"Xuanzi is still gravely wounded. He will not attend this Sea God Pavilion meeting. Shaozhe, you will preside."
Inside the grand Sea God Pavilion conference hall, more than a dozen figures sat around an oval table. On the outermost seat was Zhang Lexuan, who had just returned to the academy. At the innermost host position lay a recliner, upon which rested the Dragon God Douluo Mu En, whose name once resounded across the entire Douluo Continent.
"Understood, Teacher."
Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the Martial Soul Department, bowed respectfully toward Mu En, then stood and swept his gaze across the room.
Seated around the long table were the Sea God Pavilion Elders and the deans and vice-deans of both the Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departments. Only Zhang Lexuan's cultivation had yet to reach the Title Douluo rank, yet her presence here already spoke volumes of Shrek Academy's regard for her.
"Esteemed Elders, today we discuss the matter of Elder Xuan encountering evil soul masters."
As soon as Yan Shaozhe finished speaking, the conference-room doors suddenly swung open. Xuanzi appeared in the doorway, his complexion exceedingly grim.
Zhang Lexuan hurriedly rose to support him.
"Elder Xuan, why have you come?"
"Cough, cough." Xuanzi gave two light coughs. "My injuries are no longer serious. This matter is of utmost importance; I should explain it myself."
"Sigh." Mu En, lying on the recliner, let out a soft sigh. "Since you are here, sit. Tell us what you encountered."
"Very well." Supported by Zhang Lexuan, Xuanzi took the seat beside Mu En before slowly beginning. "After the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition ended, I was escorting the children back toward the academy. Halfway there, I sensed an immensely powerful aura."
"Five individuals lay in ambush on the only road back to the academy. They had clearly prepared in advance. Further ahead lay the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire, guarded by troops and a considerable distance from Star Luo City—precisely the weakest point in Star Luo's defenses."
"Every one of those five possessed nine soul rings, and all were evil soul masters."
The moment Xuanzi's words fell, the faces of every elder around the table changed. Mu En and Yan Shaozhe had already heard the account once, yet, hearing it again, their expressions remained ugly.
Evil soul masters, whose strength already surpassed ordinary soul masters, had broken through to Title Douluo. This was no good news for the entire continent, especially five at once.
Xuanzi glanced at everyone and continued, "The one who wounded me was no weaker than I am. I risked severe injury to scatter the bone dragon he summoned, but I could feel that he himself suffered no significant harm."
"He withdrew only because something else demanded his attention; otherwise, he would have kept fighting." Xuanzi coughed again. "Their target was Xiao Tao."
In his heart, he knew—if he had delayed even a moment longer, he might truly have had to fight to the death. Perhaps the opponent had feared the same and chosen to retreat first.
After hearing Xuanzi recount his ordeal, the hall fell momentarily silent. No one spoke until Mu En, lying at the head, broke the quiet.
"Lexuan, after Xuanzi returned, you and the others went to the place where Xiao Tao disappeared. Did you discover anything?"
Zhang Lexuan seemed lost in thought; only when Mu En called her name did she snap back. She hesitated before answering, "I encountered a person who matched Elder Xuan's description perfectly. He was heading toward the Sun Moon Empire, so I wondered—could Xiao Tao have been taken to the Sun Moon Empire?"
Yan Shaozhe slammed the table heavily. "I knew it was the Sun Moon Empire! Shrek's inspection teams operate year-round across the three great empires—how could five Title Douluo appear without a whisper? Only the Sun Moon Empire has places dark enough to hide them."
"Shaozhe." Mu En's mild rebuke silenced him instantly.
Turning to Zhang Lexuan, Mu En nodded slightly. "For now, this is only conjecture, but in recent years, no evil soul master of exceedingly high cultivation has appeared in the open. It does seem they have found a lair."
"Elder Mu, evil soul masters even Elder Xuan could not handle…" one elder began, his tone uncertain.
"No. From Xuanzi's earlier description, the one the others called 'Holy Son'—one with that level of power—can only be a single individual." Mu En shook his head. "What I fear is that these evil soul masters have already formed a considerable organization."
"They can already dispatch five Title Douluo at once. If we allow them to grow unchecked, control will only grow harder."
Mu En closed his eyes gently and exhaled a long breath. "The original purpose of the Shrek Inspection Teams was to deal with evil soul masters who lack oversight and restraint, to prevent massacres on the continent. Now that we know our enemy is powerful, we must act without delay."
Mu En's eyes snapped open; a flash of light seemed to cross them. An awe-inspiring pressure flared and vanished. Every gaze in the hall converged on him. In that instant, they remembered that this kindly old man had once been the Dragon God Douluo who shook the continent.
"Effective today, the operational scope of the Shrek Inspection Teams is expanded to the Sun Moon Empire. Unlike the three great empires, the Sun Moon Empire has never been on good terms with us; entering it will be far more dangerous. Therefore, only teachers and students above the eight-ring level may enter the Sun Moon Empire."
"Furthermore, if necessary, I will take the field personally."
"Elder Mu—"
"Teacher—"
Shock colored every face. They all knew that, in Mu En's current condition, every use of power shortened the days he had left; it burned the scant lifespan remaining to him.
"Enough." Mu En raised a hand, his tone grave. "Ever since the academy divided into inner and outer courts, how many young inner-court disciples have lost their lives fighting evil soul masters?"
"They long ago resolved to give everything to preserve the continent's peace. Are we elders lacking that same resolve?"
Mu En swept his gaze left and right. "This enemy is extraordinary; the students cannot handle them alone. This inspection mission must fall to us elders."
"All Sea God Pavilion Elders will lead academy teachers and disciples into the Sun Moon Empire to search for traces of those evil soul masters and Xiao Tao. This is my proposal today. Raise your hands to vote."
"I agree. Cough, cough—" Xuanzi shifted his body and coughed again.
"Xuanzi, focus on healing for now."
"Elder Mu—"
"No more discussion. Only you can face their Holy Son. Recovering fully is more important than anything."
"Yes."
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