After reviewing Bai E's file, and considering his own understanding of him as well as the opinions of the people of Xilu City, Mu En resolved to take him as his apprentice and groom him as the head of the Sea God Pavilion.
He then examined the files of Madmos, Feng Jin, Tibao, and Xia Die.
These four children, as Bai E's companions, possessed exceptional talent and would also become members of the Sea God Pavilion in the future.
With these four, along with the foundation he would leave behind, he could ensure Bai E would have absolute control over Shrek Academy.
Mu En didn't want to leave Bai E with the intrigues and power struggles of his generation.
Just like his teacher, who paved the way for him and suppressed all discontent within Shrek Academy before his death.
"Perhaps this is inheritance."
"However, the concentration of Xilu City in the future Sea God Pavilion seems a bit too high."
After finishing the files, Mu En strolled around the playground behind the orphanage's teaching building and chuckled a few times.
"It seems like the future leaders of Shrek Academy are all from Xilu City."
"How interesting."
"This city is truly blessed with talent and resources."
"It makes me want to move Shrek Academy here."
"It feels like the entire continent's fortune has converged here."
"Hahaha!"
Mu En chuckled to himself, then decided to wheel himself away from the orphanage to Xilu City's commercial street to take more pictures and learn more.
He felt the city's planning was quite good, and Shrek City could learn from it.
Mu En didn't care at all about the fact that Shrek Academy's future leaders were mostly from Xilu City.
Since they had the potential and their backgrounds were perfectly legitimate, who would care about their origins?
Even if their backgrounds were problematic, Mu En would never abandon these children. Shrek Academy was already an aging giant nearing a precipice.
One more step and this massive giant would crash and shatter, limbs flying everywhere.
To the outside world, Shrek Academy still appeared incredibly glamorous, but in reality, it was already old and frail.
As the highest leader of Shrek Academy, Mu En knew this was a fact.
The corrupt leadership, the internal chaos of the academy, the outdated teaching philosophy, the blinding influence of millennia of glory, and the severe shortage of top-tier combat power—
all these phenomena weighed heavily on Mu En's mind.
Only the considerable number of Title Douluos allowed Mu En to breathe a sigh of relief; at least Shrek Academy's foundation remained intact, and nothing too serious had happened.
As long as the foundation remained, Mu En could confidently and boldly take action against Shrek Academy.
Shrek Academy would at most be weakened for a period, but it would welcome a true rebirth!
During this period of weakness, Mu En would protect the reborn Shrek Academy with his Radiant Dragon Wings.
If all else failed, Mu En would swallow his pride and contact his former best friend, Long Xiaoyao, through the Magic Network.
He would beg him, even kowtow to him if necessary; Long Xiaoyao couldn't bear it, and he would definitely help.
Mu En had no doubt that Long Xiaoyao would come to his aid if he asked.
Because he felt the same way; if Long Xiaoyao asked for help, he would do everything in his power to help his old friend.
They possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, thus establishing a connection between the Light Holy Dragon and the Dark Holy Dragon.
When they separated years ago, he had carefully observed this connection, fearing it might be broken.
Later, he discovered that the connection had never been severed, indicating that Long Xiaoyao also cherished the past and hadn't severed it.
Back then, when Mu En was experiencing the stirrings of first love, he fantasized that Long Xiaoyao was a woman disguised as a man, actually a beautiful girl.
He even tried to whip Long Xiaoyao, but the old man stubbornly refused to admit it.
Thinking of these early embarrassing incidents, Mu En's lips always curled into a slight smile, his eyes filled with nostalgia.
He was old, and he liked to reminisce.
In his short life, he had made many mistakes, but the only thing he considered right was meeting Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui.
In the bleak autumn wind, Mu En wheeled himself towards the commercial street, unexpectedly spotting the Snow King Ice City nearby.
His eyes lit up slightly, and he decided to try the milk tea that young people loved these days.
"Cough!"
In a restaurant in Mingdu, a tall, silver-haired old man coughed suddenly while cutting a steak.
"Could it be that old bastard Mu En talking about me?"
"Hmph, definitely."
"You old bastard, how dare you steal my name!"
Long Xiaoyao chewed his steak angrily.
When the Magic Network first opened, he planned to name himself 'Dark Dragon Emperor,' but the Magic Network told him that the name was already taken.
He knew then that it must have been that old bastard Mu En!
So he named himself 'Light Dragon God.'
After figuring out the Magic Network, Long Xiaoyao was both worried and expectant, waiting for Mu En to add him as a friend.
He discovered that Mu En hadn't added him as a friend through the Magic Network at all.
Thinking of this, Long Xiaoyao took a big gulp of wine, opened the Magic Network, and typed 'Dark Dragon Emperor' into the friend request box.
Just as he was about to click the "Add Friend" button, he suddenly stopped.
"Hmph!"
"I'll never add you as a friend."
"Old man, you haven't sent a single email in all these years, you're definitely doing it on purpose!"
"I'll give you another month. If you don't add me, just wait for me to scold you!"
Long Xiaoyao decisively shut down the magic network. He didn't believe Mu En wouldn't investigate the magic network user 'Light Dragon God'.
This old man was definitely doing it on purpose.
Long Xiaoyao took another sip of wine, his eyes dimming.
He both looked forward to contacting Mu En again and was afraid to meet him.
Whether in the past or now, he had ultimately wronged him.
He had made a mistake regarding Ye Xishui back then!
If he could do it all over again, he would want to cut off his own brother; all the ill-fated relationships stemmed from that.
And now, Long Xiaoyao had no face to face Mu En, and could only sense his state through his martial soul connection.
Mu En was the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, the nemesis of all evil soul masters on the entire continent, while he himself was now involved with the Holy Spirit Sect and was no longer clean.
With the title of the Holy Spirit Sect's chief retainer, Long Xiaoyao dared not meet Mu En.
He wasn't afraid of Mu En's angry curses, only of Mu En's disappointed gaze, his turning away, and the severing of their martial soul connection.
The thought of that scene made Long Xiaoyao tremble; experiencing it was worse than death.
It was an insult beyond measure.
"Xi Shui," he said,
"I'm doomed because of you."
Long Xiaoyao stared out the window, his gaze unfocused, lost in thought.
In truth, Long Xiaoyao knew one thing: if one day Ye Xi Shui and Mu En both begged for his help, he would choose Mu En, no matter the circumstances!
"Elder Long, I've already paid."
"It's time to leave. The Supreme Master has matters to discuss."
A handsome man with long, golden hair tied in a ponytail and draped over his left shoulder, his emerald green eyes brimming with confidence, approached Long Xiaoyao with a smile.
Long Xiaoyao took one last sip of his drink, looking at the ever-composed man beside him, and said,
"Otto."
"I understand."
"Let's go."
Long Xiaoyao rose and followed the man named Otto out of the restaurant, walking along the streets of Mingdu.
"By the way, I remember Ye Xishui arranged for you to be stationed in the Crown Prince's residence."
"How have you been lately?"
"If it's too dangerous, I can transfer you."
Otto said with a smile,
"Simple work."
"His Highness the Crown Prince isn't difficult to deal with."
"He can't discover my identity."
"The Crown Prince's residence basically follows my orders."
"Does the Holy Church need to place people?"
Long Xiaoyao paused, patted Otto's shoulder and said,
"Hahaha!"
"As expected of the young man I have the highest hopes for!"
"Do a good job, and I'll get you into the Hall of Worship later."
"Alright, you can go back now. I'll go see her myself."
Otto placed his hand on his chest and gave a slight bow, saying,
"I will obey your orders."
Afterwards, Otto and Long Xiaoyao went in different directions.
As they passed through a small alley, Otto lightly brushed his shoulder, as if trying to wipe away some filth.
"What a disgusting country and church."
"But at least these people are inexperienced in political struggle."
"The Crown Prince's residence is not my target."
Otto looked at the luxurious and majestic palace in the heart of Mingdu, a cryptic smile on his face.
"Stealing a country and stealing a religion."
"[Master] really knows how to pose difficult questions."
"But there are quite a few methods."
"These guys aren't even as smart as Siegfried."
"Perfect, I also intend to change this country and the so-called Holy Church."
"Otherwise, if Kallen came here and saw this scene, she would probably be very sad."
After saying that, Otto opened the magic network and looked at the smiling white-haired woman on it.
His heart almost melted, and his face showed genuine tenderness.
Otto Apocalypse and Kallen Kaslana were characters that Huo Yuhao had conjured up half a year ago.
The two of them were also recorded and constructed through the consciousness of the plane, and were certified by both high and low dimensions.
The main target was actually Otto, and Kallen was the anchor that maintained Otto's conscience.
When Huo Yuhao materialized Otto, he knew that if he wanted to get a slightly normal Otto, Kallen was indispensable.
Without Kallen, who knows what kind of tricks Otto would play on him.
After the two of them were materialized, Otto was given the Void Treasury certified by the Spirit Eye + Magic Cube + Mirror Beast + [Understanding] authority.
She possesses the ability to understand and reproduce, but it requires spirit rings to gradually enhance it.
Kallen, on the other hand, possesses the Restraining Cross, which can also be called the Oath of Judah. Her
main abilities are sealing and binding.
Otto was thrown into the Sun Moon Empire by Huo Yuhao, tasked with finding a way to steal the Holy Spirit Cult and the Sun Moon Empire himself.
Kallen, however, remained in Xilu City, working in the Root Group and also as a high-ranking executive at the maid café.
Otto wholeheartedly agreed to this arrangement; he didn't want Kallen to go to a dangerous place.
Since arriving in the Sun Moon Empire six months ago, Otto had built a decoy organization from scratch, which was quickly discovered and recruited by the Holy Spirit Cult.
Based on information provided by Huo Yuhao, he connected with the Holy Spirit Cult's Hall of Worship and became a confidant of Long Xiaoyao.
Later, Ye Xishui personally arranged for him to be stationed at the Crown Prince's residence to monitor Xu Tianran.
This perfectly aligned with Otto's plan.
At the Crown Prince's residence, and even under Xu Tianran's nose, he gradually completed the co-optation and brainwashing of the Crown Prince's confidants.
The entire Crown Prince's residence, ostensibly surnamed Xu, was actually named after Apocalypse.
Xu Tianran was completely unaware of this, even believing Otto to be exceptionally capable and possessing extraordinary wisdom.
Having gained Xu Tianran's trust, Otto frequently offered advice, using various ingenious methods to eliminate disobedient ministers within the palace.
Xu Tianran essentially considered Otto his brain trust.
Ju Zi, however, was terrified of Otto.
She feared the man's schemes and the prospect of losing favor and never achieving her ambitions.
Therefore, she would occasionally, intentionally or unintentionally, warn Xu Tianran of the dangers Otto posed, but Xu Tianran paid no heed.
Even after Otto developed a drug for Xu Tianran that could regenerate severed limbs, he directly sent the noisy Ju Zi to the Mingde Hall.
He looked at Otto with tears in his eyes, wishing he could become sworn brothers with him on the spot.
He even promised Otto that once he ascended the throne, Otto would become the Grand Preceptor of the Sun Moon Empire!
Unfortunately, Otto had absolutely no interest in the so-called Grand Tutor; it was all merely an order from the "Lord."
Otto only wanted to complete the mission quickly, return to Xiru City, and travel the world with Karen.
He wanted to accompany Karen as she practiced her own path in this world.
He was constantly worried that a pink-haired woman with donkey ears might suddenly appear in Xiru City and take him for a ride.
The thought of this made Otto grit his teeth.
Of course, just as Xu Tianran had done to the old emperor, all of Otto's gentleness was also a sweet poison.
The limb-regenerating drug contained a special spiritual liquid metal.
With each use, Otto would gain a little more control over Xu Tianran's body.
Once the metal completely replaced the spine and nerves, Xu Tianran's body would be his prison.
Otto wanted to elevate Xu Tianran high, make him emperor, and finally, when he ascended the throne, say to him:
"Xu Tianran, I did not lie."
(End of Chapter)
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