In the main hall on the first floor of the Sea God Pavilion, six Sea God Pavilion elders including Xuan Zi, and the four deans including Yan Shaozhe, were seated in orderly fashion around an oval table. Each of their faces carried a trace of solemnity.
This was the highest authority core of Shrek Academy. Every person present was a central figure of the academy. All six elders were Super Douluo-level powerhouses, while among the four deans of the Martial Soul and Soul Tool departments seated at the far ends, two were also Super Douluo, and the other two were Titled Douluo.
Eight Super Douluo and two Titled Douluo—this was the profound foundation that allowed Shrek Academy to stand proudly above all others.
Yan Shaozhe sat at the lower left end with Cai Meier, the vice-dean of the Martial Soul Department. Across from them sat Xian Lin'er, dean of the Soul Tool Department, and her deputy, Qian Duoduo.
At this moment, the entire hall was silent, all quietly waiting for the man in the lounge chair at the head of the table—the Master of the Sea God Pavilion, Dragon God Douluo Mu En, whose cultivation had reached rank 99—to speak.
"Since everyone is here, let's begin. Xiao Song, you lead the meeting."
Suddenly, a gentle voice broke the silence. The elders present all straightened their postures slightly.
Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan exchanged a barely noticeable glance, both catching the confusion in the other's eyes—
In the past, Mu Lao would always have Yan Shaozhe, his personal disciple, host the meetings. Why had he changed it today?
However, Elder Song's strength and seniority were both top-tier, fully qualified to lead, so neither of them voiced any doubt.
Sitting at the secondary seat on the right side of the table, Elder Song stood up with a cheerful smile, nodded slightly to the crowd, and then began to speak in a calm, measured voice:
"Everyone, Elder Mu has called this emergency meeting of the Sea God Pavilion to discuss the cultivation of three students. Their talent is excellent, and they each hold the potential to become Super Douluo in the future."
Upon hearing this, Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan became even more puzzled. Weren't there only Lexuan and Beibei? Where did the third one come from?
"Beibei only enrolled last year, and among the first years, only Xu Sanshi is comparable to him. Could it be Xu Sanshi?"
Yan Shaozhe, as the Dean of the Martial Soul Department of Shrek Academy, was well aware of the talents in the Outer Academy. Immediately, he thought of Xu Sanshi—the only student in the Outer Academy who could rival Beibei.
These two were like twin stars shining brightly—one specializing in offense, the other in defense—both dominating their respective fields. They had both been inducted as core disciples of the Martial Soul Department, and Yan Shaozhe held high hopes for them.
However... recalling his experience with the Xuanming Sect, Yan Shaozhe's eyes darkened slightly, and his right knuckles clenched subtly.
"The first of these children is the current number one genius in our Inner Academy—Lexuan. Everyone has watched her grow up. She comes from a pure and honorable background, a loyal member of our own. In the future, she is sure to become a pillar of Shrek Academy."
Elder Song smiled lightly and praised Zhang Lexuan a few words. Xuan Zi and the others also smiled in agreement.
Regarding pedigree, no disciple in the academy was more deserving of the Shrek honor than Zhang Lexuan. Even Beibei bore the mark of the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus clan.
"Previously, during the Star Dou battle, Lexuan was fortunate to absorb the 8th ring and spirit bone of a hundred-thousand-year-old beast. She will undoubtedly become a Super Douluo in the future—this is unmatched talent.
The academy will also hunt the most suitable spirit rings for her when she breaks through to level ninety. With enough time, reaching level ninety-eight will be a mere formality, and level ninety-nine is well within reach."
"Therefore, both Elder Mu and I believe she can be designated as the heir for the Sea God Pavilion's Master position. Today, we nominate her as a candidate member of the Sea God Pavilion. Once she becomes a Titled Douluo, she will formally join the pavilion. Everyone, please raise your hands to vote."
All ten raised their hands in unanimous approval.
"Very well, let's move on to the next topic." Elder Song nodded and smiled, glancing at Mu En in the lounge chair before continuing:
"The second topic concerns the pre-selection of two successors from the next generation of the Shrek Seven Devils."
"Everyone probably already knows that last year, two exceptionally talented prodigies appeared in Shrek's Outer Academy—one is the well-known Beibei, and the other is Xu Sanshi, a direct disciple from the reclusive Xuanming Sect..."
Here it comes! It really is Xu Sanshi!
Yan Shaozhe furrowed his brow deeply, his knuckles tightening as a dark cloud formed in his heart.
If it weren't for what happened earlier, he would have been happy to see two core disciples of the Martial Soul Department designated as the next generation of the Seven Devils. But now, he had no choice but to step forward and stop it.
"These two prodigies not only have excellent cultivation talents and strong martial souls, but also possess some special abilities—in other words, their martial souls have the potential for temporary evolution. It's not impossible for them to fight across a rank. Therefore, Elder Mu and I both believe that..."
"Old Song, Elder Mu, shouldn't we reconsider this matter?"
Yan Shaozhe raised his hand and stood up, bowing respectfully to Elder Song, Xuan Zi, and the other six senior elders, interrupting Elder Song's speech.
"Huh???"
The six senior elders, including Xuan Zi, all cast questioning glances at him. Even the three major deans, including Yan Shaozhe's wife Cai Meier, suddenly became suspicious:
Has Yan Shaozhe lost his mind?
"Old Yan, have you been taking the wrong medicine lately? What nonsense are you spouting? Beibei is a loyal, pure-blooded member of the academy. Why don't you quickly apologize to Elder Mu, Elder Song, and the others?"
Qian Duoduo was the first to glare at Yan Shaozhe and scold him.
Everyone knew that Beibei being designated as one of the Seven Devils was Elder Mu's decision. Even if you are Elder Mu's top disciple, can you stop him from cultivating his own descendants? Isn't that courting death?
Yan Shaozhe shook his head, bearing the pressure from all the senior elders and colleagues, and continued:
"I'm certainly not against Beibei. That child has grown up under all of us. I absolutely support his designation as one of the Seven Devils.
What I oppose is Xu Sanshi. Although his talent is good, his background is the Xuanming Sect. I believe rashly designating him as one of the Seven Devils and investing massive precious resources in him is inappropriate. This cannot guarantee that our investment will bear fruit."
After all... even geniuses like Xiao Tao and Yue Heng's generation were never designated as part of the Seven Devils. In terms of background and loyalty to Shrek Academy, Xiao Tao and Yue Heng are much more reliable than Xu Sanshi."
As Yan Shaozhe finished speaking, much of the doubt in everyone's eyes instantly faded. That made sense—clever as always, Shaozhe wouldn't make such a basic mistake.
Xuan Zi cleared his throat twice and was the first to voice support, saying, "I believe what Shaozhe said is wise. Xu Sanshi's talent is indeed good, but he doesn't have the same roots or background as Beibei. Even if we were to designate him as one of the Seven Devils, we could wait and observe him for a few more years."
"This matter is serious—not only does it symbolize honor, but it also means a higher level of resource investment and trust from the academy compared to core disciples.
Even the descendants of the original Seven Devils ancestors did not receive this honor, so a kid like Xu Sanshi who has only been in Shrek for one year receiving it is indeed inappropriate."
Yan Shaozhe's eyes brightened. Xuan Zi was always clear-headed when it came to important matters. This way, everyone was given a graceful way to back down.
Sure enough, after Xuan Zi's words, more than half of the senior elders present showed signs of agreement, and even Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo seemed thoughtful and found it acceptable.
The Seven Devils of Shrek represent the academy's highest honor. Countless geniuses have fought tooth and nail for a spot; therefore, such designations must be made with the utmost caution.
At this moment, Lin Huiqun, sitting opposite Xuan Zi, voiced a differing opinion:
"Everyone, the designation of the Seven Devils is about talent. Xu Sanshi's talent is sufficient. What's wrong with giving him this qualification? Is there anyone in his generation who can surpass him for a spot? Whether we give it to him early or late makes no difference."
This viewpoint gained recognition and swayed several senior elders.
Yan Shaozhe frowned and quietly responded, "But Elder Lin, I believe the Xuanming Sect doesn't necessarily respect our academy much, nor do they have close ties like the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus family or the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Xu Sanshi is very likely to return to his sect after training."
"Doesn't that all the more mean we need to cultivate this kid well to mend relations? Regarding Yue'er's matter, we indeed owe them an apology," Elder Song shook his head and countered.
Xuan Zi's expression darkened, and Yan Shaozhe was about to speak again, but Elder Lin interrupted with a smiling face:
"Shaozhe, I know you suffered some grievances at the Xuanming Sect, but if this matter escalates, it won't end well. After all, our Shrek still has business dealings with the Xuanming Sect."
Elder Lin's tone was gentle, but her words were striking, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
She gave everyone a kindly smile. She was in charge of the Treasure Pavilion in Shrek City and also handled the city's external economic affairs, so she was very familiar with big clients like the Xuanming Sect, which specialized in medicinal pill trade.
Shrek City was autonomous and had independent tax collection rights; the Xuanming Sect's Xuanwu Merchants Association was a major taxpayer.
"Don't think I, Lin Huiqun, am siding with outsiders. It's just that over the years, I've dealt quite a bit with the Xuanwu Merchants Association controlled by the Xuanming Sect and therefore know more about them."
"As far as I know, the Xuanming Sect has more than just Xu Xiaoyun as an old powerhouse. They probably have about three Super Douluos and over ten Title Douluos. Their strength ranks among the top of all hidden sects, rivaling the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus family."
"The sect's inherited Xuanming Turtle Martial Soul is the pinnacle of defensive-type martial souls. None of us here dare claim our martial souls surpass theirs. Such strength demands our utmost caution."
As she spoke, she glanced at Elder Song beside her and her tone grew more serious:
"I have seen another old figure from the Xuanming Sect whose cultivation is not below mine, probably close to Elder Song's level. So, the Xuanming Sect must not be underestimated."
"Close to Elder Song!"
These words echoed around the Sea God Pavilion. The senior elders, all over a hundred years old, suddenly had clear and bright eyes, as if they had instantly grown several years younger.
Elder Song was the third strongest in Shrek after Mu En and Xuan Zi, with a cultivation level reaching 97, possessing the Azure Shadow Divine Eagle Martial Soul, hailed as the world's top sensitive attack-type powerhouse.
To be close to Elder Song meant at least a peak level 96 powerhouse, and a tough, resilient "old turtle" at that.
Xu Xiaoyun at level 98, several Super Douluos, and over ten Title Douluos—putting aside Elder Mu, this strength alone was enough to make the Sea God Pavilion treat them as a formidable threat.
But how could Elder Mu's current condition allow him to act lightly?
Mu En lay motionless on the golden tree chair, his eyelids half-open but never fully closing. From beginning to end, he had not expressed any opinion, as if completely uninterested.
Elder Lin looked at Mu En with reverence and continued:
"Furthermore, the Xuanming Sect is skilled in alchemy. Their famous Xuan Shui Pill and Xuanwu Divine Pill are well-known to everyone here.
Although they remain hidden, they have made many connections within the Douling Empire through these means. Both Douling and Xingluo have traces of the Xuanwu Merchants Association's presence. Their underwater forces are not to be underestimated."
"If we let minor conflicts cause a rift with them… forgive me for speaking frankly, but that would be rather unwise. After all, in this matter, we are not entirely justified. Cultivating Xu Sanshi is actually an opportunity to repair relations."
"As for Shaozhe's situation, we can take it slowly and carefully."
At this point, the choice of the senior elders was already clear. Shrek was the spiritual leader of the world's soul masters and relied fundamentally on good relations with great noble families and major sects.
Since ancient times, they had always maintained good ties with noble families and sects. When had they ever intentionally broken ties with such powerful houses? Not to mention that Elder Xuan's matter, if exposed, would be a massive scandal.
"Heh, you've all basically said it. Then let this old man add a word."
At that moment, the immovable Mu En finally spoke slowly. Everyone held their breath and watched intently.
"As far as this old man knows, Xu Sanshi's mother—the wife of the head of the Xuanming Sect—is the eldest princess of the Douling Empire, the aunt of the new Douling emperor. Yes, that's how it is."
Mu En's words settled the matter decisively. There was no more doubt, and all ten votes were unanimously in favor.
Don't underestimate the Douling Empire just because it's the weakest of the three nations—it is still a nation after all.
As for Shaozhe's matter… since they can't defeat the old Xu powerhouse and Elder Xuan is reluctant to act, it's best to wait until Shaozhe grows stronger to settle the score himself.
As the meeting adjourned, Mu En called out to Yan Shaozhe, whose face looked quite grim, "Shaozhe, stay behind. I have something to talk to you about."
"Yes, Teacher."
Yan Shaozhe, who was about to leave, stopped in his tracks. Looking like a well-behaved child ready to listen carefully, he lowered his head dejectedly and obediently walked over to Mu En.
Hearing this, Qian Duoduo turned around and chuckled, showing a hint of schadenfreude.
"Well, well, Yan Shaozhe, you even dared to go against Elder Mu's wishes. Now you're in trouble. Ah, what a lovely day it is today…"