They knew each other too well.
If they didn't stake their claim early, the other side might win him over completely before he even enrolled.
Mu En ignored their antics.
Su Wen, for his part, remained calm.
Two deans competing?
Fine....show some sincerity first.
He had no intention of choosing yet.
That said, if the choice were today, it wouldn't even be a question.
This was Shrek Academy, not the Sun Moon Empire.
Shrek's soul tool level lagged behind Sun Moon by an enormous margin. Why would he choose the Soul Tool Department here?
The Martial Soul Department, despite its internal decay and bloated hierarchy, still possessed ten thousand years of accumulated glory and resources.
Even a single feather plucked from it was thicker than an entire branch of the Soul Tool Department.
"Now," Mu En said slowly, his gaze
sharpening, "we will address the main issue."
"One month ago, Xuan Zi led a team into the Star Dou Great Forest and encountered a ten-thousand-year soul beast."
His eyes locked onto Xuan Zi like a hawk.
The room's atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
The elders all looked at Xuan Zi...some with resignation, some with regret, others with quiet anger.
"Elder Mu… seniors…"
Xuan Zi lowered his head. His shoulders sagged as if bearing an invisible mountain.
"I wish to resign from my position as Vice Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, as well as Deputy Head of the Supervision Corps. I am a sinner of the academy. I am unworthy to remain."
As he spoke, he stood up slowly.
From his pocket, he took out a badge, wiped it clean, and placed it gently on the table.
"Elder Xuan, this truly isn't your fault!" Yan Shaozhe hurriedly spoke up.
"Everyone makes mistakes—besides,
thanks to Su Wen, not a single student died.
The injured have all recovered. Elder Zhuang has confirmed there will be no lasting impact on their cultivation."
"Yes," Xian Lin'er agreed. "You are a pillar of the academy. If you leave, what happens when external enemies appear? The journey was dangerous, but the outcome was favorable. Rewards should outweigh punishment."
For once, the two deans were in complete agreement.
And honestly?
If Xuan Zi left, and Mu En fell…
Who would carry Shrek's banner?
Certainly not them.
"Xuan Zi," Mu En said calmly, "are you throwing a tantrum with me? Walking away when things go wrong?"
"You know that's not what I mean," Xuan Zi replied bitterly.
"So I misunderstood you?" Mu En asked lightly.
"I—"
"Then get back to work and do your damn job!"
Mu En slammed the table.
"Act like a man and shoulder responsibility! Running away after causing trouble—do you think I'm too weak now to beat you like a spinning top?!"
"Clean up your own mess."
Then his tone softened slightly.
"And remember this—this time, Su Wen saved you. If he hadn't delayed that Blood-Erosion Demon Tiger, you'd be paying with your life."
"Yes!"
Xuan Zi forced a bitter smile and bowed apologetically toward Su Wen.
Su Wen smiled back calmly.
Good. This favor will last you a lifetime.
Around them, many elders looked at Su Wen with renewed interest.
Their gazes softened...like elders looking at their own bloodline.
Calm under pressure.
Decisive.
Unshaken in crisis.
Wasn't this exactly what a leader required?
A heaven-chosen future Pavilion Master.
"Xuan Zi," Mu En continued, "you made a mistake.
The academy must punish you."
"For ten years, you are forbidden from leading students outside the academy."
"For the next ten years, your salary and allowances are revoked. These will be used as compensation."
"The academy will add to it...each severely injured student will receive one ten-thousand-year soul bone. Those lightly injured will receive two million gold soul coins."
"If you want money, go hunt soul beasts yourself."
"And finally—"
Mu En paused.
"This disaster happened because you left to eat."
"So your final punishment…"
"You will be confined. No food. Three months."
The room froze.
Yan Shaozhe was stunned.
Even Su Wen was surprised.
Material punishment meant nothing to Xuan Zi.
Banning him from leading teams was merely inconvenient.
But three months without food?
For someone whose martial soul was the Devouring Bull?
That was torture.
Absolute torture.
For Xuan Zi, eating was cultivation.
Starvation was agony—no different from forcing an addict to quit cold turkey.
A punishment crafted perfectly for his martial soul.
"Very well," Xuan Zi said softly.
And for the first time, he truly felt relieved.
Read More 80+ Advance chapter
patreon.com/HeavenlyYinYang