Everyone present knew that Huo Yuhao was mocking Xuan Zi, and Xuan Zi understood it just as clearly.
Growing somewhat heated, he turned around and looked directly at Huo Yuhao, saying word by word:
"Then you tell me! What should I do?!"
Huo Yuhao's expression remained calm, a trace of indifference appearing in his azure eyes.
"Haven't I said it already?
"Either go to them one by one, kneel down, and personally admit your mistakes!
"Or, cripple your own cultivation and admit that you are a failure as a teacher who misleads his students! You are unworthy of being an educator!"
Huo Yuhao's gaze was icy. Facing this level 98 Super Douluo—who seemed invincible to outsiders—he showed no fear. On the contrary, he surpassed him in sheer presence.
No one around dared to respond. Even Yan Shaozhe, the only one brave enough to speak earlier, didn't dare utter a word now. He could only turn a pleading gaze toward Elder Mu.
In the wheelchair, Elder Mu's figure seemed to slouch even further. He sighed, looked at the two men locked in a tense standoff, and spoke softly:
"Skydream, Xuan Zi, Shaozhe, Lin'er, and the Inner Court students who survived this incident, stay behind. Everyone else... please head out for now."
The voice was flat yet carried an inherent authority. Even though it was so quiet that the attendees had to listen intently to hear it, almost the next second, every Elder stood up in unison and fled the meeting room as if escaping.
In an instant, the entire conference room became empty.
Elder Mu raised his head slightly, looked at the six students including Zhang Lexuan, and spoke with a tone laced with guilt:
"I am sorry, children. The fault for this accidental error lies with Xuan Zi, but similarly, it lies with me, and with all of Shrek. I, Mu En, represent the entirety of Shrek in apologizing to you."
"Teacher!"
"Elder Mu!"
Yan Shaozhe by his side and Zhang Lexuan at the far end of the table spoke up instinctively, but Mu En shook his head and spoke calmly:
"I watched Xuan Zi grow up. His martial soul is powerful, but it has the flaw of requiring him to eat constantly. I didn't think it was a big deal, so I indulged him.
"But I never expected him to cause such a disaster this time. The fault is his, and it is mine. I apologize to you on his behalf.
"Rest assured, Shrek will compensate you. Shrek will do its utmost to satisfy any request you have; I only hope to earn your forgiveness."
The sincere apology from the Dean of Shrek, the Master of the Sea God Pavilion, and a level 99 Limit Douluo like Mu En left the group of low-cultivation students temporarily stunned. They looked at each other, unable to say a word.
However, Mu En did not stop there. He looked at Xuan Zi and continued:
"Xuan Zi, as of today, you are stripped of all your duties at Shrek. Additionally, I give you one month to visit the homes of the deceased students and apologize at their doors. No matter how the family members react, you must endure it."
Mu En paused slightly before finally looking at Huo Yuhao: "I am very sorry, child. Shrek has disappointed you."
Huo Yuhao shook his head, not finding this particularly surprising. After all, the current turn of events was within Huo Yuhao's expectations.
Current-day Shrek relied on Mu En and Xuan Zi to maintain its status. Mu En didn't have much time left; once he passed away in a few years, the only person they could rely on was the level 98 Xuan Zi.
Therefore, no matter how much Mu En didn't want to, he had to find a way to preserve Xuan Zi.
While Xuan Zi's character was indeed problematic, his level 98 cultivation was the real deal. It was enough to hold the fort until Zhang Lexuan or the younger generation like Ma Xiaotao grew up.
To be honest, if Yan Shaozhe had shown more initiative, or if Mu En could live for another few decades, Mu En likely wouldn't be protecting Xuan Zi like this. To Mu En, the survival of Shrek was more important than his own life.
Huo Yuhao did not reply. Instead, six contracts appeared in his hand. Right in front of Mu En, Xuan Zi, Yan Shaozhe, and Xian Lin'er, he openly placed them before the six students led by Zhang Lexuan.
"Sign the contracts, and you will be members of the Spirit Transmission Pagoda after graduation. I cannot guarantee other things, but training you to the eight-ring level shouldn't be a problem.
"Furthermore, as long as you can absorb them, I will provide you with 100,000-year soul rings for free."
As Huo Yuhao spoke these words, he was mainly looking at Qi Minyue, who sat in a wheelchair having lost half her body, and Lin Le, who had lost an arm.
After most Soul Masters suffer physical disability, although it doesn't significantly affect the use of their martial soul or the display of their strength, it drastically impacts their cultivation speed. Simply put, these two were already half-crippled with no potential to speak of.
However, Huo Yuhao felt there was still a chance to save them. A support-system Soul Saint and an agility-system Soul Saint were still worth cultivating. Thus, they were his primary targets.
Yet, faced with such blatant poaching, Xuan Zi and the others didn't say a word. They knew these students were already disappointed in Shrek... leaving might be their best option.
The students looked hesitant and a bit conflicted by the contracts. However, Qi Minyue, the support-system Soul Saint, gave it a brief glance and signed immediately.
The other students were somewhat surprised, but following Qi Minyue's lead, two more signed in succession. One was the Soul Saint named Lin Le, and the other was a Soul King whose name Huo Yuhao couldn't recall.
Hm... three of them. Not bad. Huo Yuhao was quite satisfied.
Suddenly, and quite unexpectedly, Mu En spoke up:
"Lexuan, do you want to sign?"
"Elder Mu?!"
Zhang Lexuan was shocked, and even Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi looked at Mu En with disbelief.
"You are nearly graduated. Although you grew up in Shrek Academy, it doesn't mean you are bound to it forever.
"Child, you still have the right to make your own choices."
Having said that, Mu En looked at Huo Yuhao:
"Could you give this child a few days to consider?"
Huo Yuhao's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise. He naturally knew that the Eldest Senior Sister had been raised by Elder Mu since childhood and shared deep emotional bonds, so she would never do anything to harm Shrek.
So... is this infiltration? Or an attempt to tie the Spirit Transmission Pagoda to Shrek Academy?
Huo Yuhao allowed a smile to form, unbothered by Mu En's schemes.
"I founded the Spirit Transmission Pagoda with the intention of spreading 'artificial soul rings.' If someone wants to join, I couldn't be happier."
Mu En nodded and continued:
"I have watched Lexuan grow up; her character, talent, and ability are all top-tier. Your Spirit Transmission Pagoda has just been founded and is likely short on hands.
"If she agrees to join, could you let her be your second-in-command, perhaps as a favor to this old man?"
As expected...
Huo Yuhao sighed inwardly, though his expression remained unchanged.
"That is perfectly fine."