Chapter 12: Elder Mu's Dissatisfaction, Hurry Up and Bring Him Back!
After parting ways with Liu Yuan, Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao did not linger in the Star Dou Great Forest. They pushed forward, hurrying toward Shrek Academy without a single pause. Sleeping under the open stars and eating whatever dry rations they could manage in the wind left them physically exhausted, but their morale remained exceptionally high. Huo Yuhao, in particular, practically vibrated with anticipation for his upcoming academy life.
A few days later, the majestic silhouette of Shrek City finally broke through the horizon.
For Huo Yuhao, stepping into this legendary city was a first. Every towering building, every bustling street vendor, and every passing Soul Master felt entirely novel to him. His wide eyes took in the sights as Bei Bei efficiently guided him through the academy gates, smoothly handling the otherwise tedious registration procedures.
"Yuhao, these are your dormitory keys and your freshman uniform." Bei Bei handed over a neatly folded stack of clothes and a brass key, offering a warm smile. "Tang Ya is quite exhausted from the journey, so she is heading back to her dormitory to rest. I also have some urgent matters to attend to. You should go settle into your room first. Come find me if you run into any trouble."
"Okay, thank you, Senior Brother!" Huo Yuhao nodded obediently. Clutching his newly received items to his chest, he turned and jogged toward the freshman dormitory building, his face flushed with excitement.
Watching the young boy's retreating figure, the gentle smile on Bei Bei's face gradually faded into a serious expression. He did not head toward his own dormitory. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked in the direction of Sea God Lake.
There lay the absolute core of Shrek Academy, a forbidden ground for ordinary students and teachers alike—the Sea God Pavilion.
Inside the Sea God Pavilion, the lighting was deliberately kept dim, casting long, ancient shadows across the wooden floorboards. An elderly man, looking as though he already had one foot in the grave, lay half-reclined on a wooden chair. His eyes were slightly closed, his breathing shallow, giving the impression of someone merely dozing off in their twilight years. His face was heavily weathered, the skin sagging and lined with deep wrinkles resembling dried orange peel. He radiated absolutely no aura. To any passing observer, he was just an ordinary, frail old man waiting for the end.
Yet, this very man was the current undisputed number one powerhouse of the Douluo Continent. He was the Dragon God Douluo, Elder Mu.
At this moment, a mid-level academy staff member stood respectfully to the side, keeping his voice to a hushed whisper as he reported the recent administrative matters.
"...The roster for this year's Inner Courtyard selection tournament has been tentatively finalized. Dean Yan Shaozhe is currently reviewing the candidates..."
"...The Soul Tool Department has submitted another application for a funding increase. Dean Qian Duoduo states that their latest core array research has reached a critical breakthrough phase and requires immediate resources..."
Elder Mu listened to the steady stream of information with a placid expression, occasionally offering a faint, slow nod. He had not actively concerned himself with the mundane worldly affairs of the academy for many years, having delegated the heavy lifting to Yan Shaozhe, Elder Xuan, and the other high-ranking executives. However, as the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, he still needed to maintain a firm grasp on the academy's general direction.
Then, the staff member shifted to the next item on his clipboard.
"Additionally, regarding the child of the Inner Courtyard couple, Liu Zong and Xie Ting... he has been officially expelled from Shrek Academy, acting on Elder Xuan's direct instructions."
The reporter swallowed hard, glancing cautiously at Elder Mu's face before continuing. "Elder Xuan's reasoning is that, although the couple sacrificed themselves during a highly classified mission for the Shrek Supervision Team, the academy has already done its utmost to provide for that child over the past years. Elder Xuan believes that the boy's martial soul is completely ruined, making him unfit to remain within our Shrek. Therefore, he ordered him to leave."
Hearing this, Elder Mu's slightly closed eyes suddenly opened a fraction. A heavy silence descended upon the dim room. His white brows furrowed together.
"Elder Xuan..." Elder Mu let out a long, drawn-out sigh. His raspy voice carried a distinct trace of helplessness and deep disappointment. "He is still so impulsive in his actions. And his heart... is still far too narrow."
Elder Mu retained a clear impression of that specific child. It was not merely because of the boy's initial talent, but heavily due to his tragic background. The child's parents had died in the line of duty while serving the Shrek Supervision Team. Such absolute sacrifices were rare and highly honored, even within the elite ranks of Shrek.
Because of this, as Elder Mu continued speaking, his tone grew noticeably colder, laced with genuine dissatisfaction.
"Even if the child's martial soul mutated negatively, even if he could never become a Soul Master in the future, or even if he became a complete cripple... so what?" Elder Mu's fingers tapped weakly against the armrest, though the sound echoed like thunder in the quiet room. "Does my Shrek Academy not possess a grand foundation? Can we truly not afford the grain to raise one single child? Why act so ruthlessly and leave the hearts of our people utterly disheartened?"
The staff member lowered his head, not daring to breathe too loudly.
"Where is that child now?" Elder Mu asked, his gaze piercing through the gloom.
"Replying to the Pavilion Master, the child packed his belongings and left the academy the very day he received the expulsion notice. Right now... his exact whereabouts are unknown."
"He left..." A flash of deep regret crossed Elder Mu's aged eyes.
Just then, the sound of light, steady footsteps approached from the corridor outside.
"Grand Elder." Bei Bei's respectful voice sounded through the heavy wooden door.
"Come in." The coldness in Elder Mu's eyes vanished, replaced instantly by a kind, grandfatherly smile. He waved a frail hand at the sweating staff member. "You may step down first."
After the staff member bowed and quickly exited, Bei Bei pushed the door open. He walked briskly to Elder Mu's side, crouching down to skillfully and gently massage the old man's legs, easing the stiffness in his joints.
"How was it? Was your trip out with Tang Ya smooth?" Elder Mu asked, his voice returning to a gentle warmth.
"Very smooth, Grand Elder," Bei Bei replied with a bright smile. "Tang Ya successfully hunted her third soul ring and has officially advanced to a Soul Elder.... during our time in the Star Dou Great Forest, we unexpectedly managed to recruit a brand new disciple for the Tang Sect."
"Oh?" Elder Mu's interest was piqued. "Someone you two took a liking to must certainly be a little freak, right?"
"He is indeed a very promising prospect." A look of genuine admiration surfaced in Bei Bei's eyes. "His name is Huo Yuhao. He is an orphan, and his martial soul is an extremely rare spiritual-type Body Martial Soul—the Spirit Eyes."
"A spiritual-type Body Martial Soul?" Elder Mu nodded slowly, processing the information. "Truly rare. Although cultivating a spiritual-type is notoriously difficult, if he is guided properly, his future achievements will be absolutely limitless."
"Indeed," Bei Bei agreed, his hands continuing their rhythmic kneading. "However... compared to Huo Yuhao, we actually encountered another, far more stunning genius this time. It is just a massive pity..."
"What is a pity?"
"It is a pity that he is entirely unwilling to join the Tang Sect, nor is he willing to come enroll at Shrek." Bei Bei sighed heavily, the image of the calm, ruthless young man flashing through his mind. "He also possesses a Body Martial Soul, an incredibly special one called Double Pupils. At merely the second soul ring stage, he had already successfully absorbed a thousand-year level ring. And what is even more terrifying... his combat abilities are monstrously strong!"
Bei Bei went on to roughly detail the specific abilities he had witnessed. He described the devastating piercing power of the Laser Eye and the bizarre, life-saving properties of the Undying Double Body.
Listening to this, even a man of Elder Mu's vast experience could not help but suck in a quiet breath of surprise.
"Oh? If that is the case, this child is indeed exceptionally outstanding!" Elder Mu praised, but a frown quickly followed. "Then why is he so unwilling to come to Shrek?"
"He said..." Bei Bei offered a bitter, helpless smile. "He said Shrek is good, but in terms of developing a Body Martial Soul, it is vastly inferior to the Body Sect. He intends to go find the Body Sect."
"The Body Sect..."
Elder Mu fell completely silent. The name of that particular faction carried a heavy weight.
After a long, drawn-out pause, he slowly nodded, his tone incredibly complex. "What he said... is not entirely wrong. There is a specialty in every field. For a Body Martial Soul of that supreme caliber, those absolute lunatics in the Body Sect indeed possess far better cultivation methods than we do."
"It is just a pity..." Elder Mu shook his head, staring at the ceiling. "Such a flawless piece of jade, yet he has no fate with my Shrek."
Noticing that Elder Mu was beginning to look fatigued, Bei Bei decided not to disturb him any further. After chatting briefly about some lighthearted family matters, he respectfully took his leave, quietly closing the door of the Sea God Pavilion behind him.
The room returned to a heavy, suffocating silence.
Elder Mu lay alone on the recliner, his cloudy eyes staring up at the dim wooden beams of the ceiling. Yet, the deep furrows on his brow never smoothed out.
Although the peerless genius Bei Bei had just described made him feel a twinge of regret, Elder Mu had lived a very long time. He had seen far too many geniuses rise and fall to dwell on a single one refusing their invitation.
What weighed far heavier on his mind was the orphan who had gone missing after being callously expelled by Elder Xuan.
He had to find that boy and bring him back.
In terms of basic human sentiment, the child's parents had bled and died for Shrek. It was only right and proper for Shrek to provide him with a lifetime of security.
In terms of reputation, if this matter were ever exposed to the public—if the outside world learned that the glorious Shrek Academy treated the helpless orphans of its fallen heroes like garbage the moment they lost their utility—Shrek's ten thousand years of pristine reputation would be dragged through the mud.
After rolling the matter over in his mind, Elder Mu made his decision. He raised his voice slightly, calling a few hidden guards into the room.
"I believe we must find that child and bring him back..." Elder Mu commanded, his voice brooking no argument. "Elder Xuan handled this matter with severe inappropriateness. If we are not careful, this will place Shrek in a position of supreme unrighteousness. Deploy your people. Go and find him."
"Yes, Pavilion Master." The shadows bowed and vanished.
Meanwhile.
Far away, on the absolute outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, beside the banks of an unnamed, winding river.
The night sky was as dark as spilled ink, scattered with a handful of twinkling, icy stars.
A small bonfire crackled merrily by the riverbank, its dancing orange flames aggressively pushing back the surrounding chill and the oppressive darkness of the forest.
Liu Yuan sat cross-legged by the fire. He held a sturdy wooden branch with two plump, freshly caught fish skewered through it. Droplets of fat sizzled loudly as they hit the open flames, turning the fish skin a perfect, crispy golden-brown.
"Sizzle—"
He casually rotated the stick, flawlessly executing the secret grilling technique he had silently stolen from Huo Yuhao. Almost immediately, an incredibly rich, mouth-watering aroma wafted through the cool night air.
Since parting ways with Bei Bei and the others, Liu Yuan had began his solitary journey toward the Heavenly Soul Empire. Because his destination required him to cross the outer borders of the Star Dou Great Forest, he had chosen his path with pragmatic caution. For the sake of absolute safety, he never ventured deep into the woods, strictly moving along the outermost periphery where high-level soul beasts rarely roamed.
"Whew... smells incredible."
Liu Yuan blew lightly on the steaming fish, tearing off a tender piece of meat with his teeth. As the rich flavor exploded over his taste buds, he narrowed his eyes in deep satisfaction. "Huo Yuhao's grilling technique really is something else. Good thing I'm smart enough to memorize the method just by watching."
The night wind blew gently through the canopy above, and the river water murmured a soothing, continuous rhythm against the muddy banks.
Just as Liu Yuan was preparing to fully enjoy this rare, peaceful dinner in the wild...
Rustle, rustle, rustle...
A very faint, distinct sound of grass and leaves rubbing against one another suddenly drifted from a dense bush not too far away.
The noise was incredibly light, almost imperceptible, but in the dead silence of the night forest, it grated against the ears like a harsh alarm.
Liu Yuan's chewing motion stalled instantly. His jaw locked.
Swish!
He snapped his head toward the noise. In the blink of an eye, his Double Pupils activated, lighting up with a dangerous, faint golden glow in the darkness. His gaze locked fixedly onto the swaying, pitch-black bush.
"Who?!"
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