After the four elders finished, it was the turn of the four deans to speak.
"Junior Brother, I suppose I don't need to introduce myself!" Yan Shaozhe said with a big smile, looking at Zhu Ziyang.
"Hello, Senior Brother!" Zhu Ziyang responded naturally and respectfully.
"Hello, Junior Brother. I am Elder Mu's second disciple—you can call me Senior Sister." The next to speak was Xian Lin'er. She smiled warmly, her friendly demeanor immediately inspiring goodwill. "I'm the Dean of the Soul Tool Department. If you ever have free time, feel free to visit us there!"
"Mhm! I will, Senior Sister," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile.
"Hey! Lin'er, isn't it a bit much to be stealing talent right in front of us?" Yan Shaozhe said with a helpless smile. "Your second senior sister is Martial God Douluo Xian Lin'er, a Level 95 Super Douluo, famously known as the Valkyrie of the Skies!"
"Hmph!" Xian Lin'er gave a light snort at his comment and said nothing more.
"Hehe! Junior Brother, I'm your third senior brother," said the round-faced man sitting beside Xian Lin'er with a hearty laugh.
"Hello, Third Senior Brother!" Zhu Ziyang greeted.
"Your third senior brother is the Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department, a Level 94 defense-type Titled Douluo, Title: Black Dragon. He's also a Level 8 Soul Engineer," Yan Shaozhe explained.
"Junior Brother, this Level 7 defensive-type soul tool is a welcome gift from your second senior sister and me," Qian Duoduo said, taking out a shield-shaped soul tool and handing it to Zhu Ziyang. "I made it myself. It can activate my sixth soul skill three times—more than enough to block a full-power strike from an assault-type Soul Douluo. If you use it up, come find me—I'll recharge it for you!"
"Thank you, Third Senior Brother!" Zhu Ziyang's eyes lit up as he happily accepted the gift without hesitation.
"Hello, Junior Brother. I'm Cai Meier, the teacher's youngest disciple—well, not anymore!" The last to speak was Cai Meier. She smiled sweetly, her tone playful.
"Hello, Senior Sister!" Zhu Ziyang responded promptly and cheerfully.
"Meier is the Vice Dean of the Martial Soul Department, a Level 95 assault-type Titled Douluo, titled Purging Evil," Yan Shaozhe introduced. His voice softened slightly when talking about her. "Her martial soul is the Purging Evil Dragon Soul Spear, which, like yours, is a weapon-type martial soul. If you ever have any questions about weapon-type souls, she's a great person to talk to."
"Junior Brother, here's a gift from me and your senior brother," Cai Meier said as she handed over a round jade pendant. "It's called the Spirit-Calming Jade. It helps you focus, improves cultivation speed, and resists inner demons. It should be helpful for your training."
"Thank you, Senior Sister!" Zhu Ziyang accepted the jade pendant with a smile. The moment he touched it, he felt a soothing warmth that calmed his emotions instantly.
After all the introductions and gifts, everyone turned their attention to Mu En.
"Is everyone finished? Then it's my turn to speak," Mu En said with a cheerful chuckle. His gaze landed warmly on Zhu Ziyang. "You all now understand Zhu Ziyang's talent. I propose that his record be classified as Red-Level Confidential, and that he receive Pavilion Master-level treatment."
As soon as he said this, everyone except Zhu Ziyang was utterly shocked.
Pavilion Master level?!
Was Mu En being too generous?
At Shrek Academy, Pavilion Master-level was the highest possible classification, and only four people currently held that status: Mu En, Elder Xuan, Yan Shaozhe, and Xian Lin'er.
Mu En, as the head of the Sea God Pavilion, naturally had this rank. Elder Xuan, as a Level 98 Super Douluo and Mu En's chosen successor, deserved it as well. Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er, as the Academy's current Deans and candidates to inherit Sea God Pavilion leadership after Elder Xuan, were likewise qualified.
In other words, Pavilion Master-level identity was exclusively for Pavilion Masters and their successors.
And now, Mu En had just proposed giving Zhu Ziyang not only that rank, but also its privileges. This was, in effect, declaring him a future Pavilion Master!
This meant that, in Mu En's mind, Zhu Ziyang's status was equal to or higher than Yan Shaozhe's and Xian Lin'er's—especially shocking since both of them had only received this rank after becoming Titled Douluo, while Zhu Ziyang was still just a three-ring Soul Elder!
Everyone's gaze toward Zhu Ziyang grew more respectful, and more serious.
"Yes, Elder Mu!"
Not a single person objected.
In theory, Sea God Pavilion meetings were democratic. But in reality, if Mu En was present and voiced a decision, it was final. Over the last 50 years, Mu En had gradually delegated power to Elder Xuan, Yan Shaozhe, and Xian Lin'er due to his declining health, but his authority remained absolute.
"Alright, then this meeting is adjourned," Mu En said with a grin.
The four senior elders vanished in an instant. Yan Shaozhe and the others bowed respectfully to Mu En before following them out of the Pavilion.
"Shaozhe, help Ziyang settle into a room in the Golden Tree Residence," Mu En said just as Yan Shaozhe was leaving.
"Understood, Teacher," Yan Shaozhe replied with a bow and left the Sea God Pavilion.
Once everyone was gone, Mu En turned to Zhu Ziyang and smiled warmly.
"The rose-gold ring Elder Lin gave you is likely a soul storage-type tool—it can hold living beings and has a decent internal space. Among soul tools, it's a fairly high-quality spatial item. You can give it a name if you'd like."
Zhu Ziyang looked at the ring—crimson like blood, inlaid with sparkling golden flecks. It looked like a burning starry sky. When he infused it with soul power, he saw an interior space roughly the size of a classroom.
He was surprised and delighted. With a smile, he said,
"It looks like fire burning under the stars… I'll call it Starflame!"
"Haha! Good name," Mu En said. "As for Elder Zhuang's Hundred Remedies Pill, it was crafted using his martial soul essence and rare herbs—an exceptional pill that can save your life in a critical moment. Keep it safe. Though… I hope you never need to use it."
"I understand, Teacher," Zhu Ziyang replied, feeling a warm gratitude inside.
"Oh right, are you still practicing alchemy?" Mu En suddenly asked.
"Mhm, occasionally," Zhu Ziyang replied.
"If it's a personal interest, then keep learning. If you run into difficulties, ask Elder Zhuang—he's Shrek Academy's best alchemist," Mu En said with a chuckle.
"I understand," Zhu Ziyang nodded, taking mental note.
"As for the Storm Ghost Harrier left arm soul bone Elder Song gave you—it came from a 55,000-year-old Harrier King. It will greatly boost your speed and grant a powerful attack skill. It's an excellent soul bone," Mu En said while examining the pale blue soul bone. "But… I don't recommend you absorb it. It's not highly compatible with you. You can exchange it with the Academy for a better match—or, if you want to gift it to someone, your little girlfriend seems like a great fit."
"I'd rather exchange it," Zhu Ziyang said without hesitation.
"Haha! You're more decisive than your senior brother. That's a good trait," Mu En laughed. He couldn't help comparing him to Yan Shaozhe, who though excellent, sometimes hesitated and overthought.
Thankfully, Zhu Ziyang had come just in time.
Zhu Ziyang only smiled in response, saying nothing.