"Elder Mu!!!"
Elder Xuan, Yan Shaozhe, Wang Yan, and the Inner Court students led by Ma Xiaotao all cried out in shock almost simultaneously.
No one expected that this matter would actually alarm Elder Mu. Even more unexpected was that, listening to Elder Mu's words just now, it seemed he had agreed to Furina's request?
Elder Xuan was the first to panic, hurriedly asking, "Elder Mu, are you serious? You said you agree to this girl Furina's request? This... this concerns the honor Shrek has held for ten thousand years!"
He would rather believe that his old ears were playing tricks on him than believe these words came from Elder Mu's mouth.
Yan Shaozhe also quickly chimed in, trying to make Elder Mu change his mind: "Exactly! Elder Mu, this absolutely cannot be done!"
Elder Mu stroked his beard and burst into loud laughter.
"Hahaha, honor? Ah, Xuan Zi, Shaozhe, you are still clinging to those dead things." He shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, "Can honor put food on the table?"
"The most important thing for Shrek Academy isn't honor, but the Academy itself and its students. Just like that old idea that 'traditional Spirit Masters are more noble than Spirit Masters who use spirit tools,' it's pedantic and laughable."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: "Nowadays, hasn't our Shrek also opened a Soul Tool Department? Don't we let students from the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department learn from each other? Haven't we also been vigorously developing various new types of spirit tools?"
"Among the four great Empires, besides the Sun Moon Empire, aren't Star Luo, Heavenly Soul, and Douling also working hard to learn about spirit tools and catch up with the Sun Moon Empire? Once the day comes when spirit tools that don't require Soul Power can be mass-produced and armed, even ordinary people will be able to rival Spirit Masters."
His voice wasn't loud, but every word was powerful: "I said it in the previous meeting, Shrek Academy must reform and keep up with the times. Glory can't be eaten, so let the children go try. At worst, we just won't have that ten-thousand-year honor! Isn't it exhausting carrying all that honor on your backs?"
At this point, Elder Mu sighed, his gaze falling on Elder Xuan with a hint of disappointment in his eyes: "Besides, this time, Xuan Zi, you've made the same mistake as before."
His eyes seemed to grow a bit cloudier.
He had originally planned to step down and hand over the position of Master of the Sea Gods Pavilion to Xuan Zi. Now it seemed... Xuan Zi wasn't suitable. He would have to stay in this position for a few more years, at least until Shrek's reforms were completely successful.
Hearing this, Elder Xuan's face turned red then white; he wished he could find a hole in the ground to crawl into.
Yes, the same thing, he had failed again. As the teacher leading the team, he had to take responsibility! Although Wang Yan was one of the leading teachers, he was only a team leader, a civilian teacher. When such an accident happened, it wasn't Wang Yan's fault at all, but his, Elder Xuan's!
Elder Mu waved his hand, his tone brook no argument: "Say no more. For this main team, let Huo Yuhao's generation of the Shrek Seven Devils go. This old man believes in their strength."
He thought for a moment and continued: "Of the original official members, only Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luochen will remain."
This arrangement happened to coincide with the three remaining combat-ready candidates in the original story. Perhaps, this was simply fate.
"The rest of you, recover well and don't let any lingering issues remain. Once it's confirmed there are no hidden injuries, go and Cultivate in the golden tree for a week," Elder Mu instructed.
If it weren't for Furina and Huo Yuhao this time, the future of these children would really be hard to say. Since they were being prevented from participating in the competition, it was only right to give them some compensation.
Elder Mu turned to look at Huo Yuhao and the others, his tone becoming more encouraging: "For this competition, I don't require you to take first place. As long as you reach the top four, you will all be rewarded with a chance to Cultivate in the golden tree. If you take first place, everyone will be rewarded with a suitable ten-thousand-year soul bone."
Sss—
Everyone present gasped. Even Furina secretly marveled: Elder Mu's move was truly ruthless.
Who didn't know the benefits of Cultivating in the golden tree? Soul Power and mental force could both be rapidly improved, and it could also cleanse the marrow, purify the Physique, and help one understand their own Dao. Which of those wasn't a massive Opportunity?
As for the latter... a ten-thousand-year soul bone for everyone, and a suitable one at that. This gesture, even for Shrek, was a serious bleeding of resources.
ten-thousand-year soul bones weren't common cabbages found everywhere, especially when looking for suitable ones. Even without counting Ma Xiaotao and the other two, they would still need to find seven pieces.
Yan Shaozhe couldn't help himself: "Elder Mu, isn't this too... too precious?"
Qian Duoduo, who was standing behind Elder Mu pushing the wheelchair, actually wanted to say the same thing. Even though he and Yan Shaozhe were usually at odds, the Spirit Bones were ultimately coming from Shrek's own pockets! At least seven pieces, and suitable ones—it sounded easy, but doing it was not that simple.
Elder Mu laughed again: "What's so precious about this? Don't you always have Shrek's honor on your lips? Compared to that ten-thousand-year honor, what does this amount to?"
"If you want to provide pressure, then this old man will provide some motivation."
Hearing this, Yan Shaozhe and Elder Xuan both looked a bit embarrassed and lowered their heads.
Elder Mu didn't look at them again, finally resting his gaze on Furina: "Do you think this is acceptable?"
"Of course!" Furina gave a cheeky grin, "But if you could come along as well, Elder Mu, that would be even better."
Elder Mu smiled helplessly and sighed: "This old man would like to, but I'm old and my mobility is limited. Staying here at the academy is more suitable for an old man like me."
He paused and added: "If you have any other requests, you can make them. I will do my best to satisfy them."
Furina's eyes lit up, and she said without hesitation, "Fine! I want Elder Xuan to follow my command. He must not leave the students for a single moment. If anything happens, he must appear immediately—at least, be on call at all times."
How should one put it? On Shrek's side, excluding Elder Mu, the only usable top-tier combat power left was indeed Xuan Zi. Although he was unreliable and was the'shame of Super Douluos,' he was still a Rank 98 Super Douluo after all.
As long as he didn't encounter someone of the same rank, he could fight; even if he did, he could at least stall for time and wouldn't be instantly killed.
Elder Mu turned to look at Elder Xuan: "Xuan Zi, what about you?"
Elder Xuan was silent for a while, then nodded silently: "Let it be so, Elder Mu."
He knew he had almost caused another major blunder. First being criticized to his face by Furina, then being awakened by Elder Mu. Besides accepting it, what else could he say?
"Then it's settled." Elder Mu nodded and looked at Wang Yan again, "Teacher Wang Yan should also go along. I still trust your abilities."
He patted Wang Yan's shoulder, his tone softening considerably: "Don't feel too much pressure. If we lose, we lose. Just consider that our Shrek has grown old."
Wang Yan was stunned at first, then his eyes reddened, and his voice trembled with excitement: "Yes, Elder Mu! I will certainly not fail my mission!"
The infirmary fell silent.
Sunlight shone through the window, falling upon everyone.
Elder Mu's gaze slowly swept over every student present, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. In that smile, there was expectation, trust, and a sense of composure after having experienced the vicissitudes of life.
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