Su Wen took a deep breath.
I've finally stepped onto the main stage.
The corridor was quiet and spacious.
As Su Wen pushed Mu En forward, the two chatted casually, the atmosphere calm and relaxed.
Still—
Su Wen knew Xuan Zi wouldn't truly be dismissed.
Mu En would play the stern role, while Yan Shaozhe and the others would naturally provide him a way down.
At most, it would be a light punishment.
In the original timeline, even when fifteen people entered and only four survived, Xuan Zi had remained in his position.
This time, with zero deaths thanks to Su Wen, there was no chance of anything severe happening.
And frankly....
If Shrek did seriously punish Xuan Zi, Su Wen would begin doubting the academy's judgment entirely.
A ninety-eight-rank Super Douluo.
Vice Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion.
The future successor once Mu En passed.
Firing him over a single dereliction of duty?
Unless Mu En were still in his prime, that would be sheer stupidity.
Xuan Zi couldn't leave.
He was unreliable—but his combat power was real.
What Su Wen valued was Shrek's overall strength and resources. As long as Xuan Zi remained, Shrek's deterrence held.
If Xuan Zi left, the academy could easily destabilize...
and once the Holy Spirit Cult turned its gaze toward Ma Xiaotao, things would spiral quickly.
Soon, they reached the end of the corridor.
An ancient wooden door stood before them.
"Go ahead," Mu En said with a gentle smile.
"Mm."
Su Wen stepped forward. With only a light push, the door opened.
Inside sat more than twenty elders.
Their gazes fell upon him....
with expectation, kindness, affection… and guilt.
Xuan Zi saw Su Wen and opened his mouth, then lowered his head again.
Su Wen raised an eyebrow and subtly signaled that it was fine.
Scolding Xuan Zi now would bring nothing but momentary satisfaction....and erase the guilt that currently worked to Su Wen's advantage.
Allowing the elders to smooth things over preserved long-term benefits.
Ultimately.....
It was still a matter of strength.
When he was strong enough…
He would reshape Shrek in his own image.
After all.....
Shrek had stood for ten thousand years.
But beneath the glorious surface, buried deep underground,
its roots were already beginning to rot.
So this child is Su Wen?"
A tall, capable-looking woman with a high ponytail and sharp, efficient bearing studied him closely, her eyes lighting up.
"He clearly has the potential to join the Soul Tool Department."
"Hah, nonsense."
A middle-aged man with short graying hair, scholarly features, and an energetic presence chuckled softly.
"His martial soul is one that commands soul beasts. What does that have to do with your soul tools?"
In the vast conference hall, only four people remained standing.
Su Wen recognized them immediately.
The outspoken woman was Xian Lin'er, Dean of the Soul Tool Department.
The refined man was Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the Martial Soul Department.
Beside Xian Lin'er stood a large, round man with glasses, his narrow eyes glinting with shrewd intelligence.
When he noticed Su Wen looking over, he instantly switched to an honest,憨厚 smile.
....Qian Duoduo, Shrek Academy's number-one soul tool expert.
Standing next to Yan Shaozhe was a gentle, elegant woman with a warm smile....Cai Meier, Vice Dean of the Martial Soul Department.
Thinking of Cai Meier, Su Wen couldn't help comparing her to Xuan Zi.
The difference was night and day.
In the original story, both had once led teams into the Star Dou Great Forest.
Both encounters involved danger—Cai Meier faced the Zhongli Brothers, yet her handling was meticulous, cautious, and protective, like a mother hen guarding her chicks.
Honestly, if he had to choose, Su Wen would much rather have had Cai Meier leading this mission....even if her cultivation was "only" at the level of a normal Titled Douluo.
A leader mattered.
Very much so.
This incident had only reinforced one truth:
Shrek Academy, overall, was reliable...
except for a certain chicken-leg-loving elder.
Sometimes, it wasn't fear of enemies that doomed you.....
it was your own elder having a sudden "brilliant idea."
"All right, that's enough."
Mu En's voice cut through the room.
Su Wen pushed the wheelchair to the head seat. Though frail, Mu En straightened his back slightly, his presence instantly commanding silence.
"Which department Su Wen joins is his own decision. That choice is still at least five or six years away. What's the rush?"
"Yes, Elder Mu."
Xian Lin'er and Yan Shaozhe immediately backed down.....though both still shot subtle, calculating smiles at Su Wen.
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