Shrek Academy.
It was midday, the sun shining at its peak—class hours. The vast academy grounds were unusually quiet.
Yet within that tranquility,
the five figures standing before the towering academy gates lent an added solemnity to the scene.
Students passing by lowered their heads at once, respectfully detouring around them.
At the forefront stood Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the Martial Soul Department, and Xian Lin'er, Dean of the Soul Tool Department.
Behind them,
Cai Meier, Vice Dean of the Martial Soul Department, and Qian Duoduo, Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department, stood side by side.
The gathering of four deans in one place was a rare sight indeed.
They gazed toward the distant horizon, as if waiting for something.
After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense,
a small black dot appeared in the sky, gradually growing clearer and larger.
Led by Zhang Lexuan, the competition team descended slowly, travel-worn yet unable to conceal their sharp vigor.
Yan Shaozhe stepped forward with a smile, his gaze sweeping across the group before pausing briefly on the blue-robed youth.
"Children, welcome back."
Aside from Huo Yuhao and Zhang Lexuan, who remained calm as usual, Bei Bei and the others could hardly contain their excitement.
Over the past month,
they had witnessed the splendor of the continent.
Now,
returning to the academy,
an indescribable sense of peace welled up within them.
The academy gates were not a place for long conversations.
Led by the four deans, the group arrived at the shores of Sea God Lake, where a wooden boat waited quietly by the water.
"Dean, this is…?"
They looked at Yan Shaozhe in confusion.
"Board the boat," Yan Shaozhe said gently.
"You first experienced the perilous bandit suppression mission, and then won the Spirit Master Tournament."
"For Shrek, this year's tournament holds extraordinary significance. Your rewards will be bestowed on Sea God Island."
At these words,
even Ma Xiaotao and the other members of the Seven Monsters showed excitement.
Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and the rest flushed red with exhilaration.
Everyone knew—
Shrek possessed a supreme sacred ground: the Sea God Pavilion. It was the lifeline of the academy, where all decisions concerning its survival and destiny were made.
The small boat swayed lightly,
slowly gliding toward the center of the lake.
No one knew how long they traveled; the shoreline gradually vanished into mist.
Then—
a vast white fog suddenly appeared ahead. As the boat entered it, visibility dropped to nothing.
Guided along some mysterious trajectory, the boat continued forward, as if passing through an invisible barrier.
"Wow, such dense life energy!" Within his sea of consciousness, the voice of the Skydream Iceworm rang out.
"In my memories from the previous life, maybe my perspective wasn't broad enough. I didn't think much of this Ancient Golden Tree."
"But now it seems the life core of this Ancient Golden Tree may already be touching the threshold of divinity."
Electrolux's aged voice followed. "In my opinion, this Ancient Golden Tree is the life core of this world."
"Its life essence is connected to all living beings of this plane."
"It must not be disturbed lightly."
Xiong Jun, now transformed into a soul spirit, gave a snort. "Old man, you underestimate the Creation God's abilities."
"In a mere bubble world like this, even if it were destroyed, all living beings could still be gathered and preserved."
As they spoke,
the mist parted like curtains drawn aside.
The sight before them opened up magnificently.
A towering ancient tree, its canopy stretching for dozens of miles, stood in the middle of the lake. Each leaf seemed cast from gold, rippling with shimmering radiance in the wind.
At the gnarled roots of the colossal tree,
a three-story wooden pavilion stood quietly, its upturned eaves and carved beams carrying the ancient charm of ten thousand years.
The group disembarked in awe, stepping onto the island formed by the massive roots.
Instantly, they felt their bodies grow lighter.
The fatigue accumulated from days of travel vanished in a heartbeat.
The life-filled air soaked into them like a warm spring, nourishing their bodies.
"This is the Sea God Pavilion."
Yan Shaozhe smiled and continued leading the way, stepping forward to gently push open the half-closed wooden doors.
Inside the hall, the furnishings were simple and ancient. The entire structure appeared to have been carved from primordial wood.
More than a dozen elderly figures sat around a long table.
Even Ma Xiaotao and the rest of the Seven Monsters recognized only two or three among them.
Then—
Yan Shaozhe and the other three deans walked straight to the seats at the end of the table and sat down.
Seeing this, everyone instinctively held their breath.
As those weathered gazes swept over them, it felt as though even the deepest secrets in their hearts were laid bare.
Gradually…
all eyes, without exception, focused upon the blue-robed youth who had remained silent the entire time.
Sensing the scrutiny, Huo Yuhao calmly lifted his eyes to meet their probing stares.
In that instant,
within the dense life energy, an invisible current seemed to circulate. The very air in the hall grew several degrees heavier.
"The news traveled faster than your return."
An old man with shoulder-length white hair brushed aside the long brows that covered his eyes and studied Huo Yuhao carefully as he spoke slowly:
"I heard the academy has produced a student with Titled Douluo-level strength. I found it hard to believe…"
"Now that I see you in person, I know the rumors were true."
"But I am curious—if you are a Shrek student, why have we never heard of such a world-shaking talent?"
"I am not a Shrek student."
The moment those words fell—
the atmosphere in the entire Sea God Pavilion froze.
"If you are not a Shrek student, why did you represent Shrek in the Spirit Master Tournament?"
"Sea God Island has always been open only to elite inner court students. On what grounds do you stand here?"
After the old man finished speaking,
from the dim end of the long table,
a hoarse chuckle suddenly sounded.
"Have the Pavilion Elders forgotten what I previously said?"
"Huo Yuhao is my final disciple. His representing the academy was at my request."
"As for the rest, proceed according to established arrangements. The meeting is adjourned."
As his voice faded,
the elderly figures around the table gradually blurred and vanished like morning mist.
"Children, come closer."
The voice from the main seat sounded again.
It was clear—
even Ma Xiaotao and the Seven Monsters were nervous.
They knew the person before them was the foremost figure of Shrek Academy—the Master of the Sea God Pavilion.
The group stepped forward.
First they saw a wicker chair gently swaying. Then a hunched old man slowly rose.
When they saw his face clearly, Wang Dong and Xu Sanshi's eyes widened.
"Y-You're… aren't you…?"
"That's right—the old man who lies at the entrance of the boys' dormitory every day."
Mu En stroked his beard and smiled.
"Seeing you children so full of vitality each day makes this old man feel a few years younger as well."
His gaze swept warmly over them.
"In this Spirit Master Tournament, your performances were commendable."
"Xiaotao, the seven of you are about to graduate."
"You may remain at the academy as instructors, accept academy recommendations, or follow your family arrangements."
"In recognition of your merit in the tournament, you are each permitted to choose a compatible Spirit Bone from the academy's Spirit Bone vault."
"Thank you, Pavilion Master!"
Ma Xiaotao and the other six quickly bowed deeply.
Soon after, they departed with the four deans.
Only Huo Yuhao and the remaining six were left in the hall.
"Elite inner court students who render great service may obtain the opportunity to cultivate beneath the Ancient Golden Tree."
"Though you have not formally entered the inner court, after this tournament you shall be admitted by special exception."
"When Xiaotao and the others graduate, you will inherit the title of the Shrek Seven Monsters."
"T-Thank you, Pavilion Master!"
Bei Bei and the other five trembled with excitement, unable to contain themselves.
Mu En gave a slight nod.
At last, his kind gaze settled upon Huo Yuhao, who stood quietly to one side.
...
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