Sea God Pavilion – Main Hall.
At this moment, the long table at the center of the hall was fully occupied. Despite Yan Shaozhe's status as Dean of Shrek Academy, he was only seated second to last on the left side of the table.
"Shaozhe, what's the reason for this sudden meeting called by Elder Xuan?" asked a kindly-looking elderly woman with silver hair, seated second on the right side of the table.
"Right? I've still got plenty to do!" added the white-haired, child-faced woman at the head of the right side, her tone stern.
"Elder Lin, Elder Song, please don't be impatient," Yan Shaozhe said with a wry smile. Despite his lofty position, in front of these older seniors, he truly didn't dare be careless. "Teacher should be arriving shortly."
"Elder Mu is coming too?" The entire room was shocked.
"What could be so important that even the teacher is getting involved?" asked a middle-aged woman seated across from Yan Shaozhe. Her voice was filled with doubt and displeasure. She was Mu En's disciple as well, and the head of the Soul Tool Department, War God Douluo Xian Lin'er, a Level 95 Super Douluo.
"Yeah, Shaozhe, stop keeping us in suspense," said Elder Xuan, seated at the head of the left side, munching on a chicken leg. "You dragged this old man here—you'd better have a good reason!"
"It's really nothing too big," Yan Shaozhe replied with a smile. "It's just that Teacher has taken on a new disciple and wants you all—his fellow elders and disciples—to meet him."
"What?!" Everyone was stunned, staring at Yan Shaozhe in disbelief. Their eyes were full of curiosity and astonishment.
This was Mu En they were talking about—the top of the current Three Limit Douluos, the Dragon God Douluo! The last time he accepted a disciple had been nearly a hundred years ago, and those disciples were already seated at this very table—including Yan Shaozhe himself and the person next to him.
The elders present were all younger than Elder Mu, and most were his disciples or close comrades. They all knew what it meant when Mu En accepted a new disciple.
Unless he had met an incomparable genius, there was no way he'd be stirred into action—especially after nearly retiring from the academy.
After the initial shock, all the elders began to grow excited.
"When did this happen? And why didn't we hear a thing about it?" asked a middle-aged man seated last on the right. He was the vice-dean of the Soul Tool Department, Black Dragon Douluo Qian Duoduo, a Level 94 defense-type Titled Douluo and also a disciple of Mu En. He was Xian Lin'er's husband.
"Yeah, I hadn't heard Elder Mu left the academy recently either," added the old man next to Elder Xuan, his expression warm and neighborly.
"Shaozhe, is it that first-year freshman you brought onto Sea God Island with you?" Elder Xuan suddenly asked, recalling Zhu Ziyang.
"Freshman? Could it be that Zhu Ziyang?" said a middle-aged woman seated next to Yan Shaozhe. She was the vice-dean of the Martial Soul Department, Purging Evil Douluo Cai Meier, a Level 95 power-type Titled Douluo. She was Mu En's youngest disciple and also Yan Shaozhe's wife. She recalled Director Du Weilen's earlier report about a new student who had already reached three soul rings and immediately made the connection.
A freshman?! The elders, along with the Soul Tool Department's heads, were now utterly intrigued. Their eyes burned with curiosity as they all stared at Yan Shaozhe, who felt his back start to sweat under their intense gazes.
"Yes," he nodded quickly, chuckling nervously. "Zhu Ziyang's martial soul is… Ultimate Light!"
"What?!"
"This is incredible news!"
"Haha! The heavens bless Shrek!"
"Ultimate Light! No wonder Elder Mu would take him in. It's destiny!"
"Shaozhe, why didn't you say so earlier? Now we didn't even prepare a welcome gift for our little junior brother!"
The elders each had their own reactions—but beneath it all, there was excitement and joy.
Even Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo were excited—though their eyes held a trace of helplessness as well.
They exchanged glances and saw mutual resignation. After all the effort they had poured into growing the Soul Tool Department with Elder Mu's support, they were finally gaining traction. Just a bit more and they'd be able to request additional resources from the Martial Soul Department to accelerate development—and maybe even catch up to the Sun Moon Empire.
But now… a genius with an Ultimate Martial Soul had appeared in the Martial Soul Department.
Any hope of resource redistribution was likely lost.
Just then, a golden light blossomed at the far end of the hall, and all the elders turned toward it.
Mu En appeared with Zhu Ziyang at his side.
Zhu Ziyang blinked and found himself suddenly standing in the main hall. He was stunned by the sudden teleportation and gained even more admiration for Mu En.
He noticed the long table that had been empty earlier was now fully seated—eight individuals in total. Even the dean, Yan Shaozhe, was seated near the bottom. At the front were four elders with various postures and expressions. Zhu Ziyang only recognized the first one on the right: Elder Xuan.
"Elder Mu!" everyone greeted in unison, bowing respectfully.
At the same time, seven pairs of eyes turned toward Zhu Ziyang—curious, kind, joyful, and more.
"Mhm. Sorry to trouble everyone," Mu En said calmly, lounging in his wooden chair with a gentle smile. "Shaozhe should have told you all already, so I'll keep it brief. Ziyang."
Zhu Ziyang stepped forward at the call. He bowed respectfully to both sides of the long table and introduced himself:
"Greetings, honored elders. I am Zhu Ziyang, a first-year student of Class Four. I am 11 years old, currently a Level 37 power-type Battle Soul Master. My martial soul is the Scythe of Death's Rest."
He did not reveal that he had twin martial souls—per Mu En's instructions. After all, the combination of twin martial souls and Ultimate attributes was simply too shocking. Shrek Academy still had enemies—it was better to keep a low profile for now.
The elders couldn't help smiling warmly. Some wore expressions of admiration and surprise.
"He's a fine young man," said Elder Xuan first. "My name is Xuanzi. You may call me Elder Xuan. If you ever need anything at the academy, come to me."
"Elder Xuan is one of Sea God Pavilion's vice-masters, a Level 98 Super Douluo. His title is Glutton," Yan Shaozhe added.
"Greetings, Elder Xuan!" Zhu Ziyang said politely.
"I am Lin Huiqun," said the kind-looking elderly lady across from Elder Xuan. "You may call me Elder Lin." Her gaze swept affectionately over Zhu Ziyang. She reached out, and with a flash of light, produced a red-and-gold speckled jade ring. "Here, a soul tool ring as a welcome gift."
"Elder Lin is also a vice-master of the Sea God Pavilion, a Level 98 Super Douluo. Her title is Heavenly River," Yan Shaozhe explained.
"Thank you, Elder Lin," Zhu Ziyang replied, looking to Mu En for permission before accepting the ring.
"Take it," Mu En said.
"Thank you, Elder Lin!" Zhu Ziyang accepted the ring and bowed again.
"Hehehe~" Elder Lin laughed happily.
"I'm Zhuang Qingzhai," said the elder next to Elder Xuan, handing over a small porcelain bottle. "Here, take this Hundred Remedies Pill."
"Elder Zhuang is one of only two healing-type Titled Douluo on the continent. His martial soul is Tree of Life, and his title is Life," Yan Shaozhe explained again.
"Thank you, Elder Zhuang!" Zhu Ziyang accepted the bottle. Though he wasn't sure what it did, anything gifted by a Titled Douluo was surely extraordinary.
"I'm Song Lan—you may call me Elder Song," said the woman beside Elder Lin. "I didn't bring much today, but here's a left arm bone from a Storm Ghost Harrier."
She casually handed over a glowing blue soul bone infused with slicing wind energy. Zhu Ziyang was stunned. So casual?! That was a soul bone! He had just seen three soul bones in a single day!
He instinctively reached out and accepted the light-blue soul bone, which emitted a gentle airflow in his palm—very pleasant.
"Thank you, Elder Song," he said.
"Elder Song is the continent's number one agility-type soul master. A Level 97 Super Douluo. Her title is Divine Eagle," Yan Shaozhe added.
These four were just a representative sample of the Sea God Pavilion elders—not the entirety. The Pavilion currently had more than ten elders, each a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse.
This alone demonstrated the depth of Shrek Academy's foundation.