the center of the spacious hall was a long table, empty on both sides, with only one person reclining at the far end. Due to the angle, Xu Zihuang couldn't see their face clearly.
But he knew full well that the person seated there was Shrek Academy's strongest figure, Dragon God Douluo Mu En.
To be honest, facing a top-tier powerhouse like Elder Mu, an Ultimate Douluo, Xu Zihuang felt some trepidation. His Golden Eyes martial soul allowed him to perfectly control his emotions, but no one could guarantee that Elder Mu wouldn't see through his facade. That was why, during his freshman enrollment at the dormitory, he hadn't dared to approach Elder Mu to build rapport.
As his thoughts raced, Elder Mu beckoned to him. "Come here, child."
Xu Zihuang walked around the table, seeing an aged face with a frail yet warm smile. Controlling his facial expression as best he could, he exclaimed, "It's you?"
Elder Mu's smile remained gentle, but as his gaze settled on Xu Zihuang, an indescribable pressure weighed upon him.
Elder Mu's next words struck him like lightning.
"You're not actually that surprised to see me here, are you? You're a very clever child. The first time you entered the freshman dormitory, I noticed you. Back then, I wondered why you were so wary of an old man like me."
"Through my careful observation, I realized your wariness wasn't just toward me but toward everyone—your classmates, teachers, anyone you encountered. Perhaps 'wariness' isn't quite the right word; more accurately, you're unable to trust others."
Xu Zihuang's expression froze, and he remained silent. He could perfectly control his emotions, with countless thoughts and responses flashing through his mind, yet his heartbeat, pulse, and other vital signs remained unchanged.
Elder Mu smiled faintly. "There are too many things about you that puzzle me. I can't fully understand your situation. Your talent, strength, character, and overall qualities are the envy of countless people—even I, at your age, couldn't compare. But such a perfect person is unwilling, or rather, resistant to trusting others. Child, someone who lacks sincerity is destined to be out of place in this world, no matter how well they hide it. Yet, I can see that your nature isn't bad—perhaps even more upright than many. It seems there's some reason compelling you to act this way. Can you tell me what it is you seek?"
"No need to answer right away."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Zihuang felt a flash before his eyes, followed by a sensation of weightlessness. When he steadied himself, the golden light around him had vanished.
He now stood in a spacious hall, a square with sides roughly a hundred meters long, resembling the competition stage of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament.
Several passages lined both sides of the hall, leading to unknown destinations. There were no windows, but the air was exceptionally fresh.
"Follow the middle passage on the right to its end, open the door there, and begin meditating inside. When you finish, if you're willing to tell me, I'll be happy to listen. If not, I won't force you."
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