The silence lasted for three full minutes as everyone present sank into long, deep contemplation.
After a long while, an Elder finally broke the peace and spoke to Huo Yuhao: "Then, Vice Dean Skydream, may I ask what the price would be to purchase a hundred-thousand-year level 'artificial soul ring' from you?"
In an instant, almost every gaze shifted toward Huo Yuhao, awaiting his response.
However, Huo Yuhao only offered a slight smile, ignoring the Elder's question. He looked directly at Xuan Zi, who sat right in front of him, and spoke softly:
"Senior Elder Xuan, I have finished saying what I needed to say. Now, it is your turn."
Huo Yuhao raised his hand in an invitation to the opposite side, where Xuan Zi's expression was gradually stiffening. Then, regardless of the reaction, he sat back in his seat with total nonchalance.
The air grew silent once more.
At this moment, fear and awe spread wildly through the hearts of the Sea God Pavilion Elders.
Though they might be stagnant, short-sighted, and profit-oriented, one needed at least some modicum of brains to sit in the position of an Elder.
Since Huo Yuhao had declined to answer the Elder's question and instead immediately brought up Elder Xuan, how could they not understand what that so-called "price" truly was?
The Elders' expressions were conflicted. At this moment, they were still running the numbers in their heads, weighing the pros and cons.
Even Yan Shaozhe, who had originally intended to protect Xuan Zi at all costs, was now wavering.
What is this? Giving the candy first and then the stick? Is this the normal order?!
Isn't it usually the stick first and then the candy? Why aren't you playing by the rules!!!
Only now did Yan Shaozhe finally realize what he had forgotten, and he finally knew that this "Master Skydream" before him was absolutely not someone who was easy to bully.
First, he tossed out the "artificial soul ring" capable of martial soul evolution, making everyone present itch with desire. Then, he threw out the even heavier weight of the 100,000-year "artificial soul ring"—research results that were practically enough to drive people mad.
Then, when someone asked for the price... he shifted the topic back to Xuan Zi.
Yan Shaozhe unconsciously clenched his hands, a realization dawning in his heart—this man wanted to drive Elder Xuan to his doom!
The crowd remained silent, their gazes converging on Xuan Zi.
Feeling the collective stare, the alcohol-reeking and grief-stricken Xuan Zi stood up unsteadily. He supported himself with one hand on the table, lowered his head, and said in a deep voice:
"I believe everyone already knows about the recent events... I do not wish to shirk any responsibility. Six students lost their lives, and the blame lies entirely with me. Therefore... I have decided to resign from my position as Vice Commander of the Shrek Guardians and my status as an Elder of the Sea God Pavilion."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of many Elders shifted. They wanted to speak up and dissuade him, but seeing Huo Yuhao sitting directly opposite Xuan Zi with a featureless expression, they immediately lowered their heads. Like eggplants hit by frost, they wilted, not daring to utter a single word of persuasion.
The temptation of a 100,000-year soul ring and martial soul evolution ultimately defeated the collective interest; these Elders chose silence.
Looking at the Elders who had turned coat at the critical moment, Yan Shaozhe's expression froze. His heart constantly wavered between the 100,000-year soul ring/evolution and Elder Xuan... Finally, braving the silence, Yan Shaozhe stood up and spoke:
"Elder Xuan, you cannot say that! Who can claim they never make mistakes? Moreover, the responsibility for this doesn't lie entirely with you! It was also due to the carelessness of Lexuan and the others!
"Besides, who could have predicted that a 100,000-year-old soul beast would appear in the Mixed Zone?! Elder Xuan! You are a pillar of the Academy! The Academy cannot function without you!"
Yan Shaozhe's emotions were genuine. Truthfully, as these words left his mouth, his heart was bleeding! He felt the 100,000-year soul ring and the evolvable soul ring drifting away from him, but he had no choice!
Despite Elder Xuan making a mistake, he had, after all, watched Yan Shaozhe grow up! One could say he was more like a relative than a peer!
Furthermore, Elder Mu did not have much time left. Once he passed, the heavy burden of Shrek would inevitably fall on Elder Xuan.
Whether for public duty or private sentiment, he had to stand by Elder Xuan's side; it was a necessity.
Having finished, he was just about to signal a few Inner Court members not far away. However, the moment he raised his eyes, he felt an aura so cold it reached the extreme lock onto him—it was Huo Yuhao.
In an instant, Yan Shaozhe's hand, which was about to move under the table, froze completely. He didn't dare move a muscle.
"There is no need to persuade me... I know my own faults. If it weren't for Skydream's unexpected appearance and timely repelling of the 100,000-year-old soul beast, these rising stars of the Academy would likely have been ruined by my hand...
"With such a major blunder, what face do I have left to stay in the Sea God Pavilion? None of you need to try and convince me further. My mind is made up. Everyone... farewell."
With that, Xuan Zi prepared to turn and leave the table. Seeing the situation turning sour, Yan Shaozhe hurriedly spoke again:
"Elder Xuan! Please stay! Your martial soul is, after all, the Taotie Divine Bull, which forces you to eat for long periods, but this does not affect the contributions you have made!
"All these years, we Elders present have seen your contributions and kept them in our hearts! Although the Inner Court disciples suffered losses this time, we are all equally grieved!
"The loss is already so great! If you leave as well, that would truly be the greatest loss to the Academy!"
Hearing this, Xuan Zi's expression showed a hint of reluctance, and his footsteps paused slightly.
Seeing this, Yan Shaozhe was overjoyed and was about to continue his persuasion. However, in the next second, a voice interrupted him:
"How wonderful... it seems I must also work hard to become a Sea God Pavilion Elder—it would be best if I could become a Vice Commander of the Guardians as well~"
It was Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao's tone was flippant, but his expression was terrifyingly cold. His eyes fell upon Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe, sending chills down people's spines.
Having no other choice, in order to keep Xuan Zi, Yan Shaozhe could only brace himself and say: "Vice Dean Skydream, what do you mean by this?"
A smile played at the corner of Huo Yuhao's mouth, his tone dripping with irony: "It's simple. With those two identities, even if I accidentally get a few students killed in the future, I won't face any punishment.
"It just so happens that I'm lacking experimental data. Once I become a Sea God Pavilion Elder and Vice Commander of the Guardians, the next time I lead a team of students out, I can just find an opportunity to lead them into a pile of soul beasts. Won't I have my data then?
"Even if those students die, I'll merely resign from my posts. Then, after a year or so, once the heat has died down, I'll just find some random reason and I can become an Elder all over again, can't I?"
At this moment, Huo Yuhao had almost completely dropped the facade with Xuan Zi. Likewise, these rebellious words were a blatant mockery of the Sea God Pavilion and the Shrek Guardians!
And yet...
Huo Yuhao looked around. Not a single person stepped forward to refute or scold him. Everyone had turned into shrinking turtles, lowering their heads as if terrified of offending him!
Even Yan Shaozhe could only stare at Huo Yuhao with a stiff expression, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.